“I thought you dead, Murell!” Her voice rang with a relief and amazement which was, Caissa credited her by her robe, probably genuine. She would have rushed to the figure striding in the magnificence of coelura stripes, but Baythan’s grasp recalled her to the proprieties.
“My profound apologies for this belated appearance, gracious Rulers,” and Murell made an obeisance, just proper for a Cavernus before a Ruler, yet something about his person-his robes-lent him an air and authority equal to that of the Triadic Rulers. “My vehicle, doubtless due to worn parts, crashed seven weeks ago and was so damaged that no signal indicated my position. When my injuries were sufficiently healed, I returned to my Cavern. I have but just learned of your gracious consent to reinstate the Oriolii.” Then he stepped beside the Caverna who stared fixedly at him.
Red Ruler smartly extended the contract to Murell who bowed before accepting it.
“That document is valid only if the Caverna is both Oriolis heir and body-heir,” said Red Ruler firmly, sternly glancing at Blue Ruler who affected polite dismay.
Holding the paper by top and bottom, Murell appeared to study the paragraphs, his expression politely intent, but Caissa was positive that he had known its contents beforehand and had carefully timed his unexpected arrival.
“A minor addition will validate it since I am Cavernus and Oriolis body-heir.” Murell turned now and, for the first time, acknowledged the presence of Baythan with a very correct bow. “I certainly have no wish to protest such a distinguished connection or deprive the Caverna of the wisdom and advice of your Excellency as her contractual partner, one so keenly interested in Oriolii welfare.
“However,” and Murell turned back to the two Rulers, “as Cavernus and body-heir, rank and duty compel me to be First Comptroller in all matters pertaining to coelura spin.” There was a stir of suppressed excitement and shock in the audience. Murell bowed. “You will find my administration impartial since I have no prejudice for those along the Base of the Triangle. It profits neither your two Cities nor Oriolii to continue an isolation for a cause that no longer exists. The species ‘coelura’ are secure.”
Red and Blue Rulers leaned together across the gap between their chairs. Blue Ruler’s shoulders were hunched with the urgency of the arguments he made to Red Ruler. Caissa spared a glance at her sire and saw that his colors were remarkably settled, his face composed. She admired his containment at what must be a severe check to his ambitions for there was little doubt in Caissa’s mind that Baythan intended, through the Caverna, to control coelura spins. He turned his head slightly, his lips moving in a phrase audible only to the Caverna. The girl blinked once, the only indication of surprise before her lips formed the negative. Baythan relaxed and the slight tilt of satisfaction in the set of his shoulders made Caissa wonder what her sire’s cunning mind had devised at this juncture.
The two Rulers had ended their conference and Red Ruler asked that the writer be summoned. Then he gestured to the assembled, giving permission for them to speak quietly among themselves.
Caissa could not quit her position and there was no one near enough with whom she could have conversed had she been of that mind. Except Murell. And she couldn’t acknowledge him yet. Murell now came down the step to her sire. Baythan, with a gracious smile, extended his hand. As if released from a paralysis, the Caverna clutched at Murell’s right arm with both hands, her face turned up to his, her lips moving rapidly, explaining many things as fast as she could. Murell covered her hands with his, his manner reassuring. Baythan exchanged a few more words with Murell who regarded the Minister for a long moment. Caissa saw Murell ask one single quiet question and then her sire gestured towards her.
Caissa exerted every ounce of self-control to keep her gown from responding to the leap of emotion that surged through her. Murell inclined his head in her direction and then bowed formally to Baythan.
At this point, the writer, with assistants carrying his tall table and casket of writing implements, appeared from the Triadic offices. Baythan beckoned Caissa, his expression politely but earnestly entreating. She knew with a joy that did cause her robe to shimmer what her sire wanted of her. She almost burst out laughing at the irony. Baythan would not find her so compliant if he tried to override Murell in the matter of coelura.
“Caissa, as my body-heir, I have the right to request you to consider your first contract to further our mutual interests.”
Caissa acknowledged that right.
“Would you consent to a contract with Cavernus Murell? I can assure you that the privileges of such a contract far outweigh any other that I have recommended to you.”
Caissa made the filial obeisance before she looked at Murell. She was very nearly undone by the twinkle of his eyes.
“What form of contract, my sire?”
“With so much at issue, Baythan,” said Murell, “I must insist on a body contract of five standard years to ensure the health of that heir.”
Baythan was visibly startled. Caissa knew that he must be rapidly assessing the value of this double commitment to the Oriolii, whether it would improve or hamper his own designs and whether he dared insist that Caissa approve such a long heir-contract.
“Sire Baythan,” said Caissa, drawling. She pretended to study Murell’s face and figure with a calculating eye. “I should be an undutiful heir not to do everything in my power to support you at this moment.” But her eyes sought Murell’s as she spoke.
The fingers of her sire’s right hand twitched briefly in recognition of her unexpected capitulation. Baythan gave Caissa a sudden searching look of suspicion before he, too, smiled with every evidence of pride in her filial submission. He took a step forward to get the attention of the two Rulers, approaching to make his request. Caissa, who dared not look at Murell when her heart was singing as loudly as coelura, watched the faces of the Rulers. She thought that Red Ruler smiled as he listened to Baythan.
“You wear coelura,” whispered the Caverna to Caissa in the accomplished voiceless way of their rank.
“A life-debt, my lady,” Caissa replied and smiled at the girl who would now be in a double relationship to her.
The Caverna’s eyebrows puckered slightly in perplexity.
“When I whistled coelura to spin two lengths, I thought one was to fulfill a contract debt.”
Both girls heard Murell’s chuckle.
“No, a life-debt, Anvral,” said Murell.
“You rescued Murell.” Anvral shot a look of gratitude to Caissa and then one of anger to the Cavernus. “Why didn’t you let me know?”
“After my ‘accident,’ discretion seemed the wiser course. You were proceeding very well, Anvral, without my assistance.” Murell’s eyes gleamed with friendly malice.
Then Baythan raised his hands for silence. He announced the double contract. As the Great Hall buzzed with agitation, Murell was beckoned forward. The two Rulers, Murell and Baythan watched the writer amend the document.
“How did you meet Baythan?” Caissa had a few questions of her own.
“He rescued me,” said Anvral, her eyes crinkling with laughter though she kept her face composed, “from an amphibian when I was searching for Murell. Are rescue missions to interdicted areas a genetic trait in your line?”
“My sire is known to be fortunate,” Caissa replied with discreet sincerity. This girl was not as unsophisticated as Baythan had been led to believe.
“Caverna Anvral,” said Blue Ruler, “body-heir Lady Caissa, your signatures are required.”