We’re either without enough work or swamped with more than we can handle.”
I had the feeling those were the two normal states of human affairs. “At least, the twins can help with Diestrya.”
“At times, she wears them down as well. Bhenyt’s the one who can calm her down, and so can Grandmama, but Diestrya tires her out quickly. Our daughter’s at that age where she’s bored quickly.”
“That’s an age all children are at until they have responsibilities of their own…and children.”
Seliora sighed. “She’s your daughter in that.”
Unfortunately, I knew that.
Once I’d left NordEste Design, I quickly read through both Veritum and Tableta. According to a story below the fold in Veritum , the Ferrans had not only produced large numbers of their improved land-cruisers, but were moving them up to their border with Jariola. In turn, the Oligarch had canceled all leave for Jariolan troops and moved several battalions west within an easy march of Ferran territory. The Abierto Isles were loudly pleading neutrality, and the Council was debating reinforcing the northern fleet, currently deployed around the coaling station off Jariola that Solidar had acquired from Jariola during the last round of hostilities in partial payment for Solidaran support.
There was a short story in Tableta about the increasing number of violent crimes in the taudis areas across Solidar, but no speculation about the reasons, and no mention of tainted elveweed. Another short story mentioned another case of arson—this time the grain ware houses in the area near Piedryn—and an instance where the lower level of another ware house was flooded by the failure of a retaining wall alongside an adjoining millrace. The story didn’t say who owned the ware houses, but I was getting the impression there was a definite problem with grain ware houses.
I’d barely settled into my study at the station when the morning courier run from headquarters brought various documents and reports, as well as a brief note from Commander Artois thanking me for the report on the explosion and asking to be informed of any other developments that might bear on the case. Since I didn’t have any, not yet, I could put off replying until I got another officious communiqué from the subcommander.
After that, I reviewed the log and duty books, checking on what had happened since I’d left the station the afternoon before, and then I made a quick inspection. The holding cells were empty, although it was rare to have anyone there from late morning until late afternoon or early evening, since most offenders were picked up from afternoon on, and any offender brought in overnight was dispatched to headquarters for formal charging right after the morning shift change on the headquarters collection wagon.
Next came a review of the station accounts, and various other oversight chores, before I could leave the station.
Jaerdol and Zandyr were the two patrollers on the day shift who had the taudis round just east of the station—the blocks that Horazt called “his.” I caught up with them just short of Dugalle a glass after midday.
“Captain, sir.”
“What troubles do you have today?” I asked cheerfully.
“Nothing today,” replied Jaerdol.
“That’s good, too, sir, after yesterday,” added Zandyr. “It took the both of us to handle that fellow who tried to cut Musario. Sure made a mess of his bistro, but he’s got it cleaned up already.”
“He gave you a meal today?” I grinned.
“Well, sir, he did offer, and…he said he’d already set it up.”
“I hope it was good.” I wouldn’t have dared to eat the high-spiced Stakanaran food that Musario served. “Just don’t let his gratitude become a habit.”
“Oh no, sir.”
We turned down Mando, which ran northeast to southwest, as did most of the streets between South Middle and Quierca in Third District. I had to admit that the dwellings on both sides looked better than they had five
I had the feeling those were the two normal states of human affairs. “At least, the twins can help with Diestrya.”
“At times, she wears them down as well. Bhenyt’s the one who can calm her down, and so can Grandmama, but Diestrya tires her out quickly. Our daughter’s at that age where she’s bored quickly.”
“That’s an age all children are at until they have responsibilities of their own…and children.”
Seliora sighed. “She’s your daughter in that.”
Unfortunately, I knew that.
Once I’d left NordEste Design, I quickly read through both Veritum and Tableta. According to a story below the fold in Veritum , the Ferrans had not only produced large numbers of their improved land-cruisers, but were moving them up to their border with Jariola. In turn, the Oligarch had canceled all leave for Jariolan troops and moved several battalions west within an easy march of Ferran territory. The Abierto Isles were loudly pleading neutrality, and the Council was debating reinforcing the northern fleet, currently deployed around the coaling station off Jariola that Solidar had acquired from Jariola during the last round of hostilities in partial payment for Solidaran support.
There was a short story in Tableta about the increasing number of violent crimes in the taudis areas across Solidar, but no speculation about the reasons, and no mention of tainted elveweed. Another short story mentioned another case of arson—this time the grain ware houses in the area near Piedryn—and an instance where the lower level of another ware house was flooded by the failure of a retaining wall alongside an adjoining millrace. The story didn’t say who owned the ware houses, but I was getting the impression there was a definite problem with grain ware houses.
I’d barely settled into my study at the station when the morning courier run from headquarters brought various documents and reports, as well as a brief note from Commander Artois thanking me for the report on the explosion and asking to be informed of any other developments that might bear on the case. Since I didn’t have any, not yet, I could put off replying until I got another officious communiqué from the subcommander.
After that, I reviewed the log and duty books, checking on what had happened since I’d left the station the afternoon before, and then I made a quick inspection. The holding cells were empty, although it was rare to have anyone there from late morning until late afternoon or early evening, since most offenders were picked up from afternoon on, and any offender brought in overnight was dispatched to headquarters for formal charging right after the morning shift change on the headquarters collection wagon.
Next came a review of the station accounts, and various other oversight chores, before I could leave the station.
Jaerdol and Zandyr were the two patrollers on the day shift who had the taudis round just east of the station—the blocks that Horazt called “his.” I caught up with them just short of Dugalle a glass after midday.
“Captain, sir.”
“What troubles do you have today?” I asked cheerfully.
“Nothing today,” replied Jaerdol.
“That’s good, too, sir, after yesterday,” added Zandyr. “It took the both of us to handle that fellow who tried to cut Musario. Sure made a mess of his bistro, but he’s got it cleaned up already.”
“He gave you a meal today?” I grinned.
“Well, sir, he did offer, and…he said he’d already set it up.”
“I hope it was good.” I wouldn’t have dared to eat the high-spiced Stakanaran food that Musario served. “Just don’t let his gratitude become a habit.”
“Oh no, sir.”
We turned down Mando, which ran northeast to southwest, as did most of the streets between South Middle and Quierca in Third District. I had to admit that the dwellings on both sides looked better than they had five
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