Kulgan withdrew his pipe from his belt and began to stuff the bowl with tabac. “The children are the sons and daughters of those who have come here. We have plans to organize a school for them. Pug has some strange notions about educating everyone in the Kingdom someday, though I don’t see universal education becoming the vogue. The women are either the wives of magicians or magicians themselves, women commonly regarded as witches.”
Dominic appeared troubled. “Witches?”
Kulgan lit his pipe with a flame on the end of his finger and exhaled a cloud of smoke. “What is in a name? They practice magic for reasons I do not understand, men have at least become somewhat tolerated for practicing magic in many places, while women have been driven from nearly every community where they are discovered to have power.”
Dominic said, “But it is held that witches gain their powers by serving dark forces.”
Kulgan waved the notion aside. “Nonsense. That is superstition, if you’ll forgive my being blunt. The source of their power is no more dark than your own, and their behavior is usually a great deal kinder than that of some of the more enthusiastic, if misguided, servants of some temples.”
Dominic said, “True, but you are speaking of a recognized member of a legitimate temple.”
Kulgan looked directly at Dominic. “Forgive the observation, but in spite of the Ishapian reputation for a more worldly view than that of other orders, your remarks are profoundly provincial. So what if these poor wretches do not toil within a temple?
“If a woman serves in a temple she is holy, and if she comes to her power in a hut in the woods she is a witch? Even my old friend Father Tully wouldn’t swallow that piece of dogmatic tripe. You are not speaking of any inherent question of good or evil; you’re talking about who’s got a better guild.”
Dominic smiled. “You, then, seek to build a better guild?”
Kulgan blew out a cloud of smoke. “In a sense, yes, though that is less the reason for what we do than is trying to codify as much magic lore as possible.”
Dominic said, “Forgive my harsh questions, but one of my charges was to determine the source of your motivation. The King is your powerful ally, and our temple was concerned that there might be some hidden purpose behind our activities. It was thought, as long as I was coming here . . .”
Pug finished, “You might as well challenge what we do and see what we say?
Kasumi said, “As long as I have known Pug, he has acted with honor.”
Dominic went on, “Had I a single doubt, I would have said nothing now. That your purposes are only the highest is not in doubt. Just . . .”
Pug and Kulgan both said, “What?”
“It is clear you seek to establish a community of scholars, more than anything else. That, in and of itself, is laudable. But you will not always be here. Someday this academy could be a powerful tool in the wrong hands.”
Pug said, “We are taking every precaution to avoid that pitfall, believe me.”
Dominic said, “I do.”
Pug’s expression changed, as if he had heard something. “They are coming,” he said.
Kulgan watched with rapt attention. “Gamina?” he asked in a whisper.
Pug nodded, and Kulgan made a satisfied “Ah” sound. “The contact was better than ever. She grows in power each week.”
Pug explained to the others, “I read the reports you brought last night and have summoned here one who I think may help. With him comes another.”
Kulgan said, “The other is . . . one able to send thoughts and receive them with remarkable clarity. At present she is the only one we have found able to do so. Pug has told of a similar ability on Kelewan, used during his training, but it required preparation of the subject.”
Pug said, “It is like the mind touch used by some priests, but there is no need for physical contact, or even proximity, it seems. Nor is there the attendant danger of being caught up in the mind of the one touched. Gamina is a rare talent.” Dominic was impressed. Pug continued, “She touches the mind and it is as if she speaks. We have hopes of someday understanding this wild talent and learning a way to train others to it.”
Kulgan said, “I hear them approaching.” He rose. “Please, gentlemen, Gamina is something of a timid soul, one who has undergone difficult times. Remember that and be gentle with her.”
Kulgan opened the door and two people entered. The man was ancient, with a few stray wisps of hair, like white smoke, falling to his shoulders. His hand was on the other’s shoulder and he walked stooped over, showing some slight deformity under his red robe. From the milky orbs that stared blankly ahead it was obvious the old man was blind.