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TAXILA'S CHILDREN<br />
They walked in silence for two more hours along the arrow straight channel that had no<br />
cross streets to right or left. He was reminded of a story in one of the ancient books of Old<br />
Earth, where a man had walked a full day into a city before he came to its centre. He could<br />
relate to that man. From his sketchy memory, he recalled that the man hadn't been too keen<br />
on his errand - whatever it might have been - Steve wasn't all that particular either, if they<br />
continued this insane march into nowhere in the full heat of their star. He reasoned that they<br />
would have to walk the same distance out of the city again and that wasn't a prospect about<br />
which he was particularly enthusiastic.<br />
The interminable arrow straight road approached a wall that seemed to block the way.<br />
Steve's heart sank, this might prove to be the longest cul-de-sac known to man - or any other<br />
alien species for that matter. Zayez moved slowly up to the bland surface with his<br />
companions. Danyk clutched Steve's arm to prevent him from following. The trio stood in<br />
silence, contemplating the barrier and then, something happened. It was indefinable, almost a<br />
trick of the light or of the eye. A part of the barrier shimmered in a kind of heat haze and then<br />
there was an opening. It was a cleft that ran the full height of the wall, as if it had been sliced<br />
down by some invisible knife.<br />
The hair on the nape of his neck was working overtime, as they walked through into a great<br />
courtyard flanked by smooth walled buildings. When he looked back, the cleft had closed<br />
behind them. He had a momentary feeling of being trapped and looked quickly around for<br />
another exit. There were plenty of openings in the buildings and he felt reassured.<br />
Zayez looked to be on the point of exhaustion, his two companions were extra solicitous,<br />
escorting and half carrying him in the direction he indicated. They entered one of the<br />
openings and the intense heat fell away. Steve wiped the sweat from his forehead and found<br />
that he was shaking with exertion. The chamber they had entered was small and was not to be<br />
the final destination, they navigated a flurry of rooms and corridors and ended up in a large<br />
chamber that was flooded with light from large windows that opened on to a raised terrace.<br />
The view promised to be interesting but Steve wasn't given time to inspect it. Zayez gestured<br />
them to be seated on a stone bench facing him. They sat down obediently.<br />
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