difference—of sexuality,
of power, of social class and experience—that should have kept us
forever strangers, had made us as intimate as lovers before we knew
each other’s names. It does not depend, like most communion, on
physical touch, but can form when one of us exerts sufficient
psychic force, as now when Dominic, galvanized by the emergency,
established the connection over the many miles that separated
us.
My relief was so great that at first I could
only babble, clinging to him in thought, fainting into his strength
that was as tangible in mind as in body. Oh, Dominic, can you
ever forgive me? It’s all my fault . I sounded more like
Val than an adult woman. I’m so, so, sorry.
Dominic did not at first understand me. Sorry? he said. It is those outlaws who will be
sorry. His consciousness was within mine, as I had entered
Jana’s mind earlier, was looking around the dismal surroundings
through my eyes. Where have they taken you? He was all
practicality as soon as he saw his worst fears had been
realized.
I sat up, careful not to wake the children,
breathed deeply, tried to hold on to what remained of my sense—and
failed. I have endangered our children , I said. I deserve
everything that happens, after such stupidity, but not the
children .
Dominic comforted me as best he could. Amalie , he said, stern and forceful, that doesn’t matter
now. You must not blame yourself, but think clearly and tell me
where you are, so I can rescue you.
His manner, more than the words themselves,
accomplished what only Dominic could have. It was like my first
months on Eclipsis when, an alien in my new world, a Terran
burdened by a quirk of genetics with a gift I did not understand,
my life had been made suddenly wondrous because of our communion.
Dominic’s love had been like a beacon of confidence guiding me
through unfamiliar and forbidding territory, as I learned the
techniques of telepathic control that changed my onetime curse into
the most precious of gifts.
I felt the first stirrings of hope as I tried
to form a visual memory for Dominic of the road I had traveled and
the cut in the embankment the bandits had used. It was late
morning when they took us , I said, and we rode all the rest
of the day. It was full dark when we arrived.
Dominic had one bad reaction as I narrated
the events of the morning. You were on that trail, with the
children? Without me? When I told you— He let go of the
reproaches and accusations. He could see it in my thoughts, knew
what I had done, and he controlled his emotions, concentrating
instead on my information. I think I know where you are. The old
Skye holding . Then his rage erupted again. Helios give me
strength! It will take me days to get there with any kind of
force.
I know, Dominic , I said. I had been
counting the days myself. Two from Eclipsia City to Aranyi. At
least another full day up here. And that allowed no time to
assemble troops or make arrangements for a siege train. But they
want you to pay ransom for us, not bring an army .
Yes, cherie, Dominic said. That is
usually what bandits want.
At last I focused on what Dominic needed to
know. More than forty armed men , I said. I couldn’t see
them all. I recalled the scene on the road, when they had
forced the guards and the women to undress. And be careful. They
have an Aranyi guard’s uniform and three Ormonde ones.
Yes, beloved , Dominic said, I know.
The Ladakhs told me how admirably you conducted yourself, as if I
could doubt it. How you saved the guards from death and the women
from– worse. That was a very brave and noble thing you did,
Amalie . To himself he added something I did not understand, Although you may receive few thanks for it.
The idea led Dominic to more sickening fears. Have you been insulted? The word is a euphemism for rape,
especially of ‘Graven by commoner.
There was no reason to burden him with what
had been merely a fantasy in Reynaldo’s deranged mind. No, my
love , I said.
of power, of social class and experience—that should have kept us
forever strangers, had made us as intimate as lovers before we knew
each other’s names. It does not depend, like most communion, on
physical touch, but can form when one of us exerts sufficient
psychic force, as now when Dominic, galvanized by the emergency,
established the connection over the many miles that separated
us.
My relief was so great that at first I could
only babble, clinging to him in thought, fainting into his strength
that was as tangible in mind as in body. Oh, Dominic, can you
ever forgive me? It’s all my fault . I sounded more like
Val than an adult woman. I’m so, so, sorry.
Dominic did not at first understand me. Sorry? he said. It is those outlaws who will be
sorry. His consciousness was within mine, as I had entered
Jana’s mind earlier, was looking around the dismal surroundings
through my eyes. Where have they taken you? He was all
practicality as soon as he saw his worst fears had been
realized.
I sat up, careful not to wake the children,
breathed deeply, tried to hold on to what remained of my sense—and
failed. I have endangered our children , I said. I deserve
everything that happens, after such stupidity, but not the
children .
Dominic comforted me as best he could. Amalie , he said, stern and forceful, that doesn’t matter
now. You must not blame yourself, but think clearly and tell me
where you are, so I can rescue you.
His manner, more than the words themselves,
accomplished what only Dominic could have. It was like my first
months on Eclipsis when, an alien in my new world, a Terran
burdened by a quirk of genetics with a gift I did not understand,
my life had been made suddenly wondrous because of our communion.
Dominic’s love had been like a beacon of confidence guiding me
through unfamiliar and forbidding territory, as I learned the
techniques of telepathic control that changed my onetime curse into
the most precious of gifts.
I felt the first stirrings of hope as I tried
to form a visual memory for Dominic of the road I had traveled and
the cut in the embankment the bandits had used. It was late
morning when they took us , I said, and we rode all the rest
of the day. It was full dark when we arrived.
Dominic had one bad reaction as I narrated
the events of the morning. You were on that trail, with the
children? Without me? When I told you— He let go of the
reproaches and accusations. He could see it in my thoughts, knew
what I had done, and he controlled his emotions, concentrating
instead on my information. I think I know where you are. The old
Skye holding . Then his rage erupted again. Helios give me
strength! It will take me days to get there with any kind of
force.
I know, Dominic , I said. I had been
counting the days myself. Two from Eclipsia City to Aranyi. At
least another full day up here. And that allowed no time to
assemble troops or make arrangements for a siege train. But they
want you to pay ransom for us, not bring an army .
Yes, cherie, Dominic said. That is
usually what bandits want.
At last I focused on what Dominic needed to
know. More than forty armed men , I said. I couldn’t see
them all. I recalled the scene on the road, when they had
forced the guards and the women to undress. And be careful. They
have an Aranyi guard’s uniform and three Ormonde ones.
Yes, beloved , Dominic said, I know.
The Ladakhs told me how admirably you conducted yourself, as if I
could doubt it. How you saved the guards from death and the women
from– worse. That was a very brave and noble thing you did,
Amalie . To himself he added something I did not understand, Although you may receive few thanks for it.
The idea led Dominic to more sickening fears. Have you been insulted? The word is a euphemism for rape,
especially of ‘Graven by commoner.
There was no reason to burden him with what
had been merely a fantasy in Reynaldo’s deranged mind. No, my
love , I said.
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