01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
frank curiosity, he was now boasting a three day growth of beard and looked scruffy. They
were entitled to look wary. If Danyk hadn't been there, they might have run for their lives.
Danyk talked to them quietly and Steve had no doubt that he was the subject of the
conversation. He could see their awakening interest and he began to feel like an exhibit at a
freak show. He didn't know what was said but it was always possible that Danyk had
delivered the advice: 'Keep the woman out of the way, he's a raving sex maniac. He's already
put one innocent girl in the family way'.
They camped together, sharing the evening meal and rolling the bed packs out by the side
of a stream. Steve looked at it with regret, he had been looking forward to a nice cool swim
before supper. He doubted if the present company went in for nude, mixed bathing, especially
with a suspected Lynxe/Scarn hybrid. They had built a communal fire and relaxed around it.
Steve discovered the limitations of Hara's lessons. He missed out on a great deal of the
conversation, which was vocal. Danyk neglected to keep open a mind channel. He and the
young man chattered away for a while, an odd word here and there indicated the subject to be
the oil crop and other rural delights. The girl was quiet, she stared into the flames and avoided
the glance of the shaggy, Scarn-like creature who shared their fire. It might have been
modesty or shyness - or terror. It was fairly obvious that these people didn't possess the Gift,
or if they did, it was only to a very small degree.
On the next morning, they parted amicably and went their respective ways. Danyk set a
cracking pace which Steve matched with grim determination. There was a trace of mockery
in the thought flow. There was no breath to spare for talking. Even the mind link was
unusually quiet. It was as if Danyk was trying to avoid any further discussion on the subject
of Pentacles and the taking of the name of an ancient god in vain. Nevertheless, it was a
harmonious silence. After a while, Steve did ventured one question.
"Why are we in such a bloody hurry."
Danyk slowed down a little.
"I didn't realise you were out of breath."
"I'm not - I just want to know the reason for this unseemly haste."
"At this time of the year, the Scarn need a great deal of supervision. We have more to do
with our time than keeping you out of trouble - besides, the Thanehold is expecting an
important visitor, there's a lot to prepare and my father wants me home long before he arrives
- and he wants you home too - and suitably prepared!"
"How in hell's name do you know that. No! Don't answer, your father's been broadcasting
loud and clear, I suppose. Would it be too much to ask who this important visitor is and why I
should be home before he arrives?"
"He's coming to look you over and see if you're suitable for a place in his menagerie!"
Steve stopped abruptly. Danyk turned and eyed him calmly.
"We really should hurry, I don't want to keep him waiting!"
Steve refused to baited.
"That does sound interesting. I hope you got a good price for me?"
The mind block stayed for a moment and then collapsed in a flood of amusement.
"Well done! Quite surprising! You didn't rise to the bait, you must be learning!"
"I suppose your learned Adepts haven't taught you that you shouldn't bait an inferior
species?"
The amusement ebbed away. Danyk nodded.
"I'm sorry, you're quite right. I shouldn't have done that. The Thanehold is about to be
honoured with a visit by the High Thane. You will be presented to him."
He resumed his relentless pace. Steve caught up just as they breasted a hill crest. The
Thanehold was far below. The sun was dropping quickly to the horizon. It took another hour
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