Part 60 (2/2)

[Perplexity. Anger. Dichotomous potentialities. Fatigue.] I know dear. Nothing can be done immediately anyway. I'll be too busy watching the situation on Monte Rosa and advising the people there.

You think the Famorel Firvulag will attack tomorrow then?

When the two a.s.sault teams try to take off on their big push over the top?

It's only two days until Truce-and the Famorel Little People are more traditional-minded than Sharn and Ayfa. They'll quit fighting and go home at dawn on October first.

I watched them creeping around the base of the mountain today. d.a.m.n! If only I could do something! But I barely managed to queer the Bessemer converter coup. The drain left me too p.o.o.ped to fly-although Hagen and his crowd don't know that.

You'll regain your strength more quickly now that the integration of your personality is proceeding. Eventually you'll be even stronger than before.

No doubt. If I live so long. But I've an uncanny feeling ...

Do you know we're the only two Greenies left?

?Group Green?

All of them gone. Except the two of us. And now daft Dougal blethering on about Asian and his n.o.ble sacrifice, and the Tanu on my High Table deciding it's Marc Remillard who's the Adversary that will set off the Nightfall War.

Then the only one left will be you.

Aiken dear. You've been drinking too much malt whisky. You're maudlin-and you're wrong. Stein's alive.

I've looked for him. Never found hide nor hair nor horned helm ... You are a bit squiffed. I'll show you him and Sukey and little Thor if you promise me that you'll never try to make contact with them or interfere with them in any way.

They had a kid-? Aw. I promise. On my honour as Nonborn King. Why should I drag them into my troubles?

But w a i t ... are they happy?

Happy as can be.

[Sentimental satisfaction.] Then show me. Please.

Wait. There.

[Image: River island half-moon rushlighted window reflection black water cypresses live oaks cinnamons log house jetty clinkerbuilt dory crocodile fence silvered garden plot thorn-guarded yard thatch roof stick chimney. Open bead-screened summer room work shed main cabin gla.s.s windows wide hearth planked floor A MAN A WOMAN HOLDING A CHILD.

] A boy named Thor you say? How old?

About two months now. He's a lovely strong child.

Sukey looks fine. Stein looks ... older. How do they live?

He hunts and fishes and traps. Sometimes very rarely he goes down the Garonne and sails to Rocilan to trade. Sukey is starting to pester him to take her and the child but he puts her off afraid she would want to settle near the city. Near Tanu and other humans who would find out.

How Stein helped Felice at Gibraltar? ... Does that bother him?He remembers. He thinks it was necessary but he remembers. It would be much worse if you were to come back into his life. Stein must be let alone like a healing wound. Look.

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