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form only.
He was turning away when Rocquel caught has arm, The Dorrish leader faced about with a tolerant
expression. It became quite evident, as he listened to Rocquel, that on these minor matters he was
prepared to allow the king the prerogative of granting mercy.
He finally said, 'Sire, why don't I say that in this instance a reprieve will be granted and then you state the
reasons.'
That was the way it was done.
Rocquel spoke briefly to the assembled nobles, stressing the need as Dav had urged upon him long
ago to keep religion humanitarian.
He spared her life.
He stood by then, tense, not knowing what to expect as the three overjoyed winners came forward. The
two who were assigned the adulterous females uttered expressions of pleasure at having the privilege of
performing so necessary a task.
All three swords whipped high and came down as one. The females had been kneeling fatalistically.
They looked up after a little as if to ask what was wrong.
What was wrong was that the swords were lying a dozen feet away Rocquel, who had watched
closely, thought he had seen the glint of too much metal as the weapons had flown through the air. But he
could not be sure. Something strong had grabbed at him, as with fingers of steel, and had moved him
inches at the moment of attempted execution.
He saw that Jaer was lying on the ground nearby. Rocquel helped the big male to his feet
'What happened?'
'This is magic,' Jaer muttered. 'Something hit me a terrific blow.'
He seemed uncertain and offered no objection to Rocquel's suggestion that the executions should be
temporarily halted, pending an investigation.
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'But what kind of investigation?' he asked in a bewildered tone.
Rocquel assured him that three was at least one Person to question.
And so, after the women had been released and the second group of executioners dismissed, Rocquel
had Dav brought out of the compound.
'You saw that?' he asked accusingly.
'Yes. There's no doubt It's a Symbol, and the second time it was more violent. The power behind it is
increasing very rapidly.'
'But what Symbol can it be?' Rocquel protested. 'I thought Symbols were ' He stopped,
remembering that he had no idea what Symbols were. He finished lamely: 'What do you suggest?'
Dav said, 'The next time there may be feedbacks, and the executioners may get hurt.' He seemed
interested. Some of the apathy he had displayed earlier seemed to be lifting. His eyes were suddenly
bright He looked around hopefully. 'Why don't you let Jaer try to execute me? That would solve a lot of
problems.'
Rocquel frowned. He shook his head. Injury to or the death of the head of the Dorrish clan would
merely create confusion in an important segment of the Jana populace.
The catcalls were beginning again, demanding decisions. But the nobles sounded puzzled. The tone of
the raised voices showed that the vocalizers were not clear as to what was going on. And only a
percentage was actually yelling. It struck Rocquel that to the aristocratic onlookers the events at the focal
point of the executions had probably been obscure.
Besides, no one had ever been able to explain anything, really, to Jana nobles as a group.
The fact that no help could be expected from the nobility made the situation even more difficult. Rocquel
stood distracted, not knowing what to do. The yelling grew louder, more insistent Abruptly Rocquel
realized why. By bringing Dav out of the compound he had given the impression that the human was next
in line for execution.
And Dav's life was what those who cried out were demanding.
Dav was pale but yelled above the bedlam almost directly into Rocquel's ear. 'Why not make the
attempt? Let's see what happens.'
Rocquel tried to answer back, tried to say,What's going on? What's happening? Is the Symbol I
believed I had control of acting independently of my command or any command at all?
He couldn't say it The words wouldn't come. His face contorted with his effort to speak.
Dav asked, 'What's the matter, sire?'
Rocquel tried again to speak, could not A degrading awareness overwhelmed him.
I'm programmed. I could tell Miliss about the Symbol I controlled, but I can't tell Dav...
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Not the realization suddenly was strong that he had ever really controlled it. It had been attached
to him somehow but in the manner of a Symbol it had reacted in this situation because this was what it
related to.
'I feel,' said Rocquel and now the words came easily 'that these executions are not being allowed.'
So he could speak if he made no direct reference to his Symbol.
Dav was shaking his head.
'I don't understand it. The time is not yet on Jana for the end of capital punishment. In fact 'He
sounded appalled. He waved vaguely, his gesture taking in the horizon. 'If a few million of those paranoid
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