Necessity's Child (Liaden Universe®) by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

but to provide a net, should it be needed. Now, you must go upstairs and make your peace with Mrs. pel’Esla, who feels that she fell short of her duty. Also”—she extended her other hand and ran her fingers down his cheek, grinning openly—“I think a bath is in order.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

    The comm unit on the edge of her desk gave tongue, bringing Nova, blinking, out of an intense study of the plans for the first phase of the warehouse district recovery. So much unused space, under roof aboveground, as well as levels below grade, where it was warmer, for Surebleak values of warm, that might be utilized for—
    The comm sounded again. She shook herself, and glanced at the screen. Her brows rose as she looked to the clock—and snapped the speaker on.
    “Mother?” Syl Vor’s voice was strained.
    “Yes, my child,” she said soothingly. “Are you well?”
    A small hesitation, which instantly placed her on guard. Syl Vor was not an untruthful boy, but he was becoming adept at the fine art of phrasing.
    “I am well, yes,” he said now, politely. “And yourself? I hope I am not disturbing your work.”
    Cousin Kareen’s influence there. Nova carefully did not sigh. One must know the forms, after all, and to sigh after the artless conversational style of only a year ago was to serve no one. It was the order of things, that straightforward children became facile adults.
    “I find myself in the bloom of health, thank you,” she told her son. “As it happens I was working, and must therefore claim you for my rescue, for I believe I have been working far too long this day.” That style was a little forward of his current ability, she thought—but see what he made of it.
    “I am pleased to be of service,” he answered, which was perfectly apt, though delivered rather more seriously than was strictly in mode.
    “We are well-aligned then,” she said, matching his seriousness. “Now, you must tell me how I may serve you.”
    That hesitation again. Nova closed her eyes; the better to listen on all levels.
    “Is Quin well?” Syl Vor asked, wistfully.
    “He was perfectly well when last I saw him,” she said. “He has piloting lessons every afternoon with a Scout, which reconciles him, a little, to the learning of Boss Conrad’s business.”
    “I don’t think he wants to be Boss,” Syl Vor said.
    “Nor did your cousin Pat Rin. Indeed, I believe that the Rule of Succession must be the same for Bosses as for delms .”
    “Who wants it least will do it best,” Syl Vor quoted.
    “Exactly.”
    “Padi has gone with Uncle Shan, on the Passage ,” her son said, after a moment.
    “Padi is overdue to take up her training. Only consider! You will be in her place in a very few years. How do you think you will like that?”
    Flying on a tangent he might be, but Syl Vor was not to be diverted by so simple a ploy as that.
    “Granduncle Daav was kind enough to reprogram the shadow-spar so that I might learn the bridges. I practice every day. Sometimes I practice twice a day. Uncle Shan had recommended I study counterchance, but I fear the unit in the nursery is defective. I’ve done all my lessons ahead. Tomorrow, I will ask my tutor to unlock the next two levels.”
    This litany of industriousness was of course gratifying—one wished for one’s offspring to be diligent. It came to her then that Syl Vor had perhaps not veered so very sharply on tangent, after all.
    “Do I hear a request for a change in schedule?” she asked.
    A sigh, perfectly audible. “If you please, Mother. I had asked Mrs. ana’Tak if I could help her cook, but she only gave me an apple and told me to get along outside. I—perhaps I might assist the gardener? I . . . think I should like to know more about gardening. I am—I am willing to work, ma’am.”
    Indeed, he was willing to work. A concerned parent might even say—rather too willing. Nova frowned. The burden of Plan B had altered them all, but it seemed that the conditions of