Ini joined Augur and Ivo. “I have an inkling,” she said. “This is similar to White Chroma science magic, except with nonChroma coloration."
“Weird."
“Agreement. It seems the machine culture operates mostly with Science. I would not have thought so much could be done with it, but I am becoming a believer. To learn the mechanisms, we have but to touch controls and gaze at the screen."
“Fun,” Warp said, floating across to join them. “And we can precog too."
Augur marveled that the child referred to precognition, as that had supposedly been the secret magic that defeated Mino. But perhaps it didn't matter, now that they had done it. If they had done it.
“We mortals can't precog,” Ini reminded the child. “You will have to do that."
“Enth—enth—"
“Enthusiasm,” Ini said without smiling.
“Agreement.” Warp floated past the array of buttons. “This.” He indicated one. “I can't touch it. Mom said she'd drop a nightmare on me if I touch anything."
“We won't tell,” Ini said.
“But Flame will. She's watching."
Flame happened to be in line beyond Ini, so Augur could see her without being obvious. She was indeed watching. “I will press it,” Augur said, and did so. As he did, he saw a wisp of fire flare near Flame; she was annoyed that her brother had not transgressed. There was evident sibling rivalry, and the nightmare threat was surely severe. They were Glamors, but still very much children.
The blank panel above the bank of buttons glowed, then showed a picture of the terrain outside. “A window!” Augur said.
“An image,” Ini said. “An illusion picture. I suspect it can show other scenes."
“Illusion,” Ivo agreed, evidently intrigued.
Warp oriented on another button. “Don't touch this yet. It's the drive."
They reviewed the essential buttons, with Augur and Ini making careful mental notes. They should be able to guide the craft through space; most of it was automatic.
Assuming it would allow their control, once it escaped the illusion fields. Augur did not see what continuing reason it would have, but surely Voila's precognition did. The game would not be ending yet. Still, it made him nervous.
Aura and Symbol joined them at the control panel. “The children pronounce the facilities adequate,” Symbol said. “We're ready to return to the camp and organize for departure. Who is to stay here overnight?"
“Augur and Ini,” Aura said. “They're in charge of the ship."
That seemed to be the case. “Well, there's a good bed,” Ini said.
“If we are not needed here,” Iva said, “we prefer to go where we can revert to normal. It is more comfortable."
“Welcome,” Augur said.
The other adults, children, and ifrits departed. Alone, Augur and Ini looked at each other. “It occurs to me that our association may soon be ending,” Ini said. “Candor?"
“Desired."
“I do not wish to separate from you and Aura."
“Reciprocation. I speak for Aura too."
She hesitated. “I have a notion."
“Other than sexual?” he asked teasingly. He knew she would not speak of their suspicion of Mino; that was forbidden, here within the malign machine. They would speak only of other things, perhaps allaying any suspicion Mino might have.
She began removing her swathing. “Agreement. But sex would facilitate discussion."
This intrigued him. Of course they would have sex; it was expected in a no fault situation like this, apart from their friendship. What would she find difficult to broach? It could be anything, but there was one thing he hoped it was.
He stripped his own clothing, and they adjourned to the bed. She was now invisible, but close and warm. There was something special about stroking such a fine body while looking right through it. Maybe it was like being in the illusion fields, nulling the vision illusion while still experiencing all the others. “Question—"
“Yes, it could be likened to the multi-sense illusions,” she said, fathoming his thought. “But I am real and feeling.” She pressed closely against him and kissed him avidly.
There was indeed something about being with a woman he respected, who so clearly wanted his passion. She wasn't Aura, but she was still well worth his attention. And what would Mino think of the act of sex, something surely well beyond his experience?
They had loving sex, then lay beside each other looking at the ceiling. “Perplexity,” he said. “What can be on your mind that you are cautious about speaking?"
“I don't want to return to Charm."
“Surprise!” But not entirely.
“I mean, permanently. I'll make this trip because the Glamors need me. But if I can, I want to settle on Counter Charm. Yet two things make me hesitate."
“Empathy."
“You have thought of it too?"
“Aura and I are of different Chroma, and unwelcome in our home zones. We have no ties to other regions. Except, in a manner, to this one. We like the planet, and the ifrits."
“Concurrence! But though the ifrits can emulate the human form, they are not human, and I would be lonely as the only human here. So I wondered—” She trailed off.
“So did we. We do not wish to be the only human beings on the planet. But there is much else that appeals."
“The continued study of its plants and animals,” she agreed. “And the ifrits. The Chroma zones. A lifetime's research."
“We could raise children here. Exchange fourths."
“If I had a man of my own,” she agreed. “But that, for me, is a lesser decision. If the two of you will stay, so will I."
“Deal, if we are allowed."
“Deal,” she echoed.
* * * *
Ennui and Aspect made it a point to take no official note of Havoc's absences, since theoretically he had never been away. The mocks covered it, doing an excellent job. But privately Ennui had to choreograph the exchanges of kings and queens, so that there never appeared to be duplicates.
She got private with Spanky, who was emulating the Lady Gale. “They are returning tonight, and will show the children."
“Appreciation,” Spanky said. “The children are kept private, and Bijou shows on occasion as the Lady Symbol, but too long an absence could make for suspicion."
“Understanding. That's why I asked them to show the children and Symbol immediately. They'll be traveling again soon."
“Again?” Spanky could not conceal her disappointment.
“Sympathy. I know you want to get off-stage and relax. But there is one more aspect of the mission. Thereafter it should be done, and you and Berm should be free."
“We want to marry as ourselves."
“Soon you will,” Ennui said. Then she kissed Spanky and returned to her office. The mocks had been doing wonderfully, but it was stressful being king and queen, and they were understandably eager to retire from these roles.
Havoc, Gale, Symbol, and the children would return on schedule, and immediately make a public appearance with the children. Berm and Spanky would revert to themselves and spend time as aide and bath girl, so as to be convenient the moment they needed to resume their roles as mocks. It was fairly routine, and finely tuned.
Havoc appeared before Ennui's desk, startling her. “Surprise!” she said. “Early."
“Deliberate. Others may be aware of our schedule, and we have to scout the terrain unobserved, if possible."
“Cooperation,” she agreed, knowing he was here for a reason.
Gale appeared, holding the Voila. “Baby-sitting,” she said, holding forth the baby. “For an hour."
“Delight,” Ennui said. She had done similar many times before, and really liked the little girl.
“I will prepare,” Gale said. “Parting.” She vanished before Ennui could answer.
“Summon Aspect,” Havoc said, remaining.
Ennui sent a mental signal, and the Lady Aspect arrived
promptly. She admired Voila, and took her turn holding her. Everyone liked the baby; Ennui suspected it was a Glamor trait, radiating pleasantness.
Then Havoc got serious. “So you want to be rid of the ikons."
“Agreement,” they said almost together. “They are transforming us and maybe be dangerous to you if we ever get caught in Chroma zones."
“At present I need you as you are. But when this mission is completed, which may be within a month, you will be welcome to part with them."
“Except,” Aspect said.
He nodded. “Except you can't. I have not yet thought of a way, but will focus on it—after the mission."
“Appreciation,” Ennui said.
“The mocks—we hardly see them, thanks to the efficiency of the exchanges you arrange. How fare they?"
“They are in love and will marry the moment they are free of this service. They have performed very well, and are deserving."
“Agreement. They will retire from the King's Service with the King's favor."
“And what did you discover on Counter Charm?” Ennui asked, letting her suppressed curiosity emerge now that the necessary routine matters had been concluded.
“Fortunate you asked,” he said, smiling. “I want you to meet our friends Ivo and Iva and their children. Set aside a Chroma wilderness region for them; they will settle there."
“Question?” Ennui asked. She had never heard of this family, and she was in a position to know all of Havoc's acquaintances.
“Complicated,” he said. “Remind me to explain.” He vanished.
They were left with the baby and a mystery. But then Swale came. I will explain. They are an ifrit family, coming to colonize Charm. Nice folk, but not human.
Swale had described the ifrits before, but only as floating clouds. This was new.
Spanky entered the office, emulating Queen Gale, wearing the crown and gown. “We need to coordinate tonight's exchange,” she said. Then paused, seeing the baby. “Surprise! They're back already?"
“Not officially,” Ennui said. “Tonight's still the time. We're baby-sitting for the moment."
“Oh, let me hold her!” Spanky was especially interested in babies now, as she anticipated marriage and family, and for the moment her delighted fresh youth showed through the role.
Aspect extended Voila, who was sleeping, and Spanky took her. She smiled tenderly, and Ennui was struck by the perfection of the emulation, because she looked exactly like the real Gale. How fitting that she be holding Gale's baby.
Voila woke screaming. Dismayed, Spanky tried to rock her in the cradle of her embrace, but she waved her arms wildly about, screaming unremittingly.
Ennui leaped to take the baby, comforting her, but her crying continued.
“Dismay,” Spanky said. “I don't know what I did."
“You're emulating Gale,” Aspect said. “She must have been startled to realize you aren't her. Not your fault."
“I'm so sorry. I never would—"
“We understand,” Ennui said. “These things happen."
Voila continued crying, gazing at Spanky, struggling, reaching out as if to catch hold of her. It was as if she wanted to do something, but was terrified.
“I am agitating her,” Spanky said. “Apology. Retreat.” She left the office.
But that allowed Voila to relax only gradually. Something had certainly set her off, but what?
She knows something, Swale thought.
“She knows Spanky,” Aspect said. “Spanky has on occasion nursed her. She can't be frightened of her."
“Agreement,” Ennui said. “It must have been something else."
Something awful. The succubus was alarmed; her thought was tense.
Finally Voila fussed herself into troubled sleep, still quivering. They took turns holding her, mystified. She had never been a fussy baby, and had always had an uncanny awareness of her surroundings, because of her precognition.
“Precog!” Ennui exclaimed. “Did she see something coming?"
“But Spanky would never hurt her."
“No threat to herself—to Spanky."
They stared at each other. “Horror,” Aspect said.
Voila woke and resumed crying, despairingly.
“Must warn her,” Ennui said.
They hurried to the Royal chambers and knocked on the door. There was no answer. They entered, having that privilege as a business and personal prerogative, and found Berm and Spanky, still emulating King and Queen, sitting in supportive chairs, slumped.
Swale screamed soundlessly. My brother!
They did not need to touch them; mind contact sufficed. Both were mind dead. They had been assassinated.
Voila continued whimpering. She had seen it coming.
Appalled, they sought immediate help. In moments Throe and Chief were there, summoned telepathically. “What could have done it?” Ennui asked numbly. “They were protected from hostile magic by their crowns."
Throe considered. “Were they,” he said, and it was not a question. “Ugly conjecture: the crowns were booby-trapped, maybe long since. Someone doesn't want Havoc to complete his present mission, so he was assassinated. Only they didn't know that he wasn't wearing the real crown, but a perfect fake. So the mock king and queen got blasted instead."
It made horrible sense.
“Havoc isn't going to like this,” Aspect said.
Ennui almost laughed, hysterically. That was surely the understatement of the year.
“But we have to tell him,” Throe said.
Ennui nodded, dreading it. “I'll do it. I can reach him.” Because she still carried his ikon.
She signaled Havoc. Emergency. Horror. Outrage. Grief.
Aspect made a small scream. “Voila!” Then she clarified, speaking as she answered Gale by thought, using the connection of Gale's ikon. “Voila safe. The mocks dead. Assassination."
Ennui realized that in her distraction she had been remiss; of course Gale had feared for her baby first. She should have identified the victims.
Havoc and Gale appeared. They didn't take the baby or even ask what had happened. They merely looked at the mocks, and then an illusion picture appeared. It showed the mocks, still looking exactly like Havoc and Gale, entering the chamber. The Gale figure was talking, evidently distressed. The Havoc put his arm around her shoulders, comforting her, and she turned into him. The love they shared showed, beyond mere emulation. Then they sat in the chairs while she explained exactly what was bothering her, he listening sympathetically.
The Glamors were using their magic to run the recent past again, in illusion. Somehow Ennui wasn't surprised that they could do this.
Suddenly Berm put his hands to his head, as if to lift away his crown, his face a mask of agony. Then he slumped in the chair. Spanky, horrified, started to rise, to go to him, but was overtaken by her own agony, and slumped back.
“The crowns,” Chief agreed. “We'll have them analyzed, but we know what we'll find."
“Untraceable mischief,” Throe agreed grimly.
But Ennui's gaze was on Havoc. As the scene with the mocks reverted to the present, his face become composed, expressionless. But the air around them seemed to heat, and the scene shimmered as if reality were illusion. There was the feeling of a huge hidden storm with ferocious cross currents, of pressure building toward a volcanic eruption.
Ennui was Havoc's closest friend, no longer because of the oath they shared. She knew him extremely well. She had never seen him this angry. She was afraid.
And Gale's expression and mood matched his exactly. No mitigating influence there. They both liked the mocks, and had promised them rewards that now would never be granted.
“Curse!” Havoc swore, and the outwash of feeling hurled Ennui into the wall, gasping. Then both Glamors vanished.
Voila whimpered. Ennui realized with numb surprise that she was still holding the baby, having somehow cushioned her against the violence of Havoc's reaction. Probably she didn't need
cushioning, being a Glamor herself, but she did need comforting. Ennui patted her back. “Reassurance,” she murmured. “They haven't forgotten you. They just don't want you with them when their moods are this ugly."
The baby looked at her, and relaxed. She knew it.
Aspect, Throe, and Chief were braced against other walls, where they too had been hurled. “There will be a reckoning,” Throe said.
“A dreadful reckoning,” Aspect agreed.
Ennui looked at Voila's little face. “You tried to warn us,” she said. “And we were too dull to understand."
“All they had to do was remove their crowns,” Aspect said. “Voila was reaching for Spanky's crown."
“Normally Voila's siblings are there to translate,” Throe said. “Or Gale. This time they weren't. You couldn't know."
So close. If only she could have comprehended, in time.
“Get out of here,” Chief said. “Put on your public faces. No one else must know of this. We'll handle it."
They surely would. And so would Havoc, in another venue. Ennui relaxed—and dissolved into tears. She hadn't done that in decades.
Voila's little hands caught at Ennui's shirt. Positive feeling radiated from her. The baby was comforting her. That was weird, but it helped.
* * * *
Havoc and Gale arrived in their house in the crater mountain. “Take turns letting go?” Gale asked.
“Daren't."
“Understanding. Summarize instead?"
He nodded. He was so tight he feared to release any part of the iron control he was maintaining on his emotions. “We fetched Mino. Looked at tapestry."
“Tapestry had changed,” Gale said. “Showed a new multi-Chroma zone."
“Which seemed to be in a polar region: cold, cracked."
“But which planet? Checked altar."
“Altar pointed new direction,” he said. “Toward Charm."
“Meaning our Counter Charm mission was done. Now we are ready to tackle the last of it."
This actually was helping; he could feel the tension abating slightly as they talked, putting it in context. “So we jumped ahead to check before the others arrived. Choice between two polar regions."