The River Wall by Randall Garrett Read Free Book Online Page B

but of course Tarani’s right
, I thought.
We would
not
merely be warning the Fa’aldu about Ferrathyn, we would be asking their support against him, should it come to that—all in the same breath.
    Tarani and I waited, while Charol thought about it. Slowly, he grew calm—and a little grim.
    “The Fa’aldu,” Charol said, “have been following your activities since Balgokh’s first report of meeting you, Rikardon. He spoke then of sensing a difference in you, and foretold that you would have a profound effect on the future of Gandalara. I had thought we had already seen that effect in your becoming Captain of the Sharith, in the appearance of Yayshah and the birth of her cubs, certainly in the acclamation of Tarani as High Lord of Eddarta.
    “But now I feel that these are meaningless, that the knowledge you offer me will reveal what Balgokh would not even attempt to guess.”
    Charol paused expectantly. I was stunned to learn of Balgokh’s assessment of me, based as it was on a very brief encounter. Tarani seemed to sense my confusion and stepped into the silence.
    “No one knows what Balgokh foresaw,” Tarani said, “and I would not call ‘meaningless’ the changes you cite. I would say, rather, that they have been preparatory to the purpose contained in the knowledge.”
    The man nodded vigorously, as if he regarded Tarani’s answer as total and direct confirmation of his statement. “It would be cowardly, then, to retreat to ignorance now. I choose to learn what you would tell me.”
    “Then let’s go inside,” I said, “where we can be comfortable.” To myself, I added:
And private.
“It’s a long story.”
    Instead of returning to our suite, Charol led us into his own quarters, where he invited us to share a luxury rare among the Fa’aldu—armchairs made of wood and fabric, instead of the backless salt blocks used for most other furniture. Even after we were all physically comfortable, however, an awkwardness remained.
    “Perhaps it will help,” Charol said, “if I summarize the present knowledge of this matter among the Fa’aldu?”
    “That seems as good a way as any to start,” I agreed gratefully.
    “Balgokh has kept us informed of the state of things in Raithskar,” the Elder said. “He told us of the theft of the Ra’ira originally, of course, and of your pursuit of the thief. It seems to be widely known in the city that an Eddartan stole the gem, and feeling runs high against Eddarta. Most of the rumors make a quite ridiculous connection between the theft of the gem and the illness of the vineh, so that the city’s fear of its former servants is turning to anger toward Eddarta.”
    Tarani and I exchanged glances.
    “How bad is it in Raithskar now?” I asked.
    Charol shook his head. “I only know that the people from the outlying communities and farms have been called to dwell within the city walls, and Balgokh has seen fewer and fewer caravans dare the journey from Yafnaar to Raithskar.”
    Fear clutched at my chest and stomach.
Thanasset and Milda are in Raithskar
, I thought. Markasset’s father and aunt had accepted me as a replacement for their son. Ricardo Carillo had acquired Markasset’s body, as far as I could tell, at the very moment of the boys death. Ricardo had acquired Markasset’s memory, and become the human-Gandalaran blend of Rikardon, on accepting the steel sword which I had surrendered on entering this Refreshment House.
They’re my family now, and they’re locked up with a madman in a city that’s getting hysterical.

6
    Associating the loss of the Ra’ira with the onset of danger from the vineh is ridiculous to Charol
, I thought,
because he’s native to Gandalara and has never been exposed to the irrationality of superstition. These people have fewer mysteries than humans because they believe they understand and are part of the All-Mind, a concept humans might treat as a god. They respect the All-Mind, but are not in awe of it.
    Even as the