The

Master’s Talent

Ray McCarthy

Books by Ray McCarthy

Talents Universe

The Apprentice’s Talent

The Journeyman’s Talent

The Solar Alliance

Starship Chief

The Master’s Talent

The Legal Talent

The Mission’s Talent

Celtic Otherworld

Under the Stone of Destiny

Carrying the Shining Sword

Seeking the Flaming Spear

Hero Genesis

No Silver Lining

Exiles and Rooks

Fairy Godmothers

Conspiracies and Rooks

The Fay Child

Artists and Rooks

Dwarves and Rooks

Goths and Rooks

Jewels and Rooks

The Wooing of Marion

The Ensorcelled Maid

Four Kids, one Foxe

Trader’s Isle

The Seven Talismans

The White Fire Stones

The Master’s Talent

Ray McCarthy

Maisie has returned from her visit to Tellus (Earth). Maisie is reaping the results of her foolishness. How can she teach class and be the Emperor’s Emissary on a ‘First Contact’ Mission? How can she put off any public announcement about her relationship with Olef?

The last part of the Maisie Trilogy (The Apprentice’s Talent, The Journeyman’s Talent) and book 5 of the ‘Talent’s Universe’. It’s best read after ‘The Solar Alliance’ and ‘Starship Chief’.

All persons are imaginary.

The cover is a photo-montage by Michael Watterson.

Copyright conditions: All Rights Reserved, purchases may be archived securely or converted for personal use to other ebook formats. Uploading or sharing copies is violation of copyright even if the file was obtained without cost.

Title: The Master’s Talent

Copyright © 2016, 2020 Ray McCarthy, M. Watterson

Version 1.22

Cover © 2017 Michael Watterson.

Smashwords eBook ISBN: 9781370412808

Amazon ASIN: B06W527N3L

Also published by Corvids Press

Corvids Press epub ISBN: 9781801021357

Large Print ISBN: 9781801021074

Hardback ISBN: 9781801021005

Large paperback ISBN: 9781801021142

Medium paperback ISBN: 9781801021210

Pocketbook ISBN: 9781801021289

CC Audiobook ISBN: 9781801021586

BISAC: Fiction / Science Fiction / Adventure

About 114,800 words

About the Talents Universe series

The ‘Talents Universe’ series are all stories connected by characters with the mysterious Talent, of which there are seven kinds, or with some involvement of the Caemorian Empire, a world 80,000 light years away from Earth (Tellus) on the other side of the Milky Way. Apart from Jump Drive for the starships and the psychic like Talent, the Science Fiction attempts to be compatible with known science.

Mostly involving the activities of the Caemorian Empire, a single planet 80,000 light years from Earth. They are about 5000 years more advanced. Their culture dominates nearly a third of the Milky Way. Anyone developing Talent, always at puberty, must be trained in the Circle College on Caemoria.

Many of the stories involve Maisie Kelly from Ireland. She is the first person from Earth with the special Talent. The time scale is contemporary, and as we didn’t notice any giant starship visiting, it must be an alternate reality? The series was started in 1997 as a contemporary themed First Contact story, though parts were written in 1988.

https://www.corvidspress.com/

Visit the site to make comments, corrections or visit the blogs. The link, text and QR code are all the same location. Use your phone’s QR scanner if reading on paper or an old ereader with no HTTPS support.

Contents

The Master’s Talent

1: Kenrith and the Mentor

2: More Arrivals

3: New Classes

4: Weddings

5: Preparations

6: Tellurians Arrive

7: Outward Bound

8: Grand Central

9: Laramos

10: The Secretive Seven

11: Inward to Morglun

12: First Landing

13: Meeting at Holmberg

14: The Exhibition

15: Nogla and the King

16: Analysis

17: Down Below

18: Balance of Power

19: A Villa by the Sea

20: The Ambassadors

21: Station Ownership

22: The Caemorian Residence

23: Leaving

24: New Station

25: Home Again

26: Resolution

27: Hertness

28: Epilogue

Other Books

The Celtic Otherworld Series

The Talent Universe Series

The Traders Isle Series

1: Kenrith and the Mentor

Read the novella ‘Starship Chief’ first!

Kenrith closed the door on Matron’s office. For a medical it had been strange, but he’d never been examined by a Mage before. He checked his Crystal. Time to meet his Mentor. Arch Chancellor Millifore hadn’t told him anything except where her office was, strangely at her apartment, and the time to visit. This was his first visit Down Below as he had lived all his twelve years on a starship. Yet it seemed he’d not see much outside Circle College till he became a Journeyman. The College, the oldest part of the Circle College Campus, was a strange mixture of old pre-industrial style buildings like 6,000 years ago merged with new structures though he’d read that it was just style, nothing was over 1,500 years old and most was less than 500 years old.

He hurried down the spiral staircase of the tower, past the ground floor café and down the mall out into the upper courtyard. It was quite cold now, and the courtyard was mostly in shadow. Opposite the main administration block, top of stairs on the right, he remembered.

Kenrith, though a Karnd wasn’t from Caemoria. He was a little puffed climbing up the stairs in a gravity of nearly 1.3 g in thinner air compared to the starship, which only had stairs for emergencies. The thin air was purely due to the altitude, the old volcanic plug that the actual colleges sat on was in the middle of an area of meadows and shallow valleys surrounded by a ring of mountains, among the highest on Caemoria.

He pressed the doorbell button and a pretty Karnd woman with darker skin opened the door almost at once.

“Master N’Riada Maetze?” he said. “I’m N’Foudanae Jotlani Dransat Kenrith.” He used the Spacer formal style of adding his parent’s names after their married name. The dark Karnd woman laughed lightly.

“No, Kenrith,” she replied. “I’m Assistant Lady N’Lonth Kaytim, you’ll be looking for my Charge, Maisie. Just call me Kaytim though, unless we are in public outside the Circle College territory, then you have to recognise my rank.”

“Maisie?” he said. “I was sure it was pronounced Maetze.” He saw that indeed she was partly robed as a Baronetess, so not quite noble.

“Come in,” urged Kaytim.

The curtains were still open on the full length windows. On the right was the upper courtyard now completely in shadow, but on the left was a breathtaking view to the west and the setting sun making the distant peaks look as if on fire. The large balcony had a table as well as different sizes of chairs and stools. He had time to realise the building must be on the edge of the cliff with woods on a spur below. The airstrip – he’d seen it on the campus map – must be hidden by the trees.

Kaytim led him through the large lounge to a study, the walls lined with books. A strange Off-Worlder woman got up from behind the desk and smiled. She was a little taller than the tallest Karnds, but perhaps similar to some Malthins or shortest Lorms in height and build, but quite like a Karnd in the face, though with a rounder chin than normal. He noticed she had made the standard welcome gesture with her hands, which drew attention to the fact they each had an extra finger compared to his own Karnd species. He stared. Her skin was a slightly different hue to his own, though as light and thus a little paler than many Karnds, though he’d heard that some of the Arctic dwellers were very pale. Kaytim was really quite dark compared to himself. Yet Maisie’s hair was jet black and eyes a rich brown. She couldn’t possibly be a Karnd, there was no Karnd female scent. He suspected that she might even be a mammal. Her Master’s outfit was unusual. It had noble serpents and she had the Privy Council necklace as well as the College Council necklace, that seemed to him to be unusual. Talents couldn’t be in Government anywhere surely? Maybe there was a loophole.

“Kenrith?” she asked. “I suppose it would be too much co-incidence that you are related to Kordina and Raemaren? I mean being from Sept Foudanae and Dransat in your name?”

“Err,” Kenrith stammered, realising he’d almost missed her speaking to him, “my grandparents, but my parents are nothing very important.” Her question surprised him because instead of the expected Off-Worlder accent, her Karndic was like a native Caemorian. “Do you know them?”

“No, they must be proud of you,” she said. “You are the first Spacer Talent, I think, certainly in recent times. I never met your grandparents, though they certainly probably don’t even know of me, we do have a mutual friend.”

“Maybe, but I think more upset that I had to leave. I said I’d come back, but they all seemed to think I wouldn’t.”

“Sadly they may be right,” said Maisie. “I don’t think I’ll go back. I thought I would at first, I did visit recently. Most Off-Worlders do go home, but I expect it might be different for you. Have a seat.”

“I’ll make some Jhai,” said Kaytim.

“Can I ask, I know it’s rude,” said Kenrith, “but what are you?” He’d met very many species on the starship, Grand Central, New Station and other way stations as very many species of humans mixed there, but none at all like this, she couldn’t be Marsupial like Karnd or Oviparous like Hoti. Nor remotely like the Akasurip, because though placental, they didn’t suckle at all. Her build certainly suggested the Lorm biology of Mammal that suckled young, but her hair, skin, face and fingers were nothing like a Lorm or Malthin, though very few if any Malthins would be as short. Apart from the strange skin tint, extra fingers and subtly different chest she looked like a very tall Karnd, even her hair had a Karnd like coarseness, though not as shiny. There was a slight odour, not unpleasant, perhaps an artificial scent. People on the starships, Flitters and way stations rarely used artificial scents, so he wasn’t sure.

“Arch Warlock, Adept Mage, Masters of Mentalism, Magery and Warlockery and member of the Order of Dragons.”

“I studied about Talents and the College since I was Searched,” he said, “so I guessed most of that from your robes. I mean what species?”

“Tellurian,” she laughed. “I’m one of only two away from Tellus, so far, though the first Tellurian starship is now decelerating in the system. Tellus is about 80,000 light years away, on the other side of the Galactic Core. The other Tellurian is on Grand Central. She’s normal. Also even for a Mage I do look terribly young. Guess.”

“You can’t be three Masters and be as young as you look,” he said, “perhaps Tellurians just look young compared to most? No doubt the Mage Talent keeps you young looking.” He noted she’d not referred to Tellus as home and remembered she’d said something about not going back.

“Not at all. Actually we normally age faster and look older than Karnds despite much less UV light there. I’m actually the same age as my senior Assistant, Kaytim and should look older.”

Though actually due to her Chinese mother and Irish father, N’Riada Maisie, originally Mei Zhen Kelly, would look striking on Earth even if she was normal, but he didn’t know that till much later.

“You have another Assistant?” asked Kenrith. He supposed though that someone on a council might need one.

“Denys, another Karnd woman,” explained Maisie, “also Kaytim has an Assistant, Larin. However they are rarely here.”

Kaytim set a tray down on the table. Kenrith studied Kaytim. She had to be in her late twenties, maybe even over thirty, he thought, also she had a very pleasant natural female scent, she was very attractive.

Kenrith had just reached the age when Karnd boys realised just how attractive Karnd women could be. He blushed despite trying to remain calm.

“So what is the mentoring about?” he asked, looking back to the rather less interesting Maisie, though pretty in a way, especially for a different species.

“Twenty eight,” muttered Kaytim.

He supposed she knew quite well why he’d blushed when he’d stared at her.

“I suppose I have sort of mentored Raelf,” continued Maisie. “He’s finished his apprenticeship and is my special student. Other than that I’m actually not sure. I think you are supposed to let me know if anything is a problem and I’m supposed to let you know if something might be a problem. Kaytim is a sort of alter ego, my Assistant, so you can tell her anything you’d want to tell me. We have no secrets. Sometimes I’m not here as I’m also an Assistant to the Wildgrave, Plonnis. So is there anything now you need to talk about?” said Maisie.

He wondered why she was explaining what everyone knew about an Assistant, perhaps they didn’t have them on Tellus. “I can’t think of anything,” he said after a pause. “How long ago did you leave Tellus?”

“Well, I guess about five years ago, maybe six,” said Maisie. “Have a bun and drink your Jhai. Actually, I get confused with the different year lengths and calendars, also the time spent travelling on the starships. Don’t be tempted to save time on a Klah ship, I did, never again. I did on short visit to Tellus about a year ago.”

“I had a VR tour of one and a description,” he said, “it sounded bad.”

“It’s the pain and no eating for a while after that’s bad,” said Maisie.

“I agree,” said Kaytim, “surely the worst thing I ever let you talk me into.”

“You went too?”

“Not just me,” said Kaytim, “unfortunately it wasn’t a good time to visit and we didn’t really have any opportunity to be tourists. An official first contact, as the earlier starship visit only picked up Maisie. Then we brought the second Tellurian to Grand Central.”

The doorbell rang and Maisie jumped up and nearly ran to open the front door.

“My friend, Olef,” said Maisie. “Olef this is Apprentice Kenrith, a new student. I’m his Mentor, though perhaps I shouldn’t have said.”

Olef was a short Penthnegin, though that was relative as he was still taller than many other species, a good bit taller than Maisie.

“Nice to meet you,” said Olef. “Presumably the Arch Chancellor matched you up because you are both Off-Worlders and Mages, though that would be unusual. Or something clever not obvious yet.”

“The Arch Chancellor rarely explains why he decides something,” said Maisie, “but usually later it’s revealed to be a wise decision. Like suggesting to Kaytim to be my Assistant.”

“I admit some people were sceptical I’d work out as anyone’s Assistant!” said Kaytim. “What do you think Olef?”

“I made no comment then,” he said, “so I’d hardly comment much now. I can think of no better suited pair.”

“If there is nothing more?” said Kenrith. “I better go to my dorm and get ready for supper in the Great Hall.”

“Yes,” said Maisie, “who are you sharing with?”

“Raelf, Journeyman Enchanter, a young Malthin, and four others I haven’t met yet, I guess a different Raelf to the one you tutor as you are not an Enchanter.” He suspected she could easily look this up and the question was to see how much he had learnt already, or just something to say.

“No, it’s the same Raelf,” said Maisie. “We are chronically short of Enchanters, so the Arch Chancellor delegated it to me and helps me out occasionally if I’m stuck.”

“That seems an odd arrangement,” he said.

“It’s odd even for here, but it’s working so far,” said Maisie. “I managed to become Master of Mentalism and I have no talent in the first circle at all. Mastery is about technique, knowledge, maturity and experience, not the actual talent involved. In theory even someone with no Talent could become a Master. Literally it’s only a qualification to teach, though it’s normal to display Mastery of your own Talent to be approved by the council. There are many odd things done in college.”

“I never read that anywhere?”

“I doubt it’s written clearly like that. Best you say that Raelf’s tuition is a matter between him and the Arch Chancellor, with me supervising Raelf. You’ll not hear a complaint from Raelf. You better go, but no running allowed, just like on a starship I think!”

“Yes, no running there,” he agreed. “Thanks.”

Maisie went and saw him out.

“What you think of my new student, Kaytim?” Maisie asked when she sat down.

“He’s very confident, self assured for his age,” said Kaytim. “He wasn’t daunted either by mistaking me as you, or mispronouncing your name or meeting a species he’d not encountered before, notice he cleverly avoided estimating your age. He seems comfortable with his new Apprentice robes too. But I’m amazed as you trip up several times a month on things you don’t know, yet you seem to know his grandparents, Kordina, Raemaren and their Sept Foudanae? She’s a starship Sept Chief.”

“I don’t actually,” said Maisie, “but Juili, the Captain of the Intergal, does know them, or did more than thirty years ago. She still keeps in touch with Kordina. I still swap messages with Juili. You met her brother. How do you know?”

“I researched his background better than you did,” said Kaytim, “or else you are getting devious. I knew about Juili, but you never mentioned Kordina and Raemaren when we foisted Heidi on Juili’s brother Kramonat at the inn.”

“No, I didn’t discuss it,” Maisie leaned forward, “even in private. We only spoke about Juili and a little about College and my background that he was curious about. It seems to be largely unknown that as teenagers, Kordina, Raemaren and Juili, went with adults and found the original design documentation for the sync-sats. I’ll tell you the whole story after supper, you’ll like it too, Olef. I wrote it down and got Captain Juili to clarify some points to help my learning of Karndic. I also want to discuss that someone is interfering with stuff I’m preparing for students. Actually we’ll skip off in the Flitter to Dalriada and then they can all hear it. We can discuss the interference with my work on the Flitter. Give Kertlen a call and let him know. Oh and Dairig too.”

Kaytim immediately dashed to Maisie’s room and they heard the lock click.

“They’ll be getting married soon,” said Olef, “do you mind?”

“Even I can see that,” said Maisie. “No I don’t mind, though I’ll be devastated if Kaytim wants to resign as Assistant, or Kertlen as head of Security. Denys can’t replace her, also Larin would be with Kaytim if she left. I thought they would straight after we arrived back from Tellus.”

“I thought you were against marriage?” puzzled Olef.

“That’s a silly notion,” said Maisie. “I’m totally for marriage. It’s just I don’t want it for myself.”

“I think there is no risk of resignations,” said Olef, “but it would hurry them up if you told both of them your view of the idea. Kaytim, Kertlen, Denys and Larin are fiercely loyal to you. Those three woman along with Chainai are your closest friends. Actually these days you even see more of my Assistant, Dairig than I do. With Luci, Chainai’s assistant too, you seven are quite an intimidating female club for Pedar, Kertlen and I.”

“What about Chainai and Pedar?” said Maisie. “Has she sworn a vow of celibacy?”

“Not at all,” said Olef. “They are just circumspect in public. Well, you know her as well as anyone, better than me. Perhaps waiting for something. What about us? People are getting curious. Have you sworn a vow of celibacy?”

“Not particularly,” insisted Maisie. “We are just very good friends. That’s all it will ever be.”

“But have you a problem with us being as we are and being more than good friends? I assure you, no-one else would.”

“Can’t we continue as we are?” said Maisie, “please don’t mention it again, or we will not be friends.”

“I suppose. You should see if Chainai, Luci and Pedar want to come.”

Maisie called Chainai and Pedar and they were happy to skip supper in College and head to Dalriada Court too. Luci and Dairig decided to stay in the Assistant’s apartment.

“You’ll have to go now, Olef,” insisted Maisie. “I’m seeing another new student, she’s very young and only a Novice. I don’t even know why she wants to talk to me, though perhaps it’s because she’s a Warlock, there aren’t very many of us after all, only Enchanters are less common.”

Maisie opened the door for him and was surprised to see the young Hoti girl in black robes just standing at the top of the stairs. She moved to let Olef past.

“Nishkah?” said Maisie softly after Olef was gone.

“You are Master Maisie.”

“Well, yes, there are very few Warlocks. You met Master Hornitar already?”

“Yes, I need to talk to you.”

“You better come in then.”

Maisie sat in the lounge, thinking it would be much less intimating than her study. Kaytim went into the kitchen, leaving the door ajar.

“Have a seat,” suggested Maisie. She waited.

Novice Nishkah stared at the floor.

Maisie wondered why she was only a Novice and not an Apprentice, even the grey of an Acolyte would be somewhat unfair as the child was obviously a Warlock. Then she realised, likely only Master Hornitar had evaluated her, she knew from her own unfortunate experience what that was like. Nishkah was only just turned eleven, so had been an improbable ten when Searched on her Homeworld of Decius.

“It must seem very strange?” suggested Maisie when another silent minute had passed.

“My parents were with me till the way station, then I was on the same starship as Kenrith. I saw him leaving just now. Actually it was he that suggested earlier today that I meet you. Am I really a Warlock?”

Maisie was pretty sure, however touch would tell her how powerful Nishkah might become.

“Sit beside me and let me touch. I’m rubbish at long range analysis of Talent.” Nishkah came and sat beside her. She touched Nishkah gently on the lower arm. “I can tell you will soon have Apprentice Robes. Likely it’s only because you are young you are a Novice at first. Did you hope it was a mistake and you’d be sent home?”

“I do miss home and my family terribly, especially my mother’s grandparents, mum says they spoil me, but no, I’m delighted to get Talent, it’s a rare and special gift.”

“You met with Matron, your Mentor Master Mage Solarinette and Master Hornitar who will be teaching you how to use your warlock Talent?”

“I met Matron first, she and Master Solarinette will help my muscles and bones adapt to the stronger gravity here. Matron is strange, she cut me and then healed it, though certainly she ought to know I have no mage Talent. That was after I met Master Hornitar. He didn’t say much, except that I probably will be a Warlock. I met Solarinette this afternoon.”

Maisie thought that Nishkah was quite the smallest Hoti she’d seen, though it was unlikely she’d be much bigger. She sensed this with her mage Talent. Despite being so young, Nishkah had completed the change of her species. Hence the Talent.

Maisie removed her hand from Nishkah’s arm. “You are definitely a Warlock and probably will be an Adept. I’ll tell the rest of the council.”

“Can’t you be my Mentor?”

“That’s not up to either of us. The Arch Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor decide. The College council can veto it, we had the vote and I didn’t see any reason to veto. Also normally Mentors are deliberately not the same main Talent as the student. Why?”

Nishkah was silent.

Maisie decided it was a bad time to explain about Mentors. “Well, there is no rule against talking to me, or meeting me if you make an appointment via Kaytim or perhaps Denys if she is in College instead. I can’t interfere in your mentoring or in Master Hornitar’s lessons.”

Nishkah started crying and clung to Maisie’s arm. Maisie sighed and took the child on to her lap. She was sobbing just like a small Tellurian child. She remembered doing that, even when she was eighteen.

“Kaytim!” called Maisie.

Kaytim came and sat beside them.

“Ask Solarinette to call me,” suggested Maisie. “What’s wrong Nishkah?”

“I don’t want a smelly sack,” she said between sobs.

Kaytim held up her Crystal so Maisie but not Nishkah could read it.

“Surely Master Hornitar wasn’t getting you to try fireballs using the Alchemist’s mixture for Warlocks yet?”

“No, though he used it. He said only you can use electricity and all Warlocks have to use the Alchemist’s mixture.”

“I’m not sure that’s entirely accurate,” said Maisie carefully. “He’s simplifying it for a beginner, he’ll explain more later. I can’t interfere in his teaching though, you are his student. I don’t actually teach Warlockery, I do teach Magery, Enchantment and some mathematics and science stuff. They’d sooner let me teach some Mentalist stuff than Warlockery.”

“That seems very strange,” said Nishkah, sitting up. Kaytim passed her a large napkin and Nishkah wiped her eyes. “Is there any law or rule against you showing me how to use electricity?”

“That’s an interesting question,” agreed Maisie. “I’ve tried with all the other Warlocks including Hornitar and failed. I’ll discuss an idea with him, I can’t promise I will. You are right, as long as I don’t interfere with your lessons, I can in theory help you study. Can you talk to Kaytim here while I make some calls? She’s only Lady Kaytim outside College, she’s my senior Assistant and Denys is my junior one, you understand?”

“My Dad is Noble, he has an Assistant, Decius culture is supposed to be quite like here.”

“I rather thought he might.” Maisie went to her study and closed the door.

“I have a very weepy Novice Nishkah here,” explained Maisie to Solarinette on the Crystal.

“I’m hardly surprised, what did she say about me?”

“Nothing, she said a little about Matron, nothing negative. I can’t tell you what she said about Master Hornitar without her permission. I told her mentors are usually not the same Talent as the one mentored. Um, I guess I can say she wants to use electricity and not the Alchemist’s mixture and her reaction to Master Hornitar is the same as every other new student, though most like him eventually, because though he’s abrasive he’s actually very fair.”

“He’s a bit inflexible,” agreed Solarinette. “I think Nishkah is a little homesick, I wonder though if I’m the right choice as Mentor. I’ll speak to Millifore. The Mentor’s Talent thing is only a rule, not an absolute law. Kaytim’s message suggests you take her to Dalriada tonight. I’ll sort the Exeat with Deputy Chancellor Dhramini. You’ll have to get Nishkah’s permission and promise that you have a right to share information with her Mentor.”

“I’ll do that. I’m not sure about the idea of taking her to Dalriada.”

“It will cheer her up, this place is a bit overwhelming at first,”suggested Solarinette. “She’ll be fine when she gets to know some people. I’m not a Warlock, I only know what all Apprentices are told, however I find it’s far easier to teach a Mage that’s had no training something new than teach it to a trained Mage. Might it be that if a Warlock learns how to use the Alchemical mix that blocks them somehow from using electricity, also the reverse must be true as you still can’t use regular Alchemical mix?”

“No, I can’t, you’d swear I wasn’t a Warlock at all in that respect. I used an Alchemist with a mind link, it was almost a cheat, but everyone agreed that it was only a technicality anyway. I’ll tread carefully. I already told her that Warlock Hornitar is in charge of her training and you are her Mentor. Really only Arch Chancellor Millifore can change it. I did vote for you. She is definitely a Warlock, she shouldn’t be a novice.”

“I’ll talk to Hornitar and Millifore,” offered Solarinette. “I appreciate you calling me and trying to help.”

“She is delighted to be a Warlock and be here, that’s something. I know we had to agree to tag one Off-Worlder who tried to hide her Talent. I could hardly refuse to see her.”

“We’ve all been warned to keep an eye on Apprentice Falfery and not antagonise her. You’ll likely have her as a student as she’s very old for an Apprentice Mage and good at maths and science.”

“I’ve been briefed. The Arch Chancellor and I have a plan for her that will delight Matron. Not a word though. Bye.”

“Bye, Maisie.”

* * *

“Raelf,” said Kenrith as they walked to the Hall for supper, “you must know Maisie better than any of the students if she is sort of your Master for Enchantment?”

“Actually she was my special tutor from when I arrived,” said Raelf, “she wasn’t actually a Master then, she’s not officially a Master of Enchantment, though likely at College only Arch Chancellor Millifore knows more, I heard a rumour that they wanted to recognise her as one. She’s been a Master Warlock over a year now and since been to the Emperor’s Ball twice and visited her homeworld to sell her parents house, though her only official teaching position is as Master Mage. She missed out her first Emperor’s Ball due to security issues. She brought all her personal stuff here, so I guess she is staying, she’s pretty committed to being a Caemorian. She’s really a Margravine too, not just the Talent rank as she is an Assistant to the Wildgrave and on the Privy Council as well as the College Council. It seemed like an odd arrangement at first. But not as odd as a mind link with a woman. Why do you ask?”

“She’s been appointed officially as my Mentor, I suppose because she’s only secondarily a Mage. Likely I’ll have her for some Mage classes then?”

“Lucky you,” he said, “but it’s not something to be made public. Keep it to yourself. Master Fathris is a really good teacher too for Magery. Warlock Hornitar is the appointed Master Warlock for teaching and they don’t need a second one. Loads more Mages to be taught.”

“Oh I know that,” suggested Kenrith airily. “I only mentioned it to you as she practically claimed to be your Mentor and she doesn’t seem to know much more than me about what’s involved.”

“Sort of a stand in for your parents or other favourite wise adult you go to for advice or to get out of a hole. She knows usually more than she says. The bigger the hole, the more valuable the mentor is.”

“She seemed to suggest that, but what is she like, Raelf?”

“Well, she’ll be good for getting you out of any holes, if you are frank with her.”

“Even girl trouble?”

“Technically she is a Caemorian,” said Raelf stopping and pulling Kenrith into the shadows, “but she’s a Tellurian and though I think mild by their standards, you couldn’t possibly shock her, at least not with the things that would shock the prudish Caemorians or have a Lorm looking for a dark room to lie down in. She might get embarrassed. She blushes just like most do. The other thing is to never ask her for anything unless you are desperate. Because she is filthy rich beyond your wildest imagination and might give it to you.”

“How did she get rich?”

“I bet your starship recently upgraded all screens, displays, cameras, Crystals and Slabs to colour?”

“Yes, we did, it’s wonderful.”

“She gets 1% of sale price of every one, even if it’s made under licence and not directly by House Funathim, like even if it’s your own starship factory producing, she gets 1%.”

“Ye gods,” Kenrith exclaimed, “what does she do with all that?”

“Funds projects like the 50,000 seat and 10,000 seat auditorium and theatre we have at the campus village here, better avatars for paraplegics, rejuvenating an entire town, research on giant portals or interstellar gateways based on sync-sat, but able to swap a pair of freighters instead of message crystals, most people think that one is pointless. She bought her assistant a Flitter last year, same as her own you’d drool at. Yes, I know you are a spacer. You’ve never seen a Flitter like Maisie’s though the new Military fleet is developed from the design. I doubt you’ve seen one of those either. She and her Assistant have #1 and #2 serial numbers of the class, the only two ever made.”

“I heard about the new military Flitter,” said Kenrith, “seems amazing. I’ve seen photos and video. By the way there were two other new students on the starship from the way-point station, an older Malthin Mage and a very young Hoti Warlock.”

They headed down to the Hall.

“Tell me about them?” said Raelf.

“Oh, I think you should form your own opinions on them.”

“They aren’t here as we are nearly late and they are nearly always early.”

“Who?” said Kenrith. “The new students? It’s our first supper.”

“No, Master Maisie, Master Chainai, assistants and friends. I’d say that roar we heard earlier was them heading to Dalriada Court, originally in Western Moi just North of Morganthal.”

“A pilot on call must cost a lot, though I’ve never heard of Moi or Morganthal. I’ve a vague idea where we are, Laramos city and Capitol. I didn’t bother studying the geography as it’s not too likely I’ll be going anywhere.”

“Yes, it does,” said Raelf, “but Kaytim and Maisie are both fully qualified as pilots, space as well as atmosphere, as is Dairig who is supposedly Olef’s assistant. She’s often with Maisie and the others. All three only use autopilot for cruising, or docking. I heard the rumours that Maisie has docked without either starship control or autopilot, it’s not true though, her first was picking me up from a starship, but perhaps if she had to, she could.”

“No-one docks without automatics,” said Kenrith, “not even spacers.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Near the entrance there was another Malthin like Raelf, though an older girl, Raelf had never seen her before.

“You new too?” said Raelf. He thought she must be one of the new students that came with Kenrith.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m Falfery, Choli told me to watch out for an Enchanter, so you must be Raelf. It’s my first day here.”

Raelf considered that Choli talked a bit much. He decided not to ask why she had told Falfery to watch out for him.

“Well,” he said, “we better sit down to supper.”

There weren’t particularly assigned tables, but friends and people sharing a lot of classes tended to sit together, so some others in the same class or dorm were there.

“Um. What is this and did it move?” said Kenrith.

“The food is usually fine here though sometimes they decide everyone should eat Lorm or whatever,” said Raelf. “This seems to be whatever, it’s not Lorm. I’m sure it’s not moving.”

Kenrith took a spork full.

“It’s not bad,” he said. “I must have imagined it moving.”

“Odd though,” said Raelf.

“Me too,” interrupted Falfery. “I wonder what happened to Nishkah, the other new student that came with us?”

“She was outside Master Maisie’s apartment,” said Kenrith.

“I’ve only had the one starship trip and I stayed in my cabin and sulked the entire time, Kenrith,” explained Raelf, “so you must tell me all about living on a starship. This is your first planet visit? You call it ‘down below’?”

“Yes, we spacers call it down below, it’s my first. But I don’t get to see much till I’m a Journeyman?”

“You can go anywhere with a Master if he or she signs you out. As well as the Flitter, Maisie has a rather amazing Carrier. So suggest places of educational value and likely Maisie will take you. Also there are official day trips. Not many and only some students. I can go anywhere, except the cost and time as I’m studying. So as Maisie is my Master, I need permission from her to get time off really. You and I are lucky, Kenrith.”

“The place is a prison,” Falfery said bitterly, “we are the more dangerous prisoners, smarter and more Talent, so we are in this walled bit, they watch us with the security cameras.”

“You sound like you are not pleased at being Searched,” suggested Raelf. “You look a little old to be just Searched? The cameras are to spot intruders, they are for our protection.”

“I’ve had Talent for ages,” she admitted. “I wanted to be a scientist.”

“I like science and technology too,” said Kenrith. “Isn’t Master Maisie a real technologist? She’s my Mentor.”

“You’re not really meant to bandy that about,” said Raelf. “Master Maisie, the Arch Chancellor and others are very keen for more advanced maths, science and technology for older students with ability. She takes me to the Laramos University for projects.”

“That sounds interesting,” said Falfery.

“We should stick together then,” said Kenrith.

“I was going to suggest that,” said Raelf. “You don’t mind me being a Malthin?”

“No, you don’t mind me being much younger and a Spacer?”

“No, Kenrith, aren’t Spacers meant to be mature for their age?”

“Maybe. Perhaps you two can tell me about your homeworld?” suggested Kenrith. “We spacers pride ourselves on being species blind.”

“Sure, maybe later,” suggested Raelf. “The pity about Maisie being a Master is we have had no sleepover parties since then. Pretty tame I suppose, but something different for here. We need someone in Master’s accommodation that’s technically not a Master. Or a change to the rules.”

They concentrated on the free food. Only the evening meal, called supper, in the great halls of each college, was free.

A bell sounded.

“I have an announcement,” said Arch Chancellor Millifore.

He looked around puzzled. “Drat that woman,” he muttered to Deputy Dhramini.

“That’s what happens when you don’t tell Maisie what you are up to,” she said softly. “Anyway at least she and Granis have been on speaking terms. She doesn’t need to see him leave. Or apologise again. They were both idiots if you ask me. Sometimes, they are both still idiots.” At about 500 years old and the oldest Talent ever, Deputy Dhramini had developed the habit of saying the immediate thought that came to mind.

He raised his voice again.

“Unfortunately Master Mage Granis is leaving us. Granis, I wish you all the best in your new position and we all appreciate the work you have done on the Library Computer systems and helping staff and students. The Dean will now give you a token of our appreciation.”

Dean Shareena, Master Adept Telepath stood up and Granis came on to the dais.

She handed him a scroll tied with a ribbon and a small package. The package had a model of the Old College and Wafer with a generous amount of Credits. The scroll was a beautiful hand written commendation done by Maisie as calligraphy was one of her hobbies, really the only one before she came to Caemoria. Few Caemorians could do decent legible handwriting as they usually only wrote their own name, using gestures translated to Karnd glyphs on a touch interface; calligraphy was an almost dead art practised by only a few artists.

“Thank you all very much,” said Granis.

The reality only known to the Council (and thus Maisie as a councillor, but not Granis) was that the College was finally modernising and employing some professional engineers and programmers. Granis wasn’t really a healer and wasn’t a good teacher. He had neither inclination or much ability at teaching. He was really only interested in the data management and programming aspects of the College library. So though technically a Master Mage he had decided to go to University and then work in a Guild or for a Mogul (a Great Trading House) to get better programming expertise and experience. His plan to have Maisie (who had been a professional programmer) help him had failed partially because she didn’t even realise it was his plan. Also with her fast track course to Journeyman and then Master she certainly couldn’t have spent the time programming in the Library. But Granis had imagined her spending years leisurely studying and although Maisie was initially more than ten years older than her class mates he hadn’t understood Millifore’s rush to have her trained and certified free to leave, then as a Master. Arch Chancellor Millifore hadn’t explained his plans for Maisie to anyone. Except perhaps Dhramini.

Maisie after meeting the programmers at House Funathim, especially Freidin, had completely abandoned any involvement with programming.

Dhramini leaned over to Millifore as the students left the hall.

“You really think Maisie is up to giving this new Applied Magery course relating to Electronics and Computers?”

“It’s only for beginners,” said Millifore. “Unlike Granis she can actually teach, she’s a far more capable Mage than most and still improving her technique. She almost has the power of an Arch Mage—”

“Hardly, she’d kill herself exerting healing power like an Arch Mage,” interrupted Dhramini.

“I studied the report of her work repairing the brain of Heidi the Tellurian with Demy. An Arch Mage would have been maybe eight times faster, but then they had no Arch Mage or specialist healer. She substitutes tenacity and sticking at a job when she lacks the strength or ability—”

“She’s not short of those either,” interrupted Dhramini again.

“She was teaching before we made her a Master. She only has to be a chapter ahead of the brightest students, despite knowing less of Caemorian programming than Granis, her theoretical base is better, he never went to a regular university, he’s only studied here. She’s my thin end of a wedge to improve the non-Talent aspects of College and integrate Talent with Science.”

“But,” Dhramini paused, “I see, I think, We claim Talent isn’t magic, but in a sense we act like it is and put it in its own ghetto and anything more than basic scientific education is at the University, not here. Maisie is very like a Rationalist. She is a sceptic and certainly would not believe in magic. She regards her Talent as just strange tools and skills to be used like anything else. Maybe she is a Rationalist?”

“I think not,” said Millifore. “She’s shown no interest at all in the Rationalists and some interest in the Caemorian Church. Not much though, perhaps only because it’s part of Caemorian Culture, whereas the Rationalists are like atheists on Tellus or anywhere else. I think it’s a subject she doesn’t think about. Or wants to ignore.”

“What about you?”

“That would be saying,” said Millifore, “besides, the focus of the Arch Chancellor is firmly on the College. You and all the rest of the College Council are coy too, as indeed we all must.”

“Well,” insisted Dhramini, “if it was only a question of faith, but there is politics too. Perhaps someone should explain that to Maisie before she ever gets close to discussing faith more publicly.”

“I’ll drop a hint to Kaytim, it’s probably not needed. I think we can rely on her religious beliefs, however tenuous or firm, being private.”

The hall was now empty apart from the cleaning staff.

* * *

Currently in transit on the Flitter Maisie was catching up on her messages as she only checked anything immediately if it had an urgent alert. The Flitter was always on autopilot when cruising, even the autopilot had little to do at this altitude. Nishkah had decided she’d rather go to bed in a cabin instead of being with so many strangers. The long day, thinner air, extra gravity compared with her homeworld, all the stairs in college and the two healing session had exhausted her. Maisie thought too the emotional reaction of homesickness and Master Hornitar’s assessment hadn’t helped. Maisie wondered if it was a mistake bringing her to Dalriada, though Kaytim and Solarinette had both thought it a good idea. Dhramini had thought so too and issued the Exeat. Matron had called and told Maisie to treat Nishkah’s muscles and bones with the same Magery she’d learnt for herself. She studied the messages.

One each from Juili, Jack Casey, Gemma Stewart (his wife, though she was obviously keeping her maiden name) and amazingly from Kordina. She must be in her early sixties now. Very curious, she allow-listed Kordina. Juili must have passed on her name and address, no-one else that knew her and Kordina had that permission assigned. She was surprised when it downloaded almost at once. Why was it cached locally? Without allow-list acceptance, a message was rarely forwarded on a sync-sat link. She opened it.

Dear Maisie, Juili has mentioned you several times, so I feel it’s acceptable to intrude on your privacy, as you are a Mage, presumably you’ll meet my Grandson soon, I know a little of Circle College from a dear friend who has left us, so I know there will be no risk of favouritism. Jotlani or Dransat can’t ask as they have no idea who you are, well I suppose I haven’t either, but Captain Juili is our mutual friend. Juili and I have always kept in touch. But I would like to know how Kenrith progresses, not anything that invades his privacy or contravenes College rules. Perhaps I may even be able to be some small help on your new project, feel free to ask, N’Foudanae Kordina, Sept Chief. Hope to see you soon.

What on earth does she mean? thought Maisie. The only potential new project was having Apprentice Mages learn electronics and create devices. She’d thought at first Granis would teach it, but he had no interest or aptitude for teaching and not much knowledge of electronics. Arch Chancellor Millifore pointed out too that Granis was only self taught on programming, that while she too was only self taught on both on Caemoria, her Tellurian Computer, Physics and Electronics courses and qualifications were a better basis for teaching beginners. She understood the theory better and had studied much more Caemorian mathematics and physics than Granis, he was only practical, also the Arch Chancellor pointed out that she was already a good teacher. The ‘dear friend who left us’ was a Karnd euphemism for dead, so that must have been Mage Lonat that Juili had mentioned. Why would she hope to meet soon? Come to think of it, how did Kenrith get to College? He must have transferred via a way station like Grand Central or New Station.

Maisie opened the message from Juili. It just confirmed that spectroscopic analysis survey had identified several planets with industrial pollution, or at least signatures that suggested industrialisation, so they had jumped to the nearest one and had been studying their regular broadcast transmissions, but Maisie already knew this. Why was Juili repeating it? The last line. “My old friend Kordina will be in touch, it’s a slight chance but she may be some help, she asked for your contact, so I gave it.”

Maisie puzzled. Why would Kordina, a starship Sept Chief she’d never met and that even Juili hadn’t even seen for maybe thirty-five years suddenly be helping her? How had she known that Juili knew her? She read both messages again. What ever it was it wasn’t definite help. Either Kordina’s ship was unexpectedly on its way here (or Kenrith would have been coming on his own ship) or she was about to be sent off somewhere. Juili must have kept in touch somehow and mentioned her to Kordina, maybe only since the sync-sats were introduced.

Maisie showed them to Kaytim and Chainai. Then Olef. None of them could shed any light on it.

Maisie opened Jack’s message. Unexpectedly it was sent from in the Caemorian system. They would be staying on Caemoria as diplomats. They had left Earth only a few months after her but were only arriving now. The Valkyrie II starships would be much faster. He was making better progress with Karndic, but still very poor even with now with live broadcasts and also Gemma’s tuition. It still hadn’t been decided exactly what was going to happen, but the Earth people now understood why the orbiting of a starship was such a rare event. The Valkyrie starship would pick up bought Flitters and drop off cargo themselves without the time and expense of orbiting.

He wrote that he now realised the massive expenditure of time and resources the Caemorians had made putting a starship into Earth orbit for the official First Contact Mission. The higher gravity and higher UV meant that no-one was very keen on the long posting that any diplomatic relations with Caemoria would be. The idea of the more Earth like Glamis, homeworld of the Akasurip was more attractive to diplomats, despite the more alien aspect of the species.

Gemma wrote enthusiastically and appreciated the Klah fitting Caemorian compatible communications systems and colour viewscreens.

I am enjoying the radio and video programming from Caemoria now that we are in system. I was surprised to see you get a small credit in a lavish production directed by someone obviously famous called Francee, who had written dialogue, lyrics, music and choreography. The network had billed it as the best recording of the first stage production, naturally only more recently made programs like this are in colour. I despair that everyone is hopeless at learning Karndic and there is now just over two months left till we arrive. We are told that a Valkyrie II will be visiting Grand Central, with a Karnd pilot on board to enter the final jump data, the idea being to set up a trading station there rather than on Caemoria. Like your starships, it will only take three and a half months to reach a jump point instead of the five and half of this starship. It can do much larger jumps more often. This means Jack and I will have little involvement with trade. I now wish that we had either come with you on the Caemorian starship, or waited a year for the Valkyrie II to leave for Grand Central or not come at all.

Maisie replied in Karndic. No doubt by ‘everyone’ Gemma really meant Jack.

Dear Gemma, Don’t despair, it will be easier when you settle in at Capitol, the Karndic name literally means the capital. I think only three or four people you’d meet know any English, actually I’m forgetting it, I just realised I’m replying in Karndic instead of English. You might be introduced to the Emperor and the Privy Council, actually I’m on that too, apparently for life, though I only attend if no-one else suitable in the Wildgrave’s Office is available. I’d be surprised if you and Jack are not Ambassadors or senior diplomats, or else why are you coming? Yours Maisie.

P.S. We may not meet for ages as I’m in College or Dalriada and rarely in Capitol, practically only for the Emperor’s Ball or as an Assistant Wildgrave.

Maisie thought about it for a moment. She’d write to Juili and Kordina later.

Maisie’s message surprised Gemma.

“She’s replied in Karndic!” exclaimed Gemma.

“Is it some sort of game or test?” said Jack. “I can only make out a phrase or too. Also words like Maisie, Gemma, Dalriada, capital.”

“No, you’ve been learning more formal public Karndic,” said Gemma, “though you should by now be able to read this, it’s just in a more relaxed personal idiom. Dalriada, Maisie and capital are only transliterations, I’d have been upset if you hadn’t spotted them.”

“I’m no good at learning languages,” said Jack, “old dog and new tricks.”

“You are making progress. Anyway it seems she automatically replied in Karndic. It’s a well known phenomenon for people even to lose an original language if it’s not used. I expect she thinks in Karndic by now.”

“Never mind that, I’m sure she was thinking in Karndic when she visited us. Her English wasn’t brilliant. What is she saying?”

“Paraphrased and reading between the lines she thinks you’ll be Ambassador and soon learn Karndic better as there will hardly be anyone to speak English to, also she has no idea when she might meet us.”

“That seems odd when we have just travelled 80,000 LY to get here.”

“Imagine she is very busy giving classes in Cambridge, England, and we are in Washington, USA,” explained Gemma. “She wasn’t exactly our friend ever on Earth, I’m not sure that she even likes us much, though I think she was genuinely grateful that you helped her leave that last night from her apartment. You still can’t grasp the immense size of Caemoria, or that the continent we will be on is maybe more land than on all of Earth. We are going to be very tired, we won’t want to travel much at the start. The gravity is nearly 1.3 g. I’m sure she will invite us to the Circle College and Dalriada and visit us. She’s a diplomat as well as a talent. Don’t forget the Caemorian day is longer, the month is thirty-two days, there are extra days not in any month, the year is longer, average life expectancy is very much longer for Karnds and they are rarely in a hurry. Maisie is likely far more like a Karnd in outlook now. I’ll have to think carefully how to reply, maybe this time try writing to her in Karndic.”

* * *

Raelf, Choli, Falfery and Kenrith went to the Student Association Hall under the main building after Supper.

“Only students are allowed here, Novices, Acolytes, Apprentices and Journeymen, no Masters,” explained Raelf.

“So it’s all free?”

“Well, included in your stipend,” explained Choli. “An Apprentice is paid by the College equivalent roughly to the Privy Council allowance to a Baronet, but we pay for cleaning, laundry, clothes and all food, though except in the College Village shops, the food is supposedly at cost. Supper is free and you have to have a good reason to skip it unless you are a Journeyman or Master.”

“You never introduced us to the other new student?” said Raelf, assuming Kenrith would answer.

“I don’t think she was there,” said Falfery, “which is very odd. She was so keen and excited about coming here that I found it sickening. Otherwise she was good company for a kid. She’s very young, only just turned eleven.”

“I suspect it was partly to take her mind off leaving home,” mused Kenrith. “Probably she’s resting, the gravity here is harsh on the Hoti till they adapt to it. She’d have had an assessment with Master Hornitar, which I’ve heard isn’t much fun.”

“Why not Master Maisie, she’s a more powerful Warlock?” puzzled Kenrith. “I assumed that’s why she was wanting to see Master Maisie.”

“She teaches regular subjects and magery, never warlockery,” explained Raelf. “She’s not great either at gauging the degree or potential of Talent, that takes years of experience.”

They played various games, sometimes with other students and then there was only about three quarters of an hour to curfew. So they went and sat in a café area, which had no alcoholic drinks as Apprentices were not permitted anything intoxicating.

“I don’t get my timetable till the morning,” said Kenrith, “what are the classes, subjects and masters like?”

“I’m curious too,” said Falfery. “I’ve got mine and some of the books, but there are only Talent related classes on it. Why isn’t there a normal Freshers week or orientation day? Some of the listed classes aren’t what I expected. Why no regular subjects?”

Choli laughed and Raelf smiled.

“It’s impossible!” exclaimed Raelf. “People join as soon as they are Searched, found to have talent. If very young they are Novices, otherwise Apprentices, or possibly Acolytes for a short while. At the start everyone has to know basic things about all Talents, but then you have classes only for that Talent. Also there are all the regular high school subjects, though maths, science and technology hasn’t been great in the past, but they are committed to improving it and they are discussing some university level courses for older apprentices or journeymen. Since you are so much older and they have your regular subject reports, Falfery, they may only give you Talent classes for a while, you’re behind on that. Finally like many schools you are in classes based on ability, not age, but more so here. There are no long holidays, no going home even for locals and no start of the academic year. You might be in a different class each term.”

“I see,” said Kenrith.

“It’s better than I thought,” said Falfery, “the reason that most of my timetable is blanks after ten days is that they are evaluating my current competence?”

“Yes,” agreed Choli, “also some Masters teach non-Talent subjects too and you have some ordinary teachers, usually normal Guild Masters. You can also add specialist non-Talent subjects, though you pay for them, such as dance and riding.”

“There are many colleges on campus,” explained Raelf, “anyone the least bit special or difficult in some respect is in this one, the oldest, just called College, sometimes Old College. You are right though, Falfery that you can only go out with an exeat and a supervising Master. There are some rare cases were a Journeyman who is also your tutor can be the chaperone.”

“Chaperone?” asked Falfery.

“To make sure there is no unauthorised use of Talent,” said Choli.

“What are our teachers, the Masters, like and are there any bullies?” said Kenrith.

“Choli will tell you better about Mages, though of course I know Master Maisie, who is quite like a primary Mage, though it’s her secondary Talent,” said Raelf. “The Deputy Chancellor, Dhramini was appointed only a few years ago, despite her age, and is responsible for disciple and behaviour. The Dean’s office for overall physical security. The Arch Chancellor the overall Academic plan. Any trouble makers are stopped pretty quick. The last major time was before I joined. Maisie was a fresh Apprentice and the two teases thought she was a fairly rubbish Warlock. It was very nearly a terminal mistake. Fortunately Maisie only blew out a window.”

“It’s still a prison,” insisted Falfery, “look, I even have a tracking tag.” She took off a boot and wiggled her foot to show the bracelet on her ankle.

“I guess you really convinced them you are a risk,” marvelled Raelf. “Are you so rich you have enough Credits for a fare for a starship?”

“I suppose I have,” she admitted. “Or they think I might just run away anyway.

“Don’t worry,” said Choli, “you’ll be a Journeyman in no time, being older and having Talent for ages. Did you study the recommended data on the starship?”

“I did,” said Falfery,” I’m not an idiot. Besides there was nothing else to do for over eight months!”

“Well then,” said Raelf, feeling a little disturbed from seeing her foot and leg, which was a little mad, “they’ll have the tag off in no time.” He tried not to stare at her.

“Curfew soon,” said Choli.

“That’s the sort of thing I mean,” said Falfery sounding bitter.

“We are sharing,” said Choli, “we can sit up in our night clothes in our dorm lounge for a while with Duoldri, Serent and Hiisra. Curfew really only means being in your own dorm, it’s really more like an apartment. Hillran moved out today as Nishkah, the new student that came with you, is moving in too.”

“Exactly how much night clothes do Akasurip normally wear?” said Falfery, eyeing Choli’s fur. She’d heard about female Akasurip.

“Small pants if it’s warm at home,” she admitted, “but here I wear a floor length night-gown like everyone, though it’s very cool fabric. They don’t heat this place too much also Karnds and especially Lorm are a bit prudish. We can tell you about the Masters.”

~

In their dorm lounge the girls turned the lights low and brought in a blanket each. Each dorm was really a complete soundproof apartment with six small combo bedroom and study rooms (also soundproofed).

“Where to begin?” mused Choli.

“I think we need to find out why Nishkah isn’t here?” suggested Hiisra.

“Check for exeats first before panicking?” insisted Duoldri. She looked at her Crystal. “Yes, she’s out somewhere.”

“How does that work?” asked Falfery.

“You can only check people in your own dorm,” explained Choli, “though a Master can check anyone. Deputy Chancellor Dhramini issues them and the Apprentice, Novice or Acolyte has to be accompanied by a Master. I never heard of a Novice or Acolyte getting one. I suppose Nishkah is very young, that’s why she’s a Novice?”

“She is very young, only eleven,” agreed Falfery. “I’m sure I mentioned it. Anyway how do the classes work?”

“Well,” added Choli, “you’ll get a bit of Wizardry with Deputy Dhramini, an Adept Mage, about a million years old, Nearly 500 anyway, she got the Deputy job only a few years ago when the last one died unexpectedly. Unusual, as usually someone thirty to ninety gets Council posts and then is doing it nearly forever, well till they die, so there will be another new Deputy soon. She can seem quite abrasive and rude, but is actually wonderful. Likely Maisie will be doing more of the Advanced Magery classes, though Fathris is a far more experienced a Mage and primarily a Mage, Maisie is probably going to better at teaching advanced stuff, though Fathris is very good. Everyone says so. Maisie is more specialised. For Specific Healing, Fathris or more likely Matron Demy, she’s secondarily a Telepath, but even so seems convinced that without her guidance all the students will be making babies instead of potions. Fathris teaches basic healing and potions.”

“What about science and technology?” insisted Falfery.

“Adept Sorcerer Rathora is good for Animal Biology,” said Choli, “she’s fashion mad. Adept Alchemist Jayson for Maths, Alchemy including the science and a little physics. Flitter history and technology is his hobby, I’d swear he’d collect them if it was possible. He does have scale models! He had to make a model of Maisie’s from scratch as the toy companies don’t have it. Then he had to make another version of it when she got the original engine pods it was designed for fitted.”

“Master Maisie OWNS a rare custom Flitter?” exclaimed Falfery.

“She likes it so much she bought one for her Assistant, Kaytim,” added Hiisra. “Please don’t shout, Caemorians are very spiffy about it.”

“But a Master can’t afford a Flitter?” said Falfery.

“Maisie can,” said Hiisra, “sometimes she even takes students to theatre or Laramos University or elsewhere in it. Hardly anyone gets to visit Dalriada Court, her Manor house on her Demesne. She’s a real Margravine as well as the Talent rank.”

“Perhaps it won’t be so bad here,” said Falfery, “you lot seem friendly anyway.”

“Next you know it,” said Duoldri, “you’ll be a Journeyman, able to go anywhere. All your apprentice friends will be gone and you’ll miss it. It’s hard sometimes for the Masters, especially if someone is here studying as Journeyman to be Master and goes off. Most Journeymen and Masters do leave and go home.”

2: More Arrivals

Soon Maisie was parking in the hanger at her mansion at Dalriada. Her bodyguards, Larin and Denys really now as much Assistants to Maisie and Kaytim, tall women for Karnds, met them at the ramp. They went in and first they had supper. After that Maisie took Nishkah to the library on her own.

“You can call me Maisie in private, but always Master Maisie in public in College, or in front of the staff here.”

“I know what to call you outside College, your Highness,” she laughed. “You must be the only real Princess in College, a real Margravine?”

“I suppose you are right. You’d be at least a Lady too, even if you didn’t have Talent. Real nobles like you are not so common in the Circle College.”

“Dad’s a Count, I was working hard at school and learning the business so that someday I might be a Countess and not just a Baroness.”

“You really aren’t upset at losing all that?”

“No, I was just tired and things didn’t quite meet my expectations. Probably Master Solarinette and Master Hornitar will be fine when I know them better. I think though it’s not so late I’d like to go to bed? Though I slept well on the Flitter.”

“No problem. Call me on the Crystal if you need anything. I’m from a much lower gravity homeworld, like yours, so as I’m an Adept Mage and trained to give the treatment, I’ll repeat it now and just before Rising too.”

“I got a message from Master Hornitar,” she exclaimed. “He says he’s reviewed my assessments and that tomorrow I can have proper Apprentice Warlock robes, proper blue, not even Acolyte grey.

“That’s good.”

“He says you can try teaching me about electricity as long as you don’t break anything or hurt me. Why would you?”

“He’s remembering how erratic I was as a student. You don’t need a bedtime story or anything?”

“No, I’m too old for that. I am tired, it’s been a very busy day.”

Maisie looked at the bright eyed girl. She did seem cheerful now, she knew how to read the Hoti expressions which were not so different to her own.

Upstairs, Maisie was surprised.

“I’ll change in the bathing room and then you can tuck me in. The bed is strange with curtains?”

“I can get them removed.”

“They are fine. I can leave them open. Is it a Tellurian thing?”

“Not for hundreds of years, it’s just a whim I had.”

“You washed?” Maisie asked when Nishkah returned very quickly in her nightgown.

“My mummy is always suspicious too!”

“I know nothing about being a mummy. I’ll tuck you, whatever you mean by it, this once. In college, you share with four or five other young girl students and no-one will tuck you.”

“That’s fine. I’d not want tucked by other students anyway. Actually maybe you shouldn’t tell anyone.” Nishkah climbed into bed.

“I’ll do the Magery first.”

The tucking seemed to consist of just fluffing up and arranging the cover. Nishkah had put her Crystal entirely into the mouth of a fluffy toy like a baby Hoti and tucked it beside her. As Maisie reached the door, Nishkah turned off the light.

“We can try electricity tomorrow?”

“Maybe not tomorrow, but soon.” Such a tiny vulnerable creature with a soft quiet voice, yet she too was a Warlock.

* * *

Maisie had explained about the video security around the buildings but she had turned it off in Nishkah’s room as she’d promised.

“Is she OK?” asked Denys.

“She seems fine.”

“She certainly wasn’t just before supper time in your apartment,” insisted Kaytim, “she was like a four year old.”

“If we are arrested for abduction of a child, Kaytim, I’ll explain it was your idea,” promised Denys.

“I think she was over-tired, Solarinette and Hornitar are not the most calming Masters,” said Maisie, “though I’d have thought Matron would have unsettled her. I always found her so.”

“I’ll not say anything or remind her,” said Kaytim. “Denys?”

“I’ve forgotten already what you said,” insisted Denys. “Probably too her hormones are not quite stable yet. I’m glad I only had the one mandatory medical from her as part of becoming your second Assistant.”

“She didn’t mind Matron at all,” insisted Maisie.

They went into the lounge were the others had already gathered.

“I call the story Starship Chief,” explained Maisie, “though Juili never gave it a name. I made a lot of notes not long after and even clarified a few points with Juili, via messages. It’s partly about the new student’s grandmother, Kordina. He’s Kenrith, a Mage. It all started when Juili was about fifteen, about thirty-five years ago. I don’t know exactly when as I don’t know Juili’s age now.”

[Read Starship Chief now, if you’d haven’t yet!]

* * *

Maisie turned up the lights and ordered fresh drinks after she finished the story. They were all gathered in her favourite lounge at Dalriada and the fire had burned low. Jamit the head of staff had been with them, as well as Kaytim’s family.

“So was that it?” asked Kaytim, “they went to a quarantined homeworld, picked up some giant prototype gadget to do with sync-sats. I wonder when there will be a first contact? Was that the last Juili said to you? I suppose it depends on if there are Talents and if they develop space-flight.”

“No,” said Maisie, “we were in a café on the Intergal. Not long before we Jumped to Grand Central. I changed starship for Caemoria and the Intergal One headed onward to Andromeda and the unknown. I saw her briefly before I left the starship and I determined to stay in touch via sync-sat, so we have.”

~

Maisie peeked in at Nishkah, who immediately put on the light and sat up.

“I can’t sleep now,” insisted Nishkah, “perhaps the sleep on the Flitter and going to bed early was a mistake?”

“Likely too, your body clock is upset from the change from the starship and the three healing sessions in the one day. Would it help if I read you a story?”

“I’m too old for that!” exclaimed Nishkah.

Maisie was relived as she’d never read a story to a child. The only experience she had at all of children was meeting the others her own age at school. She realised that as an adult she’d never held a child on her knee before and she’d never held a baby. Really she’d had an isolated upbringing due to having no relations.

“What then?”

“Show me how you use electricity, you have the dragons, I’m not afraid to mind link, it can’t be as bad as Matron slashing my arm and I was fine with that.”

“You were very upset when you came to my apartment,” insisted Maisie.

“I was overtired, also Master Hornitar was unpleasant.”

“What way, did he touch you or say something nasty?”

“Nothing like that, I just didn’t like the smell of the chemicals and the protective clothing. He was cross that I didn’t actually do any warlock stuff.”

“You really aren’t tired now?”

“No.”

“I suppose it’s not dreadfully late seeing as you’ve had plenty of sleep. Get washed and dressed suitably to sit at the beach.”

“Why are we going to the beach?” asked Nishkah.

“Because no locals ever go there, it’s my private beach. Also there is a power cable under the dunes. I can show you without any risk of damaging anything.”

They sat on a flat rock with the sea glistening with phosphorescence. The dunes sheltered them from the slight breeze. There was no moonlight, Maisie wasn’t sure if the moon would rise later.

“Now grab my wrist and try to hurt me,” explained Maisie, “it’s needed to make the link the first time. Close your eyes or you might have double vision.”

Nishkah gasped. “Everything is much brighter!”

You are seeing with my eyes, explained Maisie by mind link, I have a much worse range of colour spectrum than Karnds, Lorm or Akasurip, however I have enhanced monochrome night vision, see how the edges of my sight are better? Even my colour vision is much more sensitive than Karnds.

Show me how you use the electricity, demanded Nishkah.

Can you sense the power cable close behind us? I’ll close my eyes. Maisie usually used her Mage talent to easily find power sources, though once found, she could manipulate them with her Warlock talent. So she searched more blindly for the cable using only her Warlock Talent. She felt Nishkah’s Warlock Talent. She felt the cable and guided the child’s Talent to it.

I feel it! exclaimed Nishkah.

Concentrate on moving the power to the water, it’s salt so the electricity can flow in it.

I don’t know where the water is, Maisie!

Open your eyes. I’ll keep mine shut, replied Maisie.

Maisie fed a trickle of power from the cable to the sea. She could easily sense it with her Mage talent. Hornitar thought that only someone with Warlock and Mage talent could do Maisie’s use of electricity. She was currently the only person alive with both those talents. Certainly it made it easier.

You are doing it, enthused Maisie, I’ll stop and you keep going.

I can’t see anything happening, though, complained Nishkah.

Let go of my wrist and then pull and push a little harder, suggested Maisie. Maisie broke the mind link and opened her eyes. “Don’t you smell the chlorine?”

Nishkah didn’t answer, then there was a flash and bang at the edge of the sea.

“Oh!” exclaimed Nishkah. “What happened?”

“Rapid production of hydrogen from the sea water, it mixed with the air and you exploded it. You see why you need to learn lots of ordinary physics, chemistry and mathematics as well as about other Talents?”

“Yes. But I did it!”

“Yes, you did, you’ll have to demonstrate to Hornitar somehow, I’ll come too at the start, but he’ll want you to demonstrate when I’m not there. You will have to make an effort to use the sack of Alchemical mix.”

“I’ll try again now!”

“Not now, it’s late and that’s enough for a first lesson. We’ll do something different at the College. We’ll get a snack and drink. How do you feel?”

“Sparkly!”

“Not tired?”

“No, I feel I could fly!”

“Don’t try it even though technically your arms are related to vestigial wings.” Maisie thought she’d ask some other Hoti about emotions.

The next morning they were in the main entrance hall of Dalriada sitting on the benches.

“Where has Kaytim got to?” Chainai fretted.

“She’s not coming with us,” Maisie explained.

“So let’s go then,” said Olef.

“I think Kaytim would be cross,” said Maisie.

Larin grinned and Denys laughed.

Fortunately about a minute later Kaytim appeared, holding Kertlen’s hand, almost towing him.

“Maisie already knows she has to manage without me for a little while,” said Kaytim.

“Are you sick?” said Pedar.

But Olef laughed.

“No,” said Kaytim. “Kertlen and I are getting married. We think here is best. Maisie’s moving her lab out and we will use the apartment there when I’m at the Old College. Larin will be at College when I’m there and Denys when Maisie is there, on a regular basis now. Arch Chancellor Millifore has agreed that they are entitled to be in the Assistant’s apartment in that building block.”

They all wished her congratulations.

“Well,” said Chainai, “I thought Pedar and I would be first.”

“I thought you didn’t want to discuss it?” said Pedar.

“I changed my mind ages ago.”

Everyone looked at her curiously.

“Well, Pedar’s a Telepath!” said Chainai.

“You know I don’t peek and anyway, probably I couldn’t.”

“Peek now then,” she said gripping his hand.

“I’m glad that’s settled,” said Maisie. “Do let me know when and I will bring your relatives from Chigarak, or Goroganst or whatever it’s called.”

“I’d appreciate it. Chigarak, a district of Goroganst City, I think we would like to be married here in Dalriada Court too. Would you mind, Kaytim if we had a joint celebration?”

“Not if Maisie and Kertlen are happy. No, Maisie, before you offer, you are not paying for it. It will be the chapel in Morganthal, not actually here in the manor house.”

“I agree,” said Pedar.

“Well, you don’t mind though if I let you use Dalriada and staff for free, I refuse to rent it out.”

“OK, but no sneaky giant presents!” said Kaytim. “The Flitter and Carrier was embarrassing. Also Karnds don’t do a Tellurian style reception. There really is just the ceremony. So really there is nothing to use Dalriada for.”

“What about you both get joint presents from Olef and I,” suggested Maisie, “then it won’t be anything silly?”

Kaytim, Kertlen, Pedar and Chainai stared at Olef and Maisie.

“Have you two come to some sort of arrangement?” said Chainai cautiously.

“We are very good friends, as we have been since we met,” said Olef.

“Absolutely nothing more,” said Maisie. “I’m not being coy or devious either.”

“Hah!” snorted Kaytim. “People are speculating.”

“Let them, they are silly,” insisted Maisie. “We better go, the Arch Chancellor wants to meet me. He was a little put out about several things, especially none of us were there for Granis’s presentation. Though I was sure it was today at supper.”

“I thought so too,” insisted Chainai. “Where is Nishkah?”

“Nishkah!” exclaimed Maisie. “I forgot her morning treatment. She’s in the library waiting for me.”

After the autopilot was engaged Maisie took Nishkah to the first cabin and gave her the mage treatment.

“You need to lie there till we are back at college,” insisted Maisie. “This session needs time without you moving. Don’t roll on your side or sit up.”

“What if I need to go to the Personal?”

[Personal = room with a toilet, or in American bathroom]

“You’ve just been!”

“Well?” insisted Nishkah.

“In the unlikely event you need to go again before we are back, press the call button. Then I’ll help you up and check you afterwards. Then you will go to Matron, as obviously it would mean you are ill.”

“Who is flying?”

“Dairig. You don’t need me?”

“No, I’ll listen to music. Unless you think you need to read me a story?”

“Not today.”

Maisie joined the others in the Flitter’s Lounge. Chainai put on the large viewscreen with sound muted and subtitles with the Empire news channel.

“Was Yoni the father of Kordina?” asked Chainai, thinking of the story.

“You’d have to ask Kordina,” said Maisie.

“I was surprised at Kaytim and Kertlen,” mused Chainai.

“I don’t know why you were surprised about Kaytim and Kertlen,” said Maisie. “Olef pointed out that I was expected to give an opinion. They were quite silly on the trip back from Tellus. I remember how Kertlen and Kaytim danced and talked that night at the Hunt Ball when he still worked for House Funathim, long before he was my Security Chief. Actually they were pretty silly on the trip to Tellus. At least Denys was good company.”

“I presumed you had given a negative one,” Chainai muttered. “You don’t seem much in favour of marriage.”

“Really?” Maisie got indignant. “Quite the reverse. Just because I’m not doing it doesn’t mean I’m against the idea of it. I’m not even—”

“What?” demanded Olef.

“We can talk about it some other time. Not today.”

That’s what she always says, Chainai, Olef sent.

It’s better than a no, returned Pedar.

She does say no, Pedar, Olef sent. I’m forbidden to ask again.

“You lot are chatting telepathically,” insisted Maisie. “Olef, you have a sort of vacant look when you are doing it.”

“Look at the news!” exclaimed Pedar. He restored the sound.

Maisie had received a message from Wildgrave Plonnis, so didn’t pay much attention.

“Today the Galactic council confirmed that the Tellurian starship will be taking delivery of standard freight Flitters from House Delanateur later next month as they pass. Various Tellurian nations will be sharing an Embassy in the Capital with relations to the Caemorian Empire and the Galactic Council, the Ambassador for the United Kingdom to our Caemorian Empire will be Gemma Stewart from the United Kingdom and Ambassador with observer Delegate status at Galactic Council will be Jack Casey from Ireland. Jack will represent both the Tellurian United Nations organisation and the European Union. Other positions will be announced after arrival. The Tellurian United Nations appears to be not much more than a talking shop, certainly in no sense is it a planetary government. The Russian Federation, the United States of America and People’s Republic of China may be the most powerful nation states, super powers, yet they have not indicated how their interests will be represented here. Jack Casey has many years experience as a diplomat. He and Gemma Stewart are consorts, though she has no previous diplomatic experience she is a highly qualified academic.”

The globe of the Earth spun and highlighted each region in turn.

“The EU, or European Union doesn’t comprise all of Europe and has some parts physically not part of the European area. An association of sovereign Nation States, not all the states in the association endorse all the EU laws, nor do all use the EU Credits system called the euro. Surely a unique political and economic arrangement, that gives the member states virtual super power status.”

Again the globe spun and zoomed to illustrate the areas. “Unlike the Russians or Americans the EU isn’t any kind of Federation, though many share a financial system, free trade and open borders, confusingly not coincident. These states participate also in the European currency and these in the free trade.”

Six sets of graphics showing countries were shown in turn.

“Ireland and the United Kingdom are both islands on the western edge of Europe, each of which has smaller islands part of their respective states, but the United Kingdom also includes part of the island of Ireland. All this is now available in more detail on Omnia-Indica via Tellus top level section. Coming next. Fish stocks at the south west coast of Krounar.”

Pedar muted the sound and everyone looked at Maisie.

“Don’t look at me,” Maisie complained, “because no-one is telling me anything. I told you Gemma and Jack are coming, there was talk of a possible Embassy, but nothing confirmed. I just got a message, I might not be here when they arrive.”

“You will be at the weddings?” insisted Chainai.

“Of course,” agreed Maisie, “assuming they will be inside the next three weeks?”

“Yes, that’s all right then,” agreed Chainai.

“I knew long engagements were frowned on,” added Maisie, “especially as one gets older.”

“Chainai and I are not old!” objected Kaytim.

* * *

Deputy Chancellor Dhramini, Hornitar, Solarinette, Matron Demy and Maisie met with Arch Chancellor Millifore in the College Council Office. Maisie finished recounting her experiences with Nishkah.

“You first, Demy,” suggested Millifore.

“Do we need to discuss the other two new students, Dhramini?” asked Demy.

“Kenrith and Falfery are settling in well helped by Raelf and their dorm mates. What do you think Maisie?” asked Dhramini.

“I’ve had short meetings with Kenrith and Raelf today as well as Falfery’s Mentor, Chainai,” said Maisie. “There won’t be a problem. Chainai thinks the tag was a mistake and won’t be needed. She’ll discuss that with you, Dhramini, after her next meeting with Falfery.”

“Well, then,” explained Demy, “the gravity here is an issue for the Hoti especially, but also other Off-Worlders. We should more seriously consider a second campus on a smaller world. However Nishkah is responding to the treatment. I examined her just before this meeting. I’m confident that she was just overwhelmed and her emotional breakdown was a once off event, partly because of being so young and so much change. She’s actually quite a courageous girl who will quickly be a strong minded young woman.”

“Solarinette?” asked Millifore.

“I think Maisie has behaved properly and contacted me at once. Though she has little experience with Mentoring or younger students, I remember Raelf was quite young and very emotional when he arrived. If Maisie could take the extra work load, perhaps we should ignore the primary Talent rule and have Maisie as Mentor.”

“How was Nishkah today, Solarinette?” asked Millifore.

“I found her overwhelming,” she confessed. “I need to mentor less forceful students. She needs a Mentor that can stand up to her and that she respects. I feel she thinks I’m not able to fight for her. Quite different to our first meeting.”

“Hornitar?” asked Millifore.

“Maisie explained what she and Nishkah did. Nishkah gave two demonstrations of her warlock talent using Electricity, one without Maisie in attendance. Then she agreed to try the Alchemical mix for the first time, after we compromised and agreed she would not have to use it regularly, only for exams. She’s terrifically stubborn. Anyway, I could tell that she seriously tried and can use it, though it totally exhausted her. I called Maisie back in to check her, but she was just tired. So possibly Solarinette’s theory is correct, existing Warlocks aren’t going to easily learn to use electricity. Maisie thinks if they are also Mages, it will be possible. She and I have always agreed on that, but till another person with Mage and Warlock Talents turns up, we can’t be sure. I can see the reverse is true. Nishkah is unlikely now to be much good ever with Alchemical mix. Maisie was unconsciously using electricity for too many years and thus can’t use the regular mix, only dangerously unstable mixes. Maisie will have to do some of the practical lessons with Nishkah. Nishkah can’t easily find hidden cables and she has to be much closer to them than Maisie, though not as close as Alchemical mix users have to be to their sack. Maisie thinks it’s because she’s not a Mage. I’d agree.”

“I don’t think we need a full council meeting on this,” suggested Millifore. “Maisie is not going to be teaching Warlockery in the near future, but can certainly augment Hornitar’s lessons with tuition on practicals. We’ve done that often for many kinds of Talent, excepting Warlockery. Maisie tutors Raelf on Enchantment. Dhramini?”

“If Maisie is willing, I think she could be Nishkah’s Mentor.”

“You seem unusually quiet and haven’t interrupted, Maisie?” suggested Millifore.

“I’m learning to listen,” explained Maisie. “I found Nishkah rather overwhelming. Possibly she is used to getting exactly what she wants. These proposals are what she wants! I think we will have to be careful and avoid being manipulated. I now wonder how real the emotional breakdown in my apartment was. I wish I’d called Chainai. I think the first time I say no and she fights back, she should be reminded that she asked for this and re-assignment of Mentor is almost unheard of and won’t happen a second time.” Maisie hoped this wasn’t a mistake, but really she wasn’t going to be going anywhere, there was the new course.

“Dhramini?” asked Millifore.

“I agree. I think though we need an excuse for Solarinette?”

“The truth!” exclaimed Solarinette. “I’m still not ready to Mentor, my nerves are still bad after Nikos. I’m sorry, I did think I could do it. I could probably manage someone like Kenrith?”

“I think Maisie has to be his Mentor,” insisted Millifore, “otherwise it’s a reasonable suggestion. Maisie, is everything ready for the new course?”

“Everything finalised. You’d no second thoughts about the students we agreed?”

“No.”

3: New Classes

“Did you hear that Kaytim, Master Maisie’s assistant and her friend Master Chainai are getting married at Dalriada Court, well Morganthal?” said Raelf to Ethniot.

“To each other?” he said. “That’s unusual.”

“No, to Kertlen and Master Pedar of course.”

“That’s what I would have thought,” said Ethniot. “Well, Pedar anyway, who is Kertlen?”

“Head of Master Maisie’s Security at Dalriada, used to be for House Funathim and Mogul Naleena. Look there’s Kenrith.”

“Hi,” said Kenrith, “you heard the news?”

“About the weddings?” said Raelf.

“No, the new Mage Tech classes with Master Maisie,” said Kenrith.

“What?” they exclaimed.

“What is Mage Tech?” said Raelf.

“No idea,” admitted Kenrith.

They went down to the main notice board as Raelf checked his Crystal.

“Nothing here,” insisted Ethniot. “Where did you hear it?”

“Master Maisie told me herself,” said Kenrith. “She wouldn’t tell me who else.”

“Let’s go sit at the library entrance café,” suggested Raelf, “as we can see the board from there. Or we may get a notification.”

They ordered Jhai and buns and adjusted the height of the stools at the round table.

Shortly the Bursar’s secretary, not Bilantros’s Assistant, came and put up a couple of notices. But before they could get up their Crystals chimed. The girls at the next table also got notifications. Raelf realised they were all Apprentice Mages too, he supposed Ethniot knew them better.

They all went to the notice board.

“So what about ragging?” Falfery was asking Choli. “Has Master Maisie got a sense of humour?”

“Maybe,” suggested Raelf. “Maisie thinks she is humorous, but you’d be mad to try and rag any Master here. What’s the most common Talent?”

“Mentalism,” said Choli, “specifically Telepathy and Empathy. Both as primary or secondary Talent.”

“I guess then it might be stupid,” said Falfery. “I see she is teaching an advanced mathematics and spatial physics class for people already good at maths and physics. With relevance to Alchemy, Magery, Warlockery, Wizardry and Enchantments. That sort of sounds weird but interesting as spatial physics includes quantum mechanics.”

Other students were gathering. Though students got notification and timetables on their Crystal of classes, it was only from conversation or best, the notice board that they could see who else was in the class. There were two classes of eight, only. Raelf was in, the only person not an apprentice Mage, indeed not a Mage at all. But he recognised the logic of the Arch Chancellor and Maisie, as his Talent was useless without other Talents. He was pleased to see Falfery was in too. It was curious that there were two new Apprentice Mages on an advanced course.

“The class size seems small?” Kenrith suggested.

“Likely it’s a lot of practicals and personal tuition then,” said Choli, an Akasurip Apprentice Mage, hence inclined to be talkative and even bossy.

“Beginner’s Applied Magery for Electronics and Computer Hardware?” said Hillran, a Karnd Apprentice Mage. “That’s seriously odd!”

The three girls looked at each other.

“A naming fail anyway,” laughed Duoldri another Karnd girl.

“At least we aren’t segregated,” said Falfery who had just joined them. “Four of us girls and four boys in each class. Is a Master allowed to invite a class to their apartment?”

“Only for study, it wouldn’t be the same as the sleep overs,” said Raelf, “even then Maisie was a lot older and not very lively, she’s really old now. I think half-way to twenty-nine. Nearly old enough to be your mum, Falfery. The sleep over parties were not that exciting, honest, I was there. Nothing exciting is going to happen with Master Maisie. She’s proper these days. I admit though the course sounds unusual.”

“Still, it’s different,” said Ethniot. “I think they have only picked people very good at maths and physics already?”

There was a general agreement. Soon all sixteen students had gathered. One had his Slab.

“It’s a standard University first year text for ordinary digital electronics. Some analogue too,” said Weon, a Hoti Apprentice Mage, “so that will be boring. I can’t see how it relates to Mage Talent. It’s over in the Science College. Also I hear Master Maisie’s Assistant and Master Chainai are getting married.”

“Master Pedar and Master Chainai will likely wed in the Chapel here?” suggested Duoldri.

“I rather suspect the Priest will do it at Dalriada,” said Raelf. “I mean Morganthal town Chapel. Master Chainai is a very private woman and Master Maisie is maybe her best friend, she’s quite close to Kaytim and Olef too as well as Luci her Assistant. Kaytim and Kertlen will certainly wed there as it’s their home and technically she runs it and Kertlen is Security Chief.”

“Why does Maisie need security?” said Falfery.

“All big estates need it, it’s an entire full size Demesne, it includes Morganthal town. Master Maisie is a noble in her own right apart from Talent, a full Margravine, Assistant to the Wildgrave. People have tried to kill her in the past, for various convoluted reasons. Even apart from that anyone of a Princely rank in their own right must have security by law.”

“Attack an Arch Warlock, Adept Mage in the Dragon Order?” exclaimed Falfery.

“You and Kenrith are new,” said Raelf. “She’s not immortal or invulnerable and her friends and family much less so. Admittedly some of the attackers had as much sense as drunken jaggits.”

“OK, Raelf,” said Ethniot, “you’ve been here much longer than us and you get personal tuition with Master Maisie. What’s with her and Olef? Are they an item? Will they wed too?”

“Olef is studying to be a Master Sorcerer and Master Telepath.”

“And?”

“You’ll have to ask them. Certainly they have been friends since they met on the starship from Tellus, about five years ago, maybe six.”

“The Church does do some interspecies marriages,” said Choli, “as long as they are convinced it’s appropriate for the members.”

“I don’t think either of them are members,” said Hillran. “I think Kaytim is. I don’t think Olef is even a Caemorian, though Master Maisie is.”

“Perhaps some suitable Tellurians will be with the new Embassy,” said Duoldri. “I’m sure they are just friends, Olef is a long time friend of Chainai, even longer than Pedar.”

“You girls are marriage mad,” said Ethniot.

“You’ll be glad in few years,” said Choli, “but I’m not deciding till I’m older.”

The Karnds looked at each other. They knew the reputation of Akasurip women and that the Akasurip men expected to be chosen. A seriously Matriarchal society as the young didn’t suckle, were born with adult teeth and able to walk in hours. They could talk in months too. Biologists, including Akasurip, speculated as to which now extinct predator had required essentially a predator to develop so quickly. Glamis had a lot of extinct species. Others just claimed it was God’s diversity.

Raelf remembered Anit and Timot, now returned to their Homeworld Glamis. Timot though had seemed quite pleased to be chosen by Anit. He glanced at Falfery, Karnds wouldn’t think her pretty, but he did. Interspecies relationships were rare because though the long term relationship depends on personality, the initial appearance can be off putting. He originally had thought that Maisie (and presumably other Tellurians) and the Karnds had creepy skin. It was too smooth and single toned. Also other than way stations, the College was the only place with a big mix of species. College people often didn’t marry since Talent wasn’t hereditary and they lived so long. Matron did her best to encourage what she thought were suitable couples. She was an incurable romantic. Raelf was interrupted from his reminiscences by Falfery poking him.

“Uh, Falfery?” he said.

“I was asking if you thought you’d be invited to Master Chainai’s Wedding?” she smiled at him. “I heard you were in Chainai’s little Cabal?”

“That ended even before Master Maisie’s visit back to Tellus, I doubt it.”

“What is Master Maisie like as a teacher?”

“I’ve only had her as a tutor,” he reflected. “Though I went with her class when she took them to see Fusion Power Orbs being made.”

“I’d like to see that.”

“You probably wouldn’t,” said Raelf, “it’s pretty boring, all automated except for the stage where the Enchanter, with the other Talents make the shell into an Artefact. That’s boring too as there is nothing to see. The Orb passes by them in less than a minute. So she took us to see the High Energy research Lab at the University. That was full of mad stuff. Far more interesting. About 40 km of underground tunnels.”

“Maybe you could tell me about that some time.” Falfery’s eyes glittered with excitement. She knew she was a good choice for the new course with her enthusiasm for maths, physics and technology. She’d wanted a career as a scientist before being Searched with Talent brought her to the College. She still quite resented it, she felt life had cheated her. Still at least they had taken off the stupid, annoying tag.

* * *

Maisie called the roll. She wondered if she had taken on too much, it was eight classes a month for each of the two groups, but a half day. A day on Caemoria was a lot longer than a Tellurian one too.

The class sat silently waiting. At least they were probably all keen to give the subject a chance and the cream of suitable Mage Apprentices with good maths and physics. Raelf was the only Journeyman and the only one not a Mage.

“Who is confident of their binary arithmetic and logic?” said Maisie, though really she knew they all ought to be.

They all raised a hand.

“Good, then we will commence with a practical. Page 103, there is a simple logic circuit with touch pads, gates and bistable annunciators to see the state. In the University they build these beginner circuits with specially packaged parts and a plug in breadboard. Production circuits are made by automatic systems on a single substrate. You’ll see on your desks what looks like a Crystal. It’s got the base layer solar and vibrational charger. The rest is blank. You are going to use your Mage skills to build the circuit as if it was mass produced.”

Immediately the class started chattering. Now they understood! Weon reconsidered and decided this might not be boring after all. It beat writing in very fine coloured sand.

Maisie hit her desk with a wooden block. They stopped at once.

“Perhaps I have a reputation for being easy going,” she said, “but I will not tolerate chatter in class. You will only speak when the work requires it or I ask you.”

Raelf gestured that he had a question.

“Yes Raelf?”

“I don’t have any Mage Talent.”

“I know, obviously, you can work with any Mage that agrees to me doing a mind link with the pair of you. The pair of you will learn mind linking, it’s a skill anyone with Talent can learn.”

Several people put up their hands. Weon, Kenrith and Falfery.

“Is Falfery acceptable to you Raelf? I think you boys would find my rather adult Tellurian female mind overwhelming. Raelf is used to this. It’s how I guide his Enchanting in the absence of a Telepath.”

Raelf tried to remain calm. “That would be fine.”

Raelf swapped desks with Duoldri and Maisie helped them push the desks together.

Everyone had done some basic mage things, starting at the largest size, extremely fine coloured sand and writing visible only under a microscope. The large viewscreen showed a gate structure. The text books had the overall circuit and in the reference section the physics, structure and doping of each gate. There was also a diagram of the Crystal showing locations of the copper for wiring, silicon, phosphorus, indium, tin, aluminium, gallium, arsenic, antimony, cadmium, zinc, lead, carbon (used as graphene and diamond), boron, selenium, tellurium, bismuth, titanium, silver, iron, various sulphides, various nitrides and other compounds of the elements listed for active parts, special functions and doping.

Originally Maisie had needed the assistance of an Alchemist to make such devices, but eventually she figured how to dope and start with suitable compounds. She’d had these special Crystals, really miniature Slabs, specially manufactured. Breadboards for Mages. They could move atoms and molecules with far less effort than sand. It was how they did healing.

She took them through how to fabricate the switches that are the basis of all logic gates, the building blocks of all computers, on the big viewscreen. The copper, silver and tin wiring was trivial. Gold wasn’t used as it was an inferior conductor to copper. Tin was used for broad transparent connections and silver for connections were copper or tin would affect the device. Copper was best. The thin surface sapphire layer hermetically sealed the unit to the middle layer and rear sapphire substrate with photo voltaic layer and power storage. The middle sapphire layer would have all the circuits and devices.

“Don’t forget that the device geometry and quantity of doping is critical,” explained Maisie, “but the exact locations and wiring isn’t critical.”

Maisie brought over a stool and put her hands on the two desks.

“Now Falfery, take my wrist and jab in with your nails to hurt me a little. Raelf, you join in a moment.”

Maisie jerked her arm to momentarily increase the pain.

Now relax, Falfery, don’t jab me, but don’t let go unless you can’t cope, Maisie spoke in Falfery’s mind, This is much more intimate than Telepathy, so you must concentrate on the Crystal, don’t move anything till Raelf joins, you mustn’t peek at his thoughts any more than mine and he knows to concentrate only on what you think of the Crystal.

Falfery’s attention wandered and suddenly she was lost in Maisie’s thoughts, emotions and memories. Suddenly the world lurched sickeningly and she concentrated on the Crystal.

Don’t do that again, urged Maisie, you might be quite ill if I have to drag you away harder. If you let go of the Crystal the risk is you start thinking you are me. This isn’t telepathy.

Maisie felt a pinch on her other wrist.

Maisie, thought Raelf, we better start or I’ll get very distracted.

Raelf observed via Falfery’s Mage vision the materials on the Crystal, which would not be possible with telepathy, the mind link was much more intimate. Rapidly Falfery was building the first switch with occasional glances to the text book and the main viewscreen. She built an annunciator cell and touch panel, then added temporary wiring. It worked.

Good, thought Maisie, you are fast and accurate.

Soon Falfery had the entire demonstration logic circuit working.

Right, both let go of my wrists please, I must check the others. Eventually you can do it without me. See Raelf has the little dragon badges already.

“Do now study the text and you, Falfery, must explain to Raelf exactly how you did it. Then consider how to make a memory area by combining doing one word and then using Enchantment to repeat it, then Raelf breaking the Enchantment when enough cells are made. You’ll need my help or a Telepath to carry out the plan till Falfery learns the mind link, you aren’t able to make one except to other people that have learnt it, Raelf. Unfortunately any Apprentice with Mentalist and Mage Talent either isn’t a good enough Mage or too rubbish at Maths and Physics for these classes.”

Maisie went off to tour the progress of the others. None were finished yet.

“Falfery,” said Raelf.

“Um?”

“The mind link is a bit revealing compared to telepathy, it’s bit like unexpectedly being naked.”

“I must not even go near that thought,” laughed Falfery. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “We better discuss the project and keep more personal things for a less public place. Master Maisie is surprising. I’m sure she must have decided we would be working together. Also she is so different! I never dreamed.”

“Yes, she is also a very female mammal and you can imagine the shock I had the first time, being a boy mammal! Actually it’s taken ages to learn to control my thoughts and cope with it, but it’s far more effective than a Telepath to work with other Talents and do Enchantment. I can mind link a bit now. We can try to do it without Maisie after a while when you learn it.”

“Oh,” said Falfery and paused, “so it is working her being your Master for Enchantment even though she can’t do it?”

“Actually a Master is about ability to teach and understanding, not actually the Talent, Ordinary, Adept and Arch is about levels of Talent. Though showing very good control of your Talent helps to achieve being awarded Mastery. But you seem old to be a new Apprentice?”

“I am the oldest, I’m nearly sixteen,” said Falfery. “I cheated.”

“Cheated?”

“I convinced myself I could train my talent and hide it so as to eventually go to University as an ordinary person. They spotted me eventually of course.”

“You were an idiot! Sorry.”

“Yes, I was rather, but I feel less depressed now, because Granis is going to University and I’m doing this course. I realise I should have come here at once, become a Journeyman as fast as possible and then gone to University. I thought the two were exclusive.”

“You should talk to Maisie, maybe the Arch Chancellor.”

“Anyway, I’ll sketch what I was doing,” said Falfery.

Weon finally managed to attract Maisie’s attention.

“Isn’t it time for small break?”

“Yes, the snacks are late,” said Maisie. “Molruk and Jhai making facilities are in the Lab next door. Don’t touch anything, but you can look.”

A soft chatter started and everyone went next door except Maisie. She went out and peered down the corridor. She relaxed when she saw the trolley was coming.

“Don’t be late again,” she cautioned the young man, “because my students might turn vicious.”

He left the trolley at the back of the room.

“Sorry, a mix-up,” he apologised as he left.

Maisie went into the lab and lifted a cover. There were two Nokia 9110 Communicator smart phones. One was completely dismantled.

“Gather round,” she said, “these are an older Tellurian equivalent to a Crystal. They are quite obsolete, as colour is common now. Crystals are taking over too. I grabbed these on my last visit. Devices with no keyboards and gestures even preceded these, though they only had local communication. Note that the substrate for the parts is fibreglass with plastic resin binder. The wiring is created by copper sheets glued in place with unwanted copper etched away to leave the wires. The black bugs with many wires are the circuit devices, each with ten to half a million more devices in it than you made today. This is the power source which had to be charged from external power every day or two. I think this is the sort of technology the Crystal net used here nearly five thousand years ago. Only fifty years before this they didn’t have much semiconductor technology at all and no net, though amazingly they did have electronics, radio, radar and even video without semiconductors. I don’t think Caemoria ever had that.”

Maisie produced a Nokia 9210 Communicator.

“This is a few years later and is a completely different CPU and OS, both more suited to portable use. I have only one, so it would be a shame to break it taking it to pieces, especially as the Crystals are now replacing the Tellurian models. The 9210 construction is similar to the 9110. The colour is simulated just with narrow red, green and blue filters on a higher resolution monochrome display. So while it seems OK to me it would be useless to any of you for real photos. You can play with it. Gently.”

“Real buttons?” said Ethniot.

Maisie produced her older monochrome medium size Slab.

She gestured on it and the lower tray with a physical QWERTY keyboard popped out.

“Laramos University and Granis customised this for me and gave it to me almost the day I arrived. Actually people entering a lot of information all day do use physical buttons for the glyphs rather than gestures. Has anyone seen that done?”

“I have,” said Falfery.

“You must tell me later, I hardly use Tellurian English any more, but if I do…”

She gestured on her regular large colour Slab and a window with English text came up. Maisie scribed Karndic glyphs very quickly and lines of English text appeared.

Falfery watched closely.

“It’s one to one. It’s transliteration not translation?”

“Yes, just a custom set of display glyphs, a font, faster to only be proficient in one kind of entry. Also this way I can simply give someone that wants to learn to read English a font, they don’t need to have the Tellurian language installed or Tellurian applications.”

Maisie watched them for a while examining the old phones.

“Back to work. Pair up with someone finished if you haven’t as I see three are unfinished. Raelf and I will take Falfery. Raelf is going to try making some bits with her help.”

Sadly none of the schemes Falfery and Raelf tried worked quite properly. They trashed six Crystal breadboards. The two difficulties were to work in two directions for an area rather than a line and stopping in time. Raelf found that indeed he could cancel the enchantment and stop the replication, but not at the right point as the replication was unbelievably fast.

“I think I see how we can do an area,” insisted Falfery.

“There must be a way to automatically cancel it,” mused Raelf.

“No more now, try next time,” ordered Maisie. “I can’t spare time out of class right now either. Weddings and stuff.”

“Who is invited?” said Raelf.

“I have no idea, not my wedding,” said Maisie, “but as Kaytim manages Dalriada, I guess it’s her problem. At least Chainai is likely to tell Kaytim what she and Pedar are thinking. I’m probably invited, but I’ve not seen an invitation yet!”

The students excitedly clattered off to Big Break. Choli was still there.

“This is going to use up a lot of Crystals?” she asked. “Are you making them?”

“I made one and decided I’d be an idiot to try even with the automated TEM,” Maisie replied. “I got twenty-thousand made by House Funathim. Thanks for the concern.”

“I hope the course works,” said Choli, “it should, this is wonderfully more interesting and more challenging than the usual pointless Mage exercises.”

“Whatever you do,” urged Maisie, “don’t repeat that to anyone, ever, especially to Fathris. Anyway the traditional training is very successful, people without good enough Maths and Physics can’t do this, which sadly is most apprentice Mages. I hope you will all be sensible about the other Mage Apprentices. Privilege has responsibilities. I can personally expel anyone from this course. This course is only for good Mages with a proven enthusiasm for technology and who also keep my rules.”

“Yes, I’ll explain to the others.”

Choli ran off.

“No running in College,” Maisie shouted after her.

Everyone had put their work in a labelled bag, assigned code and date, 3446.10.32 CU as requested. Maisie put them all into a cupboard and sighed. What was she going to say to Plonnis about his latest proposal? A trip right now was just impossible and unfair, even after the weddings. It could be two years away at a critical time for the new course and the poor students. She had no illusions, she wasn’t indispensable, but in the short term this program would be dead without her. There was also Raelf, Kenrith and Nishkah, though really Raelf didn’t much need her as Mentor any longer.

~

The other class, to have their first lesson in the afternoon, had laid in wait. Choli found them all talking excitedly over lunch so she grabbed sandwiches and fruit soda. She banged her bottle on the table for attention and explained what Maisie had said.

“I have an idea too, while I have everyone,” she insisted. “I’ll talk to Adept Mage Master Fathris. Because all Master Maisie’s classes are over here in Physics there is now a cleared out room in the Mage’s Tower of the Old College. We are all in dorms there.”

“Why is that good?” said Falfery.

“The Apprentice Wizards have room in the Wizards Tower, they have a literary and music club with food, later than curfew just for wizard apprentices. We could have a technology club just for apprentice Mages, making stuff. Hobby Radio, food and after curfew. Someone tackle Maisie in next class and tell her that I’ll talk to Fathris. Like them, our committee can invite people or make someone not a Mage a member, if they are mad into technology. The main thing is interest in technology?”

“I certainly like the idea,” said Falfery. “I didn’t want to have Talent but be a scientist. That’s why I know so much maths, electronics and physics.”

“Well, you’re a lot older too,” insisted Choli.

“I’ll tackle Master Maisie,” said Serent, a young Oriobani girl from Rinoba.

They decided that though Falfery was the newest apprentice she should be chairman because she knew most about technical stuff. Also on the committee was Serent, Hiisra – a Jayn girl from Brishnor – and Ethniot the longest serving Apprentice – an Akasurip.

“But that’s an even number,” said Choli, “have a fifth.”

Many wanted Raelf, but Raelf and Falfery opposed this, so Choli was elected.

“You’re a good talker anyway,” said Raelf.

Choli and Ethniot would talk to Master Fathris. Serent and Hiisra to Master Maisie.

“I’ll talk to Master Dhramini about the curfew rules as I’m Chairman,” said Falfery.

All three Masters were delighted that the students had decided to have such a club, these were some of the best Apprentice Mages and some quite sensible. Clubs of any kind were to be encouraged. That night they brought flasks, soft drinks, cakes, sweetmeats, buns and biscuits and all brought their Slabs. Nilarima, a Penthnegin girl of fourteen and well over 2 m tall brought a two-way radio system. Fathris and Maisie had supplied some test gear and Maisie gave them all the University style plug-in breadboard prototype boards and parts she’d got for evaluation as she doubted they would ever be used. The biggest surprise was a professional workstation for CAE/CAD and programming. There was a hand painted instruction: ‘Not to be removed from Mage’s Nest’, but it was locked.

“That was Master Maisie’s,” said Raelf. He unlocked it with his Crystal and added all the other Apprentices. Falfery pulled up a stool and searched.

“It’s not wiped,” Falfery squeaked with excitement. She pulled up schematics, 3D models, 2D plans, programs. All in colour. These had been all protected from editing or deletion, but could be copied and then the copies edited. Falfery experimented with the layout of sensors of a colour camera design.

The others watched in awe as she added a new outer row of sub-pixels to each pixel, reset the optical filters and replicated it to 2172 × 1536.

“What has she done?” Kenrith whispered to Raelf.

“She’s made it have much more wavelength resolution for more accurate colour, but kept the overall sensor and resolution the same size for the mounts and lens.”

“Anyone see why Maisie limited the number of colour sensors and didn’t make this super colour resolution version?” said Falfery.

They all studied the characteristics. Falfery calculated pixel sensitivity, storage and transmission requirements. Then showed the specification of the original.

“I see,” said Ethniot, “the sensitivity suffers really badly.”

“More than that,” said Weon, “the original is probably good enough for all known species in colour rendition, better is only useful for spectrography. The increase would make it more expensive to make, also to transmit or store images. As it was people were horrified with the transmission costs compared to monochrome. I’m impressed you know how to actually work these applications, never mind edit the design. I understand how you could be disappointed to be a Mage, though most people are delighted to discover that they have Talent. But I think we can do both and be better than either.”

Falfery shocked him by hugging and kissing him. “You’ve no idea how happy I am with this club and Maisie’s new course!”

“I vote we eat now?” said Choli, “maybe half. Falfery, you need to show your appreciation differently, what if Master Fathris had come in?”

Master Dhramini had said they could meet any time, but only till quarter before curfew unless it was before a rest day when they could have whatever was normally permitted and be up to three hours later, as long as no-one was disturbed when they were going to bed. Only the Committee members could unlock the door. The only Masters that would visit would be herself, Fathris (as the most senior Magery Master) or Maisie.

“We can open the door and reserve the right to visit without notice,” Dhramini had insisted, “the normal Apprentice and Journeyman rules of association apply. So no hanky panky or snogging. Talk to the Wizard group, they have the same rules.”

In the advanced Maths and Physics class they were surprised the emphasis would be on the maths and physics needed for electricity, radio and laser communication. Regular power plant fusion versus Talent assisted fusion Orb sources and quantum mechanics.

[The Caemorian nearest equivalent anyway]

Finally starship jump drive science and technology versus the message swapping jump gates, quite different physics used inside sync-sats and why these could only be pairs, a sync-sat could only exchange a tiny data crystal with its twin. In the first class Maisie gave an overview of the course and the issues discovered trying to scale up the sync-sat which could operate in higher gravity, really near more mass, than a starship jump engine. There were only twelve students, not all Mages, but all the Mages drawn from the two classes of eight doing electronics. Again the emphasis was on systems that combined Talent and technology.

* * *

Maisie read the message from Millifore and called Chainai.

“You know why he wants to see me?”

“No, so it can’t be anything too serious, Maisie.”

Millifore seemed amused.

“Perhaps you ought to pay for these twenty-thousand Crystals for Mages?” he suggested.

“Oh they have sent the invoice to the college by mistake. I was intending to pay. It’s for the special classes.”

“Twenty-thousand?”

“We’ll get through them quick,” said Maisie. “The minimum order is a thousand and I did the design, so twenty-thousand is only twice the cost.”

“I thought you said you were going to prepare the substrates for the work?”

“I did one. That proved the idea worked. I’d have been mad not to have them mass produced. You did say I wasn’t to bother you with details. Though Freidin at House Funathim out of personal curiosity is trying to figure if they are any use to anyone not a Mage. I said he should work with Laramos University. They don’t think it’s possible. Actually the university was amazed when I sent them the first sixteen to mark, they didn’t realise Mages could do this so exactly.”

“Marking scheme?” exclaimed Millifore. “How good are they?”

“So many points for accuracy of device geometry, device performance, overall neatness, though that’s low weighting as it’s subjective and overall performance. They don’t know which students and the codes are different each time. They have just marked the third lot. Proper external assessment. I only score the students on a lower weighting on my perception of overall behaviour and questions, more subjective. The final marks will be 80% pure objective external assessment.”

“Maisie, I’m amazed,” he said, “so how are they doing?”

“Not as good as computer generated lithography or particle beam etching and doping, or as fast as automated TEM manipulation for custom work, but they are getting better. The second lot were commercial grade B functionality.”

“We’ve never graded Mages on that level of accuracy, well, we had no way to measure except a microscope. I rather think the College will pay the bill. We can’t have you paying for things simply because you can afford it. That’s not sensible or fair.”

4: Weddings

Maisie was apprehensive. She’d met the priests of the Caemorian official religion, translated as Caemorian Church in English, but had never had a private discussion with one. Being an Off-Worlder and a Talent originally, and now a citizen, Talent and College Council member, she had few situations were she could even legally discuss faith in God or Atheism, which actually suited her fine as it wasn’t a subject she thought about. Kaytim had tentatively asked, once or twice, which she thought was allowable for an Assistant, but she’d declined to discuss it as she hardly knew her own mind on the subject anyway. She was pretty sure that Denys believed, but Denys wasn’t so forthright, she was a stereotypical Karnd when it came to conversation. The simple thing would have been to turn down taking part in the weddings and not agreed to make vows.

“Priest Jannok?” asked Maisie.

“Third door on the left,” said the receptionist, “he’s waiting for you. His name is on the door.”

“I’m late?”

“Not at all, he’s probably studying, or maybe meditating, catching up with administration, but not actually with anyone. He has no other meetings today. He kept the day free for you.”

At least she now knew the priest was a man, a woman was equally possible. He was probably a Karnd, though she thought the only requirements were training, calling and Caemorian citizenship.

There was no button, so she knocked and waited. The door was opened by a tall, elderly Karnd of the dusky variety, but not red haired, a not so common ethnic group, though likely it was only biological, she reflected there was very little cultural variation. Still he wasn’t as tall as herself, though nearly as tall as Denys or Larin. She realised she had seen him take a service she’d attended with Denys, Larin, Kertlen, Kaytim and her family, though none of them seemed to attend on any regular basis.

“You must be Princess N’Riada Maisie, my immediate lord.”

“Well, er, yes,” stammered Maisie, a little taken aback by this. “Priest Jarnok?”

“Yes, do come in and sit.” He pointed to the bucket style comfy seats suited only to Karnds.

Maisie was used to places designed to suit a variety of Off-Worlders and had expected adjustable stools and a desk. There was a desk with various kinds of chairs and the adjustable stools, but they sat at the small low table with a flask, cups and a food container. Maisie stretched her legs under the table and found the seat comfortable, like a car she’d been in once. Jarnok poured two cups of Molruk and opened the container.

“I confess you are only the second Off-Worlder I’ve met. I met Olef yesterday. Sorry, technically he is one and you are not, Kaytim says you are Caemorian. However despite the etiquette, I’m aware your background till you were an adult was Tellus. I have researched a little. We priests can access more information than the general public. Anyway the purpose of this meeting isn’t to convince you of anything, or insist you tell me anything in particular, but basically to ensure you can support the promises you have offered to make and can be a witness, both of which have a religious context. Thus a Nulest or a Rationalist is unacceptable. You don’t however have to be a Church member. So are you a Rationalist or Nulest or something else?”

“This is purely between me and you? You don’t tell anyone anything except that I’m acceptable?”

“Yes.”

“I just answer that and that’s all?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m certainly not a Nulest. I don’t like thinking about belief in God or religion, but that doesn’t make me be a Rationalist?”

“A Rationalist tells people that there can’t possibly be a god of any kind, that they are sure of that. Usually they try and convince others, though I understand that someone with Talent could be a Rationalist and they are not allowed to promote it or tell people. All Talents are to keep your beliefs to yourselves, except in situations like this.”

“Well, I’m not a Rationalist, but don’t tell anyone,” insisted Maisie.

“That’s it. We are done. I will tell the two couples you are acceptable.”

“I was at a wedding and the two witnesses didn’t seem to say anything?”

“They are witnesses, they don’t always say anything, being there and registering as such cements the vow. There will be a practise and then you and the couples can decide on details.”

“The receptionist said you kept the entire day free for me, Mentor?”

“Yes your Highness. We can discuss the service, or anything else.”

“I’m not comfortable with being addressed other than Maisie or being your lord, please call me Maisie.”

“Those are realities, politics. Well, then you must call me Jarnok, I’m hardly your mentor, though it’s the customary honorific. Priests on Tellus are called Father?”

“Only some branches of the Christian Church. I’m not sure if any other religious do it. I thought maybe if you do have time I could ask your opinion. Looking things up is not the same as a discussion with an expert. You must have some expertise in your chosen field.”

“I do have time, I might have to ask questions so as to be able to contextualize answers. Only tell me what you know and nothing that makes you uncomfortable. If you were a Caemorian Rationalist or some other Caemorian religion you would be fair game for me to put my case that you are wrong. However I’m not interested in proving you wrong, only answering your questions, though as you are a Caemorian, I’m quite entitled to try and convince you that the Caemorian Church has the valid philosophical view. It’s a matter ultimately of faith, not science. The Rationalists can’t prove there is no god, and we can’t prove there is.”

“I’m intrigued that you have the idea of a soul, sin, damnation and redemption as well as God,” mused Maisie. “If there was only Tellus and no other worlds with sentient life, then it would be simple. Or if only Tellurians had souls, or if all life elsewhere was sinless. Or if all life elsewhere was demonic and not human. It seems to me to create a theological difficulty for Christianity the idea that the galaxy, probably all galaxies, has lots of species that are in a real sense human, believe they have souls, believe in the need for redemption and are neither God’s agents, angels in English, or demons.”

“I’d have thought it was only a problem if you are Christian believer and also believe that Christianity, not just God is universal,” suggested Jarnok. “Are you a Christian? You don’t have to answer that.”

“I’m not any of the other Tellurian religions. Do you really know what a Christian, a Jew or a Moslem is, Jarnok?”

“I confess I have not read the Koran, partially because there is no Arabic to Karndic translation software. I’ve read computer translated Tellurian descriptions of the main religions and spent three years studying computer translations of a modern Jewish Tanakh and two Bible versions, the NIV and the Jerusalem Bible. Also computer translated texts about the culture and histories of the times it was written in. Very many of us have done that especially in the last year due to the discussions with the Tellurian religious groups provoked by your presentation to the Northern Assembly delegation.”

“I guess by Caemorian criteria I’m not a proper Atheist. My mother was a Christian and I think my father was an Atheist, but neither ever talked about their beliefs, not to me anyway. I try not to think about it. I’ve never had a discussion about it with anyone. I’ve actively avoided it. I’d not be here now only Chainai and Kaytim are so special to me, and seeing as I’m here…”

“Why is it a problem for Christianity if we are just like people on Tellus?” asked Jarnok.

“Because Jesus, the Messiah in Hebrew or Christ in Greek, though both of those are English versions, died for all sins. How is that possible? He didn’t die on any other worlds?”

“Well, it took a long while before your mother’s ancestors in China were told,” insisted Jarnok. “What’s the difference between China and Caemoria? Or some world in Andromeda? What about the people that died in China or in Israel before he died, or before the Christian Church started?”

“Are you saying Christian Missionaries should be preaching here, even though it would be illegal?” exclaimed Maisie.

“It wouldn’t be if we decided that Judaism and Christianity was essentially the same religion as the Caemorian Church, actually we might then regard it as our mission to preach about the Christ. Or alternatively anywhere other than Tellus has some other arrangement for redemption, that all that is written in the Bible only applies to Tellus. For example, if there was the great flood in the Bible, it was only on Tellus.”

“I’m confused now. I see it’s not just as simple as some people suggest. No-one actually can know the answer, it’s not something that can be tested like science, it’s like faith in God or faith there is no God?”

“You have some faith there is a god, but you are not sure what to believe?”

“Maybe.” Maisie shook her head. She was now quite confused.

“I can’t tell you if you should be a Christian, or a Caemorian Church member, or continue on trying to ignore it. I can’t myself decide if Judaism or the Christian Church should be for Tellus or Tellurians only. We decided the Caemorian Church only applied to Caemorians, but that faiths on many other worlds were essentially the same faith by another name. If Tellus had Judaism and no Christianity it maybe would be a little simpler. No other world has a human that died and claimed to be God and then apparently rose from the dead to prove it. If we all had such a person it might seem simpler, but then that really would be like America, China and Australia each having a separate Christ. It would create a bigger theological problem than it solved. What if first contact had been more than two thousand years ago, that’s before Christianity? We had starships then.”

“I’m a Caemorian now though?”

“That would be a simple solution if we had never encountered Tellus and Christianity.”

“Is this a crisis for the Caemorian Church? I’ve heard no discussion of this.”

“It’s being discussed very calmly and quietly,” explained Jarnok. “There will be no controversy or schism.”

“Christianity has no shortage of either of those,” Maisie pointed out.

“We may decide that Judaism and Christianity are both worshipping the same God as the Caemorian Church, at which point it might be up to the individual to decide if they believe additionally in the sacrifice for sins that Jesus made, and thus that implementation of redemption. I imagine that would annoy many Tellurians for different reasons. The Hierarchy may debate it for a long time and issue no official guidance.”

“What should I do?”

“Do what you have the faith for.”

“I need to think about it. I can attend services without a commitment?”

“Even the Nulests and Rationalists are welcome to attend any kind of service. It’s only actual vows or serving in the Church that requires more. Only people with an official function in the Church have to actually sign up in a sense. There is no roll of ordinary members. Faith is a personal and private matter. It’s optional to put your religion on your ID unless you are a Nulest or Rationalist, though Talents aren’t allowed to have their religion on the ID page anyway.”

“I think there is a flaw in comparing humans on Caemoria with humans on Australia or Americas before Christians arrived?”

“What, Maisie?”

“Well, you know who Adam and Eve are, Jarnok?”

“The symbolic or real parents of all the Tellurians.”

“So according to the Bible I must have their DNA and their original sin. The Karnds, Lorms and all the tens of thousands of other human species, maybe ten times more than that in this part of the galaxy, unlike people in the Americas, are not related.”

“We are certainly not sinless, people everywhere do bad things, possibly every day, even if they don’t break the laws of their governments. I don’t have any answers for you Maisie. Theology is about faith, and for some faiths it’s also about revelation. Your New Testament raises new questions and doesn’t answer very many questions about the Tanakh. Look at the size of the Talmud, and commentaries by Christians, many of which disagree on interpretation. Neither Judaism, Christianity or the Caemorian church is about scientifically satisfying answers. It’s about faith. The rule about not eating blood might be sensible, but it’s not about the scientific reason for it, but because God said so. It’s one of the few prohibitions of the Old Testament in the New Testament and in our writings too. We had men and women like the Prophets, but it stopped over a thousand years before the scientific ages started.”

“Wouldn’t the same sort of beliefs in the same sort of God prove God exists?” asked Maisie.

“The Rationalists, what Tellurians call Atheists, say it’s a delusion, that evolution results in similar functionality in the brain because the laws of physics and thus chemistry, lead to similar biochemistry. They claim it leads to similarity of cognition and thus deep grammar of language, moral imperatives and that the false belief in God, revelations are thus a mere inevitable artefact of the brain. Our written copy of the Revelations to the Caemorian church naturally takes a different viewpoint.”

“I don’t seem to have a copy of that?”

“You have to ask us specifically. I can put it on your subscriptions, it’s free in electronic form. You can buy a printed version rather artificially split into thirty-two equal size volumes. They aren’t too large and it’s sold at cost price.”

Maisie passed over her Crystal.

“I’ll read it out of curiosity, as part of my cultural program. I expect though you have thousands of years worth of accumulated commentaries, how does anyone know which are more important?”

“That’s a very hard question as popular, easy to read, well regarded by critics and theologically important rarely match. Start with what Kaytim thinks is worth reading as she is a believer, your friend and Assistant.”

“She’s never said anything about it, though I had surmised she went to services occasionally out of conviction and not duty.”

“People, including your Assistant, certainly won’t talk publicly about faith to an Off-Worlder or to a Talent. Even privately you need to initiate the discussion, people with Talent are subject to stricter laws. You mustn’t discuss your beliefs either, except in situations like this or with your Assistant privately, or your family.”

“So we can talk more freely because I’m your local Lord, or because of the wedding, or because Kaytim attends here?”

“Partly we can discuss whatever we want if no-one else knows. You can regard me as your local Priest. You do have to be careful, especially being on the College Council. None of them will even tell you in private what their faith is. Because you are an actual Margravine with the manor, farms and town, people would expect us to meet and discuss issues of faith, privately, so that you can be better involved in the welfare of your people.”

“That sort of gets round the Talent issue?”

“Indeed, though there are other ways.”

“In that case we can meet here or at the house, as often and in what way you think appropriate. The Church cares for the poor and those with issues that can’t be solved by the health system?”

“We do.”

“Then don’t be shy about asking for my help when it’s appropriate.”

“The town council and the local church are well aware of what you have done and your desire that there should be no fuss about it. Economically the town was slowly dying and that was causing depression and meanness. Rolli and Tai were really worried about the spiritual malaise that the gradual disintegration of the community was causing.”

“I’m not a naturally kind or friendly person. I’m aware too that many ills need companionship, community, commitment and time and can’t be solved by throwing Credits at them. I’ve relied on other people to set most of my priorities for the last five years. But…”

She stared at him and drank some of the now lukewarm Molruk.

“You have a question, maybe a doubt?”

“I’m full of doubt. I can’t commit to anything religious. How can I be suitable to make the vows at the wedding?”

“I’m more suspicious of people full of aggressive certainty.”

~

“You are happy to waive privacy and have me speak with all four of you together?” asked Priest Jannok.

Chainai, Pedar, Kertlen and Kaytim signed assent.

“Yes,” said Kaytim.

“You are all determined that Chainai pick the male aspect and Kaytim picks the female?”

“Yes,” insisted Kaytim. “It’s not a problem that neither is a Karnd?”

“Not at all,” explained Jannok, “anyone may come to the service, we are very flexible. Sharing the male and female representative and the service isn’t a problem. However, Olef isn’t a Caemorian and his statements make him ineligible. Maisie is a Caemorian and while she isn’t a member of the Church, she makes no statement that disqualifies her. I rule that she is acceptable. Anyone part of the service must be a Church member or a Caemorian and meet certain other criteria. Do you understand Chainai?”

“I can imagine what Olef might have said. I know you can’t tell us. I guess that as he’s neither a Church member nor Caemorian I was being unrealistic.”

“I was prepared to make an exception, I have discretion, so I listened to him. Kaytim?”

“I imagine you found Maisie confusing? Anyway I understand.”

“I understood Maisie perfectly,” he insisted, “possibly better than she understands herself, it’s my job. Would Rolli be acceptable to you four? He’s well respected as the Morganthal Council Chairman, he and his consort Tai are well known to you all, they know Chainai from when she was a child.”

“They are my only link with my past,” admitted Chainai. “I don’t know my relatives well and the rest don’t know them at all. Kaytim’s father would be acceptable to me.”

“We prefer other than the parents.”

“Isn’t Rolli a little old?” suggested Kaytim.

“Yes,” agreed the Priest, “have you another suggestion?”

There was silence.

“We are better off for female friends,” explained Kaytim, “it would have been no problem, though I’d have been upset, if Maisie rather than Olef was ineligible. Perhaps Rolli isn’t too old?”

“He’s acceptable,” suggested Priest Jarnok.

“I don’t think he’s too old,” offered Kertlen.

“I’m happy about it,” said Pedar, “he’s not yet sixty and very healthy, Tai is younger than him. It’s hypothetical anyway.”

“I’ll speak with him then,” agreed Priest Jarnok.

~

The six of them signed the forms (electronically on the Crystals). Rolli agreed to physically care for any children should the parents both die if before they were of age. Maisie agreed to ensure the education, secular and spiritual, for any children should the parents both die if before they were of age.

Then Jarnok the Priest, left the couples and two witnesses to wait for them in the Chapel.

The Chapel in Morganthal had only a few seats left for the tired or weak around the walls. Normally the hall would be about three quarters full of seats. In the middle there was a tall canopy made from evergreen branches. Under that was a table with fruit, leaves, herbs, roots, tree nuts, bush nuts – the local equivalent of pulses, though not related at all – as well as grain, seeds and spices in seven bowls. There were seven small jugs and four small plain glasses.

No fungus, meat, fowl, fish, milk, insects or grubs, only pure vegetable produce was allowed. The Priest checked there was no contamination.

A small charcoal brazier burned on a stand beside the table.

The seven jugs on the table had water, fruit juice, malt before it’s fermented extracted from grain seeds, wine, beer, spirits from fermented fruit juice and spirits from fermented malt. The couples would drink from each to seal the promises.

At the end of the hall behind the priest was a stage with the musicians. One tapped three times and the hushed whispering stopped. Two simultaneously let out long blasts on their trumpet like horns.

The doors at each end of the chapel closed.

There was a knocking at one door. It was ignored even though it was periodically repeated. Then when the other door was knocked, both doors were opened simultaneously. From the east came the grooms, Pedar and Kertlen and from the west door, the brides, Chainai and Kaytim. Kertlen and Kaytim both wore gowns and robes like the College uniform but in cloth of gold with rich coloured embroidered plants and animals. Pedar and Chainai wore similarly embroidered silver outfits, but based on their College Master’s robes.

The musicians played a march as the brides with Maisie as attendant, and grooms with Rolli as attendant stepped in time to the centre. Maisie glanced at the tiny dots on the floor so they could step the same distance.

The Priest pointed to Kertlen; “Who are you and why are you here?”

“I am N’Laramos Helna Jornot Kertlen, I am here to become a consort to N’Lonth Kaytim,” he replied loudly, “and we will become N’Riada.”

The Priest turned and pointed to Kaytim; “Who are you and why are you here?”

“I am N’Lonth Kaytim, I am here to become a consort to N’Laramos Kertlen,” she replied, “and we will become N’Riada.”

“Your Highness, Margravine N’Riada Maisie, Arch Warlock, Adept Mage, Master of Mentalism, Magery and Warlockery, Assistant to the Wildgrave, Councillor of the Circle College, Princess of the Demesne of Dalriada by hand of the Emperor, do you permit these to become N’Riada?”

“I do,” affirmed Maisie and passed the priest a scroll.

“Most unusual,” he lowered his voice. “Where did you get this? I’ve only seen such once in a Museum.”

“I made it, wrote it myself,” Maisie whispered. “It’s based on historic ones, you have the electronic permission too. It’s properly witnessed.”

The Priest held up the illuminated patent conferring permission to use the recently created place name of Riada, as both Dal and the ‘N’ abbreviation mean place of. There was a susurration of whispering.

“Kaytim and Kertlen, you are both agreed on marriage and are prepared to make a life long commitment?”

“Yes,” Kaytim agreed.

“Yes,” Kertlen agreed.

The Priest pointed to Pedar, “who are you and why are you here?”

“I am N’Bilan Pedar, I am here to become a consort to N’Goro Chainai,” he replied loudly.

The Priest turned and pointed to Chainai, “who are you and why are you here?”

“I am N’Goro Chainai, I am here to become a consort to N’Bilan Pedar,” she replied.

“Pedar and Chainai, you are both agreed on marriage and are prepared to make a life long commitment?”

“Yes,” Pedar agreed.

“Yes,” Chainai agreed.

“Is there any known impediment for either couple?” The Priest asked.

For nearly five minutes there was silence. Maisie appreciated that simply by being with the brides as a witness, that she had confirmed the vow or promise she’d made. No-one had explained why Rolli was on the grooms’ side instead of Olef, though she could imagine.

“Let the record show that no-one brought forward an impediment and that none are registered as a consort of a living person with the Caemorian Government of Empire,” The Priest called out loudly.

The Priest produced two platters and dagger like knives from a shelf in the table. He then put a kind of griddle on the brazier and some oil on it. Chainai and Kaytim took turns chopping roots and put them with grain in the pan. Pedar and Kertlen then chopped some fruit and leaves and added them. Chainai and Kaytim chopped bush nuts, then Pedar and Kertlen chopped some tree nuts. Simultaneously they added those as the Priest added spices. The Priest stirred it and replaced the daggers with sporks. Then he set the griddle on the platters. The pairs fed each other a mouthful each as the priest poured some water. They then gave each other the goblets and sipped.

After they responded to each question from the Priest they ate another mouthful and drank from the next jug. He emptied the last of the stir fried food into the brazier, when they had finished, and then each of the jugs in turn starting with grain spirit, which was spectacular, and ending with water creating clouds of vapour. Maisie and Rolli then carried off the table though a door into a store room and when they returned the priest continued.

He turned to Pedar and Chainai. “You are now consorts to each other, married till one of you shall die,” the priest announced loudly.

Pedar and Chainai embraced.

Then he turned to Kaytim and Kertlen and repeated it. Then Kaytim and Kertlen embraced. Maisie gave Chainai, Kaytim, Pedar, Kertlen and Rolli hugs and kisses, which wasn’t part of the service!

The priest then went and sat in front of the stage. At once the musicians started playing softly and the two couples moved around the floor in time. After they made a circuit of the floor they were joined first by Rolli and Tai, then Kaytim’s parents, Chainai’s uncle and aunt, then by the other married couples. Olef dragged Maisie off the floor.

“Not yet, you are not married,” he hissed.

Maisie sat beside the priest who grinned at her. “Think on what I said,” he whispered.

“I suppose because I’m a Caemorian?”

“I’d have been breaking the law if you weren’t one.”

Then after all the married couples had made a complete circuit other people moved into the dance.

“Now we can join,” said Maisie getting up and standing with Olef. She thought the marriage sounded terribly final, though she knew there were ways to get in essence divorced without actually someone dying. Otherwise some very desperate people might commit suicide or murder. Caemorians liked the ideal, but were practical. At that moment she decided she could never make such a commitment, even if she made any other commitment. Or another commitment. She realised that she’d made a serious religious vow by taking part in the ceremony and that there was a major significance that Rolli had replaced Olef. She knew Chainai had wanted Olef to do it. The priest had said it wasn’t a question of species or being worthy but of faith, something that couldn’t be measured with test gear or analysed in a spectrometer. She suspected Olef was a Rationalist, though many at college assumed she was one. He certainly wasn’t a Caemorian. He wouldn’t say, invoking College rules. She wasn’t sure and strangely that was more acceptable to the priest than dogmatism when she tried to explain what she didn’t understand.

Maisie pushed Olef away. “One dance, that was all, we are not on a date, Olef.”

Raelf couldn’t believe that Chainai had invited him and suggested he bring a companion. He’d brought Falfery. Some of the Masters and some of the Council were here, Master Rathora perhaps because she was Chainai’s friend? Though Raelf couldn’t figure any particular basis for some invites. Obviously mostly only friends, family and Assistants (who generally counted as being friends and family). Oddly though Wildgrave Plonnis and Francee the famous composer and choreographer. Perhaps some of Maisie’s friends. Was Mogul Naleena of House Funathim here as Kertlen’s previous employer or Maisie’s friend? Having one of those exalted people never mind three was amazing.

All of Chainai’s, Pedar’s, Kaytim’s and Kertlen’s closer relatives. The College lawyer, Baron Garvisin too. Well, usually there was a lawyer. He wondered why not a local one.

“You are dreaming again,” said Falfery, “because you were dancing fine till just now. That was my foot.”

“Sorry,” said Raelf. “I still can’t believe we are here.”

“Certainly I didn’t expect anything like this,” agreed Falfery, “or that you could be enchanting. Or the strange Mage powered electronics class. Actually I can’t believe Maisie knows much more about Caemorian Electronics than us. I bet she is only a few chapters ahead.”

“But she sure can teach,” said Raelf, “also what student would be stupid enough to rag an Arch Warlock?”

“There is that, but are the stories of her Apprentice year true?”

“Most of the ones I’ve heard, but most were hearsay for me as I arrived a good bit later, they may get a bit exaggerated. She arrived early 3443:10 I think, I arrived end of 3444:9, she was a Journeyman already. I think her last bad mistake was about 3444:4, she blew out all the electrical systems in the main Nulest Complex, their HQ in Gaolang. No-one can get expelled, but if you could, she was certainly close to it twice when she was an apprentice. I don’t believe she has ever hurt anyone.”

“I’d love to hear the whole story.”

“So would I,” he said, “she rarely talks about herself. Time now to head to Dalriada. You’ll find it different, it’s fake Tellurian of about two hundred or three hundred years ago, though it might remind you of the Old College. Not tacky apart from the fake fireplace.”

~

It was just after the celebratory meal, which wasn’t part of any Caemorian custom, at least not for wedding guests, but Maisie had convinced the others it was a good idea, forgetting that even on Earth the Wedding Reception was tradition rather than universally loved.

“Maisie, can we talk privately?” said Arch Chancellor Millifore.

“Chat later Raelf, Falfery,” said Maisie, “my office.”

Raelf and Falfery watched them go.

“I’ve only met the Arch Chancellor twice,” said Falfery, “he seems upset.”

“I’ve met him lots,” said Raelf. “I think he is absolutely mad with Maisie about something.”

“Who’s mad?” said Kaytim.

“The Arch Chancellor is very cross with Maisie,” said Raelf.

“Oh dear, I have a good idea why too. I knew it was a mistake inviting the Wildgrave.”

“Aren’t they reputed to get on very well and do mighty diplomatic stuff together?” said Raelf.

Falfery was fascinated. Raelf knew so many interesting things.

“Except when Maisie is involved,” said Kaytim. “I better find Plonnis and find out what he said.”

Falfery watched her dash off. “But isn’t Maisie an Assistant to the Wildgrave?”

“Yes, that seriously annoyed Millifore. Before that I doubt they had ever disagreed about anything. Maisie accepted without discussing it with Millifore or even Kaytim, but Millifore has never said what his plans are for Maisie. Neither seems to have considered what plans Maisie might have had, but as far as I can see, Maisie has never had plans much ever except to study. She has more or less stopped doing that, so who knows.”

“Maybe she wants to teach, and wed Olef.”

“I doubt she really wants either of those, certainly not Olef. She only went round the on the dance with him once. They aren’t a couple. I think she doesn’t know what she wants, though she likes teaching. I’m sure whatever about marriage in general she only thinks of him as friend. I think I’d notice from the mind links.”

~

“You told Millifore before Maisie has agreed?” said Kaytim. “YOU ARE BARKING MAD! SHE WON’T GO!” Kaytim stomped off leaving Plonnis stunned. He couldn’t remember anyone shouting at him before. His ears were ringing. Actually he was surprised as he hadn’t realised it was possible for anyone to shout so loud.

Everyone was staring at him so he walked calmly to the small private lounge and sat down. Perhaps he had made a mistake this time.

Kaytim burst into the study and slammed the door.

“SHE NEVER AGREED!”

“Calm down,” said Millifore. “I do believe Maisie.”

Millifore shook his head.

“Does Kaytim shout like that at you?”

“Only when I start it.”

“That’s not true Maisie, you don’t always start it, I do just as often.”

“You mean you two shout at each other?”

“Not very often and only privately,” said Kaytim, “also only because we care.”

“It’s a strange way to show it,” said Millifore, “does Kertlen know?”

“I’ve hardly ever shouted at him.”

“You can’t go shouting at people.”

“So Chainai has told Maisie and I,” said Kaytim.

“It’s got to stop.”

“We hardly ever any more. Only seriously once since Maisie is a Master, about Olef.”

“What about Olef?”

“Ask Olef,” said Maisie. “I doubt he’ll say, it’s a private matter between us, but Kaytim was right to talk to me about it.”

“So you agree to what I suggested first?”

“No.”

“The other then?”

“No.”

“That’s impossible!” exclaimed Kaytim.

“No, perhaps people need to mind their own business,” muttered Maisie. “He’s just a friend.”

“Never mind Olef, Maisie,” said Millifore, “you have a problem, I suspect you and Kaytim are not completely up to speed on Caemorian law.”

“I don’t have to accept the position of Emissary to Morglun, I thought Plonnis said any job would be mutually agreed, though that’s not written anywhere.”

“I think you have misunderstood, in any case he may have meant the department, the Office of the Wildgrave rather than any direct Imperial order.”

“I’ve got two students, well almost three really, three new classes, and three mentees or whatever a mentor calls the one mentored. Apprentice Warlock Nishkah still finds Warlock Hornitar, um, difficult.”

“She’ll get over that,” insisted Millifore, “especially as she can use electricity. I think in future any new Warlock talent will have to have some training by someone able to use electricity before training in using Alchemical mix. Solarinette was obviously right in her suspicions as to why no existing trained Warlock could learn.”

“I do think my Mage talent is involved,” suggested Maisie, “she’s limited the same way any Alchemist mix using Warlock is limited.”

“Nothing like as limited according to Hornitar. Your range is because you are an Arch Warlock and being an Adept Mage helps,” said Millifore. “One of the classes can be reassigned. You could maybe take Raelf and Kenrith with you and Raelf can complete his study to be a Master on the starship, though he won’t become a Master at that point. I think you will have to continue to be Mentor to Nishkah, I don’t imagine though she’ll take up much of your time. As she is Hoti, the lower gravity will be good for her, you can take over Matron’s Mage work on her for muscle and bone mass adaptation. The electronics is a problem, the only other faintly plausible Mage was Granis and frankly you can teach and he can’t. I’m not convinced he even understands the basics of electronics. Fathris is a good teacher, but can’t handle electronics. I’ve never heard such enthusiasm from Apprentices. You’re lucky Fathris isn’t insecure and is proud of you and Choli has persuaded both classes to be careful and emphasise the gruelling work aspect of it.”

“I do work them hard, but you are talking like I have to go.” Maisie was determined Nishkah didn’t always get exactly what she wanted. Yet if her grandmother had spoiled her, she didn’t act spoiled. She couldn’t decide if she was manipulative. The childish sobbing had never been repeated, so if she was manipulative, it was subtle. Perhaps she was simply tenacious, or in this case lucky.

“Ordinary Assistants can in extremity, resign, it’s not done lightly. Your mistake was taking the job. You can’t resign nor can Plonnis or the Emperor sack you. You or they need a quorum of the Council to agree to terminate the life position. If Plonnis appoints you as Emissary, he’s doing it on the Emperor’s behalf. It’s an imperial command. Plonnis is only waiting for a when. It’s uncharted waters if you refuse.”

“Oh gods.” Maisie finally understood. She thumbed her Crystal and stared at it. “Kaytim, dear, I’ve made a terrible mistake. I trusted Plonnis. I thought this job was some sort of reward for all the stuff I advised him about Tellus and maybe some of that was paranoid nonsense. I see it now. The advising Emissary Ambassador Gethrin and being Emissary of Caemoria to the Northern Assembly was a combination of training, practice and testing me.”

“No,” said Millifore. “It was better advice than anyone else in the Galaxy could give just right then, poor as it was, you were not betraying them either, you really helped. The threat of the World Democratic Council is gone, Tellus will find a more natural peaceful future. Perhaps much as they are. A single Planetary Government isn’t for everyone. I presume as an Assistant Wildgrave you have access to information about Yaram and Mirror War?”

“Yes, also Rathora was a friend of a Mage that worked as a healer there. No sync-sats then, so she heard later. Mage Lonat was on Grand Central for a long while too.”

“Yes, obviously I knew her too. Janethra is doing a great job on Tellus, though most would have thought the simpler solution with Heidi was to let nature take its course. You gave Gethrin good advice and did well with the Northern Assembly, it set the tone. Belatedly I understand why Plonnis was so pleased to praise you to me. I hate to admit it, but you may actually be the best choice to go.”

There was silence for a while.

“Can I afford to take the classes with me and some sort of kit space station? We need an off planet base. It could take months, the starship would be out of reach in days. Unlike Tellus there is no plan to orbit a starship. There is no threat or uncertainty. It’s supposed to be a really simple First Contact, otherwise someone more experienced would be there. Is there such a thing as a kit space station?”

“Also how many first contact experts do you think there are?” insisted Millifore. “It’s a very rare thing. Gethrin and Janethra are the only more experienced people that could handle these people.”

Kaytim grinned.

“So if I can’t refuse being Emissary to Morglun, I can take the classes with me?”

“It’s the most insane suggestion I’ve ever heard,” said Millifore, “however it seems to be the best solution. Starships have schools and college level tutoring for Spacers, the Flitter Clans and starship Septs. Talk to Hornogran, Master Engineer of Flitter Design of House Delanateur, seeing as you know him, he’ll know about space stations that can be packed in Flitters and taken on a starship. You can’t possibly surprise him any more than you did before. If House Delanateur don’t make them, they’ll know who does. I have no idea what it will cost. That’s your problem, you stupidly accepted the job, I expect the Government will pay part of the cost. Also get them to quote for adapting your stable in the Flitter to a sickbay, the rotating feature is good for that. When you have all the facts and the agreement of Plonnis, you can put it to the College Council. I’ll warn some of them. We don’t want medical emergencies. You’d better get back to your guests too, Kaytim, or maybe forget the guests and find Kertlen.”

He got up and walked to the door.

“The party is really Maisie’s,” she called after him as she also went to the door. “Kertlen and I will go to our apartment here. You can deal with the people, Maisie. It was your crazy idea to invite them here.”

Maisie called Plonnis as soon as Kaytim left.

“I’m sorry Maisie,” said Plonnis. “I assumed you had discussed it with Millifore and that you understood there is no-one better qualified. By all accounts they are just like Tellurians in technological and political development. Fortunately not as warlike.”

“I was stupidly hoping you’d change your mind.”

“You are one of the few people familiar with outside culture. We can’t send Ambassador Gethrin and his Assistant Janethra, they are the only people better qualified. I suppose Aryladni is equally qualified in a way, she’d have to go if you died or something awkward like that. The other Assistant, Lorint, is more involved with security.”

“I’m thinking Aryladni is your successor and you don’t want her doing any first contact or she’d have been on Tellus?”

“I can’t comment on that,” insisted Plonnis. “Such speculation is in bad taste, it’s a little like speculation about who is the next Emperor.”

“But the Privy council has decided the Princess Imperial, Galriana is next?”

“True, but the media only calls her Princess Galriana, it’s not polite to talk about her father’s death. Anyway we need to discuss Morglun.”

“How where they contacted originally?” asked Maisie.

“They were spotted in a survey, then visited secretly by criminals that stashed some research on an island. Then many years later that was recovered and some criminals arrested. You’ve met Captain Juili of the Intergal, she was there.”

“Actually she told me the story of the origin of the sync-sats and how Kordina became Sept Chief. I’m mentor to her grandson, a new Mage Talent at the College. You’ve heard of Kordina?”

“That’s amazing!” exclaimed Plonnis.

“What part? That Juili would tell the story to me? We became close friends. The messages are expensive, but we keep in touch. Did you ever discover where the sync-sat research came from? I think you have recently been in touch with Kordina.”

“Really, she told you?” said Plonnis. “I didn’t realise she knew what it was. We don’t understand where the information came from. People’s accounts don’t match up, all of the original people directly involved were dead by the time Captain Frosent set off, thirty-five years ago.”

“Plonnis, I’m quite sure you know a great deal about who tells me what,” said Maisie, “actually I feel seriously exploited by you. I suspect you spy on me. You didn’t properly explain the job you offered.”

“I supervise my staff, I only spy on other Governments and miscreants involved in Interstellar activities. I clearly told you the job title, you should have already known or asked for time to think about it.”

“One person wasn’t dead, Pralig, he was one of the original criminals involved with Captain Fliminat, he left Grand Central just before Punat and Villaen killed each other. He warned Villaen. Also Villaen must have been waiting for someone or something and it wasn’t Yoni or Punat, or Captain Adalama’s starship, indeed, if Juili told it straight, not any starship of Sept Foudanae.”

“There is no record of that,” mused Plonnis. “How did Juili know?”

“She was there in the room when Pralig and Villaen met,” said Maisie. “He was very nervous and didn’t expect Pralig, but Pralig had a pass phrase.”

“Perhaps you can find out more at Grand Central, though it’s a very cold trail, Pralig may be dead of old age,” Plonnis paused, obviously thinking about some detail. “He’d have to have been in his late twenties minimum to be in the inner circle when the data was cached about fifty-five years ago, so maybe eighty to ninety years old. He could live to over a hundred and ten easily or maybe a hundred and twenty, hale and hearty, I suppose. So perhaps you could pick up the trail. I’ll start my people researching. I don’t remember reading about Captain Juili being involved as much as that. I thought she just happened to go with them as they were so short handed. Perhaps being a minor, they kept her name out of it.”

“Juili, Kordina and to an extent Raemaren were actually very involved, according to Juili’s version,” insisted Maisie. “I must ask Kordina and Raemaren how they remember it.”

“The actual job though is Emissary, that has to be your focus. No chasing shadows or blowing stuff up. You were very good in Dublin with the Assembly Leaders. You should check on how Heidi Marliss is getting on, though she can’t do any harm on Grand Central.”

“That was long ago, and no-one was hurt,” insisted Maisie, she thought this was an unfair dig.

“You did seriously damage a house in Belfast and badly injure people,” said Plonnis, “though I’d count that as positive as they had just launched rocket propelled grenades at you and your party and you did save their lives later with Mage healing. That seriously impressed the authorities there. Especially as they had eye witness reports from their own special services, including video as you were under surveillance. You were obviously very restrained, very nuanced. I was impressed.”

“Right then here’s the deal. I want to take some of my friends, Masters and classes and a space station with me, full transcripts of any trials or interviews and all information about the sync-sat origins or I will defy the Emperor and not go, anyway, why now?”

“You’re mad, the trail is cold, The star gate idea isn’t even practical even if we do find the source of the sync-sat design.”

“I realise that now, still it will be a useful experiment.”

“Concentrate on being Emissary. Learn the language, we do have Captain Frosent’s data and the subsequent language files. They are just over 3.7 LY from Cayeirhiel. They detected Cayeirhiel’s industrialisation via spectroscopic analysis and simply started open ended transmission in Hreshi, so we have learned a lot more. They assumed their visitors about thirty-five years ago came from there and they know those Off-Worlders spoke Hreshi. Obviously responding in person is faster than radio transmission from Cayeirhiel. Cayeirhiel are at least a full Galactic Council member and send a Talent every few years to College. Morglun now has nuclear power and orbital spacecraft technology, which seems hard to believe. They stress that they are against nuclear weapons. It’s curious that they know what they are. Something is odd about their current science and technology compared to the survey, the criminals’ impression and the last visit. It seems an improbable speed of technological development. They would like to have a delegation and trade. They are assuming we are from Cayeirhiel, they don’t know the truth yet. They know they have been visited twice from space and the second visit was some sort of police action and also famous for rescue of one of their warships and airship crew. The survey ship would have been nearly invisible as they coasted, so they don’t know about it.”

“Explain to our exalted Emperor the technical difficulties involved in making me do anything and how useful an uncooperative Emissary will be. Or help me figure out how to take about thirty students, various Assistants, staff and Masters and a space station able to spin for not too feeble artificial gravity and big enough diameter for low enough Coriolis forces. It will be really needed anyway as the starship would be out of range in a few days and we may need months. Or were you planning to have the massive cost and energy of breaking a starship to orbit like was done for Tellus, that was horrendous costs. I’ll pay for the extras if I can afford it.”

“How did you find out how much that cost?”

“I asked, apparently only embarrassing, rather than secret. I’ve told Jack and Gemma just how much Credits and approximate euro value that was, however unlike Yaram, I think Tellurian people are now generally well disposed to us, at least that’s my impression based on watching BBC World News and CNN.”

“What do you know about Yaram?” he said.

“Not as much as you probably,” said Maisie. “Rathora remembers it, her friend Mage Lonat that was also on the Freness was a healer on Yaram during the Mirror War. Rathora told me all I know, it was instructive. Between our talks and Rathora I clearly saw the priorities for the Caemorian mission to Tellus wasn’t about trade. I need to see where people have got to, I’m missing a couple of students for a start. I was just about to have a talk with them when I had to talk to Millifore. That’s very serious. He doesn’t know yet, I hope.”

“We’ll have a decent number of free Crystals and ship a few factories with the pick-up starship,” promised Plonnis. “I’ll see what I can organise. Leave your Carrier behind this time to have extra freight space. Take Kaytim’s Flitter. You should talk to Captain Arithon about troopers and additional Flitters.”

~

Meanwhile Raelf had decided to give Falfery a tour as he had already stayed at Dalriada a few times.

“That was pretty insane shouting that Kaytim did,” remarked Falfery.

“Some serious disagreement between Plonnis and Millifore about Maisie.”

“Obviously Kaytim regards the Wildgrave as responsible,” suggested Falfery, “or irresponsible! Can you treat the Emperor’s personal representative and envoy like that here without execution or jail?”

“They don’t execute people here for anything, ever,” said Raelf, “nor is Kaytim likely to go to jail or be fined. Actually are there any homeworlds that execute people any more? It’s pretty unprecedented behaviour, though. I imagine if it had been a more public venue she might have been arrested and faced a fine. I’m not sure exactly what law applies. She’ll certainly be expected to apologise.”

“I don’t suppose anyone executes anyone anywhere since pre-history times.”

“Some Tellurian Governments still do it, Spacers only stopped maybe twenty-five years ago, though it was rare.”

“Did Maisie tell you that, Raelf?”

“I saw it on Tellurian video, Maisie has two Tellurian news channels, I think fed here for the Wildgrave’s Office.”

“Special subscription?”

“Yes, Falfery, so not just her apartment, but here and the Flitter too.”

They left the large dining hall.

“This is the great Hall,” said Raelf, pointing out the obvious, “good for dances and concerts. It had a tacky fake fire, but it’s gone completely.”

“It’s lovely, shame no dance?” said Falfery. She paused and sat on a seat at the wall. “Will she apologise?”

“She doesn’t seem the sort to back down,” Raelf admitted. “She might apologise for actually shouting.” He sat beside her and took her hand. She didn’t snatch it back. “Caemorians don’t dance after a wedding, only at the wedding, there is supposed to be just the ceremony and then the couple go home.”

“How odd,” said Falfery, “so do they have houses on the estate? I mean the two couples, also why did Kaytim and Kertlen take this name, which doesn’t sound Caemorian, Riada.”

“No-one knows where Lonth is or was, Kertlen wants to forget his background. Kaytim’s family, Great Aunt and Grandmother are living here, in one of the towers and a Gate lodge. They are all staying as N’Lonth. I’m not sure what Maisie is doing, probably staying N’Riada till she marries, maybe even then. Apparently Dalriada was a Kingdom on Tellus about a thousand years ago and the place name still survives, somewhere near where Maisie grew up, though Maisie doesn’t seem especially attached to her previous homeworld or countries. N’Dalriada would be silly, as Dal means place anyway, so they use the Riada bit. Now what might Maisie have here that no Caemorian, at least Lorm or Karnd would want and hardly anyone could afford?”

“Swimming pool? You did tell me to bring a swimsuit if I had one. I assumed you might be thinking of the sea.”

“Too cold even this far south so late in the year. We’ll get them and go swimming in the pool, Maisie won’t mind.”

“It’s fabulous,” enthused Falfery. “I couldn’t believe it when I found out there was no swimming pool in college, or indeed anywhere near.”

“Actually this might be the only one on the planet!”

They lazily paddled on their backs.

~

“Drat why don’t either of them answer?” said Maisie. “I’m getting worried, Olef, no-one has seen them anywhere.”

“I’ve not seen them either,” said Larin. “Do you want a full alert or will Denys and I search quietly?”

“We didn’t check the pool,” said Denys.

“Do Malthins swim?” said Maisie.

“Certainly, as do I and many Penthnegins,” said Olef. “I even brought my swimsuit this time. It’s not fair to deprive me. You may have the only pool on the planet, though surely someone else has one.”

Maisie grabbed her Crystal. “Jamit, have someone unobtrusively see if the missing students are in the pool, you know, the big wet thing that everyone ignores? Don’t disturb them. Do let Denys know too.”

“I’ll make sure Kaytim and Kertlen are not disturbed,” explained Larin.

~

Maisie’s Crystal chimed. “We’ll get our swimsuits and supervise, Olef,” said Maisie, “they are in the pool. Lucky you, as I have no intention of swimming alone with you.”

They both quickly changed and put on bathroom robes.

~

“We could stay here for hours, it’s lovely, Raelf,” sighed Falfery.

“We might be missed soon, I should have told someone.”

Then there were two massive splashes.

“I thought I ought to come and supervise you,” said Maisie.

“We were missed?”

“Yes, and of course none of the staff checked the scary wet place. Like to play ball?”

“Ball?” said Olef.

“Wait and see, well, no come and help.”

They both climbed out and Maisie opened a door and got a rolled up net and a large ball. She threw the ball into the pool.

“We will put the net across,” said Maisie. “We’ll take the deep end if you are good at treading water, Olef.”

“Fine,” he agreed.

“Your hat to hold in your hair is a good idea,” said Falfery. “I just use clips.”

“It’s awkward to fit my hair in,” explained Maisie. “Your clips seem a better idea, the cap doesn’t keep it dry anyway.”

Soon Olef and Maisie were playing against Raelf and Falfery.

~

Luci, Chainai’s Assistant decided she’d like company, The residents had all retired to their own rooms. Chainai’s relatives from Chigarak in Goroganst had gone to the spare gate lodge that Maisie insisted was Chainai’s. Maisie would take them home in the morning. More than a few people remarked on how Chainai and her cousin Tertai were like sisters, or Off-Worlder twins. The Karndic word for twin was from Malthin as Karnds didn’t have twins. Chainai’s old local friends from her childhood, Rolli and Tai had gone home. Plonnis and all the other visitors had gone. She called Maisie, but there was no answer, nor from Olef. She wondered why that might be. Chainai wouldn’t want her company tonight. She called Jamit.

“Where is everyone?” she asked Jamit.

“The new couples are in their suites, not to be disturbed. Everyone else is gone.”

“You’re being evasive,” said Luci. “What about Olef and Maisie and the two students?”

“Maisie is supervising them, with Olef’s help.”

“Do you think they’d mind my company?”

“Probably not, but why don’t you join us in the staff lounge? Or I could take you over to the spare gate lodge were Chainai’s relatives are staying?”

“I hardly know them, but what are you not telling me?” she said. “Is everything fine?” It seemed unlikely that Maisie was hosting a sex orgy or even a drunken party, so she was puzzled.

“I, er, they are having fun in the pool.”

“I’ll come to your lounge. The far gate lodge may be a little cramped, then I’d have to be fetched back.”

She’d heard from Kaytim that Olef was keen to go swimming with Maisie. As to why she’d kept putting it off, was something that puzzled Kaytim and herself. She contemplated having a look and then shuddered. A cup of Jhai with Jamit was a far better idea.

~

They were sitting at a table near the pool with some fruit juice soda.

“You know,” said Raelf, “when I first saw you, Maisie, with your super smooth Karnd like skin, but not quite the right colour, it made you seem a little ugly to me, but now that I’m used to it I think you are quite pretty. The swimsuit really shows you advantageously.”

Falfery set her glass down so hard it cracked. Olef choked on his drink.

“Perhaps Karnds and Lorms are right about covering up,” said Maisie in an icy tone, “if wearing a swimsuit encourages such idiotic comments, Falfery, your glass appears to have been damaged by Raelf. Perhaps Raelf could get the disposable mop stuff from the cupboard I left open and fix it.”

But by the time Raelf had lifted the big roll, Maisie was laughing.

“Do you think I’m quite pretty, Olef? You have been anxious to see me in a swimsuit for over a year.”

“No I don’t, I thought you were pretty when we first met, I find I get a crick in my neck talking to some Karnds, it’s not so bad with you as I’m quite short for a Penthnegin. Since you took up various physical activities and became expert with your Warlock and Mage Talents you have become excessively pretty, a unique blossom on this world.”

“So you think I was a bit fat then and lacking in fitness when I arrived?”

There was silence apart from Raelf mopping up the mess.

“Sometimes, silence is the wrong answer, Olef,” Maisie suggested, “but I wasn’t fit and I was a bit too plump. Perhaps not fat as such, verging on it, now that I can be honest.”

“Yes, perhaps,” Olef agreed.

“Raelf,” explained Maisie, “you should never pay a compliment to another woman in front of a girl friend or consort. As Falfery isn’t your consort and I found the pair of you swimming together alone, I must assume you are a serious couple intending to get engaged when old enough, actually there are rules about non-apprentices and apprentices, but as Falfery is nearly sixteen you get let off this once. Do you both understand?”

“Yes,” said Raelf.

Falfery indicated assent.

“I had been meaning to get Chainai to talk to you, Falfery and I was meaning to talk to you Raelf. As Mentors, Chainai and I have responsibilities. We are aware of your, um, developing relationship. Is this the first time you have been alone together?”

“Does sitting alone talking in Wizard’s Tower Café count?” asked Raelf. “There was someone at the counter and it was before curfew.”

“No, that’s acceptable, Olef?” said Maisie.

“That’s only just acceptable,” he said. “You really can’t date officially or be alone together, at least not till Falfery is older and becomes a Journeyman, or much older. You understand?”

“Because,” Falfery hesitated, “we are away from our parents and Apprentices are mostly just kids, and can’t be being exploited by older people?”

“Yes, I know it makes you feel very old, being four years older than a lot of beginners, I was only just turned twenty-four and the kids thought I was only their age at first. That was strange. Really you need to be careful. It’s easy to get carried away.”

“You do seem younger than me to look at and indeed most in the class,” suggested Falfery, “only for your height and your Master’s outfit you’d still look like one of the younger Karnds.”

“I’m half way to twenty-nine,” Maisie paused. “Same age as Kaytim, older than Chainai, and Olef is only about a year older.”

“The Talent and being a Mage must have a strong effect on you,” said Raelf, “it can’t surely be that strong so I had some thoughts about your bag. I think there is a snag.”

“Kaytim pestered me about the bag, Raelf,” said Maisie, “so I have stopped using it, last time was on Tellus. Time for bed. You are assigned quite far apart rooms and there are security cameras, I do trust you, just so as you avoid any innocent visits that might be misconstrued. Tomorrow you two get to visit the Arctic, Goroganst with me and Olef as we take Chainai’s relatives home and go back to college.”

5: Preparations

Kenrith watched the Flitter come in from the Edge Restaurant. He called to the others.

“Let’s go down to the hanger and meet Raelf and Falfery,” he suggested.

“I think it’s out of bounds?” suggested Choli.

“Not if there is a Master there,” said Ethniot, “we are in Master Maisie’s class after all.”

So they all went down as fast as they could without actually running, with little Nishkah trailing behind. She did share the dorm with Falfery and some of the others.

The hatch was just opening as they arrived. Kertlen and Kaytim came down trailing cases.

Kaytim laughed.

“You thought it was Maisie,” she said. “It’s the first time I brought it to college, but my Flitter is almost identical and I have a full pilot licence too. Actually Kertlen has an atmospheric licence, he’ll have full licence shortly.”

Kertlen bowed.

“You lot can help Larin move our cases,” said Kertlen, “we have the apartment opposite Maisie’s that used to be her lab, it was previously an apartment anyway.”

Larin had two cases on a trolley already.

The students congratulated them on the wedding.

“But neither of you are Masters? said Kenrith.

“They don’t need to be,” insisted Weon. “They are part of Master Maisie’s entourage, so may be in Master’s accommodation. Kaytim was already living with other Assistants on the Ground Floor. Also Olef isn’t yet a Master and he’s been there for ages. Journeymen by dispensation can be in Master’s apartments.

“Stop chattering!” said Kaytim, “go get the rest of our luggage. Besides I’m Maisie’s Assistant, I could live with her if there was space.” She didn’t add that as Kertlen was practically a personal bodyguard, he ought to have been living in the building already. Larin had been one Maisie’s bodyguards but was now Kaytim’s Assistant.

They used the lift to the lower courtyard garage which is under the upper courtyard. Kaytim unlocked the concealed door revealing a passage to the mysterious tower without windows at the rear of the building. It was a service lift connecting directly with the Assistant’s apartment, Olef’s apartment and Kaytim’s apartment.

Choli and Duoldri gasped. The apartment had been fully and luxuriously furnished.

“Very nice surprise Kaytim,” said Kertlen sitting on a couch. “Who picked the curtains?”

Kaytim sat beside him. “I’ll explain later.”

Larin went and opened the main door after locking the concealed access to the service lift.

“Out you lot,” said Kaytim. “Thanks for helping, if I get good reports we might even invite you over some evening to stay for a sleepover party. After all we aren’t Talents never mind Masters.”

“Is that possible?” said Choli.

“Nearly anything is possible if Arch Chancellor Millifore thinks it benefits the students and he finds a loop hole for Deputy Dhramini in the rules.”

“It’s going to be a bit empty in the Assistant’s quarters now,” suggested Choli.

“It’s not your worry,” insisted Kaytim, “however Larin and Denys are moving in. Technically Larin is my Assistant and Denys is Maisie’s junior Assistant, she’s expected to have two, if not three at her rank. Scoot!”

No-one was silly enough to ask to go back down the lift.

“Weon,” said Ethniot, “you ever heard of students in a service lift?”

“I thought lifts were too modern for this place until my first trip to the College Village,” said Weon, “then I realised there had to be service lifts all over the place, it wasn’t possible that some items had come up the stairs and then I noticed the discrepancies in space. So, no I never heard of it. I’ve speculated as to the reason.”

“We could ask?” said Hillran.

“We could,” said Choli, “likely a waste of breath, a lot is on a need to know basis.”

“What does that mean?” said Duoldri.

“It means unless you need to know, they don’t tell you,” said Ethniot, “like those bodyguards Denys and Larin being also Assistants. I never knew that.”

“I think Chainai has relatives in the Arctic,” suggested Choli, “likely Master Maisie is taking them home before bringing Falfery and Raelf back.”

“That explains why she is so pale,” said Weon, “she is much paler than Maisie and has nearly white hair, I thought at first Master Chainai was an albino.”

“I knew she must be Arctic stock,” said Hillran. “Her eyes are so dark they are almost black, you only see the brown in very bright light. Albinos have no colour.”

“Yes they do,” insisted Kenrith, “they add dye to their eyes and skin to protect them. The medics renew it. There was an albino on the starship once.”

“I’m pretty sure Master Chainai isn’t,” insisted Ethniot, “her hair isn’t actually white. Anyway there is nothing on today, being a rest day, so lets hangout at Edge Restaurant and watch for Master Maisie’s Flitter, like we were doing!”

Choli sat with Ethniot. He groaned.

“Don’t you like me?” said Choli.

“Yes, but try not to be too obvious, also no hanky panky.”

“Poor Raelf and Falfery,” she sighed.

“Why?”

“I’m a romantic,” she explained, “he’s a Journeyman, so they have to be careful and not officially date, apart from no hanky panky.”

“Are they that struck on each other?”

“Totally obvious,” said Choli, “also she didn’t hesitate to go with Raelf to the wedding. I suppose Raelf was invited because he was in Chainai’s Cabal, though that was before we came. But why Chainai insisted he bring someone I don’t know. I think it was Maisie’s idea and secretly she’s an incurable romantic and matchmaker. She’d know that when she only wanted a girl to partner Raelf it could only be Falfery, she’s the only Mage expert enough at science and competent to work with an Enchanter among us. The science stuff is important for that course.”

“What you think, are we going to make everything in the book?”

“We did shift registers, latches, an adder and a digital multiplier already,” said Choli. “She’s going very fast, also on theory for homework. I think I could design an entire CPU with ALU, Memory and all the I/O. But it would be tedious amount of work to fabricate by Magery. This course has a crazy amount of reading work outside class.”

“I don’t think I could design one. But I do understand now how existing ones work. I don’t quite understand where Maisie is going with this?”

“Mages that are properly educated, can think, solve problems and do Magery with unparalleled accuracy. I think the practical stuff in class is so we study the books, not an end in itself. Though it’s the first time mage skills have been accurately graded.”

“But what about Master Maisie and Journeyman Olef if she is such a romantic?” said Ethniot.

“Yes,” agreed Choli, “I can’t figure them. She does have a lot of female friends, it’s possible, for her, that she just likes having a male friend. I think though Olef might be more serious.”

* * *

It was late, after Apprentice curfew, so Maisie escorted Falfery to her dorm and signed her in. Olef only went with Raelf as far as the Mall as technically he wasn’t subject to curfew. He went back his apartment. Maisie had been surprised to see Kaytim’s Flitter, but Olef thought it was reasonable for Kaytim and Kertlen to be back to College. He sat down and searched kit space stations and found several. No prices. If you need to see the price you can’t afford it, he thought.

The curfew didn’t apply in their shared dormitory unit which really was like a proper apartment with six small bedrooms. Raelf shared it with Kenrith the Karnd Mage, Ethniot an Akasurip Mage, Weon a Hoti Mage, Jaaran a Karnd Mentalist (Telepath) and Lundim a Kelfari Mentalist (Empath). They were all together in some classes and all apprentices apart from Raelf. Raelf only shared Maisie’s new Mage class. The others though had Maisie as Master for physics.

The three Mages were up playing a board game in the lounge, in night clothes and bathroom robes.

“Get changed and join us,” urged Ethniot, the oldest, “we are just dying to hear all about your trip. You’ll boast otherwise.”

“I don’t boast,” said Raelf, “but you mustn’t spread what I tell you, I’m going to explode if I don’t tell and no-one told me not.”

He hurried off and changed.

“You’d never guess!” said Raelf.

Ethniot gave him a cup of Jhai and a sweetmeat as a peace offering.

“Probably I wouldn’t anyway,” muttered Kenrith.

“Don’t fret, no-one could guess,” said Raelf. “Kaytim screamed abuse at The Wildgrave, Plonnis, as loud as she could. Well, I can’t imagine she has a higher volume setting, I never heard anyone as loud.”

Ethniot laughed.

Kenrith felt confused.

Weon choked on his drink.

“Why?” asked Ethniot. “I’d heard rumours that Kaytim is a little fiery. But her, Maisie, Chainai, Dairig and Luci are very close.”

“Who are Luci and Dairig?” asked Kenrith.

“Chainai’s and Olef’s Assistants,” said Raelf. “They live on the ground floor with Kaytim in that block with Olef, Chainai and Maisie. Actually there is Denys and Larin too, I don’t know when Larin or Denys is moving in. They are quite close to the others too. They started as bodyguards for Maisie reporting to Kertlen, her security chief, but really Larin is Kaytim’s Assistant and Denys is Maisie’s second.”

“Kaytim and Kertlen are on the top opposite Maisie now and Larin has moved into the ground floor,” said Kenrith, pleased to know something that Raelf didn’t.

“That makes perfect sense,” agreed Raelf, “anyway, it seems Plonnis told Millifore something to do with Maisie, that unbelievably the Arch Chancellor didn’t know, as he always seems to know everything. It must have been about Maisie, or Kaytim would hardly have attacked Plonnis. The Arch Chancellor practically dragged Maisie off to quiz her about it.”

“Do you know what it was?” said Ethniot.

“Not till later, but that was more drama than I ever saw outside of a video show or an opera. Everyone sort of vanished after that so I took Falfery for a tour of the mansion and then we went swimming.”

Kenrith looked at Raelf and found the idea hard to believe.

Ethniot and Weon looked at each other.

“In the sea, in the dark?” said Weon. “It must have been dark by then. It would be mighty cold too, also I can’t imagine any of the Karnds supervising. Were there any other species apart from Karnd at the wedding?”

“Only Olef, Falfery and I,” said Raelf. “Well, Maisie is biologically a Tellurian, though she acts and thinks more like a Karnd, she is seriously Caemorian anyway. I’m not counting any of the other Masters that aren’t Karnds. We swam in the pool.”

“Pool?” said Kenrith.

“It’s an artificial structure often with a sloping base to help people only learning, full of water,” said Raelf, “a swimming pool. I knew it was there. Maisie had said on previous visits that I was to feel free to use any of the recreational rooms without needing to ask.”

“But,” said Ethniot, “Karnds and Lorm would never go near it. Actually I wonder are there any other pools on Caemoria?”

“There must be some?” said Weon, “some place with a large settlement of Off-Worlders? Like outside Capitol were the Galactic Council people live.”

“Apart from Lorm settlements Circle College is the only other such place,” suggested Raelf. “We don’t have a pool. One of the first things I checked. Well, all the Embassies and Missions at Capitol, there must be over 1200, but of course I doubt they’d do a joint project like a swimming pool. They ought to, lots of species like swimming.”

“You were alone totally with Falfery, in swimsuits?” said Ethniot, “were you both out of your minds?”

“I guess Falfery isn’t too familiar with the rules and I forgot I’m a journeyman now.”

“Even if you were still an apprentice, it would be crossing the line, I think.” Ethniot laughed till he cried.

“Maisie and Olef joined us in the pool, she muttered about supervising, I guess she’d be in trouble for letting us slip off alone under her care in her own house. She didn’t give out at all till later when we were sitting in our swimsuits having soft drinks beside the pool. Falfery smashed a glass in anger and Maisie tore strips off me in front of Olef and Falfery. Maisie was the most cross I’d ever seen.”

“You insulted her!” said Weon, “why?”

“No, I complemented her physique.”

“Boy are you an idiot sometimes,” said Ethniot, “what did you actually say? Is Falfery still talking to you?”

“Falfery saw the funny side of it the next day, I’m quite forgiven. Anyway the real shock came later on the trip to Goroganst in the Arctic were Chainai’s relatives live. I always wondered about her excessively pale colouring and pale hair, they are nearly all like that there. Chainai’s relatives were really pale. Her cousin even looks just like her.”

“I can’t say I see why Falfery would see a funny side to it,” said Ethniot, “she must be quite remarkable. But no doubt you discovered what Millifore, Plonnis Maisie and Kaytim were agitated about.”

“I did,” said Raelf, I think Olef and Maisie were so wrapped up about it that they forgot about us on the flight deck.”

“What is it?” insisted Weon. “Actually you are rubbish at telling a story.”

“I’d be fine if it wasn’t the middle of the night and you didn’t interrupt,” said Raelf. “Maisie absolutely has to teach these new classes, help me get my Master of Enchantment, Mentor Kenrith, Nishkah and I, have Kaytim looking after her, wander around with Olef, chat with Chainai and Rathora?”

“Pretty much, yes,” agreed Ethniot. “Plus a few other things too. Archery, Martial Arts, Dance, Francee, mysterious Circle College council meetings, conferences with Fathris and Millifore and calls and messages with Wildgrave Plonnis.”

“She’s been appointed Emissary to Morglun. She is after all Assistant to The Wildgrave, though there are two others, and apparently did some limited Emissary stuff and advising Emissary Ambassador Gethrin on Tellus. Even the Tellurians thanked the Emperor for sending Maisie. It seems Morglun has aspects like Tellus and might find Karnds amusing. Though they think the Karnds they met are from Cayeirhiel, I didn’t hear why.”

“I’ve no idea who or where they are,” said Weon, “but I expect she can’t turn it down and it’s totally incompatible with Millifore’s and Kaytim’s view of life. Now Kaytim’s reaction to Plonnis makes sense and the unusually angry Millifore. He must be practically having a fit.”

“Maisie though has come up with a solution. Everyone thinks it’s mad, but they are all seriously examining it.”

“I can’t imagine,” said Ethniot.

“Because you are not thinking like a Spacer,” said Kenrith. “To a Spacer there is no dilemma at all, I bet she’s proposing to take a bunch of classes and Masters and her immediate entourage with her. Probably a semi-temporary knock up kit space station as a base, because the homeworld might be unsafe if negotiations have bad spots. Cheaper and faster than orbiting a starship. A second starship will pick us up later. Of course they didn’t do that at Tellus because they needed defensive capability. A space station like that wouldn’t be very defensible.”

“That’s amazing,” said Raelf, “that’s exactly the plan. So you think it’s feasible?”

“Oh yes, when they talk to the Spacers and the station supplier, they’ll see it’s a quite logical solution for Spacers. Since Apprentices can’t leave college, it’s like we are stuck in a space station anyway. It will be like taking a piece of college. I’ve more space and freedom here than I had at home.”

* * *

As predicted by Kenrith the idea was quickly accepted by the Privy Council and the Circle College Council once costs, logistics information and Spacer opinions had been received. There was now a mad scramble to get everything ready as the next passing suitable starship was coincidentally Kordina’s Freness. Or was it a coincidence? Obviously Plonnis had already arranged this and that is why delaying till after the weddings had been possible. The Freness had already been in system for months so there was hardly more than a week to prepare. The Freness could easily accommodate the three large Government owned freighter Flitters as well as the six much smaller Flitters easily as the Spacer Penthnegin Flitter clan to be picked up wasn’t a full load. Two of the freighters would be armed military types. The four military fighter Flitters, each with a crew of six troopers, would be the latest model.

The space station was even a stock item (though they only maintained a stock level of two) from House Delanateur. Ironically Maisie was the only person worried about the safety, but she knew Hornogran, Master Engineer of Flitter Design of House Delanateur and he convinced her. It was temporary by Caemorian standards as it had perhaps eighty to a hundred years design life depending on usage. The structure relied on the spin and air pressure. It was mostly carbon fibre (some as diamond nano fibre) and graphene sheet reinforced Kevlar like plastic and some fibreglass areas. Shielding and structure also depended on water. This was the oxygen source via the Fusion power. The water would have to be lifted from the destination planet. Maisie and Kaytim would take their own Flitters. Each of the eight alloy spokes were in two parts for shipping, each pair linked with an outer coupling sleeve. The outer wheel was sixteen curved inflatable tube sections about 85 m long, connected using eight flat packed metal structures (connected to the spokes) and eight couplers. The overall diameter would be about 500 m with an outer circumference of almost 1.6 km. The hub was octagonal, flat packed metal units. Each of the eight faces on the hub had a top and bottom docking port for a Flitter. The hub contained a fusion orb based power unit with eight alloy tubes to the wheel. The large flat packed metal section at each intersection to the wheel had a steerable thruster and a fusion orb supply. Contra-rotating platforms on the top and bottom of the hub (to cancel the station rotation) carried a large dish (for radio or optical use), multiple communication lasers, survey lasers and inertial navigation.

The inflated station would have three decks in the wheel after robot assembly. A pair of crawl height decks above and below the main deck, with its floor facing the outer rim. The outer skin was in two parts, with water as shielding and storage between the layers in many individually controlled bag like tanks up to 1 m deep. The overall torus outer diameter, when inflated, was about 30 m. Most of it would be empty with less than ninety people on board. Maisie had thought the station would be in a trans-polar orbit taking about one or two days to see a complete rotation of the planet, but experts pointed out that it might intersect radiation belts caused by the solar wind and the magnetosphere. Final ecliptic orbit placement would thus depend on the extent of the magnetosphere and location of radiation belts.

There was quite a bit of excitement when the lists of students for the trip went up. Maisie’s two new classes of eight, thirteen other Apprentice students and Olef making thirty in all. The Masters would be; Maisie, Adept Sorcerer Rathora (so Olef needed to go anyway to finish his training to become a Master), Adept Wizard Wrean, Arch Mentalist (Empath) Chainai, Adept Mentalist (Telepath) Pedar, Adept Alchemist Jayson. So six masters and most subjects as between them they could exercise all Talents except enchantment. Maisie covering Warlock, Mage and teaching Enchantment to Raelf. The only actual Enchanter Talent being Journeyman Raelf. Olef was the only other Journeyman. In theory he was supposed to be studying to be a Master of Mentalism as well as Master of Sorcery. The only student Warlock going was Apprentice Nishkah as generally Maisie didn’t teach Warlockery. The Circle College council had even discussed making Maisie a Master for Enchantment, but Maisie, Chainai, Millifore, Dhramini and Gantras had opposed it and others that had brought it up abstained in the end. Millifore pointed out that it wouldn’t be too long till Raelf would be a Master and meanwhile they had no other apprentice Enchanters. Maisie tutoring Raelf was only a once off expedient.

As well there would Kaytim, Kertlen, Larin, Denys, Dairig, and a mix of staff and Assistants of Wrean, Jayson and Rathora, eight in all. So a total of forty four apart from the Security. The four Government Security Flitters and the three freighter Flitters had a full flight deck of six each, alternately led by Sergeant N’Franiran Trunar and Sergeant N’Kler Osk, giving another forty four. The station thus had to accommodate eighty eight. Maisie thought the security forces would provide general support services such as maintenance, catering and cleaning. Captain Arithon, head of Imperial security advised adding a station’s services manager and Assistant with six staff, bringing the complement to ninety six. Kaytim, Denys, Larin, Kertlen, Trunar and Osk agreed as none of them wanted to be bogged down managing the station’s logistics. Captain Arithon insisted that Trunar schedule the security officers shifts and that she would assign officers on demand for general station duty. Osk would supervise the station robot assembly. The security people and station maintenance staff would fit out the insides. The students would do their own catering and cleaning except for the single communal meal a day.

* * *

Maisie was doing final packing with Kaytim’s advice and help. “No, don’t take the sack,” said Kaytim.

“I might need to—”

“NO YOU DO NOT!” Kaytim shouted. “DESTROY IT. IT IS A HORRIBLE MISTAKE.”

Maisie shouted back, “It would be CRIMINAL VANDALISM TO DESTROY IT!”

Kaytim came over and put her arms around Maisie.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I must stop this shouting and you are right, it would be wrong to destroy it. But you realise the problem?”

“I suspected it,” agreed Maisie, “then Raelf reminded me the principles of Enchantment I had drummed into him. It’s dumb and mindless and simply replays the Talent as it was exercised when the Artefact was made. Immortality at too high a price.”

“If the pain doesn’t kill you the next time.”

“I’d resolved not to use it since that last time on Tellus. Please arrange for the Museum to have it,” sighed Maisie. “It’s beautiful for display if half turned. One of a kind, it’s a little exhilarating being a pralurg. I need to talk to Olef.”

She went downstairs. Olef was in.

“Olef,” said Maisie, “about the bag.”

“You’re giving it up,” he murmured. “I’m glad.”

“You’re glad?”

“I prefer you as a Tellurian,” he said, “besides either it would keep you looking like a thirteen year old or kill you. I don’t favour either option.”

“I was only sure when I visited Matron,” said Maisie, “but Raelf was convinced, based on what I had taught him. Kaytim suspected even before Tellus. Now I’m banned, probably for life, from being shape-changed.”

“I was sure it was resetting you younger. Also each time I am a pralurg I’m older, your pralurg never aged. It was suspicious that your hair stopped growing longer, when you said you wouldn’t cut it.”

“I’m sorry, it seemed like a clever idea.”

“It was clever, but not useful,” insisted Olef. “I think shape-changing is the least useful Talent. You are prettier in your wet swimsuit than as a pralurg. I said at the start I didn’t much fancy the pralurg.”

Maisie blushed. “You did, I thought that was a joke. Also please don’t talk about swimsuits, wet or dry, or I’ll have to give up swimming even on my own. It’s embarrassing. I don’t want to be fancied either.”

“I do swear you are turning into a Karnd or even a Lorm. Can I tell you about being pretty?”

“No, it’s too unsettling. No personal comments please. I really was cross with Raelf. I’m serious, I’m only ever going to be a friend.”

“It was pretty stupid on many levels.”

“A side effect of mind link, it encourages too much intimacy. At least he and Falfery will be able to mind link soon.

“Is that why you haven’t mind linked with me?”

“Um,” hesitated Maisie, “I’m not sure. After the first time you didn’t want to. I think now I don’t want it. You packed?”

“Yes all done and in the Flitter. You’re sure about me coming?”

“Yes, but no funny ideas,” insisted Maisie. “I’m just selfish wanting someone adult to talk to that isn’t female. I have an idea too that we need people on the official mission that are not Karnds. Perhaps you don’t want to mind link and have your delusions about me spoiled. The final aspect is that I need Rathora and you are her Master’s student. You surely must be nearly done, you’ve been ages as a Journeyman, I think it must be a record for one studying to be a Master.”

“Also I could help look after Falfery and Raelf? Telepathy?”

“Maybe, we do have Pedar who is good and a good teacher, frankly you aren’t much good as either. I better finish packing, see you later.”

Maisie changed her mind in the doorway and turned back.

“Maybe you should see Matron, I looked and I’m nothing like the Penthnegin idea of a woman or beauty. I can’t be mind linking Raelf any more. Please do come to class and guide him till he and Falfery can work on their own, you can do that as well as Pedar.”

Before he could reply she was gone.

~

Olef wondered though again if she was right and he was odd to the point of delusion or insanity. Everyone had to have a final medical anyway. Was Maisie playing hard to get or genuinely getting fed up with him? Dairig seemed to think it was like how Chainai had reacted to Pedar’s advances. He called Matron, who insisted on seeing him immediately.

Matron was finished.

“You’re absolutely fine, Olef,” she said.

“There is something else,” said Olef. “It’s about Maisie.”

“She’s fine too, since she gave up that evil bag.”

“No, it’s about how I think about Maisie.”

“Let me guess,” said Demy. “I don’t need my Mentalist talent, you like her. She has an interesting personality when you get past the outer shell.”

“That too, but I think she looks pretty. Especially in her swimsuit. She said I wasn’t to mention swimsuits ever again and more than once has suggested I need to see you if I think she is pretty. I’m not allowed to mention that to her again. She insists we can only be friends. You should have seen and heard her when Raelf complemented her. Of course that was in front of Falfery, who was so cross she broke a glass. I expect it was on her behalf.”

Demy got up and stared out the window for a long time thinking.

“You are really attracted to her personality? The companionship, talking and doing things together?”

“That’s the main thing, though something about her caught my eye the day she boarded the Flitter in Dublin, though I hardly spoke to her till she woke from the drugs on the Intergal One starship.”

“I never heard that!” said Demy. “Did they really abduct her? I thought she was just sedated to avoid space sickness?”

“No, it was meant to be just sedation. She agreed to it when she boarded the Flitter outside Dublin, for safety, no-one was quite sure of her power and control. The idea of a wild Warlock makes people nervous. I can tell you they were all expecting the worst in the first few days. But she didn’t worry me. But for some reason it knocked her out for days. Virona wasn’t confident about interfering.”

Demy went back to the window. After a while Olef interrupted.

“Well?”

“I do claim to help people with person problems. I even have a licence and non-Talent training to mess with people’s minds. But I’m not a match maker or dating agency. I’m dangerously romantic.”

“What do you mean?” said Olef.

“Some species the beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Some objects are only highly regarded in one time and place, or even by a clique. Other objects and some species can have beauty that transcends time and culture. Everyone loves jaggits. I think the same is true of some people in some species. She was a little pretty when she came, she is better now. I expect I shall think she is very beautiful in ten to twenty years time. I’m rather afraid that she may stay extremely beautiful by any standard for a very long time. We know ordinary Tellurians age nearly twice as fast but live maybe two thirds to three quarters as long as Karnds. More than a hundred and ten is very rare but average life expectancy has risen from twelve to over seventy in less than two hundred years in many countries.”

“How long will Maisie live?” said Olef.

“I’d guess as long as any Karnd Arch Mage. Maybe more because her Warlock Talent and Mage Talent are linked, but that was before she came up with idea of that bag. In any case it may be that she can’t face the idea of a long term serious relationship. Most Adepts and Arch Talents don’t marry.”

Demy shuddered and sat down.

“I’m glad she parted with it. I have no idea how that will affect her. She’s agreed to regular check ups to carefully gauge ageing and DNA damage. On no account should she ever be shape-changed again. I’ve warned Rathora and the others. She has agreed herself. I’m not happy there is no other qualified Mage on the trip. I’ve been giving Falfery special training. Maisie has agreed to being checked twice a month by her.”

“So I’m not odd?”

“I think I’d worry more about the people that don’t think she’s pretty, that would smell to me of speciesism. The problem is Maisie, I suspect she couldn’t cope even with too much attention from a Tellurian. You absolutely must take no as no and not force your attentions on her, or you could be forbidden to be on the same world as Maisie.”

“Demy, are you saying she doesn’t like men?” asked Olef.

“Not at all, actually in a way she is very like Chainai.”

“Dairig wondered if that was the case. When Pedar chased her she ran and when he didn’t she gradually pulled him closer and suddenly proposed.”

“Yes, though Maisie seems to appreciate your attention and company well enough. Just don’t say personal things, or touch her at all.”

“She told me not to say personal things. I remember at a party that Kaytim grabbed her and she madly over-reacted. She can’t easily mind link without touch and a slight initial pain. At least I think for first couple of times with someone. She doesn’t like being touched generally. I asked her about mind link with me.”

“That was very foolhardy. You might find her real opinions too blunt. She may really only want friendship. She’s got no hang-ups about being touched, it’s just she doesn’t want inadvertent mind links.”

“She changed the subject.”

“Eventually Millifore will tackle her on the subject.”

“Why?”

“Because the students and indeed some staff are speculating too much exactly what sort of relationship you have and how far it goes in private. The issue isn’t what you are actually doing, but the speculation. I’d guess you behave in private exactly as in public, very good friends or we’d not be discussing it.”

“Maisie doesn’t want any official announcement as to our status, which she claims is purely friendship. Private is exactly like in public. I guess the only status really is friends, so I can’t figure why she doesn’t want an official announcement.”

“So do what she says, more or less, Millifore and I will have to talk to her eventually but it could be a few more years. Can you cope with the current limbo for maybe three years at most is my guess. Perhaps Maisie really only wants friends and really only wants you as a friend. In a way she is a little like Chainai, she rarely expresses her feelings and is very private. It’s her favourite aspect of Caemorian culture. You are the only adult male friend near her age. If she had more adult male friends people wouldn’t speculate.”

“She is friends with Master Jayson and Master Fathris.”

“They are distant acquaintances. They have their own circle of close friends. But you are right, you are simply more available to her. She’s happy with their company too. Don’t forget that for all practical purposes she had no serious friends before she came here.”

“Probably, it’s been five already, nearly six years I’ve known her,” said Olef, “but what happens in about three years time?”

“Best not to speculate, but it’s unlikely Maisie is ever leaving Circle College except on trips. You don’t want to stay on Caemoria, yet you have been here a long time.”

“I’d have gone home when I became a Journeyman, I was about to when the Orb was stolen. I think I see why she wanted me to talk to you.”

“Now go and let me deal with people with real problems.”

“Like Raelf and Falfery,” said Olef.

“Maisie is largely responsible for speeding up a likely natural outcome. However it wasn’t her own idea, though her reaction proves she’s a romantic at heart like me. They aren’t a problem, now that they have been reminded of the rules. They are mature enough to wait for two to five years and enjoy life in the meantime with friendships. I wasn’t thinking of them.”

“Thanks, I was beginning to worry and been working up to asking for ages. You never married though?”

“Adept or Arch Talents rarely do. I still might.”

As he went down the stair he considered that Matron thought Raelf and Falfery would be patient and mature!

6: Tellurians Arrive

On the SAS Helmwige (War Helmet) Jack Casey and Gemma Stewart were meeting with the Captain.

7: Outward Bound

The Mage’s Nest was meeting in a lounge of the starship. All sixteen, both of Maisie’s special classes and additionally Nishkah.

8: Grand Central

The warning lights and sounds came on all over the starship. They were Jumping and then cutting thrust after they matched vector with Grand Central.

9: Laramos

Capitol. The day before New Year’s Eve holiday

“Her Ladyship, Mage Demy, My Lady,” said the cook to Gemma in Karndic.

“Bring her in,” said Gemma. “I’m expecting her. Jack, if you could go for a walk or read in the library, but make sure I can call you?”

10: The Secretive Seven

One of the small bars in the inn had been given over as a student café and common room. Kenrith was explaining to a small group the content of the local video and radio channels.

11: Inward to Morglun

Chainai moved into a different bedroom to Pedar and set the alarm. She got up at the time that everyone would be deeply asleep.

12: First Landing

Maisie had confirmed it was indeed best to negotiate directly only with the non-aligned Nation of Agrinaro, which apparently was highly regarded as a mediator by the three major powers, Ridant, Uirait and the Association of Independent Nations.

13: Meeting at Holmberg

At the palace they were offered what looked and smelled like wine. Maisie sipped at it first. She decided it was harmless non-alcoholic fruit or vegetable juice. She nodded and the others lifted the goblets.

14: The Exhibition

They flew four Flitters in low from the sea then into the mountains, landing at Holmberg Airport of Agrinaro, one at a time.

15: Nogla and the King

They were in a large room with a narrow oval ended table. As well as their party of eight the natives had six. There was hurried whispering and two more turned up.

16: Analysis

King Glorn of Agrinaro sat at the head of the table. “So the Emissary is a witch as we suspected?” he said.

17: Down Below

The students, station staff and troopers helped pack everything that was needed in the palace.

18: Balance of Power

“It would terribly upset the balance of power if you visited either of the three groups,” explained Nogla.

19: A Villa by the Sea

The three elders sat on their gronwis, a somewhat donkey like creature in value and use, though apart from having legs, head, body, tail and being furred a gronwi didn’t exactly resemble a donkey. You’d understand why the Nobles didn’t ride them after seeing their larger and faster species of mount.

20: The Ambassadors

It was decided that Maisie and Kaytim had to enter the conference hall last. There was total silence except for the flapping sound of the soft flat Caemorian boots. Both women had been wearing Agrinaroti riding boots, but decided on normal Caemorian costume for this meeting.

21: Station Ownership

“They will talk about the freight Flitter for while,” said Lord Noglaerun later privately. “I predict they will suggest that the wizards and witches have their own mini-state and that it’s forbidden for any to be taken into Government service. It’s unfortunate that they will expect us to give up the territory.”

22: The Caemorian Residence

“Lord Noglaerun,” said Maisie, “I need to select and buy a residence suitable for the Caemorian Ambassador, in the sense of what Agrinaro expects and also what a Caemorian and an Caemorian Ambassador would expect. It needs a proper runway, the Flitters that Kaytim and I have are the only two apart from that new military Flitter that can hover, they need special pilot training too.”

23: Leaving

The Flitter re-entry was horrible as the Caemorian Ambassador to Agrinaro needed a day or maybe three to talk to Maisie.

All but Maisie’s Flitter had left to dock with the passing starship; Maisie, Olef, Kaytim, Kertlen, Larin, Denys, Lord Noglaerun and Iolind, one of his senior staff would be on Maisie’s Flitter.

24: New Station

Communication Hubs

New Station, like Grand Central, and the other sixty-two way stations was also a massive communication hub with over six thousand sync-sats about 100 km apart in two rings on the station axis about 8000 km (eight million kilometres) behind and the same again in front of the direction of the Station travel. Thus each ring was many millions of kilometres in diameter. Laser links carried the data and control connections to the Station. Local latency wasn’t an issue and the sixty-four way stations formed a logical four by four by four cube with stations linked to neighbours including one on an opposite face.

A sync-sat for a Homeworld is about ten to thirteen light days from the system’s sun. Ten light days is a distance of about 260,000,000,000 kilometres. Or about 1700 times the Earth’s distance from the Sun.

Soon the entire complement of the Akasurip starship was on New Station. Falfery and Raelf explained they wanted to go to Hertness for their wedding, they could afford it and there was a starship leaving shortly.

25: Home Again

They landed direct at the College, though Maisie was anxious about meeting Plonnis and a little curious about Gemma and Jack, though in no rush to see them. The next morning the notice of Olef being a Master was up. She’d not spoken or messaged with him since the scene in the starship, apart from apologies that were not answered, but she sent a message of congratulation. She dreaded the meeting with Millifore and Dhramini.

26: Resolution

Dhramini was propped up in bed. She looked like a bag of bones. “You came, dearie,” she gasped. “I’ve been waiting for you. Tell me about the trip again. Not the all the stuff, just about Morglun and the humans there, will we call them Morglans?”

27: Hertness

Nothing really at all had happened for months. The Mage’s Nest was meeting again regularly. The Secretive Seven were now just the Nest committee and only five again with Raelf and Falfery gone. They had become close friends and met in the Student Hall for games and studied together. Nishkah was still a Nest member along with a couple of other young apprentices, also not Mages but interested in technology.

28: Epilogue

“I can see why there was a problem leaving Caemoria and going home, Gemma,” said Jack after he examined the electronic tickets.

“I suppose it’s expensive?”

…

…

THE END

Next: The Legal Talent

The Celtic Otherworld

Unlike Greek and Roman myth, there are many Celtic ‘Otherworlds’ that appear to be magical and often inhabited by the Fair Folk (Fay, Fairy, Sióg) or sometimes the Tuath Dé (later called Tuatha De Danann). They are not realms of the dead. The oldest Norse legends have many similar aspects to the oldest Celtic myths. Apart from Valhalla, Asgard isn’t a place of the dead.

‘Riders of the Sidhe’ by John Duncan (cropped detail)

Manannán Mac Lir led the Tuath Dé away to the Otherworld over 2,500 years ago. Except for them it’s been more like 600 due to the time-slip. Not all the portals (often at Court Graves, Raths and other ancient Irish sites) have been closed. Any Enchanter can open one. Today Tuath Dé culture is a crazy mix of Mediaeval to 19th Century.

Most involve Alice, also called Eilis, who lived in rural Co. Limerick till age thirteen.

The Talents Universe

The Talents Universe series are all stories connected by characters with the mysterious Talent, of which there are seven kinds, or with some involvement of the Caemorian Empire, a world 80,000 light years away from Earth (Tellus) on the other side of the Milky Way. Apart from Jump Drive for the starships and the psychic like Talent, the Science Fiction attempts to be compatible with known science.

Circle College campus, Caemoria.

Mostly involving the activities of the Caemorian Empire, a single planet 80,000 light years from Earth. They are about 5000 years more advanced. Their culture dominates nearly a third of the Milky Way. Anyone developing Talent, always at puberty, must be trained in the Circle College on Caemoria.

Many of the stories involve Maisie Kelly from Ireland the only person from Earth with the special Talent. The time scale is contemporary, and as we didn’t notice any giant starship visiting, it must be an alternate reality?

Trader’s Isle

The Trader’s Isle series is set in mediaeval like world without Black Powder. The massive world wars and loss of much technology a thousand years earlier was bad, but the rise of the Sorcerers called the Silver Wolf Heads using the Arinopean Barons as puppet leaders was a disaster for the Isle of Amrat and the people curiously called Traveller Folk, even though they are not nomadic.

The painting is a detail from Le Jardin de Maubuisson by Camille Pissarro (1830-1903).

Contents

1: Kenrith and the Mentor

2: More Arrivals

3: New Classes

4: Weddings

5: Preparations

6: Tellurians Arrive

7: Outward Bound

8: Grand Central

9: Laramos

10: The Secretive Seven

11: Inward to Morglun

12: First Landing

13: Meeting at Holmberg

14: The Exhibition

15: Nogla and the King

16: Analysis

17: Down Below

18: Balance of Power

19: A Villa by the Sea

20: The Ambassadors

21: Station Ownership

22: The Caemorian Residence

23: Leaving

24: New Station

25: Home Again

26: Resolution

28: Epilogue

The Celtic Otherworld Series

The Talent Universe Series

The Traders Isle Series