"Yeah."
"I'm scared of the Empire myself--but if it does produce the Protector,
I'd have to change my opinion." She sighed. "I'm not sure whether I
like the idea or not, but if that's the way it works out, I'll have to
accept the fact. So will you."
Odeon nodded grimly. She was acting Protector, so he couldn't argue
that; if the true Protector came from the Empire, he would have to
accept Him or Her, and by extension, His or Her place of origin.
"Should I start studying the Empire, then, like Ivan did?"
Cortin cocked her head, thoughtful, then she nodded. "It might not be
a bad idea at that. I don't have any cosmic hunches or anything, but
if he's right, we should be prepared."
"Okay. It might actually be interesting."
Cortin smiled. "I'll settle for that. Between study and little Orange
there, you may be combat-ready in time for the convent defense."
"I hope so. But she's Tangerine, not Orange." Odeon's lips twitched
in a near-smile as he kept the kitten from crawling into the sleeve of
his tunic. "I'll work it out, Joanie--just give me time."
"All I can, but we know there isn't much, and I will not have someone
under my command going into combat in that condition. If you haven't
straightened out by noon Tuesday, either you let me try unity or you're
on the inactive list until you do recover."
"Permanently, you mean," Odeon said bleakly. "After Wednesday, if you
remember, His Majesty has ordered me out of action."
"Of course I remember," Cortin said. "Mike, please believe I don't
want to hold you back--but I won't let you go into action with almost
no chance of survival unless there's absolutely no choice."
"I understand."