"Only from your point ofviev/."

"From yours as well. If you harass a police officer you make trouble for yourself."

"You forget that this is Lutwiler Country. Your authority is meaningless."

"The IPCC does not concede this point of view."

"Do not let this theory influence your conduct," said Zaa.

"I am in control of the seminary: such is the nature of local Truth. You must accede to my program, not I to yours.

If this is unclear, then plainly you are in need of cerebral therapeutics."

"Your statement is clear. I need no therapy."

"I am not altogether convinced, after hearing statements from Muris and Lilo. In the one case you made erode suggestions--" "What? I did no such thing!"

" in the other you were brutally offensive and inflicted pain upon Mutis, whose ear still smarts and throbs."

"These accusations are absurd!"

Zaa shrugged.

"The gist of the matter is definite enough.

Mutis describes you as intractable. Lilo is troubled by your tactics, and wonders where she has gone wrong."

Glawen managed a laugh.

"I will tell you the facts. Mutis struck me in the back before I struck him. He provoked me to a fight probably by your orders. As for Lilo, perhaps I was a trifle gallant, out of sheer boredom, just to add a bit of sparkle to her life. My conduct was certainly not lewd. The sexual obsessions are in her head, not mine."

Zaa gave another indifferent shrug.

"It may well be, and why not? You are strong and confident; an impressionable young woman might find you appealing." Zaa looked around the chamber.

"These accommodations are not luxurious, but they are inexpensive: in fact, free. Since you insist upon paying nothing for your lodging, this cave must suffice."

"You would use an agreement to pay as proof that I stayed here of my own accord. That is not the case. I am here as a prisoner."

"Have you forgotten our contract?"

"Contract?" Glawen looked blank.

"The terms were so vague as to be meaningless. Neither this so-called contract nor any other contract has force between a captive and his captor."

Zaa laughed a light tinkle, as of glass wind chimes moved by a breeze.

"In Lutwiler Country such contracts have peculiar and particular force, especially in regard to the duties of the captive."

Glawen had no comment. Zaa went on.

"Do you recall our agreement

"You offered all your information in return for certain services not specified: a bargain to which I could not agree. You then tried to teach me Monomantic Syntoraxis as your end of the contract. It is a fine joke, but do you wonder that I no longer take you or your contract seriously?"

"That is a mistake. The contract must be taken seriously."

"In that case, this is my suggestion," said Glawen.

"Let me out of this hole, give me the information I need, then explain what you want of me. If it is something I can do, and is not criminal, immoral, harmful, hurtful or even disgraceful, and won't take too long or cost too much, I will do it."

Zaa reflected.

"That is a disarmingly simple plan."

"I am happy that you like it."

"Ah! I am concerned less for your happiness than your sincerity."

Glawen considered the word.

"I am sincere in regard to my undertakings."

"Hm, perhaps so. But I must be certain. I am almost afraid to test you out. One moment; we will discuss the matter further."

Zaa stepped back from the balcony; the door closed. A few moments later the lower door swung aside. Zaa entered and the door closed behind her.

"It is easier to talk at this level."

"True." The substance of Zaa's white gown was sheer; she seemed metamorphosed from the epicene creature Glawen had first encountered; in the lamplight the sharpness of her features became delicacy;

the cap of copper-red hair gave her face a piquant cast; her dark eyes were soft and luminous. A waft of subtle perfume crossed the five or six feet between the two.

Zaa looked about the chamber with a vague expression.

"Have you familiarized yourself with this place?"

"In the dark? I am a Clattuc, but I am not insane."

"Look about you now. It is a void at the very heart of the Point."

"It is a dreary place, certainly."

"Notice the dais against the wall yonder. The bundle on top is a pad and a blanket, which visitors may use for a bed."

"What fee do you ask?"

"None. You may sleep free of charge where Zab Zonk lay in his white jade catafalque, shaded under swagged curtains of moonstones and pearls."