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TAXILA'S CHILDREN<br />
Steve moaned and twitched and within his mind, Danyk observed the return to life - like a<br />
limb which reawakens after it has become numb.<br />
"Are you able to understand me, Steve Holt?"<br />
Steve's head moved and turned slowly in his direction.<br />
"Tell the - Bole - to allow us to help you."<br />
At first there was no response.<br />
"Tell it, Steve!"<br />
Maia interjected. Steve's voice sounded like the wind in dry grass.<br />
"Bole. Let Danyk and Maia help me. Kill the rest if they try anything!"<br />
"Uncompromising, brother Steve!"<br />
"So - we're brother Steve once more?"<br />
Danyk and Maia approached the Bole cautiously and pulled Steve to his feet. His legs<br />
folded under him and they had to support him under each arm.<br />
"What the hell hit me?"<br />
"A mental blast to remind you to keep your place!"<br />
Steve noticed the dead and wounded.<br />
"The Bole, I presume?"<br />
"You presume correctly. It has nasty habits!"<br />
"It has nastier ones - you couldn't imagine how nasty! You can be happy it didn't destroy<br />
the Thanehold and everyone within a ten kilometre radius! I guess that was the best it could<br />
do on the spur of the moment."<br />
Danyk felt a perceptible aura of caution settle over the hidden watchers. Maia examined<br />
her lover anxiously.<br />
"If you're feeling stronger, perhaps we'd better get out of here."<br />
Steve managed a grin.<br />
"The question is - where? You don't imagine that I'm going to be a welcome guest after<br />
this? Frankly, I can't get far enough away from the Thanehold, fast enough! get one thing<br />
clear! I don't expect you to compromise yourselves any further. The Bole and I will go our<br />
own way and take our chances."<br />
"Don't be petulant! Where exactly do you think you can go. You wouldn't last a day by<br />
yourself."<br />
Steve took her by the shoulders.<br />
"I have the Bole - and I've learned a valuable lesson about keeping up my defences. I will<br />
survive - and I will go to where you would expect to find Taxila."<br />
Maia was stubborn.<br />
"If you go - I will go."<br />
He shook her gently.<br />
"You will do as you are told! You will remain here and bear our child!"<br />
He turned to Danyk and grinned.<br />
"Brother Danyk! Stay with your family - exile is for the blue-eyed hairless Scarn, not for<br />
you! I promise you this - the next time I leave the Thanehold, you will come with me!"<br />
Steve turned and faced the hidden watchers.<br />
"Rho Arpor, I will not ask you or your ten Adepts to show yourselves. Hide where you<br />
will, I can see your faces! My message is simple. If Lyot of the Seven Lands or any of his<br />
Clan suffer at your hands, you will attract the wrath of Taxila upon your heads. I will remind<br />
you of what you appear to have forgotten. Taxila is the ancient Lawgiver - but he is also the<br />
Destroyer who serves those who may not be mentioned, but who must be obeyed. Disobey<br />
me and you will be brought down lower than the Scarn you despise and your power and<br />
authority will be blown to the winds beyond the Rim!"<br />
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