"It's for slaying of the king's fallow deer,

out more facetiously than she meant for she ached with a genuine regret. Larss steady blue eyes caught her gaze and held it. He waited for her explanation. With all the will in the world to continue what we started, I dont have a year and a day here, Lars Dahl. The words left her mouth slowly, unwillingly. As a crystal singer, I am compelled to return to Ballybran. Had I understood yesterday morning precisely what these blooms meant, I would not have accepted them. Thus does ignorance wound the giver. I am tremendously attracted to you as a man, Lars Dahl. And in the light of what I have been told, heard, and overheard, she gave him a faint smile, I can even forgive you that idiotic abduction. In fact, it would have been far more humiliating for me to have been caught in a raid on a bootleg brewery. What you cannot know is that I wasnt sent to Optheria merely to repair that organ I am here as an impartial witness, to learn if restriction to this planet is popularly accepted. Popularly accepted? Lars lifted half out of the cockpit seat in reaction. What a way to phrase it! It is the most singularly unpopular, repressive, frustrating, discouraging facet of the Optherian Charter. Do you know what our suicide rate is? Well, I can give you hard statistics on that. We made a study of the incidents and have copies of what notes have been left by the deceased. Nine out of ten cite the hopelessness and despair at having no place to go, nothing to do. If youre lucky enough to be unemployed on Optheria, oh, youre given food, shelter, clothing, and assigned stimulating community service to occupy you. Community service! Trimming thorn hedges, tidying up hillsides, dusting boulders in the roadways, painting and repainting federal buildings, stuffing the faces and wiping the bottoms of the incontinent at both ends of life. Truly rewarding and fulfilling occupations for the intelligent and well educated failures that this planet throws upon the altar of the organ! He had been emphasizing his disgust with blows of his fist to the tiller, until Killashandra covered his hand with hers. Which one of our messages got through? Its been like tossing a bottle message into the Broad Sea with precious little hope of its ever floating to the Mainland. The complaint originated with the Executive Council of the Federated Artists Association, who claim a freedom of choice restriction. A Stellar made the charge, though I wasnt told which one. His principal concern was with the suppression of composers and performers. She gave digital camera compare shutter lag him a wry grin. Lars raised his eyebrows in surprise. It wasnt me who sent that one. Then he seemed to lake heart, his expression lightening with renewed hope. If one appeal got through, maybe others have, and well have a whole school of people helping us And youll help us? Lars, Im required to be an impartial I wouldnt dream of prejudicing you His twinkling eyes challenged her as he threw his free arm about her shoulders, nibbling at her ear. Lars, youre crushing me. Youre supposed to be sailing this ship Ive got to think how to go on from here. To be candid, I really dont have much more than your word that there is a widespread dissatisfaction, and not just a few isolated instances or personal grudges. Do you know how long weve been trying to reach the Federated Council? Now Lars gestured wildly in his agitation. Do you know what it will mean to the others when I tell them one message has got through, and someone is actually investigating? Theres another matter that we have to discuss, Lars. Is it advisable to tell them, or would it be wiser for me to continue covertly? His jubilation subsided as he considered her question. I suppose the suicide file would be acceptable as valid evidence. Has the restriction matter ever been put to the vote here? A vote on Optheria? He laughed sourly. You havent read that abominable Charter, have you? I scanned it. A boring document, all those highflown phrases turned my pragmatic stomach. Before Killashandras eyes rose the vision of tortured architecture coping with natural formations so as not to rape the Natural World. So there is no referendum mechanism in the Charter? None. The Elders run this planet and, when one of them keels over and can no longer be resuscitated, a replacement is appointed by the remaining undefunct Elders. No rising from the ranks on merit here? Only in the Conservatory, and for especially meritorious composition and exceptional performance ability. Then one might possibly, on rare occasions, aspire to reach the exalted rank of a Master. Once in a century, a Master might possibly gain an appointment to the Council of Elders. Is that what you were after? Lars gave her a wry grin. I tried! I was even willing to assault you to gain favor and show them