lmb.shardsofhonor-第6章

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ream　of　little　orange　stars　flowing　home　to　the　sky。　Cordelia　felt　a　sharp　longing　to　fly　away　with　them。
　〃What　party　has　your　allegiance？〃　she　asked；　hoping　to　keep　the　conversation　on　a　less　unnervingly　personal　plane。　〃Do　you　stand　with　your　father？〃
　〃While　he　lives。　I　always　wanted　to　be　a　soldier；　and　avoid　all　parties。　I　have　an　aversion　to　politics；　they've　been　death　on　my　family。　But　it's　past　time　someone　took　on　those　damned　bureaucrats　and　their　pet　spies。　They　imagine　they're　the　wave　of　the　future；　but　it's　only　sewage　flowing　downhill。〃
　〃If　you　express　those　opinions　that　forcibly　at　home；　it's　no　wonder　politics　e　looking　for　you。〃　She　poked　at　the　fire　with　a　stick；　freeing　more　sparks　for　their　journey。
　Dubauer；　sedated　by　the　painkiller；　fell　asleep　quickly；　but　Cordelia　lay　long　awake；　replaying　the　disturbing　conversation　in　her　mind。　Still；　what　did　she　care　if　this　Barrayaran　chose　to　run　his　head　into　nooses？　No　reason　for　her　to　get　involved。　None　at　all。　Surely　not。　Even　if　the　shape　of　his　square　strong　hands　was　a　dream　of　power　in　form。。。
　She　awakened　deep　in　the　night　with　a　start。　But　it　was　only　the　fire　flaring　up　as　Vorkosigan　added　an　unusually　large　armload　of　wood。　She　sat　up；　and　he　came　over　to　her。
　〃I'm　glad　you're　awake。　I　need　you。〃　He　pressed　his　bat　knife　into　her　hand。　〃That　carcass　seems　to　be　attracting　something。　I'm　going　to　pitch　it　into　the　river。　Will　you　hold　a　torch？〃
　〃Sure。〃　She　stretched；　got　up；　and　selected　a　suitable　brand。　She　followed　him　down　into　the　watercourse；　rubbing　her　eyes。　The　flickering　orange　light　made　jumpy　black　shadows　that　were　almost　harder　to　see　into　than　plain　starlight。　As　they　reached　the　waters　edge　she　caught　movement　out　of　the　corner　of　her　eye；　and　heard　a　scrambling　among　the　rocks　and　a　familiar　hiss。
　〃Uh；　oh。　There's　a　group　of　those　scavengers　just　upstream　to　the　left。〃
　〃Right。〃　Vorkosigan　flung　the　remains　of　their　dinner　to　the　middle　of　the　river；　where　they　vanished　with　a　dim　gurgle。　There　was　an　extra　splash；　a　loud　one；　not　an　echo。　Aha！　Cordelia　thought…I　saw　you　jump　too；　Barrayaran。　But　whatever　had　splashed　didn't　show　above　the　surface；　and　its　ripples　were　lost　in　the　current。　There　came　some　more　hisses；　and　a　shattering　shriek；　from　downstream。　Vorkosigan　drew　the　stunner。
　〃There's　a　whole　herd　of　them　out　there；〃　Cordelia　mented　nervously。　They　stood　back　to　back；　trying　to　penetrate　the　blackness。　Vorkosigan　rested　the　stunner　across　one　wrist；　and　let　off　a　carefully　aimed　burst。　It　buzzed　quietly；　and　one　of　the　dark　shapes　slumped　to　the　ground。　Its　rades　sniffed　it　curiously；　and　moved　in　closer。
　〃I　wish　your　gun　had　more　of　a　bang。〃　He　aimed　again　and　dropped　two　more；　without　any　effect　on　the　rest。　He　cleared　his　throat。　〃You　know；　your　stunner's　almost　out　of　charge。〃
　〃Not　enough　to　flatten　the　rest　of　them；　eh？〃
　〃No。〃
　One　of　the　scavengers；　bolder　than　the　rest；　darted　forward。　Vorkosigan　met　its　charge　with　a　shout　and　a　rush　of　his　own。　It　retreated　temporarily。　The　breed　of　scavengers　that　ranged　the　plains　was　slightly　larger　than　its　mountain　cousins；　and　if　possible；　uglier。　Obviously；　it　also　traveled　in　larger　groups。　The　ring　of　beasts　closed　tighter　as　they　attempted　to　retreat　toward　the　valley　rim。
　〃Oh；　hell；〃　said　Vorkosigan。　〃That　does　it。〃　A　dozen　silent；　ghostly　globes　were　drifting　in　from　above。　〃What　a　foul　way　to　die。　Well；　let's　take　as　many　with　us　as　possible。〃　He　glanced　at　her；　seemed　about　to　say　more；　but　then　only　shook　his　head　and　braced　for　the　rush。
　Cordelia；　heart　lurching；　gazed　up　at　the　descending　radials　and　was　illuminated　by　an　idea　of　awesome　brilliance。
　〃Oh；　no；〃　she　breathed。　〃That's　not　the　last　straw。　That's　the　home　fleet；　ing　to　the　rescue。　e；　my　pretties；〃　she　coaxed。　〃e　to　Mama。〃
　〃Have　you　lost　your　mind？〃　asked　Vorkosigan。
　〃You　wanted　a　bang？　I'll　give　you　a　bang。　What　do　you　think　holds　those　things　up？〃
　〃Hadn't　thought　about　it。　But　of　course　it　would　almost　have　to　be…〃
　〃Hydrogen！　Bet　you　anything　those　darling　little　chemistry　sets　are　electrolyzing　water。　Notice　how　they　hang　around　rivers　and　streams？　Wish　I　had　some　gloves。〃
　〃Allow　me。〃　His　grin　winked　out　of　the　fire…streaked　dark　at　her。　He　jumped　up　and　hooked　a　radial　out　of　the　air　by　its　writhing　maroon　tendrils；　and　flung　it　to　earth　before　the　approaching　scavengers。　Cordelia；　holding　her　torch　like　a　fencer's　foil；　thrust　toward　it　at　full　extension。　Sparks　scattered　as　she　jabbed　two；　then　three　times。
　The　radial　exploded　in　a　ball　of　blinding　flame　that　singed　her　eyebrows；　with　a　great　bass　whoom　and　an　astonishing　stench。　Orange　and　green　afterimages　danced　across　her　retinas。　She　repeated　the　trick　at　Vorkosigan's　next　snatch。　One　of　the　scavengers'　fur　caught　fire；　and　it　led　a　general　retreat；　screeching　and　hissing。　She　poked　again　at　a　radial　in　the　air。　It　went　off　with　a　flash　that　illuminated　the　whole　reach　of　the　river　valley　and　the　humping　backs　of　the　fleeing　pack　of　scavengers。
　Vorkosigan　was　frantically　patting　her　on　the　back；　it　wasn't　until　the　smell　caught　her　that　she　realized　she'd　set　her　own　hair　on　fire。　He　got　it　out。　The　rest　of　the　radials　sailed　high　into　the　air　and　away；　except　for　one　Vorkosigan　captured　and　held　by　standing　on　its　tendrils。
　〃Ha！〃　Cordelia　war　danced　around　him　in　triumph；　the　adrenaline　rush　giving　her　a　silly　urge　to　giggle。　She　drew　a　deep　breath。　〃Is　your　hand　all　right？〃
　〃It's　a　little　burned；〃　he　admitted。　He　took　off　his　shirt　and　bundled　the　radial　into　it。　It　pulsated　and　stank。　〃We　might　want　this　later。〃　He　rinsed　his　hand　briefly　in　the　stream；　and　they　jogged　quickly　back　to　their　campsite。　Dubauer　lay　undisturbed；　although　a　few　minutes　later　one　stray　scavenger　turned　up　at　the　edge　of　the　firelight；　sniffing　and　hissing。　Vorkosigan　put　it　to　flight　with　torch；　knife；　and　swearing…whispered；　so　as　not　to　wake　the　ensign。
　〃I　think　we'd　better　live　on　field　rations　for　the　rest　of　the　trip；〃　he　said；　returning。
　Cordelia　nodded　heartfelt　agreement。
　She　roused　the　men　at　the　first　grey　light　of　dawn；　as　anxious　now　as　Vorkosigan　to　plete　the　trip　to　the　safety　of　the　supply　cache　as　quickly　as　possible。　The　radial　held　captive　in　Vorkosigan's　shirt　had　died　and　deflated　during　the　night；　turning　into　a　horrible　gelid　blob。　Vorkosigan　of　necessity　took　a　few　minutes　to　wash　it　out　in　the　stream；　but　the　stinks　and　stains　it　left　made　him　the　unquestioned　front…runner　in　the　filth…collection　contest　Cordelia　felt　they　were　having。　They　had　a　quick　snack　of　their　dull　but　safe　oatmeal　and　blue　cheese　dressing；　and　started　on　their　way　as　the　sun　rose；　sending　their　long　shadows　racing　ahead　of　them　across　the　rusty；　flower…strewn　levels。
　Near　their　noon　halt　Vorkosigan　took　a　break　and　disappeared　behind　a　bush　for　biological　necessity。　In　a　few　moments　a　string　of　curses　came　floating　around　it；　followed　shortly　by　the　speaker　himself；　hopping　from　foot　to　foot　and　shaking　out　the　legs　of　his　trousers。　Cordelia　gave　him　a　look　of　innocent　inquiry。
　〃You　know　those　light　yellow　cones　of　sand　we've　been　seeing？〃　Vorkosigan　said；　unbuckling　his　pants。
　〃Yes。。。〃
　〃Don't　stand　on　one　to　piss。〃
　Cordelia　failed　to　strangle　a　giggle。　〃What　did　you　find？　Or　should　I　say；　what　found　you？〃
　Vorkosigan　turned　his　trousers　inside　out　and　began　picking　the　little　round　white　creatures　running　among　their　folds　on　cilia…like　legs。　Cordelia　appropriated　one　and　held　it　on　the　palm　of　her　hand　for　a　closer　look。　It　was　yet　another　model　of　the　radials；　an　underground　form。
　〃Ow！〃　She　brushed　it　away　hastily。
　〃Stings；　doesn't　it？〃　snarled　Vorkosigan。
　A　burble　of　laughter　welled　up　within　her。　But　she　was　saved　from　a　lapse　of　control　when　she　noticed　a　more　sobering　feature　of　his　appearance。
　〃Hey；　that　scratch　doesn't　look　too　good；　does　it？〃
　The　claw　mark　of　the　scavenger　on　his　right　leg　that　Vorkosigan　had　collected　the　night　they　buried　Rosemont　was　swollen　and　bluish；　with　ugly　red　streaks　radiating　from　it　up　as　far　as　his　knee。
　〃It's　all　right；〃　he　said　firmly；　beginning　to　put　on　his　de…radialed　pants。
　〃It　doesn't　look　all　right。　Let　me　see。〃
　〃There's　nothing　you　can　do　about　it　here；〃　he　protested；　but　submitted　to　a　brief　examination。　〃Satisfied？〃　he　inquired　sarcastically；　and　finished　dressing。
　〃I　wish　your　micro　people　had　been　a　little　more　thorough　when　they　concocted　that　salve；〃　Cordelia　shrugged。　〃But　you're　right。　Nothing　to　be　done　now。〃
　They　trudged　on。　Cordelia　watched　him　more　closely　now。　From　time　to　time　he　would　begin　to　favor　the　leg；　then　notice　her　scrutiny　and　march　forward　with　a　determinedly　even　stride。　But　by　the　end　of　the　day　he　had　abandoned　subterfuge　and　was　frankly　limping。　In　spite　of　it　he　led　on　into　the　sunset；　the　afterglow　of　the　sunset；　and　the　gathering　night；　until　the　cratered　mountain　toward　which　they　had　been　angling　was　a　black　bulk　on　the　horizon。　At　last；　stumbling　in　the　dark；　he　gave　up　and　called　a　halt。　She　was　glad；　for　Dubauer　was　flagging；　leaning　on　her　heavily　and　trying　to　lie　down。　They　slept　where　they　stopped　on　the　red　sandy　soil。　Vorkosigan　cracked　a　cold　light　and　took　his　usual　watch；　as　Cordelia　lay　in　the　dirt　and　watched　the　unreachable　stars　wheel　overhead。
　Vorkosigan　had　asked　to　be　waked　before　dawn；　but　she　let　him　sleep　until　full　light。　She　didn't　like　the　way　he　looked；　alternately　pale　and　flushed；　or　his　shallow　rapid　breathing。
　〃Think　you'd　better　take　one　of　your　painkillers？〃　she　asked　him　when　he　rose；　for　he　seemed　barely　able　to　put　weight　on　the　leg；　which　was　much　more　swollen。
　〃Not　yet。　I　have　to　save　some　for　the　end。〃　He　cut　a　long　stick　instead；　and　the　three　of　them　began　the　day's　task　of　walking　down　their　shadows。
　〃How　far　to　the　end？〃　Cordelia　asked。
　〃I　estimate　a　day；　day　and　a　half；　depending　on　what　kind　of　time　we　can　make。〃　He　grimaced。　〃Don't　worry。　You're　not　going　to　have　to　carry　me。　I'm　one　of　the　fittest　men　in　my　mand。〃　He　limped　on。　〃Over　forty。〃
　〃How　many　men　over　forty　are　there　in　your　mand？〃
　〃Four。〃
　Cordelia　snorted。
　〃Anyway；　if　it　bees　necessary；　I　have　a　stimulant　in　my　medkit　that　would　animate　a　corpse。　But　I　want　to　save　it　for　the　end　too。〃
　〃What　kind　of　trouble　are　you　anticipating？〃
　〃It　all　depends　on　who　picks　up　my　call。　I　know　Radnov…my　Political　Officer…has　at　least　two　agents　in　my　munications　section。〃　He　pursed　his　lips；　measuring　her　again。　〃You　see；　I　don't　think　it　was　a　general　mutiny。　I　think　it　was　a　spur…of…the…moment　assassination　attempt　on　the　part　of　Radnov　and　a　very　few　others。　Using　you　Betans；　they　thought　they　could　get　rid　of　me　without　implicating　themselves。　If　I'm　right；　everyone　aboard　ship　thinks　I'm　dead。　All　but　one。〃
　〃Which　one？〃
　〃Wouldn't　I　like　to　know。　The　one　who　hit　me　on　the　head　and　hid　me　in　the　bracken；　instead　of　cutting　my　throat　and　dumping　me　in　the　nearest　hole。　Lieutenant　Radnov　seems　to　have　a　ringer　in　his　group。　And　yet…if　this　ringer　were　loyal　to　me；　all　he'd　have　to　do　is　tell　Gottyan；　my　first　officer；　and　he'd　have　had　a　loyal　patrol　down　to　pick　me　up　before　now。　Now　who　in　my　mand　is　so　confused　in　his　thinking　as　to　betray