01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
CHAPTER 13
There was absolute silence when he finished. Steve waited for the reaction. Their feline
ancestry was emphasised by an unblinking, expressionless stare. Zayez spoke in his mind but
all could hear.
"We read in your mind your racial concern to care for the remnants of your people. There
are many other things which we do not comprehend. We cannot grasp the concept of a world
in a void, which circles a star. It is beyond our understanding. You have told us of your
society and we read much more of their nature than you have expressed. We see you as a
warlike, greedy race. You know nothing of our society, our thoughts or our philosophy - I
question if your nature and ours could combine in harmony. From your own narrative, we can
see that you are a very troubled people.
Our lands support our population comfortably and we find it hard to comprehend how you
could become in such a discord with the life force of your original home that it has become
lifeless. We have learned to live in harmony with the seasons and with nature. Danyk has
told me of the way in which you dealt with Jabez and his people. You acted abruptly and did
not give Danyk the opportunity to deal with the matter in our way."
It was said very precisely almost like a judge pronouncing sentence. There was no rancour,
just a statement of fact. Steve wanted to protest, he hadn't intended to give them the wrong
impression of the human race. Every mental argument he tried to bring, was countered by a
thought. Zayez was busy in his mind.
"There is one more thing you must know. It is not a matter we discuss readily but you
should be told. We are becoming an endangered race. Our numbers are slowly decreasing
because of our infertility. There will come a time when the men of Lynxe will no longer exist.
Perhaps this will explain the experience through which you lived with Jabez and his
community. Desperation drives many of our people to excesses."
The gathering broke up soon afterwards. There was a general air of depression. Steve felt
his frustration rising and when that happened, he tended to throw caution to the winds. He
broke whatever went for protocol and confronted the Lady Hepha as she rose to leave. She
listened in expressionless silence.
"My Lady, I must insist on having a private conversation with Hara and I would like you to
arrange for this tomorrow morning."
He had the impression that she wasn't very used to having demands made upon her. She
continued to stare, as if she was trying to melt his resolution and then she inclined her head in
acceptance.
"It will be arranged."
Steve inclined his head and she swept away to her quarters. He turned and bade them all a
stiff, formal good night. He went back to his room with no offers of company. It wasn't
surprising, they had plenty to talk about. His feeling of loneliness and despondency deepened.
The frank admission about their fertility was also on his mind.
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