01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
the Council Chamber and added the weight of his own mind block to that of his father's. Lyot
was direct.
"I have been instructed to produce our guest for the High Thane's amusement, this evening.
Attend to it!"
"What if he won't come?"
"Drag him there under escort!"
Danyk bowed and got out of the way of his father's wrath. He made his way to the door of
the nuptial chamber, remembered the circumstances - and the Bole - and knocked politely. He
kept his mind blank. Steve appeared after a few minutes. The bastard was grinning.
"Your supreme ruler must be giving you a hard time!"
"Why would you think that?"
"He looks the sort of bastard who would!"
"I'd watch your tongue if I were you - and your thoughts!"
"But, you're not me, Danyk! I put a check on neither, for High Thanes nor for alley cats!"
"I have an invitation for you to meet him this evening."
"What if I decline?"
"I have instructions to drag you there!"
"Tut tut, Danyk! remember the Bole!"
"And you had better remember Maia, my friend! One way or the other, our High Thane
will meet you!"
"I'll think about it."
"Do that!"
Danyk turned on his heel and stalked out. Maia emerged from the washroom.
"You will go - "
"Perhaps."
"You will go, Steve. You forced me to greet him this morning - now I'm forcing you to
meet him this evening. Why are you being difficult? Isn't meeting him what you want?"
"I'm not sure - something isn't right, Maia. I can feel it - those bloody Adepts, they give me
the creeps! They move around so softly and I have the feeling they're crawling into my
mind."
"You wouldn't be wrong!"
"And your boss man has a full contingent to peek and pry into every thought. It makes you
wonder what he's trying to hide!"
"Careful, Steve!"
"Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself - even with the thought police!"
"Don't underestimate the High Thane - or the Adepts!"
"Perhaps, they had better not underestimate me - or the ones who brought me here!"
The High Thane was escorted to his place at the festive table on the hand of his host, Lyot
of the Seven Lands. The rest of the household had already assembled, including the ten
Adepts who accompanied the High Thane in his travels. His six personal guards took their
places behind his seat at the head of the table, which he shared with Lyot on his right hand
and Hepha on his left. The family and senior members of Lyot's Clan occupied their usual
places of seniority. There was one vacant chair between Maia and Laoni.
Rho Arpor accepted the place of honour with the normal show of contrived humbleness.
He smiled warmly upon the assembly and listened intently to the formal expressions of
welcome.
"Rho Arpor, you honour us by your presence within the Thanehold and at our table."
"Lyot of the Seven Lands, I am enriched by the warmth of your welcome and your
congenial thoughts."
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