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But I speak of her only because she is a name to us both That is not the reason I have contacted you, as I am sure you well know You may have seen on the bounce; I finished my final term as chancellor I am a free citizen now, and at liberty to pursue friendship hoiances and/or political affiliations If I did not iine the fondness between us, I should like to accept your invitation at this time and develop a more personal relationship

You need only convey your location, and I will coed, or I misinterpreted them, let me know, and I will trouble you no further

Yours,

Suni

CHAPTER 36

Sasha March is a beautiful child, with Svetlana’s faintly elfin features and her pale hair The fatherI know; that’s a fairly clinical word for a person March loves so much But I don’t know this kid, and I have no experience to draw on, apart frorave;che at Hidden Rue Even then, it didn’t matter so much whether I related to the children, only that I kept them from harm while their mothers performed

At the best of times, I don’t like children They’rearound where they don’t belong I was just like that, once, but I grew out of it, and I prefer dealing with people who’ve coical develop the wonders of the do Vel has gone to meet with scientists, scholars, and collectors, so they can exah they’re willing to bid He doesn’t need the credits, but he’s too much a businessman to take less than the best possible offer He’s promised me half the amount from the sale, which I intend to use to keep rin No ift for wrecking the status quo, and I intend to ai

Once he concludes his business, Vel intends to get his talon replaced with a prosthetic Afterward, I’ll meet him at Carvati’s to talk about the cure I coood doctor check out that terabyte of data

With the others engaged this --intentionally, I suspect--that leaves me to breakfast with March and Sasha at a café near Mikhail’s As always, the weather is teulate it with a co the denizens of the dome some variety, but no extre, letting Sasha gaze at ht now, the silence is aard, and I can’t let it stand, seeing the sadness dawning in March’s eyes He wanted us to bond, I think, but the child is scared of me, or maybe it’s e for the worse

"So how old are you?" I ask the kid

"Ten," he whispers

Frag I’d rather be back in the jungle, fighting those plant-tentacleto ue he senses my discomfort, and I should try to relax Mary, that ht spark in her

In her honor, I keep trying, though this ship is sinking fast "And you go to school on Nicuan How do you like it?"

A quiet shrug co about friends and hobbies doesn’t seem likely to yield fruit, so I wrack lance at March for help, and he slides into my head

M him what he likes to study He’ll open up There’s no way he won’t love you like I do When he draws back, he does so with a slow reluctance that leaves ly

"What’s your favorite subject?"

"Maths" He picks at his breakfast, eyes wide and sad

I hate ive up and finish o; March and I should still belove

He’s never been off world before, March explains He needs the reassurance of routine

"I can’t keep hi," he says out loud "So we need to leave soon,hos up here," I promise