‘Se

tering excuses at his sidehe stalked through The Close and stepped out through double
glass doors to the sheltered garden of the Pause. Hanging on poles among the tall ferns and
frond-treescoloured lanterns gleamed. Flowersreal ones this timeoozed perfume into the
warm night air. Laughing and talkingclients stood round in groups or clustered near the buffet
tablesalthough a small crowd had gathered in front of the vidscreen hanging from a garden
wall. Hi edged through the crowd and got himself a skewer of spiced meat and a glass of wine
so dark a red it seemed black in the lantern light. At least Aleen set a good table at these
functions. But wherewas the damned woman?
‘Se?’ Lera still hovered at his elbow. ‘Is there anything else I can give you?’
He glanced at her faceas vacant as a flower if as pretty.
‘No thanks.’ He reached into a pocket of his robes and pulled out a couple of coinsthen
pressed them into her hand. ‘Run along.’
She smiledbowedand darted awayas if she were afraid he’d change his mind.
Hi took a long good look at his fellow guestsguildspeople mostlysince only the rich could
afford The Close. He spotted plenty of clients with the sashes of masters slantwise over their
robestalking together and smiling like the best of friends - not that any of them believed it of
the others. Off to one side stood a woman who towered over the Palace citizens around her.
Slender as a stalkwith jet black hair wound round her head in braids - she had to be from
Soukwhose low gravity grew humans tall.
‘The ambassador’ Tia’s soft voice murmured at his elbow.
‘Ah’ Hi said. ‘Is Rico okay?’
‘More than okay by now.’ She pausedsmiling. ‘He took to Darlashall we say.’
Hi forced a grin and wondered why he disliked this woman so much.
‘Fine. Just let me know when Aleen gets back.’
With a nod Tia walked awaypausing now and then to speak to a guest before she
disappeared inside. It occurred to Hi that maybe he dislike nike shox clearance mens