JULIEN

II

Chapter 46

Back together

That afternoon, as soon as Julien felt up to resuming his duties, a meeting was held to decide what to do next. Subadar was concerned that the loss of Aïn, as well as depriving them of a close personal friend, had also left them with a worrying security problem.

“Until you have fully recovered your Gift,” he told Julien, “you must have a Guide with you at all times, and you also need a Master Guide to help you get on with your training. I'll ask the Major Circle if they can recommend...”

“I want Wenn Hyaï,” interrupted Julien. “As long as that's all right with him, of course.”

“But he's not one of...”

“I don't care. I like him and get on well with him, and if there’s stuff that he can't teach me himself I'm sure he can find another Guide who can. If I have to have a Guide at my side day and night I'd much rather it was a friend. Obviously it's a dangerous job, but somehow I don't think that will dissuade him.”

“All right, I'll make the arrangements with the Guides. They might have to bump him up to a much higher rank, but I'll make sure they do whatever is necessary.”

“I suggest,” said Tannder, “that we go back to how we were operating before the conflict with the Dalannis was resolved – at least, we should do that as soon as Xarax's condition allows it. Somehow I don't think you'd agree to leave him until he's fully recovered.”

“You'd be right about that,” said Julien. “And even if I did agree to it, I very much doubt if Xarax would allow me to be separated from him.”

“You're probably right,” said Tannder. “Dennkar and I are supervising the probing of Lord Tahlil's crew and the passengers. We're also probing the latest Dalanni defectors in the hope of discovering information that might have been overlooked previously.”

“I'm not entirely happy about that, but I suppose you know what you're doing.”

“Yes, and we're already getting a few hints.”

“All right. If there's nothing else I think I'll go and have a nap. Wake me up in time for dinner.”

oo0oo

Dinner was served in their kang in Bakhtar Tower, and it brought together Julien's closest friends, a group that was generally referred to within the Tower simply as 'the boys'. Dillik was there because Xarax, in one of his few moments of lucidity, had insisted that he go and have a bit of a break – after all, the Health Masters were perfectly capable of looking after him without Dillik needing to be there.

Obviously it wasn't exactly a jolly gathering: Aïn's death was too recent for that. But just being together made them feel a little better.

Julien took the opportunity to tell them about what had happened to him on his most recent trip to Earth.

“Have you any idea why you jumped to that particular spot?” asked Niil.

“Not really. I'm just glad I managed to get back here. I was happier fighting the storm on Dvârinn than I was there.”

“I don't know,” said Ambar. “I thought the boys we met there were really nice.”

“True. But, unlike someone I can think of, I didn't have anyone to seduce when I was there.”

“I didn't 'seduce' him. It's not my fault if my laï was a bit too short. And I'm sure that you could have got around the men in that place you told us about if you'd put your mind to it. I'm sure you could have persuaded them to be friendly.”

“What do you mean, 'if I'd put my mind to it'? What do you think I should have done – performed a belly-dance naked on a table?”

“Maybe. What's a belly-dance?”

“I'm not telling you – you're far too dangerous already!”

“Ah. I think I can imagine the sort of thing you're talking about.”

“I'm sure you can!”

“At least you recognise my qualities. Seriously, though, do you really think they would have refused to help you? After all, you hadn't really done anything wrong, except taking a bit of food – if that nasty rubbery stuff can actually be called 'food', of course.”

“It wasn't taking the ravioli that would have caused the problem. It would have been my abba and my Marks.”

“Right... but you could always have taken your abba off.”

“Well, yes, I suppose so.”

“And the same with your Marks, no?”

“Usually, yes. But at the moment I don't seem able to.”

“Oh, well... still, the boys we met liked my Marks. They seemed to find them very attractive. Perhaps the men you heard...”

“Trust me, stripping off in front of total strangers is frowned upon in France – unless it's a patrol of Scouts, perhaps. And even there I think we got lucky.”

“Well, Grégoire didn't seem to be shocked. Nor did the others, come to that.”

“That's what I meant about us getting lucky. Some other boys I used to know would have found your little game far less acceptable...”

“Hey, he followed me! I just gave the sign. I didn't do anything wrong!”

“You're the last person I would ever accuse of doing anything wrong. I wouldn't dare to even hint that sometimes you can be just a little provocative...”

Karik knew that this sort of banter could go on all night if left unchecked, and so he decided to butt in.

“There's still something I don't really understand,” he said. “Don't they have any concept of hospitality on, that world?”

“Yes, they do, but people have different ideas about it. And although I don't like to admit it, people in my country are probably not top of the hospitality league. Still, if Dillik and Wenn Hyaï hadn't come to rescue me I would have had to give it a try. Thanks again, Dillik.”

“Wenn Hyaï did all the work. And if it hadn't been for Xarax...”

“Of course. Anyway, we all have a new timetable starting tomorrow. I think the holidays are over. It's probably a good idea if we all get some sleep. Dillik?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to sleep with us tonight?”

“No, thanks. I'm going to go back and stay with Xarax.”

“All right. But tomorrow I'm going to get him moved here so that we can all stay together.”

“I'm not sure if the Health Masters will agree to that.”

“I don't care. The only one whose opinion matters is Xarax. If he's happy to be moved in with us, that's what will happen. Ask him next time he wakes up.”

Dillik looked very happy.

“I'm fairly sure he'll want to do that!” he said.

“Me, too.”

oo0oo

Chapter 47

Honour

It would be something of an understatement to say that the Health Masters disapproved of moving Xarax into His Lordship's private kang. Like a lot of medical types, they seemed to believe that they owned their patients. However, His Lordship, who had obviously recovered his stamina, made it perfectly clear, without ever once leaving the path of polite urbanity, that nobody's feelings here mattered in the slightest except for those of Xarax himself. If the haptir wanted to be moved to Julien's kang, then moved he would be, regardless of what the Health Masters had to say about either his physical or his moral well-being.

In fact the inconvenience would be minor: there was plenty of room on the level of Bakhtar Tower that had been reserved for Julien's use for a few attendants to stay while they kept an eye on Xarax's progress and administered treatments as appropriate. And in fact those attendants were more than happy to escape the rather claustrophobic atmosphere of the treatment rooms and indeed of the senior Health Masters, and they were able to relax enough to smile or even – something normally unheard-of for them – laugh.

Wenn Hyaï, his silver-streaked dark grey fur impeccably brushed, joined the company as he took up his new role officially. They had had to push a little to get past past the bureaucracy of the Guides' Circle, but Subadar had actually encountered rather less resistance than he had expected as he conducted the negotiations. Unsurprisingly the abrupt ending of the unfortunate Aïn's career as Personal Guide and Instructor to the Emperor had dampened the enthusiasm of most of those who might have been considered as his successor. But Wenn Hyaï was not at all reluctant, and although he was very much aware of the honour that was being done to him, he was mainly interested in being able to go on serving the boy he had come to appreciate and sharing the company of his friends. He didn't care about titles or honours and the fact that he had been promoted into the innermost circle of the Guild of Guides didn't interest him at all. But he did feel strangely moved when he gave Julien one of his personal klirks to carry at all times and the boy tied it to the same string that still held Aïn's klirk.

Thank you for accepting the job despite the risks, Julien said to him. But I have a favour to ask.

It will be an honour.

Well... I'd like to do something that will pay tribute to Aïn. He was a really good friend.

I know, My Lord. He was my friend as well.

But I don't know what Guides do in this sort of situation.

He has already been buried and there was a banquet in his memory. But if you want to honour his family you could give your name to one of his children.

Is that really considered an honour?

It's a lot more than a mere gesture. Whoever you choose becomes part of your family, as well as remaining part of his own, and in a way the link extends to the rest of his clan as well. There would be no better way of bearing witness to your friendship.

All right, I understand what you're saying, but isn't it just a bit too easy? I'd like to do something a bit more than saying 'Look what a wonderful person I am – I'm actually giving you my name as a present, and you'd have to be really ungrateful not to acknowledge how generous I am.'

You don't understand. When I said it's a lot more than a mere gesture I meant it. Normally there are obligations attached. Of course in these circumstances and given who you are nobody will insist that you comply with them: the gesture will be plenty. But if you want to do the thing properly, of course you can.

What would that entail, exactly?

You could see to it that whoever gets your name also gets a first-rate education, assuming he's still young enough to be educated, of course. You could also personally initiate him into the various stages of his Art, and if he makes the grade and becomes a Guide you could perform the Opening of his Gift – obviously that's something the Emperor could do easily enough. You could also attend his family celebrations whenever you can, help them out if they need it, stand in for one of the family in their capacity of a Guide and pay the commission to the family... there are other things you could do too, but these are the more usual ones.

I see. They won't be offended if I can do only part of that at the moment?

Like I said, nobody will actually expect you to do anything. Anything that you are able to do will simply demonstrate further your respect for Aïn.

Do I get to choose who will take my name?

Of course. That's your privilege.

All right. I suppose someone will have to act for me with the family, so could you do that?

It would be a pleasure, My Lord.

It's Julien – call me Julien. We're going to be spending a lot of time together, and of course you're going to be my teacher, too.

All right. I think you've already met Aïn's family. Do you already have someone in mind, or do you want to meet them again?

I somehow got to meet a young scamp who would have been about five years old. I think the name was Lalil, or something like that.

Yalil, I think.

That's the one. I made the mistake of scratching his head.

Ah.

He had no idea who I was. He got a shock when he found out that I was one of his father's friends, not just a servant. But we parted on good terms. If he isn't too young I'd like to choose him – provided his family agrees, of course.

I'll convey your offer to the family as soon as you wish.

The sooner, the better. Seeing the way things are moving I don't know how much longer I'll be able to remain in charge of my own schedule. Deal with it however you think best, please.

oo0oo

Dillik looked a lot better and Xarax was actually awake. The medical attendant told Julien that it looked as if the wounds were going to heal, and as soon as the assistant had made his report and withdrawn Dillik came up to Julien and hugged him.

“Go and have a bath,” said Julien. “I'll stay here and keep Xarax company for a bit.”

He sat down next to the haptir's box and took hold of his claw.

Xarax, he said, I'm happy to see you awake. They tell me that you've decided to survive.

I think I'm going to make that effort, even if I'm not sure that it's worth it.

Don't say that!

I'll never be able to fly again!

I promised Dillik that we'd fix you up, and I'll do everything in my power to keep that promise.

And just how are you going to do that?

I'm simply going to round up every expert in the Empire and put them at your disposal until they give you back your wings.

That might not be enough.

No. We need you to want to live, too. That's why I want your word that you'll fight as hard as you can to recover.

You have my word – although after what Dillik has already done for me I would in any case do anything to keep him from further misery.

Are you in pain?

It's not too bad. After all, most of the potions the Health Masters are using are made from plants that come from my own planet, so they're perfectly adapted to me. Come back when you...

Xarax had fallen asleep.

oo0oo

Tannder presented a man of about fifty with reddish-blond hair.

“This is Master Mirkham, My Lord,” he said. “He is the current Grand Master of the Guild of Mechanical Arts.”

“Honourable Master,” said Julien, “we're faced with a problem involving mechanical flight, and I have been told that you are the foremost expert in the Nine Worlds.”

“That might be a bit of an exaggeration, My Lord... what is the problem, exactly?”

“Have you ever seen a haptir?”

“Well, I've seen pictures, but so far I've been lucky enough not to have met one in the flesh.”

“They're not actually as terrible as people make out, you know. I know of one at least who is completely respectable.”

“If Your Lordship says so, who am I to disagree?”

“Do you know about the Emperor's Haptir?”

“Um... isn't that just a legend?”

“I know you shouldn't believe everything people tell you, but in this case it's true: the Emperor's Haptir really does exist, and in fact I'd like you to meet him.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Don't look like that. He won't harm you. Firstly because he's a thoroughly reasonable and well-behaved individual, and secondly because he's in rather poor shape at the moment. Actually I want you to help us rebuild his wings.”

A gleam appeared in the man's eye.

“You want me to... Does Your Lordship mean that I'm going to be studying a haptir's flight system at close quarters?”

“Yes. You see, someone shot him with an illegal weapon, one that was powerful enough to kill anyone less resilient than he is. There's a lot of damage. The Health Masters are doing everything they can, but they can't replace the missing parts of his skeleton. They say that if you can reconstruct the bones they will be able to reattach the muscles. They think a titanium frame with a coating of coral should do the trick.”

“Yes, that's what is usually used for human prostheses. But it's certainly never been tried on a haptir. There won't be any standard parts, so we'll have to start from scratch. We'll have to build joints, too, and that's particularly difficult. It's likely to be extremely expensive. It would probably be cheaper to build a small pleasure trankenn.”

“I don't need a pleasure trankenn, but I do need my friend to be whole again. Please could you come with us?”

“Of course, Your Lordship.”

Xarax was awake once more, his red eyes fixed on the newcomer.

“Xarax,” said Julien, “the Honourable Master Mirkham will need to examine your wings in order to discover a way to repair them.”

Dillik, who was holding his friend's claw, answered for him.

“The Honourable Emperor's Haptir offers you his greeting, Master Mirkham. He invites you to carry out any examination you think necessary and thanks you in advance for your endeavours to restore his mobility.”

“Thank you. I'll try to be quick and to cause as little discomfort as possible.”

Julien had had his reservations about Master Mirkham from the start: there was something about the man he instinctively disliked. But he had to admit that the man was clearly an expert in his own field: it only took him a few minutes to make a detailed, labelled sketch of Xarax's wings and to evaluate the damage from a purely mechanical point of view. He was also prepared to offer a first reaction.

“The usual techniques used for human prostheses won't work here,” he said. “The human skeleton is a lot more rigid than a haptir's. As far as I can tell there needs to be a certain amount of flexibility in the bones that form the framework of the wing, which I imagine is because there are different techniques used in flying. I would think that some titanium alloys could do the job, but there's no possibility of using a coral-based organic coating. If money really is no object to Your Lordship I'll assemble a team of metallurgists and biologists in order to ascertain the best materials to use. We might also discover that the materials we need are only to be found in the Imperial stores.”

“If that turns out to be the case you'll need to talk to Master Subadar or the Honourable Tannder. They'll be happy to supply you with anything you need.”

Tannder, who had been following the exchange carefully, nodded.

“I imagine Your Lordship will want this to take precedence over my other work,” Mirkham went on.

“The Honourable Xarax is keen to return to service as soon as possible.”

“Delays to my other work are likely to incur certain expenses...”

“Master Mirkham, you will discuss your fees with Master Tannder. I assure you that your expenses will be met. However, I should remind you that the Emperor actually has no possessions, and indeed his own expenses are met by the population of the Nine Worlds. I am determined that everything possible be done to restore an important servant of the Empire to duty, but it is the Honourable Tannder's duty to see to it that the contents of the Imperial Treasury are not wasted. Do I make myself clear?”

The look of shock on the man's face was answer enough, but he still managed to whisper, “Yes, My Lord.”

He wasn't the first person to mistake Julien's politeness and gentle manners for weakness. But Julien had no intention of being imposed upon. It wasn't so much the man's obvious greed that annoyed him as the rather condescending attitude displayed. Julien was happy to treat anyone as an equal, but he was almost allergic to being patronised. Still, he needed Mirkham on board for Xarax's sake, and he knew it was important to gain the man's support, to which end he went on to soften his previous comment a bit.

“Master Mirkham,” he said, “I'm sure you have the skill to provide us with what we need, no matter how complicated it might be. And then I can assure you that you will have my absolute gratitude.”

oo0oo