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Now he was on better ground. "There are perturbations of aura that occur in Transfer hosts," Herald said. "I have
analyzed such cases many times. It is not an effect that is deleterious to the host, merely an involuntary signature left
behind, the imprint of the visiting aura upon the host-aura. This occurs regardless of the comparative strength of the
two auras, or who controls the body. Your own aura has no such imprint. I speak as an expert in this regard: You
have never been host to a foreign aura."
Psyche turned to the Sador. "How say you now, Witness?"
"I regret to say the expert is mistaken," Whirl declared.
Herald made a human shrug. "You are free to summon another exorcist. I doubt his verdict will differ."
"We are not free to do this," Whirl said. "By the covenant, your verdict governs. Yet you are mistaken. On your
wheels be the onus."
"In my Sphere of Slash, such a statement would constitute a challenge to laser combat," Herald said. "Still I am
aware you mean no offense. How may I satisfy you as to the validity of my verdict?"
"Only remain long enough to perceive the nature of your error. Perhaps a few days will suffice."
"A few days! I intend to be home in Andromeda in hours!"
The Sador was unmoved. "Is it convenience that guides you-or truth?"
Herald sighed inwardly. This round, wheel-spinning creature had considerable force of personality! "I shall consult
with the Duke."
"He will be in the trophy room," Psyche said, taking his arm like the Lady she was, and guiding him along. The
Sador rolled after them unobtrusively. Herald noted that though the castle stairs were not fitted with ramps, the
wheeled creature had no problem negotiating the steps. He was able to use his front and back wheels as stops while
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maneuvering with the side wheels. A wheel set crosswise to the direction of motion was quite effective as a brake,
and Dollar was physically constructed so that two wheels were always sidewise, easy to drop into place.
The trophy room was filled. Cups, helmets, swords, lances, and other weapons lay on tables and under glass, and
Shields of Arms covered the walls. The Achievements of families of far-flung Spheres were much in evidence. Even
at a glance, Herald recognized several, and knew them to be authentic. This, more than anything else, demonstrated
the power and galactic awareness of the Duke of Kade.
The Duke turned to face them, evincing some of the same tight mannerisms his daughter had. "Your verdict?" he
asked Herald coldly.
"The Lady Kade is not now, and has never been, possessed by any foreign aura," Herald said. "I testify to this as an
expert in aural matters, and will so report officially. I recommend that you verify this by obtaining an aural printout
for computer analysis. My visit here has been an unnecessary expense for you."
If the Duke was gratified by this report, he did not show it. He turned to the Sador. "Witness?"
"Protest," the Earl said. "I do not question the expert's sincerity or competence; indeed, I have been extremely
impressed by his power of aura. But he has examined the subject at a moment of quiescence and has not perceived
the nature of the Possession. Neither can this be verified by any machine printout. Were it an ordinary case, we
should have had definitive evidence before this."
Kade placed his five-fingered blue hands behind him, linked, and paced in two small circles, forming the pattern of
a lemniscate, the symbol of infinity used in mathematics and the Tarot. Unconscious symbolism, surely!
"Witness, you are aware that the expert was summoned at your behest, not mine, and was chosen by your group, not
mine. I abstained entirely from the examination. Now he has ruled against you."
"I am aware. But in the performance of my duty as Witness, I must ask that the expert be retained until the
Possession manifests."
"There is no Possession!" Kade shouted explosively. "He would have to remain until my daughter died of ancient
age." But he calmed himself immediately, exerting the personal discipline of his station in this society. "Apology. It
behooves me to see that the Witness is completely satisfied. Set us a period for Herald of Slash to remain. If he still
acquits my daughter, then you must needs be satisfied."
"This depends on the time allotted," Whirl said dubiously. "I am certain that Possession will manifest, but uncertain
when. It might occur within the hour, or as long as a Keep-month from now."
Herald's host spoke briefly, internally, sensing confusion. "A Keep-month is the period of revolution of our largest
moon, which is ten Sol days or one point four Andromedan units."
/Thank you,/ Herald replied to him.
"Then we shall retain him for a month!" Kade was saying. "As far as I am concerned, Possession will never
manifest. But a month it is-for your satisfaction."
"I cannot stay that time!" Herald protested. "I have other appointments-"
"I shall reimburse you for your lost fees," Kade said dryly. "I believe I command sufficient resources to
accommodate such a commitment."
"We shall reimburse him," Whirl said. "He remains at our behest. But he must accompany the Lady continuously,
that the manifestation not be missed."
"Not at night, surely!" the Duke said.
"Night is the most likely occasion. He must be there."
Herald shook his head, aware of the possible complications this invoked. "This is not entirely a matter of fee or
human propriety," he said. "I have commitments. Other creatures require my help. Some may die. I cannot allocate
so much time to a single case."
"I shall pay their way here to see you!" the Duke cried, as if dealing with a spurious objection. Then, to Whirl: "My
daughter is nubile. The presence of a man in her chamber at night would militate against her honor."
"I must be present," Whirl insisted. "I am the Witness. I assure you I have no dishonorable interest in-"
Herald suppressed a smile. "Witness, he refers to me. I am an alien creature, but I am at the moment in human form.
I believe Solarians of opposite sex are not encouraged to share night facilities unless they are married."
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"Precisely," Kade said. "My daughter's repute must be chaste, for potential marriage. The presence of a man in her
room at night, however justified, would cast a shadow."
"Who would she marry, unless she were free of the demon?" Whirl asked. Then he quickly qualified himself. "Of
the suspicion of Possession?"
"Would any of your scions be available as grooms, were she so freed?" Kade demanded.
"We do have human allies," the Sador said. "The Scion of Skot, for example. Historically the Klans of Skot and
Kade were once united, serving with honor in the Second War of Energy. The young Solarian Skot may not be
averse. Your daughter is mooted to be very pretty by the standards of your species, and an alliance between Klan
Skot and the Dukedom of Kade would be politically-" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]