"What's going to happen now?" Annah asked.
"I discussed that with Rashid on our way here." She glanced at the Science-Lord as if asking permission to speak; he made no sign one way or another, so Opal continued. "Rashid thinks it might be best if everyone went to Spark Royal for a while."
Impervia's eyes narrowed. "How long a while?"
"That depends." Opal gave a sheepish look. "You're lucky Dreamsinger isn't on her feet-she'd probably just kill you. But Rashid is sane… and inclined to be softhearted when there's no need for ruthlessness."
"Can't this Rashid speak for himself?" Impervia asked.
A chuckle came from the green armor. "Of course I can," the Science-Lord said. "But I thought I'd go with the strong silent act. My family thinks I should be more imposing."
He came forward with a light step, removing his helmet as he did. When he'd visited the Collegium Ismaili, Rashid had never taken the helmet off; now I saw why. Judging by his face (with a droopy mustache and Asian features, framed by long black hair), I guessed he was at least five years younger than me… which meant he must have been Sebastian's age when I was in university. Wise of him to remain a mysterious armored figure back then-if he'd shown he was just a teenager, he'd have received far less respect from us "sophisticated" twenty-year-olds.
Now a full-grown adult, Rashid gave a placating smile. "I'm not here to drag you off kicking and screaming… nor do I make a habit of killing people to keep them quiet. If you promised not to divulge the true purpose of this power plant, I'd be inclined to let you go. But," he said, glancing at Sebastian (who still glowed in an aura of light within the laser cage), "there's the boy to consider. We can't let someone that powerful run loose-not when he's only sixteen. The world is full of unprincipled people and someone's bound to trick or seduce him into things we'd all regret. So Spark Royal wants Sebastian under its wing till he can be trusted not to cause trouble."
"You mean you want to enslave him?" Impervia asked.
"Don't be ridiculous. Why would we antagonize someone so powerful? If we tried to put Sebastian in chains, he'd hate us for it; even if we succeeded in locking him up, we'd have to expend a great deal of effort keeping him quiet, after which he'd probably escape anyway and become a dangerous enemy. So what's the point? I won't pretend that Sparks are too noble to imprison an innocent boy, but why provoke needless hostility? We want Sebastian on our side as a willing ally. That's where you come in."
He looked at us expectantly. Impervia bristled, but Annah only returned the look. "You want us to persuade Sebastian to do what you want?"
"Not quite. I want you to be Sebastian's chaperons. His teachers." Rashid smiled. "You'll come to Spark Royal where you'll help the boy gain maturity… and of course, my fellow Lords and I will provide any assistance you ask for. You and Sebastian will be respected guests-no bars on your windows, no locks on your doors, no obedience spells, no blackmail. Opal tells me you're talented people. That's good; we always have jobs for talented people."
"In other words," Impervia said, "you intend to use us."
"Exactly," Rashid answered with a grin. "Don't you want to be used? Damned near everyone longs for something meaningful to do-a reason to get out of bed, a justification for living. This is your chance: not just looking after Sebastian but helping Spark Royal keep the planet from falling apart. I admit we Lords aren't saints; we're ruthless bastards and we always play dirty. If you agree to work for us, half the time you won't know the purpose of your duties… and when we do explain, we might not be telling the truth. But that's the real world, folks: not quests, but strategic missions. And I promise, you'll always be able to say no."
"How much are your promises worth?" Impervia asked.
Rashid laughed. "I break promises as easily as I break wind, but only when it makes sense. It's seldom sensible to betray a useful colleague… and that's what I hope you'll be."
"Impervia," Opal said, "if you work for the Sparks, you'll truly make a difference. And they do let you say no. They won't coerce you into assignments you hate, because they know your heart won't be in it."
"And of course," Rashid added, looking straight at Impervia, "your first assignment will be to look after Sebastian. Surely a Handmaid of the Magdalene would have no qualms about that. Helping mold the character of a powerful psychic? Teaching him right from wrong? Need I point out that if you don't do it, someone else will?"
Impervia's eyes narrowed… but the ghost of a smile played about her lips. "Lord Rashid, you have the serpentine voice of worldly temptation. However, if I were allowed to consult about this with my Mother Superior…"
"Do you think your Mother Superior will refuse a chance to win favor with Spark Royal? Not to mention you'll be in a position to obtain useful inside information and to influence Spark decisions for the greater glory of your Holy Magdalene. But if you really think you need to talk to your boss, I'll arrange it." He turned toward Annah and me. "As for you two… Opal tells me you're a scientist, Dhubhai. It so happens I need a personal assistant; my last one didn't work out. Would you like the job? You'll learn more in two weeks with me than you would in twenty years at your precious academy."
"Uhh…" I looked toward Annah.
"Oh, Ms. Khan can help too." He smiled at Annah. "Opal says you're musical. Do you happen to play violin? I love the violin. In fact, I have an uncanny fondness for male and female assistants who know science and play the violin." He gave a sly look at Opal, then turned back quickly to us. "Ignore me-I'll explain some other time. The question is, are you interested?"
I looked at Annah. She returned the look and shrugged. The shrug turned into a smile-a lovely smile.
Impervia gave a loud sniff. "Stop that," she said. "If I have to go to Spark Royal, you both do too. Do you think I want to drink tea alone on Friday nights?"
I whispered to Rashid, "Do you have bar brawls in Spark Royal?"
"Not in Spark Royal," he said. "But when you work for the Sparks, you'll get plunged into brawls all over the world. I pretty well guarantee it."
I winked at Impervia. She gave another loud sniff.
Annah put her hand in mine and kissed me on the cheek. "We can do this," she said softly. "What is there for us back at the school?"
"Nothing," I answered. Not Myoko or Pelinor or the Caryatid. Not Gretchen either. I'd cry for them in the days to come; but the past must yield to the future.
The future was Spark Royal, Lord Rashid, and Annah. I smiled at her.
"Oh for heaven's sake," Impervia groaned. "Just kiss each other and be done with it!"
Laughing, Annah and I kissed… but I hoped we'd never be done with it, ever.
JAMES ALAN GARDNER
JAMES ALAN GARDNER is a graduate of the Clarion West Fiction Writers Workshop and has published numerous works of short fiction in leading genre publications. He is the author of five previous novels-Expendable, Commitment Hour, Vigilant, Hunted, and Ascending-and was a Grand Prize winner of the Writers of the Future contest. He lives with his wife, Linda Carson, in Canada. His website address is http://www.thinkage.ca/~jim and he can be reached by e-mail at jagardner@thinkage.ca.
