"Can you explain to me what's wrong with my cousin?"

Nichols grimaced. "He suffered a bad head injury in that battle at Lake Bledno, and there was some brain damage done as a result. Whether it's permanent or not, we just don't know yet. And if it is permanent-or some of it, at least-we don't know how much and in what areas."

He shook his head. "Even back up-time, Colonel Hand, brain injuries were often mysterious."

"Can you be more specific?"

"Yes, in at least one respect: whatever other damage may have been done, the emperor clearly suffered damage to his right temporal lobe." Nichols reached up and touched his head just above his right ear; then, moved the finger back and forth an inch or so. "It's located here."

"And this means…?"

"The temporal lobes play a major role in the way our brains process language." Nichols cocked his head slightly. "I take it you haven't seen your cousin yet?"

Hand shook his head. "No. I decided to stop off here on my way to Berlin. I was stationed in the Oberpfalz and Magdeburg was directly on my route."

He hesitated; then, added: "I would appreciate it if you would not mention this visit to anyone, Doctor Nichols. I, ah…Let us say that my assignment from the king-given to me before his injury, of course-is of a very confidential nature."

Nichols studied him for a moment. The Moor's dark eyes seemed very shrewd, as Hand had feared they might be. He'd been hoping that Europe's greatest medician would be a naif in all other matters. No great hope, though, given what he knew of the doctor's history.

Suddenly, Nichols smiled. "Do I take it that when you meet Chancellor Oxenstierna you will be equally discreet, Colonel?"

Erik stiffened. "Of course! It is well known among Sweden's highest circles-it is certainly known to Axel-that I serve Gustav Adolf as his personal agent. My business is with the king, and the king alone."