Her clasp tightened on his sleeve. “You make me glad I’m not a statesman.”

“Not half as glad as I am that you’re not a statesman,” he said, emphasizing the last syllable. “Come, let’s drop these dismal important matters. Let’s discuss — for example, your tour of Avalon. I’m sure it can be arranged, a few months hence.”

She turned her face from him. When the muteness had lasted a minute, he stopped, as did she. “What’s the matter?” he asked, frightened.

“I’m leaving, Ekrem,” she said. “Soon. Permanently.”

“What?” He restrained himself from seizing her.

“Father. He sent in his resignation today.”

“I know he… has been plagued by malicious accusations. You recall I wrote to Admiralty Center.”

“Yes. That was nice of you.” She met his eyes again.

“No more than my duty, Luisa.” The fear would not leave him, but he was pleased to note that he spoke firmly and maintained his second-best smile. “The Empire needs good men. No one could have predicted the Scorpeluna disaster, nor done more after the thing happened than Juan Cajal did. Blaming him, calling for court-martial, is wizened spite, and I assure you nothing will come of it”

“But he blames himself,” she cried low.

I have no answer to that, he thought.

“We’re going back to Nuevo Mexico,” she said.

“I realize,” he attempted, “these scenes may be unduly painful to him. Need you leave, however?”

“Who else has he?”

“Me. I, ah, will presumably get an eventual summons to Terra—”

“I’m sorry, Ekrem.” Her lashes dropped over the delicate cheekbones. “Terra would be no good either. I won’t let him gnaw away his heart alone. At home, among his own kind, it will be better.” She smiled, not quite steadily, and tossed her head. “Our kind. I admit a little homesickness myself. Come visit us sometime.” She chose her words: “No doubt I’ll be getting married. I think, if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to name a boy for you.”

“Why, I would be honored beyond anything the Emperor could hang on this downward-slipping chest of mine,” he said automatically. “Shall we go inside? The hour’s a trifle early for drinks, perhaps; on the other hand, this is a special occasion.”

Ah, well, he thought above the pain, the daydream was a pleasant guest, but now I am freed from the obligations of a host. 1 can relax and enjoy the games of governor, knight, elevated noble, Lord Advisor, retired statesman dictating interminable and mendacious memoirs.

Tomorrow I must investigate the local possibilities with respect to bouncy and obliging ladies. After all, we are only middle-aged once.

Summer dwelt in Gray when word reached Avalon. There had been some tension — who could really trust the Empire? — and thus joy amid the human population exploded in festival.

Bird, Christopher Holm and Tabitha Falkayn soon left the merriment. Announcements, ceremonies, feasts’ could wait; they had decided that the night of final peace would be their wedding night.

Nonetheless they felt no need of haste. That was not aloft. It flowed, it sang. The last stars, the sinking moon turned sea and land into mystery; ahead, sharp across whiteness, lifted the mountains of home.

It was cold but that sent the blood storming within her.

She thought: He who cared for me and he who got me share the same honor. Enough.

Muscles danced, wings beat, alive to the outermost pinion. The planet spun toward morning. My brother, my sister have found their joy. Let me go seek my own.

Snowpeaks flamed. The sun stood up in a shout of light.

High is heaven and holy.