Guildsmen moved across the tile pattern like hunters stalking their prey in a strange jungle.  
Aurelius Venport came to stand silently beside her, as if he too was at a loss for words. The man was perceptive enough to pick up on Zufa's sadness at seeing her prize student depart. It'll be all right.
 
No it won't. But she will succeed.
 
Venport looked at her with a warm understanding that penetrated Zufa's prickly demeanor. I know you wish you could have been the first weapon yourself, my dear. Heoma is certainly talented, but you are unquestionably more skilled than anyone. Just remember that you're still recovering from your miscarriage, and that weakness might have jeopardized the mission.
 
And I am bound by the higher responsibility of training others. Zufa watched the shuttle disappear into the thin clouds. I have no choice but to remain here and do what I can.
 
Funny. I was thinking the same thing about my own work.
 
Recalling the gullible male bodyguards, the Sorceress studied her mate with undisguised scorn. His patrician eyes were incisive, clear of corrupting drugs, but his independent attitude grated on her. Why did you not volunteer to join the operation, Aurelius? Or is it not in you to do something selfless, beyond your perception of yourself?
 
I am a patriot in my own way. Venport returned her expression with a wry smile. But I never expect you to see it.
 
She had no response for that, and the two of them continued to stare blankly at the sky long after the shuttle had reached the stations in orbit.