Silent Songs by A. C. Crispin, Kathleen O'Malley Read Free Book Online Page B

Simiu could feel the drug's effect almost immediately. Her stomach settled down, her light-headedness faded, and she relaxed. She waved a sincere thank you at the doctor. Too bad there is no medication for cowardice, she thought.
    Glancing past the doctor, K'heera's eyes took in the expansive bluff lush with rich vegetation in a riot of colors, colors that tickled her eyes and filled her with a sudden surge of optimism-- until she glanced again at the flock of Grus, unabashedly straining their necks to get a good look at her.
    The Honored Interrelator held court among them, standing with her back to K'heera, signing to the giant avians.
    K'heera could not read the Grus' expressionless faces, but she was sure they must want to avenge their dead. That was why they'd flown up to the shuttle, to see the creature that had so unjustly and shamefully caused the slaughter of hundreds of their innocent people. She shivered uncontrollably.
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    She wanted to race away, and ached for the loving touch of her mother, or to bury her face in the mane of her beloved uncle.
    The Interrelator and the flock moved as if they were one organism, as they surrounded Jib. His eyes widened, but he signed the appropriate greetings.
    K'heera felt depressed again.
    Suddenly the tallest avian stretched, and his head spun on his supple neck as his piercing golden eyes captured Jib's. The human stood, his own dark eyes never flinching from "the look." K'heera could tell that Jib had quickly passed, that the Grus believed he was an honest, honorable person. What would happen when they sought what was honest and honorable in her?
    The flock kept stealing peeks at K'heera, sometimes with one eye, sometimes with two--one Grus even dropped his head to peer through the others' legs to see better. Then, as she considered retreating back into the shuttle, one of them approached. This avian was also tall and stately, but his head and neck were a lovely brownish-red that gradually faded into white.
    The avian stood at the foot of the ramp, holding his neck in a tight S curve, which made him seem smaller. "Good Eyes says your world is heavier than ours." He paused, tilting his head. "Is it hard to fly there?"
    K'heera felt dizzy. What kind of question was that for the daughter of murderers?
    "Forgive me," the Grus signed, dipping his head even lower. "This is my first introduction. I'm Lightning, son of Taller of the White Wind people. I welcome you to the World, and invite you to meet my father."
    Why, he's just a child, K'heera realized. A child with responsibilities, even as she had. His guilelessness had thrown a blanket over her fear, smothering it.
    "It is an honor to be presented to your father," she signed slowly, then carefully walked down the ramp to join him. The doctor walked behind them, with Meg and Bruce following at a discreet distance.
    "You have lovely eyes!" Lightning signed casual y. "They're the color of a summer sunrise."
    Before K'heera could respond to the unexpected compliment, she found herself staring at a thicket of thin, black legs. Lightning addressed the tallest of the flock. "Taller, greet our new friend-- we can call her 'Sunrise.' "
    The young Simiu was startled. Had he really used the informal sign for friend? And to be given a name that alluded to the Sun Family was. .. well, it was an honor. She glanced at the Interrelator, but her face was as unreadable as the avians.
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    "And this," Lightning signed to K'heera, "is Taller, tallest of the White Wind people in these parts."
    Before K'heera could return a respectful greeting, Taller dropped his long neck, fixing her with a round-eyed stare. Burning with shame, she turned away. Without moving his huge body, Taller's face was before hers again, holding her eyes with his commanding gaze, his deadly bill inches from her muzzle.
    K'heera felt as though she were being challenged, and her crest rose for a second, then collapsed. She dropped her eyes, and Taller's crown stretched and grew