82

Finally, the doctor says, "Oh, this is worrying. The bloom appears to be off the rose. The Empress seems…satisfied…with our present performance but by no means happy. If you were making plans for a glorious return to Byzantium, you may wish to reconsider them. Or to redouble your efforts to empress Her Majesty."

You spend several hours with Dr. Sabbatine checking and rechecking the details of your transfer to make sure everything is accounted for. But at last the rift shuts down.

"Like last time, integration of the tabulation chart may take a considerable span of time," Control says. "We also have a great deal to worry about. I will devote some of my efforts to researching the prism. You should do what you can for the village."

You estimate your various sources of revenue from the village total 570 solidi.

Alexius is still spending his time in the forest, far from the admittedly rough comforts of the River People's civilization. He rarely returns except for meals and when Control stokes the Specular's boilers.