"K 29 for D 18," she mused. "Carmodyne's monument. That's what I call it, Maximus, and I am a very sentimental person. I think I owe it to his memory to maintain his bequest. My personal charity, you understand."

"Charity begins at home."

"Of course-and K 29 is what?" Her relay lights confirmed the promptings of her memory. "A section of undersea development situated at the edge of the continental shelf. Hardly a prize, Maximus."

"But one with a high potential, my dear. Also the revenue is good."

"Perhaps." She yawned, slender fingers rising to cover her mouth. "Your pardon, Maximus, but I had a rather late night. Was there anything else?"

"No. I am glad you agree, my dear. The record can be made immediately if you will take care of your end."

"But we haven't agreed," she said firmly. "One sector for another-where's the profit? And I like to look at the church and think of Carmodyne. Somehow it brings him closer to me. Did you know there's a carving of him inside the building? At times I sit before it and it's almost as if he were speaking to me. I'd hate to lose that small pleasure."

He said tightly, "Sectors K 29 and M 15-I'll double the bid!"

Again she checked the dancing lights. M 15-a stretch of barren land adjoining the Quale Consortium. Yet its very position gave it a certain value. Arment was eager to break the Consortium and could be interested. Helm too-the possibilities were intriguing. But why did Kalova want the church? If it was important to him it could be equally so to others.

"You are generous, Maximus, but I hate to be rushed into anything. Could I call you back on the matter? I'm sure there can't be any hurry. In any case I must arrange for a new gown to wear at the next assembly." Her smile held a cloying sweetness, "You know-when I sit next to you at table."

As Rham Kalova turned from the phone Zao said, "She refused."

"You heard."

"The probability was in the order of sixty-four percent. Less when you doubled your offer. Obviously there is a factor yet to be taken into account."

"The man," said Kalova. "Dumarest and his friend. Had I made the offer a week ago she would have jumped at it." His sneer was obvious. "Even I can determine what lies under my feet, Cyber. I don't need the Cyclan for that."

A man wounded in his pride and striking out without thought for the consequences. One looking for a convenient excuse.

Zao said, "The men are a factor, that is apparent, but what are they to her?"

"They are men-that's good enough. The woman is a nymphomaniac!"

A false judgment; narcissism was not nymphomania as Kalova should know. Yet further proof that his faculties were not what they should be. Left to his own devices he would have been beaten long ago, toppled from his high position to make way for another, more capable Maximus. As he would be toppled if the need arose.

"If you had issued the directives as I asked, my lord, this situation would not exist." Zao followed the restless pacing of the other with his deep-set eyes. "I would suggest that it is futile to employ experts if you have no intention of following their advice."

"Advice?" Kalova halted, spun so as to face the figure in scarlet. "Orders, you mean. Permission for the guard to search my holdings! To fly over them! To abrogate my rights! And for what? So a couple of poachers could be apprehended. Some trespassers taught a lesson. Dumarest-what is he to me?"

The man who held the answer to Kalova's dearest wish; the secret he held would provide the Maximus with a young, virile body. The affinity twin which could make Kalova the dominant part, using the host's body as if it were his own, sensing, feeling, a seeming part of the subject. Active life extended via a line of host-subjects. New bodies for old-a bribe no man could refuse, no aging woman resist.

If the Cyclan regained it a cyber's mind would now be in Kalova's body, dominating his own subdued intelligence, making the Maximus nothing but a puppet of flesh and blood and bone. A fact he dared not reveal; if Kalova even suspected it he would stop at nothing to capture Dumarest for his own ends.

Zao said in his even monotone, "The man is nothing to you, my lord, that is true, but the crime he committed against the Cyclan must not remain unpunished. He must be taken and your help would be more than appreciated."

And the converse would apply. Kalova resumed his pacing, brow creased in thought. To aid the Cyclan would bring rich rewards as had already been promised; a hint of surgical techniques to recapture a new vitality, drugs to combat the advance of age. A bonus to be added to the power which kept him Maximus. To defy them was to invite ruin and death.

What had Dumarest done to arouse such determination?

"I cannot be blamed, Cyber." Kalova paused to touch a hanging chime, small sounds rising to echo his words. "You had rafts and men commanded by an officer of your choice. The permission to search my northern holdings was unnecessary and events proved it. My own guards would have taken the fugitives had yours not argued the matter. A stupidity compounded by your commander."

A fool, who had paid the price of his folly. Kline was better dead but still questions remained.

Kalova shrugged when they were asked. "The officer, driver, marksman and signaler were killed but the observer was found alive. The fugitives did not open fire-they returned it. Hardly a crime. Those in the other rafts obeyed their original instructions and took no potentially harmful action. In any case they had no choice once the chase had left the north and Dumarest was crossing other holdings. Not even I can violate another's rights."

The code would destroy him should he break it, which made it impossible to send a task force to snatch Dumarest from the church; should it be tried, every holder would rise in protest. A hundred and forty-seven of them each with rafts and men and guns. Each determined to protect his rights.

"She'll make the exchange," said Kalova. He touched the chime again, waited for the tinklings to fade. "She's greedy and worried and aware of just how vulnerable she is if I choose to move against her. The last conflict hurt her and she'll be wary of taking risks. Just give her time to think about it. She'll do as we want."

"And if she defies you, my lord?"

A stab at his pride and the result Zao had intended. Those cursed with the burden of emotion could be manipulated like dolls.

"I'll break her!" Kalova slashed his hand at the hanging chimes and left shattered crystal to litter the carpet. The blow lacerated the skin of his hand, minor wounds he did not feel as he remembered her smile, the lilt of her voice, her barely masked contempt. He was the Maximus and should be obeyed! Would be obeyed! "I'll ruin her!"

Bowing, Tobol said, "My lady, it is a pleasant surprise to see you again so soon after your last visit."

His voice held a question she made no attempt to answer. Let him wonder at her interest-knowledge was wealth to those who commanded it. Then, looking into his face, his old, wise eyes, she recognized her childishness.

"Those men? How are they?"

"Well, my lady. As well as can be expected." His arm made an inviting gesture. "Dumarest is on the upper balcony. I will send wine and cakes if you care to join him."

The wind was from the sea and ruffled her hair as Fiona emerged on the long, narrow path flanked by the rising swell of the roof to one side, a crenelated parapet on the other. Dumarest turned as she approached. His clothing had been refurbished and gleamed with a muted sheen. A softness hardened by the knife in his boot, the face above the collar of the tunic.

"My lady." His tone was formal. "May I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude for your forbearance?"

"Accepted, but why be grateful? The monks took care of you, Earl, not I." She smiled and took a step closer. "Yes, I know your name. Do you know mine? Good, then use it. My first name," she added. "I want us to be friends."