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Will you stand with us now beforeall the world and show them what we can
do united!
Yes, replied Laneff.
EPILOGUE
On the very first day of spring, Tansy Farris was born to Laneff Farris
ambrov Zeor and Shanlun ambrov Zeor, First Companion in Zeor.
By Householding custom, the wedding was held on the day of Laneff s next
transfer, just after she pledged to Zeor through Mairis. But in defiance of
Householding custom, the officiating channel at the wedding, Azevedo, was not
even a House member.
The celebration lasted until dawn, when the small contingent of gypsies
attending retired for their morning salutation.
Aren t you going with them, Shanlun? asked Mairis, watching as the
buff-and-beige-clad forms left the pavilion that had been set up on the lawn
at the World Controller s residence.
With your permission, replied Shanlun, my place is at your side, my
Sectuib.
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In the months since her disjunction, Laneff had come to appreciate the
difference between Mairis and Azevedo. The Rathor channel was just too
much too potent for any mortal to accompany for long. But Mairis was real, a
flesh-and-blood, mistake-making, advice-taking person. Shanlun worshiped
Azevedo, but he could live with Mairis. And she felt the same way.
My permission for your presence is always granted. But I ll never hold you
away from him.
I know, grinned Shanlun, one arm around Laneff.
The guests had all left now, and workmen were cleaning up the mess. Laneff
looked around at the aftermath, the glow of another perfect slilbliss transfer
still warming her, and making her eager for her husband s bed now that she d
recovered from the birth. Tomorrow, then, I can get back to the lab. I ve
only been away three weeks in all, and I ll bet I won t recognize a single
report on my desk!
Not so fast, said Mairis. You ve got a series of personal appearances to
make first. If we re finding this hard to believe, imagine how those who ve
never zlinned you disjunct and healthy are taking it?
But protested Laneff, having forgotten she d agreed to travel. Not
yet not now! There s so much to do
Laneff, replied Mairis, do you remember how hostile that crowd was around
the starred cross? Until you and I stood,upthere and showed them your
disjunction, there wasn t a single vote for me in that audience. And then
there wasn t a single vote against me. The lesson: a Sime has to zlin things
for himself. We re going to lose this chance at Unity and our funding if we
don t get you out on tour.
We ll take Tansy with us, said Shanlun, glancing at Mairis.
The World Controller said, Of course you can go.
You see? said Shanlun to Laneff. That way you can be sure we ll be back
for Mairis s transfer, and then you can get to work.
She glanced from one to the other, sensing conspiracy, but there was nothing
else she could do. Mairis would give her transfer and Shanlun s selyn even if
he had to chase them around the world to do it.
There are no certainties in life. There never have been. There never will be.
She wasn t sure she was going to like her new life, but it was better than
anything she d ever dreamed; a good reflection of her current self.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Before becoming a science fiction writer, Jacqueline Lichtenberg was well
known as a science fiction fan. She was nominated for a Hugo Award as Best Fan
Writer, and coauthored the book Star Trek Lives! In 1974, she began the
Sime/Gen series with the novel House of Zeor, and she has gone on to
write sometimes in collaboration with Jean Lorrah five more novels in the
series: Unto Zeor, Forever; First Channel; Mahogany Trinrose; Channel s
Destiny; and now RenSime. She lives inSpring Valley,New York .
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