Read Online A Door Into Ocean by Joan Slonczewski - Free Book Online Page B

it?” Berenice fingered the opal stonesign at her neck. How could she reprove Merwen, whose mind flowed as if she had lived since the day that Shora opened the First Door? Yet Sharers had to be warned. “Talion’s upset,” she blurted out. “The Protector, he—he’s heard bad reports, false, perhaps. You did not trade without stonesigns?”
    â€œWe shared seasilk and herbs,” said Merwen, “but no coin or other non-lifestuff.”
    â€œAnd medical treatments? You know that’s too dangerous here.”
    Merwen paused. “We know.”
    â€œAnd you did not call yourselves ‘spies’?”
    â€œThe term seemed apt. We shared learning, after all.”
    Berenice frowned. “A ‘spy’ shares hiddenly, for subversive purposes. You’re not subversive, are you?”
    â€œAre we not?”
    The words numbed her. Are we not? What in Torr’s name was Merwen getting into? When Merwen the Impatient One chose, she could sway the minds of thousands in any Sharer Gathering. But to try that here—it was unthinkable. Berenice could not tell her, for her own tongue froze at the thought. Yet somehow Merwen had to know that Talion meant business this time. She cleared her throat. “Merwen. Valedon is not your home.”
    â€œIs it yours, Nisi?”
    Was it? She could not answer, and suddenly there was nothing more to be said. To collect her thoughts, she looked away, and then she noticed the stranger, a gaping youth who stood next to Usha as if he belonged with them. She drew herself up straight and looked him over: clearly a commoner, his coarsely woven shirt buttoned askew. His olive face and his hair looked clean, but he still might have lice.
    â€œBerenice,” said Merwen, switching to Valan speech, “another friend comes to teach and learn with us.”
    The boy bowed, a little too deeply. “Spinel, son of Cyan the stonecutter of Chrysoport, if you please, my lady.”
    â€œIndeed.” Had she not explained to Merwen about nobles and commoners?
And a male, no less. By the Nine Legions, whatever could Merwen want with a “malefreak” on Shora? But now, after what had just passed between them, Berenice was too proud to ask Merwen her reasons, or even the more crucial results of her mission on Valedon. Soon enough, Merwen would have to answer, to the Gathering.
    Â 
    Spinel was abashed at his first encounter with an actual Lady of Iridis. Her arched nose and precisely etched lips reminded him of one of those quartz statuettes that sold well as wedding gifts. Yet her clothes, though sleek and seamless, looked disappointingly mundane, and her opal stonesign was of indifferent workmanship. And her bare scalp—was she trying to look like Merwen?
    From behind, a shrill whine pierced his ears. Spinel dropped the bags, clapped both hands to his head, and squeezed his eyes shut for good measure. The sound died slowly, and someone pulled his arms down. It was a man, short and loose-skinned, with a fleshy nose and a deep hollow below his throat. He shouted in Spinel’s ear, “She’s just warming up, starling.” The man’s breath had a touch of liquor. “You coming or staying?”
    â€œWho are you?” Spinel demanded.
    â€œI’m your captain, Captain————” He pronounced a name that sounded like a whistle. “But you just call me Dak, starling. Captain Dak, at your service from here to Torr.” Captain Dak jerked his head toward the ramp against his ship, which even Spinel could tell was not about to fly as far as Torr.
    Merwen started up the ramp, but Usha stopped in her tracks like a mule. At that, Lady Berenice hurried over and spoke in low urgent tones.
    â€œHey, Sharer, you remember me,” Captain Dak called to Usha. “At least I’m made of ‘life-stuff’” A grin split his face, and he laughed silently.
    Somewhat mollified, Usha let