ce it's presumed orgasm would
bring relief; if anyone had experimented and found otherwise, it
should've been reported in the professional literature. Since I've
never read about such an experiment, I doubt it's ever been tried--but
now that you suggest it, the idea seems plausible. If you'd like to
try, Lieutenant, be my guest."

"No," Medart said firmly. "He can observe, since this is within your
law; taking part would go against a number of the laws that govern the
Imperial military." He turned to the Sandeman. "What's wrong,
Lieutenant? You're not acting like any warrior I've ever
met--including yourself, a couple of days ago."

"I feel fine, sir--I'm just not embarrassed by his display, the way I'd
have expected, and I . . . admire Colonel Cortin's work, which I
wouldn't have expected at all."

Neither would Medart, because of both his heritage and the Academy
psych testing that weeded out people with such inclinations. That
meant Cortin's peculiar Talent was going beyond influencing Keith to
love her, it was giving him some of her personality quirks. The first
was probably due to his lack of mind-shield; the second, since her
Talent hadn't affected Odeon to anywhere near the same degree, was
probably due to the Sandeman tendency to extremes. Medart hid a sigh.
"Just how strong is this admiration, Lieutenant?"

Keith looked from Ranger to Inquisitor and back, his expression
answering Medart's question before he spoke. "Strongly enough that if
I thought there was any chance of acceptance, I would offer her my
fealty."

Cortin looked at him thoughtfully, then smiled. "If that means what I
believe it does, Lieutenant, you'd be in no danger of refusal."

Keith returned the smile, then acted on her promise and knelt.
"Colonel Joan Cortin, I wish you as my chosen lady, if that should be
your will. I offer all that is in me to give: body and mind, will and
honor, whatever courage is mine. And death itself may not deny the
service I offer, in whatever afterlife is to come."

Cortin extended her hands, smiling again. "I accept your service and
yourself with thanks, warrior."

Keith took her hands and rose, then bowed to her. "You do me great
honor, Thakur."

"The honor is mine," Cortin replied. "Are there any formalities that
need to be taken care of?"

"I'll handle those when we finish here," Medart said. "His release
from service, back pay and allowances--but it'll be up to you to notify
his