01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
CHAPTER 19
Danyk rose and stalked out of the room and Steve sagged back and eyed the Bole. It had
been a bad mistake to include Danyk in the interrogation session. He had been trying to force
the pace. By this time, Lyot and the rest of the household would be aware of what happened.
Steve waited for the armed escort which would throw him in the slammer to await the arrival
of the High Thane. He fully expected to be hauled up before him in chains - or the Lynxe
equivalent. What would happen after that, he didn't choose to contemplate.
He spent a restless night, expecting to be dragged from his bed and thrown into a cell under
the Thanehold. Eventually, he slept and was almost surprised to awaken a free man. He
wondered what they were waiting for - unpleasant connotations of a cat and mouse game,
wouldn't go away. He assumed that they were waiting for the arrival of the High Thane.
Breakfast was provided as usual. He ate with little appetite. Events could be moving
elsewhere in the Thanehold. Decisions were being made about him. Danyk might have
decided to sleep on his suspicions.
His erstwhile 'brother' did not put in an appearance and so, he wandered out into the
garden. He glared at the scenery without seeing it. A voice said in his mind:
"You have some black thoughts."
He turned and met a mocking stare, it was Maia. He wasn't sure why, but he said:
"I'm sorry."
"I had the impression that you were feeling sorry for yourself. Perhaps, you were thinking
of your own people?"
"You know what I was thinking about!"
She nodded.
"I do. You can relax, nothing is going to happen to you. The High Thane will make the
decisions."
"That isn't exactly comforting."
"If you are what you say you are, what do you have to fear?"
"Prejudice and ignorance! If something isn't understood, assumptions are made - and
they're usually wrong!"
"Do you understand everything that's happened to you?"
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