Scorched Earth: A Future History of Planet Earth — John Shaqi
Scorched Earth: A Future History of Planet EarthPetrovic, Walter D.
Science
Scorched Earth: A Future History of Planet Earth
Petrovic, Walter D.
Science fiction
"I am happy for you ... I am surprised to see you in the market today.
It's not your usual day?" his voice sounded scheming and distrustful as
he eyed her. Dearborne felt uneasy, as if she were being prodded or
groped by someone. She felt as if swarms of army ants were crawling
over her entire body, and were devouring her alive. She didn't answer
right away. She quietly looked to see if Boy was still by the stage
but he had moved with the girl to another one, where some magician made
small animals and shapes transmute in their appearance.
Dearborn turned back to the Cardinal and answered.
"No, it's not my usual day for marketing. I stayed home with Brook,
yesterday!" she said.
"No doubt talking about raising a family -- I wager?"
"Yes! That is so! We feel that we are now prepared for children."
"True, true! -- Just a few days ago I was speaking with some of the
Brothers, at Halls, about you and Lord Brook. We prayed that you may
soon be blessed with many sons. All of us look forward to your sons'
future attendance at out vicarage." Dearborne became somewhat
disturbed and briefly lost her pleasant smile. She answered him in a
subdued, but still obviously denying tone of voice.
"Yes! Definitely that!" she said then became silent, once again.
Cardinal Allen slowly looked over Dearborne's whole body and sighed.
He imagined the pleasures that he could experience if he were to bed
with her; to meet her full mouth with his and to touch the full
softness of her bosom.
Dearborne moved her long hair allowing it to fall upon her breasts,
covering herself from the Cardinal's intensive gaze.
After a few moments of silence, Cardinal Allen glared into her eyes,
and in a dishonestly gentle voice, asked her if she cared for
refreshment. She couldn't but answer him, and soon she tried to smile
as she conceded.
"Shall we sit, then?" asked the Cardinal and escorted her to a vacant
table at the café, where several of the men sat about, eyeing them and
mumbling with questioning discontent and accusation. Soon, however,
they returned to their talking and did not pay attention to the Lady,
and the Cardinal, sitting nearby. They resumed their previously gaiety
and laughter, and heavy-handed talk.
A large, blond tavern maid soon came to the table. She toted a tray of
dirty tankards. With a big smile, she winked at Cardinal Allen then
looked at Dearborne. She chuckled a little when he smiled back at her.
"How you, Cardin' -- What do?" she asked. Her eyes jutted back and
forth between him and Dearborne.
"A small rose wine, please." she finally said.
The tavern maid grinned, then once again winked at Cardinal Allen. With
a quick and brisk "it's good!", she left them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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