e thigh-deep water, turned to help
her in. "Have you decided?"

"Decided? Oh--yes. I've got to make the effort; I'll marry them
whenever they want. And pray the Pope or someone doesn't annul it."
She frowned. "I wouldn't be too worried if it was still Pope
Anthony--but Lucius is as conservative as they come. I'm not sure what
he'll do . . . and for no reason I can pinpoint, I don't trust him."

In that case, Illyanov thought, neither did he--but he kept to the
primary subject. "A valid marriage cannot be annulled, and that will
be one, under the provisions of your Writ." Illyanov picked up the
shampoo, began washing her hair. "It seems to me a good idea to marry
them as early as possible, although--like your suspicion of Pope
Lucius--I have no specific reason for the idea." He paused, then went
on. "I am also concerned with what will happen when he and the
Sovereigns realize the power they gave you and those like you. Ex post
facto laws are invalid, so they will be unable to negate what you
do--but it would not surprise me if they act quickly to restrict those
powers."

"How quickly is quickly?" Cortin returned the favor, grabbing the soap
and lathering her companion.

"All were involved in issuing the Writs, so all must agree on their
modification. I am astonished that Prince Edward's modification was
accepted so rapidly, though it was relatively minor; this is major, so
it should take a Sovereign's Conference. Even with preparations made
as fast as possible, I would be surprised if it could convene in less
than a month. Most, you know, take a year or more to arrange."

"I never thought I'd be grateful for bureaucratic delays," Cortin said,
"but this time I am." She thought of something, frowned. "Wait--I
can't use the Writ yet! Not until we're activated, and who knows how
long that'll be? If they catch on before then, either modify the Writs
or simply never activate us, I won't be able to do anything!"

"Not true," Illyanov said. "You simply cannot use it openly until
then." He grinned. "You are too straightforward for politics,
beloved--one of the reasons I love you. Your Writ has been valid since
it was issued, as is whatever you have done or will do under it. Marry
the team, then lay the groundwork, bring together the rest of those you
need for what you must accomplish, let the public--through a reporter,
of course--see you at prayer and play as well as work, continue giving
out the b