ETERNITY

11)1

"She put me in charge of the Objects," Rhita said.

"The clavicle?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"Is it busy disappointing us again?"

"It shows a new gate, your Imperial Hyps~lot~s. This one has stayed in place for three years."

"Where?"

"In the steppes of Nordic Rhus, west of the Kaspian Sea."

The queen thought that over for a moment, brows drawn together. Her scar lightened in color. "Not easy to get to. Does anybody else know it's Page 182

there?"

"Not that I know of, my Queen."

"Do you know where it leads?"

Rhita shook her head.

"There's nothing . . . more convincing about this particular gate?"

"In what way, my Queen?"

Try as she might, Rhita could not change her method of address. It seemed almost sacrilegious to speak to the woman baldly, without some kind of obeisance.

"I suppose I'm asking for security. If I outfit an expedition, brave the diplomatic difficulties of sending it to Nordic Rhusmshould we be caught, I mean, since there's no question of asking permission--and it's all for nothing, a hole to nowhere . ."

"I can't guarantee anything, my Queen."

Kleopatra shook her head sadly, then smiled again. "Neither could your grandmother." She took a deep breath. "She was, and you are, both very lucky to have me as queen. Someone more intelligent, more pragmatic, would not listen to either of you."

Rhita nodded solemnly, braced for rejection.

"Do you have any idea what lies on the other side of this gate? Any notion at all?"

"It may take us back to the Way."

"Patrikia's big water-pipe world."

"Yes, my Queen."

Kleopatra stood, holding her finger to her temple on the upper end of her scar, clenching and relaxing her jaw. "What would your expedition Page 183

need? More than what Patrikia once requested?"

"I don't believe so, Hyps~lot~s."

"Not a great expenditure. The Objects are all working properly? The Rhodian mekhanikoi have kept them in good shape?"

102 GREG BEAR

"They have required no maintenance, my Queen. Other than changing batteries . . They are working properly."

"You could guide this expedition?"

"I think that is what my grandmother wished."

"You're very young."

Rhita did not deny it.

"Could you?"

"I believe so."

"You lack your grandmother's passion. She would not have hesitated to say yes, even if she doubted herself."

Rhita did not deny this, either.

Kleopatra shook her head slowly, walking around the table. She stopped with her hands resting on the back of Rhita's chair. "It's political folly. Risking a confrontation with the Rhus, and a storm in the Boul~ should secrecy be broken . . . My position is not enviable now, young woman. There's a part of me irritated--no, not just irritated, angry!--at your simply being here, making your tacit request. And another part . . . the part your grandmother took advantage of..."

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Rhita swallowed, locking her neck muscles to keep from constantly bobbing her head in agreement.

"I've already spread some minor punishments for your ill-treatment in the Mouseion. In a way, I've already supported your cause. But it is not easy for me to simply give in to my desires. And I do desire that you find something . . . wonderful, maybe even dangerous, wonderfully newly dangerous. Something far above this incredible tangle of low-level threats and high-level hatred and intrigue." She bent beside Rhita, bringing her face close to the young woman's, eyes shifting over her features. "What collateral do you offer?"

"Collateral, my Queen?"

"Personal guarantees."

"None," Rhita replied, her heart faltering.

"None at all?"

Very softly, hating herself, fearing herself and her own uncertainties, Rhita said, "Only my life, Hyps~lot~s."

Kleopatra laughed. Straightening, she took Rhita's hands in her own and raised her from the chair, as if they might dance. "There's some of the old girl in you after all," she said. "Can you show me?"

Rhita unlocked her neck muscles long enough to nod once.

"Then bring your clavicle here and show me, as your grandmother did.

I enjoyed that experience."