"Miller,.Steve.And.Lee,.Sharon.-.Liaden.Universe.03.-.Adventures.In.The.Liaden.Universe.v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Miller Steve)

general about their business under the wan light of the two pinkish
moons as if it were full daylight.

Val Con paused to stare out over all this activity and finally
proceeded, shrugging.

The path deserted him at the base of the hill and he paused once
more, this time because he heard the sound of large persons
approaching, talking among themselves.

He hid in the shadow of a sundered boulder and let them go by: a
group of three, well-shelled and carrying large objects—containers
of some sort, he thought.

They entered the caverns purposefully, the boom of their voices
echoing back.

After a moment, Val Con followed.

THE BROODMOTHER STOOD away from the bench in the
waiting chamber and inclined her head as he approached.
“T’carais. A word with you?” Not now, he thought, still rankling from
Eldest speaker’s criticism. Hasty, am I? when all with eyes must
see that the Clans of Men will give us profit, perspective—He
became aware of the Broodmother still standing, head bent in
respect; and put irritation aside. “Of course. Come within.” He sat
upon the bench of office and indicated that she should sit, as well.

At least—” She paused, marshalling words. “It is that—thing,
T’carais. The Reports of this one had reached him from other
sources, all annoyed.

But this, in her agitation, she did not do, merely standing and
gazing mutely up at him. “What concerns you?” he asked in some
puzzlement. Whatever failings she possessed, nervousness was
not counted among them, “Are the egglings unwell?”

“They are well, T’carais. Little, black—soft—thing...”

He signed understanding.

“It—the T’carais’amp...”

This could not continue. “Please tell the tale clearly, Broodmother.
Do you say that the T’carais’amp is endangered?”

“I do!” she cried, knotting her fingers together. “It—the soft
thing—came out of the hills today and sat upon the stone at the
base of the L’apeleka field, a short distance from the egglings and
I, and seemed busy with something or another in its—its hands.”