Doona 01 - Decision at Doona by Anne McCaffrey

Author:Anne McCaffrey
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780345353771
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 1987-10-11T23:00:00+00:00

Hrrestan’s upheld hand stilled his argument

“No, he is not a trouble to us,” Hrrestan continued, inclining his head in a courtly gesture that robbed his remark of any hint of discourtesy. “It would seem, however, that when someone is set to watch this young hayuman, it is the watcher who comes to harm,” and Hrrestan’s glance traveled from one adult to the next around the table. “Yet it is not the fault of Zodd. The Bill misunderstood a friendly contest between Zodd and another cub of the same age and received small injuries. The second day, an older boy appeared to believe Zodd was in danger when he stepped into the stream to land a very large fish,” and Todd beamed up at Hrrestan. “Today, although warned, the watcher of Zodd plucked a flower that is poisonous. Are my facts correct?”

The Terrans grimly agreed.

“Already he speaks our not-so-easy-language. He understands what we

say to him.” Hrrestan paused, his eyes carefully examining the faces of each adult before he continued.

“My cub, Hrriss, has spent the day unhappily,” he said with a sigh. “All morning he waited for the small figure of Zodd to come down the slope to our village. All afternoon he lay in his bed, sighing deeply and sad.” Hrrestan’s jaw dropped and he shrugged in a very human fashion. “After today, I think Zodd will have no one to take him over the hill to our village and Hrriss will continue unhappy. Hrriss has ever been a lone cub -- which happens to some—but in Zodd he has found a heart that reaches to his, and a mind that understands all that is not easy to say in words. This is rare. It is too bad to part such friends. If you are willing, may Zodd come to our village each day? Mrrva has suggested it and is willing to assume the watching of this young cub. There will also be an elder who instructs our young in the traditions of the Hrruban. We hope that you will permit Zodd to listen to this elder who is wise and kind. I believe it will be of great benefit to both our villages that one of your young becomes close with one of ours.”

Ken noticed that Hrrula was watching him intently, the green eyes of the Hrruban brilliant, the body unnaturally tense. Hrrestan on the other hand was relaxed and now smiled encouragingly at Pat.

“Ken, that would be the most terrible imposition,” Pat temporized, but there was an incredulous hope in her eyes.

McKee broke the impasse by slapping his thigh and letting out a muted crow.

“Sorry, Ken,” he apologized absently, “but it’s an ideal solution.

Honestly, I’ve got nothing against Toddy but . . .”

Pat grimaced. “There’s always a ‘but’ when discussing Todd. Oh, I’m his mother but I’ll be honest. I’m the first one to agree with you. After all, I’ve had to put up with him longer than anyone else.”

“Now wait a minute,” Ken said, feeling control slipping from his paternal hands.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.