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Sectuib along with every other able-bodied channel in Zeor according to Zeor
custom. In no event will Rellow Gishrun Farris be allowed to serve in
violation of Zeor custom."
Maybe by the time this is invoked, Landar or Rellow will have fathered a
child who can become Sectuib.
Digen handed the folded will to his secretary. "Type that up and attach it
here, crossing out the provision for the heir. Then have the lawyer check it
over, and I'll sign it in the morning." When she had gone, he said to the very
silent Jiplain, wondering how Rellow had managed to keep still, "That's the
best I can do. It honestly is. Sels here is third in Zeor, and would be in
line after me except that he's older than I am."
"I will have our experts look it over. Perhaps it will suffice."
Digen looked down at the death certificate, the only thing left on his desk.
"If you don't mind, I'll sign this in the morning, too. I don't have the heart
for it right now."
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My last child. How can she be dead, too?
* * *
The next morning, Digen signed the papers, and the committee, along with
Rellow and the news teams, left Rialite.
A few days later, they held a funeral, erecting a formal monument for Ercy,
even though Digen at first objected. Mora, ever practical, had pointed out
that the Rialite staff had known and loved Ercy and Halimer Grant, and even
Joeslee after she got over her wild stage. So beside Ercy's monument, they
placed a tall white marble one that reminded every Sime of Grant's nager, and
forming a triangle, they put up one for Joslee Teel Tigue.
Sentiment ran high during the week all of this was going on, and after Digen
conceded, they persuaded him that Ercy's and Grant's and Joeslee's names
should be entered in the Memorial to the One Billion, and in Zeor's roll of
martyrs. And so he presided over that very final ceremony. During those days,
they all cried until there were no more tears in them.
Digen was in need again by the time they unveiled the monument stones with
great and solemn ceremony. And despite the need, a few tears pooled in the
corners of his eyes and he had to turn away from the news cameras. When it was
over, looking down on the little garden from the window that had been Ercy's,
Digen thought the monuments stood on the exact spot where Grant had first met
Ercy.
He looked around the empty, echoing apartment. All their things had been
packed for the move back into the city. The painters were already spreading
drop cloths and bringing in ladders. Sels and Bett would be taking over
Rialite, occupying these apartments.
Im'ran came in, not seeing Digen where he stood half behind a painter's
ladder festooned with canvas. Digen watched the Gen's nager flick through
anxiety, curiosity, a tinge of nostalgia, and an impatient shrug. Then he said
over his shoulder to another figure, a Sime, obscured behind Im'ran's ripe
nager, "I honestly don't know where he could be then, but he'll turn up soon.
We're scheduled for transfer."
"Isn't that ?" gently inquired the visitor, indicating Digen's direction.
Digen stepped out where Im'ran could see him. "Were you looking for me?"
Gypsy?thought Digen, examining the visitor.
"I was, Sectuib Farris," said the gypsy. "Could I have a word with you in
private? I can wait if necessary."
"Come into the kitchen," suggested Digen. "The painters aren't in there yet."
When Im'ran followed them into the kitchen, which was bare already, awaiting
its paint, the Sime gypsy turned to the Gen questioningly.That's right,
thought Digen,we're not orhuen mates any more  no privacy privileges with each
other now.
He could feel Im'ran going through the same thought.
"I'll be waiting," Im'ran said', and left them.
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"Well, I presume it was something important," said Digen, and then regretted
his sharp tone. "I'm sorry "
"I have been entrusted with a message for you, Sectuib Farris from your
daughter."
Digen gasped, glad he was in need, all his emotions bound up in that
perfectly normal obsession and unable to respond even to this.
"When when did you get this message? Is she all right? Where is she? Is she
coming back?"
"Please allow me to repeat the message. She says she is fine. She will keep
Zeor's ways, but she will not come home. She says to be sure to tell you she
loves you. She asks only that you keep the fact that she is alive a secret."
"But where is she? I have to see her!"
"The message was passed to me by another gypsy who got it from another. I
have no idea where your daughter could be, or how far the message traveled to
reach you. I must go now. My apologies for disturbing you at this time."
"No wait!" said Digen.
'' I know nothing else."
"Can you take a message back to her?"
"I don't know I can try. I doubt if I will see the one who gave me this
message for a year or maybe more. And you are leaving here "
"My sister and brother-in-law will be here. Any message for me can always be
given to them, and it will reach me confidentially. Please, try to get word to
Ercy Aild Ercy Farris I love her well enough to want her content and happy but
Zeor must have an heir or her cousin Rellow will become Sectuib when I die.
She'll know what that means."
Digen offered the gypsy the customary fee for his services, but the man
unaccountably refused, and left after emphatic promises to try to get the
message through.
Before he went to Im'ran for his first transfer to this phase of his life,
Digen went down into the Memorial to the One Billion.
He stood where Ercy had stood to Receive Zeor, joy and grief . mingled with
the need in him.If she gets the message  she'll give Zeor an heir. She'll come
home. When she can.
And when he turned to go, he knew that at last he was finished at Rialite.
He had a new future in which to rebuild his life. And he knew he could do it.
The dedication of his young years was alive in him again. The world could yet
be changed perhaps to be a safe place for Ercy.
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