[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

didn't like. "I could always-"
"No, no complications," the thranx interrupted, much to the slaver's relief.
"But, as you say, we waste time. Rather than debate morality ..." He reached
into his thorax vest and brought forth a credit cube of fair size. A glance
assured Mormis it was genuine.
"Still," Mormis said smoothly, "in my business it is necessary from time to
time to reconstruct certain conversations, Odd, but suddenly I find the one
you mention coming back to me."
"A remarkable surprise," the tall man commented sardonically.
Anxious now that he had managed to turn a dangerous situation into an
opportunity for profit, Mormis spoke freely. "It was a trivial matter,
interesting for one reason. The boy was originally
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%2...x%204%20-%20The%20End%20Of%20T
he%20Matter.txt (21 of 93) [1/16/03 6:47:37 PM]
file:///F|/rah/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%20Alan%20Dean%20-%20Flinx%204%20-%
20The%20End%20Of%20The%20Matter.txt sold by Arcadia."
"What did I say?" the tall human told his companion.
"It seems the lad has done well since then," Mormis went on.
"Well enough," the thranx commented enigmatically.
. "Now the orphan is hunting diligently and foolishly for his natural sire
and dame. A harmless but expensive obsession. He searches now for his father."
"And you were able to give him information?" the man asked.
Page 29
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"No, I had no such details. However, I did relate to him an intriguing
anecdote involving the circumstances of his sale. If you wish it) I can-"
The thranx cut him off impatiently, checking a wrist chronometer as he spoke.
"That is not necessary. We need to know only what he intends to do now, where
he is going."
Mormis backed off. "Revealing that information would be unethical, sir." He
glanced significantly in the direction from which credit cubes of impressive
size came. "To reveal such would be a violation of confidence."
"You are neither physician nor padre," the tall man rumbled, "so don't prattle
to us of confidentialities and revelations."
"You have been paid enough," the thranx declared quietly, adding in a politely
blood-curdling way, "we are through wasting time."
"The boy might," the slaver ventured as quickly as he could) "be traveling to
Alaspin. He seemed anxious enough to go there. Driven, one could almost say. I
would guess that at this very minute he is on his way to Drallarport."
"Your civility and common sense are respected," the thranx told him, finishing
a touch sarcastically, "along with your wonderfully responsive memory. We will
bother you no longer. Go home. Char Mormis."
Turning in the way of the thranx, the insect started off into the fog at a
fast jog. The tail human followed him easily, stepping over the body of
Mormis's manservant.
The slaver watched as the odd twosome was absorbed by the mist. "It's sure I
won't bother either of you," he muttered to himself, slipping the credit cube
into his shirt. His slave was breathing noisily now. Mormis walked over and
kicked the recumbent bulk hard in the ribs. A second kick produced a weak
groan.
Then the massive humanoid sat up. He biinked and looked up at Mormis. "I
request abjuration, master," he muttered dully. "I no excuse) but opponent was
much more than-"
Mormis kicked him again. "I know that, idiot. Get up." He found he was
shivering, though not from the dampness. "I'm in a hurry to get home ..."
"Exalla Cadella morphine centalla, espoused lost in the woods. A time to
conjure redonjure skull face from under the hoods," Ab hummed softly.
Flinx turned and called back to his dutifully trailing acquisition, disgust
plain in his voice, "If you have to ramble, can't you at least say something
sensible once in a while?"
Four arms made incomprehensible, meaningless gestures. The upper half of the
blue torso leaned slightly forward. One bright-blue eye winked blankly at him,
and the trunk atop the smooth skull weaved in time to some unspoken alien
rhythm.
Flinx sighed and continued trudging up the road. Carts were scarce this late
at night-early in the rnorning, rather. Since taking leave of Mormis's place
h& bad seen none plying the streets.
Supper still sat warm and heavy in his belly. He had eaten in a small
comestabulary partway out of the city proper. Quda chips had come with his
stew, and he had amused himself for a while by throwing the circular chips
into the air, whereupon Pip would launch himself, lightninglike, from his
shoulder to snatch them before they could hit the floor. The minidrag was [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]