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

accepting of the ridiculous wishes of the Papi. "I am unfamiliar with your ways and find your tact most
rewarding."

They went into the small garden where Nara-Lim had lit a number of ornamental fires in braziers. Then he
threw scented water on the companion. He next gave each a plant to hold while he recited some
unfamiliar words. When the plants had been burned in the braziers, it was over.

"Very pretty," Navbe remarked, thinking it all very stupid. The companion clung to his auxiliary arm.

"In five days there will be a ceremonial visit paid to you, as assurance that you are taking proper care of
the companion. But you must not let this concern you. It is merely our way." He made an elaborate
gesture to signify the perfunctory nature of the visit.

"I thank you for telling me." This was genuine thanks, for Navbe realized that he must be careful to leave
no mark that might arouse suspicion as to his use of the companion. There must be no sign of abuse; at
least, not for the first five days.

The Papi elder bowed. "Go then. And learn of each other."

Navbe led the companion away from Nara-Lim's garden with unseemly haste, smiling ferociously.




·····


Although Ambassador Lesh suspected why Navbe had taken the companion, he was careful not to show
this in his manner. He greeted Navbe as he returned and directed his servants to show them to the
Terrace House.
"I know you will understand that this is the best of the separate houses I have," he said uneasily.

"Of course. This had to be expected." The patronizing sound of his voice grated, and Ambassador Lesh
had to force himself to ignore it.

"You should find it adequate," he responded at last, when he was sure he would not overstep his status.

"Adequate," Navbe agreed. He turned to the companion, glowing fragile and childlike beside him. "It will
do for you," he told the companion with a sound curiously like a snort.

"Wherever you are, that is truly the best place to be," murmured the companion in a sweet, trilling voice.

Navbe was surprised. He hadn't expected quite so much ability in the companion and was not sure he
wanted it. But devotion would be something new, and he thought it would amuse him.

"Do you hear, Lesh? It's quite alarmingly faithful." The cruel eyes mocked the rigid control of the
Ambassador. "Were you about to warn me of the natives? Your little Nara-Lim has done so already.
Charmingly. We went through a ceremony designed to overwhelm me with the honor of the occasion."
He turned again to the companion. "He wanted me to understand what I was being given. As if I needed
him to tell me." He laughed. It was not a pleasant laugh.