01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
impending crisis. Laoni delivered a ferocious glare of icy contempt in the direction of her
sister and ignored him. Krin looked uncertain and then avoided his gaze. Steve glanced across
to Maia and was relieved to see that she had her sense of humour under control. He reached
out and filled his plate, hoping that he could eat in peace.
The peace was not to last. Half way through the first course, Maia said.
"I am sure you are all aware that Steve Holt and I had sexual intercourse this afternoon. I
found the exercise very gratifying. He's really rather good. We declare our intention of
uniting before you all!"
Steve was in the act of swallowing and managed to send it the wrong way. He choked and
went purple and was rendered speechless for a few moments. His nearest neighbours politely
thumped his back. When he had recovered his breath, Lyot answered quietly.
"We are aware of your activities, Maia, you did not have the elementary decency to impose
a mind block! You are well aware of our reservations with regard to the stranger Steve Holt
and the uncertainty concerning his future. You have acted with mindless impetuousness and
lack of self control. It is your right to exercise your choice to unite with him but you have not
considered the implications of your decision!"
The Lady Hepha expression was rigid.
"I wish to express my disgust and disappointment! This man is not of our race, we do not
know who or what he is! You have not considered the outcome. He has already used another
of our women to satisfy his carnal lusts. She carries the result of that conception and no one
can guess what will be the nature of the child she will bring into life. I am concerned for you,
daughter - and for your lack of judgement!"
Laoni came through loud and clear.
"You have my utter contempt, Maia! You have defiled your body by allowing this - tree
swinger - to enter it. He is a Scarn! Nothing more and nothing less. You sicken me!"
Maia looked at Danyk. He stared at his untouched food.
"You have made your choice, Maia. I make no judgement. Steve Holt came to our land in a
way which has not been satisfactorily explained. Zayez, the All Wise has already stated that
he will leave it in a similar way - and you will not stop him! He has also given the advice
that, for this reason, all commitments should be avoided."
Steve rose to his feet and looked at them, one after the other. They stared back and he felt
their alien minds focused on him.
"You've had a lot to say to Maia. I remind you, I was equally involved - so, what do you
have to say to me?"
Lyot glared at him without smiling.
"We have nothing to say to you, Steve Holt - not even on the subject of the abuse of our
trust and hospitality. In two days, our Lord the High Thane will honour us with his visit. You
will make yourself available to him and he will decide your future!"
The remainder of the meal was consumed in stony silence. There was no further mind
chatter. Steve forced food down without appetite. He ate because logic dictated that he might
need all his energy if he had to take flight. He was one of the first to leave the table. He
hardly dared to look at Maia. Considering the thought lashing she had received from her
family, she was maintaining a remarkable poise. Steve considered his next move. He had a
number of alternatives. The first was immediate flight - but the same answer as before,
applied. He had nowhere to go, no friends, nowhere he could hide. No means of getting off
the planet.
He was obliged to tough out the situation and that meant staying put. In this, he had a
number of choices. He could go back to his room and await the very strong possibility of
being placed under confinement. Another choice, in light of the activities of the afternoon,
was Maia's quarters. Perhaps, that was what was expected of him. Perhaps, she was waiting
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