But he couldn't help looking. It was Opaline.
He had to listen to her. Guilt required it. "Greeting," he said.
"Acknowledged. Weft sent me to pick up Flame's ikon. She said it's on the ground near the brink."
Weft had sent her. Did she knew why? Did it matter? Opaline was innocent. Weft might scheme, but never Opaline.
"There," he said, pointing.
"Appreciation." She stooped to pick it up. It looked like a little piece of slime, for Flame was the Glamor of viruses. He had half suspected that she was another emulation, but that act dispelled it. No Glamor could touch any ikon. That was why Weft had been unable to fetch it herself. Opaline was genuine.
Opaline put the ikon in her breast pocket. Her breasts were more prominent than they had been; she had fleshed out very nicely over the months. He chided himself for noticing; she was not here for any tryst.
Opaline turned to go.
He couldn't leave it at that. "Opaline."
She paused. "I do know why you're here, Fifth. I do not mean to interfere. You have your reasons. I will leave."
"Stay."
"Distress."
"Please."
"Weft is emulating me with Oak. Again." She winced. "I must return."
"I killed you!" he exclaimed. "I don't know how to make it right."
"You didn't kill me."
"I thought I did. The machine programming took over and I couldn't stop it. I hated it, but I did it. I long for your forgiveness, but I don't deserve it."
She turned again and came toward him. "I guess Oak won't know the difference. Again. I think maybe you need me more, right now."
"If I had known, I would have killed myself first. I never wanted to hurt you, Opaline. You're my friend."
"I know," she said, sitting down on the ground. "I forgive you, Fifth."
He sat down opposite her. Her lifted knees showed her thighs, inciting quick desire; that only added to his guilt.
"I don't deserve forgiveness," he repeated. "I just wanted you to know how it was. Abject apology."
"Needless. If I had been the spy, I would have done the same to you, if the program commanded it. It wasn't your fault."
"I don't deserve your friendship."
"Yes you do. I still want my fourth of you."
He was stunned. "Opaline, how can you say that? After this?"
"Because I understand. We have had many good times together. We have helped solve each other's problems."
She gazed earnestly at him. "Fifth, I beg of you: if any part of this is because you thought you killed me, give it up. It would make me responsible for your death. I don't want that any more than you want my death."
"That's only part of it."
"Please."
"Opaline, I would do anything for you. But this is beyond friendship."
She nodded, her eyes wet. "Understanding. Regret. Then I will bid you parting, my way."
"Your way?"
She scooted over to drop her legs into the cone. She stared into the green heat far below and sang. She had a decent voice, probably because Havoc had worked with her.
It was beautiful and ineffably sad. Fifth felt tears in his eyes. She was singing the close of his day. The close of his life. He could not ask for a fitter ceremony.
He stood at the brink, but did not jump. "I am waiting to see what else the Glamors will do," he explained.
"Their effective range of near future seeing is limited to about five minutes, so if nothing happens in that time, I'll know I am finally beyond what they can anticipate."
Opaline looked up. "I think Voila can see farther."
"I don't think she means to interfere. It's Weft who will do it, if anyone does."
"Yes. When she told me to fetch the ikon, she took me to see Flame, to verify where it was—Glamors can sense their own ikons, even if they can't touch them—and then here. I didn't know you were here, but I guess she did." She paused. "I told Flame I love you too, but I respect your decision. That was odd."
"Question?"
"I never before saw an Amazon cry."
Fifth crumpled. He found himself on the ground with his head on her lap, her arms holding him close. He was sobbing uncontrollably into her skirt.
After a while she spoke again. "I know Flame and Weft quarrel all the time. They call each other Cow and Beanpole. But they're only teasing. Weft really loves her sister and will do just about anything for her. Don't blame her for trying to interfere. She can't stop herself."
"I don't blame any of them. They all came to argue her case. I wouldn't listen. But if you can forgive me, I think I must be able to forgive her."
"Oh, Fifth! I'm so pleased." She hugged his head to her bosom. With her such gestures were unfeigned.
"But I don't think I know how to approach her, after this. She rescued me the first time I jumped, and told me, and I walked out on her. It will be hard to walk back."
"But you love her."
"Affirmation. What can I say to her?"
She chuckled. "Maybe you could start with 'abject apology, you beautiful creature.' After that you can improvise."
"I'm serious."
"So am I. A girl likes to be told she is beautiful."
"She is beautiful to me."
"So that's no problem." She hesitated, then continued. "You know those things you do with me, that Flame doesn't do? I think she wants to do them. She told me once that she wanted to learn from me how to relate to you better. She just doesn't know how. She can't change her Glamor or Amazon nature. But if you helped her, told her in plain words, I'm sure she would try. She wants so much to please you, any way she can."
"But after the way I left her, I don't see how she could believe me."
"Oh, Fifth, don't be foolish. She'll read your mind."
She was right. He sat up. "Appreciation, you beautiful creature. You have steered me correctly, again."
"Welcome, friend."
"I'll give you that fourth, when it is time."
"Appreciation." She drew him to her and kissed him. It was not a prelude to seduction; she was merely thanking him, her way. He did love her; she was as lovely in her forthrightness as in her body.
They set off down the mountain, each to a different destination. But before they reached the base, Weft appeared. Of course she knew. "Give him the ikon," she said.
Opaline handed Fifth the ikon. There was symbolism there; he accepted it because he would carry it again for Flame.
Weft took Opaline's hand. Both vanished. She was conjuring Opaline back to Oak.
Fifth resumed walking. Soon Weft reappeared. "Your turn. I'll take you to her door, no further."
But there remained some awkwardness. "About our dialogue—"
"What dialogue?" she asked. "Have we talked since you left me for Flame?"
Exactly.
Chapter 29 Weapon
Opaline was out walking with Oak. He needed daily exercise, but wouldn't walk alone; his family had always kept him close, for safety. He would go anywhere with her.
A figure appeared before them. "Greeting, Oak. Greeting, Opaline."
It was Havoc's daughter Voila, the strongest Glamor! Opaline had hardly ever seen her, and never spoken with her, though she knew Fifth had had a month long affair with her. He had described it as like orbiting Void. She appreciated his nervousness. "Greeting, Voila," Opaline said carefully.
"May I speak with you?"
What could this be about? Opaline glanced at Oak. "Does this require privacy?"
"Negation. Only discretion."
That meant it was all right for Oak to listen. "We are exercising. May we talk while walking?"