'I've crossed no line. But if you feel that way… go. Get off this ship and leave me to my work. You'll always have my gratitude for the service you put in. But I won't have this bitterness/
That's what you think?'
Yes/
He hesitated. 'I gave my life to you, Gregor. I admired you. I always believed you were… right.'
'I still am. I serve the Emperor. Just like you. Get rid of your rancor and we can work together again.'
'Let me think about it.'
'Two days, and we're leaving orbit.'
'Two days then.'
Apparently, his ruminations only took him a day.
I had just received, via the Essene's astropath bank, a rather fascinating communique, and I went looked for Fischig. I found Crezia playing regicide with Maxilla in a mid-deck suite. He'd taken quite a shine to Doctor Berschilde.
She got up as I entered the room, and excitedly displayed the stunning funz-silk gown she was wearing. Tobias had his servitors make it for me! Isn't it gorgeous?'
'It is/ I agreed.
The poor woman had virtually no wardrobe at all, Gregor. Just a few travel bags. It was the least I could do. You wait until you see the epinchire dress they're embroidering for her.'
'Have you seen Fischig?' I asked.
Crezia looked at Maxilla sharply and the ship master suddenly became occupied with his study of the game board.
'What?' I asked.
Crezia took me by the arm and walked me over to the cabin windows. 'He's gone, Gregor.'
'Gone?'
'Early this morning. He left in his shuttle. Dreadful man.'
'He was my friend, Crezia.'
'Not any more, I think.'
'Did he say anything?'
'No. Not to me. Or to Tobias, except a quick goodbye. He was up late last night though, talking to Medea and Aemos.'
'About what?'
'1 don't know. I wasn't included. Tobias took Eleena and me on a guided tour of his art collection. He has some extraordinary p-'
'They talked and this morning he just left?'
'I like Medea, but I think she may be a little careless. I'd never have told that Fischig man about the things you did in New Gevae/
'And she did?'
'I'm just saying. She might have.'
I had servitors summon Aemos and Medea. They arrived in my stateroom at about the same moment. Both of them looked awkward.
'Well?'
'Well what?' snapped Medea.
What the hell did you say to him?'
She looked away. Aemos toyed with the hem of his cloak.
'I simply tried to make him understand, Gregor. About what you were doing… what you had done. I thought if he knew it all he might see it like I see it.'
'Really? It didn't cross your mind he was a puritanical son of a bitch on a hair trigger? Just like he's always been?'