And naebody kens that he lies there

exclamation from Killashandra. It is breathtaking! Thyrol chose to interpret her response his way. Beautiful was a fair adjective, Killashandra thought, but breathtaking, no! Even at that distance something was too prim and proper about the City for her taste. None of the indigenous trees and bushes were removed, you see, Thyrol explained, gesturing with his whole hand rather than a single finger, when the City was constructed, so that the natural, unspoiled landscape could be retained. And the river and that lake? Are they natural features? But of course. Nature is not distorted on Optheria. Which is as it should be, Polabod added. The entire valley is as it was when Man first landed on Optheria. The City Architect planned all the buildings and dwellings in the unoccupied spaces, Mirbethan said proudly . How exceedingly clever! Killashandra was wearing the contact lenses recommended for Optherias sunlight and wondered if the planet would be improved, viewed via augmented Ballybran vision. Just then it was very, very, blah! Killashandra had to delve a long way for an adequate expression which, tactfully, she did not voice. Would Borella have restrained herself? Would she have noticed? Ah, well, Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder! For Optherias sake, she was glad that someone loved it. While it might have been laudable of the Founding Fathers to wish to preserve the entire valley as it was when Man first landed, it must have given the architects and construction crews a helluva lot of trouble. Buildings wrapped around copses of trees, straddled brooks, incorporated boulders and ledges. Probably the floors on upper levels were even but it must have been bumpy going at ground level. Fortunately the airfoils of her vehicle were up to the uneven surface in the suburbs but the ride became rather bouncy as they proceeded deeper into the City. Pausing at the intersection of a huge open square open except for the many thorn bushes and scrawny trees Killashandra could not fail to notice that the ground floor of one corner building made uneven arches over repulsively greasy-looking bushes whose thorny branches were obviously a hazard to pedestrians; something was to be said for the curtailment of natural beauty. She could learn to hate the City quite easily. No wonder some of the natives were restless. Just how did the Summer Festival compensate for the rest of the Optherian sony digital still camera dsc-p71 year? Once past the open square, the road climbed gently to a cluster of buildings evidently uninhibited by natural beauties, for they seemed to have an architectural integrity so far lacking in the City. It was necessary, Thyrol said in a muted voice, to add the merest trace of a ramp to ascend to the Music Center. I wouldnt have known it if you hadnt told me, Killashandra said, unable to restrain her facetiousness. One ought to approach on foot, Pirinio went on in a repressive tone, but some latitude is permitted so that the audience may assemble punctually. His gesture called Killashandras attention to the many small switchback paths to one side of the promontory. Killashandra repressed a second facetious remark which Pirinios tone provoked. It wouldnt be the installation on Optheria, not the organ, nor the planet which were hazardous: once again it was the inhabitants. Was she always to encounter such intolerant, inflexible, remorseless personalities? What sort of local brew do you have here on Optheria? she asked, keeping her tone casual. If the reply was none, shed book out on the next available craft. Well, ah, that is, possibly not at all to your taste, Guildmember. Mirbethans startled reply was hesitant. No beverages can be imported. Im sure you saw the notice in the Port Authority. Our brewmasters produce four distinct fermented beverages: quite potable, Im told. Spirits are distilled from the Terran grains which we have managed to adapt to Optherian soil, but Ive been told that these are raw to educated palates. Optheria produces excellent wines, Pirinio said rather testily, with a reproving glance at Mirbethan. They cannot be exported and indeed, some do not travel well even the relatively short distance to the City. If wine is your preference, a selection will be put in your quarters. Ill try some of the brews, too. Wine and beer? Polabod exclaimed in surprise. Crystal singers are required to keep a high blood-alcohol content when absent from Ballybran. Ill have to decide which is the best for my particular requirement. She sighed in patient forebearance. I wasnt informed that members of your Guild required special diets. Thyrol was clearly perturbed. No special diet, Killashandra agreed, but we do require larger intakes of certain natural substances