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Neither Dancer norare you staying here?” she asks

“A , like you asked”

“About bloody tiht Mercury had stolen them”

“Victra and the girls will coh I do have business in Hyperion at the end of the week”

“With the Senate Asking for more men” Her tone’s as sour as her eyes

I sigh and look at Dancer “Infecting my mother with your politics now?”

He laughs “Deanna most certainly has a mind of her own”

“With both of you in o deaf,” she says

“Plug your ears,” Sevro replies “It’s what I do when they jabber about politics”

Dancer snorts “If only your wife did the same”

“Careful, boyo She’s got ears everywhere She could be listening now”

“Why weren’t you at the Triumph?” I ask Dancer

He griot no stomach for pomp Especially on this damn moon Give me dirt and air and friends” He looks fondly at the trees around A shadow passes over his face at the thought of returning to Hyperion “But Iback to the arden with you It’s just what I needed”

“You’re not staying for supper?” my mother asks

“Unfortunately, there are other gardens that need tending Speaking of which…Darrow, could I have a moment?”