Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 15
”AsIwasledawayincompliance,Iturnedontheki-sang.“Andleavemyslavesalone.Theyhavejourneyedfarandareweary.Theyaremyfaithfulslaves.”
InanotherroomKimhelpedmechange,sendingthelackeysaway;andquickandtothepointwasthedress-rehearsalhegaveme.HeknewnomoretowardwhatIdrovethandidI,buthewasagoodfellow.
Thefunnything,oncebackinthecrowdandspoutingKoreanwhichIclaimedwasrustyfromlongdisuse,wasthatHendrikHamelandtherest,toostubborn-tonguedtolearnnewspeech,didnotknowawordIuttered.
“IamofthebloodofthehouseofKoryu,”ItoldtheEmperor,“thatruledatSongdomanyalongyearagonewhenmyhousearoseontheruinsofSilla.”
Ancienthistory,all,toldmebyKimonthelongride,andhestruggledwithhisfacetohearmeparrothisteaching.
“These,”Isaid,whentheEmperorhadaskedmeaboutmycompany,“thesearemyslaves,allexceptthatoldchurlthere”—IindicatedJohannesMaartens—“whoisthesonofafreedman.”ItoldHendrikHameltoapproach.“Thisone,”Iwantonedon,“wasborninmyfather’shouseofaseedslavewhowasborntherebeforehim.Heisveryclosetome.Weareofanage,bornonthesameday,andonthatdaymyfathergavehimme.
