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QUETZAL'S FLOCK<br />
huddled in a duet of misery. They didn't look up. Only Obeid seemed to be in a fairly<br />
normal state. Kane had to admire his stamina. Obeid looked at his guest coldly.<br />
"Who are you? You're not Kane Ashford! No scar, no knowledge of our<br />
customs. You swallowed my cock and bull story about shedding the cloak and<br />
equality. That's never been our custom - So! Who the hell are you?"<br />
Kane sighed, life was about to become complicated.<br />
"I am Kane Ashford. I am also Quetzal. This is the first time I have ever been<br />
to your planet."<br />
"Wrong! You're wrong, whoever you are! Two days ago, Kane Ashford visited<br />
us. I loved Kane Ashford like a brother. Do you think I imagined it? If you weren't<br />
here two days ago, you're not Kane Ashford!"<br />
"You've changed your mind since yesterday, Obeid."<br />
"Yesterday! Yesterday! What the hell is yesterday?"<br />
"Yesterday, was before that drunken stupidity which still seems to have<br />
lingered in your fat head!"<br />
It probably wasn't the wisest thing to have lost his temper. His head was trying<br />
to split open and he was having trouble getting his eyes focused.<br />
"Stupid am I? I'll have you screaming another tune, when you're hanging by<br />
the balls! Then, you will start begging me to let you tell the truth!"<br />
"For a so-called leader of a supposedly scientific race, who were reputed to<br />
travel between the stars - and could, by a stretch of the imagination, be termed<br />
intelligent - you must be one of the crassest morons to be conceived. Think carefully<br />
before you answer, Obeid. Do you want to tangle with the Masters of Psi? I warn you,<br />
touch me and you will feel more than a touch of their tongue!"<br />
Obeid was white to the lips with fury. They locked stares and Kane knew that<br />
neither of them could afford to look down. He felt as if his eyeballs were about to<br />
peel. Kane felt naked, suddenly conscious of the absence of the pentacle around his<br />
neck. If the Masters of Psi were going to help him, he hoped they didn't need the<br />
catalyst of the artefact. Kane invoked the inner man, he could feel him watching with<br />
languid amusement. It was his turn to open a channel, so far, the inner man had<br />
dictated the terms, now Kane felt it was his turn to open the channel in the other<br />
direction.<br />
He threw off the Kous and Obeid stared coldly. Kane felt a growing lightheadedness,<br />
it was hard to tell whether it was significant or a residue of the drunken<br />
stupor from which he had awakened. Quetzal emerged and took control, he folded his<br />
arms across his chest and his glare intensified.<br />
"I am Quetzal and you will obey me."<br />
Obeid's lips tightened into slits.<br />
"Do I have to show you the power of Those who Are? Do you dare to try their<br />
patience?"<br />
The digit finger on his right hand began to feel hot, yet it was as cold as ice,<br />
like the rest of him. The temperature outside would have to have been in excess of 50<br />
degrees and inside, about 30, but Kane felt cold. Obeid clutched his left ear. Kane<br />
continued to glare at him relentlessly. Obeid's ear began to get very uncomfortable.<br />
Hammadi and his companions decided to take a hand. They rose with short swords in<br />
hand. The power emitting from Kane's left hand threw them back on to the hides. He<br />
didn't look at them. Obeid began to sweat - he groaned.<br />
"Stop it! You son of Sharta! Stop it!"<br />
Kane slowly lowered his right hand.<br />
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