01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
himself to Steve Holt - the thought came from within - his Scarn! Taxila smiled slightly and
mentally agreed.
Almost on cue, the Bole announced the arrival of his visitors.
"Life-forms approach."
"Secure against retaliation."
The curtain was drawn aside and Danyk entered first - he was followed by Lyot.
"We felt you calling us, Steve. What's wrong?"
"There's going to be another sacrifice tonight."
"You can't know that!"
It was Lyot who responded abruptly.
"Taxila knows it! It will take place at Taxila's Leap! Tonight, you will be introduced to
Shaita!"
Lyot stared at him, Taxila felt the probing into his mind and allowed him to see what he
needed to see.
"I'll get my men together."
"It won't be necessary. We three will deal with them - together with the Bole."
Danyk raised the obvious objection.
"It isn't mobile enough to climb the escarpment."
"Then, I will carry it!"
"I still think it would be better if we take the men."
"Taxila doesn't need armed men to deal with Shaita! However, there will be many who will
see the outcome."
"You're very sure of yourself, Steve."
"No - I'm sure of Taxila! He has already called those who will be the witnesses of his
power."
Lyot snorted.
"Are you speaking for Taxila now?"
"No - Taxila speaks for himself!"
He sent the Bole out into the corridor to lead the way. The courtyard of the Thanehold was
filled with a crowd of guests. Amongst them were some of the Thanes and Zayez the All Wise
with his cohort of Adepts. To one side, Hepha stood with Maia and Krin. Lyot hurried to
them. There was no argument, no questions from those who had gathered. They moved aside
to allow the Bole, Steve and Danyk to lead the way. They took the path which led upward to
the Rim. In all, over three hundred people toiled up the slope in total silence.
Near the top, they could see the light of fires. Taxila/Steve didn't slacken his pace, fully
aware that there was nothing to be gained from stealth. The Psi channels engulfed them and
waves of mental energy impinged on their psyches. Many would have surrendered to the
compelling force of the bloodlust pounding into their minds, had it not been for the defences
Taxila raised. As yet, those who controlled the proceedings in the rock amphitheatre didn't
understand that they were dealing with the channelled power of the Abyss - with the
exception of the central figure, who paused in the moment of sacrifice and waited for their
coming.
Taxila's witnesses filed into a semicircle around the top rank of the amphitheatre. In the
places below, the onlookers who had gathered for the sacrifice were quite still. There was an
almost palpable shrinking of the frenzied energy which had been building to the climax of
blood letting. Faces were shrouded from their neighbours in the folds of their cloaks.
Steve and the Bole stood at the top of a long flight of stone stairs which led down to the
lower floor. In the centre, a stone altar had been constructed from the boulders fringing the
Rim. On the altar, the victim had been spread-eagled. His arms and legs drawn down to be
out of the way of the sacrificial knife. Nine garishly masked and cloaked figures stood around
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