Trullion: Alastor 2262 (Alastor, Bk. 1)

Set in the far future of the vast ouikomene that provides a general background for many of his books, this story is one of three that are further located as part of the ten thousand star Alastor cluster, but it is not about warring empires. Instead, it concerns life in a river delta where our hero has his family holding, an island to himself. But, being humanity, there is strife and contention for place. Not just in the game Hussade, a sort of combination rugby, water polo, and exercise gym conducted above a shallow swimming pool, but social striving and a new cult, also troublesome neighbours. Oh, and semi-intelligent (or at least, alien) water dwellers that add the atmosphere of possible ugly happenings at any moment that is common to many stories. So, is a quiet life to be preferred? Surely, but outsiders often bring strife to you and how will you respond? See also Marune: Alastor 933, Wyst: Alastor 1716.