Read Rissa and Tregare for Free Online

matter. Here-a last glass before we lose the sun?" Emptying the flagon, he poured their glasses ful. Reddening as it sank, Number One's sun neared the hor-izon. The light breeze grew chill; the sipped wine warmed Rissa's stomach. She saw Hawkman's gaze intent on her. "Is there something?"
    "My womenfolks, and their games about the boy Ernol." She began to speak but he waved her silent. "Rissa, don't let them involve you in their web of interlocking confidences -this to be kept from one and that from the other. They're Hulzeins, that's all-it's in the genes, and no malice to it. I learned that before I was twenty." Now the sun touched the horizon; he held his glass toward it; refracted light purpled his cheeks and forehead. "Sun-set seen through wine," he said. "Beautiful." Then; "Their games needn't worry you. The reason is that Liesel can-always could-read Sparline like an open book. Almost as if all their genes, not just half, were the same. Don't tel Sparline that, of course." Rissa drained her glass; she rose abruptly. "Damn! Now you are doing it! Hawkman, do you suppose the Hulzein genes are venereally contagious?" The jest drained her momentary anger; when he laughed, she did also. Then she said, "And can she read her son as wel as her daughter?"
    "Not likely. If anyone can read Bran Tregare, Rissa, it's yourself." He stood. "Come on-let's go to our ablutions and meet at dinner. Wine and sun give me a fine appetite."
    rissa, Liesel, Hawkman, and Sparline-with an empty place for Tregare. Remembering Hawkman's words, Rissa observed the game-Liesel circling in on the subject of Ernol while pretending interest in something quite different, Sparline answering the pretenses and ignoring the real thrusts. Fascin-ated, Rissa followed the several levels of meaning with real en-joyment. Then Liesel, balked on one line, tried another. "I need someone to handle liaison with the outland holdings-but I can't think who. Hawkman-Sparline-whose work has im-pressed you lately?"
    Hawkman shrugged. Rissa thought, That is a weak move; she is running low on ideas.
    Sparline said, "Right now, the cook's; this meat's deli-cious. ' Rissa could not hold back her laugh; it rang.
    "Well," said Liesel. "I didn't think it was that funny."
    "By itself, no-but al of it-you and Sparline, like two cats playing, each pretending the other is a mouse." Red-faced, Liesel scowled. "And of course you know what it's all about-don't you?"
    "I would never claim to know all-about anything. If I have offended you, I did not mean to. I am sorry."
    "Don't think to beg off with apologies! Tell me what you know!"
    Rissa stood. "I beg for nothing, and I tel only what I wish to tell. Perhaps it is as well that Tregare and I leave here tomorrow. "She turned away.
    "Wait!" Hawkman's voice, almost a shout. "Liesel-Rissa-this is partly my fault, I think-but only partly. Rissa, don't be so quick to take hurt from a strong woman's lapse into habits of authority. And Liesel! You know better, if you think, than to try such methods on this young woman." He paused, waiting.
    Rissa turned back again. "Since you scorn apologies, Liesel, I wil make no more. But I had no wish to anger you. And-no, that is al, I think."
    Liesel's face slowly regained normal color. "Al right." She nodded. "I pushed too hard; I do that sometimes. These games-maybe I take them too seriously."
    "Perhaps," said Rissa. "But that is your judgment, not mine."
    "For a minute there it looked like a power play, and you in the middle of it. Sol-"
    "I am only in the middle-not by my choice-of your game. And I regret that there must be sides to it, for I wish the best to each of you. Do you see?"
    After a moment, Liesel nodded. "Yes-and I'll bet you don't know why I believe you." She waited, but Rissa did not answer.
    "Well, when you got up to flounce out of here, you didn't say a word about al the proxies and such you signed to-day-to revoke them, or anything-so I knew that with you at least, power was no part of