that until then, her milk will be no more miraculous than any
other woman's. You and Piety are the ones who'll choose those to serve
her and give them milk or seed."

That part made sense; Odeon was used to both priestly functions and
delegation of authority. It was what Jeshua said about Joanie's milk
being part of their loving--with Joanie the Protector, even just
temporarily, he couldn't possibly--

Jeshua chuckled. "Of course you can, and will. You don't love her any
less because of what you've learned; why deprive either yourself or her
of the most powerful physical expression of that love? It's also
something both of you want, and I certainly have no objection." He
smiled.

Odeon returned the smile, unable to resist the other's charisma. What
he said did make sense; he'd wept when Joanie'd lost that pleasure and
consolation, and now that she had it back, it'd be unfair for him to
deprive her. Not that he wanted to deprive either of them; it just
seemed incongruous that he make love to an Aspect of God. Knowing that
she was, anyway; it'd seemed normal enough before. Still . . . "You
know I'll do anything she needs--or just wants--me to do."

"I know," Jeshua said. "To your credit, my son, though you don't
really need it." He turned to Chang, touching her head gently. "Any
more than you do, daughter. You've had the special help you needed;
now your suffering is over, and you may conceive whenever and with
whomever you wish. I assure you, your child will have a distinguished
family."

Chang bowed to him, her expression at once radiant and serene. "I will
leave those choices to the One Who healed me, with gratitude."

"So be it." Jeshua smiled, covered Cortin again, and was gone.

* * * * *

Moonlight in his face brought Odeon awake, frowning. That dream had
been decidedly peculiar, not at all his usual type--much too realistic,
for one thing, so much so that it seemed he could still taste Joanie's
milk. What had gotten into him?

More disturbed by the dream than he cared to admit even to himself, he
got up and stretched, then made another tour around the shelter before
going in. The activity helped--until he saw Chang's tear-stained face
and haunted expression. He joined her at the table, glancing at
Cortin--no, nothing obviously wrong--before touching the medic's hand.
"What's wrong, Sis?" he asked quietly.

"A dream, no more," she said. "I should not have