ffectively without visual
contact."

"You did it!" Greggson's tone was accusing.

"I am aware of that," Corina said. "I am surprised I was able to; I
made the attempt only because I had more opponents than I had ever
faced in training, and had nothing to lose by trying. The others will
have to be able to see you before they can attack. If we are
fortunate, your shields will all be strong enough to deflect such an
attack for the two or three seconds necessary to stun them. And the
danger from the Sanctioners, who cannot use darlas at all, is purely
physical."

"That's encouraging," Nevan said.

Corina's ears twitched in appreciation of the attempt at humor. "I am
glad you think so. Are there other questions?"

When there were none, she dismissed the meeting, and the two Rangers
returned to Sherwood Forest to continue Medart's training. Corina
began to think she must have an allergy after all, because she sneezed
several times as soon as they entered the park, but she refused
Medart's suggestion that they find a different location. "This area is
most conducive to the proper frame of mind, especially for you. That
is worth some minor irritation, and I see our tree is available; shall
we take advantage of it?"

When they were seated, Medart came straight to the point. "The first
thing, I think, is to find out about what you called reverse darlas."

"As I said, that is not a precise description." Corina's ears went
back in frustration. "It is merely the best I can do in Imperial
English. Or in Irschchan, for that matter."

"It's all we have to work with, though, so let's try to define it a bit
more closely. I can't either practice or avoid something I can't
identify."

"That is true enough. Very well, darlas is a form of attack. Its
reverse would logically be some form of defense, yet that is not the
feeling I get. And it would seem redundant, as well, since your shield
is a more than adequate defense, even now, against all but the
strongest conventional darlas."

"Let's go all the way to basics, then. An attack is hostility, intent
to cause harm. The reverse of that is good will, intent to help. That
sound any more promising?"

"Urrr . . . yes, somewhat, though I have never heard of such an
application of Talent."

"Uh-huh, you said that." Medart leaned back against the treetrunk.
"What you call Talent we call esper abilities, and if I remember right,
one of those was healing. Emperor