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Off-Grid

Pacazahno


Majel had gone back to the city, leaving Ander in Seylin’s specific care, with instructions to bring him home, when their business was done.

Halfway through the—meal, Seylin supposed she ought to style it, though she had never in her life seen so much food vanish so quickly, and into so few people. Beni arrived with another laden tray and two more Haosa, introduced as Uri and Maybri.

“There’s been a breakthrough, is what the good constable told us, Cousins,” said Uri, choosing a slice of cake from the plate.

Chalis swallowed what seemed to be an entire sandwich and washed it down with tea, waving her free hand in Ander’s direction.

“A stroke of luck,” she said, lowering the mug. “Cousin Ander here works at a casino in the city that recently saw some mischief done against it. He caught an Intention, but it was too dim under the Grid for him to read it close, or to feel out any associations.”

Uri gave Ander a nod and a smile.

“Things are a deal brighter hereabouts,” he said. “Good catch, Cousin.”

“Thank you,” Ander said indistinctly around his fifth sandwich.

“Not only did he catch the Intention,” Yferen said, taking up the tale, “but he was able to identify the strongest source. Challi might be able to tease out a face, and I might be able to scrape off a time, so we can get an inkling as to what went forth in the garden.”

Seylin sighed, and looked at them clustered around the food trolley. Beni was also eating a sandwich—more out of politeness than need, Seylin thought, and then laughed inwardly. She had herself accounted for four sandwiches, and was seriously considering having a slice of cake with the last of her sweet tea.

Costly shields, indeed, she thought, just as Yferen put down his plate.

“Are we ready, Cousins?”

“Ready,” said Maybri. “How can we help?”

“On standby, I should think,” Yferen said, with a glance at Chalis, who inclined her head. “Challi and Ander will need quiet to examine the Intention found, and to see are there others. I—”

“I may be of use,” Seylin said, moderately, “in the room. There may also be physical clues, and I am trained in security procedures.”

There was a pause, as Chalis and Yferen exchanged a glance. Chalis turned to look at Ander.

“Seylin is my supervisor,” he said. “She will have to report to Principal ziaGorn what she’s witnessed. She should be there.”

“Nice, tight shields,” Yferen added, looking at Chalis. “Oughtn’t to bother what’s there or the reading of it.”

“They are impressive, those shields,” Chalis agreed. “All right, Civilized, you’re in, but you keep just as quiet as you are right now. It’s finicky work, and that room has years of echoes in it.”

“Before, I’d like to try something out in the garden with Cousin Ander, if the rest of you will stand between us and the curious,” Yferen said.

Chalis frowned.

“What’s in your mind?”

“I want to try a projection. It’s a Ribbon Dance night. Might get something.”

Chalis tipped her head to one side consideringly, then looked to Ander.

“Cousin, are you willing to participate in one of Yferen’s mad schemes? I’ll tell you, he’s famous for them.”

“And no blame to you if it doesn’t work!” Yferen said earnestly. “It’s only a notion of mine—which I am famous for, and also for the fact that they so seldom bear flowers. Still, Cousin, it may work—I’ve seen it done and so has Challi. If it does, that puts us nearer to finding who made this mess. If it doesn’t—well.” Yferen moved his shoulders in what was almost a dance move of itself. “We tried, as we must.”

“I’m willing,” Ander said, “but you have to know that I—am not a strong Talent. It comes and goes, and I don’t know any techniques—”

“We’re well off-Grid here, Cousin. You may find things go easier for you.”

There was a pause, as if Ander had only now understood what “cousin” might mean.

“All right,” he said, squaring his thin shoulders. “Let’s try.”

* * *

The last daylight had long since faded, and it ought to have been too dark to see in the remains of the school’s art garden.

And yet, there was more than sufficient light to see, though it flowed and flickered through all the colors of the prism. Seylin stopped to look up at the broad ribbons of light flowing across the night sky, bright enough to cast a shadow before her.

“They’re beautiful,” Ander said sharply, stopping and craning upward. Yferen stopped next to him, and turned his face up as well.

“They are that, Cousin,” he said gently. “They are that.”

He took a breath, as if looking away from the dancing Ribbons pained him a little, and said, briskly,

“Now, Cousins, and Beni, too—stand between us and the curious. Challi, with Ander, please. Civilized, if you’re to witness to your employer, stand aside and keep those shields snug.”

“Yes,” said Seylin, and to Ander added, “I’m also here for your protection, Ander.”

“I know that,” he said with a small smile. “Thank you, Seylin.”


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