bought her and sent her to me. Once she was established I tried to question her but-' His shrug was expressive.
Dumarest said, 'Then you have no real proof she was ever connected with the temple.'
'There is the tattoo. Twelve petals surrounding a circle quartered by a cross. You know what that signifies. Look closer and you will see that the cross is set within a pentagram. Five sides, one for each of the senses, the common hallmark of humanity. The curlicues resemble schematics. The twelve petals symbolize-'
'The Sign of the Zodiac,' snapped Dumarest. 'That still isn't proof. Anyone can copy a tattoo.'
'I have other evidence. The association is undeniable. She was attached to the temple and must know what it contains.'
The answer to where Earth was to be found but, Dumarest sensed, Ishikari hoped for more. He stood by the table, apparently calm, but the wine in the glass he held quivered a different message. Then, as if aware of the betrayal, he set down the container.
Dumarest said, 'Was Karlene indentured? You said your agent bought her.'
'The charlatan claimed debts due to maintenance. It was easier to pay than argue. She was found on Threndor-a world of the Sharret Cluster.'
'I want to see her.'
'No. She must not be bullied.'
'I want to apologize, not threaten. I was a little rough with her.' A mistake, the shock hadn't achieved its objective. Dumarest added, 'I might even be able to find out what you want to know.'
'I told you-'
'Fugue, yes, but there are more ways than one of reaching the truth. I could be lucky-and what have you to lose?'
* * *
She sat in her room like a broken doll, a toy used and discarded, slumped on the edge of her bed, head lowered, face hidden by the cascade of her hair. Dumarest touched it, caressed the fine strands, the soft flesh of her naked arms. Beneath his fingers he felt the jerk and twitch of muscles. A woman locked in the grip of conflicting emotions. A child, lost, bewildered, needing help.
To the maid standing by he said, 'Leave us.'
'But-'
'Do it!'
As she obeyed Dumarest sat at Karlene's side, his thigh touching her own, one arm around her shoulders, the other parting the hair before her face. Tears marred her cheeks and her lips held the moist looseness of a frightened child.
'Karlene.' His tone was gentle, soothing. 'Come back to me, darling. Come back now. Wake up and join me. I need you. Come back to me. Karlene, come back to me.'
'Earl?' Her voice was small, empty. 'Earl?'
'You're safe, darling. Nothing can hurt you. There's no need to hide.' He continued speaking, words which formed a comforting drone as his hands stroked her hair, her body. The treatment he would give to a frightened animal. 'Come back to me, Karlene. Come back to me.'
'Earl?' Her voice was stronger as she turned toward him. Emptiness vanishing as if she woke from sleep. 'Is that you, darling?' Her hands groped, found his, closed with crushing intensity. 'You attacked me. I thought you were going to kill me. A dream. Was it a dream?'
'I asked you a question. Don't you remember?'
'No.'
'It seemed to upset you.'
'Why should it do that?'
'I don't know. Tell me about your life on Threndor. The man you worked for before you joined Ishikari. How did you meet?'
'He found me. He must have found me. I was lost and cold and frightened and… and…' She shook her head, frowning. 'I can't remember.'
'Never mind. Did he ever talk about your past? Ask what you'd done before you met?'
'I don't think so. No.'
'Wasn't he curious?' Dumarest waited then said, gently, 'Surely he must have wanted to know something about you. A beautiful young girl. Others could have been looking for you. There could have been the possibility of a reward.' Casually he added, 'How old were you when you met?'
'I don't know. I don't think he liked me much. Not before he found out about-' She fell silent then, in a different tone, said, 'I don't want to talk about it.'
'Then we won't.'
'Not now. Not ever.'
'I understand.' Dumarest freed his hand from the woman's grasp. 'I wish you could trust me as much as you trust Ishikari.'
'What do you mean?'
'Surely he must have asked you about your past? He took you in, looked after you. Maybe you're related in some way. Why did he send you to Erkalt?'
'I was working. With Hagen. You know that.'
'But you told Ishikari about me. Why?'
'You needed help. He said he could help you. You agreed to meet him. You know all this.'
Dumarest said, 'What I don't know is what he wants. What he hopes to find. Why is he so interested in the temple?' He saw the sudden blankness of her eyes. 'Karlene! Stay with me!'
'I'm sorry.' She drew a shuddering breath. 'I feel confused. All these questions. Earl-what do you want of me?'
'Answers. About Ishikari. Don't you remember the questions he asked? The details he wanted?'
Her face gave the answer. She remembered Ishikari's probing no more than she remembered his own recent violence. The fugue into which she escaped blurred the cause of its creation and turned real events into the figment of a dream.
Chapter Seven
By day the church was bright with pennons of blue and white; colors of purity and hope. At night lanterns of the same hues signaled to all that here was to be found help and comfort both of body and mind. And, always, throngs came to partake of both.
Brother Tessio walked among them, tall, austere in his brown robe and sandals. A costume designed for utility, devoid of ostentation. Not even the heads of the great establishments wore a different garb. Not even those who ruled the great seminaries on Peace and Hope. The Church of Universal Brotherhood had no use for hypocrisy; a jewel would buy food for the starving, gold braid provide medicine for the sick, expensive fabrics make a mockery of the humility which alone could alleviate the suffering of humanity.
'Brother.' A woman caught at his hand. 'Please help me. My child-' The small bundle beside her stirred with a fitful wailing. 'Please!'
'You will be seen,' promised Tessio. 'And the child will be helped.'
With medicines, antibiotics, drugs. With the skill of monks trained in manipulation, hypnosis, natural healing. As the others waiting in the annex would be helped and sent on their way. Some would leave a donation; others, too poor to give even that, would mouth thanks; and some would offer their labor at menial tasks.
But none would ever be refused.
Tessio sighed as he reached the far end of the room and passed through a door into a passage. From behind drawn curtains he heard the murmur of voices and lingered at the cubicle containing Brother Vendell. A good man, if inclined to be impatient. One who chafed at the irksome necessity of making haste slowly.
'Look into the light,' he heard the monk say to the suppliant kneeling before him. 'Relax. Concentrate on the
