01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
The cat man's head was thrown back in mockery and he half sat on the edge of an elegantly
carved table. Steve glanced quickly around the room, the same elegance and gracefulness was
visible in the other furnishings.
"It would hardly do for you to run away so soon. My sister is most anxious to return the
hospitality you extended to her. I understand that you met?"
He was a mocking bastard, full of arrogance and superiority.
"I couldn't let them take off your private parts. It might be something she would like to do
herself. Mind you, I was very tempted to let them!"
Steve felt his temper rising. Who did this young bastard think he was?
"How remiss of me. You're quite right, I haven't introduced myself. I am Danyk, my father
is the Thane of this area. He has absolute control over life and death."
A warning perhaps? Steve wasn't sure, he chose to ignore it.
"You have the ability to look into my mind but I will introduce myself. I am Steve Holt -
that is two words. I am Steve and my family name is Holt. That idiot Jabez couldn't get it
right."
"I am not surprised, we have no concept of the family name. I am styled, Danyk son of
Lyot. Well, Steve of the family Holt, I read more than your name in your mind. I see a great
deal I cannot understand. We must talk before I take you to my father but first we have to do
something about you. Running around naked in the Thanehold is not advisable and might
attract attention. Even if it doesn't, the smell will!"
Steve trailed after his host, as he led the way into another room. It proved to be a bedroom,
beyond it was the small privy that seemed to be a consistent part of the local architecture.
Danyk gestured to the bath, it was a good deal larger than the one at the house of Jabez and a
good deal more luxurious.
"Give yourself a good scrubbing and most of the stink will hopefully go."
Steve clenched his teeth, the contemptuous attitude was bringing him to boiling point. He
was left alone to perform his ablutions. He fiddled with the spigot, anticipating an icy deluge.
It was a pleasant surprise to find the water heated to the right temperature. His estimation of
the household rose a little. These people were civilised. He hadn't been given a time limit and
so he took his time. It was the first hot bath he had enjoyed in a long time. A needle shower
with a ration of a half pint of water, was the usual extent of his luxury.
He dried off on a rough cloth - it being the only thing available - and wandered back into
the bedroom. His kidnapper, host or whatever he was, had vanished. A very presentable
looking garment was draped over the couch. It was just a tunic and looked to be the right fit.
It came to his knees and wasn't tight in awkward places.
"That looks more civilised."
Danyk had come back into the room very quietly. Steve turned quickly to face him.
"Just like a cat - "
His host finished the thought.
"I see that you are disturbed that I can read your thoughts."
Steve nodded.
"Where I come from, thoughts are private."
"Where you come from - that is a fascinating muddle and will take some careful sifting, I
think."
"Just how much of my mind can you read?"
"Probably a little too much for your comfort, I would say. You are incredibly open - I
suppose that is part of the plan. They want us to be intrigued by you and to be swallowed by
this great wealth of information they have planted in your subconscious."
"They?"
"They - your clever masters, the Adepts."
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