Quest Page 16

  equipment which contained the stasis cube for Temple Tenebrak and some other bits and pieces he thought might be useful, then she followed him down the rope. Her movements were slow and tired, but it was hard to believe that she was over two hundred years old: she still moved lightly and with perfect balance.

  Davred's eyes watered at the brightness outside, so different from artificial light. At first he sensed, rather than saw the beautiful morning as he lifted his face to enjoy the warmth of natural sunlight on his skin for the first time in years.

  In fact, it had been a rare treat in his life to be out of doors like this. He took a deep breath, and then another, blinking away the tears. He couldn’t believe he was really here at last, on the planet he’d wanted to visit for so long. Yet even as he wondered at the strangeness of the scene, beneath everything he felt a sense of homecoming.

  He smiled at Herra, standing beside him patiently, as if she knew instinctively that he needed a few moments to accustom himself to his new surroundings. The scents of the morning were wonderful, in spite of an occasional whiff of burnt foliage. The breeze was gentle on his skin, the colours subtle. Yes, he was home at last. He knew that in every cell of his body.

  He had realised ever since he finished his studies and left the university planet that something was lacking in what the Confederation had to offer him. He had found himself work as a researcher, and had tried, very briefly, the drugs, exotic foods, sexual fantasies, and parties to which his colleagues had invited him. Group indulgence in such pleasures had been a shock to him. It had offended some sense of fastidiousness that most of the others didn’t seem to possess.

  When he stopped taking part in the normal recreational activities, he had been left with his work - and a sense of loneliness, a loneliness nothing seemed to assuage.

  His research had led him to join Confex. A random choice, he’d thought at the time, but he’d come to realise that someone, perhaps the authorities, had been guiding him, because of his potential as a Cathartic Agent.

  In Confex, his early postings had been to a series of testing but minor projects. After a few years, he’d volunteered for this assignment on a newly-discovered planet. His senior advisers hadn’t wanted him to come, but he’d pressed so strongly that in the end they’d permitted the assignment.

  Well, he’d broken his contract with Confex by disobeying Robler, and who knew what lay before him now? He didn’t intend to waste time worrying about Robler and Confex, not now that he was actually here on Sunrise.

  Turning his back on the ugly swathe of burnt vegetation near the lifeship, Davred stared at the wildwoods, which resembled those that long-dead artists used to paint on Old Earth. He’d had several high-quality reproductions of his favourite paintings, as wel as other more modern multi-dimensional artworks, programmed into the ship's computer, and had screened them on one wall of his quarters, changing them every few days. But the reality here was far more beautiful than the images he had lived with and enjoyed.

  How lush the foliage was! He touched some leaves gently, afraid of damaging them. He wasn’t used to such a riot of unprogrammed plant life. When Lenlin had enthused over the beauty of Sunrise's flora, he’d paid little attention to what she said. Little attention to her, either, he suddenly realised. Poor Lenlin! She’d been as unsatisfying as everything else he had tried. He wondered if she was carrying his child yet, and hoped that would console her.

  Perhaps one day he’d meet that child. He hoped so.

  'Are you ready to leave, Lord Davred?'

  'What? Oh, yes! I'm sorry, Herra. I was just thinking how beautiful all this is.' Over to the right was a bush cut in two by the landing blast of the damaged lifeship. One half was covered by brown shreds of leaf and seared bal s of shrivelled blossom; the other half was a riot of foliage, dark green leaves crowding round fluffy balls of flowers in the most subtle shadings of pink he’d ever seen. Next to them, his blue shipsuit looked garish. In fact, it looked most dreadfully out of place here in the wildwoods. He looked down at it with distaste. 'Come, Lord Davred,' that quiet voice urged. 'Benner's men will be here soon.'

  He turned and limped after Herra. When they’d gone a hundred yards into the woods, he stopped.

  'Is your leg hurting too much to walk on, Lord?'

  'No. But I need to switch on the stasis gear in the lifeship, so that no one can tamper with it.' He pul ed a com-unit from his pack, and spoke into it. 'There. It's tuned to my voice. Nothing else wil remove the stasis.' As if to QUEST Shannah Jay 75

  demonstrate that the stasis was working, a brightly-coloured bird flew into the invisible wall around the lifeship, screeched in shock as it started falling, and veered away.

  They walked on for a little way, then Herra stopped. 'Let's sit down on this log, Lord Davred. We can do nothing more until Katia returns.'

  He limped over to join her, sighing with relief as he took the weight off his leg.

  'Lean back against me and close your eyes. The more you rest your body, the better it will respond to your needs.'

  Katia rejoined them five minutes later, breathless from running.

  'Benner's men are getting near! Hurry! They'll be here soon.' She pulled Davred to his feet, forgetting protocol, grabbed one of his packs and led them at a half-run through the undergrowth. After a few minutes they had to stop again to let Davred rest. When he tried to speak, Katia and Herra both shushed him.

  'There's someone coming!' whispered Katia. She looked around, then gestured to an outcrop of rocks. 'We could try hiding behind those.' She looked disapprovingly at the bright blue shipsuit.

  Davred collapsed on the ground in the shade of the rocks, his face pale, his breathing ragged and sweat standing in beads on his forehead. He had never before had to endure pain of this magnitude. Herra laid a hand gently on his leg and Katia could see him sag against her with relief as the pain eased. But she could tell that Herra was nearly as exhausted as he was. Footsteps crunched across the woodland floor towards them.

  'Could have sworn I heard something.'

  Herra made a swift gesture. One of the men turned and sniffed loudly. 'Something's burning over that way.'

  'At this time of the year? It's not high summer, you know. Things are too damp to burn.'

  'I can smell burning, I tell you!'

  Arguing loudly, the two of them headed off through the woods.

  'It's another klom,' said Katia anxiously. 'And it's rough terrain towards the end. But there's a lovely cave, big and dry, with a spring at the back.'

  'I'll be all right,' said Davred.

  'And you, Elder Sister?'

  'I, too, child. Lead us there as quickly as you can.' But the strain on Herra's face belied her cheerful tone.

  They had to stop another three times to conceal themselves while Benner's men blundered past. Once a man came upon them unexpectedly as they were crossing the open space in a grove of ceradon trees, and Herra had to still him and block his memory of the encounter.

  After that, the Elder Sister's face lost every vestige of colour and she made no more attempts to ease Davred's pain.

  The climb up the exposed rocky surface that led to the cave was an ordeal for both her and Davred. Katia's back crawled with apprehension the whole time in case they were seen.

  Once inside the cave, Davred dropped to the ground and just sat with his face hunched over his outstretched legs, rocking slightly as the waves of pain began to subside. Herra leaned against the rough wal at one side of the cave, panting a little as she studied their surroundings.

  With a nod of approval, she sank to her knees. 'It’ll do very well, Katia, all except the entrance, which is too large. I shall need to set watch and ward over it. But after that, I'm afraid I shall be able to do no more. I shall have to go instantly into the Discipline of Renewal. And I think that it will take several days this time. Child, it's a heavy burden to put on you. Do you think you can manage? Can you look after Lord Davred until I recover?' She was swaying with dizziness as
she spoke.

  'Of course. But Herra, won't it be dangerous for you? A Renewal is difficult at any time. You'll have no one to help you, no Healer. You shouldn't . . . '

  QUEST Shannah Jay 76

  'I must. I shall manage, child. My body knows the way by now. Just leave me to awaken in my own time. On no account try to rouse me.'

  'No, Herra.' Katia was thinking rapidly. 'I must be able to leave the cave, though.'

  'Yes.' Herra studied the entrance thoughtfully. 'I can leave you a small exit over there. Will that do? You'll have to crawl in and out, but you must be able to go out to look for food. You will be careful, won't you? You mustn't be seen and - Katia, listen, you must kil , if necessary, to protect Lord Davred.'

  Davred looked up. 'I won't have that! I know how you feel about killing. I'm not worth it.'

  'Knowing how we feel, you may therefore judge your worth to us, Lord, if we're prepared to face the thought of killing for your sake. We've worked for twenty thousand years on our Quest. Now that you're here, one of our Key Lives, this time must not pass unfruitfully. In your children's children lie the hopes of our world.'

  'Do you regard me as an animal to breed from?'

  She managed a tired rasp of a chuckle. 'Oh no, Lord Davred. That wil be only one of your duties. We shall work you hard, I'm afraid. Now, I must rest . . . ' With slow, painful gestures, she laid wards across the cave mouth till nearly all of it was covered by the slightly-flickering screen. Then she embraced both Katia and Davred before lying down.

  Within minutes, her breathing had slowed to almost nothing, and her face had become a tranquil mask.

  'Shouldn't we . . . cover her with something?'

  'No, Lord. She won't feel the cold. She must renew her powers. We've had to call on them too many times in the past few days.'

  'What exactly did she do to the entrance, Katia?'

  'She laid wards across it. Look, you can see the barrier flickering from time to time. From outside, the cave will appear empty, and those approaching it will have a compulsion to turn away.'

  'I can't believe that's possible with only the powers of the mind.'

  'Much is possible, but the cost is heavy. She couldn't have gone much further today without killing herself.'

  'May I tell my people of your skills? It will make a difference to what they feel about this planet.'

  'Surely, Lord, that is for you to decide. Will . . . ' she fumbled for words, 'the . . . the other Gods not know these things already?'

  'There are no Gods up there, Katia, just people like me. We - they live in a - a sort of lifeship, one as big as a whole village.'

  'Why?'

  'To study other worlds, to see how other people live. This world of yours is round, like a ball . . . '

  'I know. Herra told me.'

  'How in the name of infinity could she have known that?'

  'It's in the Archives, Lord. We can't hope to remember everything, so we record such things carefully. Please continue.'

  'Wel , this world is a bal , which is - floating in a vast space, and there's no air in the space, so we - my people must live inside something and provide their own air and food.'

  'Would it not be easier for them to go down to the worlds they wish to study and live among the people there? Then they would have as much air and food as they needed. And surely they would learn more that way?'

  'Their presence would change the way the people lived - and not always for the better. It's been found best to let people live in their own way until they've learnt to make - er - flying ships of their own. Then they can fly up from their world to meet us on more equal terms.'

  QUEST Shannah Jay 77

  Her head on one side, Katia considered this. 'Hmm. So, your people aren't Gods, just scholars?'

  'No! We're definitely not Gods.' An image of Robler in a rage prompted him to say, 'Don't ever believe them if they tell you they're Gods. They are not.'

  'No, but Herra says you are our Brother's Manifestation come down among us.'

  He shook his head. 'I let you believe that so that I could study your ways without upsetting you.' He saw the shock on her face and added quickly, 'I'm sorry. I meant you no harm. But my people don't believe in the existence of Gods.'

  She sat thinking for a moment, then shook her head decidedly. 'Then they're wrong. Manifestations of our God have visited our world several times. That too is described in detail in our Archives. Herra showed me.'

  'Perhaps they were just space travellers like me?'

  ‘No. Some weren't formed as we are. One was - the Archives say that the Lord Terraccalliss was covered in golden fur - and that he had wings. And that's how he's shown on the statue of the God.'

  Davred looked at her in breathless excitement. 'It - he sounds like one of the Precursors. My people have seen traces of them on other planets. But they aren't Gods, either, Katia, just another sort of creature - a very advanced sort, we think. Some of them were definitely winged.'

  'The Manifestations of our God have borne several different forms, Lord. Not just like the Lord Terraccalliss, who was the winged one. You'll see their images in our temple. The statue shows them clearly. And there's still darkness behind the statue, where other Manifestations lie hidden, waiting for their time. One has formed recently in your likeness.'

  'It can't have!'

  'It is. I've seen it. It's very like you.'

  'Someone must be doing it.'

  She was shocked and it showed in her face. 'No one would touch the statue of the God. And even if they wanted to, no one could touch it. Lord Davred, I think the images must have been true Manifestations of the God, for it was they who set our feet on the Path of Wisdom long ago, when the world was young. No one but a God could do that. When Herra recovers, ask her to tell you about it. I don't know enough to explain it to you properly. I'm still learning myself.'

  She nodded her head, the argument settled to her satisfaction, then smiled at him. 'If Herra has said that are a Manifestation of the God, then that's what you are, believe me. You're our Lord Davred, whether you chose it or not. I didn’t choose to become a Sister. It just – happens.'

  'I'm not worthy. I haven't half your skills, let alone your Gifts.'

  She stiffened. Was it possible that she would be the only witness to his Triple Denial? She spoke careful y. 'I said that, Lord, when I was chosen to be a Sister.'

  'Well, you couldn't have meant it more than I do! What if I let you down? You Sisters have worked so patiently for so long. All my skills depend upon machines. You couldn't choose anyone less suitable.'

  ' Choose,' she said, gently correcting the way he pronounced the word. The look she gave him was filled with understanding. 'I think one can only follow the path of life to the best of one's ability, Lord. No one is, or can be, perfect.'

  'But you've been training for the Quest since childhood! I don't even know your language properly. I'll just be a liability to you. I can't bear the thought of letting you down. I'm so inadequate.'

  Three times. Her face was radiant. 'No. You are the one, Lord. You've just given the Proof of Worthiness. Our leaders never choose to lead. Anyone who seeks power is a danger to the community. Three times now you've denied your worthiness, as I shall bear witness in the Circle. We cal it the Triple Denial. Lord, you are indeed chosen by the God to dwell among us in his name.'

  He shook his head wearily, as if he didn’t have the strength to argue. She saw how tired he was and let the matter QUEST Shannah Jay 78

  drop. 'Shall I get you a drink now, Lord? There's a spring of sweet water at the back of the cave. In fact, why not soak your leg in it for a while? That would further ease the pain. I'm afraid I don't possess Herra's skil as a Healer, but I think I can ease the pain a little.' She laid a hand upon his leg and concentrated. Very gently she drew her hand along it and could feel him relaxing beneath her touch.

  'There. That's all I can do. Was it any help?'

  'Indeed it was. Katia, how did you do that? Our
healers work with machinery. And they don't succeed as well as you do.'

  'It's a Gift - but one which must be developed and honed over many years.' Shyly she added, 'That's the first time I've ever tried it. The Gift isn't strong within me yet, but it's there, ripening. Oh, those Gifts are such a joy to us!'

  She looked so beautiful and radiant that his heart lurched. He had never seen a woman like her, with the direct sunny innocence of a child, yet behind it the wisdom of an adult.

  'Come, Lord Davred.' She helped him to the rear of the cave and produced a soft cuplike object, made of woven material, but waterproof. When he’d drunk, she helped him to suspend his leg for a while in the pool that had formed below the spring, laughing as he tried to get comfortable.

  'Lean against me, Lord.'

  'The water’s so cold!'

  'Just a little longer, then you shall rest.'

  When he was lying down again on a special airmat from his pack, he gestured to the space beside him. 'Come and share my comforts, Katia.'

  'No, Lord. It wouldn’t be seemly.'

  'I wasn't intending to touch you!'

  She smiled to take the sting from her words. 'It really wouldn't be right, Lord. Besides, we're trained to adjust our bodies to heat and cold - within certain limits, of course. I shall be comfortable enough here on my own blanket.' She found a level place between him and Herra, and sank down, cross-legged. 'We should try to sleep, I think. We're both tired. I don't dare go out to hunt for food today, because they'll be combing the woods for us. Shall I teach you one of our minor Disciplines, that of Sleep, Lord?'

  He was diverted, as she had hoped he would be. 'Do you have a Discipline for everything?'

  'Not for everything, but one should have control over one's own body, should one not? Else how is one better than an animal? See, this is the way to breathe . . . '

  He fel asleep in the middle of her instruction and she smiled. Most novices did that at first. It made the lessons occasions of great hilarity. Still, he was very apt at learning. She stared at him thoughtfully, her expression unguarded and tender. She was attracted to him, and he to her. Why try to deny that? But it would have been dangerous to share his mat. Who knew where that might have led? She was not ready yet for intimacy with a man. She hadn’t even begun to come to terms with her own Gifts. She wished Herra were awake, to take charge of things.