01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
"Perhaps, you are right - my brother of the Image!"
He felt the shock and discomfort. He turned and faced Danyk again.
"The time will come when you have to make up your mind which way the cat is going to
pounce!"
He felt the anger rising.
"Be sure the cat doesn't pounce on you - and sharpen his claws!"
"You asked me to come back - why?"
The anger didn't subside.
"Surely, the all knowing Taxila doesn't need to ask?"
Steve refused to be provoked.
"I won't fight with you, Danyk. Open your thoughts."
Danyk's eyes were slits - unreadable.
"Rho Arpor has gone - "
"I'm so sorry to have missed him! - He has gone, but his influence remains - and that
troubles you. Your family is divided and your inheritance is in jeopardy. You have a conflict
which is tearing you apart. Your loyalty to your family is in conflict with what you know
must happen. You are needed here, to counter the influence of Rho Arpor, but you know that
your destiny is with me - and that is the reason for your anger!"
Danyk was bitter in his mind.
"The All Wise could not have put it better."
"Taxila is wiser than the All Wise, my friend. Taxila is also patient and can await the
resolution of your problems."
"But can the Race Masters?"
The thought exploded in Steve's mind.
"The Race Masters do not function within the confines of time and distance. They too, can
be patient."
Steve saw a new figure emerge from the outer entrance to the Thanehold. It paused and
then started to run across the open ground. Maia threw herself into his arms and kissed him
passionately. When they emerged for air, Danyk was gone. They walked slowly back to the
house, entwined together. The Bole followed behind, like a elegant spider.
"I thought you were gone for ever."
"How could I do that? I told you I'd be back!"
He felt a restless stir from the inner man. Patience had its limitations and when it was
exhausted, he would be expected to obey.
Despite his hasty departure, Maia had elected to stay in his living quarters. She led him
there and as soon as the curtain had dropped back to cover the entrance. She pressed her body
against his and kissed him again. She drew back, her nose wrinkling.
"You smell like a Scarn!"
"It must be the company I keep."
"You're not coming anywhere near me until you get rid of that stink!"
She darted into the bath chamber and he heard the water running. He shrugged and pulled
off his tunic, folded his arms across his chest and waited for her to come back. She flushed
when she saw him.
"Are you sure I have to bathe first?"
"Yes!"
She had loaded the water with perfume. He looked doubtful.
"I'll smell like a Kharn!"
"As long as you act like one, I'll be satisfied!"
"I think I can guarantee it."
"Conceited bastard!"
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