CLARION

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Dorland asked the question again and got the same vague response. Then he gave up and tried another major question they had tossed back and forth several times:

"Tell us what you know about Lord Tern."

^Recognition) (Nontouch/nonyouth) Eh-hli (unpleasantness)*

Again, a variation of the response she had given each time Lord Tern's name was mentioned. It was clear that Elli knew of him, or of others like him—but she didn't want to talk about him.

"This is important," Paul said, leaning forward closer to Elli. "We have to know about Lord Tern—"

The sensation of an enormous sigh swept out from Elli and over Paul.

*It can——Eh-hli struggles with the limitation of your (speak/think) emotional breath— (Confusion)*

"You can say that again," Paul muttered.

*You know (share) many——in the group

(home)——. Eh-hli (?) young (group/touch)*

"Group/touch," Dorland repeated thoughtfully. She had used the term often, but never in a way that made it clear what she meant.

*"(Group/touch) kra'ith (Youth) Eh-hli (?)*

Kra'ith. It came through as a sound that was clearly the Tal Tahir word for what she was trying to get across. It came to Paul as an unmistakable feeling of warmth and acceptance from a group of friends. More than acceptance—protection, much the way a secure child would feel toward a nurturing parent. Paul felt the entire sensation in the space of an instant, fitted in among the other concepts that were just as clear and as brief.

"Elli is kra'ithT Dorland asked.

*(Confusion) kra'ith (group/touch)*

Suddenly Elli blurred and disappeared, and from the chauka came a crackling sound like the disWilliam Greenleaf 160

charge of electricity. Dorland slipped the disk out of his pocket and touched it to the end of the rod. The device snapped, then began the process of resurrecting Elli. They had gone through this procedure several times before it occurred to Paul to time the length of her stay. The interval was always the same—just over twelve minutes before she would disappear. But the silver disk always brought her back, and she and Dorland continued with their conversation as if there had been no interruption. Paul found himself wondering: Why is she so willing to come every time Dorland calls heri Motives—first Lord Tern's and now Elli's. What were they getting out of this relationship with humans?

He turned and walked among the pedestals to the doorway for some fresh air. The sounds of voices from the roof filtered down the stairway behind him. Karyn had gone up to the roof to join Jacque two hours ago. Paul was sure that she would be pressing to return to the cave before long. She had lost contact with Sabastian and wasn't sure if they had gone outside the range of the fartalker or if something had happened at the camp.

He turned back to the chamber.

*(Youth) Kra'ith*

Paul caught a fleeting impression other meaning. Dorland had felt it, too.

"You want to know about our . . . children?" he asked.

*(!) (Acceptance) (Group/touch)*

"They aren't here," Dorland answered, watching her intently. He waved a hand out toward the village of Fairhope. "There are children out there. None here."

*(?) Kra'ith (Youth, group/touch) (Acceptance)*

"What is the importance of the children?" Dorland asked.