Free Through the Ice by Piers Anthony, Launius Anthony, Robert Kornwise Page B

thereby done irreparable damage.
    Well, maybe it's that same impulsive nature that enables me to accept your thoughts when the others can't! he retorted.
    True. So you must join with me in making the attempt. Linked, we shall have enhanced power of communication, and this may suffice.
    Seth decided that he would much rather be linked with her, than neglected by her. I'm game.
    Please reduce the romantic implication, she thought. It is a nuisance when there is something important to be done.
    He had been caught by the broader aspect of telepathy again! If he hadn't known before that she had no interest in romance, she had certainly put him straight. I'll try.
    That is not true. I am interested in romance, but not with you.
    He ground his teeth. I got the message. Now if we can cut out the irrelevant nuances...
    This time her laughter caught him, making him laugh too, involuntarily. Then they settled down to business.
    She could not describe exactly what she wanted him to do, but it seemed like pushing a car out of a mudhole, so he pictured himself doing that. He heaved and heaved—and the car began to move. Tirsa seemed to be in the driver's seat, steering it, but pushing too.
    What is this? a gruff thought came.
    Tirsa. Open your mind, Vidav, so I can communicate.
    Get out of my mind, alien temptress! I have no need of a succubus!
    Seth suppressed a laugh. A succubus, he remembered, was a demoness who came to men in their sleep, seducing them to evil. Vidav had no more interest in Tirsa than she had in Seth!
    Must I remind you yet again about stating the obvious? her thought shot back, feeling irritated.
    Seth couldn't help it: he liked that irritation. She had been served as she served him.
    But she was already addressing Vidav. Please keep your crude interpretations to yourself. I know you are married and committed to your wife and children. But you will never return to them unless the four of us who have been Chosen succeed in working together. There are spies in the castle who mean mischief for us. We must be able to coordinate without alerting them. Now focus on me, and learn to speak with your mind alone.
    Vidav was unimpressed. It is the nature of empires to have spies. Have you identified them?
    Do you wish their names or descriptions?
    Descriptions.
    She sent a mental picture of one of the scullery boys they had seen. Then another, of the maid Domela. A third, of a noble to whom they had been briefly introduced.
    Now Vidav was impressed, as was Seth, both by her visual imagery and her apparent alertness. She had obviously been checking every person with whom they came in contact. If her effort had not been evident to the Chosen, it surely wasn't known by anyone else.
    I wondered about that noble, Vidav thought. He had a smell about him. And that maid — the way she keeps smiling at me, and bending forward in that low dress. I thought she was interested in — but no wonder, if she's a spy! Then, after a pause: You read about my family, in my mind? Have you no honor in the use of your talent?
    Tirsa was stung; Seth felt the backlash of emotion. I found myself in an alien land with a strange language and odd customs, thrown together with others with whom I was to work closely. I used my ability to separate potential friend from potential foe. What would you have done?
    Vidav considered. I apologize, woman. I would have done what you did. But I ask you not to snoop further on private matters.
    I can read only those thoughts and feelings which are uppermost, and those I cannot avoid, she responded. Your family has been much on your mind, and your guilt about deserting it. If you do not think so much of it, I will not be able to receive it.
    How can I not think of those closest to me? he demanded, and now Seth felt the pain of that separation. But he also picked up that guilt she had mentioned; there was something out of alignment here. Vidav, who had seemed so gruff and strong, was quite another person, mentally. He was