"But that will spoil them for the show."
"Alternative?"
"It is not cold. We can walk bare."
"Acquiescence."
They walked, carrying their wet clothing hanging from scavenged sticks. Before they knew it, they were at the next village.
"We fought a fire," Havoc said easily as the village children stared at their nudity. "Ashes all over."
Soon there were clusters of village girls staring at Havoc's marvelous body. But Opaline was pleased to see that the boys—and men—were looking at her. The past few days of exercise had worn down some fat and improved her posture, so she was better in this respect than she had been. Also, she realized, her close association with Havoc had simply brought out whatever womanly qualities she possessed.
The Village Elder was not distracted. "That was a magic fire. We could not touch it, and feared for our village.
How did you handle it?" The question was a challenge.
"My little sister fathomed the way," Havoc said, gesturing to Opaline. "I knew that its ashes would stop it, but it was circling them. She realized that the ashes could stifle the flames themselves, and that we could extend the suppression by working in tandem. One fetched while the other dumped. Slowly we circled it and got it out. She was practical, and saved the day."
Suddenly even the female eyes were on Opaline. She blushed, unable to help it.
"Then she has not only saved the day, but perhaps our village, and shown us how to stop the next such fire," the Elder said. "Request: may we know your names?"
"I am Hayseed the minstrel. My sister is Opaline."
"Hayseed and Opaline, we shall in due course erect a marker in your honor. You shall have our best guest house for as long as you require. We are in your debt."
"Negation," Havoc said. "We did what any traveler would do. The fire threatened us and we had to stop it. We will entertain you for our lodging."
"This is generous indeed," the Elder said.
Opaline was tired, but refused to let Havoc carry the brunt alone. She joined him on the stage, appropriately clothed, and they charmed the villagers as usual. They both fended off several no fault offers, pleading fatigue. It was exhilarating being the object of such praise and desire. But she was very glad when it was done, and she could collapse on the bed.
Havoc, who seemed utterly tireless, massaged her back and legs as she lay there. "You did well today, Opaline."
She knew it. "Appreciation."
"Welcome."
"How many more days travel?"
"One or two."
"Regret."
His strong hands tweaked her buttocks humorously. "You can put up with me that long."
"Read my mind. I want it never to end."
"All things must end."
"Havoc, why are you doing this? I mean, really? You're the king. You could have assigned a minion to conduct me, or just transported me there instantly There is no need to take a week of your time shepherding a back-village girl."
"I need your company"
"Negation. You've got the two most beautiful women in existence to cater to your whim, and you could have had anything you wanted of my body from the outset. I am eager to give it to you, just for the joy of being possessed by you, and I don't even care any more that you are the king. Why waste your time, when you have to prepare to stop an invasion?"
"Opaline," he said seriously. "I am not wasting my time. I am training you to do what you need to do, and that takes time."
"To cater to a man. That comes naturally to a woman."
"This is not an ordinary man. He is simple, and he is our secret weapon. You must fascinate him and cause him to focus on his talent, while others, including perhaps his parents, will think you are a mere opportunist. This is not easy."
"I haven't even committed to do it, really, only for a month, so that then I can have a month of bliss in your arms. You may be investing all this tedious energy for nothing."
"Negation."
"How can you know? I'm just a silly girl!"
He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her over. He came down on her, deliciously smothering her with a kiss. "It is not tedious, Opaline. I like being with you, and will truly enjoy you if you invoke that month. My wife and mistress will be jealous."
"Disbelief."
"Justified."
She stared at him, dismayed. "Havoc, I did not mean to call you a liar. It was rhetorical. I love you! But I know better than to believe that you could have any long-term interest in me."
"Clarification: your disbelief that Gale and Monochrome will be jealous of you is justified. You are unlikely to invoke that aspect of the deal, though it will be honored if you do."
"But that would mean that I will stay with the simple man. I promise to give him a chance, but I just don't believe that he will ever turn me on enough to make it permanent. Especially after I have come to know you. I don't think any man could win me, after you."
"Nevertheless."
"How can you know?" she demanded again, her emotion threatening to erupt in tears or fury.
"I do know. Close enough."
"What are you not telling me now? Tell me!"
"One of my powers is the ability to see the near future paths. I am not nearly as good at it as my children are, but I can do it well enough for my own purposes. I can't see clearly beyond the first hour, let alone the month, but I can faintly see the beginning of it, and you are coming to love that man."
Opaline couldn't accept that idea, so she focused on another aspect. "You can see the future! You mentioned that before. That means that things like the brigands—"
"I saw them coming," he agreed.
"And the fire! You knew how to put it out! You did not need to credit me."
"I saw that you would figure it out," he agreed. "So I allowed you to do it. That does not make your insight invalid. You deserve credit."
"But why? It is all so unnecessary. Why should my feelings even matter?"
"Because my daughter Voila, whose perception is vastly greater than mine, told me that this was the way it has to be. I have to escort you personally the full time, teaching you certain things, impressing on you the importance of the mission. This is our most likely key to victory against the machines."
"So you are doing it because you have to do it."
"Affirmation. But I am enjoying doing it. I almost hope my daughter is wrong, and that you come to me for that month. I would so very much like to do this for real." He stroked her bare breast with his fingers, then kissed her again, lingeringly. "There is a quality in your innocent love that truly turns me on."
"Appreciation," she said wryly. "Is there much more for me to learn?"
"Affirmation. You must learn to take charge, especially with a man. You must learn to sing in public."
She shook her head ruefully. "I am not good at either of these things."
"Tomorrow you must do both. I will be called away suddenly, and you will have to carry on with the show for an hour. This is not something I planned for you; I just now fathomed it, as my thorough range is not much more than a few minutes. My daughter, working with an associate who can see the intermediate future, just advised me telepathically. Apology for putting you in such a spot."
"Havoc, I can't do those things! I'm not equipped. We must shift the time of the show."
"Regret. My daughter says no."
"But I will foul it up abysmally! I know it! I'd rather be burned by that fire."
"You might foul up. But not if you prepare."
"How can I prepare for what I can't do?"
"I will help you." He took her hand. "Sing."
She opened her mouth to protest, but then felt the encompassing support of his mind. "Oh, no John!" she sang. Then paused, astonished. "I sang it!"
"You know the song. You know them all, after doing them so many times with me. You are no minstrel, but your voice is passable and we shall make sure you look pretty. If a girl shows enough breast and leg, most boys won't notice how well she sings."