'' ``I know.'' ``I know.'' I sighed. A few minutes later the secretary, whose name I found was Re'ahb, led us into a sumptuous dining hall, laid out in the gold lame' cloth that seemed to be the basis of much of the fashion on llerkin at the moment. I wondered if they had the kind of Social-Darwin fashion wars I'd seen on other worlds, like Terra or Shriaa. I must admit, though, that the color looked good on them. I was directed to my seat, and Arraon sat across from me and to my right, further away from the head of the table. I was second to the head; I wondered who my dining partner was to be. That was answered quickly. Anlestin. The Princess and heir to the matriarchal throne of llerkin. Although they had a more democratic system than in their past, the llerkindi had kept a monarchal head. It seemed to be working. "Vatare' Shardik, how do you do," she said, and her lips matched. "Princess Anlestin," I said. I'd kept internal lip-synch. It felt like I was speaking Quen, but the BCA's throat and mouth actually spoke llerki. "It is my pleasure." "Your speak llerki very well," she said. |