The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley Page B

year maybe.”
    â€œA pity, but anyway, we need someone to accompany Vero up to the hall.”
    Vero glanced at Merral with an apologetic grin. “The kind people of Ynysmant have asked me to do one of the readings. I’ve pleaded shyness and an uncouth accent. But it’s no good.”
    Merral caught sight of the badge on the suit: a gold circle around a stone tower rising up against a blue sky.
    Merral’s mother caught his eye. “He’s doing the Luke 2. It’s very appropriate, son. About the shepherds watching their flocks. Just like sentinels.”
    Vero wagged a finger theatrically. “Ah, but I trust you note, Lena Miria, that what the shepherds were watching for, was not what actually happened.” He paused thoughtfully. “In other words, they were watching for the wrong thing. It is indeed appropriate, for it is a humbling passage for sentinels.”
    Merral’s father spoke quietly, his words slow. “Well, I must say, things do have a way of catching us all out. Talking of which, Merral, your mother and I must be down at the Lower Square in ten minutes. So you two follow on down. I’ve made sure that they are reserving a place for both of you up near the front of the hall. It’s easier for Vero to get up and read.”
    When his parents had gone, Merral sat down facing his guest.
    Vero grinned happily at him and stretched out his legs in a gesture of relaxation. “Your parents have made me very welcome.”
    â€œOf course. Now tell me, did you have a pleasant time last night?”
    â€œAh yes. Everyone was so busy wanting to talk to me that I didn’t have to eat anything. I had no idea that merely being from Ancient Earth was enough to make me a celebrity.”
    â€œWell, we are a long way out.”
    â€œYes, so I realize. The end of the line. I feel there should be a big sign out there in space. ‘You are now leaving the Assembly. May the angels go with you!’” He smiled. “So, my stomach and I have been finally reunited. What about you? Did you get a good night’s sleep?”
    â€œGood, although I had an interesting discussion with my parents that I’m thinking through.”
    Vero leaned back in his chair, his face attentive. “Really? May I ask what about?”
    â€œBy all means. I was expecting them to approve that my friendship with a girl named Isabella Hania Danol go to commitment. But rather to my surprise, they feel that—at the moment—they cannot make any such decision. So, it’s all up in the air for six months.”
    â€œOh?” There was a look of sharp inquiry. “Have they changed their mind about the girl?”
    â€œNo. It’s that . . . well, it’s odd. . . . They think that I may be moving on from here and that she may not be so well suited to such a move. They see me as a frontiersman or something.”
    â€œI like that!” Vero smiled. “I think of everyone here as a frontier person. But are you?”
    â€œA frontiersman? Well, I’m happy in my job. I could want nothing more. But we shall see. I am open to the will of the Most High.”
    Vero nodded. “Well said. Incidentally, everyone speaks highly of you. Or they did last night.”
    My reputation again. How can I escape it? Or should I even try?
    â€œAnyway,” Vero continued, “there’s no approval about you and this young lady. Not unheard of. But how do you feel about it?”
    â€œWell, odd, Vero. You see, it raises all sorts of issues. But I suppose they have a point. I am fond of Isabella; we have a close friendship, and I would have liked it to have gone deeper. But I accept their views.”
    â€œOf course. Is she in Forestry or Forward Planning?”
    â€œIsabella? No, she’s an educational advisor. She monitors the progress of twelve- to fourteen-year-olds against Assembly standards. You know the sort of