'Do we have a plan?' she asked.
Theoretically, we find out who is set so murderously against us and hunt him down. Practically, that means staying here, out of sight, for a while at least, then getting off planet/
'How long for that, do you think?'
'My preferred means of planet exit will be available in fifteen days/
She refilled our glasses. 'I like that. I like it when you sound like everything's under control/
'So do I/ I chuckled.
'So… once we're off-planet, what then? Practically speaking?'
'It depends on a few things. What we manage to turn up in the next two weeks. Whether I dare correspond with the ordos/
'You don't think the Inquisition is involved, do you?'
'Not at all/ I replied. It wasn't a lie, because I was sure we weren't in conflict with any external agency, but it wasn't entirely the truth either. I had been in the job long enough to know that nothing is out of the question. But there was no point alarming her. 'It's simply that I think our enemy is so well co-ordinated, so well provided, that he's watching everything. If I contact the Inquisition, it could betray us/
I took up my glass and drank a good measure of the fine red wine. 'So, if nothing turns up, when we leave here… it's open. There are places we could run to find security, friends I could call upon. Our best bet might be to disappear and stay hidden until our plans are formalised. But I'm torn. I'd like to head to Messina. If there's a chance any of them are alive…'
Apart from roaming field agents engaged on diverse tasks, the Distaff headquarters on Messina represented my only other base of operations. If it was gone, and Spaeton House too, I was cut adrift.
'I had many friends at the Distaff Hall. I hope they're all right/ She looked at the table and fiddled with her glass. 'I suppose you're most concerned about Madam Bequin/
4Vell-' I began.
'She being such an old friend and colleague of yours, I mean. And that she was badly hurt on Durer. And everyone knows…' She stopped suddenly.
'Knows what, Eleena?'
"Well, that you love her/
'Everyone knows, do they?'
Ybu can't hide something like that. I've seen you together. You adore each other/
'But-'
"You're a psyker and she's one of us. I know, I know. That doesn't mean you don't love her, all the same/
She looked at me and blushed. This wine!' she said. 'I've said far too much, haven't I?'
'No, Eleena/ said Crezia. Neither of us had heard her come in. 'Talk some sense into him, will you? He has to go back and see her. It's the right thing/
Crezia was dressed in her formal tutorial robes. She took a glass from the rack, came to the table and, finding the bottle was empty, set about opening another.