With such innocuous tidbits and discourse, the meal finished. Immediately upon rising from the table, Elder Torkes told Lars Dahl that now was the time to show him the islet.
“We can call up the information right here,” Olav said, going to the elaborate sideboard of the dining room. One section of its flat surface immediately transformed to display a terminal while the island seascape above slid to one side exposing a large screen.
Killashandra, watching Torkes obliquely, saw him stiffen until Olav merely gestured for Lars Dahl to retrieve what documents he needed. Within a moment, a small-scale chart of the entire Archipelago dominated the screen. Lars tapped keys and the chart dissolved to a larger-scale one of Angel Island, then flowed left toward Bar Island, slightly upward, and in another adjustment, magnified the chosen islet, complete with its protecting reefs, quite isolated from other blobs of polly-treed islands.
“Here, Elder Torkes, is where I discovered the Guild-member. Fortunately, whoever abandoned her left her where there is a good fresh spring.” He now magnified the islet so that its topographical features were apparent.
“I’d a bit of a shelter on the height,” Killashandra said.
“Here,” Lars agreed and pointed.
“And mercifully I was high enough there to be out of reach of the hurricane tides – just barely – I fished in this lagoon, and swam, there, too, because the larger things couldn’t pass over the reef. But, as you can see, gentlemen, I could not even have swum to an occupied island for help!”
One of Torkes’s officers noted the longitude and latitude of the islet.
“Just thinking about it again distresses me.” Killashandra turned to Olav. “That was a magnificent dinner to he served so soon after a hurricane, Harbor Master. And it was such a pleasure, for me especially,” and she graciously gestured, “to have so much variety to choose from and enjoy. Now, I would like to retire.”
“Guildmember, there is much to discuss – ”
“We can discuss it just as easily in the morning, Elder Torkes. It has been a long and exhausting day for me, remember. We left Bar Island with the injured at dawn and it’s now midnight.” She turned from the Elder now to Olav. “I am quartered tonight in the Residence?”
“This way.” Olav and Lars immediately escorted her to the inner wall where a lift door slid aside. “Let me assure you that this is the only way into the living section of the Residence. This will be guarded well tonight.” He peremptorily gestured for thc guard to be posted.
“Elder Torkes, this is the first time that we have been privileged to entertain members of the Council,” Teradia said, her deep voice tinged with awe as she took Torkes’s arm and began to lead him back to the reception room.
Olav bowed over Killashandra’s hand, smiling as he came erect and gestured her into the lift. The door slid shut on Killashandra and Lars and, with an exaggerated sigh of relief, Killashandra leaned against him.
He made a quick sign with his hand, his eyes busy on the ceiling pane.
“I am totally exhausted, Captain Dahl.” So, Torkes had had the area monitored. That would make it exceedingly awkward for her and Lars.
The lift made a brief, noiseless descent and then the door slid open to a scene that caught her breath. The wide window gave onto moonlit harbor. An aureole of bright light illuminating the ancient stratovolcano as a second moon rose behind it. Of one accord, they stood for a long moment in appreciation of the beauty.
As Lars led her down to the short corridor toward two doors at its end, he glanced at the chrono on his wrist. Killashandra had time to notice the grin on his face before all the lights went off. Simultaneously she saw three short blue flashes, two along the corridor and a third one at the first door.
“What – ” she began in alarm, but then the lights came on and Lars took her in his arms.
“Now we’re safe!”
“You blew the monitors?”
“And his ship’s systems. Father’s got a way with electronics and . . .” he swung her into his arms and impatiently strode toward the first door, which slid open to their approach. “I’m about to have my way with you.”
Which, of course, was exactly what Killashandra had been hoping for.
Chapter 17
A breakfast tray in hand, Teradia appeared early next morning. Killashandra found she was in a large room brightly lit by sunlight reflected from the surface of the harbor. How the woman maintained her perfect grooming and serene composure Killashandra would have given much to know. Perhaps it had something to do with the experiential tranquillity of advanced years, although “old” in the physiological sense did not seem to apply to Teradia.
“And what of the day, oh bringer of delights?” Lars asked, settling pillows behind Killashandra. “Olav didn’t miss a trick last night, did he?”
“He’s still playing them this morning.” Teradia smiled faintly. “May I compliment you on last night’s performance, Killashandra? You were spectacular. I don’t think anyone on Torkes’s staff had ever witnessed its like.”
“I was consumed with righteous wrath,” Killashandra replied. “Imagine, someone pointing a weapon at me! A crystal singer!”
Lars soothingly stroked her arm and poured out the steaming morning beverage. “What’s Olav up to today then?”
Teradia seated herself on the edge of the wide bed, folding her hands together in her lap, the faint smile still tilting the corners of her full lips. “As you surmised, the power failure effectively crippled the cruiser, since Olav had so courteously suggested that they hook up to the land facilities and spare the cruiser’s batteries. Then it went, Torkes was quite upset, worrying about you, Guildmember, and thinking this was another attempt on your safety. Of course. the lift wouldn’t operate, and an inspection party quickly discovered that this apartment cannot easily be scaled from the ground, so they posted guards on the waterfront. That’s why your sleep was undisturbed.” She lowered her eyes briefly. “Olav worked with the cruiser’s engineers all night, to discover the trouble in our generators which, as you might suspect, had suffered previously undetected damage from the hurricane. All is now restored, except, of course, the units which were overloaded!” She pointed out the several char marks where walls met the ceiling. “And, of course, the blown chip was discovered to be water damaged. Your father has a genius in that area. But I think you had both better put in appearances shortly. There are suitable garments for you both in the dressingroom and I have been requested to deliver necessities for you to the cruiser, Killashandra.”
Teradia rose in one lithe movement, hesitated, and then moved to Killashandra’s side. “You can have no idea how I enjoyed seeing an Elder rendered speechless. An excellent strategy on your part. Keep them off balance and guessing. They don’t have any experience with that!” Then Teradia laid her soft, fragrant cheek against Killashandra’s and before the crystal singer could react, had glided out of the room and closed the door.
“You have made an impression,” Lars said. “I’ll tell you about Teradia’s experience with the Council and you’ll understand what she meant. I never would have thought of complaining about that sentry nonsense,” and Lars gave an exasperated sigh, “but then, I’m used to it. It must be . . .” He searched for the appropriate word, shrugged when he couldn’t find it. “How remarkable not to need weapons or guards, Is it the case in Ballybran, or did that felicitous state exist on your Fuerte, too?”
“Both. On Fuerte for lack of aggression, and on Ballybran because everyone’s too busy in the Ranges cutting crystal. We know our place and are secure in it,” she paraphrased, mimicking Ampris’s voice. “Lars, how are we going to fuse the monitors at the Conservatory? They’ll have installed them, I know.”