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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