Heartweed is another plant which is harmless, even beneficial in its natural environment. Within two days of germination, it seeks out a host, generally a nau’gsh or woody shrub. It proceeds to entwine itself into the roots and branches, absorbing over half of the plant’s natural nutrients over the course of several weeks. This is, of course, a strain on the host plant. If the plant is not strong enough, it will be strangled by the clinging vine. However, after the initial growth period, the heartweed slakes its hunger, then consuming only a small amount of nutrients, while its leaves begin to produce a powerful pesticide which is fatal to potentially damaging predators. Eventually, there is an equilibration as the two plants become symbiotic. Heartweed has only become a problem in recent times as new, more sensitive varietals of common nau’gsh have been introduced to increase fruit production. These trees are overly vulnerable, and often die suffocated. Gardeners and arborists seeking to eliminate T. succubus must exercise caution as the toxin is absorbed through direct physical contact.
Illustration from Beinecke MS 408 (also called The Voynich Manuscript), circa 1404-38.*
“Compost,” said the Cantor. “Complete compost.”
“Not four hours ago you were telling me that the sprites only stay around for a few days after the grand jeté,” Tara replied. “They don’t say much of anything, then suddenly they say something very insulting about your intelligence and fly away. That’s perfectly in keeping with the idea that they’re unhappy with being here. They learn just enough to conclude that you’re teaching the Cu’endhari how to adjust, not planning how to return to the nul-universe. Then they leave.”
“This is all speculation,” the Cantor insisted. “You have no proof of any of this. A desire to return to the nul-universe is absurd – a complete violation of our n’aashet n’aaverti.”
“Cu’ensali don’t have n’aashet n’aaverti,” Tara countered. “Look, when you consider the incredible diversity of life in this universe, why is it so hard to believe that two – no, three – forms of life would evolve in the nul-universe? And that each of the three species would have a different reaction to exposure to this universe?”
The Cantor shook her head. “Most of us have no memory of what it was like there. Those of us who do have a faint sense of overwhelming horror. We don’t want to remember. Most assuredly, we don’t want to go back. Whatever we were back there, we’re not that anymore.”
Tara wished she had a drink – if only to have an ice cube to poke at in agitation. The Cantor was being willfully obtuse. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. By nature she was rigid, conservative.
Tara tried a different approach. “How does Hellborne feel about this?”
The Cantor looked up quickly, startled. Then she sighed. “I suppose I can’t blame Ashtara. Of course he’d tell you. Any Cu’enashti will naturally be more loyal to his Chosen than his own kind.” She paused briefly, her face registering a flicker of illumination. “That’s what the Cu’enmerengi are upset about, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that makes sense. But you must understand that it’s highly unlikely they would’ve come to violence over it if not for the Cu’ensali provocation.”
The Cantor smiled without warmth. “Here’s what Hellborne says: if the Cu’ensali want to go back to the nul-universe, then we keep the bastards here. Giving terrorists what they want is never good policy.”
“I was afraid of something like that,” said Tara, flopping into a nearby chair. She glanced at Elma. “What’s your take on this?”
“I want some puddins,” said Elma. “Also, I’m more interested in him.” She gestured at Darius. “He’s a strange bird, isn’t he?”
“I was wondering if you had any prophetic insights.” The Cantor left the room abruptly.
“Ask me what’s happening on Arthvea. That I can see. But these damn fireflies…”
“What’s happening on Arthvea?”
“I didn’t mean for you to take me literally.”
The door opened. It was the Cantor, returning with six packets of puddins she’d obtained from a vending machine in the hallway. Elma snatched at one. “Crap,” she said. “I wish I had a personal chef to provide me with fresh ones at all hours of the night.”
“One of the perks of being Matriarch,” said Tara. “What’s happening on Arthvea?”
“Assassins attacked Juliet,” said Elma between crunches. “Or they will. Juliet will dispatch them in about ten seconds. They’ve never encountered a K’ntasari before. They don’t quite understand that Davy made them as weapons.”
“They’re not weapons,” said Tara irately. “They’re warriors.”
“Spare me the propaganda. Anyway, she’ll meet with the Secretary of Interplanetary relations who will treat her very nicely, while the Council chews on the failure of the assassination attempt, and comes to the conclusion that ultimately we mean aggression, and we’re only buying time. They’ll decide to attack immediately. But their plans will be interrupted by a delegation of Floatfish who try to talk sense into them. The Floatfish don’t want to see Frangfrang destroyed. It’s the only place in the galaxy you can get Euphausia frangfrangius, which the Floatfish process into a very popular breakfast cereal called KrunchiKrill.”
“This is all very nice,” said the Cantor. “It doesn’t solve the problems at home. Some of us would say that Nau’gsh have no business being concerned with Arthvea or Frangfrang or whatever – which is the root of the whole problem.”
“The Cu’ensali don’t care whether you go to the Circinus galaxy or Saturn,” said Tara. “It’s all the same to them.”
“Well, what do you plan to do?”
“Push a media release stating that the Skarsian government is willing to engage in negotiation of repatriation, but that the attacks and self-immolations must stop. We can’t risk forest fires that might cause all sorts of collateral damage. Besides the Cu’endhari, we have to worry about the danger to humans and also to the ecosystem, which involves the common and Arya Nau’gsh as well as a large variety of Terran trees brought in the gene banks.”
“Hellborne is representative of the position of the MPP. They’ll want revenge.”
“We have a bargaining chip,” Tara decided. “I’m guessing that most, if not all, Cu’ensali will ask to have their trees destroyed. We can repurpose that land for family groves. That’s what Earl Mac’kellr was advocating.”
“You’ve already decided your course of action,” said the Cantor. “We’ll see what happens. If the Cu’ensali come forward to negotiate, then I’ll present the land allocation as an item for the Convocation of the Forest to consider. But I honestly don’t believe that it’s going to happen. The idea that anyone would want to return to the nul-universe is ridiculous. We aren’t nul-beings anymore. We’re Nau’gsh! How can we possibly leave our trees? Whatever happened in the past, Dolparessa is our home.”
“The Cu’enmerengi chose Dolparessa,” said Darius. The three women looked at him abruptly. Until that point he had been silent, staring out of a window. “I chose Tara. It’s the Cu’enmerengi who won’t understand the Cu’ensali. But they won’t care, either.”
“He has a point,” said Tara. “However this plays out with the Cu’ensali, you’re going to have to address the grievances of the Cu’enmerengi. They have a much greater stake in Dolparessa than the Cu’enashti. They’re afraid to say it openly, but they think the leader of the forest should be one of them.”
“They’re unfocused and untrustworthy,” said the Cantor. “I’d never give up power to one of them.”
“Even if it’s better for the forest?” said Tara. “Even if it’s the will of the people?”
“Would you give up power so easily?” the Cantor retorted.
“I never wanted to be Matriarch. That being said, during the course of my reign, the quality of life has improved drastically for my citizens, as has the power and prestige of the Domha’vei in the intergalactic community. If that changes, I’ll reconsider. I don’t intend to be Matriarch forever.”
“In other words, no,” said the Cantor. “And for much the same reasons, even if you pretend they are different. We’re both convinced that we’re the most effective candidates for the job. End of story. Besides, it’s not the will of the people. I don’t think any of the Cu’enashti would agree to a Cu’enmerengi leader. We’d never entrust the well-being of our Chosen to their flighty ways.”
“There are more Cu’enmerengi than Cu’enashti,” said Tara. “A lot more.”
“For that matter, there are far more Cu’ensali than Cu’enashti and Cu’enmerengi combined,” said the Cantor. “So should we burn our trees?”
*****
In the hovercar, Darius gazed at the passing scenery. He was barely bothering to focus his eyes; it was giving me a headache.
“Why are you always staring out the window?” Tara asked.
“Because if I looked in your direction, all I would be able to see is you,” said Darius.
« That’s a problem? » said Cillian, outraged.
“Then I’d never be able to understand you,” Darius finished.
I could feel Tara’s curious eyes on the back of Darius’ head, but he did not turn to meet them.
« Does anyone know what the fuck he’s talking about? » asked Cillian. « Lorcan? Cüinn? »
« Maybe negative space? » said Lorcan.
« Oh, I get it, » said Driscoll. « In some styles of art – the art of Ancient Japan is the most notable example – the ground is as important as the figure. The negative space accentuates the properties of the object. »
« I was thinking that he’s gathering contextual data, » said Cüinn. « It’s impossible to understand a phenomenon without understanding the context in which it occurs. »
« You know, Darius is providing us with some interesting insights, » said Mickey, « but he isn’t exactly the most practical branch to be emanated in the middle of a crisis. Can we switch out soon? »
« He hasn’t gotten laid yet, » said Tommy.
« Is that all you think about? » asked Patrick.
« No, seriously! Remember on Eirelantra when Axel had to get laid because it was dangerous to have a virgin emanation right now? » Tommy replied.
« Neither one of them seems to have made a move in that direction, » Dermot observed.
« Hey Darius! » Cillian called. « You know what to do? »
Darius turned to Tara. “When you were on Volparnu, did you ever go hunting? Like in the story?”
Tara laughed. “Of course not. Do you think they’d let a woman go hunting? Besides, I’m a warrior, not a hunter. It’s ironic. I’ve killed dozens of humans, but I’ve never killed an animal larger than an insect.”
“Animals don’t like to be hunted, do they?”
“Probably not,” Tara admitted. “You’re not considering becoming a vegetarian, are you? That would be an enormous conflict of interest.”
Darius shook his head. “What would be the point? It’s just sad, that’s all. Life is sad.”
“Are you sad? You look sad.”
“I suppose so,” he said, forcing a smile that never reached his enormous eyes. “But I don’t mind.”
“I’d rather see you happy, Darius,” said Tara leaning over to kiss him.
« Wow, that was smooth, » said Patrick.
« It was epic, » Rand agreed.
« Now would be a good time to start paying attention to her, » Tommy advised.
« Don’t worry, » replied Lorcan. « My brother may be strange, but he’s not stupid. »
*****
As Darius undressed, I could feel the attention in the room shifting…to Ellery. He shivered, pressing closer to me on the couch.
This had happened before. For some reason, Ellery’s presence in the pleroma was disruptive of the natural pollination cycle. It was why he had locked himself into his room on the swan boat for so many months.
« Come on, » I said, pulling him up from his seat. I put my arm firmly around his shoulder and guided him from the room. There was a palpable sense of disappointment as we exited; Cillian pounded his fist softly against the arm of the couch.
« I hate to disappoint them, » said Ellery once we were in the hall. « Except Cillian. Cillian’s mad that you left. »
« I promised that I’d protect you, and I will. We can go to my place. No one will disturb us there. »
We sat beneath the trees with Ellery leaning back against me. He was so much smaller than I, pale and frail and beautiful. Tara had once called him, in her inimitable style, “Snow White with a cock.” It wasn’t far from wrong.
I closed my eyes and for a moment, allowed myself to become Darius. In the absence of Ellery, the Goliath emanations were behaving as expected, aroused at the possibility of pollinating Darius. In addition, his brothers Lorcan and Cüinn would also become pollen-receptive, so it would be a fine day for many of us. Lorcan’s entourage had already gathered at Sloane’s. Cüinn had gone down to Ace’s flat with a number of the Goliath emanations. Cillian was still sitting on his couch, with Callum kneeling at his feet.
I noticed Ellery was looking up at me. He said, « It’s as much for them as for me. I interfere with their sense of n’aashet n’aaverti. »
His wide eyes were moist. « I’m the heart’s hidden truth, Ailann, » he said. « But until Ashtara becomes whole, each one will want to claim me as his own. That will throw everything out of balance. »
« Until Ashtara becomes whole? Do you mean until he emanates all the branches on Goliath, Yggdrasil and Ashvattha? »
Ellery shook his head. « I can’t explain, » he said. « You’ll know soon. »
He shuddered. I realized that what he feared would happen might be true of me as well. « Do you want to be alone? » I asked.
Ellery gripped at my collar. « No! » he cried. « I can’t stand it anymore. Please. I trust you. »
I put my arm around him. « Everything will be all right, » I reassured him.
But as Darius became aroused, I felt uncomfortably aware of Ellery’s presence. He was supposed to be an alder, but he smelled like cherry blossoms. I could feel his heart beating where his thin chest was pressed against mine.
It was happening. I felt more aware of Ellery than of Darius – or even of Tara. And that was wrong, so wrong.
Ellery’s eyes were pressed shut. He was certainly experiencing what Darius felt. He sighed, biting his bottom lip, leaving a slight indentation that was deep red against red.
I wanted, I wanted…but this isn’t the kind of thing I want. I had allowed Daniel and Evan to have their way with me once because they were Daniel and Evan. Even though I’m God, I respect my elders. But I normally let pollination happen, paying little heed to the result. Tara’s enjoyment is what matters.
Ellery moaned softly. I wanted him. I pulled him closer, shutting my eyes, trying to force myself to join with Darius. But all I could see was the perfect memory, preserved in his branch, of Tara’s one encounter with Ellery. I could feel the heat of their bodies, Tara’s sweat dripping down onto Ellery as she rode him, as he shuddered beneath her, giving himself up entirely to her.
I swore I’d protect him. I was not going to violate his trust.
Except that Ellery, lost in the sensation, was straddling my leg, rubbing against me, his lips pressed against my neck. Darius and Tara were reaching the point of climax when suddenly Ellery’s eyes sprung open. « Ailann, » he said, « it’s all right. »
He kissed me. It was a kiss that exploded into a thousand flowers, into a tempest of pollen. I’d never experienced anything like it; for the first time, I understood why Patrick was so obsessed with the pollination fetish.
« It’s all right, » said Ellery again. « Next time, you can have me. But give yourself to Cillian first. »
*****
I was waiting for Tara when she returned from her morning bath. She came to me immediately, embraced me, rested her head upon my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re back,” she said. “Lord Danak will be too, but that isn’t why I’m glad to see you. I was worried about you.” She pulled back slightly, looking up into my eyes. “Ailann,” she said, “I love you so much.”
I held her tightly, wanting to feel the soft warmth of her skin, wanting to stay there for just another moment, which would become another and then another. After a while, she said, “I feel badly for Darius. I hate it when emanations are born and then shoved off into a corner. They deserve better – you deserve better, Ash.”
“It’s natural for emanations to be born as a result of trauma,” I said, moving to sit on the couch. I put my arm around her as she nestled close to me. “He’ll get his time.”
“He’s so melancholy. I couldn’t seem to do much of anything to cheer him up.”
“Trees need the rain,” I said. “I think that’s just how he is. Or maybe it will be better for him someday. You should see Chase. He’s a changed branch. He’s actually moved into his apartment, and is spending a lot of time with Balin.”
“That’s good to hear. And how about you?”
I pressed my face into her hair. “I’m still a bit shaky,” I confessed. “But you were right, you and Daniel and Evan, what you said that night we spent in Suibhne’s palace. I can’t hold myself off from the others. For a Cu’enashti, nothing is worse than being alone.”
“Oh? So have you taken a lover?”
Her directness caught me off guard. “Not exactly…at least not yet,” I stammered. I felt embarrassed at this sudden revelation of my heart; at the same time, I was embarrassed to admit that I’d actually done nothing. “I think it’s going in that direction.”
“With whom?” she pressed.
“Possibly Ellery. Possibly Cillian.”
“Now that’s unexpected,” she said, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “I’d like to see Cillian try to top you.”
“That would never happen,” I said. “I think it would be more like the two of us with Ellery and…” I wasn’t thinking that. I wasn’t thinking it at all. It just came out of my mouth.
“Oho! You want to do the scene in Suibhne’s attic, but for real this time, with Ellery and Callum as the submissives. It might make a good combination. On the one hand, the leatherman and the pain-pig, and on the other…”
“The poppa bear and the candy boy.”
“It all seems quite definite.”
“Surprisingly so.” At that moment, the door chimed. I was rarely so glad to see Lord Danak, but this was quite possibly the most awkward conversation of my entire emanation.
“Your Holiness! It is good to see you in this time of tribulation. I was just about to bring most disturbing news to Her Eminence. It seems that our emissary to the Alliance of Mankind has been attacked.”
“I heard that Juliet took out her assailants in under ten seconds,” said Tara.
Danak’s face registered his puzzlement. “How did you know? In any case, the Secretary of Interplanetary Relations is quite apologetic. He’s being especially solicitous of her, but I don’t trust the situation.”
“They’re planning to attack us,” said Tara. “Fortunately, the Floatfish will buy us some time because they can’t live without breakfast.”
“What?” said Lord Danak.
“Let’s solve the problems at home first,” said Tara. “We need a means of euthanasia. Unfortunately, no one has ever researched the best way to kill a tree quickly and without distress. The problem with most herbicides is that they take a period of days, even weeks to be completely effective. The tree dies back bit by bit. It can be hastened if we cut the tree back to a stump and then paint the stump with the toxin. The poison will have no place to go but the roots. But it still won’t be quick, and who knows how it will feel to die that way?”
My throat tightened with nausea. I dug my fingers into the armrests of my chair, really wishing I had a drink to steady my nerves. I spotted a half-finished bottle of wine that Tara had shared with Darius the night previous. My gaze fixed upon it.
“Burning is pretty horrifying, and puts the surrounding flora and fauna at risk,” Tara continued. “I did some research into deforestation for terraforming. They release a gas containing a fast-acting herbicide into the atmosphere. That’s cheap, but whatever chemicals used have to be engineered to break down quickly. Another method is through genetically targeted blights. Either means isn’t viable for us, though. A gas would have collateral damage, and a blight could too easily spread to other Cu’endhari. Our best option might be to use a directed laser. It will be as bad as burning, but faster and more contained. It’s labor-intensive, though.”
I could barely breathe. This was wrong, so wrong.
« Hurley, are you listening to the song of the dreaming trees? » asked Darius. « It’s so sad today. »
No one has asked the trees what they want, said Jamey.
The message was a shock to all of us, partly because Jamey hadn’t used his new telesending ability much, so we weren’t used to hearing him. Nevertheless, the implication was deeply disturbing. “Tara,” I said, “the trees…” My voice choked, and the world blurred with tears. Really, could I get through five minutes without crying? I couldn’t allow myself to lose my composure, not in front of Danak. I rose, stumbling towards the wine bottle.
Tara followed me, resting her hand on my shoulder. “Ailann, what else can we do? The Cu’ensali are miserable here. Sending them home is the most humane action, and also the most practical one. As long as they’re here, they’ll cause trouble.”
“But the trees, Tara! Think of Atlas and Goliath…they’re not things. They’re living beings.” I steadied my shaking hands long enough to pour a glass. “I and I isn’t just a nul-being. I and I isn’t just a tree. The trees and the emanations are one being, bound together, forever altered by their mutual dependence.” I gulped the wine quickly. I could barely keep myself from breaking into sobs. “It’s wrong, Tara. It’s wrong for the Cu’ensali to murder their trees.”
“Ailann, do you think I like doing this? I’ve told RR Labs to prepare to start producing Desicloram 2-B. I’ve spent my whole life nurturing plants, and now, to be associated with a poison like that…”
No, this would not be easy for her. She loved the nau’gsh. I stared at the empty glass in my hand, feeling like a complete failure. My resolve lost in a moment of stress.
Why can’t I just stop, like Chase did?
« Probably because you’re not Chase, » said Tarlach.
He was most certainly right, but I wanted to strangle him.
“If we used laser-bots, it could take months to destroy all the trees,” said Danak. “Can RR Labs produce enough of the herbicide?”
“That depends. We don’t know the extent of the problem. We don’t have a census of Cu’ensali.” Tara grabbed her datapad, gesturing to open the infopull. “Figuring an average of 250,000 trees/square kilometer in Dolparessa’s forested zones, that’s an estimated 5.5*1012 trees total, of which 52% are Earth transports in the green zone, and 19% are common nau’gsh. The rest are 16% undifferentiated Cu’endhari, 6% Arya, .0004% Cu’enmerengi and .00002% Cu’enashti. So if we figure that half of the undifferentiated nau’gsh have emanated Cu’ensali, we’re talking at least 440,000,000,000.”
I couldn’t grasp the number. I poured another glass, visibly trembling this time. Sooner or later, the pain would be too great for even the alcohol to numb. I remember when that happened, so many years ago, when we’d believed that Tara had been killed in a shuttle malfunction. I remember lying on the floor of the anteroom, curled up like a dried leaf, sobbing and sobbing until I could feel the skeins of energy that powered the entire Domha’vei unravelling in my head. And when I rose from the floor, it was mad Suibhne rising, Suibhne, who became Archon, making life possible for billions of humans, because I wasn’t strong enough. It had only cost him his mind.
« That’s because I know what you need, » said Suibhne.
« What do I need? »
« A penguin. Penguins always make me feel better at a time like this. »
It was absurd. I started to giggle inappropriately, took a quick swallow of wine to suppress it, but nearly choked.
Tara and Danak stared at me. Their dignified Living God was coming undone.
« Ailann, » said Malachi. « Ask them if they’re certain all the Cu’ensali want immolation, or just the extremists. »
It was a lifeline. Under Malachi’s words I could feel him, and Suibhne, and all of the rest, silently lending me their support. I wasn’t alone. I could let go – they wouldn’t allow me to fall.
“I can’t seriously believe you’re considering murder on that scale. And we have no idea whether all the Cu’ensali feel this way, or whether it’s just extremists.”
“Fair enough,” Tara said. “Then we have them self-identify. It will also assure that we don’t kill juvenile Cu’endhari by accident. Let’s tell the Cu’ensali who want to return to the nul-universe to register with the Department of Forestry. We’ll say that we’re putting them on a waiting list while we consider the best method for their repatriation. That might buy us some time.”
“The Archon needs to make a statement explaining the situation,” said Danak. “Humans will feel better knowing what’s going on, the Cu’ensali might tend to stop immolating if they know we’re working to help them go home, and the MPP might stop retaliating when they understand the pain and desperation of the Cu’ensali.”
“Even if the Cu’ensali think it’s voluntary, what about their trees?” I challenged.
“Once they emanate, they aren’t the same trees anymore. You, of everyone, should know that. Without the mothman, Atlas…”
“Atlas dreams. The grove dreams. It dreams the memories of forty-nine emanations.”
“And what does a Cu’ensali dream? An unending nightmare?”
“We don’t know that,” I said weakly. But we did know that at least some of the Cu’ensali were miserable, and willing to resort to violent solutions. What Tara and Danak were advocating made sense…and yet. “I just can’t do it, Tara.”
“Then I will. I’ll take responsibility. I’ll issue the order directly from the Matriarch.”
“Just give me some time. Give us all some time to figure out a better way.”
“Time is what we don’t have,” Tara snapped. “Do you understand the situation with the Alliance of Mankind? If they attack us, the SongLuminants will retaliate for certain. Then billions of innocent people will die, as opposed to Cu’ensali who want death anyway. We’ve got to settle the domestic problem before the interstellar one blows up in our faces.”
“How can you talk as though the lives of sentient beings mean nothing?”
“I can talk that way because I’m the Matriarch of Skarsia and humanity’s nuncio to the Combine of Sentients. And who made me those things? You know, Clive tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen. You’re not going to achieve my so-called destiny without sacrifice.”
“Tara, I can’t support…”
“Helping the Cu’ensali go home? Stopping the attacks to Cu’enashti and Cu’enmerengi? How many branches with lives and families have to burn to protect trees which may have no interest in survival?”
I knew she was right. And yet, I knew she wasn’t. But what right had I to challenge my Chosen? What right had I to endanger my people for the sake of my own ethics?
I should agree to make the announcement. About half a bottle of scotch and I could do that.
« Ailann, » said Cillian, « you’re not wrong. »
That pulled me up short. Cillian was merciless when he needed to be. He had destroyed the entire Microbial species because he had determined that it was impossible to peacefully co-exist.
« We need more information, » said Cüinn. « I’m not convinced that we have all the pieces of the puzzle. For example, why did the situation escalate so quickly? Puce had set up a situation where the Cu’enashti and the Cu’enmerengi would be at each other’s throats, and then abandoned it almost immediately. »
« That’s true, » said Solomon. « The burning of that farmer destroyed the Cu’enmerengi sympathy for the Cu’ensali. And then the suicides started. »
« If they hate their lives so much, why not have immolated a long time ago? » asked Dermot.
« Possibly because it takes more alchemical capacity than any Cu’ensali has on its own, » said Mickey. « It’s taking a few dozen of them to destroy one tree. »
« There’s something else, » said Patrick. « Apparently, there are at least three factions which seem to be working at cross-purposes. Puce is trying to incite a war. Amaranth is advocating immolation. But what does Mauve want? Working through Jaxxon, he tried to contact us twice. Now Jaxxon is dead, which means that somebody doesn’t want us to talk to Mauve. »
“Tara,” I said. “Do you trust me? Do you trust Ashtara?”
Tara looked away. She was silent for a moment. “How much time do you need?”
“I’m going to try to contact Mauve.”
She wheeled back on me. “And get yourself captured again?”
“That isn’t the plan.”
“Was it the plan the first two times?”
“The first time, definitely not. But the second time…probably yes.”
She ran her fingers through her hair. “And how do you plan to find Mauve? Stand out in the courtyard and yell? Issue an invitation to a formal ball?”
“I’ll figure it out,” I said. “Give me until sunset.”
*The Voynich Manuscript, once the subject of much speculation, is recognized in the 36th Century to be a temporally displaced Floatfish catalog of plants with commercial potential. The Floatfish text informs us that Whalarios enjoy T. succubus as a flavoring herb or salad green – trans.