Certain Symmetry (8 page)

Hia Cyn fired as he fell; the pellet from
Pat Rin's palm gun had already shattered his heart.

There was silence among the
pleasure-seekers, and Pat Rin, shaking, slipped his weapon away.
Several of the young gentlemen were bending over what was left of
Hia Cyn yo'Tonin. He went to kneel beside Betea sen'Equa,
discovering a heartbeat, and a wound to the upper arm. She opened
her eyes as he bent over her.

"Lord," she said breathily to Pat Rin as he
stooped near her, "the masks!"

"Yes."

It was absurdly difficult to untie the
ribands that held his own mask in place. If only his fingers
wouldn't shake so...

Finally, the thing was done and he stood,
raising his hand for silence against the sudden storm of chatter: "
yos'Phelium!" "Suicide to draw against a yos'Phelium!" "He must
have been in his cups!" "Card-sharp! The hostess herself accused
him!"

Someone--he thought it was Dela
bel'Urik--called, stridently, for silence.

It fell, and Pat Rin cleared his throat.

"If someone would be so good as to call the
Port Proctors? Also, it would be well to remove your masks."

These things were done, and when the
Proctors did arrive, in goodly time, since they also knew the
street, the only mask in the room was held in the death grip of Hia
Cyn yo'Tonin.

* * *

IMTAL HERSELF RECEIVED the debt-book from
his hands, riffled the pages, and read the four accountings,
lingering over the fourth. She lay the book aside.

"Our House is honored," she said,
bowing.

"It was an honor to serve," Pat Rin replied,
properly, and bowed even lower.

"Hah." She considered him out of tired brown
eyes. "And what else do you bring me, child of Korval?"

Pat Rin moved his hand and Betea came
forward, bowing as he had shown her.

"This is Betea sen'Equa; her name appears in
the last entry in the book. Alas, Fal Den wrote neither a plus nor
minus beside her name, nor any other elaboration; and I am unable
to precisely reconstruct his will regarding her."

The brown eyes narrowed. "I have read the
last entry, and found it unilluminating. 'In consideration of the
melant'i of all involved, all debts in this pairing must be
considered satisfied, pending the delm's acceptance of the
matter'."

Pat Rin bowed acknowledgment. "Just so.
Betea took part in the scheme which caused Fal Den's death; it was
something in which I feel she was also a victim. Your kinsman could
not himself squarely place the debt, nor can I. The best Balance I
may craft is to suggest that you speak with this person, candidly
and at length, and that a new Balance be struck if need be, to
Balance the loss of Fal Den's worth." He paused, then added, with
utmost delicacy.

"I also suggest that you consult most
closely with your business advisors about the matters this woman
may reveal before setting that worth. Had it not been for the
unfortunate public suicide of Hia Cyn..."

"yo'Tonin. I have heard the news of that,
and I have--as you may understand--heard other news of that. I
would not have had such a necessity forced opon you."

"The necessity was mine, Imtal. I could
hardly have refused to serve Fan Del's wishes."

There was a short silence, then an
inclination of the head. "As you say. I assume that this is the
young person who was wounded in the service our House?"

"Imtal, it is."

"Hah." The brown eyes now frankly swept
Betea. "My father knew your Grandmother. Well."

Betea managed a strong voice: "My
grandmother knew many people. Well."

It was the correct response. Imtal smiled.
"Assuredly, we shall need to talk--candidly and at length."

To Pat Rin and inclined her head. "My thanks
for your service to our House."

That was a dismissal. Pat Rin bowed. "My
thanks for the forbearance of the House. I grieve for your loss, as
well as my own."

That said, and most properly, he allowed
himself to be ushered from the room.

About the Authors

Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
live in the rolling hills of Central Maine with three insistent
muses in the form of cats, and a large cast of characters. Best
known for their work in the Liaden Universe®, Lee and Miller have
seen published seventeen collaborative novels. Baen Books
(www.baen.com) is currently releasing all of the Liaden novels in
several omnibus volumes. The next original Liaden novel,
Ghost Ship
, will be
published in August 2011.