Throy Read Online Free Page A

spite.”
    “Well, what of that?” demanded Sir Denzel. “He has mentioned his experiences on Shattorak to me, and in his place I too might be perturbed.”
    Roby Mavil heaved a sigh of resignation. “Kathcar, however, has learned nothing. He is as reckless and as arrogant as before. He ignores correct LPF doctrine, and may well face new discipline. In the meantime, his advice is worth nothing - in fact, less than nothing, and might even tend to associate you with Kathcar when it comes time to reckon with his misdeeds.”
    Sir Denzel transfixed Roby Mavil with a cold blue stare. “Can it be possible that you are threatening me with violence?”
    Roby Mavil gave a prim cough. “Of course not! Still, realities are what they are, and should not be ignored, even by Sir Denzel Attabus.”
    “You speak of ‘realities.’ It was certainly not Kathcar who deceived me and cheated me of my money. I will most definitely carry this affair to its ultimate conclusion.” He bowed curtly to Tump and Farganger, then marched off across the terrace.
    Roby Mavil sank back into his chair, drained and apathetic. Tump watched him without expression. Farganger contemplated the vast distances south down the great cleft of Stroma Fjord and the blue-green water a thousand feet below.
    At last Roby Mavil roused himself. “Nothing persists forever. It seems that at last the time for changes has come.”
    Tump pondered a moment. “No man can fly.”
    Roby Mavil nodded somberly. “This is a lesson many men have learned. I know of none who have profited from the knowledge.”
    Neither Tump’s expression nor that of Farganger changed, and no one watching might have guessed the nature of their thoughts.
     
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    Chapter 1, Part II
     
    Two days before his visit to Stroma, Egon Tamm communicated with Warden Ballinder. He announced his plans and asked that the council hall be made available for the occasion. Warden Ballinder agreed to do as requested.
    On the day specified, during the middle afternoon, Egon Tamm arrived at the Stroma air terminal: a dark-haired man of compact physique, with features of such regularity and manners so easy that his presence was often overlooked. He came with Bodwyn Wook, Scharde Clattuc, Scharde’s son Glawen - all these Bureau B personnel – Hilva Offaw, High Justice of the Araminta Judiciary, and his daughter Wayness.
    Up from Stroma had come a number of folk, including three Wardens, several other notables, a few students, and a miscellany of persons with nothing better to do. They waited beside the road which led along the brink of the cliff, hooded black cloaks flapping in the wind. As Egon Tamm approached, a gaunt young man with a red beard ran out to confront him. Egon Tamm paused courteously and the young man cried out: “Egon Tamm, why have you come here?”
    “To speak to the folk of Stroma.”
    “In that case you must tell us facts!” Truth was a rock to which a man could set his back, but there was none to be found at Stroma, where life had gone weird. If the Conservator had brought a message of hope, could he reveal something of what he was about to say, if only a hint?
    Egon Tamm laughed. Very shortly his message would be made known to all; in the meantime he could only recommend patience.
    The young man cried out, raising his voice to be heard against the wind: “But is it good news or bad?”
    “It is neither,” said Egon Tamm. “It is reality.”
    “Ah!” came the disconsolate cry. “That may be the worst of all!” He stood back; Egon Tamm and his party went to the lift and descended to Stroma.
    With half an hour to spare, the party converged upon the Spaceman’s Rest, Stroma’s second tavern. Bodwyn Wook, Scharde and Glawen went out upon the terrace; Egon Tamm and Hilva Offaw remained in the taproom. Wayness found a group of acquaintances and arranged that all should meet at the old family residence. She went to announce her plans to Egon Tamm, who made a half-hearted objection.