01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
CHAPTER 10
"Thank you - the condemned man ate a hearty meal."
"Condemned man?"
"I have no doubt you have plans for an racial aberration that causes you so much distaste."
Danyk eyed him quietly.
"Perhaps I should have allowed Jabez to finish the job. It wouldn't be the first time that I
arrived too late."
"Do your people make a practice of human sacrifice?"
"Only among the less barbaric and uncultured!"
Steve made no attempt to control his satisfaction. Those who peeped through keyholes had
to expect be insulted.
"So - What are your plans for me now?"
"At this hour my father will be busy with other matters. It would not be a good time to
interrupt him."
"Not even for the coming of a man from space with the status of a god?"
Danyk smiled slightly.
"Not even for a hybrid Scarn with delusions of grandeur!"
Steve was quiet for a moment, he moved restlessly to the window and stared out at the lush
fields.
"I see that you are still concerned for the woman, Hara."
"It isn't her fault that she's in trouble."
"In trouble?"
"Well isn't she, All-Seeing One?"
Danyk was silent for a while.
"I'll organise a party to visit Jabez later today."
"I'll have to come with you."
"Out of the question!"
Steve hesitated.
"I have other possessions I want to recover - a - box and an ornament."
"You travel lightly, O Great One!"
"The box has nasty habits with strangers."
It was Danyk's turn to hesitate.
"I get a picture of a belligerent cube - by the god's, the Adepts have used their
imagination!"
"Imagination or not - Now is your chance to see whether this thing exists other than in my
mind."
"Clever! You're trying to challenge me!"
Steve was getting tired of the conversation.
"I don't much care whether you believe me or not. I'll tell you this, you will have problems
to sort out if my imaginary box turns out to be something else. You and a whole army won't
be able to control it. If you don't wish to be seen in my company, I'm perfectly willing to sort
out Jabez by myself."
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