Fellowship With No Rings?

Kaze speaks quckly.

"Saburo is injured. And Mr. Voinovich's lungs were damaged in the Great War."

She slides off an exquisite gold and jade bracelet and hands it to Van Cortlandt. Bows.

Van Cortlandt is taken aback.

"Now, hold on," he says, spreading his hands so as not to touch the bracelet. "I'm out of the fee for service business. For Grimnoir, especially. I can repair gas and blast damage for Mr. Voinovich -- are you going to introduce me? -- and Saburo's got nothing that I can't ..."

He takes another look, then whistles.

"Whew ... that burn on the side is a strange one. Did he -- was there a tattoo there, with mystic significance? Because there are blood vessels leading to it that nobody should have."

Kaze takes a calming breath. And then another.

"Mr. van Cortland, I should like to introduce Saburo, late of the Shadow Guard and a former classmate.He considers himself masterless now, but we share a common enemy."

"Miss Tane and Mr. Voinovich were, indeed, recruited as Grimnoir by Mr. Richter very recently. They do wish to fight the Imperials who are responsible for the deaths of several friends. They have taken the oath."

Nodding to Saburo:

"Yes, there was a tattoo there. It drew great power from the source of magic--but it also allowed the power-stealer, his former master, to locate him . so he burned it off, rather than endanger us."

Fuji said earlier, "Van Cortlandt never mentions he's a Healer. He enjoys the reaction when people find out."

Sky smiles, not because he is no longer in pain, but because he realizes that any chump not knowing Van Cortlandt is a Healer can be conned into a sucker bet at twelve to one!

(A secondary reason to keep the secrets of the Grimnoir is to avoid being impoverished by sucker bets with guys what know the score.)

Van Cortlandt: "With fifteen Knights, I think we can undertake to rescue Ron Richter. These Imperium types are operating in the U.S. illegally, I think it's safe to say. Any reason not to bring in the police or the BI, or perhaps the Army?"

Voinovich says, "We, Christine and I, are wanted in four states. But if you think you need the police's help, just give us a few hours' head start."

Van Cortlandt: "If you're good enough for Richter, you're good enough for me. We won't give you up to the law."

"Belle Weather, can you help our little airship make good time to St. Louis? We don't know how long Richter's got left. Because as soon as the Imperials find out all they can from him, well, they have no further reason to keep him alive."

Voinovich: "I hate to insist, but those rings you wear may be pointing out our location to the enemy. I respectfully request they be left behind."