01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
something disturbing associated with it, even the Bole could vouch that it had some latent
power. He turned his mind to something more pleasant - Hara!
One of the house Scarn brought him a tray, apparently it was too late for breakfast. He
demolished the food, the nightmare hadn't affected his appetite. He was just finished when
Hara moved the curtain aside and stood, hesitating in the doorway. He jumped to his feet, for
some reason thankful that he had pulled on yesterday's tunic. She was alone, it seemed that
the Lady Hepha respected a little firmness. He ran to Hara and took her in his arms. It was
like holding a wooden doll. He pushed her out to arms length and stared into her eyes.
"What's the matter, Hara? Are you in pain or something - this is Steve!"
She stared back at him and he knew instinctively, that he had lost her. Somewhere, under
some influence, she had withdrawn from him. He drew her to him gently and caressed her,
she was unresponsive, even when he ran a replay memory of their love making. He kissed
her, long and insistently, she still didn't respond. He let her go and looked into her eyes.
"What is it, Hara? Explain to me. I thought we had something going for us. I thought it was
very special. I love you and I want you. You can't tell me that you've stopped loving me. You
can't turn off what we had, as if it never happened! What has that bitch, Hepha, done to you!"
"You must not say anything about her. She has said and done nothing. We haven't spoken
about you, except when she urged me to see you every day - even when I told her that I had
no wish to do so. Lord Steve, I have come to say good-bye - No! Please don't argue, just
listen. - I gave you my body in love and you gave me love. I was glad to serve you as my
Lord and honoured that you gave me your seed.
It is possible that I bear your child within me - only time will tell. It is also possible that I
bear the child of some other man - one of those who used me in their lust and anger - again,
time will tell. Maybe, I bear no child - it isn't unknown among our women, no matter how
often they are impregnated.
My Lord Steve, I cannot bear it that any man can now touch me. I have been made dirty
and I am dirty. No man will ever enter my body again - not even you - whom I still love!"
Steve argued with her, softly at first, then he shouted. Afterwards, he was not proud of that.
He tried to break her determination but it couldn't be shaken. He asked her where she thought
she could go. Could she go back to the community of Jabez? Did she think that she could
stop men from using her body, if she went there? Wasn't she safe with him, in the house of
Lyot? He tried every persuasion and tactic. She listened impassively while he ranted. When
he ran out of breath, she kissed him. He tried to inflame her in that kiss. It was no use. He had
to admit defeat. He turned away.
"Where will you go?"
She smiled at him as if he was a child.
"I have a place. I will be safe. I will not tell you where."
Then, she was gone, the curtain swung down behind her and when he looked out into the
passage a moment later and tried to follow her, she had been swallowed up in the contortions
of corridors and rooms. He swore loud and long about their erratic architecture and returned
to his room in a savage mood. He had a visitor, Danyk. Steve glowered at him, he wasn't in
the mood for hospitality. Danyk returned his gaze calmly.
"Did I dream it, or did you visit me last night?"
Danyk looked around the room for the Pentacle, it was laying on a chest, as far away from
the Bole as possible.
"What is that thing and why do you wear it?"
"Because I choose too."
They could never answer a straight question without asking another.
"Yet, it troubles you."
"Sometimes."
76