01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
qualities he can give you. It was no accident that you were chosen by the Race Masters and it
was no accident that Taxila journeyed with you to us!"
Steve whispered.
"If only I could see where this is going to end."
They sat quietly in the light of the setting star and watched the shadows lengthen. Steve
murmured after a while.
"This is how I want it to be for us when we're old. We will have raised our family by then
and they will have had their children. We will watch the sun set and the night come and we
will be content."
"A wonderful dream, Steve - "
She sounded intensely sad. He looked at her, she was weeping.
"What's wrong!"
"Nothing! I'm being a stupid, emotional - pregnant woman! Take no notice!"
A rider clattered into the courtyard, it was Danyk. He was slumped in weariness. He
straightened up and looked in their direction and raised his hand in greeting. It was the first
time he had acknowledged his Brother of the Image for many days. Steve slowly raised his
arm in response. Danyk wheeled his Vix away and entered the gate to the stables.
"Where has he been?"
"I don't know, my father has sent him to talk to many of our senior cousins. They have both
set up a strong mind block."
"To keep you out?"
"To keep out all who have no reason to be part of the discussions."
"Including Rho Arpor and his Adepts?"
"Possibly."
Two days remained before they were due to start their journey. Maia spent them preparing,
Steve was left at a loose end, wandering around the Thanehold and generally trying not to get
under the feet of those who were gainfully employed. He found it easier to get right away
from the buildings and ended up by the side of the river, sitting under a tree and watching the
flow of water. Danyk found him there late in the afternoon of the second day. He sat down
beside him and said nothing for a while.
"We leave tomorrow."
"So I understand."
"I see that you intend to take your box."
"Do I detect disapproval?"
"It could be construed as provocative."
"I could construe being attacked in your father's house and at the entrance of the old city,
as being provocative. Rho Arpor hasn't demonstrated peaceful coexistence on either occasion.
The Bole comes with me - or Maia and I stay here!"
Danyk nodded and stared at the river.
"What about Taxila?"
"I can't speak for Taxila - but he'll speak for himself if he's provoked."
"You make it sound as if we are going into battle."
"Perhaps we are. A battle can take many forms. One of the method's used by the kings of
Old Earth, was to marry into the family of those they considered their enemies."
"Clan Arpor isn't at war with the Clan of the Seven Lands."
"Your father opposes him in Council. Rho Arpor regards that as a declaration of war!"
"Suddenly, you're an expert in the politics of the Men of Lynxe!"
"You forget - Taxila always has an interest in his children!"
"Ah! So now, it is Taxila who speaks."
"Perhaps, he has been provoked!"
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