Exile's Honor

make him admit to himself that his own leaders didn't deserve his loyalty?'

'Gerichen,' Talamir said, instantly. 'That young Sunpriest. He's—' He groped for words. 'He's transparent. Eventually, I suppose he'll learn to mask what he's thinking, but for now his openness will work for us.'

'All very well, but what about within the Collegium?' Sendar persisted. 'We need a Herald—'

'Jadus, I think. He's taking a turn at instructor this term. And Elcarth. Both of them are so utterly different from anyone Alberich will have encountered before.' He thought for a moment longer. 'I'll have to keep an eye on things, though. The instructors can hardly be expected to act as nursemaids to him. I'd like to assign another Trainee to him, but there just aren't any that are adult at the moment. I can't have anyone younger acting as his guide. He'll resent it—'

Sendar nodded, but Selenay spoke up.

'Make him my bodyguard,' she suggested.

They both turned to stare at her.

'Well,' she said defensively, 'If you make him my bodyguard, I can help him to settle in. He won't be offended, and in fact, he'll probably be flattered. After all, it isn't as if a mere Captain would ever be made the personal guard to anyone important in Karse! Making him my guard will show that we trust him, and I think that could be very important in making him trust us. Don't you think?'

'Actually,' Sendar said slowly. 'Yes. I do.'

'And while he's at it, he can teach me Karsite. Someone ought to know how to speak it.'

:Brilliant,: Taver enthused. Absolutely brilliant!:

'Even if the rest of the Council will have apoplexy?' Talamir asked dubiously.

Selenay raised her chin. 'Yes. And I think you ought to tell them that this was my idea. They might as well get used to the notion that I can think for myself. I'm too old to be chucked under the chin and called 'little one' and told not to bother my pretty head about things.'

Which is going to come as a shock to no few of them. Talamir kept his sighs strictly mental. Evidently the gods had decided that he was going to have to make do with fewer candlemarks of rest from now on—because he certainly was not going to leave all of this to the sole attention of Heralds Elcarth and Jadus, worthy though they might be.

'So be it.' Sendar gave his blessing and dismissal all in one, despite Talamir's misgivings. Admittedly, though, the misgivings were all concerned with other people's reactions to Alberich, and not anything having to do with Alberich's trustworthiness. Kantor was convinced; so was Taver. That was all that Talamir needed. 'Talamir, I'd like you to organize Elcarth and Jadus. Let them recruit Priest Gerichen, not you.'

'Oh, that shouldn't be difficult,' Talamir admitted. 'I suspect that Gerichen's superior already has something like that in mind, since he brought the fellow along this afternoon on his official pastoral visit.'

'Then once he's on his feet and ready to be integrated into the Collegium, Selenay, I'd like you to see to the bodyguard business,' Sendar continued. His daughter nodded, her eyes bright.

'Easily done,' she replied confidently. She looked like a cat that had just made off with an entire jug full of cream and a brace of trout to boot. Very pleased with herself.

:She should be,: Taver put in.

Perhaps—but she still seemed very young to him. Too young to be so closely involved with this potentially dangerous situation. He could readily foresee Council members suspecting that Alberich was subverting the young Heir....

:Yes, but that's supposed to be what she is going to do to him,: replied Taver. :Really, Chosen, if you think that a healthy young man is going to be indifferent to an intelligent and attractive young lady, and isn't going to be influenced by her, you're very much mistaken.:

:You have a point. And I'm sure the thought has crossed her father's mind as well,: he admitted.

He sensed Taver's amusement. :There you have it. If you take that line with the Council, it will be clear that Sendar believes Selenay can handle the responsibility.:

:True....: That would be all to the good.