the Plainfolk. I'm just curious to know why she is

separated from the rest of the clan. What harm is there in that?

Have they exchanged the blood-kiss?"

'Not yet. But a match has been made."

'What does that mean?"

The old wordsmith sighed. 'They have been summoned before the council

of elders. It is the clan's wish that - with Mo-Town's blessing - they

bring forth children in their own image."

'The clan's wish?" Steve saw a possible loophole. 'Does that mean the

two of them didn't have any choice?"

'None of us choose what we will do or not do,' said Mr Snow quietly.

'The exercise of what some call "free will" is a cruel illusion.

Happiness, contentment, stems from recognition of this fact."

It was Steve's turn to smile indulgently. 'Ah, yes, I see.

We're all marching to Mo-Town's music."

'Go ahead, laugh,' said Mr Snow. 'You don't have to believe it. Maybe

you're destined to have a difficult time on this trip."

Steve replaced the smile with an earnest expression which, this time

round, was genuine. 'What are you trying to tell me?"

Mr Snow moved dismissively. 'What can I tell a man who doesn't want to

listen?"

'I'm trying,' insisted Steve. 'But you don't seem to understand. Some

of the weird ideas you have about the way things work are, uh - well,

they're kind of hard to take on board."

The old wordsmith eyed him. 'Don't try and tell me how hard it is.

I've been searching for answers ever since you and your guard-father

were no more than gleams in your President-General's eye." He

paused.

'Tell me - is it really true he billies' every would-be mother in the

Federation?"

'The first President-Generals may have,' replied Steve.

'But now it's all done by artificial insemination. The real action

takes place in culture dishes at the Life Institute."

'Sounds impressive."

'I'll explain it some other time,' said Steve. 'Let's get back to

Clearwater."

'What is it with you, Brickman? Too much wax in the ears? I told you

- forget you ever saw her. Oh - by the way..." Mr Snow leaned to his

left, pulled Steve's quarterstaff out from behind some rocks and

offered it to him with both hands. 'She sent you this."

Steve stared at it for a moment, then took it from him and laid it by

his side. He tried to hide his embarrassment. 'Does Cadillac know?"

'Not yet. Have you told anyone else?"

Steve shook his head. 'Who is there to tell?"

'Exactly. However, I think I should warn you - the word has gotten

around. You were seen."

Steve felt the colour flood through his cheeks under Mr Snow's piercing

gaze. What was it with this guy? He had always been able to hide

things so easily before. 'You mean in the woods?"

Mr Snow didn't answer.

'Oh, yeah... I forgot to mention that,' said Steve lamely.

'I was on my way back, walking along minding my own business, when

somebody with a crossbow tried to nail me by the neck to a tree. I

didn't wait to ask who-whatwhere-why.

I just took off."

Mr Snow nodded. 'In the circumstances I'd have probably done the same

thing. My brother Bears were under the impression you had reasons for

wishing to avoid them. Is there anything else you've missed out?"

Steve eyed him. 'This is like being up in front of the Assessors." He

gave a quick bitter laugh. 'What can I tell you that you don't know

already?"

'Not much,' admitted Mr Snow.

Steve decided that, whatever else she might have told Mr Snow,

Clearwater hadn't mentioned giving him the map, the food-pack and the

water-kit. 'Look, okay, it may have been stupid to run away but it was

you and Cadillac who warned me that not all the natives were

friendly.

I don't know what their story is. I can only assure you that I haven't