Preacher Man

  Not knowing what had befallen her husband, Paris connected with him. He told her about the call and that he would be a while yet. They mentally kissed and she went into the nursery to give herself something to do. Mrs Tren was there putting away some laundry, and the boys were asleep. They stirred in the presence of their mama but did not wake.

  "Such sweet faces..." she whispered out loud.

  "Good parents make good children,' sayeth the Word," said Mrs. Tren gently.

  Paris put her arm around their housekeeper, "Thee are too kind, Nana."

  Paris asked, "How are thee being treated, Nana? The Askirabim have not been too much trouble?"

  “I could not be better. Them birds could not be kinder to the bairns of the Namu-Kalik, whatever that is."

  "Someday, darlin', I will show thee."

  "Oh, I know enough. They see him as some kind of messiah. The first earther to talk mental like us. I've watched him as he played the game. I choose ta stay away. I am afraid to play all the way to the end. I am too old and close to that trip for real."

  “All in the Master's time."

  "Yes, Abbess, that is the Way."

  Paris left her babies sleeping and lay down for a moment. She tuned into Zeer as he moved across the valley toward the mountain. He noticed her there beside him, "Me darlin', I have missed thee."

  "And, thee... come to sleep with me now, ma sweet. There'll be little enough sleep after tomorrow. "

  “I canna do it. The Holy Mother has called to me. I must go.”

  “Then, whither Thou goest, I will go, too.”

  “No, me Darlin’ girl, Pra-Namu, Ka-Namu’s mother, sez I must come alone.”

  She sighed, “Come back to me soon.”

  “As the Master wishes.”

  “O Main!” she let herself go to sleep and disappeared from the field.