"You're my Family head, Archduchess, and Commanding Officer, not to
mention the Protector's Herald; I can't say you have to. But I'd
recommend it pretty strongly."
Cortin sighed. "Mike, for someone who claims to be a subordinate, you
give the most convincing orders . . . all right, all right, I'll
cooperate." She turned to Blackfeather. "I will, too. But I don't
promise to like it--and you probably won't like what you hear if you
think you need to go into what I do in my interrogations."
"I'd rather not, but I probably will." Blackfeather made a face.
"Being both Larry's mistress and several Enforcement officers has given
me a new perspective on that, too. Especially, as I may have mentioned
before, being Dave."
Several of the team chuckled. "You did," Bain said, "and it was
flattering--but if you want to be two of the best in the business, ask
Brad and Ivan. I'm good, or I wouldn't be on Team Azrael; those two
are second only to Joan."
"I'll have to ask, then, next time I see them," Blackfeather said.
"That should be tonight," Odeon said. "I invited Brad, and he said
he'd pass it on to Ivan; if they possibly can, they'll both be at our
home Communion service."
Blackfeather smiled. "Good!" Then she sobered, turning back to
Cortin. "I don't like to mention this, Colonel, and I'll like getting
involved with it even less, but the history should definitely include
your work, too."
Cortin was silent. Blackfeather was right, inarguably so; the
Protector whose Herald she was embodied Justice as well as Love, and
Justice wasn't always pleasant. It could be, of course, when rewarding
virtue, but punishment was usually pleasant only to the punished's
victims or their survivors--never to the punished, seldom to observers,
and only through God's Mercy was it satisfying to the punishers.
"Very well," she said at last. "You may have access to the films of my
interrogations, and observe any you think necessary from now on. But I
have to warn you, you won't find any of it enjoyable."
"I don't expect to," Blackfeather said. "My job's gotten me into
unpleasant situations before, though, and I can cope. I think I should
start with the one you and Mike have personal reasons to work on."
"You know our reasons?"
"I'm sure of yours--it was in the news enough--and I can guess at
Mike's, yes."
"As you wish, then," Cortin said. "It's too late to get started
tonight, though, and Brad and Ivan should be here any minute. Why not
get your stories filed, then we'll take the rest of the night off?"
* * * * *
Their guests arrived while Blackfeather was still working. The Family
adults greeted them warmly, but waited for more till Blackfeather was
finished and had rejoined them in the common-room. When she had,
Cortin pointed to the new insignia on both men's collars. "Ivan, I
know I told you to design a territorial emblem--but isn't that a bit
presumptuous? And Brad, how come you're wearing it?"
Illyanov smiled. "It is not presumptuous at all, beloved, nor is it
really territorial. I could think of nothing, so I prayed, and that
night dreamed of this. We are the Protector's, after all; what more
natural than that we should wear the sword and rose you and Michael
chose for our first altar?"
"And as he said," Bradford continued, "it isn't really territorial. It
didn't make much sense to us to have Sealed troopers limited to one
jurisdiction, and Their Highnesses agreed. So did His Majesty when
they approached him, and the other Sovereigns when King Mark approached
them--because we were informed shortly after my return to the Palace
that we are now extraterritorial. Not just Strike Force, but all
Sealed troopers--so all of you need new insigne, which we've brought."
He smiled, handing them out. "Ivan had several hundred made, for when
the Protector manifests, but these are all we need for now. I sent
some to Tony and Chuck, too, so they'll be in correct uniform when
Mother Gabriel releases them."
"That was thoughtful of you--thanks." Cortin smiled, then glared at
both of them. "One of you could have called me with a little advance
warning, I should think! Isn't it bad enough that His Majesty keeps
pulling this sort of surprise on me?"
"It is fun to surprise you when we have the chance," Illyanov said.
"Would you deny us a bit of harmless entertainment?"
Cortin chuckled ruefully. "Put that way, of course not--how could I?
But someday I may be able to pull the same thing on you, be warned!"
"We shall consider ourselves properly warned indeed," Illyanov agreed.
"Good enough." Cortin moved her shoulders uncomfortably, but maybe it
would help the discomfort she still felt if she did talk about what had
happened with the farm-folk this afternoon. "Until then, I need some
moral support. Something scary happened while I was questioning the
first conscript today--since you weren't all in earshot, and Ivan
wasn't there at all, can I describe it?"
"Please," Illyanov said.
Cortin did. When the description was over, she said, "I can't really
describe how it felt, though. He honestly believed I am the Protector,
was worshipping me. I was told not to deny that identification, so I
didn't--but dear God, it was frightening! And several of the others
were almost as bad. Being treated like the Herald is awful enough;
being treated like the Protector Herself is . . . I don't know, I don't
have the right word. I don't think I'd like it even if I were Her. Or
Him."
"Whether you did or not would have little bearing," Illyanov said.
"God does not need to be worshipped; He--or She--requires it of us
because it is we who need to worship, and if we do not worship God, we
will worship someone or something less worthy."
"That makes sense," Cortin said. "It's not what I'd choose, but I've
been frightened and embarrassed before, without a Family for support.
I suppose I'll learn to live with it--I'll have to, since I don't have
any choice."
"You also have the support of the rest of us who are Sealed," Illyanov
said, leaning over to kiss her. "Would you like me--or us--to spend
the night?"
"Either or both, any time--which you know. But what about your
families?"
"Mine went directly to Archangel and is busy moving in, with Delia's
help. Brad's, I believe, is preparing for the move."
"They are," Bradford said, "so I can't stay past Communion--I have to
help, as long as I'm in town."
Cortin grinned, her mood lightening. "Too bad for you, Brad; that
means Sara'll have to wait for unity with you. Though not with Ivan,
if he's willing."
Both men bowed in the historian's direction, and Bradford spoke first.
"I'm sorry to have to postpone something so delightful, but hopefully
it won't have to be for long."
"I, on the other hand, will be pleased to join you as soon as you
wish," Illyanov said, smiling.
Bain grinned. "Don't waste any time, Sara; grab him right after
Communion."
Blackfeather was definitely attracted to the handsome
Inquisitor-Colonel, but she wasn't used to such openness about sex yet;
though she remembered the previous evening's post-Communion lovemaking
clearly, it didn't seem quite real. Now she was being urged to make
love to a man she'd barely met . . . at least she'd known the Family
men, if only briefly . . .
Chang chuckled. "It is not difficult to see you find him attractive;
with both of you Sealed, that is a strong indication you are
compatible. Given that, what better way to become friends?"
Odd though it seemed, Blackfeather thought, that was reasonable.
"After Communion, then, if that's agreeable."
"Most agreeable," Illyanov said. "Michael?"
"Just a minute," Cortin said. "Can I get a couple of quick updates
first?"
"Of course."
"Thanks. Brad, what about the special rescue teams?"
"Being organized. I put Major Grunwald on it, so they should be ready
to go in a week."
"Good! Sis, Mike--the press-ganged ones?"
"They are in the Detention Center's spare barracks," Chang said. "Dave
and Mike heard confessions, then Mike got permission to say Mass a
second time for them, and we gave them the Communion of Promise. I
believe we shall also have to devise some additional forms of both
public and private devotions."
"I suppose so." Cortin sighed. "Brad, do you have anyone who can
handle that? None of us are liturgists."
"As it happens--" Everyone, Bradford included,
laughed--"Inquisitor-Lieutenant Andrews at the Center is good, and
would appreciate the challenge. I'll call him as soon as I get home.
And this time I will warn you: he's one of those who believes you are
the Protector, so you probably won't appreciate his efforts. But
they'll be well-done."
Cortin grimaced. "As Ivan said, devotions are for the devotees, not
the objects of that devotion. If He doesn't mind, I don't suppose I
can. And I suppose I should take a look at whatever your liturgist
comes up with. So should Mike and Sis."
"He'll expect that, and to have you critique his work. He's
conscientious; he'll want to be sure it's right. Can we dedicate
tonight's service to that intention?"
"I don't see why not," Odeon said. "Sis?"
"It seems most fitting. I would suggest we also ask that the Protector
ordain more priests, either through us or through the Herald, to be
prepared when we may begin Sealing those outside the current group."
"You're Herald, Joanie," Odeon said. "What do you think?"
"Since we don't have any idea when He'll manifest, I'm in favor of it.
Anyone who feels the call should be ordained, even though the only ones
who can feel it are the ones Sealed to Him."
"Right. Everyone ready for services, then?"