[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
enemies. In addition to the slender trunks of the pink and maroon carnivorous
seralune that dipped thousands of barbed fronds into the slow-moving water,
the islands and the opposite shores were thick with tall, mauve-colored
spreading teraldd, their feeding branches turned into the wind from upstream,
and muddy green thickets of puourlakk trees. It was a lush, productive
environment, one much envied by the citizens of sere Jebilisk and windswept
Wullsakaa. In their turn, the Kewwyd lusted after
Wullsakaa s access to the sea, and Jebilisk s desert mines.
Noble Kechralnan twisted her body to the right, her attire ballooning
stylishly around her as she gazed moodily down at the turgid green water. It
all sounded like so much talk. Bereft of ideas and philosophy, not to mention
intelligence, the Highborn Pyrrpallinda resorts to unimaginative innuendo in a
transparent attempt to frighten us into making concessions at the next round
of trade and territory talks. She wheezed contemptuously. How typical.
Page 77
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Across from the youngest member of the Kewwyd, Noble Essmyn Hurrahyrad rested
his narrow backbone against the railing that fronted the prow of the
shuddering boat. Yes, he murmured, except we now know from the latest
reports supplied by our agents in that benighted and misruled land that it is
not innuendo. The rumors are true. Incredible as it seems, an alien from the
sky, from another world, has made its home in Wullsakaa.
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruis...0Flinx%2011%20-%20Runnin
g%20from%20the%20Deity.html (97 of 175)19-2-2006 3:44:42
Running
We do not know that is true. Though she often disagreed with them, like each
of her colleagues Noble
Peryoladam had been equally unsettled to learn that the ridiculous rumors that
had ridden rampant throughout the territory for some time now were in fact
grounded in reality. We know only that the alien has set down among the
Wullsakaa and is living among them. The skin flaps on her exposed face and
arms flexed meaningfully. That is very different from making its home there.
We positively must determine the truth or falsity of that. Even more than the
reality of its existence, the degree and depth of its involvement with the
Highborn and his ilk must be ascertained with accuracy.
Hurrahyrad was deeply troubled. Where this astounding creature is concerned
we must also try to separate fact from lie. He eyed his colleagues. For
example, it is said that it can leap all but the tallest fences and outrun
even a mounted soldier.
Peryoladam was not too deep in thought to respond. It seems incredible. If
this being s existence had not been confirmed by multiple, trusted sources, I
would dismiss it as an invention of the Highborn conceived solely to worry us.
Yet the same reports that speak of this creature s physical abilities also say
that it is no taller than the average Dwarra.
No taller, but much broader. As she addressed the urgent matter under
discussion, Kechralnan made time to drink in the beauty of the river. I
confess I am curious to see it for myself.
Hurrahyrad wheezed dissent. If the Wullsakaans have managed to bind the
visitor to them as tightly as some would like us to believe, you might not
find such a meeting felicitous.
Phuzad,
Hurrahyrad was displeased by his colleague s cavalier attitude. You are not
pondering deeply enough, Noble Kechralnan. Think: if this being possesses
devices that can heal the sick more rapidly than can our best physicians, and
a vehicle capable of carrying it between the worlds around stars, might it
follow that it also has at its disposal the means of protecting itself? Even
from sharpshooting barbolters?
She refused to concede. The reports say that despite wild stories propagated
by the Wullsakaan government, the alien s sole claim to defense has thus far
taken only the form of cautionary words and a small flying thing that never
strays far from its side. If the creature has other means of protecting
itself, it has not chosen to demonstrate them.
Though apparently engrossed in watching syl-lynn spin their multiple legs
across the surface of the river, relying on surface tension to keep them from
sinking, Peryoladam had missed nothing of the conversation between her two
colleagues.
Maybe it doesn t need to, she suggested softly. Such continued reticence
implies appalling stupidity
or supreme confidence. She turned away from the semi-transparent ballet
playing out atop the water.
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruis...0Flinx%2011%20-%20Runnin
g%20from%20the%20Deity.html (98 of 175)19-2-2006 3:44:42
Page 78
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Running
I leave it to each of you to decide which is the more likely.
The elder s analysis did not sit well with her companions. It raised all
manner of unpleasant possibilities.
Still, unpleasant or not, the escalating crisis had to be dealt with.
We know nothing of the alien s craft, a grim Hurrahyrad pointed out. Rumor
says that it is bigger than the fortress at Metrel. That is hard to
believe especially since no one except some rustic provincial has claimed to
have actually set eyes upon it. If it mounts weapons something like an
oversized barbolt, for example their number and nature remain unknown. He
eyed each of his colleagues in turn. I think that to be safe we should
proceed on the understanding that the creature can possibly call on something
for defense that is more effective than an equally alien flying pet. That does
not mean it is all-powerful. Invincible beings, gods from the sky, do not
carry with them elaborate devices for repairing injuries. Therefore I think it
is reasonable to assume that it can be killed.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]