Gale was not at all sure that was the case. But Idyll was intrigued. This is worth exploring.
"Interest," Gale said. "Demonstration?"
"Network is focusing. Present a problem."
Gale concentrated on the near future paths. What did they portend for the outcome here?
Then she felt the gathering power of the planetary network. Her perception clarified. Now she could see the paths for the next ten to fifteen minutes, tripling her normal ability. There was no question; she was sure.
Truly intriguing, Idyll thought. I am seeing three months ahead.
Now the relevance was absolutely clear. "Point made," she said. "This is useful." She had not before realized that it was brain power rather than magic perception that governed the limits of the future paths. This could make a huge difference, for the ability to read those paths was crucial in any battle with the machines.
Vila returned. "Time to go home," she said. "I love the plant nursery. I want to visit again."
"Did the plants invite you?" As if this were an ordinary event.
"We did," the plant said. "Our saplings enjoyed her company. She has had experiences beyond their prior imagination." Evidently the root network had kept the plant in touch while Gale was doing her business with it.
"We'll visit again," Gale said. "Now I must return to report to my culture."
"Agreement. You have much to tell its representatives."
She did indeed. "Appreciation."
"Welcome."
Gale put on her shoes, losing the mental contact. She picked up Vila, and focused on the return trip.
"I put the ikon in a safe hole in the ground," the girl murmured. "The plants know its nature and will protect it."
"Appreciation, dear." Gale had forgotten that detail, uncharacteristically. Now she was assured of retaining her powers here, for this was a nonChroma region, and maybe a nonChroma world.
No—an independent Chroma world, for the sprout that had reached them on Charm had flourished both in the Green Chroma zone and in the nonChroma zone. Was that feasible?
It seems so, Idyll agreed. Each system seems to have its own Chroma rules. The plant we communicated with was certainly a Glamor.
"Marvel," Gale murmured. She launched them along the line. They were on their way home.
She realized, almost belatedly, that they had just achieved mankind's first contact with a distant alien culture.
The details of its nature hardly seemed to matter at the moment. The impact on human history would be phenomenal.
We have indeed, Idyll agreed. It will indeed.
Chapter 3 Red
He lived with Flame in a cottage in an isolated nonChroma zone far from anywhere. That guaranteed privacy, and Flame preferred it. She of course could conjure herself to Triumph City or anywhere else for company, so was hardly lonely, and Fifth wasn't ever lonely when with her.
Fifth returned from his visit to the Black Chroma Zone to find Flame waiting for him. He needed to immerse himself in the Black Chroma so as to refresh his nature. Otherwise his pure black color would slowly fade and he would lose his magic. He had Chroma stones, of course, but they were for emergency use.
He entered the cottage to find Flame standing just within the parlor, nude. She was lean and muscular, with small breasts and buttocks: just the way he liked her. Her most obviously feminine trait was her glorious red hair that cascaded from her head to her knees like a soft cloak. That was a signaclass="underline" normally she wore it bound or braided. When she let it loose, she wanted love, sex, or some intense combination.
In a moment he was out of his clothing and clasping her closely. She could knock him out with a twitch of her body, but she preferred to have him take the initiative. He kissed her passionately, then swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bedroom and the bed. He flung her down, landed on top of her, fixed his mouth to hers, and penetrated her in seconds. In a few more seconds he was jetting into her with all the backed-up passion of a week's separation. Her climax matched his; she was a Glamor, highly sexual, and able to have an orgasm as rapidly as any man. Unlike him, she could do it almost continuously, but this time once sufficed.
They lay together, clasped, savoring each other. "Love," he said belatedly.
"Echo."
That encouraged him. He loved her completely, and longed to marry her. But he was a mere mortal man, while she was a Glamor. It was a presumption just to entertain the notion. "Flame, you know what I want, and not just because you can read my mind. If I were to ask you—"
She laid a finger on his lips. "Negation at this time. But I have been thinking about it."
He did not know what this portended. If there was anyone who knew her own mind, it was Flame. Was she trying to let him down gently?
"Negation," she repeated, kissing him. "I do love you, Fifth, and find you a good man, and not just because you truly like my form. But there is a constraint."
Was there hope? "Question."
"Turn over."
He rolled over onto his belly. She bestrode him, her thighs outside his buttocks, her hands competently massaging his arms, shoulders, neck, and back. He loved the touching, but also understood that she did not want him trying to change the subject by stimulating her to further sex. She had something serious to say to him.
"We have been together five years," she said. "Mother sent you to me."
He remembered. How could he ever forget? Queen Gale had taken him for no-fault sex. She had been twice his age and full fleshed, not at all his type of woman despite her beauty and power, but she had made him deliriously happy in bed. He remembered the time she had emulated Flame, becoming lean-bodied, completely thrilling him.
That, he realized subsequently, had been why she sent him to her daughter: she had ascertained his preference, and acted on the knowledge. He still had a lingering crush on Gale, partly for the generosity with which she had treated him. She was a woman among women. And of course she had set him up with Flame, who was in reality what Gale had only emulated.
"Agreement," Flame murmured.
He was not embarrassed. He was long since accustomed to the way she read his mind, and would have wanted no secrets from her regardless. She knew that his passion for her was genuine.
"There is the problem," she said. "Is your love real?"
"Protest!" he said, horrified.
"Explanation: you love my form, but that is superficial. A serious relationship depends on more than form. Suppose there were another woman like me?"
"Negation. There is no other woman like you!" he exclaimed.
Her sure hands moved down his back and tackled his buttocks as she slid her body toward his feet.
"Supposition: if there were?"
"I love you. I know you. Why should I stray?"
"You believe that. But you have not been tested."
"Confusion." What was she getting at? "I want to be sure of you, Fifth. To know that another woman like me could not win you away."
"Another Amazon? I have no interest."
"But if you had interest."
"Beseeching," he said.
"Do not torture me with your doubt. You are all I want."
"You believe that now. But you can't know without additional experience."
"I don't want it."
"Deaclass="underline" have month-long no fault sexual and social affairs with three other women I select. If you return to me thereafter, I will propose marriage to you."