Part 35 (1/2)

Then Powell gathered himself and went on. ”It's a made-up word, but what about something like 'Dukida'? It's neutral s.e.xually, and in zoology '-ida' is used in forming family names . . .”

”Sounds odd,” the King said thoughtfully, ”but then new words usually do. And the suffix fits with the other t.i.tles of n.o.bility, takes a cla.s.sical plural . . . Very well, so be it. Thank you, my Lord.”

”I'm honored to be of service, Your Majesty.”

”Now that we have that settled,” the King said, ”I understand Family Cortin is expecting its first child?”

”Yes, Sire,” Cortin said. ”And I hope soon becoming step-parents to three more.” She explained about Betty and the children.

”Excellent. That makes me wish even more that I could forbid this entire Family from going into action, but that would defeat one of the new structure's purposes.” The King frowned, addressing the entire group. ”I have forbidden Colonel Cortin to go into danger except against those who personally harmed her, a ban that will also apply to Duke Michael after the convent raid and to Dukida Eleanor for the duration of her pregnancy. Unfortunately, I have to let the rest of you set an example. Just for G.o.d's sake, be careful!”

Odeon glanced at Cortin, then looked at the King. ”For the Protector's sake, Your Majesty,” he said quietly, ”you can be sure we'll all be as careful as humanly possible.”

The week and a half between Family Cortin's sudden promotion and the Bains' arrival was one of the busiest Cortin could remember. Besides her regular work, she tried to spend a couple of hours a day helping get the Lodge ready, then in the evenings the rest of the Sealed group came to help the Family get used to its new status and prepare for the responsibilities involved in running a new Archduchy, and after that for the Protector's Communion.

And the first Friday evening, Illyanov startled Cortin by announcing that he'd asked for discharge from St. Dmitri Enforcement, which he expected would be formally granted within two weeks, and that his wife and children would be moving to St. Thomas as soon as travel arrangements could be made.

Cortin stared at him in shock. ”Ivan, why?”

”Because I cannot serve in two forces at once. Your Grace is going to require an Archducal Enforcement Service, and I wish to help establish it.” He smiled. ”I also wish to establish a Family, a desire both my wife and my mistress share. That will be difficult anywhere except in High Teton for some time.”

”For anyone except the n.o.bility, at least,” Bradford agreed. ”Which is why, with Your Grace's permission, I would like to move Strike Force Operations there as soon as practical.”

”Granted.” That was something she hadn't really considered, but she could see why it would be true; her new fief had a small population, which made it seem safe to a.s.sume its inhabitants would be in favor of a change that would allow them to expand. ”Have we had enough practice for one night?”

”I'd say so,” Bradford replied. ”You only slipped once, when Ivan gave you what I admit was a shock.”

”Good!” Cortin unfastened the collar of her tunic, sighing with relief.

”It certainly was, even though I suppose I should have expected it.

He's certainly hinted about moving to this world.”

”He won't be the only one,” Edward said. ”From what I've heard, High Teton is going to have quite an influx of people wanting Families--a large percentage of them Enforcement, with their various Sovereigns'

backing. Not all permanent, though.”

”They'll be welcome,” Cortin said. ”I'm glad of the Sovereigns'

reaction--but I'm still worried about Pope Lucius', when we go public.

I simply cannot see him giving Church approval. I'm a little surprised that he hasn't revoked the Enforcement dispensation, in fact.”

”Such a revocation would have little effect,” Chang said. ”Those I speak to during my work at the hospital have made that clear.”

Cortin frowned. ”They'd disobey the Pope? I wouldn't, even if I didn't agree with him.”

”On the contrary,” Illyanov said. ”If his decrees conflict with what you think right, or what Michael and Eleanor tell us of the Protector's will, you will have no choice but to disobey. Which is true of all of us who are Sealed, and thus guided directly. We must prepare the Protector's way, and also encourage devotion to all three Aspects of the Triune--they are, after all, complementary--in hopes of protecting as many people as possible from Shayan and his deceits.”

Chang nodded. ”There is a certain protection available even to those not yet Sealed. I refer, of course, to the cartridges Joan has blessed.”

”Oh?” Illyanov c.o.c.ked his head. ”I know they are growing in popularity, with civilians as well as troopers, but I am unaware of any special protection they might offer.”

”I cannot say they truly do,” Chang cautioned, ”but many troopers, of late, refuse to go into the field without them. It is said that those who wear cartridges suffer fewer and less serious wounds than those who do not. More importantly, not one person with such a cartridge is known to have died under the shadow of mortal sin. There is growing belief that if Colonel Cortin is not the Protector herself, she must be the Protector's Herald.”