01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
"Taxila is one of the five ancient gods of the Lynxe culture. The stories and legends
concerning him are too numerous to relate on this occasion. The one of most importance to
the people of Lynxe is that he is our primogenitor. He is the father of the Children of Taxila,
who are the Lynxe race. In the first days, he lived amongst us and gave us laws to regulate
our lives. There came a time when he left his children and travelled to a destination beyond
our imagination. He promised that he would return to visit his descendants and this he has
done on numerous occasions.
During the most recent visitation, he instructed the men of Lynxe to build this city and he
equipped it with the special powers which we see around us - and our legends tell us, that
there are many more which are unknown to us. He left us again and once more promised to
return. It would seem that this has now taken place!"
Steve looked from one to the other. The two Adepts were looking at him with frank
curiosity. Danyk's eyes were slits of concentration and unreadable. Zayez was waiting.
"Are you trying to tell me, that a so-called god, has need to use the body of a man from
another star system, in order to revisit a world where he has been many times before? It isn't
logical! A god doesn't need human form! A god is a god! A man is a man, he lives out his life,
dies and that's the end. A god continues - he's for ever!"
Zayez responded gently.
"Taxila has always used human form. It was in the human form that he fathered his
Children. On every occasion, he has used the human form."
The old man paused and went on softly.
"He has always used the same human form! I look at the image inset into the floor of this
temple - and I see you. It is a true image of Taxila! Your human form has visited this land
many times, Steve Holt!"
Steve shook his head violently, he half rose and slumped back into his seat. Danyk jumped
up to catch him as he slipped away into unconsciousness. As his vision blurred, he thought he
heard inner laughter, as if the use of his body over thousands of years, was a huge joke!
Zayez and his two Adepts had withdrawn when Steve awoke again. Danyk watched his
twitching return to consciousness and waited for the inevitable outburst. Taxila had certainly
chosen a most unlikely travelling companion for his latest visitation to his children. Steve
raised his head and peered around anxiously.
"We are alone. Zayez is resting."
Steve rested his head back on his rolled up blanket.
"I can't accept any of this, you know."
"I believe Zayez has given you a true explanation."
Steve swung around his legs and sat on the side of the trestle.
"That this is the last of a long line of visits your god has made to this world and that he has
used me on each occasion - you must be joking - or mad!"
"Why is it so hard to accept?"
"I would have thought it was obvious! I was born twenty-six years ago on a small, dusty
planet called Mars, which orbits a sun we call Sol. I have lived out my existence until this
point, in and around Mars and the asteroids of a political system called New Earth
Confederation. Give or take a few days, I can account for my movements for most of that
time. I have no memory of travelling to this world or any other in the company of one of your
mythical ancestors. I fail to see how I could have been here ten thousand years ago - and even
earlier, if Zayez is to be believed. It just hasn't happened - I do think I would have
remembered - even if I was blind drunk! God! I wish I could GET blind drunk! Life might
make more sense!"
"Perhaps, you're right - about not being here before, I mean."
Steve stared at him and shook his head.
149