"What is it?" Iimmi asked when he saw where their eyes were fixed. "There's one of those things in Argo's cabin on board the ship," Geo said. "And look over there. Where did we see one of those before?" It was a machine with an opaque glass screen, identical to the one in the monastery of Argo. "Sit down," Argo said. "Sit down." They sank to the benches; the climb, once halted, knotting their calves and the low muscles on their backs. "Hama has allowed you the privilege of a chapel even in captivity," commented Iimmi, "but I see you have to share your altar with him." "But I am Hama's mother," smiled Argo. Geo and Urson frowned. "The rituals say that Argo is the mother of all things, the begetter and bearer of all life. I am the mother of all gods as well." "Those blind women down in the ground," asked Urson, "they aren't really your priestesses, are they? They wanted to kill us. I bet they were really dupes of Hama." "It isn't so simple," replied Argo. "They are really worshipers of Argo, but as I said, I have many faces. Death as well as life is my province. The dwellers in that convent from which you escaped are a--how shall I say, a degenerate branch of the religion. They were truly blinded by the fall of the City of New Hope. To them, Argo is only death, the dominator of men. For not only is Argo the mother of Hama, she is his wife and daughter." "Then it's like we figured," said Iimmi. "Jordde isn't a spy for Hama. He's working for the renegade priestesses of Argo." "Yes," returned Argo, "except that renegade is perhaps the wrong word. They believe that their way is correct, and a respect for belief is essential to the understanding of Man. And it is through understanding that the mysteries that still remain in your mind will be solved." "Then they must be responsible for all that was going on in Leptar, only somehow blaming it on Hama," said Iimmi. "They were probably just after the jewels, too. You don't look like a prisoner. That must be the whole thing. You're here in league with Hama to prevent the priestesses of Argo from taking over Leptar." "Nothing could be simpler," said the Goddess. "Unfortunately you are wrong in nearly every other point." "But then why did Jordde throw the jewel after us when he tore it from Argo's--I mean the other Argo's throat?" "When he snatched the jewel from around my daughter's neck," added Argo, "he threw it to the creatures of the sea because he knew they would take it back to Aptor. With it once again in the island, the priestesses would have a better chance of getting it; my daughter, acting Argo Incarnate in my absence and her sister's, does not know that what she is fighting is another face of Argo. As far as she is concerned, all her efforts are against the mischief Hama has caused, and truly caused, in Leptar. This ignorance is far greater than you imagine, for beyond these blind creatures is a far greater enemy that she must vanquish." "Hama...?" began Iimmi.