“I think that we can put these things aside for now,” he said. “After all, you were defending yourself.” I knew he was very impatient with all this but I don’t think they realized it.

“Yes, defending myself, and from death, I thought,” Garekyn flashed back.

Welf, who had said nothing all the while, glanced directly at Garekyn when he said the word “death.” Welf’s eyes were heavy lidded, which gave him a drowsy and contented look, and his eyes and nose were more classically symmetrical. He had the fuller, more sensuous mouth.

Clearly these creatures were not automatons without emotion. And their faces reflected a multitude of tiny changes with every passing second. Even Derek who stared forward now as if he were in shock had a face that reflected his inner struggle, his black pupils dancing almost frenetically.

Marius went on speaking in his capable, gentle, and authoritative voice.

“And we ask you to be aware,” he said, “that we had no knowledge whatsoever of Derek here being held prisoner by Roland of Hungary. We scarcely know that blood drinker. He’s never come to Court.” Marius looked intently at me. He was plainly frustrated. “We are engaged in a process here that’s new to us. Whatever is to be achieved here, it’s not yet complete.”

“I know,” said Kapetria under her breath. “I understand this. I’ve prepared myself with as much knowledge of you as I could obtain.”

“And we have no real control,” said Marius, “over Rhoshamandes who was so cruel to Derek. We’re relieved to see that Derek’s arm has been restored.”

“Derek’s left arm regenerated,” said Kapetria without the slightest indication that what she was saying was striking. “And Rhoshamandes’s rash action led us to a remarkable discovery. We have Dertu as the result of what happened.” She gestured with her left hand to the obvious duplicate of Derek who sat against the wall, Dertu of the golden and black hair. Not one distinctive streak, but many streaks, Dertu who was so calm compared to Derek.

A low mirthless laugh came out of Fareed, who I knew at once had figured this out long before. “You came into this world,” Fareed said, “without knowing that you might propagate in this way—by simple fragmentation?”

“We came into this world, my friend, without knowing many things,” said Kapetria. “We were sent here for a specific purpose. Indeed, our makers called us ‘the People of the Purpose.’ ” Her eyes moved easily over us as she spoke, but came back to Fareed. “And we were given only the information deemed necessary for the fulfillment of that purpose. It was for this purpose that we were made.”

“And what was the purpose?” asked Marius. I feared his question had a sharp edge, but I saw no indication that anyone else did.