Read Online Irona 700 by Dave Duncan - Free Book Online Page A

interesting-looking breakfast in a small room to the right of the goddess’s elbow. Its windows provided a clear view of the platform and the coffer below, and of the first pilgrims filing up the long ramp as the first rays of the sun lit the temple spires.
    He rose and pulled up a chair for her. The move unsettled her, for that was a courtesy that juniors extended to elders. The Chosen were very fussy about seniority.
    â€œSource Water?” He poured her a beaker. “Koupind, I think. It has that peppery touch on the tongue.” He was impressive, radiating confidence and interest, the man on the way up. His tunic was a decorous knee length and the regulation sea green in color, ornamented with a small sunburst in seed pearls over his heart; personal adornment was limited to one heavy silver bracelet and a ruby ring. In Irona’s opinion, those merely emphasized the hairiness of his wrists and fingers.
    She had a little speech prepared. Before she could recite it, Ledacos beat her to it.
    â€œI was impressed by your performance on the Juvenile Court that day, 700. You seem to share my philosophy of government.”
    Irona had never given a thought to philosophy of government. “Um … What do you mean, exactly?”
    He smiled. “Well, please don’t tattle this to any of the senior antiques among the Seventy, but I’m a cynic! I think most rulers try to do too much. Too much good, I mean. Do great good and you will inevitably do great evil also. I think our guiding light should be to do as little evil as possible. The secret is to choose the course of action that does the least amount of harm.”
    She nodded uncertainly. Taxing people who couldn’t keep bread on the table, wasn’t that evil? Conscripting boys to be marines and get killed, wasn’t that evil? How about burning half an allied city because it was late with its tribute? She would have to think about this, perhaps ask her teachers for some lectures on philosophy of government. Her education had not ended yet.
    â€œOf course,” he continued, “sometimes that principle would lead us to do nothing, but sometimes nothing is the thing to do, don’t you agree?”
    Was he just playing with her? Leading her out of her depth to watch her flounder? She countered with her prepared speech.
    â€œI congratulate you on your recent successes, ’92. You have marked yourself as the man to watch among the Seventy. I am honored to regard myself as one of your clients.”
    â€œThank you. I have also made enemies.” Then came one of his rare smiles. “But also some friends, I hope?”
    Again she was thrown off balance. Fortunately, she did not have to comment, because in walked lanky, red-haired Komev 701, clutching a jade collar. He flashed a smile at Irona and attempted to kneel to Ledacos.
    â€œUp! You don’t need to kneel to me, ’01!”
    The boy flushed. “Sir, my tutor has taught me to—”
    â€œYour tutor, if you will forgive my saying so, is a stuffed walrus. Mine taught me that Chosen never kneel to other Chosen. Now help yourself to as much as you can carry.” He waved at the loaded table. “And don’t call me ‘sir.’”
    Komev hesitated. “Is it possible to change tutors, ’92?”
    Ledacos regarded him in silence while nibbling a fig. “I suppose it might be permitted, but you would make lifelong enemies of your present tutor and all his clients. As would whoever took you on.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œTough it out for another year,” Ledacos said with more sympathy. “684’s not a bad man, just a little too rigid on protocol, and you’ll do better getting too much of that than too little. He’s had a lot of administrative experience, so listen to what he tells you. Next year at this time, if you want me as your patron, I will be honored to accept you as a client. I’ve been keeping my eye on