Jendaire, Wardress of Zamok Sabely', Lady Commander in the Phyle Ithar and invested associate in the High Council of Alpha Centauri, receives download Guthrie in his two-meter-high robotic body. Jendaire's fellow Selenarchs do not resent her prior access to this important visitor because Lunarians regard scrambling to be close to someone famous as a Terran or monkey trick. They are as independent as cats although touchy in other ways.
A download can neither eat nor drink. Jendaire:
"...took a nacreous goblet off the table, and sipped of the wine in it. Although she couldn't have provided him refreshment in any event, this might well be a means of putting him..." (p. 31)
At his ease?
"...in his place." (ibid.)
Oh, well. I cannot anticipate the nuances of Selenarchs. Or are they still using that title now that they are not only away from Luna but even out of the Solar System? Jendaire refers to:
"'...my fellows of the seigneury...'" (ibid.)
That this "seigneury" still wields power is amply demonstrated when Guthrie, on entering, Zamok Sabely' is awaited by an escort of:
"...a dozen men in red-and-black livery, led by an officer who gave stately greeting." (p. 28)
(A dozen?)
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
If * I * had been one of the other Selenarchs I would have been watchful and suspicious of the Lady Jendaire monopolizing access to the download of Guthrie and insist on also being present. But that's my monkey paranoia speaking! (Smiles wryly)
Humans tend to be conservative, and that includes keeping old names and titles.
That "dozen" brings up things like the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles of Christ.
Ad astra! Sean
I didn't think of that last point but I should have. My only thought was that a dozen was a lot to me one guy.
Kaor, Paul!
There can be traditional numbers as well as traditional names/titles.
And maybe the Lady Jendaire wanted to be extra cautious?
Ad astra! Sean
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