ng his smile. "I feel as you do,
Michael--though I still find it difficult to fully accept that I am
actually living in the Protector's time. I am somewhat surprised that
I am able to accept it at all."

"Me too--so I imagine that's part of the help we were promised. We
couldn't accomplish a whole lot if we were too stunned to function, and
from what he said, we're going to have to start functioning almost
immediately."

"True--though we will be able to say nothing about this."

"Not right away, no," Odeon agreed, "but we'll have to tell the rest
soon. And anyone else we think should be part of her core group. I've
got some pretty good ideas about who I'd like to see in it, too. Brad
and Ivan definitely, Their Highnesses--odd as it may seem--very
possibly."

"I believe it would be difficult to find better, if they are willing."

"We'll ask when we get the chance. In the meantime--" Odeon hesitated.
"I don't know about you, Sis, but I never expected to be living at the
end of one age and the beginning of another, even though the monks who
raised me said it was possible and I always wanted to see the
Protector."

"My feelings also," Chang said. "I had hoped for such, but not really
anticipated it either." She smiled. "I always wished to be both a nun
and a mother, and that seemed to be the only way it would be possible.
So while I, like you, am frightened, I am also looking forward to the
experience."

"From what he was saying, you're going to be more a priest than a
nun--but I know what you mean." Odeon studied her carefully. "I
gather that being healed means yau'll be able to join the action
now--and want to?"

"Indeed, as eagerly as you. Were it not that I have responsibilities
to my patient, I would wish to enjoy you immediately." She looked
toward the sleepers, then back to him. "I find that strange,
considering the circumstances of my previous sexual experience. But it
is also undeniably true. I desire you, and I will undoubtedly desire
the others when opportunity presents itself."

"They'll be as glad to hear that as I am, though they might find it a
little hard to believe at first. Whatever we tell them later, we'll
have to give some sort of explanation for that almost immediately."

"I see no problem there; the truth, in part, should do nicely. All
know I have been praying for this; I need only say my prayers have been
answered. I need not say how directly just yet, though I agree