Read Online The Well of Darkness by Randall Garrett - Free Book Online

“Then there
were
sha’um?”
    Obilin‘s surprise was welcome.
It
‘
s clear that Obilin and Indomel haven
‘
t talked to each other much. Now, if I can just keep it straight about who knows what …
    “
A
sha’um,” I corrected him. “It left with Thymas.”
    “Your friend abandoned you so readily?” Indomel said, then smiled. “Ah, I think I see. The lady Tarani was a source of conflict between you. As I believe she is between you and Obilin. Am I right, Guardsman?” he asked, looking at the little man with amusement as Obilin’s face darkened. “Of course I am right.”
    Indomel stood up and paced slowly inside the wide semicircle of chairs. He was wearing a floor-length tunic and vest, tied with a jeweled rope; there was a soft clinking as the rope ends swung against each other in response to his movement.
    “I welcome the attachment between you and the lady Tarani,” he said. “Because it offers me certain assurances. She has been most persuasive in her efforts to keep you alive, and has made certain—uh—concessions on your behalf.”
    “Concessions”?
I wondered. I had a heart-sinking memory of Pylomel and his peculiar appetites.
Surely not his own sister
, I argued with myself.
Or would he have taken Obilin
‘
s part … God, no!
    “You will have heard that I am of a thrifty nature, Lakad. It seemed wasteful to provide food and shelter to a strong and healthy man, whose fighting skill has been well proven—hence the decision to, um, extend your enlistment in the Guard.”
    He paused in front of my chair. “The lady Tarani is being treated with honor,” he said, “but that could change at any time. Only those of us in this room—yes, I am aware of Obilin’s knowledge—know that I have a natural
elder
sister. Should even a rumor of this reach beyond the five of us, Tarani’s comfort will be threatened. Should you fail your assigned duties as a High Guardsman, she will suffer. If you try to escape, she will die. Is that stated clearly enough?”
    “Yes,” I said. I was trembling. I dared not look at Tarani.
    Indomel nodded, seemed to relax, and then smiled broadly.
    “As to your specific assignment,” he said, “I was faced with a dilemma, caused by Obilin’s personal feelings toward you and the lady Tarani.”
    Obilin stiffened at the sound of amusement in the High Lord’s voice.
    “On the one hand,” Indomel continued, “Obilin is
totally
loyal to me, and will in all things obey my wishes.” The High Lord moved over to the small man, at least fifteen years older than himself, and put his hand on Obilin’s shoulder.
    Ricardo had once seen a human pat a dog on the head with just that air of condescension. Obilin reacted in just about the same way—except that his ears wouldn’t fold back.
    “On the other hand,” said Indomel, “I have a great deal of sympathy for his admiration of my sister and his hatred of you, and I would prefer to spare
him
the embarrassment of letting his feelings violate his loyalty. I have promised, after all, that you shall
live.
    “Therefore, you shall report to Obilin directly, as he requests, but from a distance. As of this moment, you will be in charge of the Lingis copper mine.”
    I don’t know who was more startled, Obilin or me.
    “Me? Supervising slaves? I won’t do it!” I exclaimed.
    Indomel laughed. “It sounds as though you’ve been talking to those stupid Raithskarians,” he said, then whirled on Obilin, his mood change swift as lightning. “Go prepare the transfer orders. He will leave immediately.”
    I had to hand it to Obilin. The rug had just been pulled out from under him, but he recovered quickly, betraying his reaction only in a slight shakiness in his voice. “Naddam, the present supervisor, is a good man, High Lord. What reason shall I give for replacing him?”
    “Think of something,” Indomel shouted. “The death rate among his slaves is higher than anywhere else. Tell him it’s punishment for working them too