The Man from Hardin

By Ernest Velon

It is the end of old times, and the start of new times. It is an exodus from stagnation, to a life of infinite revelations. So begins the new career of Alack Troyus. A seed only grows in fertile soil, and this young sprout shall grow into a powerful force.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ernest Velon
• Release date: Dec 8, 2009
• ISBN: 9781102468905

Ernest Velon

Ernest Velon, the master of antiquities, is an expert on Roman History, who applies his talents to the future. A lover of mystery and sci-fi, he created the Alack Troyus character to fill a void in current literature.

Book preview

THE MAN FROM HARDIN

By Ernest Velon

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.  This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.  If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright c 2002 by Ernest Velon.

Discover other titles by Ernest Velon at www.smashwords.com

Revised by the Author on 6/2015

Table of Contents

Chapter 1...The Beginning

Chapter 2...The Middle

Chapter 3...The Finale

About the Author

FOREWORD

Look about you, declared the Guide as he led us amongst the colossal shattered ruins of the Amazian Capitol.  Behold this glorious relic!  Giants once lived in our past.

As the Wife and I tolerated this self-proclaimed Windbag, we did indeed gaze upon the broken rudiments of this greatness, for the first time.  Our eyes could not but draw a slight wetness at the splinters of covered ruins cast down before us.  Even the twisted girders and worn cement blocks seem to whisper their many untold secrets to those of the curious and seekers of knowledge.

As we finally turned away, an emptiness seized our inner's as our mind’s eye retained this mammoth image of Amazia’s once pristine veneer of greatness.  We now decided to use our gifts and see into the past.  By drawing forth through study the buried secrets, by learning the pieces of this scattered puzzle, and by hard work open the darkness to the ages.  Neither the phantom march of time or the forgotten folly of humans can fully hide this toppled glory.  Nor can the plunderer, whose wild rampage amongst the last centuries trampled these mosaics of lost ideals.  Nor the Alien, who speaks with mumbled pride, and boasts how their fathers caused the shattering of the pediments.  Nor the continuous chain of ignorant generations, with their babbling tongues and empty heads, thinking only of their selfish needs.  They alone account for the spoils burying their minds and potential in mud and trash.

This terrible destruction of a mighty edifice began within, by her-own children as they raced heedlessly through the ages, and on towards the future.  Eons of miss-deeds and simmering neglect of the old institutions and values caused this stupendous collapse of a Titan.  Even the most illustrious of their society failed to stop the racing plight of destruction.  Ignored by the finely educated, the styles of the aristocrat, the culture of the common man, and the basic roots of solid traditions, all have decayed and fallen.  Today, hopes and aspirations are as shallow tombs, like the mighty structures grasping at the sky from the hills of debris about.

But, let us not dwell in these lifeless dismal days.  Let us turn back the chapters of time to a vibrant age of men and miracles.  Let us piece together the puzzles and relearn the words of Alack, as he struggled to become a Servant of Law in this immense majesty.  A lost book, a broken epitaph, a silent string of deeds, his exploits come alive.  But later sections are consumed by the ages, and yet, divine providence prevails, we have enough to tell the unfolding story.

Ernest Velon

Larentia. 02/13/9811 UC

THE MAN FROM HARDIN

By Ernest Velon

The large Youth sat motionless in a soft chair waiting for the gray haired elderly man to address him.  The Boy, fresh from the crowds and noise of Belvidier Terminal at Newlon City, sat in silence wondering what his future will be.  His youthful face, free of any adolescent skin blemishes, remained passive, unemotional, watching as the Amazian behind the long ornate desk read his bio and stats.  The Teenager's big brown silent eyes blinked occasionally and fell into his folded hands, waiting patiently, then back up to acknowledge a word or two.  A long strand of blackish brown hair fell over the Youth's heavy dark eyebrows, but he did not move one of his piano fingers placing it back.  The room's unreal quietness only resounded with his breathing, adding a slight humanity to the Spartan office of the Special Service commander en chief.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, T.A. placed the data pad down.  The Norumians said, 'give people the right incentive and they will do anything.  He made a weird snorting sound and began the interview.  I'm very impressed with this, Citizen Troyus.  You made a good impression with Service Captain Consalous, enough for you to sit before me.  I normally don't do this sort of thing, my Aides handle all recruitment, but Consalous seemed to feel you are special enough to warrant my attention.  But, I ask myself, what are your real ambitions in serving the Imperium in this capacity?

Uh...I don't understand...Sir?  The deep voice is frightened, stuttering, tainted with the Seminian accent.  He tried to figure out the answer, it seemed so easy when he agreed, but now, sitting here, lost all his will and purpose.

What I want to know, are you ready to begin a new life?  Are you ready to suffer the strife of new challenges?  That's what I'm asking, Mr. Troyus.

I can handle anything you give me.  A frightened voice answered; a voice that wanted to succeed very badly, but did not know how to begin.

I know that by reading your physical stats, Young Man.  I'm sure you can survive the basic training but mentally, now that's the real problem.  Your body may say yes, but your mind may say no.  There's many strange things out there.

My mind and body work as one.  As for new experiences, my people say, 'the mind learns by trying, the heart by doing.'  I have no doubts.

We'll see... chuckled T.A., a chuckle the Youth will come to know and even hate sometimes.  Project this under that fine flock of hair, Young man, a choice scenario.  Your on assignment, you discover an alien race at a colony building a weapon that will kill millions of Amazians in another colony.  You try to reason with them but they will not listen to you, they refuse your help, they are going to use the weapon.  As the clock is ticking, you have two choices.  One, you have the opportunity to detonate the weapon and destroy the colony, or two, contact the Service Guard authorities to evacuate the Amazian colony.  What do you do?

I...  The Youth did a strange thing.  He left his chair, walked around it, then sat down and continued with his thought.  I...warn the proper authorities, Sir.

Knowing you had the opportunity to vaporize those fanatics with their own device?  He shook his flock of long well groomed hair in a 'yes' gesture.  You will still trust the civilian authorities can protect all those innocent lives, you will take the chance?

Yes...if I can save both.

Well, Alack m'boy, you just killed a million Amazians and their children.  T.A. leaned in closer over his polished desk.  By Arathon, no way can the Service Guards safe guard or evacuate that many people, no way.  Past formulas have proven certain scenarios are no win situations if handled by logical means.  In the Special Services you cannot assume anything when dealing with the lives of our citizens.  The established norm is all aliens are expendable when a choice is to be made.  The Imperium's interests come first. We protect the unborn.  All others are secondary, even to the point of self sacrifice.  This is one of the mental tests that separate the real agents from the idealists.  Again I ask, are you ready for a reality change?

The Youth's immaculate well-groomed bouncy hair fell further down over his forehead as he now eyed the Cyprodotic Eagle patterns in the carpet.  Eventually, a very soft yes, emerged from those heavy lips.  The head rose making eye contact with T.A., and continued.  I can learn...

That's all I wanted to hear.  T.A. stood to his full height of 128 Illos (five feet four inches), smaller than the Youth thought, and came from around the big desk.  We may become friends, or may not, you never know in this business, but I need someone like you...  T.A. gestured to the portrait of a pointed featured face in a white military hat and braids around the high collar.  The Emperor needs someone like you.  Alack Troyus stood to his full height of 144 Illos (six feet) and allowed this Amazian to take him by the arm.  Welcome to the Special Services.  A weird smile, the ends of his mouth turned up, greeted T.A. with a face of great relief.  Do you have a place to stay?  Alack nodded 'no', and explained he spent all credits on food when he arrived.  Well, I could use someone at my place to do yard work, general repairs, simple stuff, while training at the academy.

That would be...perfect, Sir.

T.A. then yanked on Alack's tight fitting jacket.  And where did you get these horrible clothes from?  Never mind.  The wife and I have plenty of room at Villa Hardin, and what I see under that shirt your use to physical work.  T.A. went back to his desk, touched a button on the raised screen.  Cancel all further appointments, re-schedule for tomorrow, I'll be at Hardin.  He pressed another button, computer, lock down, 02/12/2054 UC, Code E.  Taking his Calcomp turned towards the waiting nervous Youth, follow me.  And both left the office as Aides and Secretaries stood at attention.

This is Alack's second ride in an Amazian Zo car.  These sleek vehicles, capable of flight by the upper middle class Amazians, dot the skies over the home world's cities in long unending lines of traffic.  Computerized, tied into the planetary NaviNet for navigation, one can travel anywhere so long as the Burner Fluid fuel holds out.  Non-military in design, the Amazian Zo car comes in many models from single person sport jobs to a small family cruiser of four.  From multi tiered omnibuses to cargo trucks hauling a line of piggy backed rigs, all traverse different levels and lanes over the skies of Amazian cities.

This particular vehicle, with a chauffer and luxury back seat compartment, held both T.A. and Alack in pressurized comfort.  Sitting next to his new Mentor, watching the greenish gray clouds roll past; Alack is fascinated by the ability of flight.  Someday, he hopes, he can learn to fly one of these vehicles and travel with the freedom of avian life, but all in good time.

After an hour of silence he gathered enough inner courage to say something to the man in the gray and black pin striped suit.

Thank you...  Is all he could get out in a very low tone.

T.A. ignored him as he studied a data pad.

Alack tried again.  I want to thank you for giving me this chance... and fell silent.

Not even the few wrinkles on T.A.'s forehead moved.

Alack tried a different approach.  I'm Seminian...there's a few things you should know...

Seeing absolutely no response Alack retreated into himself, exhaling loudly.

T.A. said after a good ten minutes of silence.  I'm still here.

Oh...okay, uh...I'm Seminian.

I can smell that.

I'm really grateful you're giving me this opportunity...

You're repeating yourself.

Uh...are there a lot of people at your place?

Frowning, T.A. broke away from his lit screen and answered him.  Only my wife and me, why?

I...I'm not good with people around me...

You mean you don't like crowds?

Yes...I don't like crowds of people.

Making a rubbing gesture with his fingers along the lines of his chin, T.A. gave a nod.  All right, I can understand that.  I don't like crowds of people either, that's why I live out by the Wall, secluded.  You'll like my estate Alack, it'll remind you of your rural home.  At Villa Hardin you can explore, meditate, do whatever pleases you in privacy.  A fine place for a future student.  T.A. broke a little grin keeping his eyes on Alack's handsome face, never realized how big those eyes are under all that hair.

After a moment of eyeing another, Alack spoke.  I'm Seminian.

Yes, I know.

What I am trying to say is my needs are... he looked away, are different.

When Consalous called about you I did a little studying on your race and its culture.  I've even read your 'Book of Life', and know about your religious beliefs.  Your family is orthodox in your religion dealing with the Goddess Matriand, and the prophet Samue and his son, Apollinar, your family claims direct descent from.  I know about the death of your father and your brother Kronyan and the family estate, the Oak Games and a few other things I won't mention out of respect.  You see Mr. Troyus I know more about you than you think.  I even know the color of your underwear because nobody steps into my department without a total scan.  Now, even before you set foot into my office I knew exactly what to say and how you'll react.  To make this very simple, the entire interview was preplanned several days ago.  There is nothing you can tell me that I already know.

Alack fell deeper into his seat shrinking down to the molecular level, or so he felt.  Assuming a very humbled posture, like a small boy after a scolding.  He wondered if he had done the right thing.  'This Masha Pieaka will eat his words.'  Thought Alack grinning.

But…  T.A. took the pad still eyeing the Young Man next to him.  Doesn't mean we can learn new things from another.

T.A.'s estate, Villa Hardin, covered some twelve Amazian square Sectals (39 square miles) of open scab grass and rolling tundra called 'weirs'.  The great Wall of Hardin, Norume's farthest border on the Union continent, followed the Newlon River along the eastern side of his land.  About 10 Sectals (eight miles) from the snaking ruins the manor rose in a T arrangement on a small knoll surrounded by trees and shrubbery.  Once the sight of an old Norumian fortress, whose stone and mortared bricks long since pillaged by the locals, now rested a series of one story flat roofed buildings.  With large windows, cement walls, some crudely terraced landscaping, the white washed structures looked pleasingly comfortable out in the tableland's desolation.

T.A. brought the lonely Youth into the main Atrium, a tiled and mahogany paneled reception hall, with a touch of marble along the lintels.  His wife is there to greet them.  The Lady Doxanna, up in age but looking younger than her husband, with a silvery gray black streaked hair in barrel buns.  Her pencil thin eyebrows rose in approval on seeing the tall handsome teenager, a dainty mouth making a few wrinkles as she welcomed him with a kiss from her prune lips.  Purple hazel eyes beamed with delight as Doxanna took Alack by the arm and in a very aristocratic manner gave the grand tour.  Her voice, very musical and animated, dragged T.A. along with the other arm.

From the Atrium to the wooden paneled library with its teaks and rose wood décor, T.A.'s large and overly ornate desk in the 'Corostat' fashion of two hundred years ago, dominated the entire room.  Then, to the 'amber' room for entertaining personal guests, done in colorful felt fabrics, with sitting sets and tables, nick knacks, artwork and a few tapestries.  The room had no windows except one small door, which lead outside to a crude patio.  Next the 'heilous' room, the evening reading and sitting chamber for light conversations and after dinner drinks.  Here, two very impressive paneled glass doors opened out towards the north to view the setting Ring in the evenings.  She showed him a spare room called the 'haggard room' where she has her appliances and automated cleaning devices.  A series of guest chambers connected by a hallway towards the southern part of the Villa, and a brief tour of the 'thermofia' a large hot tub for mineral baths, for healing and medicinal purposes.  Carefully labeled flasks with herbs and salts lined the walls and an old hanging manual book, stained from many decades of use.

Here, she presented a small two-room chamber with a large bed, desk, draws, a secluded bathroom and shower, to Alack.  A number of high windows near the ceiling allowed the light to stream in, which delighted him to no end.  Saying 'thank you' he placed his heavy valise on the bed giving it a childish bounce.

To soft, but I’ll make it…perfect...  He muttered.

After Alack had time to freshen up, T.A. completed the tour.  He took him to the large dinning hall, called the Pincilar Room, in fancy marbles, teak wooden panels and glass hanging lamps.  Various portraits of Doxanna's side of the family surrounded the walls.  In the center, slightly larger, is that man in the white military garb with the pointed features.  His left hand raised, the two fingers from the thumb straight up, two other fingers bent down into the palm with the thumb, making the symbol of duality between the Throne and Electorate, called the Marcses Ragitata.  A small Amazian flag with the Ringed home world and another displaying the Cyprodotic Eagle hung above, as is patriotic unwritten Law.

Alack made an approving nod, He is everywhere.

T.A. ended the tour leading him into the spacious kitchen with its culinary devices and computer controlled food processors.  Off from the cupboards, stoves and freezer unites, a white porcelain table waited by the back entrance with laced curtain windows.  Marking his territory, Alack took the chair near the window and door.  Glancing at the snacks and fruits on the table he said with a little grin.  It smells nice in here.

Elanus Testimont Arion (Areana) or T.A., sat a crossed from him as Doxanna served a small meal of soup, breads, cheese and assorted nuts of a large soft shell variety.  So, what do you think so far?

Your home has a...warm feeling.  Alack began taking nibbles then realized how tasty the food is, and how hungry he is, and ate with a gusto that amazed both people.  Finishing up his portions in a few minutes he went after the fruit, but began to talk more freely becoming comfortable.  When do I begin training at the academy, Sir?  Show me what needs to be done, I'm very handy with tools and can do allot with the shrubs...  His big brown eyes became animated, full of energy, as he looked around the room while stuffing himself.  How old is this place?  Is your family of the nobility?  How long have you and your wife been here?  Are there any children?  What type of people live around here?  And so it went without stopping.

Seeing what he can eat, Doxanna got up, prepared another quick snack-meal, and put it in front of him.  Thank you, I guess the ride out here really gave me an appetite.  And Alack went after that.

To answer some of your questions, began T.A. finding the Youth's intake of food rather amusing, two Amazian Agels (100 days) from now you will be enrolled at the Service Guard academy.  Since your going into the Special Services, you need basic training in law enforcement first.  That's two years.  The next academy will be for three years.  I'll tell you more about that when you're ready.  Doxanna handed him a long stemmed drinking glass and as he listened his big fingers began to go up and down on the glass stem.  This Villa is very old...  T.A. looked at Doxanna, it's from her family going back to the times after the revolution...uh, there's a history...a small one in the library.  As for us personally, we have no children, my job kind of...forbids it.  We are alone here, that is, until now.  We will be having supper in two hours, are you going to be able to eat with us?

Alack finished inhaling the second snack and gave them both that weird smile with the ends of his mouth curling slightly up.  Oh yes!  What are we having?

T.A. then took Alack around the Villa on the outside and showed him what was needed on regular bases.  The Amazian 'hedge' shrub, an ugly flat sprawling plant as big as 120 Illos (5 feet), had to be pruned so it will blossom into beautiful yellow and gold four times a year.  He showed Alack where an old terrace once was, now the stones tumbled and buried beneath crab grass and the yellow weed of the weirs.  As they walked four-legged furry rodent creatures called 'muskatells' ran ahead of them.

Alack suddenly halted.  His parted hair over his forehead revealed a frown as he said holding T.A. back.  There's something large and dangerous behind those shrubs, Sir.

Nonsense, all the flesh eaters are gone from this area since antiquity.  T.A. picked up a small stone and tossed it at the bush.  A flock of large black-feathered birds called 'blackbellys' took off in a dozen gyrating masses.  T.A. looked up at him.  You we're able to sense that?

Embarrassed, Alack replied trying to hide it.  Uh...yes, Sir, I can...sometimes...

They came to the back end of the estate where numerous wooden and metal sheds are.  Some are in ruins, but a few are new and hold garden tools.  T.A. showed Alack where everything is, what he will need to beautify Villa Hardin.  Some tools are new, others ancient and should be replaced.  T.A. told Alack while working he will be paid a small sum for his efforts, but anything of major expense must have his approval.  Behind one of the sheds a flat area of land, about 11,000 Illos (fifty square feet), caught the Youth's attention.  With his laced boot pushed some of the fine gravel testing its size and depth.

This is perfect, Sir.  I'll do good here, but there's a few things you must know about me.  In a funny hand gesture, almost as if he is praying, Alack stressed addressed T.A.  I'm Seminian, Sir.  I am not your normal humanoid.  My metabolism burns faster than yours.  I must have solitude in the morning to prepare myself for the day ahead.  Going to this 'academy' of yours will be very hard for me.

Your referring to the people, the crowds...right?

Yes Sir, the crowds.  I'm not good with associations...but, I believe I can overcome this.

That's all I require of you, the will to make the effort.  Don't ever give me an excuse not to do something I ask, understand?  Alack shuck his flock of hair in a 'yes' movement.  I hate that!  Because once you begin to make excuses not to do something, even at first it's a little thing, you begin to lay the boards for your own coffin.  Eventually it becomes so easy to make an excuse to do nothing, you cease to become productive and begin to die.

Productive...  Alack repeated the word in his Seminian tongue, then his eyes went wide.  Oh yes Sir, I will always be as productive as I can!

Alack...  T.A. came up closer to him, fingered the poor frayed shirt he wore, and looked up.  I'm asking you to have patience with me.  Your here for more than a room or a free meal, what your going to learn may stretch a few nerves but always remember what I'll do is for your overall good.  Like I said earlier, we can learn from another.  T.A. yanked on a thread pulling it from Alack's cuff.  These clothes are terrible, after breakfast tomorrow Doxanna will take you into Codoxardin and get some real clothes that are Amazian made.

I would like that, Sir.

That night Alack could not sleep.  It is not the prospects of a new life before him.  It is not the efforts he must now make to overcome his aversion to groups.  It is not the work, or the studying, or living on this strange world with strange people; none of these things, which should be dancing through his mind like a mental wild fire.  They did not make him lie wide awake in the dark privacy of his new room.  It is the constant never ending throbbing pains in his stomach.  Despite the large meal he had for supper, it was not enough!  What they gave him only dented his horrendous appetite, but he is too embarrassed to ask for more to eat.  So, he humbly went to bed early to unpack and settle in, so he lied.

Rising to the groans, ripping sounds and moans emanating from his muscular slim abdomen, Alack put on a pare of rustic leather hunting shorts with his wrap-around shoes for silent stalking.  Opening the bottom draw in a closet chest, he removed the handle of his Atlatls weapon.  Made of Seminian 'iron' wood, with it's flanged end, he could hurdle a dart or long tipped spear over 3,600 Illos (a hundred fifty feet) with deadly accuracy.  A few oak wreaths in precious Aulum (gold) lay next to it as he closed the draw on the trophies earned at the Great Oak Games from his mother world.

Going to the rear door, he put in the command telling the computer to disarm this entrance.  He had seen T.A. do it earlier when they made the rounds.  Once outside, the chill of the night air further revitalized as Alack gently spiked his metabolism to a familiar hunting mode.  Now he can move faster, react quicker and think like the wild animals.  Getting a series of planting staffs for vines, he sharpened the ends and went off into the night with six under arm.

Dashing over stone ruins half buried, and around clumps of 'hedge' shrubs, would suddenly halt.  Sniffing the air, to listen, and then move on.  Eventually his instincts took him into dark vegetated depressions in the weirs, called 'joyllies', like troughs in a rolling sea.  Here, amongst the weeds and dense under brush, he sensed a grouping of large pig like animals called 'wavels'.  The data clip he read about the Nylun River basin area had a reference to them.  As his belly made life miserable, he stretched out with his mind, sending a frantic panic emotion, and drove the dozen or so squealing furry critters out from under the shrubs.  To get food quickly in his younger days, Alack used this technique to flush out the game.

They poured off grunting towards the rim.  At a lightning pace, Alack loaded the Atlatls, jumped up, swung and sent the shaft through the bodies of two bouncing leaping Wavels.  Embedded in the moist dirt, both animals could not move or dislodge them selves and died on the spot.  To hungry to think, using his Bowie knife in a savage way, cut apart one and ate.

As his mind cleared from his primordial food fever, Alack felt sick, thinking.  'What a way to start off on a new world…'  Preferring raw meat his hunger drove him like a demon without reason, or concern for sanitary traditions.  'I had hoped to burry the old ways...it's going to take time.'  Dicing up the meaty second Wavel for transport, returned back to the Villa in a slow manner carrying his wrapped up kill.

Near the utility shed where the flat piece of ground is, he hung up the pelts and finished off the remainder of the meats.  Now he could sleep like a normal person.

It is a huge flock of 'blackbelly' scavenger birds that alerted the Villa's computer system something is amiss on the perimeter.  It is the message waiting on T.A.'s Calcomp that showed the tattered remains of the hides hanging on the shed wall.  Knowing they were not there yesterday, T.A. checked the surveillance system, saw the override, and played back the indicated image around the Villa that night.  That is when he saw the almost pinkish brown mass of muscles dashing off into the darkness.  Fast-forwarding, he caught Alack returning, devouring the second kill and hanging up the hides in neat array.

Leaning back in his pajamas rubbed his face and wondered what they took in at Villa Hardin.  After thinking about it, T.A. concluded what Doxanna hinted about, 'this proves it, we must make allowances'.  Turning off the device he dressed for a days work and joined her in the kitchen.

When Alack came in for breakfast his face is all smiles.  The flock of hair groomed immaculately, except for his shabby rustic clothes, and sat down in the seat by the window.  Where's your Husband?  He asked looking about, sniffing the air.

He leaves early for the Capital, Love.  She is busy preparing a vast assortment of steaming items that smell awfully good to Alack at this point.

Is he going to be back soon?

In the evening before supper.  She placed a huge soup bowl in front of him over flowing with cooked vegetables.  Did you sleep well?

Alack thought about his reply.  Realizing he could lie to this fine Lady or tell the truth, which would set a future precedent in dealing with these people, he made a decision.  I couldn't sleep...Lady Doxanna, no disrespect...  He fumbled through his native tongue and theirs, even mumbling at one point, I went out and hunted...made a kill...I was so hungry...

She paused in serving the other bowls of herbal rice and breads.  We know, Love, and finished serving him a breakfast big enough for two grown men.

Stunned, Alack hesitated in picking up the fork spoon combo, felt the void closing between them.  You know what I did...and...it doesn't bother you?

She sat down with a very small plate of fruits and vegetables, her voice musical and delightful to his ears.  We now know what your needs are, I double up on everything.  As for last night you did what is in your blood.  I'm sure you'll not resort to hunting again on these lands if you have your basic needs fulfilled.  And, don't feel embarrassed, because Love, I've been wanting to use the full capabilities of this kitchen for years now.  I've even down loaded my great Aunt's cooking manual, I will make you fat.

Alack almost found himself chuckling the way T.A. does, and exhaled with relief.

And so they talked.  Alack asking about her family, prying very carefully into her marriage to get a feel for his new Benefactor, and She, asking similar questions about his growing up on Seminia, his family, friends and relatives.  This went on for the entire morning, over cups of tea and the farmer's large wafer cookie called 'amblems', which Alack ate by the bag full.  Then she called for a Zo car from the company's transport pool and both spent a simple day shopping in Codoxardin.

In the evening, T.A. found them very relaxed.  Alack assisting her in preparing the supper and she gave him suggestions on what to do.  This made him feel very comfortable, she is happy, and if she is happy, then he is happy.  She must be obeyed.

Alack's new clothes, warm light colors of a plain variety, fitted him with a slight snugness.  This revealed his splendid physique, giving the viewer just enough to see he took very good care of himself.  His hair bounced with almost every move; parted in the middle, combed down over his forehead covering his ears and curling slightly up by his open collar.  As T.A. watched, his youthful face is aglow over a new freedom of security.  But, he wondered about the other side of Alack's character.  The side he saw last night.  For him the entire day dragged as that nightly image of the bestial hunter haunted his thoughts.  Captain Consalous’s report had no hints of brutality or barbaric behavior to mangle things.  T.A. is sure he posed no threat to Doxanna.  She can defend herself with the Ipsonian Pad.  His inner feelings dealing with the Youth from Seminia are confirmed by a short message from the new Major Domo at the Brother’s Estate, but for