Crystal Dragon
Page 43
"Tell me, my friend," the scholar whispered. "Is it a fine world, and green? Will people prosper and do well?"
"It is the very finest world possible, Grandfather," the dramliza answered, his voice steady. "The land is rich and bountiful; its star is stable and gracious. Here, the tree will grow to its full height, honoring M. Jela. Here, may people prosper, do well, and be happy in their lives. You have given us a great gift, and we shall evermore be your children in gratitude."
The scholar smiled. "That is well, then," he said softly, and sighed.
In Cantra's head, the white dragon was lost in the brilliant sky, or maybe it was only that she couldn't see him through the tears.
Thirty-Seven
Quick Passage
CANTRA LOOKED DOWN-BOARD to Tor An, who smiled at her encouragingly, and touched the in-ship stud.
"This is Captain yos'Phelium to all passengers. As you know, we've established orbit around an uninhabited world, and deployed probes to the surface. I'm pleased to say that the analysis has now been completed—and to our benefit. Wake-up protocols for passengers in slow-sleep will begin within this ship's hour, in rotation. Off-loading will commence within the next ship's day. Schedules will be on every public screen." She paused and looked again to the boy, who moved his fingers: Captain's privilege.
Right. She took a breath and bent again to the mic.
"Welcome to Liad, gentles. The pilots trust you'll enjoy your stay."
Cast of Characters
Soldiers
Bicra
Corporal
Contado
Chief Pilot
Harrib
Commandant
Kinto
Corporal
Loriton
Commander
M. Jela Granthor's Guard
Generalist
Muran
Pilot
Ragil
Ro Gayda
Commander
Tetran
Junior Pilot
Thilrok
Corporal
Vondahl
Under Sergeant
Batchers
Arin
Chebei
Dulsey
Fenek
Karmin
Ocho
Seatay
Uno
Dark Traders
Rint dea'Sord
Efron
Qualee
Cantra yos'Phelium Clan Torvin
Garen yos'Phelium Clan Torvin
Ships
Spiral Dance, a.k.a. Dancer
Pretty Parcil
Others
Danby
Liad dea'Syl
Ilan
Keon
Malis
Instructor
Pliny
Timoli
Planets
Ardega
Borgen
Chelbayne
Daelmere
Faldaiza
Gimlins
Horetide
Kizimi
Landomist
Phairlind
Scohecan
Solcintra
Taliofi
Cosmography
Bubble, The
Deeps,
a.k.a. the Beyond, also Outspace or Out-and-Away
Far Edge
In-Rim
Inside
Out-Rim
Outer Edge
Rim, The
Shallows, The
Spiral Arm,
a.k.a. the Arm
Tearin Sector
Glossary
aelantaza
A specially-bred human
Batch
humans made to order
Batcher
an individual grown as part of a Batch
bounty hunters
hunters, also charity agents
candesa
a vapor which, enclosed and compressed, emits a cloudy white light, at once too bright and hard to see by
carolis
next coin down from qwint
coderoy
tough fabric from which soldier kit packs are constructed
demi-qwint
small change
dramliz
an enchantment of wizards
dramliza
a single wizard
dueling stick
a cross between a cattle prod and a stave
fastflame
chemical fire that dies out after it consumes its own fuel
flan
next coin up from qwint
galunus, two-headed
a mythic creature of loathsome aspect and third-rate thought process
jumping-jack(s) also 'jack(s)
cheap rooms for rent
Level One shielding
lowest level energy shield
logic tile
the smallest component of a computational device
lumenpaint
paint that lights itself up
OS-633
Overhead Shields Series 633
phantom lover
a punishment device
Pilot's Undernet
pilot information network
pin-laser
sneak weapon
Pod
a Batch
qwint
coin
sadiline
a gemstone
SATA
Spiral Arm Trade Association
Ser
"Sir" "Mr."
sheriekas
the Enemy
skileti
naturally occurring lycra 'skins' protective suit for pilot wear on-planet
smartstrands
computational media
smartwire
binding wire
starsilk
expensive fabric
Tanjalyre Institute
a school for aelantaza
telomite
rock, for carving
Tempo
a drug that increases mental acuity and reduces the need to sleep. For a while.
undertrade
black market, specifically trade with the sheriekas
viezy hide
tanned hide of an extremely rare and poisonous reptile
world-eaters
sheriekas doomsday machines
THE END
For more great books visit
http://www.webscription.net