Neblae came out and asked, Agrafah,"How do I look?" He laughed, "Wonderful! I am happy she was gracious to loan you clothes, while she is in Tarabellia, down in the foot-hills.." Nable smiled, "She is as gracious as you are, Caliph. You raised her well. I like this place. Oil lamps and a fire-place! Wonderful!Is that hot jolla, you're drinking?" He chortled, "You have a good nose! I have it ground and brought up from Tarabellia. In fact, my wife and daughter were to bring up some supplies from that city." Jin turned from the painting over the fireplace and asked, "Does it look anything like this? Is this a copy of a copy of the ancient city?" Neblae laughed, "JIN! Never wear white, again! You are so pale, and white clothes makes you seem like you're glowing!" The Caliph chortled, "No, the city is quite modern now. The original painting turned to dust thousands of years ago." A man in silks walked up quietly and said, "That was about the time of the Holy Child left the world from Taru City, according to the book of Dao." Neblae turned and was shocked. "Are you the Celestial Father? What are you doing here?" Jin looked over and gasped. The man bowed and said,"Toshi Balak, guilty as charged! I'm an old friend of Agrafah. We go back AGES!" Jin remarked with a grin, "One of the 'big three' from before the revolution against the Jade Empire. It's said that you helped form the government that followed it. The Human Colonial Administration hates your guts, calling you a despot and tyrant. You never got charged with war crimes or atrocities, though. You MUST be awfully slick to get away with as much as you did and not lose your head." "So you used to running buddies with Aldus and Narchi's old master, Doctor Moderaan? THIS ought to be interesting." A servant came in with mugs of mulled wine. They each took one. Toshi lifted one to Jin and said, "A toast to the free speaking Jin Tkarro and her friend, Neblae Moderaan, wife of Narchi. I can see why you all became friends. May you never stop speaking the truth!" Neblae and Jin drank, while watching the men warily. Jin looked at Neblae, and Neblae smiled. "It's nice to see former masters and slaves being so friendly. As Kruag used to belong to Aldus Panchetta, I understand that YOU, Caliph, used to belong to Father Balak, here." She raised an eyebrow, and announced to the shocked looks, "Father! You are not the only one to research people! You may not 'rule' Balaam anymore, but you certainly have connections. I want to know what potential enemies might be up to." Toshi looked alarmed at her. "Enemy? I'm just a church man of deep beliefs! I mean you no harm!" Neblae looked flatly at him, "You said in one of your sermons, 'that all artificial species and intelligent machines are abominations in the eyes of god'? I'M of the Trow, and artificial species, and some of my friends are intelligent machines. You stir up public opinion against my friends, and that MAKES you an enemy! In matter of fact--one of those machine-life women is one of the lovingest and most devoted mothers, I have ever seen." "You want truth? I do NOT trust church men. The Holy Book said nothing about artificial species or Machine-life, so YOU are putting words into God's mouth. If you or friends take any actions against those I care for, you will be taken down like a mad dog. This is NOT a threat, by the way, this is a fact of life. Forces beyond human understanding are in movement, and to challenge them is the height of insanity." Jin shook her head and whispered, "No, Nebbles! Don't say that!" Toshi laughed pleasantly. "I might be right, then! I've come to talk about the Madjulla. Not the false one who turned into a dragon, but Aldus' daughter, Taoxic or 'TOXIC' as she's known now. You must help me. This concerns the lives of MILLION of people. Please help me help them all!" Neblae and Jin looked at each other. He seemed serious. --TO BE CONTINUED!--