'I wanted to say that I am sorry for what happened. I beg your forgiveness and ask for your help in holding our great Clarion together.'
'Why do you need my help?' Paul asked.
'The heretics in your group have stirred up trouble,' Brill said. 'A false Godstone was displayed, and how my children are confused.' He paused. 'Perhaps even doubting. You and I must
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reach a compromise, or there will be needless violence.'
He's afraid to kill us! Paul said with sudden realization. The people from the temple—they followed us out there because they saw the Godstone. Paul remembered some of the words he'd spoken from that bench in the courtyard. They had been trite and meaningless to him, but to people in awe of the silver Godstone in his hand, they must have been very real. He knows his position has been weakened. He's afraid he'll create a martyr!
'It doesn't matter,' Dorland said aloud. What do you mean, it doesn 't matter? He'll kill us if he thinks we won't go along. Say whatever it takes to get us out of here. We'll sort it out later. Fear was a hard knot inside Paul.
'They're looking for you,' Dorland said. 'Both UNSA and the Fringe Alliance.'
'The Fringe Alliance?' The puzzled look on Brill's face was not contrived.
'The Alliance is a group of planets under the control of a man named Hans Maiar. He wants the secrets of the Tal Tahir, and he'll destroy Clarion to get them.'
'You have brought this trouble!' Brill snarled, his supplicating tone turning instantly to fury. He pointed an accusing finger at Dorland. His hand doubled into a fist. 'Clarion is free, and Lord Tern will see that it remains that way. We will tolerate no interference from outsiders.'
'You won't have a choice,' Dorland told him.
'They're coming. Knives and dart guns won't stop them. They have warships that can destroy
Fairhope and Chalcharuzzi with one blow.' What are you trying to prove by antagonizing him? Paul asked. He's an old man. Tell him what he wants to hear.
I can't. I am a kra'ith leader.
'Our strength and faith in Lord Tern will give us 200 William Greenleaf
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201
victory.' Brill opened his glistening eyes to stare at Doriand. 'You can share the victory by joining us. If you refuse, we can accomplish the same end by taking you to the God Wall. When the people of Fairhope see that you have no personal god to protect you, they will return to Lord Tern.'
'Your time has ended,' Doriand said. 'Why can't you accept that gracefully?'
Brill made a sound that was something between a laugh and a death rattle. He waved a hand, and the two boys grasped Dorland's arms and lifted him from the chair.
Doriand, you can't let him take us to the God Wall—
Doriand did not resist when the boys forced him around and walked him down the long carpet to the door. A moment later, they stepped into bright sunlight.
Desperation made Paul try something he
wouldn't have believed possible. He reached out for the tenuous sensations he felt around him—the muscles of Dorland's legs under him, his shoulders in the grip of the boys—
We're getting out ofhere
—and forced his own orders to Dorland's legs. They responded sluggishly, and Doriand pulled free of the boys and began a shambling run across the lawn. Paul felt resistance from Doriand and stumbled, caught himself and kept running.
