Part 20 (2/2)

”I'd heard,” Odeon said. ”This was a blessing, though.” He fell silent. ”If we can believe the visions, anyway. On the other hand, Shayan is the Father of Lies, and his only absolute limitation is that he can't create life. He could be trying to trick us.”

Chang shook her head. ”I have felt Shayan's touch, Michael; I would know it anywhere, and that was not he. More, what benefit would he get from such trickery?”

”None that I can think of,” Odeon admitted. ”And I don't really believe the idea myself--comes from a career of questioning everything, especially when there's no physical proof one way or the other.”

”There is a form of proof possible,” Chang said. ”If either of us can do something we know to be sinful, the vision was false. If not, which I am certain is the case, it seems safe enough to a.s.sume its truth; even in my most cynical moments, I cannot believe that Shayan would render a human incapable of sin, even if such lies within his power.”

”I can, under one condition, but since I don't believe he's capable of love--especially where Enforcement people are concerned--I agree with your conclusion.”

Odeon thought for a minute, then made the attempt, with a total lack of success. Giving the nun a half-smile, he shrugged. ”Can't violate the First Commandment, at any rate. I can consider it intellectually with no problem, but when think comes to do, no way.” His attempt at a humorous grin turned into an elated smile. ”Sis, it's great! I've been praying for this since I was a boy and learned what the Protector would do--I not only can't sin now, I can't even want to!”

Chang gestured him to quiet down before his enthusiasm woke the rest; it was still well before normal time to get up, and waking someone unnecessarily was rude at best. His pleasure was infectious, though, and she couldn't help returning his smile. ”I feel as you do, Michael--though I still find it difficult to fully accept that I am actually living in the Protector's time. I am somewhat surprised that I am able to accept it at all.”

”Me too--so I imagine that's part of the help we were promised. We couldn't accomplish a whole lot if we were too stunned to function, and from what he said, we're going to have to start functioning almost immediately.”

”True--though we will be able to say nothing about this.”

”Not right away, no,” Odeon agreed, ”but we'll have to tell the rest soon. And anyone else we think should be part of her core group. I've got some pretty good ideas about who I'd like to see in it, too. Brad and Ivan definitely, Their Highnesses--odd as it may seem--very possibly.”

”I believe it would be difficult to find better, if they are willing.”

”We'll ask when we get the chance. In the meantime--” Odeon hesitated.

”I don't know about you, Sis, but I never expected to be living at the end of one age and the beginning of another, even though the monks who raised me said it was possible and I always wanted to see the Protector.”

”My feelings also,” Chang said. ”I had hoped for such, but not really antic.i.p.ated it either.” She smiled. ”I always wished to be both a nun and a mother, and that seemed to be the only way it would be possible.

So while I, like you, am frightened, I am also looking forward to the experience.”

”From what he was saying, you're going to be more a priest than a nun--but I know what you mean.” Odeon studied her carefully. ”I gather that being healed means yau'll be able to join the action now--and want to?”

”Indeed, as eagerly as you. Were it not that I have responsibilities to my patient, I would wish to enjoy you immediately.” She looked toward the sleepers, then back to him. ”I find that strange, considering the circ.u.mstances of my previous s.e.xual experience. But it is also undeniably true. I desire you, and I will undoubtedly desire the others when opportunity presents itself.”

”They'll be as glad to hear that as I am, though they might find it a little hard to believe at first. Whatever we tell them later, we'll have to give some sort of explanation for that almost immediately.”

”I see no problem there; the truth, in part, should do nicely. All know I have been praying for this; I need only say my prayers have been answered. I need not say how directly just yet, though I agree that we will have to do so eventually.”

Odeon chuckled, pleased to find his equanimity returning. ”True. It looks like you may not be with us too long, though, if He sends you a child right away.”

”It is in His hands--but He said Joan will need us both, so either I will not conceive soon, or He will find a way for me to remain with her.”

”Any preference as to the father?”

”Not of the fertile men I know. Were he one, and the choice still mine, I would choose Tiny.”

The gentlest of the team, except for Piety herself. A natural choice, Odeon thought, smiling. ”He'd make a good father, I think. And it's not completely out of the question, with the same kind of help you've already had.”

”True.” Chang smiled briefly. ”We shall see, when the time comes.”

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