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

With this encouragement Navbe put on a display of reluctance, sneering privately at the naiveté of the
creatures. As if any Janif could be so concerned with Papi. "You told me of the … did you call them
companions? … Yes? Companions."

"Yes?"
"They are adapted for the pleasure of the owner, is that not correct? Do I choose the words badly?"
Navbe paused as if uncertain as to how to continue. "I thought that I might arrange to buy one, if that is
the usual transaction … You see, I would then have one of you with me, to instruct me and tell me what I
need to know of your world and your ways. I am right that the companion is always with its … master?"

Nara-Lim looked chagrined. "I should have suggested it to you. You must forgive my manners. It would
naturally have been offered to you if I had thought your interest was so great."

Realizing that his boredom had shown, Navbe made a show of confusions. "I will confess that when I first
asked you, it was idle speculation, but your talk has shown me that Papill has much to offer those of us
from Jan." It was the first honest statement he had made, and it pleased him to think that Nara-Lim would
hear it as a compliment. Such foolish creatures deserved to be prostituted.

"Then I will arrange for a companion for you. Perhaps you will be kind enough to call here one day
soon."

"In three days, then?" Here Navbe held his breath.

"Of course," was the answer as Nara-Lim bowed. "I will select a companion for you, one known for
grace and docility and boasting much beauty." He paused, looking up to the sky. "There will be heavy
mists tonight. You will want to return to the Ambassador's estates quickly. It is dangerous to be abroad
in the mists. Even Papi have been lost quite hopelessly in them."

"Your concern flatters me," Navbe said, touching the homing device that would guide him unfailingly back
to the estates. "I will leave you now."

"Your interest in Papill is a great honor to our people. Your companion will be here in three days." He
kept his deep bow even as he closed the door against the approaching night.

As he strode back along the mountain path in the steadily thickening fog, Klin Navbe gloated to himself.
Success was so easy with fools, and the Papi were certainly fools. They thought themselves possessed of
tradition, when all they had was a stagnated culture of decaying bloodlines. What an opportunity this
presented to him! It would be ridiculous to waste it.

Ambassador Lesh met him by the terrace. "You were out?" he asked shrilly. "Where were you?" In his
fear he forgot to use Navbe's title.

"I went to see Nara-Lim. For what little concern it is of yours." He paused for this to sink in, then: "I will
require room to accommodate a Papi servant. Nara-Lim is providing me with a companion."

"A companion," Lesh repeated blankly. He had a sudden picture of those most special Papi with
Undersecretary Navbe and was afraid.

"It will arrive here in three days. I assume you can be ready."