you it was the Circle of Lords looking
after him. Speaking of which, how do you feel about religion?*

*I know it is a subject both important and sensitive to humans, so I
normally hesitate discuss it. To most Irschchans, religion is a rather
peculiar aberration; while a deity or deities may exist, they are
unnecessary and none have shown any proof of themselves. I prefer to
regard them as interesting possibilities. May I ask you the same
question?*

*I was raised Omnist, and it stuck; I believe in one Creator and a wide
assortment of secondary gods. I have no more proof than you do, but
since that's how I was raised and I can't disprove their existence, I
accept them, though I'm not what you'd call devout. Most of us are
either Omnist or agnostics, like you, and the rest aren't dogmatic
about their beliefs being the only truth.* He chuckled. *Naturally,
since the Empire doesn't promote any given religion or lack thereof.*

*Quite understandable, from what I have read of human history.* Corina
was no longer pretending vocal speech, though she wasn't being obvious
about her silence; he was doing well enough that he deserved a fair
chance to discover how he was "speaking" to her.

At that thought, he gave her a sharp look. "How I'm doing what?"

*You have been using telepathy alone for the last few minutes,* Corina
sent with a purr. *And you have surpassed your teacher; it was some
weeks before I could receive thoughts not specifically directed at me.*

Medart rose and stalked to where she sat still purring with
satisfaction, and glared at her, fists on his hips. "You tricked me!"
Then he gave her one of his lopsided grins. *But I guess you had to,
didn't you?*

*I am afraid so,* Corina agreed, pleased but not surprised by the
Ranger's rapid grasp of the situation. "It was the only way I could
get past your shield."

"How long?"

"Since that mental picture you had of me curled up in your lap. It
relaxed and amused you enough that you dropped your shield to the point
where I could get past."

"Well, I'll . . . be . . . damned," Medart said, half in admiration and
half in wonder. "I never felt a thing."

"You were not supposed to," Corina said calmly. "If you had, the
procedure would have been a failure."

"Can I work it on humans? Did you find anything else?"

"I know of no reason you could not. In fact, you should find it easier
with other humans than with me, because the basic mind patt