The Complete Ivory by Doris Egan

Author:Doris Egan [Egan, Doris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Kogumik
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

I know. I was the one who told him about Robin Hood.

The Pemhostils were maddened, naturally, but they got no sympathy from their neighbors, which was perhaps one of the points Stereth wanted to make. There was always the danger that one of our new allies would prefer the exorbitant profit of turning in Stereth Tar'krim to being a silent partner of his band; but as Des pointed out, they would have to locate him first, and then balance the promise of more money to come from the band's Sector activity versus the amount of the bounty—and the certainty of outlaw retribution.

It was all very civilized. We'd been sweeping out the hall and laying the table for hours. Napkins and tah cups were at hand, sparkling clean, and Lex and Komo were discreetly placed at corners with a view of the yard, holding a rifle and pistol respectively. Finally, ten mounts rode onto the fort grounds, led by a dried-up little man with an intense expression and a young woman in a black jacket, her hair pinned up like a lady of the capital.

"Marainis Cho," Des told me, nodding toward the woman. Never-Too-Late. "I wouldn't mind making her close acquaintance. Dramonta's a pig, though."

"Why?" I watched as the pair dismounted and returned

Stereth's bows. No pretense here that the official posters of Ran were anything but a joke; outlaws knew too much about each other.

"He chooses a new second-in-command every couple of years. Picks the best-looking female in the band and disposes of the last one."

"Gods!" Marainis Cho undid the top button of her jacket, showing a gold choker necklace. She followed Stereth and Dramonta inside, her eyes down. "Does she know what's in store? Or do you mean something harmless by 'disposes'?"

"Harmless? With Dramonta involved? Hell, Tymon, I don't know if she knows. It's a sin, though. Look at the way she walks. You can see light between her legs. Know what that means, when a woman—"

"Spare me the male folklore, Des. I can't believe Dramonta gets away with that in his own band! We wouldn't stand for it here."

Six of the riders Dramonta had brought along were milling in the yard, talking with Grateth, Mora, and Paravit-Col. The other two riders had gone inside.

"Makes for bad feelings in the band," agreed Des. "People give Marainis a hard time about it, from what I hear."

"They give her a hard time—" I shut my mouth, took a breath, and said, "Carabinstereth's right. It's an insanity gene, tied to the Y chromosome."

"You can't expect them to be glad when somebody sleeps her way to second-in-command—"

"I'm going inside now. Clintris could use help with the serving." I turned and started for the main building.

"Come on, Tymon, I didn't say / felt that way—I'm only quoting what other people say—Tymon!"

I went in through the main hall, past the fire, and up to the low table Stereth had had installed two days ago. He glanced at me as I came in; the place was almost empty.

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