第72节

y. But if we lose

you it'll ruin everything. None of us wIll have a chance."

'But nothing will happen! Was I not born, like you, in the shadow of

Talisman? Mr Snow told Cadillac and I that we were his sword and

shield. His power runs through me!" 'I know. That's what I'm

counting on. But it's vital we use it at the right time." He kissed

the tip of her nose. 'I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to have to

do this the way they want." His voice hardened. 'Besides which, it'll

make me feel a whole lot better."

Clearwater caressed his face. 'Oh, cloud warrior, you have no reason

to be jealous of any man. Not even Cadillac has shared what we have

known! The Iron Master has possessed my body - not my heart and

soul.

I have been an empty vessel, bereft of all feeling - yet he tells me I

am the woman of his dreams. And that is what I am for him, a dream

nothing more. Most of what he does with me takes place inside his

head."

Steve listened keenly as she explained how she had used her powers to

warp the mind of the Consul-General.

It seemed like the break he was looking for. He returned to his

dealings with the Man in Black. 'The trouble is, I don't trust him.

That's why, when the time comes, you have to be with us at the Heron

Pool. I can't tell you how, or when, but if I manage to do everything

that's been asked of me, a truly prodigious amount of shit is gonna hit

the fan. And about three seconds later, the Iron Masters are gonna

come down on our backs like a landslide. Your earth-magic is the only

thing that can get us out from under."

'I will do whatever you ask, you know that."

'Sure. But all that's still a long way off. None of us will be going

anywhere unless I can get into the Pool to start laying the

groundwork.

And that brings us to the other problem. The dinks are combing the

Ne-Issan for Trackers who know how to fly - and here I am decked out

like a Mute!" 'It suits you."

'Don't get me wrong. I don't have any hang-ups about it. You should

know that better than anyone. I brought a bundle of those pink

soap-leaves with me, but the Man in Black took them and doesn't seem

too keen to hand them back. Do you have any?"

'A few - but not enough to clean your whole body."

Steve cursed under his breath. Never mind - will you let me have

them?

You never know, it might just do the trick."

'Do you want them now?"

'No, later. Listen, I've been thinking. If you're able to put ideas

into Toh-Shiba's head, maybe you can get him to transfer me to the

Heron Pool."

'What as - a Tracker?"

'No, that's too tricky. I don't have any ID. They've got me marked

down as a Mute, so I'll have to stay that way till I see how things

work out, then maybe make the switch later."

'So what shall I tell him to do?"

'Tell him to order an inspection of the post-house and everybody

working there - including the roadrunners.

When he walks down the line, I want him to pick me out and have me

transferred on to Cadillac's household staff.

It doesn't matter what as."

'Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Steve laughed quietly. 'Don't worry. After three months in the

A-Levels up to my knees in sewage I can handle anything Cadillac cares

to throw at me. A little humility never did anyone any harm - and

being able to order me around is going to make his day." He took hold

of her shoulders. 'I know it's asking a lot, but. can you do that for

me?"

'I can try." She reached up and clasped her hands behind his neck.