The Healer stepped back, placed his hand over his heart and bowed. "Peace unto you, Pat Rin yos'Phelium. Long life and fair profit."

"Healer-" Pat Rin began.

But the Healer was gone.

* * *PIN'WELTIR HAD GONE some hours ahead of the rest, pleading another appointment, which seemed odd at that hour of the morning-but who was Pat Rin yos'Phelium to comment upon the arrangements of a mere acquaintance? He did note, privately, that pin'Weltir had not recalled this second appointment until Luken had roundly trounced him at piket, lightening his brash lordship's purse by a considerable number of coins.

Still, and excusing the early departure of a guest not much missed in his absence, Pat Rin counted this first party in his own establishment a success. He was quite sincerely exhausted by his hostly duties, yet exhilarated.

The last, late-staying guest bowed out, and the door locked, Pat Rin moved down the hall to the room he had made his study. There, as he expected, he found his foster father, seated in Pat Rin's reading chair, thoughtfully gazing at the ivory-and-green carpet.

Pat Rin hesitated in the doorway. Luken looked up, face roguish in the soft yellow light.

"Well, boy-dear! Well, indeed. A most glorious crush, hosted with grace and style! I daresay you will sleep the day through, now."

"Not quite now," Pat Rin murmured.

Luken smiled. "A bit in the upper key, is it? Never mind it-very shortly Lord Pat Rin will find hosting a party three times this to be a mere nothing!"

Pat Rin laughed. "Verily, Lord Pat Rin shall be nothing more nor less than a fidget-about-town. I wonder how you might bear with so slight a fellow."

"Now, there," Luken said, with sudden seriousness, "you touch near to a topic I wished to bring before you. I wonder-have you thought of entering the lists at Tey Dor's?"

Pat Rin blinked, and drifted into the room, across the Tantara, to prop a hip against the desk and looked down into his foster father's face.

"I had never thought of competing at Tey Dor's," he said then. "Should I have?"

"You might find that you will wish to do so," Luken said, "as you consider the ... affect you wish to sustain. For I do not think, boy-dear, that you would do very well in a long-term role either as fidget or as mushroom."

"Ah." Pat Rin smiled. "Lord Pat Rin shall be flamboyant, shall he?"

Luken raised a finger. "Lord Pat Rin, if you will permit me, boy-dear, shall be accomplished."

"I'll grant that's a happier thought," his son said after a moment. He inclined his head. "Allow me to consider the matter, when my head is done spinning."

"Surely, surely." Luken paused before murmuring. "I wonder if you have heard that young Nova takes lessons at the dramliz school now-and has pa.s.sed the preliminary for third-cla.s.s pilot."

Pat Rin inclined his head. "She was by a three-day gone, with a gift for the house. We drank tea and she caught me up with her news."

"Ah?" Luken said. "And how do you find yourselves aligned, if an old man might ask it."

"We are-comfortable," Pat Rin said after a moment. "She-I do not know how such a thing might be,but-she remembers both sides of the ... incident, and we have, thereby, an understanding."

There was a small silence. "Good," Luken said, simply, and pushed himself out of the chair. Pat Rin leapt forward to offer him an arm.

"Must you leave?" he asked, and Luken laughed.

"I daresay the two of us might now repair to the Port for a game or six, were I thirty years younger!" He said, patting Pat Rin's hand. "But you must have pity on an old man and allow me to seek my bed."

"Certainly," Pat Rin replied, walking with him toward the hallway. "I will summon a cab."

"a.s.suredly you will, sir!" Luken turned suddenly, face serious. "Lord Pat Rin will have servants to attend to these small matters for him."

"I daresay he might," Pat Rin retorted, with spirit, "for those who are merely guests. But if Lord Pat Rin should ever fail of attending the father of his heart personally, I shall know him for a worthless dog, no matter his accomplishments."

Luken paused, then extended a hand to cup Pat Rin's cheek. "Sweet lad." He let the hand fall away and smiled, softly. "Call for the cab, then, and be welcome."

Quickly, Pat Rin stepped back into his study and made the call. Turning back, he saw Luken framed in the doorway, his eyes dreaming once more upon the Tantara.

"Father?" he said, abruptly.

Luken looked up, face mild. "Child?"

Pat Rin cleared his throat. "I-do you mind?" he blurted. "The carpet-it is yours; the treasure of your Line. It should-"

Luken held up a hand. "Peace." He glanced down at the ivory-and-green design, smiling slightly as he once again met Pat Rin's eyes.

"I allow it to be a gem, and everything that is graceful. Even, I allow it to be a family heirloom. Who best to have the keeping of such a treasure, than my son?"

Pat Rin's eyes filled. "Father-"

"Nay, I'll brook no argument, willful creature! Hark! Is that the cab?"

It was. Luken fastened his cloak and together they went down the steps to the walk. Pat Rin opened the door and saw his father comfortably disposed. That done, he handed the driver a coin.

"Good-night, boy-dear," Luken said from the back. "Sweet dreams to you."

"Good-night, father," he returned, stepping back from the curb. "Sweet dreaming."

The cab pulled away, accelerating smoothly down the long, dark street.

Appendixes

A Partial Liaden Dictionary Including novels through Plan B. From Trading in Futures.

A'nadelm Heir to the nadelm A'thodelm Head-of-Line-to-Be A'trezla Lifemates Al'bresh venat'i Formal phrase of sorrow for another Clan's loss, as when someone dies.

Al'kin chernard'i The Day without Delight Balent'i Kalandon Our local galaxy Balent'i tru'vad The starweb of all creation Cha'leket Heartkin (heartbrother, heartsister) Cha'trez Heartsong Chernubia Confected delicacy Chiat'a bei kruzon Dream sweetly.

Ckrakec (derived from the Yxtrang) Approximately 'Master Hunter'

coab minshak'a 'Necessity exits'

Conselem An absurdity Delm Head of Clan (Delm Korval, Korval Himself/Herself) Delmae Lifemate to the Delm Denubia Darling Dramliza A wizard. Plural: dramliz (The dramliz) Dri'at Left (direction) Eklykt'i unreturned Eldema First Speaker (most times, the Delm) Eldema-pernard'i First-Speaker-In-Trust Entranzia volecta Good greetings (High Liaden)Fa'vya an aphrodisiac-laced wine sold at Festival Flaran Cha'menthi 'I(/We) Dare'

Galandaria Confederate? Countryperson?

Ge'shada Mazeltov; congratulations Glavda Empri yo'Lanna's house I'gannn brath'a, vyan se'untor Play with the body, rest the mind I'lanta Right (direction) llania frrogudon palon dox (approx) Young ladies should speak more gently Illanga kilachi (no translation available) Indra Uncle Jelaza Kazone The Tree, also Korval's Own House. Approx.

'Jela's Fulfillment'

Lazenia spandok Son of a b.i.t.c.h (real approximate) Megelaar The Dragon on Korval's shield Melant'i who one is in relation to current circ.u.mstances.

Also who one is in sum, encompa.s.sing all possible persons one might be.

Menfri'at Liaden karate Mi rada Father Mnsravot Altarian wine; blue in color.

Nadelm Delm-to-Be Nubiath'a Gift given to end an affair of pleasure Palesci moda.s.sa Thank you (High Liaden) Prena'ma Storyteller Prethliu Rumorbroker Qe'andra Man of business Qua'lechi Exclamation of horror Relumma Division of a Liaden year, equaling 96 Standard days. Four relumma equal one year.

Thawla Mother (Low Liaden; approximately Mommy)Thawlana Grandmother Thodelm Head of Line Tra'sna volecta Good morning (Low Liaden) Trealla Fantrol The yos'Galan house.

Valcon Berant'a Dragon's Price or Dragon h.o.a.rd, the name of Korval's valley.

Valcon Melad'a Dragon's Way, the Delm's Own ship van'chela beloved friend va'netra charity case, lame puppy zerkam'ka kinslayer The Updated But Partial Liaden Universe Time Line Updated November 16, 2002. From Shadows and Shades.

Standard Year Event/Story 1118 "Balance of Trade"/Balance of Trade 1123 "Naratha's Shadow"

1177 "Sweet Waters"

1293 "Phoenix"

1313 Kareen yos'Phelium born 1320 Dutiful Pa.s.sage enters service 1325 Er Thom yos'Galan born 1326 Daav yos'Phelium born 1327 Anne Davis born 1335 Aelliana Caylon born 1339 "Pilot of Korval "

1346 "Choice of Weapons"

1351 Pat Rin yos'Phelium born 1357 Shan yos'Galan born 1359 Priscilla Delacroix y Mendoza born Early 1360 Local Custom Early 1361 Scout's Progress 1362 Val Con yos'Phelium born 1362 Nova yos'Galan born 1365 Miri Robertson born 1365 Aelliana Caylon dies 1366 Daav yos'Phelium leaves Liad 1366 Anthora yos'Galan born 1369 Ren Zel dea'Judan born 1373 "Veil of The Dancer"

1374 "Heirloom"

1375 "Matter of Dreams", "Moonphase"

1380 "To Cut An Edge"

1382 Anne Davis dies 1383 Er Thom yos'Galan dies Early 1385 "A Day at the Races"

Early 1385 "Certain Symmetry"

Late 1385 Conflict of Honors Early 1386 Conflict of Honors 1390 "Changeling"

1392 Agent of Change 1393 Carpe Diem 1393 Plan B/"Breath's Duty"

1393 I Dare

Editor's Note: Most Lee & Miller Lute and Moonhawk stories remain undated in this list. Also not included or dated are several yet unpublished Liaden Universe stories scheduled for the next year.

About the Authors SHARON LEE AND STEVE MILLER live in the rolling hills of central Maine, where they repaired from Maryland-with cats, books, music, and computers-after selling the first three Liaden Universe novels in the late 1980s.Before moving to Maine, Steve and Sharon were active in the Baltimore science fiction community for years as fans, short story writers, editors, bookstore owners and art agents. In the mid seventies Clarion West (cla.s.s of '73) graduate Steve was the founding Curator of the UMBC Science Fiction Research Collection as well as the Director of Information for the burgeoning Baltimore Science Fiction Society. A well known traveling fan, Steve attended well over 100 conventions during this period.

Since moving they've continued to write in the Liaden Universe and six of the novels-Local Custom, Scout's Progress, Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change, Carpe Diem, and Plan B are now in print, with I Dare set to follow in February 2002, Balance of Trade due in 2003, and two additional Liaden novels coming in the years after that.

The current novels are available individually in electronic format from Embiid as well as in Meisha Merlin trade paper editions; the omnibus Partners in Necessity-containing the first three novels-is also out in hardcover from the Science Fiction Book Club and soon there will be ma.s.s market editions of all the novels from Ace.

Along the way, Sharon and Steve were (and are) fortunate in having very supportive readers. In 1995 those readers requested-via an internet mailing list-something Liaden to tide them over. Steve's experience in chapbook publishing came to the fore and thus he began SRM Publisher. Two Tales of Korval was SRM's first book and its first print run was expected to be 60-but ended up at 200. Those rapidly sold out as well, and now Two Tales is the SRM Publishing stable's best seller, with over 3500 copies in print.

As readers continued to ask for more short works, SRM brought out other chapbooks, including a reissue of pre-Liaden fantasy The Naming of Kinzel. Eventually Absolute Magnitude magazine got into the act with Liaden Universe short stories. Editor Warren Lapine accepted the novelette "Balance of Trade" for issue 11 of Absolute Magnitude, snapped up "A Choice of Weapons" for issue number 12 and then took the very popular novella "Changeling" for issue 14. These stories were collected into the fifth and sixth Liaden Universe chapbooks from SRM. "Changeling" has proved very popular and is also available as an Embiid electronic book.

After a stint as Web Librarian at a start-up dot.com, SRM Publisher grew to be Steve's "day job"-in part because SRM Publisher took over the original Sharon Lee and Steve Miller "Authors of the Liaden Universe" website, expanding it to include an online catalog page as well as a list of congruent authors.

As SRM Publisher grew, Michael Capobianco, then President of SFWA-Science Fiction Writers of America-asked Sharon to become the organization's first Executive Director, a full time position she held for more than three years, with contracts for Liaden Universe novels set through 2005, Sharon gave up that job last year, running for and winning the SFWA Vice Presidency, which she a.s.sumed July 1st of 2001.

Ace Books will be reprinting Lee & Miller's 7 existing Liaden Universe novels starting in 2002, while Embiid will publish a non-Liaden Lee & Miller SF novel in August of 2002.

As fulltime writers Sharon and Steve are frequently free to attend science fiction conventions and signings around the US and Canada. In the last few years they've been guests or partic.i.p.ants at libraries, conventions and science fictional events in Schenectady, Chicago, San Jose, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Roanoke, Boston, Burlington, Bangor, and Fredericton (New Brunswick), with upcoming travels to Kansas city, San Jose, Baltimore, and Toronto.

Note: If you're planning an event and would like the authors to attend you can contact them via email at [email protected] or c/o SRM Publisher, PO Box 179, Unity, ME 04988-0179.For information on author appearances around North America join our internet news list at [email protected] or visit www.korval.com/liad.htm for the latest Liaden Universe news.

Send your questions or comments about this book to [email protected] or to request information send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: SRM Publisher, PO Box 179, unity, ME 049SS-0179 About the Liaden Universe ... the authors' craftsmanship is top-notch, recalling the work of Elizabeth Moon and Lois McMaster Bujold ...-Publishers Weekly, November 26, 2001 "The combination of wit, relationship, and s.p.a.ce opera may appeal to readers of Lois McMaster Bujold."-Booklist, December 15, 2001 "These authors consistently deliver stories with a rich, textured setting, intricate plotting, and vivid, interesting characters from fully-realized cultures, both human and alien-and each book gets better."-Elizabeth Moon, author of Speed of Dark "n.o.body else in the field combines s.p.a.ce opera and comedy of manners with the same deftness and brio as these two."-Debra Doyle, co-author of the Mageworlds novels "Sharon Lee and Steve Miller are so good it's scary."-S. L. Viehl, author of the Stardoc series