Hammen was breathing deeply and regularly, in preparation. "Before this
is closed, I want to remind you that the Law and the Code both state
that no one can interfere in the relationship between a Team."
"Doesn't apply," Gordus said. "The act of '97 recognized the
Companionship of Witches, but it did not extend the privilege to
Familiars. Naturally not. You are a Companion and I could not separate
you from a human Companion, but I can order you to break from Lad."
"That isn't just."
"I know. But we're talking about law, not justice."
"Do you wish aid from your fellow Companion?" Hammen asked.
"In later years, I have often wished for it, but my formal reply: No."
"Then," Hammen said, "I name our weapon as the body. The time, this
instant. I can kill you easily with my bare hands, and Lad will help
with his teeth."
An eyebrow-hedged ridge of fat above Gordus' left eye angled. "Use the
dog and you'll get in trouble."
"Not before a Companions' Court. But if you so state your preference,
I'll only use my own body."
"Hammen, about this matter," the coordinator said. "I'll think about
it."
"An hour," Hammen said, and turned on his heel.
"Hammen," Gordus called out.
Hammen looked back to face a leveled destruction gun.
"You know the Code," Gordus explained. "The Challenge wasn't withdrawn.
You struck the field. A coward may be killed by any weapon."
"You are too modest," Hammen told him.
Gordus smiled and fed the gun to a compartment of his utility chair. "I
only wanted to prove a point. I can kill you anytime, anywhere. No one
can beat me. Can they? Can they, Hammen?"
The sweat stung Hammen's palms so hard he could almost taste the salt
in it with his fingers.
"I'll do it."
"Gratitude is a part of honor. Yes. The Code. You do believe in that.
But you haven't asked me yet who your human Companion on the jump will
be."
"Who?" Hammen asked.
"As you yourself pointed, I still come under the Code myself."
* * * * *
"I agreed to take a human Companion, but I did not agree to take Gordus
himself," Hammen explained to his wristphone in the alcove outside the
coordinator's office.
"I think it's a terrible thing," Lora said. "But why won't you jump
with him--Gordus, I mean?"
"I hate him," Hammen explained.
"Oh, sure. I guess I do too. I'd never thought of being a Companion
with him. Ugh! Oh, Hale's swimming in now." Aside: "Over here,
darling. Ham's calling."