Acorna’s People

by Anne McCaffrey

  Yasmin saw Karina’s plump fingers with the medium amethyst ring surrounded by moonstones scrabble in the replicator bale and remove the ring. “Uh, thanks,” she said. “A serpent—how, uh, emblematic of mother goddess, in a creepy crawly sort of way. But I am puzzled, oh spirit. I don’t see what it has to do with anything.”

  Yasmin was trying to form a suitably cryptic clue, something to imply that Hafiz had murdered her and maybe a whole harem of other girls and kept their bodies locked in a subcellar someplace. Something like that to really put a scare into the smug little wifey. But before she could let out with so much as another ghostly moan, somebody knocked at the door. “Madame Harakamian, please join the master on the bridge and secure yourself for landing.”

  “Hearing and obeying,” Karina declared.

  Yasmin made haste to secure herself for landing as well. It would be very helpful if the lot of them left the ship so that she could have an opportunity to plant additional monitors throughout. She was having a certain amount of remorse about the ring now—gold was gold after all—but the stupid slut would probably lay it down somewhere soon and Yasmin would be able to retrieve it.

  The Rushiman administrator, who was deep in negotiations with Rafik Harakamian, insisted on throwing a banquet for Rafik’s uncle and his new bride. Hafiz had been instrumental in gathering the forces which helped Rushima repel the invasion of the Khleevi and it had been his ward, Rafik’s “niece,” who had purified the putrid waters of the planet and ultimately arranged for Dr. Ngaen Xong Hoa, the meteorologist turned weather manipulation wizard, to help heal the planet’s climate.

  That same climate had been damaged by Dr. Hoa’s techniques, while the man was being coerced by another group foiled by Harakamian’s niece. So it was for his connections, as well as his wealth and power, that Hafiz was made welcome on Rushima, and Hafiz, with his typical perspicacity, understood this distinction. He was uncharacteristically grateful, particularly in view of the possible threat to his ward, of whom he was as fond as he was capable of being.

  His business with Rafik was of the first priority, however, and since he did not wish to discuss it in front of Karina, he had, with the complicity of the captain and his Rushiman relatives, made certain arrangements to keep his beloved busy while he was otherwise engaged.

  Therefore, when they disembarked, Hafiz gave the captain a wink and the captain addressed Karina. “Wise and enlightened mistress, during your meditations I was in contact with my sister, who has settled here on this isolated world. The people here are in much need of spiritual guidance and insight. My sister, on behalf of a delegation of the particularly troubled, hoped perhaps that you would be so beneficent as to share your gifts with those most in need.”

  “Certainly, Captain, I would be happy to,” Karina replied with a gracious nod of her head and a queenly wave at the ragtag populace assembled to greet them. “And since this is the request of a family member of yours, I will happily provide my services at a very great discount.”

  “Barter is the usual method of exchange here, madam,” the captain said.

  “Hmmm,” Karina said. In the old days, when she traveled to fairs and festivals throughout her home world, she had acquired many small bits of jewelry and stained glass doodads, hand-carved salad forks and once, a Mytherian fang-cleaning device, in exchange for readings. Now that she was a person of considerable means, these things would be more of a liability than an asset to her well-ordered home.

  “Very well, then, Captain, I’ll tell you what. Suppose you arrange the means of payment. What I cannot use, because we are traveling and our space is somewhat limited at the moment, perhaps we can take credit for on future exchanges with these people. I have been given to understand that due to the turmoil caused by the recent wars, the crops have not been particularly plentiful. I would not wish to take food from someone’s children at this time.” And of course, at a later time, the pickings would no doubt be better.

  “My lady is gracious, as always,” the captain said. “I shall be happy to perform this task for my lady and for my sister’s adopted people.”

  First, however, Rafik, quick and graceful as ever, sprang forward to plant a kiss on each of Karina’s cheeks and each of his uncle’s. Mercy Kendoro was beside him and she greeted Hafiz and Karina a bit more sedately. She was not as yet one of the family but Hafiz thought she would make a fine addition. Broad hips, good for making children. And rather lovely, in an otherwise delicate sort of way, and very clever, too. Rafik was choosing his wife far more intelligently than Hafiz himself had—the first time, at least. Hafiz noted this with relief as it was another sign of the boy’s suitability for the responsibility of leading the House of Harakamian.

  Karina and the captain separated from the group to greet the captain’s sister, who had been briefed ahead of time, and her fellow seekers of enlightenment. The remainder of the crew was invited to the community hall at Rushima’s chief settlement and Hafiz gestured that they should accept. After all, this trip was from all indications to be a fairly long one and who knew when another opportunity for shore leave might arise? They were to return in time for refueling and taking aboard a few more provisions to top off the ample quantities loaded aboard at Laboue.

  When he could be sure they were alone, Hafiz filled Rafik in on the visit from Yasmin.

  He did not, of course, come straight to the point, but told the story in proper narrative fashion, building suspense so that when he spread his hands in alarm to show his reaction to the powder Yasmin had blown in his face and how he had lost consciousness, Rafik, used to drama as he was, widened his eyes with alarm.

  “I presume there is some point to this, Uncle, to drive you from your home and honeymoon and into space—other than a visit by your former wife who wished you to sleep?” Rafik asked.

  “Nephew, has the responsibility I have laid upon your shoulders caused you to become impatient and rude? I am coming to it, I am coming to it, and all shall be made clear. You see, I had the powder analyzed. In addition to the sleeping powder there was powdered horn—and the powder, as it touched an injury on one of the technicians analyzing it, healed that injury.” Hafiz let the sentence hang in the air, where it would soak into his nephew’s brain like rain into thirsty soil.

  “Linyaari horn? But how did they get it?”

  “Alas, Yasmin was not disposed to disclose such information, though had she not disappeared by the time I awakened, I assure you I could have persuaded her otherwise.”

  Rafik went quite pale for someone whose usual skin color was the same golden tan as Hafiz’s. “Acorna?”

  Hafiz shook his head, a small, careful gesture. He could see the horror and fury building in his nephew’s eyes. “We do not know that, Rafik. The universe is wide—it could have come from anyplace. But just in case, Karina and I are making a social call upon Acorna’s newfound kinsmen. We will use the charts prepared by Calum Baird and Acorna for their journey. Once we are sure all is well, we shall return.”

  “And if all is not well?” Rafik asked. “I should go with you.”

  Hafiz shook his head and waved both hands in negation. “No, no, no, no, my nephew who is like a son to me, you are my heir, the new head of my household. Think of the many enterprises that would fail, the people who would lose their employment, the joy of our enemies, if both of us should perish. You are needed here. If there is a need, we will signal you.”

  “How? No one here has ever received a transmission from Acorna’s home world. It is quite probable that our transmitters and other devices cannot penetrate the depths of space within which the Linyaari planet is located.”

  Hafiz shrugged. “True, it is possible. But trust me, I will think of something. I was sailing among the stars long before your birth, puppy. I am a resourceful man.”

  “Also true,” Rafik said. “But—”

  “My son, is it not written in the Three Books that however small and randomly picked the pebble, if the aim is true and the intention firm
, it may yet strike its mark?”

  “Still, Uncle, I would feel better if you took an army of other pebbles with you.”

  “And if all is well with Acorna and the Linyaari? Do you think these people who so prize their privacy would welcome an army? Perhaps one old man and his nubile bride, perhaps even the crew of their ship, but an army? Do I remember incorrectly that these are people so peaceful they would not even fight the horrible Khleevi?”

  Rafik smiled and laid his hand on his uncle’s shoulder. “Maybe I am wrong when I remember that an elder relative of mine was so frightened by clips of these same Khleevi that he would not leave his compound, much less go face them without an army behind him. Are you mellowing as you age, Uncle Hafiz?”

  Hafiz shrugged and scratched his chin. “Perhaps. Or it could be that I do not think these Khleevi, horrors that they are, would have given Yasmin the horn powder without taking parts of Yasmin in return. Therefore I do not feel it is Khleevi with whom we are dealing.

  “And I am also of the opinion that anyone less savage than the Khleevi can be bought off. And as my dear Karina does not seem to sense the possible harm to Acorna, I see this journey as both a way to reassure myself and her other adopted relatives of our girl’s safety and as a splendid opportunity for commerce. One which I would not have sullied by the presence of an army, for who knows to whom each individual soldier owes loyalty? No, my son, this pebble must fly alone—in a manner of speaking. But my aim is as true as the charts drawn up by Acorna and your ugly senior wife, and my intentions, though more diversified than those of which the Three Books speak, are nonetheless pure. I remain convinced this is the best course of action. Karina and I and our handpicked staff will go alone. We will go cloaked and shielded, of course, and if we find danger, we will return for assistance.”

  Rafik continued to frown and Hafiz saw with amazement that it was not only Acorna he worried about but his wily Uncle Hafiz, who had chosen his nephew over his son not only because the son had stupidly gotten himself killed but because the nephew was the only family member who could outsmart him.

  It brought a brief sentimental tear to Hafiz’s eye, which he quickly blinked away as an unproductive waste of moisture. Perhaps he was mellowing. Ah well, that was what a new marriage and retirement were for. But now was not the time to relax his vigilance or dull his wit. He clapped Rafik on the back. “Come, my son, let us see how your new aunt fares at reading the fortunes of these farmers.”

  Karina had done readings on credit for four mangy chickens, a basket of half-spoiled assorted fruit, a primitive handmade wooden musical instrument whose tone much resembled that of a squealing pig, the squealing pig that resembled the musical instrument, and a set of tea towels embroidered with the patches of the various branches of the Federation service that formed the career path of the embroiderer, who was a burly bearded six-foot-two tractor mechanic with hair the color of butter and eyes like razors.

  “Please,” Karina said wearily to the captain. “I grow fatigued with the power of my visions. No more, please, no more.”

  “Just one, Madame Harakamian, oh please, just one,” begged a young boy leading what appeared to be a very elderly and crippled individual who looked as if what was left of her hair had never made the acquaintance of shampoo. “My granny sorely needs to see you, ma’am. She’s been waitin’ on you for weeks and weeks. I’m sorry if we’re late, but she has a mighty hard time gettin’ around.”

  “Oh, come now!” Karina said, snapping just a teensy bit. She had been enjoying getting used to leisure and luxury, and these locals had put her through a very grueling day for a few pounds of garbage she would have had to have been very hungry to eat even at her poorest. “How could she have been expecting me for weeks and weeks? My husband and I decided on our journey quite suddenly, made first contact with anyone outside of our own staff only a few days ago, and have not actually been traveling for weeks and weeks.”

  “Nonetheless, ma’am, she was expectin’ you. Granny has her ways, she has. Now then, Granny, sit a spell and visit with the purty lady.”

  Karina paused. He did seem a very bright boy, after all, and with excellent taste and eyesight, so she gestured to the chair vacated by the last seeker of enlightenment and the boy helped the crone be seated.

  “Now then, Madame,” Karina began, shrewdly guessing that the old lady probably didn’t want to know when she was going to find her true love, “can I put you in touch with some departed soul of whose happiness you wish to be assured?”

  The old woman fixed her with one clouded eye and one quite bright green one and said in an insultingly mocking voice, “No, Missus, you cain’t put me in touch with some dead person. I can do that for my own self if I’ve a mind to.”

  Where did these people come up with their atrocious accents? Most of them had been required to have quite good educations before being allowed to settle here not so very long ago. And how did this woman get so old? Surely the original settlers would have had better genetic material than that!

  The old woman, as if reading her mind, cackled at her. “No genes gonna keep me from lookin’ old when I’m a hunnert and three years old, Missus. Kept me from bein’ fat earlier on though. Looks good on you though, if I do say so, and pleases that husband of yourn. Oh, good, here he is now. He can hear what I have to say to you, too.”

  Karina was glad for Hafiz’s presence as he came to stand behind her, taking one of her hands in his.

  “If you don’t wish me to contact the departed for you, then what is it you wish?” Karina asked very sweetly, considering.

  “I wish you’d quit jawin’ and let me tell you what I come to say. I want to put you in touch with the living, girly-girl. I reckon as how you and your man are off to help that horny-headed gal come to save us from them buggers awhile back. It’s your man been in touch with his dead, only she weren’t dead, and she’s been in touch with you, too.”

  “Why? What do you mean?”

  “You got yourself a new golden ring in the shape of a pie’son’us serpent, ain’t you?”

  Karina dug in her pocket and pulled out the ring.

  “Look inside of it, you darn fool.”

  Hafiz groaned and tried to snatch the ring away but, failing, covered the lower half of his face with one hand.

  “Hafiz and Yasmin Forever Entwined,” was inscribed on the inside of the band.

  “A wedding ring?” Karina asked.

  Hafiz groaned again. “Yes, beloved. I can explain, my heart.”

  Karina turned back to the place where the old woman and her grandson had been. The chair was empty, the table vacant. She looked at Hafiz, then, truly baffled.

  “But—how did you—where did she go?” Karina asked Hafz and the captain.

  “Where did who go, Madame?” the captain asked.

  “The golden-aged woman who was just here? She and her grandson?”

  “I saw no one like that, Madame Harakamian,” the captain said.

  His sister replied, “Machinist Johansson was your last reading, Madame. There’s been no one here until Mr. Harakamian arrived.”

  Karina looked from one of them to the other. “You’re wrong. There was a young boy and a very old woman just here. She said she was one hundred and three years old.”

  The sister exchanged looks with a couple of the other people who had already had readings. “It couldn’t be.”

  “Couldn’t be who?” Karina demanded. “Who was she? How did she know about the ring? Where did she go?”

  It didn’t occur to her that, as the psychic reader in the room, perhaps she should not have had to ask.

  The captain’s sister looked abashed. “I—I can’t say for sure, Madame, but the only person ever did live here by that description was old Alison Ward as used to run the herb farm.”

  “Well, yes, Naima, but her grandson died in that avalanche years and years before old Alison passed on.”

  “Passed on?” Karina asked. “I’m sorry, but she was right her
e, sitting in this chair.”

  “Oh, old Alison will do that from time to time if she reckons there’s something you need to know. Don’t let it upset you none, ma’am,” a rawboned farmer said gently. “It’s just her way.”

  While the locals were all saying things like “you can’t keep a good woman down,” and “Alison always did have to get her two cents’ worth in,” they all nevertheless continued steadfastly to deny having seen the crone or her grandson. Karina, who found she was far more disturbed than she expected to be at having once more encountered what was apparently a quite genuine apparition, turned to Hafiz.

  “But you saw her, didn’t you, darling?”

  Hafiz shook his head slowly, and pointed to the ring. “I do, however, behold that band, the very one I gave to my first wife, who up until recently I fondly believed to be dead. Tell me, Karina, where did you get it, and when, and why did you not mention it to me?”

  There ensued a heated discussion—their first argument!—as to why neither of them had told the other about Yasmin. Fortunately, Hafiz was not so distraught by his current wife’s omission to mention encountering his first wife that he neglected to order the ship searched from stem to stern.

  Yasmin, hardly the sort to trouble herself to escape through any possible handy ventilation systems, emerged, roughly escorted by three crew members and four or five enthusiastic locals. She smoothed her skirts against her thighs and glared at them defiantly.

  “Get your hands off my husband, you fat bitch,” she said to Karina.

  Hafiz thundered, “All bear witness! Yasmin, I divorce you, I divorce you, I divorce you! There! Now, what were you doing aboard the Shahrazad and where did you get that powder you blew into my face?”

  “Yeah, honey, what’s the matter?” Karina asked in a voice she hadn’t used since middle school. “Didn’t you have the price of a flitter ticket? Is that why you stowed away?”