Twa friars of France are we,

at Killashandra, managing to convey her embarrassment even as she tried to lift Lars from his knee. My friend, this will not do, she said kindly, but firmly. Only think what effect such a gesture could have on an Elder or a Master and yes, I do most certainly know your opinion of those worthies. But Lars, such histrionics could damage our goal. Lars had by now risen to his feet. With a final few pats to his hand, an oblique apology for her public admonition, she withdrew from his grasp, moving past him toward Killashandra. Whom have you brought with you, Lars? she asked, smiling tentatively as she extended her slender hand to Killashandra. Who wears your garland? Carrigana, lately a polly planter, Lars replied, stepping back to Killashandras side and taking her other hand firmly in his. It was one way of apologizing for his effusive welcome of another woman but it was Nahia herself who effectively dissolved Killashandras incipient hostility. The touch of her hand had a soothing effect, not a shock or a jar, but a gentle insinuation of reassurance. Nahias eyes were troubled as she regarded Killashandra, her lips curving upward in a slight smile which blossomed as she felt Killashandras resistance to her dissipate. Then a little frown gathered at her brows as she became aware of the lingering crystal resonance within Killashandra. It was the crystal singers turn to smile reassurance and an acknowledgement of what Nahia was: an empath. Killashandra had heard of such people but she had never encountered one. The encyclopedia had not hinted the psi talents were an Optherian quality. It could be a wild talent and often was. In Nahia it was combined with unexpected beauty, integrity, and an honesty which few citizens of the Federated Sentient Worlds could project without endangering their sanity. Lars had been correct in his statement that Nahias special talents would be a galactic asset. She was Goodness personified. Nahia looked with gentle inquiry at Killashandra, struggling to identify the elusive contact with crystal. Killashandra smiled and, with a final light pressure on Nahias fine-boned hand, released her and leaned slightly against Lars. At this point, the other men stepped forward to greet the newcomers. Im Hauness, Nahias escort, said the tallest of the three, an attractive man whom Killashandra judged to be in his mid-thirties. His handclasp was strong but not crushing and he, too, exuded a charm and personality that would have been instantly apparent in any group at least fuji 2800 digital camera any group that did not contain Nahia. Or Lars. Believe me, Lars, we had no report of such rough weather when we embarked on this journey but There are matters we must discuss with you, no matter what the risk. Erutown was the oldest, and bluntest. His manner suggested that he tended to be a humorless pessimist. He gave Killashandras hand one brief shake and dropped it. And there was no risk in the weather when we started. He hovered, his upper body inclined away from Killashandra even as his feet shifted, as if he wanted to separate Lars from Killashandra and plunge into the matters to be discussed as quickly as possible. Theach, said the third man, giving Killashandra a brief, self-effacing nod. He was the sort of nondescript human being, mild mannered, with undistinguished features, who can be encountered almost anywhere in the human population, and promptly forgotten. Only because she had heard of his mathematical abilities from Lars did Killashandra give Theach any sort of an inspection and thus noticed that his eyes were brilliant with intelligence: that he had already assumed she would discount him, indeed, hoped that she would, and was quite willing to accept the sort of dismissal to which he was clearly accustomed. So Killashandra gave him a saucy wink. She half expected Theach to retreat in confusion as many shy men would, but, smiling, he winked back at her. Erutown cleared his throat, indicating that now introductions had been made, he wanted to initiate the discussions they had come for. I dont know about you, Lars, but Im starving, Killashandra said, gesturing toward the catering area. Is it all right to see whats available? She turned to the others. May I fix something for you? Lars gave her hand a grateful squeeze before he released it. He told her to find what she fancied and hed have the same but the others demurred, gesturing toward the low table where the remains of a meal could be seen. The four conspirators didnt know that Killashandras symbiont-adapted hearing was uncommonly acute. At that distance they could have whispered and she would have caught what was being said. They finally sent the message two days ago, Lars. Erutowns baritone was audible above the noises Killashandra was making in the catering unit. Took them long enough, Lars said in a low growl. They had to search first. And search they did, uncovering

My soul is dark - Oh! quickly string

laughter. You loyal despite your terrible disappointment and Killashandra put her hand to her breast and breathed hard rescued me and insisted on returning me to the safety of the City, to install the crystal manual so that the priceless organ will be ready for the Summer Festival. Thus currying favor with the powers that be which, in view of your subversive activities, is a very good idea and saving them the cost of another expensive crystal singer. We are very expensive to hire, you see. And I have the impression that the Elders are credit-crunchers. Lars began to chuckle, rubbing his chin as if he was visualizing those moments of triumph. If you can be trusted not to overact he ducked as she shook her fist at him you know, it might work. Of course it will work! I was able to gauge audience reactions to a pico. And more than just give you a well-deserved return for their meanness and chicanery to you, Ill pretend that Im so very nervous about a repetition of assault and battery that Ill need you by my side all the time. I think, Lars began, slowly, thoughtfully, Father and the others will like this plan. Lars gave a rueful snort. I got rather soundly told off for acting in a unilateral fashion when I abducted you, you know. My father is a mild mannered man most of the time Then let us by all means present this idea to him them. And by the way, speaking of mild-mannered men, what do you know about Corish von Mittelstern? The man looking for his uncle? Thats the one. Well, hes not an Optherian agent if thats what youre worried about. We checked him for residue. Checked him for what? Dyou recall the arc at the shuttleport? Thats to prevent Optherians from leaving the planet. The arc is set to detect a mineral residue that is present in our bone marrow. Theres absolutely no argument with the port guards if you try to enter the shuttleport. They just shoot. And thats activated by any Optherian passing the sensors? Even visitors whove stayed long enough to absorb sufficient trace to be detected. Larss expression was sour. Like my father. Killashandra half heard that comment, as she was thinking back to her exit from the port. Thyrol had been right beside her and the alarm hadnt gone off for them, though it had when the rest of the Optherian quartette had passed. Strange, that, hp digital camera r507 she said half to herself. No. Corish isnt Optherian. He came out on the Athena with me. But Ive a very good notion that hes an FSP agent of some sort. I mean, what good is just one impartial observer if the object is to change the status quo of an entire planet? Even if I am a crystal singer. Did Corish know that? No. Killashandra chuckled. To Citizen von Mittelstern I was a brash and impulsive music student traveling cheap to the Summer Festival! When Lars gave her a puzzled look, she laughed. Being a crystal singer entails some rather curious disadvantages which are not relevant to the more important discussion at hand. I dont know much about crystal singers What you dont know wont hurt you, she said, waggling a finger under his nose. But Id very much like to know more about Corish, and if there is a missing uncle. Why didnt Corish recognize you on the beach? The same reason you didnt. And he didnt know me all that well, she added, a bit amused by Larss reaction. He rather obviously, at least to me, cultivated the company of an innocuous and silly young music student. And one or two other anomalies alerted me. Id encountered a few of those creatures recently myself, Lars remarked in a reproving drawl. I did the best I could with the background material I had. Lars pulled her as close to him as the tiller allowed. Your only mistake, now that I think back on it, were your comments about singing. Everyone in the islands sings. But voice is not an instrument for real music according to the Masters. Killashandra began to sputter indignantly. That in itself proves how stupid they all are! Lars laughed in delight at her reaction and then drew his feet up as the water began slopping up their calves. Tanny! he shouted. On the deck, on the double. The hatch was opened so quickly in response to his call that Killashandra wondered how long the young man had had his ear to the wooden panels. Havent you found us something to eat yet? About time. For Tanny held up two heavy soup mugs. Give it over and start bailing. Chapter 15 It took quite a bit of persuading on Killashandras part to reassure Tanny that she intended no