01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
unnecessary and certainly, not a good enough excuse to send him to the Lynxe equivalent of
the dog house.
During the previous four nights, Maia had made it clear that she didn't much care for his
company and his pride wouldn't allow him to try to soften her stand. He had elected to sleep
alone - not quite alone. His Scarn had taken up station a few metres distant. Steve wondered
if he ever slept, for on every occasion he had stirred, the shaggy head had raised in enquiry.
Even now, he was being watched. Steve didn't feel irritated by the attention, in a way, it was
comforting. There were times when he felt more empathy for the shaggy sub-species than
with the superior elegance of their cat overlords.
The thought of overlords reminded him that he was looking at the dawn of the day which
would bring them to the Thanehold of Rho Arpor. He looked at the escarpment, apparently,
they would not be crossing it. Their destination was located before it. He wondered
momentarily, what was beyond. Probably more of the same. Interminable fields of oil crop or
other anonymous produce and great stretches of savannah. Somewhere or the other, there
would have to be oceans, although he had never heard them mentioned. The Lynxe he had
met had been very insular in thought. Their interests seemed to rotate around the condition of
their crops and the High Thane in his distant seat of power was about the furthest their minds
stretched.
In the final analysis, Rho Arpor's seat of power was not all that distant. It was a peculiar
society. Despite their mind power, their horizons were limited. The dawn light started to flush
the highest parts of the escarpment and the camp began to stir. He got to his feet and almost at
the same instant, his Scarn scurried away in search of his master's breakfast. It wasn't a bad
arrangement. Steve walked resolutely into the centre of the camp, dodging fractious Vix who
were milling around in a mutual chorus of complaint. Grooms and riders struggled to put on
harnesses and avoid bared teeth. House servants were collecting together the bed rolls and
baggage.
Amidst all the turmoil, the senior members of the party stood like a royal family watching
the menials perform their tasks. The thought struck him that this was what they really were -
a royal family. Lyot was one of the ten rulers of the planet. Somehow, it wouldn't marry
together with his earlier thoughts. They were too insular, too much like petty princelings to
have the rule over an entire planet.
Someone had to take the initiative. Steve squared his shoulders and marched up to Lyot.
The Thane eyed him with cold speculation.
"Thane Lyot, I am sure you can read what is in my thoughts. I would like to ask a direct
question. Is it your wish that I should go further with you, or should I return to your
Thanehold - or some other destination, if you wish?"
The Thane continued to stare at him without emotion.
"Does Taxila need to ask permission concerning his movements?"
"Taxila has not been invited to the Formal Declaration, Steve Holt has."
"You are mistaken - Rho Arpor has invited Taxila! He has no interest in a blue-eyed
Scarn!"
"A blue-eyed Scarn who has mated with your daughter!"
For a moment, their minds locked. Steve felt the fury rising. Lyot subdued it.
"Maia is controller of her own destiny, Steve Holt. It is our way to be self accountable."
Steve glanced across to Maia. She was staring at them intently. He had no doubt that she
was tuned into the conversation. He turned back to Lyot.
"For what reason has Rho Arpor invited Taxila?"
"That will become evident - Rho Arpor keeps his thoughts to himself."
"So - I am to continue with you?"
"That would seem to be indicated - but you will not return with us!"
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