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Ogram flip-flopped a hand. 'As well as can be expected at his age. He lost a leg three years ago fighting his way out of a trap the deacons left for him. A doctor from Fairhope fitted a wooden peg for him. He gets by.'
Dorland's eyes dropped to his hands. 'Blackburn?'
'Ah, yes. Olaf is still with us. Not K-amer, though. He and Brit Jones were pinned to the God Wall last year.'
Something like a sigh escaped Dorland's compressed lips. Then: 'My father knew violence would break out eventually. His main goal was to prevent it.'
'High Elder Brill started it, not us,' Ogram said defensively. 'You should know that. Sabastian says you're the only one who might be able to find out what Brill is up to. He says your early training will help you find a way to stop him.' He paused, watching Dorland. 'You ran out on us once. There's no reason to think you would come back now. But Sabastian says you're our last hope. He also says that you have to come back on your own. He doesn't want me to force you.'
Paul issued a grunt of humorless laughter.
'That's why you brought the gun?'
'I brought the gun to make sure nobody tried to stop me until I could get my piece said.'
'You've done that. Now you can get out.'
'I'm waiting for the answer.'
'His answer is no—'
'You're probably right,' Ogram said. He slumped further down in the chair with his legs straight out in front of him. Crossed at the ankles. The black gun was held loosely in his lap. The tension in his, face gave way to a look of heavylidded unconcern. 'But I have to hear it from the great psi-player himself.'
CLARION 25
Paul turned to Dorland. 'Tell him you aren't interested so he'll get out of here.'
Dorland' nodded slightly, but his eyes were on Ogram. 'I'm sorry about John. He was a good man. I owe him my life.'
'Well, at least you acknowledge that.'
'I didn't run out. I wanted to stay, but Sabastian pushed me.'
'Then you'll come back?'
'I can't. We're on a tour, booked for five more shows.'
Ogram's eyelids lifted slightly. 'You don't believe the future of Clarion and thousands of lives are worth your five precious shows?' He waited. Then his lips formed the slight, mocking smile.
'No, I suppose not.' He gathered his legs in front of him and pushed himself out of the chair. He stood looking at Dorland with the gun down at his side. 'It's too bad High Elder Brill couldn't see your show today. He would have been amused. Actually, it's not too different from his own Godsday service.' He issued a short bark of laughter. 'Unfortunately, Bekman won't be able to give him a report about it.'
It took Paul a moment to recall that Ogram had used the name earlier. 'Bekman's the man who tried to kill Dorland?'
Ogram nodded. 'Lon Bekman. One of Brill's deacons. Slimy scum. I hope he dies and burns on the Far Peaks with the rest of them. I tried to warn you about him.'
'You're the one who called the hotel before the show?'
'Little good it did. When I saw Bekman up there by the stage, I realized I was too far away to stop him.' He considered. 'Not sure I would have tried, anyway. Bekman was very good with the burp
gun.' Ogram's eyes drifted slowly back to Dorland. 26 William Greenleaf
