To Trade the Stars (49 page)

“Not,” the rightful master of this domain emphasized calmly enough. “Still, you were useful, in a limited way. It would be uncivilized, though traditional, of me to rip your carapace into thirds simply to make ornaments for my pool—ʺ

“Oh, I quite agree—ʺ

“I wasn't finished. I admit, having you around has kept me slightly more alert than usual. My wives have commented on my usually amazing vigor becoming quite exceptional. Obviously, my previous lifestyle lacked the stimulation of ongoing conflict.”

“Anything to please, Uncle.” Tayno left it unclear whether this was Huido's pleasure or that of his wives.

“Since I have a couple of openings on staff, perhaps you could work off some of the repairs.”

Eyestalks whirled hopefully. “Stay? Here? Near your pool?”

A warning snap. “Hardly. We would arrange quarters for you that were distant from such temptation. But you would be working in the restaurant. Besides,” Huido added slyly, “it seems other species have some difficulty telling my magnificence from your lowly self—”

“Surely not—” the protest wasn't totally sincere, given the slightly smug cant to Tayno's head carapace.

“I know. It's incredible to me as well. But the sad fact exists. Making it rather convenient to have ‘two' Huidos on-station. There are so many tasks I should do in person, you realize, time-consuming, tedious, yet necessary. Ansel,” a sorrowful gong from one claw, “would ensure I attended all of these. Now, I have you.” A castanet sound of delight. “Freeing me to spend more time in my kitchen, supervising these fools who claim to be chefs.”

“And to visit your pool more often.” Glumly.

“What a clever notion. It is so important to keep one's wives satisfied, isn't it?” The musing rumble deepened to something menacing. “I wouldn't become too clever, Nephew.”

Tayno crouched as close to the floor as possible, claws disappearing under his body. “Never, Uncle. Never.”

“Then we understand one another. It's good to have family close—do you remember the rest, Nephew?”

“And enemies closer,” Tayno said obediently.

“Ah, there's hope for you yet, Nephew.” Huido used a fine handling claw to topple a stack of pots. “Psshat. These can wait—I can't say the same for that keg of Kimmcle brew my blood brother sent.”

Tayno rose, almost imperceptively, and ventured: “Uncle? I have a question to ask but no wish to offend your magnificence.”

“Ask,” Huido said magnanimously, but raised one massive claw, in case.

“This one you call ‘brother.' Why consider a Human as kin? You are indisputably larger and wiser. These beings, as you rightly noted, cannot even tell us apart. Most of them,” the Carasian added unhappily, apparently remembering a certain incident.

“You can't tell them apart either.”

“I'm practicing.” Sullen. “They are bland, unremarkable creatures.”

Huido laughed. “Ah, you have so much to learn, Nephew. I think I will enjoy your education. Forget the Kimmcle—first we shall visit Keevor's disgusting establishment! After that, you'll appreciate a visit to purify your spirit and other parts with the Turrneds.” Sudden seriousness. “Do not allow instinct and habit to blind you, Tayno. We are not alone in the galaxy. We are not even common. As our beloved wives gather in the pool, so must we gather with other species of the Trade Pact—to share our experiences and special knowledge.”

“To what end?”

“Who knows?” Huido shrugged philosophically, dipping his carapace from one shoulder to the other. “I'd settle for an improvement in their
grist
. And reliable deliveries of good beer. I leave grander visions to the Humans. They seem fond of such things.”

Tayno shuddered. “Better them than us, Uncle.”

“I see you are becoming wiser by the minute, Nephew. This might become a first for our kind, two Carasian males remaining in such proximity without killing each other. Or not,” Huido roared with laughter. “Which would also provide something Plexis has never seen before. Right, Nephew?”

Tayno was at least wise enough to know when silence was the safest answer.

This family tree includes events which occur in the two previous books of the Trade Pact Trilogy, A Thousand Words for Stranger and Ties of Power. Be forewarned that if you haven't read these yet, these pages contain significant spoilers!

Name in ( ) refers to the House of the individual's birth, plus the di or sud reflecting their individual power. Following Choice and Joining, the name of the weaker individual in a pair is usually changed to that of the more powerful partner, with the permission of his or her House.

 

Not all of the individuals listed are still alive. Only those deaths occurring during the events of this trilogy are recorded.