[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

"Yes, Lord Oberon," Port said. "After their departure, I took the liberty of
permitting the household staff to repair the damage. I did not think Mattus
would object."
"Was there much damage?"
"They cut open the bed and tore out both the mattress and pillow stuffing.
That was all."
I nodded; so much for my furniture theory. "Thelai she'on were looking for
something. Did they find it here?"
"I do not believe so, Lord Oberon. At least, they did not take anything from
this room with them. I would not have permitted it."
"Good for you. Stick up for your beliefs."
"It is a rule."
Feeling the floor glide underfoot, I wandered into the room. Everything
looked tidy, from the carefully brushed carpets to the well scrubbed
floorboards. Yet the furniture had that hand-me-down look of cast-off pieces
Page 35
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
hastily thrown together. Considering how Aber could pull pretty much anything
he wanted from thin air using the Logrus, I was amazed. Mattus should have
lived like a prince; apparently, he hadn't cared to do so.
I looked more closely at the desk. The inkwell, made of a clear cut glass,
showed no signs of ever having held ink. The spotless blotter and stack of
crisp new writing paper both looked as though they had never been touched. I
held one sheet of paper up to the bubbling light and noticed an intricate
watermark, a rampant lion.
Of course, I reasoned, hell-creatures could have destroyed the inkwell and
ruined the paper; these could all be replacements brought in by servants when
they cleaned and straightened. And yet I didn't think so. Theseitemsfelt
right, as though they belonged here.
To Port, I said, "Mattus did not spend much time in here, did he?"
"Alas, but no, Lord Oberon. Not since childhood. He spent most of his time
off on adventures."
I nodded, knowing he had gone off exploring the Shadow worlds. That's what I
would have done in his place. This room was a place to sleep when he visited
family and friends, nothing more. Home, for him, must have been some distant
kingdom& just as Juniper had been our father's home and Ilerium had been mine.
"Yes, it's all yours, and congratulations," Aber said from the doorway,
sounding bored. He stifled a yawn. "You seem better. Over whatever caused your
attack, or unconsciousness, or whatever it was."
I agreed. "I'm sure I'll be all right now."
"Go to sleep. I'd sure Dad would let you now. We're going to have a busy day
tomorrow, I think."
"Soon," I said.
"Then I'll take my leave, if you don't mind. My suite is across the hall and
down a bit. Ask any door for directions, if you need me. They know every room
in the house."
"Not so, Lord Aber!" objected Port. "I only know this floor& "
I chuckled. "I imagine they see a lot."
"Sir!" said Port sternly. "You are talking about me in the third person
again!"
"Sorry." I sighed; I couldn't believe a door would reprimand me. "No offense
meant, Port. I'm used to doors being inanimate objects."
"Entirely understandable, and thank you, sir."
"Don't spoil the woodwork," Aber said. "Next he'll be asking you to wax and
polish him."
"Lord Aber!" Port sounded aghast. "I would never do such a thing!"
I chuckled. "I think Port and I will get along." I glanced at my door. "You
must have quite a few stories to tell, Port!"
Page 36
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"Doors do not gossip, Lord Oberon!" Port protested. "We value our owners'
privacy too much."
"Another rule?"
"Just so."
"We'll see. Get a few goblets of brandy in you, and I'll bet "
"Sir! Doors do not drink!"
I gave him a knowing wink. "I won't tell anyone!"
Port continued his protests, to no avail. Aber had to laugh.
I opened a door into a sitting room containing several sofas, a pair of
comfortable looking chairs, and not much else and a smaller door into what
appeared to be a servant's bedchamber. Then, finishing my circuit of the
bedroom I joined my brother in the doorway. This suite would do nicely, and I
found Port both useful and amusing. All told, quite acceptable.
"Thanks for everything," I told my brother.
He slapped my shoulder. "Sleep lightly, Oberon."
"Is there any other way?"
"Not here. And don't forget my warning "
"Trust no one?"
He grinned. "Right!"
"Present company excepted, of course."
"Of course." Suddenly he turned and called out, "Boy!" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]