01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
CHAPTER 12
Danyk watched the alien start his walk around the house. Lyot joined him at the open
aperture.
"Spying out the land?
"You would do the same, father"
"Perhaps - but for what - and why us? This has to be some elaborate plan of the Adepts -"
"If you think that, then why did you send for Zayez?"
"If the Adepts are involved, he will have the answer."
"I thought you considered him an ally."
"Your antagonism to Zayez and the Adepts is well known, you don't try to mind-block your
thoughts. I've warned you before that it will bring you trouble."
"And you think this elaborate plan is designed to bring me into line - They must be
paranoid about a little criticism if that's the case."
"Remember who you are and what you represent and remember you will be Thane one day.
The Adepts and in particular, Zayez, do not take chances."
"I say again, father. I thought Zayez was your friend."
"So did I."
They fell silent again, neither trying to read the other's thoughts. The alien had reached a
point where he could see two wings of the tumbled levels of the main structure. He had
stopped and was looking back. Danyk resisted the urge to step back into the shadows. If the
alien was of the Adepts, he would know that he was being observed.
"What do you make of this - box - of his? Where is it?"
"It's still in my room and I want it out of there. I spent most of the night watching the
device of Shaita and waiting for it to make a move. It doesn't make a comfortable roommate."
Lyot bared his yellow teeth in a rare grin.
"The fearless Danyk frightened by a child's toy? This thing I have to see - lead the way."
Danyk said nothing, instead he followed instructions. It was a good few years since Lyot
had visited his son's quarters. He swept it with a critical eye, taking in the replacement of the
childish things he remembered, with those of a young man. He found nothing unusual, just
the trivia he would have collected himself in earlier years. He was more interested in the box
that stood in the centre of the room. It looked innocent enough.
"What does it do?"
"It gives out some sort of heat which scorched Jabez and his people."
"How was this made to happen?"
"The alien spoke to it."
Lyot looked incredulous. His derision spilled over mentally, Danyk flushed.
"I tell you, it is so! He spoke to it and it responded."
"Then speak to it and let us see this wonder."
Danyk hesitated once again then.
"I command you to speak!"
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