Hounded

160 years, and I saw how I preyed on innocent people as I was preyed upon by those Chinese sailors. It was karma coming back to me, and I know it was only a fraction of the atonement I must make for my centuries of sin. «
    » Would you say that your time in the ruby was a large fraction of the atonement you need to make, or do you still have a long way to go? «
    Laksha raised Granuaile’s eyebrows in surprise and then frowned at the question. » I think you are doubting my good intentions, « she said.
    » Given the very brief history you’ve shared with me, I think I’m taking it remarkably well. You’ve achieved a kind of immortality through some really evil body-snatching process, and you consort with demons. «
    » Consort! « Laksha looked aggrieved at that accusation. Really evil body-snatching she was okay with, apparently. But then I remembered that Flidais had accused me of consorting with vampires not so long ago, and my reaction was similar to Laksha’s. That’s what I hate about the Vedic concept of karma: Once somebody starts talking about it, I start noticing it.
    » All right, I take it back, « I said, waving my hands in frustration. I didn’t want to get sidetracked here. » That word has too much baggage and I shouldn’t have used it, because I hate it too. My point is that your acquaintance with demons and evil magic makes it difficult for me to trust you now and somewhat reluctant to help you. I hope you will forgive my frankness, but I prefer speaking plainly. «
    Laksha gave a tight grin and nodded her head once. » I respect that very much. I, too, prefer to speak plainly. So let me make something very clear: I could have taken Granuaile’s body forcibly, as I used to do in days past. It would have been easier to do it that way. And if I wanted to, I could leave her at any time and jump into the body of anyone on the street or anyone sitting at the bar. But I do not wish to behave that way any longer, and that is why I asked her permission to share her body for a time, and she agreed. That is why I am trying to get my necklace back through cooperation and mutual benefit, rather than aggressive and selfish means. I am trying now to enrich the world with my gifts rather than spread chaos and ruin. «
    » Truly? And what will happen to Radomila if I help you? «
    » Karma. It happens to everyone eventually. «
    I let that one slide. » How will you find another body to live in? «
    » Granuaile has suggested to me that we visit a hospital where there are people deep in comas or in persistent vegetative states. Bodies that are still alive but whose spirits have already left them. Perhaps I can make use of them, reawaken the brain to a functional level. I have learned much about brains over the years. «
    My cell phone beeped at me and I silenced it. » And what if these bodies have spirits still tethered to them, however tenuously? «
    » I would ask those spirits if they wanted my help to return to consciousness. There will be many who wish for that. I will help them if I can, then return to Granuaile and try again. Eventually, I will find one without a spirit or one that wishes to pass on. Then I may occupy that body without further staining my soul. «
    » So the immediate future for you works like this—please correct me if I’m wrong: I agree to take on Granuaile as an apprentice and help you make karma happen to Radomila. Then, necklace in hand, you go to a hospital and find a new body to inhabit. Is that right? «
    » That is correct. «
    » Well, it doesn’t seem to me that I’m getting much out of this scenario. «
    » I am ridding you of Radomila. She is a thorn in your side, yes? «
    » But she is also a thorn in yours. Counting something you want to do for yourself as something you’re doing for me is an accounting trick decidedly skewed in your favor. «
    » All right. « She grinned. » I will concede that. What do you want? «
    » You see this sword I have strapped to my back? It’s a very powerful magical item. «
    » Is it? I had not noticed. May I see it? «
    I carefully pulled the scabbard over my head and laid it down on the bar. I withdrew the hilt just enough to show a handbreadth of steel. Laksha studied it, Granuaile’s eyebrows furrowing, and after a moment looked up at me quizzically.
    » There is a spell on this that will prevent it from being removed from your person, but otherwise it appears to be a normal sword to me. «
    That was pretty good. She