Part 24 (1/2)

She reached out and patted his hand. 'There, now, dear... What a good boy you are, Shannie! But it will be all right.”

”It will not be all right!” he snapped. ”You know and I know that it will become less and less right. Cut off trade with half the galaxy? It's insanity-worse! Suicidal. You'll starve. If the luck rides your shoulder. If not-a society that enslaves half its population? Lomar, what happens when the slaves see the masters are weak?”

”Revolution,” Priscilla said in a low voice, feeling prophecy stir within her. ”War. Hatred. Death.”

”I have read history, sister.” Lomar sighed and stroked Shan's hand again. ”Should I go without a bit to buy a guidebook, Shannie? My a.s.sets must be liquidated. That takes time, careful planning. And mydaughters. It's not possible. Not now.” She sat back. Priscilla thought she looked older all at once.

Shan sat poised, tension singing through him. Then he, too, sat back, sighing. ”Of course. You'll do as you think wise. Do you have my pin-beam code, Lomar?”

She laughed a little. ”Your personal code and the code for the Dutiful Pa.s.sage. Why?”

”A favor, for the friends.h.i.+p we hold each other. When you're ready, call me. Transport will be provided.

Also, I'll engage to be second partner in any business you care to establish.”

She laughed. ”Absurd creature! Why, again?”

Shan did not even smile. ”Your credit is here. To set up elsewhere, you'll need local credit. With me as your second partner, there will be no problem.” He did smile then, tiredly. ”You do make money, Lomar.

I know it. Why shouldn't I lend you aid in return for a profit I don't have to work for?”

She shook her head. ”But you're local on Liad, Shannie. I don't-”

”Korval's credit,” he interrupted gently, ”is local everywhere. Except, perhaps, here.”

There was a brief pause before she spread her hands. ”A silent partner, then. For, say, five years? Then, it had better be. Then I'll buy you out.”

He nodded. ”Easily arranged. But a mere business matter. The important thing is that you move you and yours as soon as may be-forgive my presumption, old friend. Line yos'Galan will be happy-joyful-to guest you for a time, so you may look about and make informed decisions.”

”You're a good boy, Shannie,” she said again. ”I'll remember. Now, my dear, I'm afraid I'm going to have to bid you both good-bye.”

”Have we endangered you, sister?” Priscilla a asked as they moved toward the door.

Lomar smiled and patted her hand, too. ”Bless you, child, things aren't that bad yet. But it's best not to push what Shannie calls' the luck.' Walk in Her smile, now, both of you.”

Priscilla set a rapid pace through the morning streets, with Shan's uneasiness feeding her own. She felt the chill of worry at her back, eclipsing his warmth.

Mother, grant us safety, she prayed.

The port gate loomed, and she increased her stride, breathing a sigh of relief as she crossed into the outworlder's preserve. At her back, Shan's worry diminished somewhat.

Thank you, G.o.ddess, she breathed silently.

Then she sensed startlement-and outrage like a zag of lightning.

She spun in time to see the white-robed woman shake Shan sharply.

”Creature! How dare you pa.s.s by without obeisance?” Her staff snapped toward his head, calculated to cow, not to strike. Shan's fury flared, and the woman shook him again. ”What are you called, soulless?”

”Frost, exalted lady.” The quiet voice was in sharp contrast to the din of his rage.

”Frost, is it? Exalted lady, is it? Have you no manners, creature, or are you too stupid to know one of thetemple when you see her?”

Priscilla felt a surge of bruising power. Aspect! She extended herself, deflected the other woman's intention, and felt her own expansion...

”Enough!” she snapped.

Both spun, staring.

”Frost,” she snapped. ”An apology to the thrice-blessed. And then behind me!”

For a heartbeat she thought he would not play along. Then, stiffly, he bent, forehead brus.h.i.+ng knees.

”Forgive this one, thrice-blessed. No insult was intended your holy self.”

It was scarcely the most abject of abas.e.m.e.nts, with the highborn fury crackling from him like electricity.

Nor was the thrice-blessed appeased. Her staff whipped out, slas.h.i.+ng the air between him and escape.

”Forgiven, indeed. After punishment, as it is written. A public scourging-”

”I had said enough!” Priscilla cried, projecting stern authority, soul-strength, and awe. ”Would you mete violence to this person, with the Mother's own mark upon him?” She extended a hand and traced the sign, glowing, before Shan's face for the other to read.

”This man is more than you can know. He has power, as a temple-sister might have it! Depth of learning, skill of use-a mystery. And more!”

The priestess was fairly caught-the wordnet enveloped her, glittering. Priscilla pulled strongly on awe, mystery, belief, and began to weave-then became aware of something else: a single, sustained note, building pa.s.sion and power, swelling, scintillating, magnificent-a lance of greatness overwhelming in its majesty.

It was Shan, projecting on all levels.

Within the wordnet, the thrice-blessed gasped; she raised a hand to s.h.i.+eld her eyes from his radiance.

The note built further as Priscilla made adjustments. He must be caught, held in the echo of the thrice-born's trap...

The note paused, then glissaded, power fading with each downward thrum, until the last hung, vibrating rainbows... and was gone.

The thrice-blessed hung in her net of glamour, reverberating mystery. The man was merely a man, radiating nothing.

”So have you seen,” Priscilla intoned, loosing the net carefully. ”So have you heard. So shall it be. We live in blessed times, young sister, when mysteries and miracles abound. Look closely at all you see and trust that the G.o.ddess holds each of us protected.”

”Ollee,” the priestess murmured. ”I am blessed beyond counting, having beheld this wonder. Elder sister, I ask pardon. And your blessing.”

Priscilla's hand rose and traced the proper signs at eyes, ears, and heart. ”In Her name, forgiveness, as She forgives each of Her children. Walk in Her grace. Live well. Serve long.”The other effaced herself, and Priscilla turned, motioning to Shan. Unhurriedly, and without looking behind, they walked away.

Shan collapsed into the copilot's chair, his head thumping into the headrest. He opened one silver eye. ”I would appreciate warning, please, Priscilla, the next time you feel the need of such support.” His voice held a thread of amus.e.m.e.nt, another of exhaustion. His pattern... his pattern-was gone.

No! She sat, graceless, and reached along the inner ways, seeking his warmth as a blind person would seek the sun's touch upon her face. The questing encountered smoothness, cool and slippery, like a mirror, denying without repelling. And he must be beyond it...

”Priscilla?”

She brought her attention to the outer ways, striving for calm. ”I didn't think to ask. I thought-I was afraid you'd been caught in the echo.”