to let me know immediately if there's anything you need or
want. We can't take major action against the Brotherhood without the
information you provide, which makes you the most important single
person in this operation."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Cortin took a sip of her tea, savoring the ginger
tang. It was hard to believe she was all that important--she certainly
didn't feel it--but her truthsense said His Majesty did believe it, so
she had to. "If I may make a suggestion?"

"As one of my Household, that's both your privilege and your duty; go
ahead."

"Then I'd say the attack on the convent would be a good time to
activate the Strike Force. And with Your Majesty's permission, my men
and I would like to participate in the convent's defense."

"That's three things," King Mark said. "Activating the strike force at
the next terror attack is something I had already intended; it will be
done. Your men may participate in the convent's defense if they wish
and Colonel Bradford permits." He paused. "I am afraid, though, that
I must forbid your participation in action against anyone except those
you have a personal interest in. You're far too valuable to risk that
way, and if I weren't afraid of losing you, I'd forbid you
participating in action against even personal enemies. It would be
best for the kingdom if you could resist doing so, but--" he paused,
giving her a rueful smile, "while I pray for miracles for my people,
I've learned not to expect them."

Cortin wanted to object, but reminded herself that she'd known about
the restriction when she'd taken the job. "As Your Majesty
commands--but it was worth a try."

The King chuckled. "And I can't fault you for making the effort; you
wouldn't have joined the Strike Force if you hadn't wanted to see
action. I'm afraid you'll see more than I want you to, at that. Now,
if I may change the subject, the Royal Press Office has received a
number of requests for interviews with you. Whether you give them or
not is your choice."

"In that case, Sire, I'd rather not, at least until I finish settling
in." She'd rather not do it even then; she'd given more than enough
interviews at the Academy and after graduation. One reason she'd done
so much field work was to get away from reporters. But she needed
publicity--favorable publicity--to get support for her family changes,
so she'd have to at least pretend to overcome that dislike.

"They'll have to content thems