MISC: The Girl Who Saved The World Part 32

[George Phillies]

The Continentals, comment: Who would dare seek to separate a man from 
his cane? The heroine does appear to be a bit more astute than the hero is.

Chapter 4, continued

“Incredible bragging rights,” Brian announced. “Grandmasters come here 
to learn City of Steel from Janie.”

“I think we agree,” Patrick said, “unless Janie has really strong 
objections.”

“Just so they don’t ask me about my other variants on that move. “ She 
paused, thinking. “No, I can tell them about some variants.  And 
champion,” Janie explained, “Means a government persona shows up to 
talk. You get a persona to watch your back.  It’s exactly like a lawyer.”

“Yes, they would be asking Janie about City of Steel, wouldn’t they,” 
Patrick said.  “Having said that, these people are my guests in this 
house, and you will treat them politely.” He stared at his son. Brian 
nodded vigorously. “Janie, I’ll phone Morgana. It’s more polite.”

A few minutes later, there came a knock at the back door.  “Lafayette is 
here!” The speaker’s voice was a rich soprano. “You called, Professor 
Wells?”

Patrick stepped through the vestibule and opened the door. “I did 
indeed, Morgana.” Patrick stood aside to admit the tall young woman. 
She wore a baggy royal-blue sweater and loose blue jeans, but seemed 
unbothered by the blinding snow, gale-force winds, and below-zero 
weather.  Nor had snow lodged in her hair or clothing. Patrick turned to 
his family. “I believe you all know Professor Morgana Lafayette, under 
one name or another.”

Morgana took Patrick’s hand, just for a moment. “I’m not in garb, so 
Morgana is good.”  She glanced at Patrick’s children as she swept around 
the table. “Have you three been staying out of trouble?”  For Abigail 
Wells she had a firm hug. “It’s been way too long. We should really get 
together to talk. Soon. I can always be free at lunch.” Patrick decided 
not to notice his twin children looking furtively at each other.

“There’s more Indian pudding if you’d like some,” Trisha announced.

“You have to ask?  Please?  I know your mom’s cooking. Or is it yours? 
However, we have almost no time,” Morgana said. “I know it’s not polite, 
but, Janie, please give me a fast update mind-to-mind of what they all 
know.” The two women stared at each other.

“That was just what you’ve all heard,” Morgana said.  “GR, have you 
folks ever had a champion before? It’s like having an attorney. What 
mostly matters is that at the end Krystal North wants mentalic contact 
with Janie, to confirm that what what Janie said was true.  That’s, 
well, it’s not dangerous, but while that was going on Janie would be 
relatively open to someone trying to tamper with her mind. I’m here to 
stop that. Also,  Krystal is well behaved, but sometimes you find 
persona who try to shout or bludgeon people into submission.  Worse, our 
friends across the waters have some very different opinions about good 
manners. Some idiot from over there might try to kidnap Janie and 
interrogate her about her hypothetical contacts with the Bearer. That’s 
forcibly interrogate.  I’m very definitely here to stop that. ”

“What is the issue?” Patrick asked. “Janie, you didn’t have time to tell 
us everything.”

“They think I know who has the Namestone,” Janie answered. “Or I have 
the clue! The clue tells them who has the Namestone.  It’s all that City 
of Steel move.  The one I was going to spring at the Nationals. But 
Eclipse used it first!” Once again a delicate fist pounded on the 
breakfast room table. “Speaker Ming, when I was speaking to him before 
before you heard him, said ‘If your parents will consent to having you 
questioned by the American Persona League, we can say that you have been 
questioned, everything that could be learned from you has been learned, 
and therefore you should be left alone.’”