That morning Damon came to assist Dom Esteban into the rolling chair that had been made for him.  "So you can be present at the wedding sitting upright, not lying flat on a wheel-bed like an invalid!"

"It feels strange to be vertical again," said the old man, steadying himself with both hands.  "I feel as dizzy as if I were already drunk."

"You've been lying flat too long," Damon said matter-of-factly.  "You'll soon get used to it."

"Well, better to sit up than go propped on pillows like a woman in childbed!  And at least my legs are still there, even if I can't feel them!"

"They are still there," Damon assured him, "and with someone to push your chair, you can get around well enough on the ground floor."

"That will be a relief," Esteban said.  "I am weary of looking at this ceiling!  When spring comes, I will have workmen come here, and let them do over some rooms on the ground floor for me.  You two," he added, gesturing Andrew to join them, "can have any of the large suites upstairs, for yourselves and your wives."

"That is generous, Father-in-law," Damon said, but the old man shook his head.

"Not at all.  No room above ground level will ever be of the slightest use to me again.  I suggest you go and choose rooms for yourselves now; leave my old rooms for Domenic when he takes a wife, but any others are for your own choice.  If you do it now, the women can move into their own homes as soon as they are married."  He added, laughing, "And while you do that, I shall have Dezi wheel me about down here and get used to the sight of my house again.  Did I thank you, Damon, for this?"

On the upper floor, Damon and Andrew sought out Leonie.  Damon said, "I wanted to ask you, out of earshot.  I understand enough to know Dorn Esteban will never walk again.  But otherwise how is he, Leonie?"

"Out of earshot?"  The Keeper laughed faintly.  "He has laran, Damon; he knows all, though perhaps he has wisely refused to understand what it will mean to him.  The flesh wound has long healed, of course, and the kidneys are not damaged, but the brain no longer communicates with legs and feet.  He retains some small control over body functions, but doubtless as time passes and the lower part of his body wastes away, that will go too.  His greatest danger is pressure sores.  You must be sure his body-servants turn him every few hours, because, since there is no feeling, there will be no pain either, and he will not know if a fold in his clothing, or something of that sort, puts pressure on his body.  Most of those who are paralyzed die when such sores become infected.  This process can be delayed, with great care, if his limbs are kept supple with massage, but sooner or later the muscles will wither and die."

Damon shook his head in dismay.  "He knows all this?"

"He knows.  But his will to live is strong, and while that remains, you can keep his life good.  For a while.  Years, perhaps.  Afterward..."  A small, resigned shrug.  "Perhaps he will find some new will to live if he has grandchildren about him.  But he has always been an active man, and a proud one.  He will not take kindly to inactivity or helplessness."

Andrew said, "I'm going to need a hell of a lot of his help and advice running this place.  I've been trying to get along without bothering him -"

"By your leave, that is mistaken," said Leonie gently.  "He should know that his knowledge is still needed, if not his hands and his skill.  Ask him for advice as much as you can, Andrew."

It was the first time she had addressed him directly, and the Terran glanced at the woman in surprise.  He had enough rudimentary telepathy to know that Leonie was uncomfortable with him, and was troubled to feel there was something more now in her regard.  When she had gone away he said to Damon, "She doesn't like me, does she?"

"I don't think it is that," Damon said.  "She would feel uneasy with any man to whom she must give Callista in marriage, I think."