01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
He remembered the first woman he had laid, the torture of timidity and indecision which
had led up to it. It had been an brief interlude, perhaps a few weeks. Then the need to watch
his back against the fierce competition of his contemporaries had returned. It had been one of
his classmates who had stolen the woman from him.
The presentation of his degrees gave way to his conduct of a series of geological surveys.
He had done well, his qualifications had given him a certain amount of early pride. He had
thought himself lucky to have secured such an important position. It was one that had been
jealously sought after. Then had come the reckless years - shallow years of living for the
moment, with many women that meant little to him and a contemptuous disregard for his
employers. It was inevitable that his thoughts arrived at the sequence of events that had led to
his bizarre arrival on their planet - and the blackness which had followed.
Zayez stirred and the peaceful torpor was broken.
"Have you further questions, my Lords Lyot and Danyk?"
Steve looked from one to the other, something had happened and he didn't know what.
Zayez smiled at him.
"So my son, you have described yourself as an emissary from this land you call New Earth,
even though your journey and your coming to us, was not by design. My lords Lyot and
Danyk are still not convinced and will be slow to understand these things. I am sure you will
agree that their suspicions are understandable. If you are as you say, a man from the stars, we
have much to learn about each other. We cannot comprehend your thoughts of travel between
worlds - or how you have made your journey to us."
Steve was ready for a battle.
"They believe I am some sort of hybrid between the Lynxe and the Scarn!"
"They also say that this is a great and devious plot hatched by my Adepts - and myself. Is
that not so, Danyk? They will require much convincing but I read in your thoughts of an
event that will influence them!"
He didn't elaborate. Steve looked at Lyot and Danyk, they showed no discomfort that
Zayez had read their opinions so accurately. It was nearly time for the evening meal, Danyk
and Lyot escorted the old man to his chamber and Steve was left in a turbulent frame of mind.
The episode had confirmed again how limited his actions were to be. If the power Zayez
possessed was duplicated in others, or even if they had it to a lesser degree, it would be
impossible to make a plan. It would be like being in prison and trying to organise an escape,
except that the jailer would know of every move in advance. He doubted if he would be able
to learn enough of the art of blocking out the mind-peepers for it to be of much use to him.
When he judged the time to be right, he made his way to the communal room. The
household was beginning to wander in, the hum of conversation increased with each new
arrival. Krin made for Steve as soon as he saw him.
"It seems that Zayez is satisfied about you. I could have told them that you were all right,
without dragging him here."
Steve grinned into the eager face, what he wouldn't have given to have a the surety of a
fifteen year old again.
"Don't you like Zayez?"
The boy looked shocked and his smile wavered.
"We all love Zayez!"
Steve nodded, the smile returned and he followed the exuberant boy to his established
place in the pecking order. He was a little amused, he had been moved down the line one
place, no doubt to make room for the exalted guest. It didn't matter much, as long as he got
enough to eat. The ritual was repeated, with the more important members of the household
arriving last. Steve waited impatiently for the huge platters of food to be brought in, he was
ravenous. He had no idea of what he was eating, nor had it worried him while he had been on
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