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flew smoothly for a minute, two.
Aelliana hit the jets again.
And again.
And one more time, as she took up the approach to the Guild's field. This time she kept them on, letting
them eat the remaining velocity, until the ship hesitated and touched down, light as a mote of dust, on the
designated pad.
The jets killed themselves. Aelliana drew in the wings, ran the mandated systems check, reported her
safe condition to Tower and began the shutdown. Beside her, Examination Officer Jarl was silent.
Check completed, Aelliana shut down the board, retracted the webbing and spun her chair, lifting her
head and meeting the man's eyes.
"Arrived, sir. I believe the time is somewhat less than half the ascent time."
"Yes." He closed his eyes, sighed deeply, opened his eyes and retracted the webbing. "I apprehend you
have trained with a Scout." He stood and looked down at her, his face damp with sweat.
"Such an approach is very effective and entirely acceptable, should you be carrying Scouts
or inanimate cargo. For your general run of passenger, however, you will wish to go more gently."
Aelliana inclined her head. "Yes, Master Pilot."
Once again, he closed his eyes and sighed, somewhat less deeply. Apparently recovered by this exercise,
he bowed as to a fellow Guild-member.
"If you will accompany me to the registry office, Pilot, I shall be pleased to issue a provisional second
class license in your name."
Aelliana stared at him, gulped air and managed to stand on legs suddenly gone to rubber. She returned
the bow, augmenting it with a hand-gesture conveying gratitude to the instructor.
"Yes, well." He cleared his throat. "You are required to complete certain hours of flight-time in order to
gain regular status. Flight-time requirements must be met within a relumma of this date and certified by a
master pilot. I note you are acquainted with Jon dea'Cort. He or any of his crew are qualified I would
say, peculiarly qualified to assist you and in providing any further training you may wish to undertake."
Aelliana bowed her head. "Yes, Master Pilot. Thank you, sir."
"I believe there are no thanks due, Pilot. You have earned this prize with your own hands. Follow me, if
you please."
Shivering with reaction, heart pounding in terror or jubilation Aelliana followed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I have today received Korval's Ring from the hand of Petrella, Thodelm yos'Galan, who had it
from the hand ofKorval Herself as she lay dying.
My first duty as Korval must be Balance with those who have deprived the clan of Chi yos
'Phelium, beloved parent and delm; as well as Sae Zar yos 'Galon, gentle cousin, a 'thodelm,
master trader. There is also Petrella yos'Galan, who I fear has taken her death-wound.
Sae Zar fell defending his delm. All honor to him.
Chi yos 'Phelium died of a second treachery and in dying gave nourishment to her sister, my aunt,
who alone of the three was able to win back to home.
The name of the world which has fashioned these losses for Korval is Ganjir, RP-7026-541-773,
Tipra Sector, First Quadrant.
This shall be Korval's Balance: As of this hour, the ships of Korval and of Korval's allies do not
stop at Ganjir. Korval goods do not go there; Korval cantra finds no investment there. And these
conditions shall remain in force, though Ganjir starves for want of us.
& I note that my mother is still dead.
Daav yos'Phelium Eighty-Fifth Delm of Korval
Entry in the Delm's Diary for Finyal Eighthday in the
First Relumma of the Year Named Saro
Daav finger-tightened the last screw, reached over and swung the powertorque into position.
The repair had been tedious, badly located and generally ill-wished. His back ached from bending, his
wrists tingled from the torque's vibration, his left leg had gone numb some minutes ago and sensation was
now returning in a flood tide of needles.
He aligned the torque with the first screw, steadied it with his left hand and hit the go-stud with his right.
Vibration rattled his hands, screamed through his head. He welcomed these minor pains as he had
welcomed the others.
He hit the second, third and fourth screws, killed the power and allowed the torque rise to the height of
its tether. Cautiously, he straightened.
Abused back muscles sued urgently for their guild rep. Daav raised his arms shoulder-high, then over his
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