"Liaden Universe - 04 - Plan B" - читать интересную книгу автора (Miller Steve)

Emrith Tiazan stopped before the couch and held the disk out to Miri, bowing with careful equality. "This has tested genuine." She straightened and looked at Val Con. "Genes, you believe?"

"I have no doubt," he said calmly. "You will, of course, wish to attain your own surety."

"Of course." She went across the room to the desk comm and touched a button. In a very short while, the door opened to admit the young doorkeeper. He flicked a nervous glance at the couch, then bowed deeply to Emrith Tiazan.

"My delm desires?"

"You will go to the older storehouse and find in Room East14 a large package stasis-locked and wrapped in blue silk. Bring it here. You will bid Win Den tel'Vosti attend me here. You will likewise bid the senior medical technician, adding that she shall bring her sampling kit."

The boy touched his tongue to his lips, bowed, turnedЧ

"An Der."

He glanced back over his shoulder. "Yes, Aunt?"

"You will speak to no one, excepting tel'Vosti and the senior med. You will go to the storeroom alone and bring what I require away with your own hands."

The boy bowed again. "I hear," he saidЧand ran.

"Well, Emrith?"

The old man leaned on his stick in the center of the room. "To what do I owe this interruption of my studies?"

"Studies!" The delm stared at him for a moment, then moved a hand, directing his attention to the couch. "I make you known to Val Con yos'Phelium, Second Speaker for Clan Korval. Korval, my kinsman, Win Den tel'Vosti, thodelm."

"So." The brown eyes watched with seeming amusement as Val Con stood and made his bow.

"My Lord tel'Vosti."

"My Lord yos'Phelium." The return bow was more complete than Miri would have expected, given the cane. "Your father was a rare one for Counterchance."

"So my uncle has told me, sir."

"Er Thorn yos'Galan? Nowthere was a demon for the game! Very good he wasЧa thoughtful, subtle player, no shame. We came even, the times we played. But DaavЕ I believe I may yet owe him a cantra. Perhaps two. I'll consult my account books. Do you play?"

"A bit, sir, but not to match my uncle."

"Pity." The brown eyes sharpened. "You'll want to have that wound looked after, of course, before you meet the House."

Wound? What woЧSleep learning surfaced and Miri gulped against the suddenunderstanding of what it meant, to be a Liaden with your face scarredЕ

"Thank you, sir," Val Con was saying calmly. "It's healed cleanly."

"Win Den." Emrith Tiazan began, but tel'Vosti had come to attention, as if he were a corps captain facing another, and half-sketched a salute.

"It is your campaign, sir."

"Win Den." This time his delm's voice could not be ignored. She moved her hand. "I am told that this lady is Miri Robertson Tiazan."