Halfling Moon by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Read Free Book Online

frequently, business items -- rarely
more than a piece or two -- and already sorted by likely priority
by the early and steadfast action of Mr. pel'Tolian himself. The
mail and news came self-sorted into the proper channels and
databases of his day screen, where it could be added to his carry
book or not.
    Here, there were piles. And in the piles . .
.
    Some were letters on paper to begin with,
others were letter size now because anything of on-world interest
that needed to be shared beyond his own staff likely would need to
be in paper format to facilitate that sharing. And paper format
needed to be logged, signed, notated, carried, stored, lifted --
and piled.
    Once that happened, of course, and items
were acted on, there was a multiplication rather than reduction of
piles --
    Pat Rin sighed. Across the room, Silk, the resident cat,
stirred, and opened one eye enough to check on the Boss and his
work. Ensconced on a pile of paper land records from the old days
of the mining company,
his
work was going fine, thank you.
    For himself, Pat Rin stretched, pleased that
there was neither pain nor ache when he did. He was aware, too,
that his family included Healers…and that a recent three-breath,
closed-eye hug from Cousin Anthora, followed by a smile and a
simply-said "You've been taking chances, Cousin. I knew you could."
meant that she'd gathered to him healing that a month of Surebleak
clinic could not.
    Well, then.
    Now in hand, Mr. pel'Tolian's note had more
weight to it than he'd expected. Unsealing it, he saw it contained
not only a letter but several visiting cards. He laughed -- ah yes,
Shan would have no doubt much enjoyed dispensing these -- after
all, they still carried the soon to be eliminated Trealla Fantrol
address.
    Lord Pat Rin
, the letter began without flowery
preamble,
this day I received in your name a visitation by the
yos'Galan lifemates and Miss Anthora in the pursuit of the final
removal, as we previously discussed. I have secured passage for
myself as well as the entire contents of your Nasingtale Alley
establishment. In keeping with our ongoing arrangements, I include
Mistress Miranda in these travel plans and am assured that she will
find the trip comfortable; rest assured she will travel in my suite
and will not be paraded about the ship.
    Your clan rug was rightfully of special interest to your
guests and my bindings on it were checked by all. Miss Anthora and
Lady Mendoza also did a "security walk-through" inasmuch as there
have been several efforts by the curious to obtain a glimpse of the
interior since your shot to the capital. Miss Anthora located
several items long missed by Master Quin; these have been included
in his desk, which is sealed for shipping. The final containers for
the more precious items have also arrived. After some discussion, I
have permitted Lord yos'Galan to take several cases of the finer
bottles of your Lordship's sherry and port for safekeeping in
Dutiful Passage's own wine cellar. Several bottles travel with me,
and the rest will be in the general safeguarding of the Passage,
which will carry nothing but Korval's own household goods and
necessities this trip.
    Odd, it was though written the words carried
the weight of pel'Tolian's voice with them. Odder, perhaps, was how
welcome that voice had been when Pat Rin had stood shoulder to
shoulder with Val Con and Miri, accepting visitors the second
evening after the blast. On the door were scouts as security, in
the corner were scouts and pilots of Korval, all armed, all
dangerous, and into this midst, unbidden, had come pel'Tolian --
through the security, through what surely was a madman's pattern of
traffic and confusion leading to Korval's valley.
    "Lord Pat Rin, Nasingtale Alley stands
firmly with you."
    Of a moment, he'd nearly doubted the voice,
for the irony of having his houseman declare for him and for his
actions was not lost on him. Neither was the man's rapid appraisal
of the pilot's jacket Pat Rin wore, and