01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
The conversation was ended. Lyot turned away and marched towards his Vix. Steve's Scarn
thrust a dish of gruel into his hand and shambled away. Steve eyed his breakfast critically.
"It will fill your stomach."
The observation was cool and came from Maia. He turned to her.
"What did he mean? I won't be returning with you."
She shrugged.
"My father has in insight which is denied to the rest of us."
Steve toyed with the gruel.
"If I am not going to return, what happens to us?"
"Perhaps, the question should be - What has already happened to us?"
"My answer is, a small misunderstanding."
"You may be right, but doesn't it show something basic, Steve? There is a gulf between us.
Whether you are called a blue-eyed Scarn, or some other name, you and I don't share the
same heritage. You are an alien to us - and we are aliens to you. We were wrong to see it
differently."
Steve put down his bowl and then gripped her arms.
"What about the positive things we've shared? We've shared our bodies, our passion. I've
put my alien seed into you and you've conceived a child. I thought we loved each other. I
thought those emotions could transcend the differences. Now, you are telling me something
else. I can't believe this change has come about simply because of an argument over who
would carry the Bole!"
She broke his grip and stepped back. Her expression was without emotion.
"I shared my body with a poor traveller who had a sweet nature, who was clumsy but well
meaning. Someone I could believe when he said he loved me. Someone I could give myself
to, a lover who was vigorous and passionate. I loved you so very much, Steve!"
She held herself rigid, controlling the emotion.
"You aren't that sweet boy anymore. I don't know what you are. I don't like what you are!
Something hard and cynical lives in you. Something all knowing, which - evaluates - our love
making, comparing it to other experiences. When that man appears, I am afraid. He is
becoming stronger. I am frightened that if we stay together, one day, he would take command
and he will use me to satisfy his lust. If that was to happen, I would die inside!"
She walked away and he didn't try to stop her. He looked after her and knew it was
finished. A greedy Vix nudged him aside and finished his breakfast. He was alone in his
mind. The inner man was watching but was quiescent. Steve Holt was allowed to feel his
desolation undisturbed.
The remainder of the journey to the Thanehold of Rho Arpor took another three hours. It
was mid morning when finally, they breasted a low range of hills which were an extension to
the flanks of the escarpment. Rho Arpor's domain had the dimensions of a miniature city. In
reality, it was one huge complex, but its many wings and abutments of buildings, gave it a
sprawling look. Behind it, was a solid wall of rock stretching up to the ridge. It made the
place impregnable on one side.
A great cascade dropped from the escarpment with a thunderous roar into a great pool to
one side of the structure, this in turn, emptied into a swift flowing river which curved around
one side and the front of the Thanehold. Once again, Steve thought in turns of impregnability.
The place could easily be defended. The fourth side was the one they approached. It was
surely no coincidence that this was where the walls of the Thanehold were at their most
impressive. Turreted and high, with one solitary gate giving access to the inner areas. Rho
Arpor could rest contented at night, knowing that his seat of power was virtually unassailable.
The arrival of the father of the bride, together with his household, triggered an avalanche of
house servants, who scurried to secure the nervous Vix and assist their riders to dismount.
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