Free Necessity's Child (Liaden Universe®) by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Page B

this visit, until the chime of the hall clock recalled him to the passage of time.
    Quickly, he sealed his jacket, put on his gloves and hat, slung the bag over his shoulder and headed for the door. The taxi would be here soon.
    It would perhaps have been more seemly to have asked kin to drive him, but, once again, everyone was busy with this, or that, or another very important task, and he was reasonably certain that he had quite enough local money to pay for the taxi to and from.
    He had recorded his absence and his destination in the house base, as he had promised Aunt Miri that he would do, so no one need worry that he had been lost.
    He had just gained the main entrance hall when he heard the sound of rapid steps behind him.
    “Syl Vor!” came the greeting, light-voiced and pleasant. “Where to in such a haste, Nephew?”
    The voice belonged to Uncle Ren Zel, Aunt Anthora’s lifemate. Syl Vor liked Uncle Ren Zel; he was quiet and kind and sometimes came ’round to ask Syl Vor if he would indulge him with a game of catch. Because he liked Uncle Ren Zel, Syl Vor paused, and turned—though he would have been obliged to do so in any case, he told himself sternly. He smiled, and waited, which was hard, because surely the taxi had arrived by now!
    “Good afternoon, Uncle,” he said. “I am going to town.”
    “Are you indeed?” Ren Zel said, with a smile. “Shall I drive you?”
    “Thank you,” he said politely. “I had seen on the schedule that you were with Weather Tech Brunner and did not wish to disturb you. I have called a taxi.”
    “Mr. Brunner can spare me for an hour, at need. But I wonder where you are bound, in the city?”
    “I am going to see my mother,” Syl Vor said. “I am quite well prepared. I have my gun, and my little knife, and extra warm clothes, and fare both ways.”
    “I would call that well prepared, indeed. Does Nova expect you?”
    “I’m certain that she must.” Syl Vor looked at the door. “If you please, Uncle—the taxi.”
    “The taxi has been canceled,” Aunt Anthora said, stepping out of the service hall. “Jeeves heard your call and alerted us.” She gave Uncle Ren Zel a smile. “Good afternoon, love.”
    “Good afternoon,” he answered, taking her hand. “I see that he does need to go to town,” he murmured.
    “Do you? Then go he shall.”
    Uncle Ren Zel laughed his soft, pretty laugh. “As simple as that? But, you know, I have no notion why .”
    “I have to see my mother,” Syl Vor said sternly, “on a matter of importance to us both.”
    Aunt Anthora looked down at him, her face perfectly serious, though there were smile-crinkles at the sides of her silver eyes.
    “There you are,” she said. “What could be more compelling?”
    “If you have a moment for Tech Brunner, I will drive Syl Vor,” said Uncle Ren Zel.
    “To Nova?” asked Aunt Anthora. “Given the mood in which she is likely to receive you? No, better that I go, I think, and you to return to our weatherman.” She leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. “I will be very careful,” she murmured, “and pay close attention to everything.”
    Uncle Ren Zel laughed again, and turned to Syl Vor.
    “It is decided, then, you see, Nephew? Your aunt will drive you to the city and wait upon your return. Please give your mother my wish that I may see her again—soon.”
    “I will,” said Syl Vor, while Aunt Anthora danced over to the console and pressed the button, asking that Jeeves send a car around, because she and Syl Vor were driving into the city.
    * * *
    The air was cool, here on the mountain, among the vines; his breath frosted against the dangling shoots. Time, now, to cut the old wood back, to make room for the fruits of the coming season.
    He had his clippers in one hand, the other feeling among the tendrils for the hard bark. That hand ached, but, then, he had been at work since the first ray of daylight had threaded the gap between the twin hills.
    It was quiet on the