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hatchway.
"That's the last we'll see of those two for a while," said Budjir gruffly. Ethan
was surprised. Rarely did either of the squires offer an unsolicited comment.
"Why do you say that, Budjir?"
"I do not understand those two," he replied. "Their con-stant chatter hurts my
head."
"Don't let it bother you, Budjir," said September jovially, clapping the huge
tran on the: shoulder. "Sometimes I find my-self in complete agreement with you.
Now a tall tankard of needle and a shapely female, eh? .. "
The squire grinned and the slitted pupils focused fondly on something in the far
distance.
Ethan observed this comradely by-play and muttered, "Communication ... it's
wonderful," and turned to go to his own cabin to prepare himself for the
overnight stay.
Work on the repairs proceeded steadily and at a relaxed pace. There was no need
to rush the workmen. This time they could make a decent job of the foremast,
too. And while the temporary repairs on the fore port runner had held up better
than anyone had a right to expect, Ta-boding was relieved at the chance to fix
it properly.
Timbers and bracing had been set up beneath the bow and the metalworkers were
already beginning to rebolt the recalci-trant skate to the raft hull.
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That would be finished by the time it grew too dark to work. The broken spars,
foremast, and bowsprit could be fixed tomorrow. On the open ice in an average
wind the work would lave taken at least a week. In the protective shadow of the
towering crags they could finish the same task in two days.
The humans were not alone in their desire to experience a soft, stable bed. Most
of the crew would have gone along too. But Hunnar and Ethan remembered the
Prior's comments about his "simple but nourishing fare." Despite the old
schol-ar's obvious willingness to share all, there was no need to overdo their
welcome.
So the overnight party consisted of the little band of humans, Hunnar and his
two squires, and Elfa. The two wiz-ards were already on their way up. Still
suffering from his arrow wound, general Balavere elected to remain on board.
Fahdig awaited them at the cliff base. Isis clothing was the same white :robe,
but he carried a lamp in case, as he put it, "some among you should find the
climb excessively strenuous and wish to turn back with some light."
As it turned out, everyone finished the ascent. Colette's fear of the black
abyss to one side was openly evident. Ethan felt no shame in joining her in
hugging the mountainside.
Much to everyone's distraction, Elfa insisted on running and skipping alongside
the inadequate stone railing, not to mention leaning over the edge and pointing
out this or that unusual feature in the depths below.
Once, laughing, she even climbed onto the rail itself. She walked along the
narrow stone coping, teetering on the lip of the drop. Ethan couldn't watch her.
It didn't go on for long, because Hunnar threatened to tie her wrists to her
ankles and drag hear the rest of the way up.
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She grumbled, but climbed down-to everyone's immense relief.
Once they'd passed through the first dark hallway, Fahdig led them upwards via a
different route than the one they'd first traversed. They passed a long,
comfortable looking room and he indicated the beds neatly lined against both
walls in-side.
"For tonight," he informed them unnecessarily.
There was no wall fireplace. Instead, a central pit was sunk into the center of
the floor and filled with logs and brush. Just above the pit a large wooden
funnel lined with copper narrowed into a long black pipe that disappeared into
the ceiling.
In one respect, then, these isolated scholars were ahead of the busy commercial
port of Wannome. They'd developed a rudimentary form of real beating. It was
more efficient than a fireplace-provided all the waste particles went up the
funnel and not onto one's bed. Several windows in the east wall would let in the
morning light. Lamps and torches were mounted on the walls. With the single door
shut it would be very comfortable.
"Very pleasant-looking dormitory," complimented Septem-ber. "Is this how you
fellas live?"
"Oh no," Fahdig replied. "Each of the Brothers has his own small. vestibule.
This is a study room."
"With beds?"
"In a gesture of friendship, some among the Brotherhood have given up their beds
for the night. They will sleep on pal-lets. Tis good for the body and the mind,
now and then. Tables and chairs normally fill this room. They will return when
you have departed."
"'That's very considerate of you," said Ethan. "We're sorry to put you to so
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much trouble."
"Hospitality is never trouble," their imperturbable guide replied. "If you will
come this way, please.."
They continued down the hall and went up one more level, where Fahdig motioned
them into another room. They seemed to be in one of the highest levels of the
monastery. Evening light poured in from the huge skylight that occupied most of
the ceiling.
Ethan wondered if the beautiful skylights had been devel-oped and built by the
scholars themselves or if they were a bit of art once known but long forgotten [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]