Man-Kzin Wars XII, Larry Niven [readnow .TXT] 📗

froze in place. The First War had dragged on well after it was lost, killing over a million kzinti, before a way was found for the then-Patriarch to surrender with honor. Weakly, he said, "All they wanted was enough money to start a farm."

"They'll be able to afford quite a large one, I should think," said Charrgh-Uft. "If I recall the invasion analysis correctly, there is an equatorial highland on Wunderland's second continent which could benefit from irrigation."

"It's the size of France! A bubble asteroid would cost less to make!"

"Good idea. Every landowner should have a vacation home as well," Charrgh-Uft said reasonably.

The Guthlacs had been given all the privacy they wanted, and had made enthusiastic use of it. After a week or so the pace slowed, and they began wearing clothing now and then, for meals and such.

"Slaverexpert must have some real pull to get us left alone like this," Richard said at the end of one meal. "I'd have thought someone would have been giving us a very thorough debriefing." He saw Gay's grin, and laughed, "Besides each other."

The computer's message light came on, for the first time since they were given their quarters. Gay was closer, and lit the screen. It said:

"Lord Krosp requests the honor of your company at the receiving platform of his landing shuttle, sometime prior to sunset of the day after tomorrow, when he will be departing for his estate on Kzrral."

"Who's Lord Krosp?" Richard said.

"He must be awfully important to get through to us," Gay said. "And you did say you were getting a little sore."

"Aren't you?"

"Yes, but you admitted it first."

They got there the morning of the second day, after spending some time in a fruitless search for the whereabouts of Slaverexpert. Charrgh-Uft had contacted them briefly to let them know he would be fully occupied socially (translation: looking over the daughters that various nobles were offering him), but thanked them for their help and assured them of fair treatment. He signed off before explaining that last.

The attitude of the kzin they'd asked for directions had altered from barely-tolerant to deeply impressed when the Name Krosp was mentioned: "You know him? I will tell my sons that I met you!"

Gay murmured, "Who is this 'tosh?"—Wunderkzin equivalent of "guy."

Lord Krosp's shuttle was a converted troop lander, and it had a place all to itself on the landing field. When their groundcar stopped, four kzinti formed an honor guard beside their path, and drew claws before their faces in salute as the Guthlacs got out.

Slaverstudent, in steel-studded harness with equipment pouches attached, marched out and said, "Welcome, Richard Guthlac and Gay Guthlac!"

"You're Lord Krosp?" Gay exclaimed.

"Hardly. I am his aide-de-camp. Hospitality!" he called out to the ship, and a dozen elegantly decorated Jotoki wearing Freed insignia deployed seats, table, dispensers, canopy, and windscreens.

Lord Krosp, resplendent in weapons belt and governor's sash, stepped out and declared, "My friends, and authors of my good fortune, be welcome!"

It was Telepath.

Naturally they were eaten alive by curiosity, but the manners they were raised with required him to bring it up first. Krosp knew it, and cheerfully tormented them by seating them and plying them with food and drink before sitting down himself. "I trust you have not been disturbed since we got back? I was most specific."

"That was you? Thanks!" Richard said.

"I hope you made good use of the time—" Krosp jumped a trifle, then went on, "I see. It is well my family is in the shuttle and not the main ship." He turned his head as a human would to ease a stiff neck, then said, "I wanted to thank you for your kindness, and inform you that should you ever visit Kzrral the governor's hospitality is open to you."

"How did you get appointed governor?" Gay burst out, finally unable to restrain her curiosity.

"It was entirely due to the vivid and enthusiastic praise of my accomplishments, given me by my crewmates from the Cunning Stalker—Ah, this will be Weapons Officer," he said, indicating a groundcar that was just approaching.

There was no honor guard for Weapons Officer, and Krosp did not get up. Ears mostly folded (and bats tattooed on his tail), Weapons Officer came up with a parcel and stood at attention.

"Relax. It is good to see you," Telepath said in Hero. "I was just discussing our trip with the Guthlacs, who like the rest of us are going to be very rich from the salvage we brought back. Is that a gift?"

"Yes, sir," said Weapons Officer, and held out the parcel. "It was my grandsire's."

"I am certain it does us both honor. I hope for your part you will find this small item gratifying," Telepath said, and took something from one of his belt pouches.

It looked remarkably like a recording crystal for a kzinti ship's log.

Weapons Officer accepted it, took a deep breath, let it out, and looked a lot less uncomfortable. His ears spread, and he said, "I am certain I will always be glad to have this. I have no doubt that you will fulfill the duties of your new post most capably," he added in a decidedly dry tone.

"A generous parting wish," Krosp said.

Weapons Officer saluted, and turned to the Guthlacs. "I hope you will enjoy your well deserved prosperity on Wunderland for many years to come," he said in Interworld.

Richard, staring at the ear tattoos, couldn't think of a thing to say. Gay got the context, and recovered sufficiently to say, "I'm sure we will, though sadly our responsibilities will prevent us from returning here to visit you."

With a distinct sigh of relief, Weapons Officer said, "We all do what we must," and departed.

Richard was still getting over the tattoos. The right ear had been decorated with tiny stylized bats, but the left displayed a human face: Herrenmann white, but with long black hair and a heavy jawline. The eyes were faintly outlined in black, and their wild stare was an excellent complement to a deeply disturbing grin. "Who was