Free Intrigues by Sharon Green

press the matter right now,” Mohr said with a better smile, showing those without Jovvi’s talent that the Guild’s High Master had reacted to Ardanis the way most people did. “If the wait is too long I may die of curiosity, but other than that – “
    “Excuse me,” a brisk female voice interrupted, addressing itself to Mohr. The woman who owned the voice was more than just brisk, and it was clear that she wasn’t really asking to be excused for anything. Jovvi studied the woman with interest, noting that the self-confidence she showed would have looked more at home in an older person. The newcomer was no more than in her middle thirties, with a faintly pretty face and a good figure.
    “Dama Zokill,” Mohr said, momentarily looking startled and blank. “I wasn’t expecting you quite this early… “
    “I’m sure you weren’t,” the woman Zokill replied, her smile the sort that withered plant-life. “And possibly you weren’t expecting me at all. By some odd happenstance my invitation to this gathering wasn’t delivered until an hour ago, leaving me no choice but to show up in ordinary clothing rather than the finery everyone else here is displaying. But at least I am here, so now I would appreciate an introduction to the people you claim should be our new leaders.”
    “I’m not the one making the claim, Dama Zokill,” Mohr tried to protest, glancing toward Jovvi and Lorand in embarrassment. “My Guild and I are in a position to know things others don’t, and for that reason we support – “
    “Yes, yes, I’ve already heard all that,” the woman interrupted again, gesturing aside the explanation. “But as with most things I become involved with, I’ll make up my own mind about just how fit your candidates are. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to be introduced to these people.”
    “Yes, of course,” Mohr muttered while Ristor Ardanis worked to hide his amusement. “Excellences, allow me to present Dama Rilna Zokill. Dama Zokill has become the representative of a group of women who – “
    “Not just women, Dom Mohr,” Zokill interrupted for the third time, actually speaking to Jovvi and Lorand rather than the man who had – reluctantly - introduced her. “I represent a large group of people, men as well as women, who feel that they haven’t had the same opportunities in life that others have had. My people make up a good part of those who live in this city, and we’d like to know what you mean to do for them .”
    “First you’ll have to tell us what kept those opportunities from your people,” Jovvi responded pleasantly while Lorand seemed at a loss for words. “If we’re talking about women who were passed over because they are women, I can understand the problem and will join with my Blendingmates to see that something is done to change matters. But if we’re talking about people who sit back and make no effort to get something for themselves, and then spend their time complaining about how life and other people just aren’t fair, we won’t be able to help you. We won’t make people give up what they’ve struggled for just because you have a more persistently loud voice than they do.”
    “Well, you don’t beat around the bush much, do you?” Zokill asked, studying Jovvi carefully with a neutral expression on her own face. “Is the rest of your bunch just as outspoken?”
    “Our lady of Spirit magic here is shy and retiring when compared to our lady of Fire,” Lorand supplied with amusement hidden from everyone but Jovvi. “We men are proud of our ladies, though, and therefore tend to support the things they feel strongly about. Are your people willing to join the training program we’ll be organizing?”
    “Training program?” Zokill echoed, glancing narrow-eyed at Mohr. “I haven’t heard about any training program.”
    “That’s because no one has heard the details about it yet,” Lorand said, saving Mohr from the woman’s accusation. “We’ll