Show of power? Instead now they would show power by sending her to be stoned for heresy if she refused to recant, or send her to the Temple of Release to be night comfort to the men and women who’d lost their spouses if she did.

“Politics, young one, politics. You did well for one unused to that level of command. Our whole order is based on proper use of intuition and the balance of life: but since the first coven was consecrated there’s always been that other—the greed of power, of personal importance. They’d not believe that I would let the starship people go, but what had they done? Accessories, accidental as they were. And the man? what good stoning him when the true trouble lay dead—aye, so you used a little too much force? It was at my behest, and the woman was dead before she arrived—that was in her eyes. But you hadn’t time to see that—they’ve trained you for ceremonies instead of duty! If only they’d train you properly, let you find your love… even if it isn’t Lute. I looked for him there, with your eyes, but he is not yet seen. They sing my praises and let me loose with virgins… they alter history for convenience and forget the truth—that I was sent on Quest to get me out of Circle because I demand Balance in my dealings and expect the same of others. The whole thing was politics, this time, and I had no time to warn you, that’s all.”

“But what of the Temple property! Temple secrets! It was important!”

The words sounded hollowly throughout the big room.

“Temple secrets!” mocked the voice in her head. “Samples of what they call the ‘catalyst molecule’ is what, in exchange for trading rights. They think it can make a Witch out of one without power. Old secrets pulled from the ship records they hide. Ah, they won’t learn. Politics! You—we—did right to stop the theft, but then we should have fixed all of the problem. I swear that’s why they haven’t given me a smart girl to choose—until you—for three hundred years!”