ll have to pay the worldly penalty
for their crimes, but as long as they ended up in Purgatory rather than
Hell, they could still contribute. Again, not until after the convent
raid, and he'd have to work through one of his doubles.

Unfortunately, he'd also have to change his plans for the Imperials
once that crucial contact was made. It would have been pleasant to
torment them, make them special targets--but that would be
counterproductive.

Ah, well, life over pride, he reminded himself. And he'd wasted enough
time; he had an audience to conduct, then he should see what he could
do about special devotions that large numbers of people would find
attractive.

Return to main storyline: 21. Anguish

23a. Waiting

Thursday, 26 March 2572 (Morning, New Rome)

Shayan smiled as he read the New Roman Times while eating breakfast.
Sara had done excellently; these stories gave him all the details he
needed to take action. The Strike Forces, the Sealing, Cortin the
Herald and acting Protector being hailed as Protector despite her own
disbelief in the role, a liturgist working on services to her--she
undoubtedly hated that--yes, there was plenty revealed openly now for
him to take action on. Not just yet, though; his announcements would
have more impact if he made them with the Herald's knowledge and
approval, perhaps even in her presence.

It was too early, in New Denver, for her to even be awake, and Odeon
had to learn one thing yet today, so he shouldn't make contact until
they were done for the day. Since he'd decided on full cooperation, he
no longer needed to fear waking her powers prematurely; that would take
her perceiving a threat, and he no longer provided even a minimal one.
So he would be able to observe, then phone her when she had her
prisoner settled for the night.

Or should he mind-call her, thus giving her the limited telepathy three
in her Family already had? Since it would also let him sense her
feelings at his unexpected support, that was an attractive thought. He
had a couple of hours yet before she woke, then several more until she
called it a day, and he had work of his own to do; he'd decide what
method to use when the time came.

Return to main storyline: 24. Revenge

27a. At Harmony Lodge

The next three weeks went by both too quickly and too slowly for
Cortin's taste. It took the Imperials only a couple of days to find a
plague vaccine, but they were unable to fi