And I 'll tell you it presentlie,

place, the ambiance Not so fast, Lars Dahl. I was a trained musician before I became a crystal singer. I can be a critical auditor and when I heard your music, I didnt know you as well as I do now, so that is an unbiased assessment. If by any chance the Stellar who lodged the complaint with the Artists Association had had you in mind, I second his concern. Lars regarded her with a genuine surprise. You would? What music training did you have? I studied for ten years at the Fuerte Music Center. Voice. Lars nearly lost grip on the tiller and before he had altered the course, the Pearl yawed in the rough seas, throwing Killashandra against him You were the soprano that night? Yes. She grinned. I recognized your tenor at the barbecue. Where did you learn Baleefs Voyagers? And the Pearl Fishers duet? Certainly not in the Conservatory. My father. Hed brought some of his microlibrary with him when he came to Optheria. Your father is naturalized? Oh, yes. Like yourself, he didnt come to the islands by choice. If we mention your true identity to no one else and what is your true name? Or dont crystal singers give them? You mean to say you dont know the name of the woman you assaulted and then abducted? Killashandra pretended outrage. Lars shook his head, grinning at her with an almost boyish mischief. Killashandra Ree. He repeated the syllables slowly, then smiled. I like that much better than Carrigana. That was a rather harsh name to say endearingly. The ells and the sh are sweeter. Possibly the only sweet thing about me, I warn you, Lars. He pointedly ignored that remark. My father must know who you are, Killashandra. It will give him new heart for Ill tell you frankly, he was far more discouraged about those arrested in the Elders search than he let on to the others. Nor he paused, only then aware of the water sloshing in the cockpit about their toes nor do I like deceiving Nahia. She doesnt deserve it. No, she doesnt. Though I have the feeling she already has a good idea that Im not the island maid Ive been portraying. Oh? Was she at that reception in the Conservatory? No, but she sensed the crystal resonance. Killashandra stroked her arm explanatorily. Lars caressed her then. You mean, nikon digital camera merchants thats what Ive been feeling whenever we touch? Killashandra gave him a reassuring smile. Not entirely, lover. Some of it is a perfectly spontaneous combustion. Lars guffawed at that, embracing her once again. Shouldnt I bail or something? she asked as the chill sea water splashed over her toes. His arm restrained her. Not just yet. He frowned, glancing off to port, not really seeing the sprouts of islets as he corrected their course a few points easterly. However, if we tell my father and Nahia who you are Hauness, too? What Nahia knows, Hauness does, and safe enough in both their hands. But then what? Hard copy on the suicide files is rapidly available. But I should insist that you meet with other groups to prove unquestionably that the arbitrary restriction to Optheria is not popularly acceptable. Im glad you agree to that. In doing that, you will also need to avoid the Elders. It wouldnt do for them to discover you blithely treading the cobbles at Ironwood or the terraces of Maitland. You never told them youd kidnapped me, so why couldnt I visit other communities? Because youve now been missing for five weeks. How would you explain such an absence, much less why you havent repaired their precious Festival organ? Idve done that if that wretched security officer hadnt been in his flatulent dotage! My absence is easy to explain. I just dont explain it. She shrugged diffidently. Lars sniggered. You dont know how much our Elders dislike mysteries You have seen me playing a humble island maid, Lars. Try seeing me as a highly indignant and aristocratic member of the Heptite Guild. As she spoke, her voice became strange, disdainful, and Killashandra pulled herself arrogantly erect. Lars started to remove his arm from her shoulders in reaction to the transformation. Im more than a match for Ampris or Torkes. And they need my services far too much to annoy me again. Im obliged to mention that theyve sent for a replacement I know that. How could