Part 87 (1/2)
”I doubt it. He's been deprived of his life's objective-or he will be if he accepts the rejection of his children. He will not be satisfied until he discovers the new work that is to take the place of the flawed dream. I would have told him-even given him the mitigator program that would have made the work possible. But I was a fool and tried to bargain with him.”
Distracted, Elizabeth had no notion of what he was talking about. In the courteous way of metapsychics, he opened the deeper level of his mind in explanation, reprising the memory of his last meeting with Marc. The request. The refusal.
Bewilderment clouded Elizabeth's comprehension. ”A new work for Marc?”
Creyn nodded. ”The G.o.ddess has been pleased to give me the insight. But I was wrong not to pa.s.s it on to him freely. My only excuse is that I was a man desperate.”
”You wanted Marc to apply Brendan's redactive programme to your mind?” She was incredulous. ”But it would never work!
You're fully adult, burdened with the habitual thought-patterns of years-centuries! Oh, my dear, I'm sorry. You thought ... but even if such a redaction were possible, it could never change things between us.”
”I know that now.” He smiled rea.s.suringly. ”Another insight vouchsafed by Tana, although tardily. And I had not then visualized your own role in the work, nor appreciated the significance of the inevitable duality. Again my emotions clouded my thinking.”
She frowned. ”You're speaking riddles, Creyn. What work?”
He showed her.
”My G.o.d!” she cried. ”Are you mad?” Horror and revulsion poured from her mind before she sent her walls cras.h.i.+ng into place. She collected herself and said in a calm voice. ”Your deep disappointment has affected your judgment even more seriously than you realize. I think you'll understand this yourself in a little while. But I must ask you-I want you to promise-you must never speak of this idea to anyone! Most especially not to Marc. Please, Creyn. If you care at all about me, you must promise.”
His barriers lowered as a warrant of sincerity. ”I promise. It's enough that you know.”
”The entire notion is futile. Besides, we both know quite well what Marc will decide to do. As for the rest of it-” She shook her head. ”You've been infected by the s.h.i.+pspouse's lunatic prescience, not touched by Tana's wisdom.”
”Perhaps.” He turned away. ”Forgive me if I insulted you.
But as a solution, it displayed an elegant inevitability-”
”Don't mention it again. G.o.d knows I have enough to worry about.”
There was a knock on the door, and Dedra's leading thought.
Elizabeth rose as the door opened and steeled herself to meet the mothers of the black-torc babies.
CHAPTER SIX.
Aiken came into the dark coolness of the Roniah City-Lord's sanctum, where the High Table members had gathered. Of those that had served the Thagdal there remained only Kuhal Earthshaker, Bleyn the Champion, and Alberonn Mindeater.
Celadeyr, who had been raised to the Table on the battlefield of the last Grand Combat and then attainted for his role in Nodonn's treason, was now finally adjudged worthy of reinstatement. He stood with the seven newly chosen Great Ones ready to take the pledge of fealty.
AIKEN: It's fitting that the High Table should be complete at this first Grand Tourney celebration so that our High Kingdom may present a unified face to the Foe. To this end I have nominated a full slate of Great Ones ...
ALL: [Surprised murmurs.] But two seats are unfilled!
AIKEN: A full slate, I say. But before receiving your oaths I command your commemoration of those High Table Members who have pa.s.sed into Tana's Peace since our last convocation at the Grand Loving: Aluteyn Craftsmaster, Second Lord Creator; Artigonn of Amalizan, Second Lord Coercer; Armida the Formidable of Bardelask.
ALL: To them be Tana's Peace.
AIKEN: And in compa.s.sion let us commend those who fell from My favour and forfeited their seats through treason: Thufan Thunderhead of Tarasiah; Diarmet of Geroniah; Moreyn Gla.s.scrafter of Var-Mesk.