"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Un Bel Di" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

Undersecretary another dish of Merui. Navbe accepted it with a skilled blend of humility and contempt.
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All the Papi that waited at the gates looked uniformly young to Navbe. They all had the serene, childlike
faces and downy antlers that marked Janif children, made more attractive by huge violet eyes. Their
clothes were a soft, clinging fabric that Navbe longed to fondle.
"We bring you the morning, you who are new among us," the Papi said in chorus. "We have come to
welcome the new Janif visitor and to beg him to visit us in our houses."

The Ambassador stole a warning look at the Undersecretary, but Navbe was far too careful to be so
carelessly trapped. "It will give me much honor to walk with you one sundown," he said with a slight bow
in the proper ritual intonation.

The soft garments moved in the wind, and the Papi were outlined in their clothes, naked to Navbe. His
thumb sensors stirred urgently. "It is close to the First Meal, and I wish you nourishment."

The Papi were obviously happy with him. They rustled among themselves, whispering in their chantlike
speech.

Then a Papi, whom Ambassador Lesh had identified as the local leader, came forward with his offering
of three finely wrought platters. Each was covered with squares of the fascinating cloth. "A gift for you,"
he said to the Janif with an acceptable show of respect. "It is our delight to bring these few things to you,
in the hopes they might please you."

Navbe had studied this part of the ritual the night before and was able to respond without noticeable
hesitation. "Here are three rare things; but the light in the valley and the mist ensnared in a tree are rarer."
He touched each of the platters without removing the cloths. "I will value the gifts as they are valued by
the givers."

The Papi and Ambassador Lesh regarded him with approval, although Lesh's look was tinged with relief.
"You will be welcome among us at any sundown," said the Papi spokesman. "I am known as Nara-Lim.
This one is Tsu-Lim and this one is Ser-Tas." He did not introduce the others, to Navbe's delight.
Apparently only the platter-bearers had that distinction. Navbe approved of that, the recognition of
status. Ambassador Lesh had told him that Lim and Tas were thought to be titles, which revealed the
extent to which he had deluded himself about the Papi's intelligence potential. Titles among those who
lived as the Papi did would be ludicrous.

The platter-bearers put their offerings on the steps, then went ceremoniously to the rear of the group.
Nara-Lim touched each of the platters and then he, too, went to the rear of the group.

"I am honored by Nara-Lim and his generous companions." And Navbe turned, walking slowly up the
steps at the gateway.

Behind him, the gentle, fragile Papi waited until the gates were closed before they left the Ambassador's
estates.

"That was well done," Lesh said, forgetting himself.

"I wish to make my stay as pleasant as possible," Navbe informed his host with a sarcastic laugh. As he