86

You should have everything you need: every piece of the Specular Losh recovered, good Byzantine tools, Control's many hands, and the doctor's repair instructions written on bark with berry ink by the Apostolic Mound. You take a moment to consider what a return home could offer you: employment with Dr. Sabbatine, if you can earn her respect, or even in the Byzantine government if you can impress the Empress. Even a return to your real home, in Mexihco, with stories to last the rest of your life.

Or just a chance to escape this deadly place.

People have gathered to watch this partial restoration of the time machine. Chief Kothis is there with many of his hunters. Vecla and Therko are also in attendance. Stralchus and Losh watch, surrounded by a number of warriors who regard the Specular with either skepticism or hostility, you can't be sure which. Control keeps glaring, annoyed, at Alexius, who has spent most of the morning gesturing theatrically at a carpet of flowers near the Specular's pavilion.