Free Shaman by Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff Page B

magic than any place she’d yet visited.
    Magic—that’s what Rhys Llewellyn would call it. The thought of her eccentric chief negotiator made her smile.
    â€œA penny for them,” said the governor, moving into the room.
    â€œI was just thinking how Rhys would react to this world. It’s almost as colorful as he is.”
    â€œRhys? Oh, yes. Llewellyn—the Scottish gentleman, isn’t it? The one who wears full Highland regalia to the conference table? Llewellyn is a Welsh name, though, isn’t it?”
    Danetta nodded. “His mother was Welsh, and his Scottish father, a McCrae, took her surname when they married. Something in the nature of a family feud, as I understand it. Suffice it to say, the rebel McCrae and the rest of his clan are not on speaking terms... You know, I’m half tempted to tell Rhys to get his kilt out here and enjoy the scenery, but he’d just end up out in the hills with your archaeologists, digging up some choice ruins.”
    Governor Bekwe chuckled. “Well, unfortunately, ruins are in short supply here. A thing which our archaeologists bewail at every opportunity. Now,” he put an arm around her and patted her shoulder. “You’ve been most patient and kind and I shall reward you with a five-star dinner.”
    â€œDeal,” said Danetta and broadened her smile, reminding herself that she was accruing more reasons to linger on Velvet than could be accounted for by the scenery.
    They were nearly out the door when the governor’s housecomp chimed and informed him that he had an urgent call. He grimaced apologetically and excused himself to answer it. When he returned, the expression on his face made Danetta suspect her five-star dinner was a lost cause. His words confirmed it.
    â€œThere’s been a rather... urgent development. I’m afraid...” He spread his hands in a gesture of regret.
    â€œI understand. Occupational hazard. Nothing serious, I hope.”
    He found his shoes of sudden interest. “Unfortunately, it is... rather serious. And not something I can discuss, I’m afraid. Look, Danetta, I’d like this to be a postponement, not a cancellation.”
    Danetta smiled. “Definitely not a cancellation.”
    He looked at her just a little more intently than one human being usually looks at another, and Danetta was pleased that her heart could still do somersaults after so many sedentary years.
    Her hotel was close; she declined Joseph’s offer of a cab ride and strolled the pale, sequined walkways instead. There were other people on the street—colonists and early tourists alike. She could see that tourism was going to be an important industry on this beautiful world. She took a deep breath of the temperate night air. By God, it even smelled vibrant.
    Her aide, Astrid Henke, was surprised to see her, but allowed that an early turn-in might benefit the morrow’s negotiations. With that in mind, Danetta took Astrid’s hint, ordered from room service, and retired.
    o0o
    There were no negotiations the next morning. Danetta Price awoke to a call from the governor’s office saying that due to unforeseen circumstances, all officers involved with the trade talks were otherwise occupied.
    â€œThat was it?” She stared at the columnar holo-display with vague disbelief.
    Governor Bekwe’s aide, her face frozen in a tight smile, faded from view.
    Danetta turned to her own aide, a mild frown creasing her forehead. “No explanation whatsoever,” she observed. “Curiouser and curiouser.”
    Astrid smiled. “And I’d say the White Rabbit, there, was a might rattled by it all, wouldn’t you?”
    â€œWell, she certainly didn’t look comfortable.” Danetta fluffed her sleep disheveled hair and sighed. “Looks like we’ve got us a free day in Wonderland, my dear. How about a leisurely breakfast?”
    â€œSounds ripping. Why don’t you