that I mean they may have a comfortable environment, and people, but those people have drastically different customs from ours. In fact, it seems that even the fundamental laws of magic differ in them, so that much of what is truth here is

falsity there."

He looked hard at Darius. "We have located a region of fairly safe Modes. But even there, the risk is as I described. Also, there seems to be imprecision in the tuning of the Chip; no person seems to go to the same other Mode that any other person has been to. Thus we can not get to know any one of them well, and it is always a serious gamble. I suggest to you that it is unwise in the extreme for you to take this gamble, because not only do you risk your own life, you risk the welfare of our society, which truly needs your ability as Cyng ofHIahtar."

"Another can assume the post," Darius said.

"But not one as talented as you. That is why it came to you, after the retirement of the prior Cyng of Hiahtar. You can be the best, and if we lose you, we will have only the next best, and that will hurt us all to some degree."

He spoke truth. Darius felt guilt. But it was not enough to sway him from his purpose.

"What I may gain must be worth the risk," he said.

"Exactly what do you hope to gain?" Pwer asked sharply.

"A woman who will not be depleted by close association with me. A woman I can love and not lose. A woman I can marry and never divorce."

"There is no such woman."

"Not in this reality," Darius agreed. "But elsewhere, where other fundamental rules obtain, there may be women of another nature, who can not be depleted. If I can find one of them, and bring her back here -- " He broke off, alarmed. "Can I bring her back?"

"Oh, yes. If you are in contact with her when you signal for the return, she will come with you. Your problem will be finding her -- and if you do, convincing her to come with you.

There are several problems in that connection."

"This has been done before?"

"Yes. Not by a Cyng of Hiahtar, but by others. They have brought back people or things.

Some women have brought back babies or odd animals. But if you want to marry and love her, you must explain to her what this entails; you must not abduct her, for then she will hate you and be no true wife to you."

"Well, of course I wouldn't abduct her!" Darius ex -- claimed. "If I were inclined to treat women in that manner, I would be better off simply marrying a chain of wives here and casting them aside!"

"Precisely."

"If that is the only problem, then certainly I will -- "