Free Venus of Shadows by Pamela Sargent

their sexual encounters with others through their Links. The practice was not all that common and had never held much appeal for Malik, who preferred privacy.
    "Maybe that wasn't your way. You probably liked to look at yourself through your partner's eyes. You're good-looking enough to have preferred that."
    Malik flushed with anger. Nikolai had guessed correctly; Malik had often chided himself for his vanity. "Linkers aren't as interested in such pursuits as you think," he responded. "Those who have been Linked for many years become more indifferent to such things." Was Nikolai mocking him? Was he clumsily expressing an interest in Malik himself? That was unlikely; any potential settlers whose inclinations ran to their own sex would have to be discreet here. Venus was peopled by many who came from more backward areas of Earth and bonds between couples were greatly honored there. The new world was less tolerant of certain practices than many Nomarchies.
    Malik lifted his head and was surprised to see a gentle, sympathetic look in the other man's blue eyes; he could almost imagine that Nikolai was feeling sorry for him. The young man glanced toward the tower, where a small woman in a blue coat was taking a stroll. "One of the Habber pilots," Nikolai said. "Whatever they are, at least they leave us alone. That one must be getting impatient by now." He stood up. "If you want some company later, come over after supper."
    Malik nodded. The brown-haired man strode away. Malik looked toward the Habber woman again; she was walking toward the tower. He suddenly envied the pilot's Link; for a moment, he could understand why the Habbers held themselves aloof from Earth and its troubled souls.
    *  *  *
    Malik sat inside Nikolai's yurt, listening to the men as they gossiped and occasionally offering a brief remark. A few of the men seemed to be studying him; perhaps they had expected more talk of his fine friends in Amman. Malik had already learned that comments about his old life were best accompanied by gentle mockery and a tone of indifference; he did not want his companions to think he believed himself better than they.
    He got up and said his farewells as the others began to gamble with sticks and dice; Nikolai followed him outside. "I'll walk back with you, Malik," the young man said. "There's something I want to ask. We talked it over, all of us. Ahmad's been seeing a woman in another yurt, and they're hoping to make a pledge when they both reach Venus. She told Ahmad there's enough space for him to move in with her, and the others don't mind if you take his place with us."
    "I'll think about it," Malik replied, knowing he should be grateful for the offer.
    "I guess we're not the kind of company you're used to."
    "It isn't that," Malik said quickly. "Actually, I'm surprised you want me to live with you."
    Nikolai shrugged. "A couple of them wondered a little, but I convinced them. Frankly, it'd make things a little easier for you here. If we take you in, others won't be as suspicious of you, and you can use a few friends."
    "I'll decide as soon as I can."
    "You can't think about it too long. There're others we could ask, men who wouldn't mind moving in."
    They were near Malik's tent. The flap of Yekaterina's tent was open; she was sitting there, barely visible in the dusky light. Alexei was nowhere in sight; he had been spending more evenings and nights in the camp lately.
    "Don't think I haven't welcomed your kind offer," Malik said, "but maybe you should ask Alexei to live with you. His sister says he can be moody. It might do him good to live with a group."
    Nikolai shook his head as he drew Malik aside. "Listen, I wouldn't mind having him on my side in any fight, but you can't tell what he'll do a lot of times. I've seen him with a few who don't mind stealing when they can get away with it, and he looks willing to go along with them. Either he'll quiet down and learn to be patient or he'll make trouble, and I don't want him