Free Marune: Alastor 933 by Jack Vance Page A

up his hands in protest. “So long ago? After so many other occasions? Let me think …” He grinned. “I deceive you. In truth, I’ve thought long and often of those two girls, so alike, so different, and oh, how wasted in those ineffable Mountain Realms! They walk and talk like enchanted blocks of ice - though I suspect that one or the other, or both, under the proper circumstances might easily melt; and I for one would rejoice to arrange such circumstances. You consider me sebal? I’m far worse; I’m positively chorastic!” 1 He glanced sidelong toward Efraim. “You don’t seem appalled, or even shocked. For a fact you are a person different from the earnest young Kang of six months ago.”
    “This may well be true,” said Efraim without impatience. “Returning to that occasion, what happened?”
    Lorcas turned Efraim another quizzical side-glance. “You don’t remember?”
    “Not well.”
    “Odd. You seemed quite alert. You recall how we met?”
    “Not too well.”
    Lorcas gave a half-incredulous shrug. “I had just stepped out of the Caduceus Book Shop. You approached and asked directions to the Fairy Gardens, where at the time Galligade’s Puppets were entertaining. The mode as I recall was low aud, going into umber, which always seems to me to be a rather festive time. I noted that you and the Kang Destian - so I recall his name - escorted not one but two pretty girls, and I’d never had the opportunity to meet a Rhune before, so I volunteered to conduct you in person. At the Fairy Gardens we found that Galligade had just finished his show and the disappointment of the girls prompted me to a spasm of insane altruism. I insisted on acting as your host not my usual conduct, I assure you. I ordered a bottle of wine and etiquette screens for those who considered them necessary, and so there we were: the Lissolet Sthelany, observing me with aristocratic detachment, the other girl - I forget her name -“
    “The Lissolet Maerio.”
    “Correct. She was only a trifle more cordial, though, mind you, I’m making no complaints. Then there was the Kang Destian, who was sardonic and surly, and yourself, who behaved with elegant formality. You were the first Rhunes I’d met, and when I found you to be of royal blood, I thought my efforts and ozols well spent.
    “So we sat and drank the wine and listened to the music. More accurately, I drank wine. You and the Lissolet Maerio, thoroughly daring, sipped behind your etiquette screens. The other two declared themselves uninterested. The girls watched the students and marveled at the crassness and sebalism. I fell in love with the Lissolet Sthelany, who of course was oblivious. I used all my charm; she studied me with fascinated revulsion and presently she and Destian returned to the hotel.
    “You and the Lissolet Maerio remained until Destian came back with orders that Maerio return to the hotel. You and I were left alone. I was due at the Three Lanterns; you walked up Jibberee Hill with me. I went to work; and you returned to the hotel: that’s all there is to it.”
    Efraim heaved a deep sigh. “You did not accompany me to the hotel?”
    “No. You went off by yourself, in a most unsettled mood. If I may make bold to ask - why are you so concerned about this evening?”
    Efraim saw no reason to hold back the truth. “On that evening I lost my memory. I remember arriving at Carfaunge, on Bruse-Tansel, and I finally made my way to Numenes and the Connatic’s Hospital. The experts declared me a Rhune. I returned to Port Mar; I arrived yesterday. At the Royal Rhune Hotel I learned my name, and I find that I am now the Kaiark of Scharrode. Other than this I know nothing. I recognize no one and nothing; my past is a blank. How can. I conduct my own affairs responsibly, much less those of the Realm? I must set things right. Where do I start? How do I proceed? Why was my memory taken from me? Who took me to the spaceport and put me aboard the spaceship? How shall