Skyblaze Read Free

finally arriving at a bent card -- yes,
very much a card such as she herself might convey upon meeting new
acquaintances of worth.
    ''It seems that I am come with a less than
presentable card, and ask you to forgive my haste. Let me share
this, if I may, as is --''
    She opened the port and took the flimsy,
which was a very high quality paper indeed.
    The card was two-sided -- one side printed
in Trade, the other in Terran. Simple typography conveyed extremely
chilling information.
    Commander Octavius Higdon
    Higdon's Howlers
    Military missions. Security to mayhem.
    Guaranteed service
    There were contact numbers
listed, and the man in her cab's passenger compartment --
this Commander Higdon -- quietly awaiting her reaction.
    Vertu met his eyes in the screen.
    ''And you wish to invade our park?''
    He sighed openly, which surprised her, but
then Terrans were complicated, it was well known.
    ''I wish to expose my
acquaintances to a larger experience here on Liad, and the park is
an excellent location for it. In fact, my compatriots will carry
their lunches and be prepared to enjoy them there, at my direction.
Additionally, we are involved in a . . .situation of Balance -- and
my understanding is that by showing a presence here we may arrive at an equitable
solution in a timely fashion.''
    It was likely that she blinked at him, so
unexpected was his declaration.
    ''Balance from off-worlders . . .is not
something one often sees, here on Liad,'' she managed, ''since so
many things that follow the Code are subtle and enforced by . . .''
she paused, seeking the right phrase in translation.
    ''Social pressure?''
    He'd leaned forward, had the commander,
offering his suggestion with deference.
    ''An accurate a turn of phrase,'' she said.
''I thank you.''
    He nodded then, and perhaps threw in a shrug
of indeterminate meaning, and made a hand gesture indicating
perhaps, motion.
    ''As we noted before, soonest is better. A
quick Balance sees you paid ahead and permits my friend at the
gully to sleep indoors tonight! Thus, permit Higdon's Howlers to
charter your vehicle at the three-times rate now, and we shall add
the others as you may arrange or broker, understanding that the
request is on short notice.''
    Vertu paused, considering, staring into the
slightly thickening sky above, measuring her need.
    Fereda, of course, was her need -- it would
be well to solve the girl's urge for the soonest marriage. A single
heir was all she required, of a good, if not High, clan.
    The candidates were there,
for Fereda kept track of those most eligible, as she kept track of
the most likely contract price. And it was
not as if Fereda had either a fear or a distaste for those she
preferred as a father to her child -- it was that her cha'laket was an artist
and near-Healer, fragile in her necessities, and would not willingly abide a
frequent parting. That Fereda thought this possible -- well, that
would be hers to mend.
    The price of a husband had
twice been within reach, and lost each time to business . . . this
time, this time it would not be so. Three times day rate for each
of Wylan's three cabs, plus the broker fee from those others she
enlisted. She would not -- could not -- name the sum entirely, but
that it would be of use to Clan Wylan -- that she could say with
assurance.
    ''I will broker this,'' she said, ''and
since Balance requires care and concern, for this my own retainer
will be five times the day-rate. My other cars, and those of my
associates, they will be paid for at your offered rate, per car, in
advance, as they arrive to work.''
    There was a pause and a glance, and a hint
of a smile.
    ''This can be done, if we may adjust the
number of total vehicles to a dozen.''
    She bowed agreement.
    ''Here is five cantra,'' he said, showing
them to the screen before placing them in the port's tray, ''to
seal the arrangements.''
    *
    It was the third return trip from the park
to the port, and by now the fact of their passing was drawing
attention,