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unfamiliar.
    Marika reflected carefully before saying, “Braydic was assigned work in the communications center here.” Had the most senior noted the sword-carrying meth who had threatened the guards behind Grauel, keeping them from interfering? “They will not let me see her. Bagnel vanished. I assume he rejoined his brotherhood. They say there is a tradermale place here in Maksche.”
    “Presumably I could reach him through his factors.”
    “Darkship, mistress?”
    “The flying cross. That was you in the tower, was it not? You touched Norgis just before we set down.”
    “Yes, mistress.”
    “What did you think?”
    “I was awed, mistress. The idea of riding such a thing.... I rode one coming down from Akard, but most of that escapes me.”
    “You are not frightened by it?”
    “No, mistress.”
    “You do not find those-who-dwell frightening?”
    “No, mistress.”
    “Good. That will be all, pup. Return to your quarters.”
    “Yes, mistress.”
    “There will be changes in your life, pup.”
    “Yes, mistress,” Marika said as she walked toward the doorway.
    Grauel went through first, surveyed the hallway, nodded. Barlog backed out behind Marika, rifle still trained on the most senior.
    Not one word about the confrontation passed between the three of them.
    The changes began immediately. The morning following the interview, a silth the age of Marika’s dam came to her cell. She introduced herself as Dorteka. “I am your instructress, detached from the most senior’s staff for that purpose. The most senior has ordered an individualized program for you. We will get started now.” Plainly, Dorteka did not like her assignment, but she was careful to avoid saying so.
    Marika would soon note a cloisterwide shift of attitude toward one who had caught the most senior’s interest.
    That first morning Dorteka took her to a meditation chamber. They sat upon the floor, across a table of the same stone as the cloister, in the eerie light of a single oil lamp. On Dorteka’s side lay a clipboard and papers. Dorteka said, “Your education has been erratic. The most senior wants you to go back and begin at the beginning.”
    “I would be with pups...”
    “You will proceed at your own pace, independent of everyone else at every level. Where your training has been adequate, you will advance rapidly, to your limits.” Dorteka straightened a paper. “What would you like to do for the sisterhood?”
    Marika did not hesitate. “Fly the darkships. To the starworlds.”
    A trace of amusement showed in the tilt of Dorteka’s ears. “So the most senior suggested. The darkship is possible. The starworlds are not.”
    “Why?”
    “We were too late going out. We looked in the wrong places. The starworlds are all enfiefed, and they are guarded jealously by the sisterhoods who own them. Even to leave the planet now would mean an immediate challenge to darkwar. So darkwar can be our only reason for entering the dark. We will not. We have no one capable of challenging.”
    Puzzled, Marika asked, “What is darkwar? No one will explain.”
    “At your level it will be difficult to comprehend. In essence, darkwar is a bloodduel between the leading Mistresses of the Ships of Communities in conflict. The survivor wins the right of the dispute. Darkwar is rare because it usually seals the fate of an entire Community.”
    Bloodduel Marika understood. She nodded.
    “Time enough for such things after you gain a solid foundation. You wish to become involved with the ships. Then you shall become involved, if you remain interested once you become qualified. There are never enough sisters willing to work them. You do read and write?”
    “Yes, mistress.”
    Dorteka handed her a sheet of paper. “This is our schedule. We will adjust it as needed.”
    Marika looked it over. “Not much time left for sleep.”
    “You wish to fly darkships, you must learn to endure sleeplessness. You wish to see your friend Braydic, you will remain