<h2>Planet 5 / Ch. 34: Sharing thoughts</h2>


    </a>Approaching the shepherd''s hut, Kanuga.


    “Tangseng, how common is thought hearing among your people?” Tuga asked.


    “Not very.”


    “And you don''t need the catalyst effect like on Tesk?”


    “No,” Tangseng said. “You weren''t there when when I spoke to the Tesk captain, were you?”


    “No. You said a few things after, which chimed with what I already knew. So is it random? Or did a relative have the ability?”


    “My grandparents were ''heart-close'' as we say in Kanuga. Tesk would call them attuned. But I''m a bit odd, that I get snippets from people. It''s not reliable, though.”


    “It depends on how safe you''re feeling, or how worried,” he said knowingly.


    “How did you know that?”


    “Mum gets a few hints. Not thoughts, just strong emotions. She''s really disappointed in me, for not knowing you meant your hints, by the way. She knows what that means.”


    “What does that mean, Tuga?”


    “I mean, beloved wife, that if I hadn''t rejected God''s gift and run away from it, I''d have heard what was behind your thoughts all the way down to motivations you don''t know yourself, interrupted your conversation on the radio and said, don''t worry, I''m here. So now you can be upset at me as well. Of course if I hadn''t run away with a beautiful foreigner who wanted a dumb body-guard, I''d not have been here to hear about your need. You know, I was three quarters hoping that you''d get me killed as your body guard? That''s one of the other reasons I didn''t want to abandon you when you first gave me my freedom.”


    “Hmm. A body-guard with a death-wish is probably an even better body-guard than one who''s falling in love with his employer. But I prefer my husband,” she said, kissing him. “Oh no!” she added, looking over his shoulder.


    “They followed us?” Tuga asked, following her gaze.


    “It looks like it. I wonder if they thought we were coming from some settlement and went to pass the word.”


    “This isn''t exactly an ideal spot for a conflict.” Tuga said, “How good are you with a sling? There was one in the hut.”


    “I could sometimes hit the barn from ten steps away when I was ten. I doubt I''ve improved much.”


    “And the soldiers aren''t likely to come up this way.”


    “They might call in for further information, mightn''t they?”


    “Possible.”


    “You run on to the hut then, I don''t think I can run with this radio on my back. And light the fire.”


    “It''s not that cold.”


    “Evidence that we''re staying there, though. If they catch up I''m telling them we were just going for a walk on our honeymoon.”


    “What about the back-pack?”


    “Hmm. OK. We left something... Necklace? Wedding ring? That''d make us turn back.”


    “OK. My necklace. And it''s too far to go home this late in the day, so we''re extending the honeymoon.”


    “I''m going to say we were experimenting with the radio, too. I''ll need to explain it, if they decide to search the pack. No point taking needless risks. Speaking of which, you stay in the hut, beloved, and out of danger. The door looked good and solid and you''ve got the phone. I''m sure your army can sprint when the heir-presumptive is in danger.”


    “Tuga, if you''ve got the gift, then your life is more valuable than mine.”


    “I don''t have the gift. But if you really want to die beside me you''d better run fast, beloved. Because that sling is our only weapon.” After she''d run a little way, he shouted “And put the kettle on, love, I''ll be thirsty when I get there!”


    She waved acknowledgement, and then he saved his breath for walking. He''d often thought that one very good thing about working for a rich trader who carried most of her wealth as paperwork and didn''t like carriages was that she didn''t compromise on footwear. Once again, he blessed Tangseng''s attitude to travel. Although the radio''s bulk and fragility meant he couldn''t run, he was perfectly capable of walking faster with it, and he knew his boots would cope with the extra stress and his feet wouldn''t blister. He pressed on.


    The trail was well worn by the sheep, and Tangseng made good time. She didn''t look back, that risked a stumble, and would serve no purpose anyway. Tuga was a big, strong man, she doubted it would come to a fight. But she still wanted to get to that hut, and its telephone.


    She made it in about quarter of an hour, and was breathing heavily, when she spoke.


    “Tangseng here, back at the hut. The intruders seem to be following us.”


    “A patrolling squad saw them, just after you reported in, Trader. They''re probably more running away than running after you.”


    “That''d be reassuring if there was anywhere sane to go from here. It''s getting too gusty to walk the ridge path and they surely don''t want to climb over the summit.”


    “Maybe they don''t know that, but if the squad call in I''ll tell them to hurry.”


    “Thank you,” Tangseng said, and set about lighting the fire. She also put her necklace on a hook, as though it had been waiting there all the time.


    Tuga arrived ten minutes later, still ten minutes ahead of the two Tunganese men. After kissing him profusely, Tangseng had an idea and used the spy-glass kept in the hut. “We were wrong. Their hats are off. The smaller one of them''s sprouted long hair with earrings.”


    “Interesting. Evens the odds anyway. Can I look?”


    “Sure.”


    “They look worried.”


    “So they should. Sneaking into Kanuga isn''t something people normally survive.”


    “Do they get an opportunity to not sneak? I mean, we never exactly handed our papers over at a sentry post.”


    “There''s normally someone at the battle-marshes you can talk to,”


    “Maybe they''d heard about them and thought they''d get stuck. They''re putting down their packs. I see no weapons. The woman''s even put down her honour-knife. I guess they prefer us to a bunch of soldiers.”


    “That changes things.” Tangseng picked up the phone again. “Hi, me again. One of the Tungans is a woman, they''ve just taken off their packs, are coming on with nothing that looks like weapons and she''s just put down her honour-knife.”


    “What does that mean, Trader?”


    “Unconditional surrender. If she knew we saw her, that she wants to show her utter trust in us. If not, then it means she wants to say ''I''m totally unarmed'' so much she''s prepared to feel naked and vulnerable.”


    “But they''re still coming towards you?” the operator asked.


    “Yes.”


    “Please stay in the hut, Trader Tangseng.”


    “I''m going to at least tell them to just sit down with their hands on their heads if they want to be arrested rather than shot. It might not have occurred to them.”


    “And then you''ll get back in the hut?”


    “I''ll stay safe,” Tangseng said, putting the phone down.


    “I''ll shout, shall I?” Tuga asked.


    “You don''t know what to say. But feel free to echo me.” Opening the door, she called out to the running and stumbling couple, who kept looking over their shoulders at the troops, trotting after them. “Just sit down!” Tuga did have a very good shout, she agreed.


    “We need to talk!” the man shouted back, still trying to hurry.


    “Sit down, or the soldiers will shoot you “, she dictated to Tuga. “And put your hands on your heads.” Tangseng put her fingers in her ears this time.


    Adding “We can talk after.”


    The woman, who had been just in the lead, glanced back at the soldiers, saw they''d started preparing their bows and stopped, stopping her companion by the simple expedient of flinging her arm out as she stopped. Her fist hit his stomach, or possibly lower, and he fell to his knees, bending over his pain.


    “Landing like that''s going to hurt,” Tuga said, wincing. “But probably not as much as an arrow.”


    “It stopped him, anyway.” Tangseng said. “Now, we let them get arrested before wandering over, OK?”


    “Certainly, my love. Do we sit down too?”


    “Yes, bring out both benches, can you? Actually, I''d better put more water on.”


    “You don''t think those two siblings might need you available? I will put more water on.” He went into the hut, leaving the door open so they could talk.


    “Why do you think they''re siblings?” Tangseng asked.


    “Because I can''t think of many other relationships that would let a Tungan woman hit a man in the stomach.”


    “You might be right, but since she''s got witnesses she was saving his life, it might just be that she was cross with him. Don''t think this is going to let you avoid our discussion, by the way.”


    “I never dreamed it would, Tangseng.” Tuga said, from in the hut. “I actually want to confess, you know? When we''re alone.”


    “That''s a good sign,” Tangseng said. “Can you give me a really quick summary of why you ran away from obeying God? I mean, as far as I understand it, Jonah didn''t want to preach to the nasty enemy because first they were scary and secondly in case they repented and God was merciful, and they didn''t get the destruction Jonah felt they deserved. What about you?”


    “I wasn''t directly refusing to obey God, but I didn''t want to do something the head pastor had told me I ought to do. He said he felt God was telling him I ought to do it, of course, but... Well, even acknowledging I had the gift at all was embarrassing, let alone what he said. So, I didn''t want to listen and there was the family debt, and I used that as my excuse to refuse and run away from the gift and the pressure to do what they were saying and everything. I told mum that I loved God but didn''t want the gift, and if He really didn''t want to take it back then he''d better make sure no one took me on. You turned up the next day.”


    “Hmm.” Tangseng said. “Head pastor?”


    “I was a trainee pastor. Mum was really proud of me, then.”


    “She still loves you. But no wonder you knew all the right Bible verses to quote at me. Is using the gift something you need to try? How do you know you don''t have it?”


    “The water''s on.” Tuga said, bringing out one bench and ignoring the question. “Should I bring the other one?” The soldiers had surrounded the two Tungans.


    “I think, actually, we ought to wander over, and offer evidence.”


    “That''s good. Because I think we ought to too. It''s really not my place to say it, but from what I''ve seen so far, I don''t think they deserve to die. Just because we got nervous because of circumstances, they don''t look that scary.”


    “And chasing after someone to ask a question isn''t illegal. I know.” Tangseng said. Together they approached, and soon heard the woman crying.


    “Sergeant?” Tangseng called, “I trust your men are behaving themselves?”


    “Yes, Lady Trader. We''ve simply informed these two about the law of Kanuga.”


    “Which bit?” Tangseng asked. “The bit about anyone running from a patrol being assumed guilty of a capital crime? The bit about presumption of guilt regarding foreigners equipped to rob, steal, or murder? Or the bit about hospitality to the harmless?”


    “We were just saying that the knife they left on top of the pack looked rather like equipment suitable for murder.”


    “That''s not very culturally sensitive of you, sergeant. You''re talking about the lady''s honour-knife. She was probably given it when she was about ten to make sure that no boys got stupid ideas that she was easy prey, and has had it in reach every day of her life since. Putting it down in your path means roughly the same as you not just shedding your armour but everything except your underwear.”


    “You deny it''s a deadly weapon, then, Lady Trader?”


    “I deny it counts as going equipped for murder, any more than you not being castrated means you''re going equipped for rape, or Tuga''s lovely muscles mean he''s equipped to smash heads. The polite thing to do is return the lady''s knife, as assurance that you''re not planning rape. In the circumstances of her being under arrest you might not feel you can do that, but don''t threaten her with death for being a respectable woman and not a prostitute.”


    “That''s what it means?” The sergeant asked, finally understanding.


    “Yes.” the woman said.


    “And by putting it down, you wished us to understand you to be saying ''I am weak, harmless and trust in the law not my own resources''?”


    “Yes,” she said.


    “Lady Trader,” the sergeant said. “You are right, that I cannot give a knife this sharp to a prisoner. But would you look after it for her as an indication that we mean no harm to her?”


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    “I accept the knife that guarantees your honour, stranger, and so place your honour beside my own. Know, stranger, that I am Tangseng, Trader of Kanuga and ambassador to Dahel by his Imperial Majesty''s surprising invitation and my queen''s agreement. I have known this sergeant since he was at my parent''s church and attended youth-group with me, and by my word and the honour of my queen and the love of God I know he has, he will allow no threat to your body except what a court of law may declare as punishment.”


    “I thank you for your kind words, Tangseng. I am Syna, my brother is Nusun.”


    “But why we are chased and threatened and arrested? Just for entering Kanuga and not finding a customs post?” Nusun asked.


    “Mainly for entering and then running away from a patrol,” The Sergeant said, “Since there aren''t more than two customs posts. Visitors are by invitation only. Independent trade is not permitted. Missionaries of Christ are not needed, those of other religions are not welcome.”


    “What about messengers?” Nusun asked, as Syna looked up at the sky and asked God for patience.


    “Messengers from an official in Dahel would not run from a patrol, but would approach and state their business.”


    “And messengers from God?” Nusun asked.


    “Ought not to be running from nor challenging the authority of appointed representatives of the law.” Tangseng said.


    “I apologise if my brother gives offence. He thinks only his task, which he is sure comes from God, and not the tasks of others.”


    “And what is this divinely appointed task?” the sergeant asked the man.


    “To deliver a certain message to a certain person.” He said, as if that was all that needed to be said.


    “My task,” Syna said, “has long been to try to explain my brother to others. He genuinely struggles to think of other people''s perspective. I apologise for him if it comes across as pride, it''s not. It may be helpful to think of it as a form of idiocy, he is not actually unintelligent, but often he does not understand the obvious, and I don''t think he knows how to worry. God has told him to come here, so he almost left without telling anyone. He did not think of bringing food or water, any more than he would think to take a Bible to a Bible-study unless someone told him he should. He won''t tell me what it is and he does not know who his message is for, even. Only that he should come to this country, travel by back ways to the valley you saw us in, lady Tangseng, and tell his message to the first person who saw him.”


    “That''d be me. I''m Tangseng''s husband, Tuga,” he said, “Sorry Syna, I thought you were both men when I saw you.”


    “I have a message from God for you, Tuga,” Nusun said.


    “So I hear. Excuse me for not being shocked, it''s just been spoken of quite a bit recently.”


    “Hear, Tuga what your God says to you: I know your thoughts and I planned your steps. Be at peace.”


    “What?” Syna exploded, “That''s it? We came all this way to say that? What sort of planet-shattering message is that? Why didn''t you tell me?”


    “Thank you, Nusun.” Tuga said, “Your sister does not value the message you delivered, it seems, but then it was not addressed to her.” Tuga closed his eyes momentarily, wobbled on his feet a bit and regained his balance. He then said, “Talk to a librarian called Kanthena, right now she is in the library in the capital city, on the main square. I don''t know if that''s her library, though.”


    “Thank you Tuga. Thank you!” Nusun said, grinning broadly.


    “Tuga,” Tangseng asked, puzzled, “why are you telling Nusun to talk to a librarian in the children''s library?”


    “Because God knows Nusun''s thoughts too. Sergeant, can we invite you and your men to a cup of tea?”


    “And our prisoners too, I hope?” the sergeant asked.


    “Certainly.” Tuga agreed. “I think Syna needs a drink to calm down.”


    “My brother has truly excelled himself. Two week''s journey for two bland sentences? May I punch him a few times, sergeant?”


    “No.”


    “We left home just as the vines were getting ready for harvest. He never told me where we were going, or how far, just said he needed to go and take a message to someone. I could make no preparations, I didn''t even ask a neighbour to harvest for us. It will have all rotted, I expect. There''s going to be nothing at home because of this trip. No income, no stored fruit, nothing. For two sentences!”


    “I can see why your brother was entrusted with the message, Syna,” Tangseng said. “I expect if you had been told to deliver it then you would not have arrived until after we had left. But you have obviously suffered some loss. How much would your harvest have brought in?”


    “Fifty bushels, at least.” Syna said, her eyes filled with greed.


    “Twenty at maximum,” corrected Nusun. “The vines are dying, the market is saturated, the money from selling what we can spare is never enough to repair the house. We would not have starved, but it would have been a hard winter and a hungry spring.”


    “You''ve solved that, brother! Now we will starve before mid-winter.”


    “Not if we are in jail for entering this country illegally,” Nusun said pragmatically.


    “We do not jail people for entering the country illegally,” the sergeant said, “The judicial penalty for illegally entering and attempting to avoid a patrol is expulsion with only the clothes you are wearing when caught. Or if you are found to be of otherwise good character, you may ask to stay and work on one of the farms.”


    “What about for illegally entering and ignoring a patrol in order to deliver a message from God?” Nusun asked, curiously.


    “Yes, that''s what the court has to decide, isn''t it?” the sergeant said, “It might be the court decides that with that motivation you entered legally, in which case you''ve done nothing wrong. And you can leave or ask to stay.”


    “Even if Syna is not of very good character, and tells silly lies about our harvest?”


    “Perhaps the court will overlook that lapse.” the sergeant said, “It is known that stress brings out the worst in people.”


    “Sergeant?” Tuga asked, “Do you have leeway to decide if a crime has been committed? It is clear to me at least that the message was from God.”


    “And also clear that Nusun was thinking only of delivering the message,” Tangseng said. “He only stopped because Syna stopped him with a fist in his guts.”


    “Sorry, Nusun, I wasn''t aiming that low,” Syna said, before her brother could correct Tangseng.


    “I have the authority to decide to immediately expel or detain someone for trial. As I said, the penalty for guilt established at trial is expulsion without your baggage, if I expel you immediately, then you will retain your baggage. In either case, you will receive a small brand on your arm which is why we checked your arms when you were arrested. More authority I do not have.”


    “I don''t want to be branded,” Syna said, “so I will trust the courts are merciful.”


    “And I cannot return the honour-knife to Syna while she is your prisoner?” Tangseng asked. The sergeant agreed.


    “So much for our trip being extended into a romantic get-away,” Tuga said to Tangseng.


    “I can think of plenty of nicer places to stay, anyway,” Tangseng replied. “Sergeant, we don''t have a tent, and the equipment of Tuga''s backpack is important and fragile, so we dare not begin a return to the city this late in the day, in case he misses his footing. However, as I hold Syna''s honour-knife for her we must return with you. Then we will see if they require a brand, discuss what is compensation for their lost harvest and their time, and if they wish to start a new life here.”


    “I wish to start a new life here.” Nusun said.


    “What?” Syna exclaimed. “and what about the farm?”


    “You keep on telling God that you hate our parent''s farm, Syna, when you don''t think I can hear you. Be consistent, sister. Now you can live somewhere else. And it''s beautiful here, isn''t it?”


    Syna, too stunned for words, groaned, and buried her head in her hands.


    “Lady Trader,” the sergeant said, “Perhaps it would be best if, once we''ve had that cup of tea, we leave our prisoners with a few guards here, allowing them the freedom to set up their own tents, of course. Then we''ll continue our patrol, and meet you back here in the morning?”


    “I do love walking in these mountains,” Nusun said. “I understand why Syna must stay, but could I come with you?”


    “Please, good sergeant, take him!” Syna said, “I willingly stay here as hostage to him not trying to escape.”


    “Why would I try to escape?” Nusun asked “I need to talk to a librarian called Kanthena.”


    <hr>


    </a>Shepherd''s hut, that evening.


    The guards and Syna had set up their tents, and then eaten with Tangseng and Tuga, and then there had been more talk, mainly about Syna''s life and what she might expect if she stayed in Kanuga. She was not fully convinced, but nor was she fully opposed to the idea. Then, finally Tuga and Tangseng were left alone. “Tuga?”


    “Yes, beloved?”


    “You can guess what I''m wondering.”


    “Yes, I have the gift once more.”


    “That''s good news.”


    “And now I must decide how to use it. That''s something God reassured me about. It would have been wrong to do what I was asked. He planned my steps, Tangseng! I thought I was running away, but he is sovereign, and arranged our meeting!”


    “God said that?”


    “He said I was not wrong to say no.” Tuga said.


    “And that he arranged our meeting?”


    “Why did you go to the slave market, Tangseng?”


    “I wanted a body guard.”


    “But you hadn''t had one until then.”


    “No. I...” she looked at him in surprise, “I had a scary dream a few nights before, of being alone with strangers following me. God sent that dream?”


    “Or allowed it, my fearless one.” Tuga said.


    “You must decide how to use it, you said?”


    “It is a powerful gift, beloved. I could eavesdrop on the emperor''s thoughts, pass them on to anyone who hears thoughts plainly. Or make the patrols lazy by sending them straight to people who shouldn''t be in Kanuga.”


    “Or give the names and addresses of dum-semb members?”


    “Names and place on a map, yes. Like Kanthena the librarian.”


    “Nusun''s future wife?” Tangseng asked.


    “Not certainly. She is someone who will understand his way of thinking and might become his wife. I can know too many secrets, Tangseng, I don''t want to know the future as well.”


    “But you cannot make me hear more of your thoughts.”


    “Would you like me to pray that you would be able to? Or do you mean, can I think to you?”


    “I would like to understand you better, Tuga, but yes to both. There might be times, I''m sure, that it would be nice to listen in to your thought-conversations with pretty girls from Tesk, so I do not become jealous, or for you to know that I''m hearing you properly. If we become separated and you need to contact me, for instance.”


    “It is hard to hear to thoughts of everyone around you, my beloved. I spent much of my time trying not to, before. It was a relief when I didn''t. People think it is OK to think rubbish, to speculate about what someone looks like without their clothes on, or to fantasize about killing a relative. They assume that because they never act on it, never say it, they can cherish it as a guilty secret. Syna, for instance, has her fantasies.”


    “About sticking her honour knife in her brother?”


    “Actually, not. She tells herself they don''t matter, but I think Jesus says they do. It made me untrusting and cynical about even the best motives.”


    “You don''t recommend developing the gift of Tesk, you''re saying.”


    “Exactly. You probably could, if you didn''t mind hearing every embarrassing thought of those around you. I was told that''s what the so-called catalyst does: sends out reassurances that he doesn''t mind what they hear.”


    “Who told you?”


    “An old man, a visitor to the village. He came to talk to me one evening, while I was loafing about in a field, away from the crowd. Then he prayed that I''d get this gift, breathed a sigh of relief, and told me he''d probably be dead by mid-winter. He was ill, you see, but also tired. He''d walked a long way to meet me. You met him too, it seems.”


    “Me?”


    “The strange man you''re thinking about.”


    “I was three. He told me how to shut out the voices.”


    “Yes. You see? You can hear thoughts, you just didn''t want to when you were little.”


    “Do you want me to hear your thoughts, Tuga?”


    Tuga looked into her eyes, and she gazed back, she was worried that he wouldn''t want her to, that his old preference to not talk about these things would block this area of his life from her, when she wanted to share everything with him. He smiled, realising that he wanted to share everything with her too, that they would be one in flesh, one in thought, one in mind. “I don''t mind you sharing my bowel movements with you, beloved. Sorry, but you get the yuck along with the intimacy.”


    “Bowel movements are part of life,” Tangseng said “and in forty or fifty years we might need to be helping each other deal with them not working when they should. You''re mine and I want all of you.”


    “It sounds like I ought to be taking you to bed then.”


    “You named it our romantic get away spot.”


    <hr>


    </a>The palace, Caneth


    “Hello, Esme.” Hayeel said, “Either I''m going mad, or we have an answer to prayer, and you have a problem.”


    “I do?”


    “Yes. I don''t suppose you have a map showing Inner Caneth, do you?”


    “It''s mostly featureless desert.”


    “I crossed the corner of it, yes. Half an hour ago a man thought a picture to me, a map. I asked him why not to you or at least Bethania, since she''s an artist, and he said ''because you''re worrying about these things, and far enough removed from power that I can''t accuse myself of manipulating any governments''. So I''d really like a map, before my memory fades. Three dum-semb infested villages.”


    “Come to the library,” Esme said.


    “Thank you. In case you''re wondering, he said that Tangseng would get a set of maps for my future father-in-law when she woke up, and he also said that if no one was going to Tew before-hand, he''d give Eva a map to drop off when she goes past on her way to Dahel.”


    “Nice of him.” Esme said. “He''s very well informed.”


    “Yes. It sounds like he knows Tangseng. At least, he said she''d be a bit annoyed with him, but he was ''blaming'' God for listening to my prayers.”


    “Here''s the map.”


    <hr>


    </a>The Hut


    “Tangseng beloved?” Tuga said, long before the sun had started to rise over the mountains.


    “Yes, love?” she answered sleepily.


    “I think we should call Naneela before we go down the mountain.”


    “Because.... did you just think that answer to me?”


    “Yes.”


    “Why do you know she''s awake and worried?”


    “God thinks her need for reassurance is more important than our need for sleep.”


    “And you thought to Hayeel too?”


    “Yes. That was around midnight.”


    “I didn''t dream it then. Just the giant octopus. That was a dream, yes?”


    “Urm, yes.”


    “I wondered what it was doing so far from the coast. OK.” she yawned, “I''ll set up the radio, but I''ll just tell the octopus he''s not real.” she muttered, rolled on her side and started to doze off again, Tuga smiled fondly at her and decided he could so the basic steps of stringing out the antenna.


    <hr>


    </a>The heart of the empire.


    Princess Naneela paced up and down her room, wishing the radio would break the pre-dawn silence and burst into life. It seemed impossible; the empire was just too big, how could dum-semb be eradicated even if they ever did get told where the dum-semb people were? They couldn''t make the valves fast enough to make enough radios, and the distances were too great for phones to work.


    “Naneela? Tangseng. I''ve just been given a hand-sketched map of dum-semb infested villages.”


    “As in it was physically handed to you?”


    “Yes. I''ll tell you later about the details, but there''s going to be a challenge.”


    “Getting the message about what village to go to next the army, I know.”


    “I was actually thinking that it was going to be harder to get your army to listen to and work with foreigners. Most of the villages are on the Tew border, so close that the best solution is going to be some kind of joint operation with the Tew army.”


    “The empire''s still too big. Phones don''t stretch that far, we can''t make that many radios.”


    “And if you mix and match?” Tangseng suggested, “Radio to generals or whatever rank in regional control centres, and then telephone after that?”


    “And if dad can''t trust the generals?”


    “Then that becomes your biggest problem,” Tangseng said.


    “No, because you do not need this to be a military matter.” A man corrected Tangseng. “It''s an issue of the law not being respected or applied. A warning to barons and counts that they will be lose their position if they allow it to continue ought to be sufficient, surely?”


    “That was Tuga, my husband, highness,” Tangseng said.


    “Hello Tuga. And how can such a warning be delivered?”


    “The empire has a method to distribute and duplicate information about taxation, and other laws, highness. It might be slower than radio, but there are systems and trusted agents in place. I expect it could be improved with phone and radio. Perhaps you should think of priorities rather than everything at once. I can also tell you that apart from in those villages marked on Tangseng''s map, there is no one who delivers such messages with a relative in an organisation involved in human sacrifice. I do not promise to answer every question, and I cannot name every member of dum-semb, trying would kill me. The gift of God is not given to make hard things easy, but to give hope to those who face an otherwise impossible task. Trust in God, not in your own understanding, remember to ask for wisdom, and think about what relevant skills might exist in your father''s vast empire. Oh, and get some more sleep. Turning off.”


    “You have the gift?” Naneela asked.


    “Secretly.” Tuga replied, “Now stop wor-” the signal cut off as the capacitors discharged.


    “Stop worrying and get some sleep.” Naneela said, echoing to herself the advice of the man she''d met twice, maybe three times, but never spoken to. It was good advice, and appropriate, she''d woken up hours ago. “Hope to those who otherwise face an impossible task,” that in itself was encouraging. Thinking of the other words things he''d said, wise she was sure, and the passages of scripture they reminded her of, she got back into her bed and drifted into sleep without conscious decision.


    “That was quick,” Tangseng said.


    “Did you catch earlier that she''d been working until midnight and woken up half way to dawn full of worries?” Tuga asked.


    “Yes. I didn''t expect you to tell her you had the gift though.”


    “She''s going to know eventually. And she was worried about whether ''the person with the gift'' was going to have ethical problems with helping.”


    “You did set some limits.”


    “And gave some hints too. I can''t name everyone, Tangseng. I might be able to name six or so in one go, maybe, but then I''d need a fairly long rest. You know how you get cramps in your muscles if you suddenly run too far too fast? That''s sort of what happens to my brain if I do too much, except my brain is getting too hot. And of course you can''t massage it out. I was warned; it can kill me, painfully, if I overuse it.”


    “Please don''t over-use it. Is that what the pastor wanted?”


    “He knew I could find people, and the count had circulated some ''have you seen this girl, family are worried'' notices. He wanted me to go to town and offer to help, to show that God was real, or at least he go to town and I help via him. He told the church his plan before talking to me about it.”


    “And the person didn''t want to be found?”


    “She not only didn''t want to be found, but her father knew she was travelling with some believers to the Central Zone and making plans to join the Empress''s guard, but he was keeping that a secret from his wife to give her a chance to get there. I didn''t think I could tell the pastor or mum that. And in any case, I wasn''t happy about the whole ''Let''s get our church famous'' thing that was behind it.”


    “Complex,” Tangseng agreed.


    “This is much simpler. Murderous cultists don''t arouse much sympathy from me.”


    “Are you the only one with the gift, Tuga?”


    “You know, I don''t actually know. The man who prayed for me said there was someone else he wanted to pray with too, but he wasn''t sure he''d get there, and then he was concentrating on training me when he called me. He wasn''t particularly the sort to chat.”


    “But you could look?”


    “I could. I will, maybe. Not right now though. Syna''s packed up her tent and is just noticing the guards are asleep. It''s time to offer her some breakfast, I think, before she gets into lots of trouble.”