Lorcas and Efraim returned along the Street of the Clever Flea to the Estrada, Efraim pensive and grim. Lorcas, after darting half a dozen glances toward his companion, could no longer contain his curiosity. "So now what will you do?"
"What must be done."
Ten paces later Lorcas said: "You evidently have no fear of death."
Efraim shrugged.
Lorcas asked: "How will you achieve this business?"
"I must return to Scharrode," said Efraim. "Is there any other way? My enemy is someone I know well; would I drink with a stranger? In Port Mar were the following persons: Kaiark Jochaim, who is dead, the Kraike Singhalissa, the Kang Destian, the Lissolet Sthelany. Then, from Eccord, the Kaiark Rianlle, the Kraike Dervas, and the Lissolet Maerio. And, conceivably, Matho Lorcas, except in this case, why would you take me to Skogel7"
"Precisely so," said Lorcas. "On that distant occasion I dosed you only with good wine from which you took no harm."
"And you saw nothing significant, nothing suspicious, nothing dire?"
Lorcas reflected. "I noticed nothing overt. I felt stifled passion and flows of emotion, but where they led I could not divine. To be candid, I expected strange personalities among the Rhunes, and I made no attempt to understand what I saw.
Without a memory you will also be handicapped."
"Very likely. But now I am Kaiark and everyone must go at my pace. I can recover my memory at leisure. What is the best transportation to Scharrode?"
"There's no choice," said Lorcas. "You hire an aircar and fly out." He looked casually up into the sky, which Cirse was about to depart. "If you permit, I will accompany you."
"What is your interest in the affair?" asked Efraim suspiciously.
Lorcas responded with an airy gesture. "I have long wished to visit the Realms.
The Rhunes are a fascinating people and I am anxious to learn more about them.
And, if the truth be known, I am anxious to pursue one or two acquaintances."
"You might not enjoy your visit. I am Kaiark, but I have enemies and they might not distinguish between us."
"I rely upon the notorious Rhune revulsion against violent conduct, which they abandon only during their incessant wars. And who knows? You might find a companion useful."
"Perhaps. Who is this acquaintance whom you are anxious to cultivate? The Lissolet Sthelany?"
Lorcas nodded glumly. "She is an intriguing young woman; in fact, I will go so far as to say that she represents a challenge. As a rule, pretty ladies find me sympathetic, but the Lissolet Sthelany barely notices my existence."
Efraim gave a sour chuckle. "In Scharrode the situation will be worse rather than better."
"I expect no true triumphs; still, if I can persuade her to alter her expression from time to time, I will consider the journey a success."
"I doubt if all will go so easily. The Rhunes find outland manners coarse and vulgar."
"You are Kaiark; your orders must be obeyed. If you decree tolerance, then the Lissolet Sthelany must instantly bend to your will."
"It will be an interesting experiment," said Efraim. "Well then, make yourself ready; we leave at once!"
1. Chorasm: Sebalism carried to a remarkable extreme.
Chapter 6
During early isp Efraim arrived at the office of the local air transport service, to find that Lorcas had already hired an aircar of no great elegance - its metalwork stained by long exposure to the elements, the glass of the dome clouded, the flanges around the pods cratered and corroded. Lorcas said apologetically: "It's the best available, and quite dependable; in a hundred and two years the engine has never failed, or so I'm told."
With a skeptical eye Efraim surveyed the vehicle. "If it flies us to Scharrode, I don't care what it looks like."
"Sooner or later the craft will collapse, most likely in mid-air. Still the alternative is shank's mare along the Fwai-chi trails. The terrain is most impressive, nor would you make so dignified an arrival."
"There is something in what you say," Efraim admitted. "Are you ready to leave?"
"At any time. But let me make a suggestion. Why not send a message ahead to prepare them for your coming?"
"So that someone can fly out and shoot us down?"
Lorcas shook his head. "Aircars are banned to the Rhunes, for just this reason.
The present issue is one of dignity, and if I may presume to advise you, a Kaiark announces his arrival so that a formal reception may be arranged. I will speak for you, as your aide, which will lend dignity to the occasion."
"Very well, do as you like."
"The Kraike Singhalissa is now the head of the household?"
"So I would suppose."
At a videophone as antiquated as the aircar, Lorcas put through a call.
A footman in a black and scarlet uniform responded. "I speak for Benbuphar Strang. Please state your business."
"I want a few words with the Kraike Singhalissa," said Lorcas. "I have important information to transmit."
"You must call at some other time. The Kraike is in consultation regarding the investiture."
"Investiture? Of whom?"
"Of the new Kaiark."
"And who will this be?"
"The present Kang Destian, who is next in order of succession."
"And when does the investiture occur?"
"In one week's time, when the present Kaiark is to be declared derelict."
Lorcas laughed. "Please inform the Kraike that the investiture may be canceled, since Kaiark Efraim is immediately returning to Scharrode."
The footman stared into the screen. "I cannot take responsibility for such an announcement."
Efraim stepped forward. "Do you recognize me?"
"Ah, Force,1 indeed I do!"
"Deliver the message as you heard it from the Noble Matho Lorcas."
"Instantly, Force!" The footman inclined himself in a stiff bow, and faded in a dazzle of halations.
The two returned to the aircar and clambered aboard. Without ceremony the pilot clamped the ports, opened the throttle and the ancient aircraft, creaking and vibrating, lurched up and away to the east.
With the pilot, who identified himself as Tiber Flaussig, talking over his shoulder and ignoring both altimeter and the terrain below, the aircraft cleared the ridges of the First Scarp with a hundred yards to spare. As if by afterthought the pilot lifted the craft somewhat higher, although the land at once fell away a thousand feet to become an upland plain. A hundred sprawling lakes reflected the clouds; scour and deep-willow grew in isolated copses, with a gnarled catafalque tree here and there. Thirty miles east the Second Scarp thrust crags of naked rock up past the clouds. Flaussig, discussing certain outcrops below, declared them rich sources of such gems as tourmaline, peridot, topaz, and spinel - all protected from human exploitation by reason of Fwai-chi prejudice. "They claim this as one of their holy places, and so reads the treaty. They care no more for the jewels than for common stones; but they can smell a man from fifty miles away and lay on him their curse of a thousand itches, or a fiery bladder, or piebald skin. The area is now avoided."
Efraim pointed ahead to the looming scarp. "In a single minute we will all be crushed to pulp, unless you quickly raise this craft at least two thousand feet."
"Ah yes," said Flaussig. "The scarp approaches, and we will give it due respect." The aircar rose at a stomach-gripping rate, and from the engine box came a stuttering wheeze which caused Efraim to twist about in alarm. "Is this vehicle finally disintegrating?"