The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,159

Leef and Flick had headed off in the direction of the food tables, no doubt for Flick to fortify himself with liquor.

At one time, a very rich human family had owned Forever, and it seemed that none of its finery had been lost during the wars. It was a mansion, far larger than the white house, where it had been clear that many of the rooms had never been used. Here, a large staff ran around carrying trays of drinks and food. Hounds barked at newcomers and cats looked down disdainfully upon the revellers from high vantage points on the furniture. This was a home. It had a warm atmosphere and there were domestic animals. Hara had grown up in this place: Swift was a second-generation har like Lileem.

As they walked through the vast entrance hall, Ulaume looked up the sweeping stairs and saw a vision of Wraeththu beauty descending them. His hair hung, like Ulaume’s once had, to his thighs, and he was dressed in loose white shirt and trousers that were of the finest softest matt silk. He wore a wreath of autumn leaves and small crab apples as a crown. Even from a distance, it was possible to see his eyes were deepest green, because his skin was so pale. He was not tall, but he radiated power and confidence.

A calculated entrance, Ulaume thought. ‘Who’s that?’ he asked.

Chelone glanced up and smiled. ‘That is Cobweb, Swift’s hostling. A legend.’ He disengaged himself from Ulaume’s arm and went to the foot of the stairs, where he bowed deeply.

Cobweb continued a slow descent then extended slim arms to embrace Chelone rather coolly. ‘You look well,’ he said. ‘Who is your companion?’

Chelone brought Cobweb over to where Ulaume stood, somewhat dumbfounded, feeling inadequate. He wished he’d had hours to get ready and expensive clothes to slide into, like this har evidently had. ‘This is Ulaume har Colurastes,’ he said. ‘A visitor to Galhea.’

‘Colurastes?’ said Cobweb in a low husky voice. The voice, of course, just had to be as beautiful as the flesh. ‘I’ve never met one of your kind before, but the idea fascinates me. I hope we have time to talk.’

Ulaume inclined his head. ‘I would very much like to.’

‘You do not have a drink,’ Cobweb said. ‘We must do something about that.’ He led the way into the main room through vast double doors. The room was lit by candles and a huge fire snarled in the immense hearth. Here, the stars of Galhea were gathered.

‘Mima reminds me of Cobweb,’ Chelone said softly, close to Ulaume’s ear. ‘A strong soume aspect, almost like a human woman.’

‘Almost,’ Ulaume said coldly. ‘But not human.’

‘Well, quite. I didn’t mean to give offence.’

Ulaume squeezed Chelone’s arm briefly. ‘None taken, but would you voice such a remark to Cobweb himself?’

Chelone wrinkled up his nose. ‘No. He does take offence at things quite easily.’

‘I can imagine.’

Cobweb raised an arm and imperiously gestured for a servant to bring them drinks. ‘You must meet my son,’ he said to Ulaume. ‘I know he’d be really interested to make the acquaintance of a Colurastes.’

‘I would very much like to meet him,’ Ulaume said. ‘I’ve heard so many good things about him.’ He was privately quite astounded at how the fortuitous meeting of Chelone and Mima had occasioned this priceless invitation into Galhean high society.

Another har came to join their small group and again Ulaume sighed inside. Was every har as lustrous as Cobweb in this place? He wished he hadn’t let himself go so much during his travels. The newcomer was olive-skinned and had smooth tawny hair. He moved like a panther.

‘We have an interesting guest,’ Cobweb said, taking the newcomer by the arm. ‘This is Ulaume of the Colurastes.’

Ulaume inclined his head.

‘And this,’ said Cobweb, ‘is Seel Griselming, my son’s consort, and hostling to my divine high-harling, Azriel.’

Ulaume felt his jaw drop open as if somehar had punched it. It didn’t seem to belong to him.

His expression of surprise conjured an immediate response in Seel. ‘Do I know you?’ he asked abruptly.

‘No,’ Ulaume shook his head. ‘Forgive me. I have heard of you, but I did not expect to find you here. You are Seel Griselming of Saltrock?’

‘Was,’ said Seel, his eyes dark and cold. ‘Might I ask who told you about me?’

Immediately, Ulaume knew, there was a ghost in the room between them, but he didn’t think that ghost was Flick. ‘Somehar who once lived in Saltrock,’ he said. ‘Somehar who knew you.’

‘Who?’ Seel