AndSevenTimesNeverKillMan!

Yemaykillforyourselves,andyourmates,andyourcubsastheyneed,andyecan
Butkillnotforpleasureofkilling,andseventimesneverkillMan!
RudyardKipling

OutsidethewallstheJaenshichildrenhung,arowofsmallgrayfurredbodiesstilland
motionlessattheendsoflongropes.Theoldestamongthem,obviously,hadbeen
slaughteredbeforehanginghereaheadlessmaleswungupsidedown,thenoosearoundthe
feet,whiletheredangledtheblastburnedcarcassofafemale.Butmostofthem,thedark
hairyinfantswiththewidegoldeneyes,mostofthemhadsimplybeenhung.

Towarddusk,whenthewindcameswirlingdownoutoftheraggedhills,thebodiesofthe
lighterchildrenwouldtwistattheendsoftheirropesandbangagainstthecitywalls,asifthey
werealiveandpoundingforadmission.

Buttheguardsonthewallspaidthethumpingnomindastheywalkedtheirrelentlessrounds,
andtheruststreakedmetalgatesdidnotopen.

"Doyoubelieveinevil?"ArikneKrolaskedJannisRytherastheylookeddownontheCityof
theSteelAngelsfromthecrestofanearbyhill.Angerwaswrittenacrosseverylineofhisflat
yellowbrownface,ashesquattedamongthebrokenshardsofwhatoncehadbeenaJaenshi
worshippyramid.
"Evil?"Rythermurmuredinadistractedway.Hereyesneverlefttheredstonewallsbelow,
wherethedarkbodiesofthechildrenwereoutlinedstarkly.Thesunwasgoingdown,thefat
redglobethattheSteelAngelscalledtheHeartofBakkalon,andthevalleybeneaththem
seemedtoswiminbloodymists.

"Evil,"neKrolrepeated.Thetraderwasashort,pudgyman,hisfeaturesdecidedlymongoloid
exceptfortheflameredhairthatfellnearlytohiswaist."Itisareligiousconcept,andIamnot
areligiousman.Longago,whenIwasaverychildgrowinguponaiEmerel,Idecidedthat
therewasnogoodorevil,onlydifferentwaysofthinking."Hissmall,softhandsfeltaroundin
thedustuntilhehadalarge,jaggedshardthatfilledhisfist.HestoodandofferedittoRyther.
"TheSteelAngelshavemademebelieveinevilagain,"hesaid.

Shetookthefragmentfromhimwordlesslyandturneditoverinherhands.Rytherwasmuch
tallerthanneKrol.andmuchthinnerahardbonywomanwithalongface,shortblackhair,
andeyeswithoutexpression.Thesweatstainedcoverallssheworehunglooselyonherspare
frame.

"Interesting," she said finally, after studying the shard for several minutes. It was as
hard and smooth as glass, but stronger colored a translucent red, yet so very dark it
wasalmostblack."Aplastic?"sheasked,throwingitbacktotheground.

NeKrolshrugged."Thatwasmyveryguess,butofcourseitisimpossible.TheJaenshiwork
inboneandwoodandsometimesmetal,butplasticiscenturiesbeyondthem."

"Orbehindthem,"Rythersaid."Yousaytheseworshippyramidsarescatteredallthroughthe
forest?"

"Yes,asfarasIhaveranged.ButtheAngelshavesmashedallthoseclosetotheirvalley,to
drivetheJaenshiaway.Astheyexpand,andthey
will
expand,theywillsmashothers."

Rythernodded.Shelookeddownintothevalleyagain,andasshedidthelastsliverofthe
HeartofBakkalonslidbelowthewesternrhountainsandthecitylightsbegantocomeon.
TheJaenshichildrenswunginpoolsofsoftblueillumijnation,andjustabovethecitygates
twostickfigurescouldbeseenworking.Shortlytheyheavedsomethingoutward,arope
uncoiled,andthenanothersmalldarkshadowjerkedandtwitchedagainstthewall."Why?"
Rythersaid,inacoolvoice,watching.

NeKrolwasanythingbutcool."TheJaenshitriedtodefendoneoftheirpyramids.Spearsand
knivesandrocksagainsttheSteelAngelswithlasersandblastersandscreechguns.Butthey
caughtthemunaware,killedaman.TheProctorannounceditwouldnothappenagain."He
spat."Evil.Thechildrentrustthem,yousee."

"Interesting,"Rythersaid.
"Canyoudoanything?"neKrolasked,hisvoiceagitated."Youhaveyourship,yourcrew.The
Jaenshineedaprotector,Jannis.TheyarehelplessbeforetheAngels."

"Ihavefourmeninmycrew,"Rythersaidevenly."Perhapsfourhuntinglasersaswell."That
wasalltheanswershegave.
NeKrollookedatherhelplessly.
"Nothing?"
"Tomorrow,perhaps,theProctorwillcallonus.Hehassurelyseenthe
Lights
descend.
PerhapstheAngelswishtotrade."Sheglancedagainintothevalley."Come,Arik,wemustgo
backtoyourbase.Thetradegoodsmustbeloaded."

Wyatt,ProctoroftheChildrenofBakkalonontheWorldofCorlos,wastallandredand
skeletal,andthemusclesstoodoutclearlyonhisbarearms.Hisblueblackhairwascropped
veryshort,hiscarriagewasstiffanderect.LikealltheSteelAngels,heworeauniformof
chameleoncloth(apalebrownnow,ashestoodinthefulllightofdayontheedgeofthe
small,crudespacefield),ameshsteelbeltwithhandlaserandcommunicatorand
screechgun,andastiffredRomancollar.Thetinyfigurinethathungonachainabouthis

neckthepalechildBakkalon,nudeandinnocentandbrighteyed,butholdingagreatblack
swordinonesmallfistwastheonlysignofWyatt'srank.

FourotherAngelsstoodbehindhim:twomen,twowomen,alldressedidentically.Therewas
asamenessabouttheirfaces,toothehairalwayscroppedtightly,whetheritwasblondorred
orbrown,theeyesalertandcoldandalittlefanatic,theuprightposturethatseemedto
characterizemembersofthemilitaryreligioussect,thebodieshardandfit.NeKrol,whowas
softandslouchingandsloppy,dislikedeverythingabouttheAngels.

ProctorWyatthadarrivedshortlyafterdawn,sendingoneofhissquadtopoundonthedoorof
thesmallgrayprefabbubblethatwasneKrol'stradingbaseandhome.Sleepyandangry,but
withaguardedpoliteness,thetraderhadrisentogreettheAngels,andhadescortedthemout
tothecenterofthespacefield,wherethescarredmetalteardropofthe
Lights of Jolostar
squattedonthreeretractablelegs.

ThecargoportswereallsealednowRyther'screwhadspentmostoftheeveningunloading
neKrol'stradegoodsandreplacingthemintheship'sholdwithcratesofJaenshiartifactsthat
mightbringgoodpricesfromcollectorsofextraterrestrialart.Nowayofknowinguntiladealer
lookedoverthegoodsRytherhaddroppedneKrolonlyayearago,andthiswasthefirst
pickup.

"Iamanindependenttrader,andArikismyagentonthisworld,"RythertoldtheProctorwhen
shemethimontheedgeofthefield."Youmustdealthroughhim."
"Isee,"ProctorWyattsaid.HestillheldthelisthehadofferedRyther,ofgoodstheAngels
wantedfromtheindustrializedcoloniesonAvalonandJamison'sWorld."ButneKrolwillnot
dealwithus."

Rytherlookedathimblankly.
"Withgoodreason,"neKrolsaid."ItradewiththeJaenshi,youslaughterthem."

TheProctorhadspokentoneKrolofteninthemonthssincetheSteelAngelshadestablished
theircitycolony,andthetalkshadallendedinargumentsnowheignoredhim."Thesteps
wetookwereneeded,"WyattsaidtoRyther."Whenananimalkillsaman,theanimalmust
bepunished,andotheranimalsmustseeandlearn,sothatbeastsmayknowthatman,the
seedofEarthandchildofBakkalon,isthelordandmasterofthemall."

NeKrolsnorted."TheJaenshiarenotbeasts,Proctor,theyareanintelligentrace,withtheir
ownreligionandartandcustoms,andthey..."

Wyattlookedathim."Theyhavenosoul.OnlythechildrenofBakkalonhavesouls,onlythe
seedofEarth.Whatmindtheymayhaveisrelevantonlytoyou,andperhapsthem.Soulless,
theyarebeasts."

"Arikhasshownmetheworshippyramidstheybuild,"Rythersaid."Surelycreaturesthatbuild
suchshrinesmusthavesouls."

TheProctorshookhishead."Youareinerrorinyourbelief.ItiswrittenclearlyintheBook.
We,theseedofEarth,aretrulythechildrenofBakkalon,andnoothers.Therestareanimals,
andinBakkalon'snamewemustassertourdominionoverthem."

"Verywell,"Rythersaid."Butyouwillhavetoassertyourdominionwithoutaidfromthe
Lights of Jolostar,
I'mafraid.AndImustinformyou,Proctor,thatIfindyouractionsseriously
disturbing,andintendtoreportthemwhenIreturntoJamison'sWorld."

"Iexpectednoless,"Wyattsaid."PerhapsbynextyearyouwillburnwithloveofBakkalon,
andwemaytalkagain.Untilthen,theworldofCorloswillsurvive."Hesalutedher,and
walkedbrisklyfromthefield,followedbythefourSteelAngels.

"Whatgoodwillitdotoreportthem?"neKrolsaidbitterly,aftertheyhadgone.

"None,"Rythersaid,lookingofftowardtheforest.Thewindwaskickingupthedustaround
her,andhershouldersslumped,asifshewereverytired."TheJamieswon'tcare,andifthey
did,whatcouldtheydo?"

NeKrolrememberedtheheavyredboundbookthatWyatthadgivenhimmonthsago."And
Bakkalonthepalechildfashionedhischildrenoutofsteel,"hequoted,"forthestarswillbreak
thoseofsofterflesh.AndinthehandofeachnewmadeinfantHeplacedabeatensword,
tellingthem,'ThisistheTruthandtheWay.'"Hespatindisgust."Thatistheirverycreed.
Andwecandonothing?"

Her face was empty of expression now."Iwillleaveyoutwolasers.Inayear,makesurethe

Jaenshiknowhowtousethem.IbelieveIknowwhatsortoftradegoodsIshouldbring."

TheJaenshilivedinclans(asneKrolthoughtofthem)oftwentytothirty,eachclandivided
equallybetweenadultsandchildren,eachhavingitsownhomeforestandworshippyramid.
Theydidnotbuildtheysleptcurledupintreesaroundtheirpyramid.Forfood,theyforaged
juicyblueblackfruitsgreweverywhere,andtherewerethreevarietiesofedibleberries,a
hallucinogenicleaf,andasoapyyellowroottheJaenshidugfor.NeKrolhadfoundthemtobe
huntersaswell,thoughinfrequently.Aclanwouldgoformonthswithoutmeat,whilethe
snufflingbrownbushogsmultipliedallaroundthem,digginguprootsandplayingwiththe
children.

Thensuddenly,whenthebushogpopulationhadreachedsomecriticalpoint,theJaenshi
spearmenwouldwalkamongthemcalmly,killingtwooutofeverythree,andthatweekgreat
hogroastswouldbeheldeachnightaroundthepyramid.Similarpatternscouldbediscerned
withthewhitebodiedtreeslugsthatsometimescoveredthefruittreeslikeaplague,untilthe

Jaenshigatheredthemforastew,andwiththefruitstealingpseudomonksthathauntedthe
higherlimbs.

SofarasneKrolcouldtell,therewerenopredatorsintheforestsoftheJaenshi.Inhisearly
monthsontheirworld,hehadwornalongforceknifeandahandlaserashewalkedfrom
pyramidtopyramidonhistraderoute.Buthehadneverencounteredanythingevenremotely
hostile,andnowtheknifelaybrokeninhiskitchen,whilethelaserwaslonglost.
Thedayafterthe
LightsofJolostar
departed,neKrolwentarmedintotheforestagain,withoneof
Ryther'shuntinglasersslungoverhisshoulder.
Lessthantwokilometersfromhisbase,neKrolfoundthecampoftheJaenshihecalledthe
waterfallfolk.Theylivedupagainstthesideofaheavilywoodedhill,whereastreamof
tumblingbluewhitewatercameslidingandbouncingdown,dividingandrejoiningitselfover
andover,sothewholehillsidewasanintricateglitteringwebofwaterfallsandrapidsand
shallowpoolsandsprayingwetcurtains.Theclan'sworshippyramidsatinthebottommost
pool,onaflatgraystoneinthemiddleoftheeddiestallerthanmostJaenshi,comingupto
neKrol'schin,lookinginfinitelyheavyandsolidandimmovable,athreesidedblockofdark,
darkred.

NeKrolwasnotfooled:hehadseenotherpyramidsslicedtopiecesbythelasersoftheSteel
Angelsandshatteredbytheflamesoftheirblasterswhateverpowersthepyramidsmight
haveinJaenshimyth,whatevermysteriesmightliebehindtheirorigin,itwasnotenoughto
staytheswordsofBakkalon.

ThegladearoundthepyramidpoolwasalivewithsunlightwhenNeKrolentered,andthelong
grassesswayedinthelightbreeze,butmostofthewaterfallfolkwereelsewhere.Inthetrees
perhaps,climbingandcouplingandpullingdownfruits,orrangingthroughtheforestsontheir
hill.Thetraderfoundonlyafewsmallchildrenridingonabushogintheclearingwhenhe
arrived.Hesatdowntowait,warminthesunlight.

Soontheoldtalkerappeared.
HesatdownnexttoneKrol,atinyshriveledJaenshiwithonlyafewpatchesofdirtygraywhite
furlefttohidethewrinklesinhisskin.Hewastoothless,clawless,feeblebuthiseyes,wide
andgoldenandpupillessasthoseofanyJaenshi,werestillalert,alive.Hewasthetalkerof
thewaterfallfolk,theoneinclosestcommunionwiththeworshippyramid.
Everyclanhadatalker.
"Ihavesomethingnewtotrade,"neKrolsaid,inthesoftslurredspeechoftheJaenshi.Hehad
learnedthetonguebeforecominghere,backonAvalon.TomasChung,thelegendary
Avalonianlinguesp,hadbrokenitcenturiesbefore,whentheKleronomasSurveybrushedby
thisworld.NootherhumanhadvisitedtheJaenshisince,butthemapsofKleronomasand
Chung'slanguagepatternanalysisbothremainedaliveinthecomputersattheAvalonInstitute
fortheStudyofNonHumanIntelligence.

"Wehavemadeyoumorestatues,havefashionednewwoods,"theoldtalkersaid."What
haveyoubrought?Salt?"

NeKrolundidhisknapsack,laiditout,andopenedit.Hetookoutoneofthebricksofsalthe
carried,andlaiditbeforetheoldtalker."Salt,"hesaid."Andmore."Helaidthehuntingrifle
beforetheJaenshi.

"Whatisthis?"theoldtalkerasked.

"DoyouknowoftheSteelAngels?"neKrolasked.

Theothernodded,agestureneKrolhadtaughthim."Thegodlesswhorunfromthedead
valleyspeakofthem.Theyaretheoneswhomakethegodsgrowsilent,thepyramid
breakers."

"ThisisatoolliketheSteelAngelsusetobreakyourpyramids,"neKrolsaid."Iamofferingitto
youintrade."

Theoldtalkersatverystill."Butwedonotwishtobreakpyramids,"hesaid.

"Thistoolcanbeusedforotherthings,"neKrolsaid."Intime,theSteelAngelsmaycome
here,tobreakthepyramidofthewaterfallfolk.Ifbythenyouhavetoolslikethis,youcanstop
them.ThepeopleofthepyramidintheringofstonetriedtostoptheSteelAngelswithspears
andknives,andnowtheyarescatteredandwildandtheirchildrenhangdeadfromthewalls
oftheCityoftheSteelAngels.OtherclansoftheJaenshiwereunresisting,yetnowtheytoo
aregodlessandlandless.Thetimewillcomewhenthewaterfallfolkwillneedthistool,old
talker."

TheJaenshielderliftedthelaserandturneditcuriouslyinhissmallwitheredhands."Wemust
prayonthis,"hesaid."Stay,Arik.Tonightweshalltellyou,whenthegodlooksdownonus.
Untilthen,weshalltrade."Heroseabruptly,gaveaswiftglanceatthepyramidacrossthe
pool,andfadedintotheforest,stillholdingthelaser.

NeKrolsighed.Hehadalongwaitbeforehimtheprayerassembliesnevercameuntil
sundown.Hemovedtotheedgeofthepoolandunlacedhisheavybootstosoakhissweaty,
callousedfeetinthecrispcoldwaters.

Whenhelookedup,thefirstofthecarvershadarrivedalitheyoungJaenshifemalewitha
touchofauburninherbodyfur.Silent(theywereallsilentinneKrol'spresence,allsavethe
talker),sheofferedhimherwork.

Itwasastatuettenolargerthanhisfist,aheavybreastedfertilitygoddessfashionedoutof
thefragrant,thinveinedbluewoodofthefruittrees.Shesatcrossleggedonatriangular

base,andthreethinsliversofbonerosefromeachcornerofthetriangletomeetaboveher
headinablobofclay.

NeKroltookthecarving,turneditthiswayandthat,andnoddedhisapproval.TheJaenshi
smiledandvanished,takingthesaltbrickwithher.Longaftershewasgone.neKrol
continuedtoadmirehisacquisition.Hehadtradedallhislife,spendingtenyearsamongthe
squidfacedgethsoidsofAathandfourwiththestickthinFyndii,travelingatrader'scircuitto
ahalfdozenstoneageplanetsthathadoncebeenslaveworldsofthebrokenHrangan
EmpirebutnowherehadhefoundartistsliketheJaenshi.Notforthefirsttime,hewondered
whyneitherKleronomasnorChunghadmentionedthenativecarvings.Hewasgladthey
hadn't,though,andfairlycertainthatoncethedealerssawthecratesofwoodengodshehad
sentbackwithRyther,theworldwouldbeoverrunbytraders.Asitwas,hehadbeensent
hereentirelyonspeculation,inhopesoffindingaJaenshidrugorherborliquorthatmight
movewellinstellartrade.Insteadhe'dfoundtheart,likeananswertoaprayer.

Otherworkmencameandwentasthemorningturnedtoafternoonandtheafternoontodusk,
settingtheircraftbeforehim.Helookedovereachpiececarefully,takingsomeanddeclining
others,payingforwhathetookinsalt.Beforefulldarknesshaddescended,asmallpileof
goodssatbyhisrighthandamatchedsetofredstoneknives,agraydeathclothwovenfrom
thefurofanelderlyJaenshibyhiswidowandfriends(withhisfacewroughtuponitinthesilky
goldenhairsofapseudomonk),abonespearwithtracingsthatremindedneKroloftherunes
ofOldEarthlegendandstatues.Thestatueswerehisfavorites,alwayssooftenalienart
wasalienbeyondcomprehension,buttheJaenshiworkmentouchedemotionalchordsinhim.
Thegodstheycarved,eachsittinginabonepyramid,woreJaenshifaces,yetatthesame
timeseemedarchetypicallyhuman:sternfacedwargods,thingsthatlookedoddlylikesatyrs,
fertilitygoddessesliketheonehehadbought,almostmanlikewarriorsandnymphs.Often
neKrolhadwishedthathehadaformaleducationinexteeanthropology,sothathemight
writeabookontheuniversalsofmyth.TheJaenshisurelyhadarichmythology,thoughthe
talkersneverspokeofitnothingelsecouldexplainthecarvings.Perhapstheoldgodswere
nolongerworshipped,buttheywerestillremembered.

BythetimetheHeartofBakkalonwentdownandthelastreddishraysceasedtofilterthrough
theloomingtrees,neKrolhadgatheredasmuchashecouldcarry,andhissaltwasallbut
exhausted.Helaceduphisbootsagain,packedhisacquisitionswithpainstakingcare,andsat
patientlyinthepoolsidegrass,waiting.Onebyone,thewaterfallfolkjoinedhim.
Finallytheoldtalkerreturned.

Theprayersbegan.

Theoldtalker,withthelaserstillinhishand,wadedcarefullyacrossthenightdarkwaters,to
squatbytheblackbulkofthepyramid.Theothers,adultsandchildrentogether,nowsome
fortystrong,chosespotsinthegrassnearthebanks,behindneKrolandaroundhim.Likehim,
theylookedoutoverthepool,atthepyramidandthetalkeroutlinedclearlyinthelightofa
newrisen,oversizedmoon.Settingthelaserdownonthestone,theoldtalkerpressedboth

palmsflatagainstthesideofthepyramid,andhisbodyseemedtogostiff,whilealltheother
Jaenshialsotensedandgrewveryquiet.

NeKrolshiftedrestlesslyandfoughtayawn.Itwasnotthefirsttimehe'dsatthroughaprayer
ritual,andheknewtheroutine.AgoodhourofboredomlaybeforehimtheJaenshididsilent
worship.andtherewasnothingtobeheardbuttheirsteadybreathing,nothingtobeseenbut
fortyimpassivefaces.Sighing,thetradertriedtorelax,closinghiseyesandconcentratingon
thesoftgrassbeneathhimandthewarmbreezethattossedhiswildmaneofhair.Here,
briefly,hefoundpeace.Howlongwoulditlast,hemused,shouldtheSteelAngelsleave
theirvalley...

Thehourpassed,butneKrol,lostinmeditation,scarcefelttheflowoftime.Untilsuddenlyhe
heardtherustlingsandchatteraroundhim,asthewaterfallfolkroseandwentbackintothe
forest.Andthentheoldtalkerstoodinfrontofhim,andlaidthelaserathisfeet.

"No,"hesaidsimply.

NeKrolstarted."What?Butyou
must.
Letmeshowyouwhatitcando"

"Ihavehadavision,Arik.Thegodhasshownme.Butalsohehasshownmethatitwouldnot
beagoodthingtotakethisintrade."

"Oldtalker,theSteelAngelswillcome..."

"Iftheycome,ourgodshallspeaktothem,"theJaenshieldersaid,inhispurringspeech,but
therewasfinalityinthegentlevoice,andnoappealinthevastliquideyes.

"Forourfood,wethankourselves,noneother.Itisoursbecauseweworkedforit,ours
becausewefoughtforit,oursbytheonlyrightthatis:therightofthestrong.Butforthat
strengthforthemightofourarmsandthesteelofourswordsandthefireinourheartswe
thankBakkalon,thepalechild,whogaveuslifeandtaughtushowtokeepit."

TheProctorstoodstifflyatthecentermostofthefivelongwoodentablesthatstretchedthe
lengthofthegreatmesshall,pronouncingeachwordofthegracewithsolemndignity.His
largeveinedhandspressedtightlytogetherashespoke,againsttheflatoftheupwardjutting
sword,andthedimlightshadfadedhisuniformtoanalmostblack.Aroundhim,theSteel
Angelssatatattention,theirfooduntouchedbeforethemfatboiledtubers,steamingchunks
ofbushogmeat,blackbread,bowlsofcrunchygreenneograss.Childrenbelowthefighting
ageoften,insmocksofstarchywhiteandtheomnipresentmeshsteelbelts,filledthetwo
outermosttablesbeneaththeslitlikewindowstoddlersstruggledtositstillunderthewatchful
eyesofsternnineyearoldhouseparentswithhardwoodbatonsintheirbelts.Furtherin,the
fightingbrotherhoodsat,fullyarmed,attwoequallylongtables,menandwomenalternating,
leatherskinnedveteranssittingnexttotenyearoldswhohadbarelymovedfromthe

children'sdormtothebarracks.AllofthemworethesamechameleonclothasWyatt,though
withouthiscollar,andafewhadbuttonsofrank.Thecentertable,lessthanhalfthelengthof
theothers,heldthecadreoftheSteelAngelsthesquadfathersandsquadmothers,the
weaponsmasters,thehealers,thefourfieldbishops,allthosewhoworethehigh,stiffcrimson
collar.AndtheProctor,atitshead.

"Letuseat,"Wyattsaidatlast.Hisswordmovedabovehistablewithawhoosh,describing
theslashofblessing,andhesattohismeal.TheProctor,likealltheothers,hadstood
singlefileinthelinethatwoundpastthekitchentothemesshall,andhisportionswereno
largerthantheleastofthebrotherhood.

Therewasaclinkofknivesandforks,andtheinfrequentclatterofaplate,andfromtimeto
timethethwackofabaton,asahouseparentpunishedsometransgressionofdisciplineby
oneofhischargesotherthanthat,thehallwassilent.TheSteelAngelsdidnotspeakat
meals,butrathermeditatedonthelessonsofthedayastheyconsumedtheirspartanfare.

Afterwards,thechildrenstillsilentmarchedoutofthehall,backtotheirdormitory.The
fightingbrotherhoodfollowed,sometochapel,mosttothebarracks,afewtoguarddutyon
thewalls.Thementheywererelievingwouldfindlatemealsstillwarminthekitchen.

Theofficercoreremainedaftertheplateswereclearedaway,themealbecameastaff
meeting.

"Atease,"Wyattsaid,butthefiguresalongthetablerelaxedlittle,ifatall.Relaxationhad
beenbredoutofthembynow.TheProctorfoundoneofthemwithhiseyes."Dhallis,"he
said,"youhavethereportIrequested?"

FieldbishopDhallisnodded.Shewasahuskymiddleagedwomanwiththickmusclesand
skinthecolorofbrownleather.Onhercollarwasasmallsteelinsignia,anornamental
memorychipthatmeantComputerServices."Yes,Proctor,"shesaid,inahard,precise
voice."Jamison'sWorldisafourthgenerationcolony,settledmostlyfromOldPoseidon.One
largecontinent,almostentirelyunexplored,andmorethantwelvethousandislandsofvarious
sizes.Thehumanpopulationisconcentratedalmostentirelyontheislands,andmakesits
livingbyfarmingseaandland,aquatichusbandry,andheavyindustry.Theoceansarerichin
foodandmetal.Thetotalpopulationisaboutseventyninemillion.Therearetwolargecities,
bothwithspaceports:PortJamisonandJolostar."Shelookeddownatthecomputerprintout
onthetable."Jamison'sWorldwasnotevenchartedatthetimeoftheDoubleWar.Ithas
neverknownmilitaryaction,andtheonlyJamiearmedforcesaretheirplanetarypolice.Ithas
nocolonialprogramandhasneverattemptedtoclaimpoliticaljurisdictionbeyonditsown
atmosphere."

TheProctornodded."Excellent.Thenthetrader'sthreattoreportusisessentiallyanempty
one.Wecanproceed.SquadfatherWalman?"

"FourJaenshiweretakentoday,Proctor,andarenowonthewalls,"Walmanreported.He
wasaruddyyoungmanwithablondcrewcutandlargeears."IfImight,sir,Iwouldrequest
discussionofpossibleterminationofthecampaign.Eachdaywesearchharderforless.We
havevirtuallywipedouteveryJaenshiyounglingoftheclanswhooriginallyinhabitedSword
Valley."

Wyattnodded."Otheropinions?"

FieldbishopLyon,blueeyedandgaunt,indicateddissent."Theadultsremainalive.The
maturebeastismoredangerousthantheyoungling,Squadfather."

"Notinthiscase,"WeaponsmasterC'araDaHansaid.DaHanwasagiantofaman,baldand
bronzecolored,thechiefofPsychologicalWeaponryandEnemyIntelligence."Ourstudies
showthat,oncethepyramidisdestroyed,neitherfullgrownJaenshinortheimmaturepose
anythreatwhatsoevertothechildrenofBakkalon.Theirsocialstructurevirtually
disintegrates.Theadultseitherflee,hopingtojoinsomeotherclan,orreverttonearanimal
savagery.Theyabandontheyounglings,mostofwhomfendforthemselvesinaconfused
sortofwayandoffernoresistancewhenwetakethem.ConsideringthenumberofJaenshi
onourwalls,andthosereportedslainbypredatorsoreachother,IstronglyfeelthatSword
Valleyisvirtuallycleanoftheanimals.Winteriscoming,Proctor,andmuchmustbedone.
SquadfatherWalmanandhismenshouldbesettoothertasks."

Therewasmorediscussion,butthetonehadbeensetmostofthespeakersbackedDaHan.
Wyattlistenedcarefully,andallthewhileprayedtoBakkalonforguidance.Finallyhe
motionedforquiet.

"Squadfather,"hesaidtoWalman,"tomorrowcollectalltheJaenshibothadultsand
childrenthatyoucan,butdonothangthemiftheyareunresisting.Instead,takethemtothe
city,andshowthemtheirclanmatesonourwalls.Thencastthemfromthevalley,oneineach
directionofthecompass."Hebowedhishead."Itismyhopethattheywillcarryamessage,to
alltheJaenshi,ofthepricethatmustbepaidwhenabeastraiseshandorclaworblade
againsttheseedofEarth.Then,whenthespringcomesandthechildrenofBakkalonmove
beyondSwordValley,theJaenshiwillpeacefullyabandontheirpyramidsandquitwhatever
landsmenmayrequire,sothegloryofthepalechildmightbespread."

LyonandDaHanbothnodded,amongothers."Speakwisdomtous,"FieldbishopDhallissaid
then.

ProctorWyattagreed.OneofthelesserrankingsquadmothersbroughthimtheBook,andhe
openedittotheChapterofTeachings.

"InthosedaysmuchevilhadcomeupontheseedofEarth,"theProctorread,"forthechildren
ofBakkalonhadabandonedHimtobowtosoftergods.Sotheirskiesgrewdarkandupon
themfromabovecametheSonsofHrangawithredeyesanddemonteeth,anduponthem

frombelowcamethevastHordeofFyndiilikeacloudoflocuststhatblottedoutthestars.
Andtheworldsflamed,andthechildrencriedout,'Saveus!Saveus!'

"Andthepalechildcameandstoodbeforethem,withHisgreatswordinHishand,andina
voicelikethunderHerebukedthem.'Youhavebeenweakchildren,'Hetoldthem,'foryou
havedisobeyed.Whereareyourswords?DidInotsetswordsinyourhands?'

"Andthechildrencriedout,'Wehavebeatenthemintoplowshares,ohBakkalon!'

"AndHewassoreangry.'Withplowshares,then,shallyoufacetheSonsofHranga!With
plowsharesshallyouslaytheHordeofFyndii!'AndHeleftthem,andheardnomoretheir
weeping,fortheHeartofBakkalonisaHeartofFire.

"ButthenoneamongtheseedofEarthdriedhistears,fortheskiesdidburnsobrightthat
theyranscaldingonhischeeks.Andthebloodlustroseinhimandhebeathisplowshareback
intoasword,andchargedtheSonsofHranga,slayingashewent.Thenotherssaw,and
followed,andagreatbattlecryrangacrosstheworlds.

"Andthepalechildheard,andcameagain,forthesoundofbattleismorepleasingtohisears
thanthesoundofwails.AndwhenHesaw,Hesmiled.'Nowyouaremychildrenagain,'He
saidtotheseedofEarth.'Foryouhadturnedagainstmetoworshipagodwhocallshimselfa
lamb,butdidyounotknowthatlambsgoonlytotheslaughter?Yetnowyoureyeshave
cleared,andagainyouaretheWolvesofGod!'

"AndBakkalongavethemallswordsagain,allHischildrenandalltheseedofEarth,andHe
liftedhisgreatblackblade,theDemonReaverthatslaysthesoulless,andswungit.Andthe
SonsofHrangafellbeforeHismight,andthegreatHordethatwastheFyndiiburnedbeneath
Hisgaze.AndthechildrenofBakkalonsweptacrosstheworlds."

TheProctorliftedhiseyes."Go,mybrothersinarms,andthinkontheTeachingsofBakkalon
asyousleep.Maythepalechildgrantyouvisions!"

Theyweredismissed.

Thetreesonthehillwerebareandglazedwithice,andthesnowunbrokenexceptfortheir
footstepsandthestirringsofthebittersharpnorthwindgleamedablindingwhiteinthenoon
sun.Inthevalleybeneath,theCityoftheSteelAngelslookedpreternaturallycleanandstill.
Greatsnowdriftshadpiledagainsttheeasternwalls,climbinghalfwayupthestarkscarlet
stonethegateshadnotopenedinmonths.Longago,thechildrenofBakkalonhadtakentheir
harvestandfallenbackinsidethecity,tohuddlearoundtheirfires.Butforthebluelightsthat
burnedlateintothecoldblacknight,andtheoccasionalguardpacingatopthewalls,neKrol
wouldhardlyhaveknownthattheAngelsstilllived.

TheJaenshithatneKrolhadcometothinkofasthebitterspeakerlookedathimoutofeyes
curiouslydarkerthanthesoftgoldofherbrothers."Belowthesnow,thegodliesbroken,"she
said,andeventhesoothingtonesoftheJaenshitonguecouldnothidethehardnessinher
voice.TheystoodattheveryspotwhereneKrolhadoncetakenRyther,thespotwherethe
pyramidofthepeopleoftheringofstoneoncestood.

NeKrolwassheathedheadtofootinawhitethermosuitthatclungtootightly,accentingevery
unsightlybulge.HelookedoutonSwordValleyfrombehindadarkblueplastifilminthesuit's
cowl.ButtheJaenshi,thebitterspeaker,wasnude,coveredonlybythethickgrayfurofher
wintercoat.Thestrapofthehuntinglaserrandownbetweenherbreasts.

"OthergodsbesideyourswillbreakunlesstheSteelAngelsarestopped,"neKrolsaid,
shiveringdespitehisthermosuit.

Thebitterspeakerseemedhardlytohear."Iwasachildwhentheycame,Arik.Iftheyhadleft
ourgod,Imightbeachildstill.Afterwards,whenthelightwentoutandtheglowinsideme
died,Iwanderedfarfromtheringofstone,beyondourownhomeforest,knowingnothing,
eatingwhereIcould.Thingsarenotthesameinthedarkvalley.Bushogshonkedatmy
passing,andchargedmewiththeirtusks,otherJaenshithreatenedmeandeachother.Idid
notunderstandandIcouldnotpray.EvenwhentheSteelAngelsfoundme,Ididnot
understand,andIwentwiththemtotheircity,knowingnothingoftheirspeech.Irememberthe
walls,andthechildren,manysomuchyoungerthanme.ThenIscreamedandstruggled
whenIsawthoseontheropes,somethingwildandgodlessstirredtolifeinsideme."Hereyes
regardedhim,hereyeslikeburnishedbronze.Sheshiftedintheankledeepsnow,curlinga
clawedhandaroundthestrapofherlaser.

NeKrolhadtaughtherwellsincethedayshehadjoinedhim,inthelatesummerwhenthe
SteelAngelshadcastherfromSwordValley.Thebitterspeakerwasbyfarthebestshotof
hissix,thegodlessexileshehadgatheredtohimandtrained.Itwastheonlywayhehad
offeredthelasersintradetoclanafterclan,andeachhadrefused.TheJaenshiwerecertain
thattheirgodswouldprotectthem.

Onlythegodlesslistened,andnotallofthemmanytheyoungchildren,thequietones,the
firsttofleemanyhadbeenacceptedintootherclans.Butothers,likethebitterspeaker,had
growntoosavage,hadseentoomuchtheyfitnolonger.Shehadbeenthefirsttotakethe
weapon,aftertheoldtalkerhadsentherawayfromthewaterfallfolk.

"It is often bettertobe withoutgods,"neKroltoldher."Thosebelow ushaveagod,andithas

made them what they are. And so the Jaenshi have gods, and because they trust, theydie.
Yougodlessaretheironlyhope."

Thebitterspeakerdidnotanswer.Sheonlylookeddownonthesilentcity,besiegedbysnow,
andhereyessmoldered.

AndneKrolwatchedher,andwondered.HeandhissixwerethehopeoftheJaenshi,hehad
saidifso,wastherehopeatall?Thebitterspeaker,andallhisexiles,hadamadnessabout
them,aragethatmadehimtremble.EvenifRythercamewiththelasers,evenifsosmalla
groupcouldstoptheAngels'march,evenifallthatcametopasswhatthen?Shouldallthe
Angelsdietomorrow,wherewouldhisgodlessfindaplace?
Theystood,allquiet,whilethesnowstirredundertheirfeetandthenorthwindbitatthem.

Thechapelwasdarkandquiet.Flameglobesburnedadim,eerieredineithercorner,andthe
rowsofplainwoodenbencheswereempty.Abovetheheavyaltar,aslabofroughblack
stone,Bakkalonstoodinholograph,sorealhealmostbreathedaboy,amereboy,nakedand
milkywhite,withthewideeyesandblondhairofinnocentyouth.Inhishand,halfagaintaller
thanhimself,wasthegreatblacksword.

Wyattkneltbeforetheprojection,headbowedandverystill.Allthroughthewinterhisdreams
hadbeendarkandtroubled,soeachdayhewouldkneelandprayforguidance.Therewas
noneelsetoseekbutBakkalonhe,Wyatt,wastheProctor,wholedinbattleandinfaith.He
alonemustriddlehisvisions.

Sodailyhewrestledwithhisthoughts,untilthesnowsbegantomeltandthekneesofhis
uniformhadnearlywornthroughfromlongscrapingonthefloor.Finally,hehaddecided,and
thisdayhehadcalledupontheseniorcollarstojoinhiminthechapel.

Alonetheyentered,whiletheProctorkneltunmoving,andchoseseatsonthebenches
behindhim,eachapartfromhisfellows.Wyatttooknonoticeheprayedonlythathiswords
wouldbecorrect,hisvisiontrue.Whentheywereallthere,hestoodandturnedtofacethem.

"ManyaretheworldsonwhichthechildrenofBakkalonhavelived,"hetoldthem,"butnone
soblessedasthis,ourCorlos.Agreattimeisonus,mybrothersinarms.Thepalechildhas
cometomeinmysleep,asoncehecametothefirstProctorsintheyearswhenthe
brotherhoodwasforged.Hehasgivenmevisions."

Theywerequiet,allofthem,theireyeshumbleandobedienthewastheirProctor,afterall.
Therecouldbenoquestioningwhenoneofhigherrankspokewisdomorgaveorders.That
wasoneofthepreceptsofBakkalon,thatthechainofcommandwassacredandnevertobe
doubted.Soallofthemkeptsilence.

"BakkalonHimselfhaswalkeduponthisworld.Hehaswalkedamongthesoullessandthe
beastsofthefieldandtoldthemourdominion,andthishehassaidtome:thatwhenthe
springcomesandtheseedofEarthmovesfromSwordValleytotakenewland,allthe
animalsshallknowtheirplaceandretirebeforeus.ThisIdoprophesy!

"More,weshallseemiracles.Thattoothepalechildhaspromisedme,signsbywhichwewill
knowHistruth,signsthatshallbolsterourfaithwithnewrevelation.Butsotooshallourfaith

betested,foritwillbeatimeofsacrifices,andBakkalonwillcalluponusmorethanonceto
showourtrustinHim.WemustrememberHisTeachingsandbetrue,andeachofusmust
obeyHimasachildobeystheparentandafightingmanhisofficer:thatis,swiftlyandwithout
question.Forthepalechildknowsbest.

"ThesearethevisionsHehasgrantedme,thesearethedreamsthatIhavedreamed.
Brothers,praywithme."

AndWyattturnedagainandknelt,andtherestkneltwithhim,andalltheheadswerebowedin
prayersaveone.Intheshadowsattherearofthechapelwheretheflameglobesflickeredbut
dimly,C'araDaHanstaredathisProctorfrombeneathaheavybeetledbrow.

Thatnight,afterasilentmealinthemesshallandashortstaffmeeting,theWeaponsmaster
calleduponWyatttogowalkingonthewalls."Proctor,mysoulistroubled."hetoldhim."I
musthavecounselfromhewhoisclosesttoBakkalon."Wyattnodded,andbothdonned
heavynightcloaksofblackfurandoildarkmetalcloth,andtogethertheywalkedthe
redstoneparapetsbeneaththestars.

Neartheguardhousethatstoodabovethecitygates,DaHanpausedandleanedoutoverthe
ledge,hiseyessearchingtheslowmeltingsnowforlongmomentsbeforeheturnedthemon
theProctor."Wyatt,"hesaidatlast,"myfaithisweak."

TheProctorsaidnothing,merelywatchedtheother,hisfaceconcealedbythehoodofhis
nightcloak.ConfessionwasnotapartoftheritesoftheSteelAngelsBakkalonhadsaidthata
fightingman'sfaithoughtnevertowaver.

"Intheolddays,"C'araDaHanwassaying,"manyweaponswereusedagainstthechildrenof
Bakkalon.Some,today,existonlyintales.Perhapstheyneverexisted.Perhapstheyare
emptythings,likethegodsthesoftmenworship.IamonlyaWeaponsmastersuch
knowledgeisnotmine.

"Yetthereisatale,myProctoronethattroublesme.Once,itissaid,inthelongcenturiesof
war,theSonsofHrangaloosedupontheseedofEarthfoulvampiresofthemind,the
creaturesmencalledsoulfeeds.Theirtouchwasinvisible,butitcreptacrosskilometers,
fartherthanamancouldsee,fartherthanalasercouldfire,anditbroughtmadness.Visions,
myProctor,visions!Falsegodsandfoolishplanswereputinthemindsofmen,and..."

"Silence,"Wyattsaid.Hisvoicewashard,ascoldasthenightairthatcrackledaroundthem
andturnedhisbreathtosteam.

Therewasalongpause.Then,inasoftervoice,theProctorcontinued."AllwinterIhave
prayed,DaHan,andstruggledwithmyvisions.IamtheProctoroftheChildrenofBakkalonon
theWorldofCorlos,notsomenewarmedchildtobeliedtobyfalsegods.IspokeonlyafterI
wassure.IspokeasyourProctor,asyourfatherinfaithandyourcommandingofficer.That
youwouldquestionme,Weaponsmaster,thatyouwoulddoubtthisdisturbsmegreatly.

Nextwillyoustoptoarguewithmeonthefieldofbattle,todisputesomefinepointofmy
orders?"

"Never,Proctor,"DaHansaid,kneelinginpenanceinthepackedsnowatopthewalkway.

"Ihopenot.But,beforeIdismissyou,becauseyouaremybrotherinBakkalon,Iwillanswer
you,thoughIneednotanditwaswrongofyoutoexpectit.IwilltellyouthistheProctorWyatt
isagoodofficeraswellasadevoutman.Thepalechildhasmadepropheciestome,andhas
predictedthatmiracleswillcometopass.Allthesethingsweshallseewithourveryeyes.But
ifthepropheciesshouldfailus,andifnosignsappear,well,oureyeswillseethattoo.And
thenIwillknowthatitwasnotBakkalonwhosentthevisions,butonlyafalsegod,perhapsa
soulfeedofHranga.OrdoyouthinkaHrangancanworkmiracles?"

No."DaHansaid,stillonhisknees,hisgreatbaldheaddowncast."Thatwouldbeheresy."

"Indeed,"saidWyatt.TheProctorglancedbrieflybeyondthewalls.Thenightwascrispand
coldandtherewasnomoon.Hefelttransfigured,andeventhestarsseemedtocrytheglory
ofthepalechild,fortheconstellationoftheSwordwashighuponthezenith,theSoldier
reachinguptowarditfromwherehestoodonthehorizon.

"Tonightyouwillwalkguardwithoutyourcloak,"theProctortoldDaHanwhenhelookeddown
again."Andshouldthenorthwindblowandthecoldbiteatyou,youwillrejoiceinthepain,for
itwillbeasignthatyousubmittoyourProctorandyourgod.Asyourfleshgrowsbitternumb,
theflameinyourheartmustburnhotter."

"Yes,myProctor,"DaHansaid.Hestoodandremovedhisnightcloak,handingittotheother.
Wyattgavehimtheslashofblessing.

Onthewallscreeninhisdarkenedlivingquartersthetapeddramawentthroughitsfamiliar
measuredpaces,butneKrol,slouchedinalargecushionedreclinerwithhiseyeshalfclosed,
hardlynoticed.ThebitterspeakerandtwooftheotherJaenshiexilessatonthefloor,golden
eyesraptonthespectacleofhumanschasingandshootingeachotheramidthevaultingtower
citiesofaiEmerelincreasinglytheyhadbeguntogrowcuriousaboutotherworldsandother
waysoflife.Itwasallverystrange,neKrolthoughtthewaterfallfolkandtheotherchinned
Jaenshihadnevershownanysuchinterest.Herememberedtheearlydays,beforethe
comingoftheSteelAngelsintheirancientandsoontobedismantledwarship,whenhehad
setallkindsoftradegoodsbeforetheJaenshitalkersbrightboltsofglittersilkfromAvalon,
glowstonejewelryfromHighKavalaan,duralloyknivesandsolargeneratorsandsteel
powerbows,booksfromadozenworlds,medicinesandwineshehadcomewithalittleof
everything.Thetalkerstooksomeofit,fromtimetotime,butneverwithanyenthusiasmthe
onlyofferingthatexcitedthemwassalt.

ItwasnotuntilthespringrainscameandthebitterspeakerbegantoquestionhimthatneKrol
realized,withastart,howseldomanyoftheJaenshiclanshadeveraskedhim
anything.

Perhapstheirsocialstructureandtheirreligionstifledtheirnaturalintellectualcuriosity.The
exileswerecertainlyeagerenough,especiallythebitterspeaker.NeKrolcouldansweronlya
smallportionofherquestionsoflate,andeventhenshealwayshadnewonestopuzzlehim
with.Hehadbeguntogrowappalledwiththeextentofhisownignorance.

Butthen,sohadthebitterspeakerunliketheclannedJaenshididthereligionmake
that
muchdifference?shewouldanswerquestionsaswell,andneKrolhadtriedquizzingheron
manythingsthathe'dwonderedat.Butmostofthetimeshewouldonlyblinkinbafflement,
andbegintoquestionherself.

"Therearenostoriesaboutourgods,"shesaidtohimonce,whenhe'dtriedtolearnalittleof
Jaenshimyth."Whatsortofstoriescouldtherebe?Thegodsliveintheworshippyramids,
Arik,andwepraytothemandtheywatchoverusandlightourlives.Theydonotbounce
aroundandfightandbreakeachotherlikeyourgodsseemtodo."

"Butyouhadothergodsonce,beforeyoucametoworshipthepyramids,"neKrolobjected.
"Theveryonesyourcarversdidforme."Hehadevengonesofarastounpackacrateand
showher,thoughsurelysheremembered,sincethepeopleofthepyramidinthe
ringofstonehadbeenamongthefinestcraftsmen.

Yetthebitterspeakeronlysmoothedherfur,andshookherhead."Iwastooyoungtobea
carver,soperhapsIwasnottold,"shesaid."Weallknowthatwhichweneedtoknow,but
onlythecarversneedtodothesethings,soperhapsonlytheyknowthestoriesoftheseold
gods."

Anothertimehehadaskedheraboutthepyramids,andhadgottenevenless."Buildthem?"
shehadsaid."Wedidnotbuildthem,Arik.Theyhavealwaysbeen,liketherocksandthe
trees."Butthensheblinked."Buttheyare
not l
iketherocksandthetrees,arethey?"And
puzzled,shewentawaytotalktotheothers.

ButifthegodlessJaenshiweremorethoughtfulthantheirbrothersintheclans,theywerealso
moredifficult,andeachdayneKrolrealizedmoreandmorethefutilityoftheirenterprise.He
hadeightoftheexileswithhimnowtheyhadfoundtwomore,halfdeadfromstarvation,in
theheightofwinterandtheyalltookturnstrainingwiththetwolasersandspyingonthe
Angels.ButevenshouldRytherreturnwiththeweaponry,theirforcewasajokeagainstthe
mighttheProctorcouldputinthefield.The
Lights of Jolostar
wouldbecarryingafullarms
shipmentintheexpectationthateveryclanforahundredkilometerswouldnowberousedand
angry,readytoresisttheSteelAngelsandoverwhelmthembysheerforceofnumbersJannis
wouldbeblankfacedwhenonlyneKrolandhisraggedbandappearedtogreether.
If
infacttheydid.Eventhatwasproblematicalhewashavingmuchdifficultykeepinghis
guerrillastogether.TheirhatredoftheSteelAngelsstillborderedmadness,buttheywerefar
fromacohesiveunit.Noneofthemlikedtotakeordersverywell,andtheyfoughtconstantly,
goingateachotherwithbaredclawsinstrugglesforsocialdominance.IfneKrolhadnot
warnedthem,hesuspectedtheymightevenduelwiththelasers.Asforstayingingood

fightingshape,thattoowasajoke.Ofthethreefemalesintheband,thebitterspeakerwas
theonlyonewhohadnotallowedherselftobeimpregnated.SincetheJaenshiusuallygave
birthinlittersoffourtoeight,neKrolcalculatedthatlatesummerwouldpresentthemwithan
exilepopulationexplosion.Andtherewouldbemoreafterthat,heknewthegodlessseemed
tocopulatealmosthourly,andtherewasnosuchthingasJaenshibirthcontrol.Hewondered
howtheclanskepttheirpopulationsostable,buthischargesdidn'tknowthateither.

"Isupposewesexedless,"thebitterspeakersaidwhenheaskedher,"butIwasachild,soI
wouldnotreallyknow.BeforeIcamehere,therewasnevertheurge.Iwasjustyoung,Iwould
think."Butwhenshesaidit,shescratchedherselfandseemedveryunsure.

Sighing,neKroleasedhimselfbackinthereclinerandtriedtoshutoutthenoiseofthe
wallscreen.Itwasallgoingtobeverydifficult.AlreadytheSteelAngelshademergedfrom
behindtheirwalls,andthepowerwagonsrolledupanddownSwordValleyturningforestinto
farmland.Hehadgoneupintothehillshimself,anditwaseasytoseethatthespringplanting
wouldsoonbedone.Then,hesuspected,thechildrenofBakkalonwouldtrytoexpand.Just
lastweekoneofthemagiant"withnoheadfur,"ashisscouthaddescribedhimwasseen
upintheringofstone,gatheringshardsfromthebrokenpyramid.Whateverthatmeant,it
couldnotbeforthegood.

Sometimeshefeltsickattheforceshehadsetinmotion,andalmostwishedthatRyther
wouldforgetthelasers.Thebitterspeakerwasdeterminedtostrikeassoonastheywere
armed,nomatterwhattheodds.Frightened,neKrolremindedherofthehardAngellesson
thelasttimeaJaenshihadkilledamaninhisdreamshestillsawchildrenonthewalls.

Butsheonlylookedathim,withthebronzetingeofmadnessinhereyes,andsaid,"Yes,Arik.
Iremember."

Silentandefficient,thewhitesmockedkitchenboysclearedawaythelastoftheevening's
dishesandvanished."Atease,"Wyattsaidtohisofficers.Then:"Thetimeofmiraclesisupon
us,asthepalechildforetold.

"ThismorningIsentthreesquadsintothehillstothesoutheastofSwardValley,todisperse
theJaenshiclansonlandsthatwerequire.Theyreportedbacktomeinearlyafternoon,and
nowIwishtosharetheirreportswithyou.SquadmotherJolip,willyourelatetheeventsthat
transpiredwhenyoucarriedoutyourorders?"

"Yes,Proctor."Jolipstood,awhiteskinnedblondwithapinchedface,heruniformhanging
slightlylooseonaleanbody."Iwasassignedasquadoftentoclearoutthesocalledcliffclan,
whosepyramidliesnearthefootofalowgranitecliffinthewilderpartofthehills.The
informationprovidedbyourintelligenceindicatedthattheywereoneofthesmallerclans,with
onlytwentyoddadults,soIdispensedwithheavyarmor.Wedidtakeaclassfiveblastcannon,
sincethedestructionoftheJaenshipyramidsisslowworkwithsidearmsalone,butotherthan
thatourarmamentwasstrictlystandardissue.


"Weexpectednoresistance,butrecallingtheincidentattheringofstone,Iwascautious.
Afteramarchofsometwelvekilometersthroughthehillstothevicinityofthecliff,wefanned
outinasemicircleandmovedinslowly,withscreechgunsdrawn.AfewJaenshiwere
encounteredintheforest,andthesewetookprisonerandmarchedbeforeus,foruseas
shieldsintheeventofanambushorattack.That,ofcourse,provedunnecessary.

"Whenwereachedthepyramidbythecliff,theywerewaitingforus.Atleasttwelveofthe
beasts,sir.Oneofthemsatnearthebaseofthepyramidwithhishandspressedagainstits
side,whiletheotherssurroundedhiminasortofacircle.Theyalllookedupatus,butmade
noothermove."
Shepausedaminute,andrubbedathoughtfulfingerupagainstthesideofhernose."AsI
toldtheProctor,itwasallveryoddfromthatpointforward.Lastsummer,Itwiceledsquads
againsttheJaenshiclans.Thefirsttime,havingnoideaofourintentions,noneofthe
soullessweretherewesimplydestroyedtheartifactandleft.Thesecondtime,acrowdof
thecreaturesmilledaround,hamperinguswiththeirbodieswhilenotbeingactivelyhostile.
TheydidnotdisperseuntilIhadoneofthemscreecheddown.And,ofcourse,Istudiedthe
reportsofSquadfatherAllor'sdifficultiesattheringofstone.

"Thistime,itwasallquitedifferent.Iorderedtwoofmymentosettheblastcannononits
tripod,andgavethebeaststounderstandthattheymustgetoutoftheway.Withhand
signals,ofcourse,sinceIknownoneoftheirungodlytongue.Theycompliedatonce,splitting
intotwogroupsand,well,liningup,oneithersideofthelineoffire.Wekeptthemcovered
withourscreechguns,ofcourse,buteverythingseemedverypeaceful.

"Andsoitwas.Theblastertookthepyramidoutneatly,abigballofflameandthensortofa
thunderasthethingexploded.Afewshardswerescattered,butnoonewasinjured,aswe
hadalltakencoverandtheJaenshiseemedunconcerned.Afterthepyramidbroke,therewas
asharpozonesmell,andforaninstantalingeringbluishfireperhapsanafterimage.Ihardly
hadtimetonoticethem,however,sincethatwaswhentheJaenshiallfelltotheirknees
beforeus.Allatonce,sirs.Andthentheypressedtheirheadsagainsttheground,prostrating
themselves.Ithoughtforamomentthattheyweretryingtohailusasgods,becausewehad
shatteredtheirgod,andItriedtotellthemthatwewantednoneoftheiranimalworship,and
requiredonlythattheyleavetheselandsatonce.ButthenIsawthatIhadmisunderstood,
becausethatwaswhentheotherfourclanmemberscameforwardfromthetreesatopthe
cliff,andclimbeddown,andgaveusthestatue.Thentherestgotup.ThelastIsaw,the
entireclanwaswalkingdueeast,awayfromSwordValleyandtheoutlyinghills.Itookthe
statueandbroughtitbacktotheProctor."Shefellsilentbutremainedstanding,waitingfor
questions.

"Ihavethestatuettehere,"Wyattsaid.Hereacheddownbesidehischairandsetitonthe
table,thenpulledoffthewhiteclothcoveringhehadwrappedaroundit.

Thebasewasatriangleofrockhardblackbark,andthreelongsplintersofbonerosefrom
thecornerstomakeapyramidframe.Within,exquisitelycarvedineverydetailfromsoftblue
wood,Bakkalonthepalechildstood,holdingapaintedsword.

"Whatdoesthismean?"FieldbishopLyonasked,obviouslystartled."Sacrilege!"Fieldbishop
Dhallissaid.

"Nothingsoserious,"saidGorman,FieldbishopforHeavyArmor."Thebeastsaresimply
tryingtoingratiatethemselves,perhapsinthehopethatwewillstayourswords."

"NonebuttheseedofEarthmaybowtoBakkalon,"Dhallissaid."ItiswrittenintheBook!The
palechildwillnotlookwithfavoronthesoulless!"

"Silence,mybrothersinarms!"theProctorsaid,andthelongtableabruptlygrewquietagain.
Wyattsmiledathinsmile."ThisisthefirstofthemiraclesofwhichIspokethiswinterinthe
chapel,thefirstofthestrangehappeningsthatBakkalontoldtome.Fortrulyhehaswalked
thisworld,ourCorlos,soeventhebeastsofthefieldsknowhislikeness!Thinkonit,my
brothers.Thinkonthiscarving.Askyourselvesafewsimplequestions.Haveanyofthe
Jaenshianimalseverbeenpermittedtosetfootinthisholycity?"

"No,ofcoursenot."someonesaid.

"Thenclearlynoneofthemhaveseentheholographthatstandsaboveouraltar.NorhaveI
oftenwalkedamongthebeasts,asmydutieskeepmeherewithinthewalls.Sononecould
haveseenthepalechild'slikenessonthechainofofficethatIwear,forthefewJaenshiwho
haveseenmyvisagehavenotlivedtospeakofittheywerethoseIjudged,whohungupon
ourcitywalls.TheanimalsdonotspeakthelanguageoftheEarthseed,norhaveanyamong
uslearnedtheirsimplebeastlytongue.Lastly,theyhavenotreadtheBook.Rememberall
this,andwonderhowdidtheircarversknowwhatfaceandformtocarve?"

QuiettheleadersofthechildrenofBakkalonlookedbackandforthamongthemselvesin
wonderment.

Wyattquietlyfoldedhishands."Amiracle.WeshallhavenomoretroublewiththeJaenshi,for
thepalechildhascometothem."

TotheProctor'sright,FieldbishopDhallissatrigidly."MyProctor,myleaderinfaith,"shesaid,
withsomedifficulty,eachwordcomingslowly,"surely,
surely, y
oudonotmeantotellusthat
these,these
animals
thattheycanworshipthepalechild,thatheacceptstheirworship!"

Wyattseemedcalm,benevolentheonlysmiled."Youneednottroubleyoursoul,Dhallis.You
wonderwhetherIcommittheFirstFallacy,rememberingperhapstheSacrilegeofG'hrawhen
acaptiveHranganbowedtoBakkalontosavehimselffromananimal'sdeath,andtheFalse

ProctorGibroneproclaimedthatallwhoworshipthepalechildmusthavesouls."Heshookhis
head."Yousee,IreadtheBook.Butno,Fieldbishop,nosacrilegehastranspired.Bakkalon
has
walkedamongtheJaenshi,butsurelyhasgiventhemonlytruth.Theyhaveseenhimin
allhisarmeddarkglory,andheardhimproclaimthattheyareanimals,withoutsouls,assurely
hewouldproclaim.Accordingly,theyaccepttheirplaceintheorderoftheuniverse,andretire
beforeus.Theywillneverkillamanagain.Recallthattheydidnotbowtothestatuethey
carved,butrathergavethestatueto
us,
theseedofEarth,whoalonecanrightfullyworshipit.
Whentheydidprostratethemselves,itwasat
our
feet,asanimalstomen,andthatisasit
shouldbe.Yousee?Theyhavebeengiventruth."

Dhalliswasnodding."Yes,myProctor.Iamenlightened.Forgivemymomentofweakness."
Buthalfwaydownthetable,C'araDaHanleanedforwardandknottedhisgreatknuckled
hands,frowningallthewhile."MyProctor,"hesaidheavily.

"Weaponsmaster?"Wyattreturned.Hisfacegrewstern.

"LiketheFieldbishop,mysoulhasflickeredbrieflywithworry,andItoowouldbeenlightened,
ifImight?"

Wyattsmiled."Proceed,"hesaid,inavoicewithouthumor.

"Amiraclethisthingmaybeindeed,"DaHansaid,"butfirstwemustquestionourselves,to
ascertainthatitisnotthetrickofasoullessenemy.Idonotfathomtheirstratagem,ortheir
reasonsforactingastheyhave,butIdoknowofonewaythattheJaenshimighthavelearned
thefeaturesofourBakkalon."

"Oh?"

"IspeakoftheJamishtradingbase,andtheredhairedtraderArikneKrol.HeisanEarthseed,
anEmerelibyhislooks,andwehavegivenhimtheBook.Butheremainswithoutaburning
loveofBakkalon,andgoeswithoutarmslikeagodlessman.Sinceourlandinghehas
opposedus,andhegrewmosthostileafterthelessonwewereforcedtogivetheJaenshi.
Perhapsheputthecliffclanuptoit,toldthemtodothecarving,tosomestrangeendsofhis
own.Ibelievethathe
did
tradewiththem.

"Ibelieveyouspeaktruth,Weaponsmaster.Intheearlymonthsafterlanding,Itriedhardto
convertneKrol.Tonoavail,butIdidlearnmuchoftheJaenshibeastsandofthetradinghe
didwiththem."TheProctorstillsmiled."HetradedwithoneoftheclanshereinSwordValley,
withthepeopleofringofstone,withthecliffclanandthatofthefarfruittangle,withthe
waterfallfolk,andsundryclansfurthereast."

"Thenitishisdoing,"DaHansaid."Atrick!"

AlleyesmovedtoWyatt."Ididnotsaythat.NeKrol,whateverintentionshemighthave,isbut
asingleman.HedidnottradewithalltheJaenshi,norevenknowthemall."TheProctor's
smilegrewbrieflywider."ThoseofyouwhohaveseentheEmereliknowhimforamanofflab
andweaknesshecouldhardlywalkasfarasmightberequired,andhehasneitheraircarnor
powersled."

"Buthe
did
havecontactwiththecliffclan,"DaHansaid.Thedeepgravenlinesonhisbronze
foreheadweresetstubbornly.

"Yes,hedid,"Wyattanswered."ButSquadmotherJolipdidnotgoforthalonethismorning.I
alsosentoutSquadfatherWalmanandSquadfatherAllor,tocrossthewatersoftheWhite
Knife.Thelandthereisdarkandfertile,betterthanthattotheeast.Thecliffclan,whoare
southeast,werebetweenSwordValleyandtheWhiteKnife,sotheyhadtogo.Buttheother
pyramidswemovedagainstbelongedtofarriverclans,morethanthirtykilometerssouth.
TheyhaveneverseenthetraderArikneKrol,unlesshehasgrownwingsthiswinter."

ThenWyattbentagain,andsettwomorestatuesonthetable,andpulledawaytheir
coverings.Onewassetonabaseofslate,andthefigurewascarvedinaclumsybroad
mannertheotherwasfinelydetailedsoaproot,eventothestrutsofthepyramid.Butexcept
forthematerialsandtheworkmanship,thelaterstatueswereidenticaltothefirst.

"Doyouseeatrick,Weaponsmaster?"Wyattasked.

DaHanlooked,andsaidnothing,forFieldbishopLyonrosesuddenlyandsaid,"Iseea
miracle,"andothersechoedhim.Afterthehubbubhadfinallyquieted,thebrawny
Weaponsmasterloweredhisheadandsaid,verysoftly,"MyProctor.Readwisdomtous."

"Thelasers,speaker,the
lasers!"
TherewasatingeofhystericaldesperationinneKrol'stone.
"Rytherisnotbackyet,andthatistheverypoint.Wemustwait."

Hestoodoutsidethebubbleofthetradingbase,barechestedandsweatinginthehotmorning
sun,withthethickwindtuggingathistangledhair.Theclamorhadpulledhimfromatroubled
sleep.Hehadstoppedthemjustontheedgeoftheforest,andnowthebitterspeakerhad
turnedtofacehim,lookingfierceandhardandmostunJaenshilikewiththelaserslungacross
hershoulders,abrightblueglittersilkscarfknottedaroundherneck,andfatglowstonerings
onalleightofherfingers.Theotherexiles,butforthetwothatwereheavywithchild,stood
aroundher.Oneofthemheldtheotherlaser,therestcarriedquiversandpowerbows.That
hadbeenthespeaker'sidea.Hernewlychosenmatewasdownononeknee,pantinghehad
runallthewayfromtheringofstone.

"No,Arik,"thespeakersaid,eyesbronzeangry."Yourlasersarenowamonthoverdue,by
yourowncountoftime.Eachdaywewait,andtheSteelAngelssmashmorepyramids.Soon
theymayhangchildrenagain."

"Verysoon,"neKrolsaid."Verysoon,ifyouattackthem.Whereisyourveryhopeofvictory?
Yourwatchersaystheygowithtwosquadsandapowerwagoncanyoustopthemwitha
pairoflasersandfourpowerbows?Haveyoulearnedtothinkhere,ornot?"

"Yes,"thespeakersaid,butshebaredherteethathimasshesaidit."Yes,butthatcannot
matter.Theclansdonotresist,sowemust."

Fromoneknee,hermatelookedupatneKrol."They...theymarchonthewaterfall,"hesaid,
stillbreathingheavily.

"Thewaterfall!"thebitterspeakerrepeated."Sincethedeathofwinter,theyhavebrokenmore
thantwentypyramids,Arik,andtheirpowerwagonshavecrushedtheforestandnowagreat
dustyroadscarsthesoilfromtheirvalleytotheriverlands.ButtheyhadhurtnoJaenshiyet
thisseason,theyhadletthemgo.Andallthoseclanswithoutagodhavegonetothewaterfall,
untilthehomeforestofthewaterfallfolkisbareandeatenclean.Theirtalkerssitwiththeold
talkerandperhapsthewaterfallgodtakesthemin,perhapsheisaverygreatgod.Idonot
knowthesethings.ButI
do
knowthatnowthebaldAngelhaslearnedofthetwentyclans
together,ofagroupingofhalfathousandJaenshiadults,andheleadsapowerwagonagainst
them.Willheletthemgosoeasythistime,happywithacarvedstatue?Will
they
go,Arik,will
theygiveupasecondgodaseasilyasafirst?"Thespeakerblinked."Ifeartheywillresistwith
theirsillyclaws.IfearthebaldAngelwillhangthemeveniftheydonotresist,becauseso
manyinunionthrowssuspicioninhim.Ifearmanythingsandknowlittle,butIknow
we
must
bethere.Youwillnotstopus,Arik,andwecannotwaitforyourlonglatelasers."

And she turned to the others and said, "Come, we must run," and they had faded into the
forest before neKrol could even shout for them to stay. Swearing, he turned back to the
bubble.

Thetwofemaleexileswereleavingjustasheentered.Bothwereclosetotheendoftheir
term,buttheyhadpowerbowsintheirhands.NeKrolstoppedshort."Youtoo!"hesaid
furiously,glaringatthem."Madness,itistheverystuffofmadness!"Theyonlylookedathim
withsilentgoldeneyes,andmovedpasthimtowardthetrees.

Inside,heswiftlybraidedhislongredhairsoitwouldnotcatchonthebranches,slippedintoa
shirt,anddartedtowardthedoor.Thenhestopped.Aweapon,hemusthaveaweapon!He
glancedaroundfranticallyandranheavilyforhisstoreroom.Thepowerbowswereallgone,he
saw.
Whatthen,what?Hebegantorummage,andfinallysettledforaduralloymachete.Itfelt
strangeinhishandandhemusthavelookedmostunmartialandridiculous,butsomehowhe
felthemusttakesomething.
Thenhewasoff,towardtheplaceofthewaterfallfolk.

NeKrolwasoverweightandsoft,hardlyusedtorunning,andthewaywasnearlytwo
kilometersthroughlushsummerforest.Hehadtostopthreetimestorest,andquietthepains

inhischest,anditseemedaneternitybeforehearrived.ButstillhebeattheSteelAngelsa
powerwagonisponderousandslow,andtheroadfromSwordValleywaslongerandmore
hilly.

Jaenshiwereeverywhere.ThegladewasbareofgrassandtwiceaslargeasneKrol
remembereditfromhislasttradingtrip,earlythatspring.StilltheJaenshifilledallofit,sitting
ontheground,staringatthepoolandthewaterfall,allsilent,packedtogethersotherewas
scarcelyroomtowalkamongthem.Moresatabove,adozenineveryfruittree,someofthe
childrenevenascendingtothehigherlimbswherethepseudomonksusuallyruledalone.

Ontherockatthecenterofthepool,withthewaterfallbehindthemasabackdrop,the
talkerspressedaroundthepyramidofthewaterfallfolk.Theywereclosertogetherthaneven
thoseinthegrass,andeachhadhispalmsflatagainstthesides.One,thinandfrail,saton
theshouldersofanothersothathetoomighttouch.NeKroltriedtocountthemandgaveup
thegroupwastoodense,ablurredmassofgrayfurredarmsandgoldeneyes,thepyramidat
theircenter,darkandunmovableasever.

Thebitterspeakerstoodinthepool,thewatersankledeeparoundher.Shewasfacingthe
crowdandscreechingatthem,hervoicestrangelyunliketheusualJaenshipurrinherscarf
andrings,shelookedabsurdlyoutofplace.Asshetalked,shewavedthelaserrifleshewas
holdinginonehand.Wildly,passionately,hysterically,shewastellingthegatheredJaenshi
thattheSteelAngelswerecoming,thattheymustleaveatonce,thattheyshouldbreakup
andgointotheforestandregroupatthetradingbase.Overandoveragainshesaidit.

Buttheclanswerestiffandsilent.Nooneanswered,noonelistened,nooneheard.Infull
daylight,theywerepraying.

NeKrolpushedhiswaythroughthem,steppingonahandhereandafootthere,hardlyableto
setdownabootwithoutcrunchingJaenshiflesh.Hewasstandingnexttothebitterspeaker,
whostillgesturedwildly,beforeherbronzeeyesseemedtoseehim.Thenshestopped.
"Arik,"shesaid,"theAngelsarecoming,and
they will not listen."

"Theothers,"hepanted,stillshortonbreath."Wherearethey?""Thetrees,thebitterspeaker
replied,withavaguegesture."Isentthemupinthetrees.Snipers,Arik,suchaswesawupon
yourwall."

"Please,"hesaid."Comebackwithme.Leavethem,leavethem.Youtoldthem.Itoldthem.
Whateverhappens,itistheirdoing,itisthefaultoftheirfoolreligion."

"Icannotleave,"thebitterspeakersaid.Sheseemedconfused,assooftenwhenneKrolhad
questionedherbackatthebase."ItseemsIshould,butsomehowIknowImuststayhere.
Andtheotherswill
never
go,evenifIdid.Theyfeelitmuchmorestrongly.Wemustbehere.
Tofight,totalk."Sheblinked."Idonotknow
why,
Arik,butwemust."

Andbeforethetradercouldreply,theSteelAngelscameoutoftheforest.

Therewerefiveofthematfirst,widelyspacedthenshortlyfivemore.Allafoot,inuniforms
whosemottleddarkgreensblendedwiththeleaves,sothatonlytheglitterofthemeshsteel
beltsandmatchingbattlehelmetsstoodout.Oneofthem,agauntpalewoman,woreahigh
redcollarallofthemhadhandlasersdrawn.

"You!"theblondwomanshouted,hereyesfindingArikatonce,ashestoodwithhisbraid
flyinginthewindandthemachetedanglinguselesslyinhishand."Speaktotheseanimals!
Tellthemtheymustleave!TellthemthatnoJaenshigatheringofthissizeispermittedeastof
themountains,byorderoftheProctorWyatt,andthepalechildBakkalon.Tellthem!"And
thenshesawthebitterspeaker,andstarted."Andtakethelaserfromthehandofthatanimal
beforeweburnbothofyoudown!"

Trembling,neKroldroppedthemachetefromlimpfingersintothewater."Speaker,dropthe
gun,"hesaidinJaenshi,
"please. I
fyoueverhopetoseethefarstars.Letloosethelaser,my
friend,mychild,thisverynow.AndIwilltakeyouwhenRythercomes,withmetoaiEmerel
andfurtherplaces."Thetrader'svoicewasfulloffeartheSteelAngelsheldtheirlasers
steady,andnotforamomentdidhethinkthespeakerwouldobeyhim.

Butstrangely,meekly,shethrewthelaserrifleintothepool.NeKrolcouldnotseetoreadher
eyes.
TheSquadmotherrelaxedvisibly."Good."shesaid."Now,talktothemintheirbeastlytalk,tell
themtoleave.Ifnot,weshallcrushthem.Apowerwagonisonitsway!"Andnow,overthe
roarandtumbleofthenearbywaters,neKrolcouldhearit:aheavycrunchingasitrolledover
trees,rendingthemintosplintersbeneathwidedurameshtreads.Perhapstheywereusingthe
blastcannonandtheturretlaserstoclearawaybouldersandotherobstacles.

"Wehavetoldthem,"neKrolsaiddesperately."Manytimeswehavetoldthem,buttheydonot
hear!"HegesturedallabouthimthegladewasstillhotandclosewithJaenshibodiesand
noneamongtheclanshadtakentheslightestnoticeoftheSteelAngelsortheconfrontation.
Behindhim,theclusteredtalkersstillpressedsmallhandsagainsttheirgod.

"ThenweshallbaretheswordofBakkalontothem."theSquadmothersaid,"andperhapsthey
willheartheirownwailing!"Sheholsteredherlaseranddrewascreechgun,andneKrol,
shuddering,knewherintent.

The screechers used concentrated highintensity sound to break down cell walls and liquefy
flesh.Itseffectswerepsychologicalasmuchasanythingtherewasnomorehorribledeath.
ButthenasecondsquadoftheAngelswereamongthem,andtherewasacreakofwood
strainingandsnapping,andfrombehindafinalgroveoffruittrees,dimly,neKrolcouldseethe
blackflanksofthepowerwagon,itsblastcannonseeminglytrainedrightathim.Twoofthe
newcomersworethescarletcollararedfacedyouthwithlargeearswhobarkedorderstohis
squad,andahuge,muscularmanwithabaldheadandlinedbronzeskin.NeKrolrecognized
him:theWeaponsmasterC'araDaHan.ItwasDaHanwholaidaheavyhandonthe
Squadmother'sarmassheraisedherscreechgun."No,"hesaid."Itisnottheway."

Sheholsteredtheweaponatonce."Ihearandobey."
DaHanlookedatneKrol."Trader,"heboomed,"isthisyourdoing?"

"No,"neKrolsaid.

"Theywillnotdisperse,"theSquadmotheradded.

"Itwouldtakeusadayandanighttoscreechthemdown,"DaHansaid,hiseyessweeping
overthegladeandthetrees,andfollowingtherockytwisted.pathofthewaterwalluptoits
summit."Thereisaneasierway.

Breakthepyramidandtheygoatonce."Hestoppedthen,abouttosaysomethingelsehis
eyeswereonthebitterspeaker.

"AJaenshiinringsandcloth,"hesaid."Theyhavewovennothingbutdeathclothuptonow.
Thisalarmsme."

"Sheisoneofthepeopleoftheringofstone,"neKrolsaidquickly."Shehaslivedwithme."
DaHannodded."Iunderstand.Youaretrulyagodlessman,neKrol,toconsortsowith
soullessanimals,toteachthemtoapethewaysoftheseedofEarth.Butitdoesnotmatter."
Heraisedhisarminsignalbehindhim,amongthetrees,theblastcannonofthepowerwagon
movedslightlytotheright."Youandyourpetshouldmoveatonce."DaHantoldneKrol.
"WhenIlowermyarm,theJaenshigodwillburnandifyoustandintheway,youwillnever
moveagain."

"The
talkers!"
neKrolprotested,"theblastwill"andhestartedtoturntoshowthem.Butthe
talkerswerecrawlingawayfromthepyramid,onebyone.

Behindhim,theAngelsweremuttering."Amiracle!"onesaidhoarsely."Ourchild!OurLord!"
criedanother.

NeKrolstoodparalyzed.Thepyramidontherockwasnolongerareddishslab.Nowit
sparkledinthesunlight,acanopyoftransparentcrystal.Andbelowthatcanopy,perfectin
everydetail,thepalechildBakkalonstoodsmiling,withhisDemonReaverinhishand.

TheJaenshitalkerswerescramblingfromitnow,trippinginthewaterintheirhastetobe
away.NeKrolglimpsedtheoldtalker,runningfasterthananydespitehisage.Evenhe
seemednottounderstand.Thebitterspeakerstoodopenmouthed.

The trader turned. Half of the Steel Angels were on their knees, theresthadabsentmindedly
lowered their arms and they froze in gaping wonder. TheSquadmotherturned toDaHan."It
is
amiracle,"shesaid."AsProctorWyatthasforeseen.Thepalechildwalksuponthisworld."

ButtheWeaponsmasterwasunmoved."TheProctorisnothereandthisisnomiracle,"he
saidinasteelyvoice."Itisatrickofsomeenemy,andIwillnotbetricked.Wewillburnthe
blasphemousthingfromthesoilofCorlos."Hisarmflasheddown.
TheAngelsinthepowerwagonmusthavebeenlaxwithawetheblastcannondidnotfire.
DaHanturnedinirritation."Itisnomiracle!"heshouted.Hebegantoraisehisarmagain.

NexttoneKrol,thebitterspeakersuddenlycriedout.Helookedoverwithalarm,andsawher
eyesflashabrilliantyellowgold."Thegod!"shemutteredsoftly."Thelightreturnstome!"
Andthewhineofpowerbowssoundedfromthetreesaroundthem,andtwolongbolts
shudderedalmostsimultaneouslyinthebroadbackofC'araDaHan.Theforceoftheshots
drovetheWeaponsmastertohisknees,smashedhimagainsttheground.
"RUN!"
neKrol screamed, and he shoved the bitter speaker with all hisstrength, and she
stumbled and looked backathimbriefly,hereyesdarkbronze againandflickeringwithfear.
Then, swiftly, she was running, her scarf aflutter behind her as she dodged toward the
nearestgreen.

"Killher!"theSquadmothershouted."Killthemall!"AndherwordswokeJaenshiandSteel
AngelsboththechildrenofBakkalonliftedtheirlasersagainstthesuddenlysurgingcrowd,
andtheslaughterbegan.

NeKrolkneltandscrabbledonthemossslickrocksuntilhehadthelaserrifleinhishands,
thenbroughtittohisshoulderandcommencedtofire.Lightstabbedoutinangryburstsonce,
twice,athirdtime.Heheldthetriggerdownandtheburstsbecameabeam,andhesheared
throughthewaistofasilverhelmetedAngelbeforethefireflaredinhisstomachandhefell
heavilyintothepool.

Foralongtimehesawnothingtherewasonlypainandnoise,thewatergentlyslapping
againsthisface,thesoundsofhighpitchedJaenshiscreaming,runningallaroundhim.Twice
heheardtheroarandcrackleoftheblastcannon,andmorethantwicehewassteppedon.It
allseemedunimportant.Hestruggledtokeephisheadontherocks,halfoutofthewater,but
eventhatseemednonetoovitalafterawhile.Theonlythingthatcountedwastheburningin
hisgut.

Then,somehow,thepainwentaway,andtherewasalotofsmokeandhorriblesmellsbutnot
somuchnoise,andneKrollayquietlyandlistenedtothevoices.

"Thepyramid,Squadmother?"someoneasked.

"It
is
amiracle,"awoman'svoicereplied."Look,Bakkalonstandsthereyet.Andseehowhe
smiles!Wehavedonerightheretoday!"

"Whatshouldwedowithit?"

"Liftitaboardthepowerwagon.WeshallbringitbacktoProctorWyatt."

Soonafterthevoiceswentaway,andneKrolheardonlythesoundofthewater,rushingdown
endlessly,fallingandtumbling.Itwasaveryrestfulsound.Hedecidedhewouldsleep.

Thecrewmanshovedthecrowbardownbetweentheslatsandlifted.Thethinwoodhardly
protestedatallbeforeitgave."Morestatues,Jannis,"hereported,afterreachinginsidethe
crateandtuggingloosesomeofthepackingmaterial.

"Worthless."Rythersaid,withabriefsigh.ShestoodinthebrokenruinsofneKrol'strading
base.TheAngelshadransackeditsearchingforarmedJaenshi,anddebrislayeverywhere.
Buttheyhadnottouchedthecrates.

Thecrewmantookhiscrowbarandmovedontothenextstackofcratedartifacts.Ryther
lookedwistfullyatthethreeJaenshiwhoclusteredaroundher,wishingtheycould
communicatealittlebetter.Oneofthem,asleekfemalewhoworeatrailingscarfandalotof
jewelryandseemedalwaystobeleaningonapowerbow,knewasmatteringofTerran.but
hardlyenough.Shepickedupthingsquickly,butsofartheonlythingofsubstanceshehad
saidwas,"Jamson'World.Ariktakeus.Angelskill."Thatshehadrepeatedendlesslyuntil
Rytherhadfinallymadeherunderstandthat,yes,theywouldtakethem.Theothertwo
Jaenshi,thepregnantfemaleandthemalewiththelaser,neverseemedtotalkatall.

"Statuesagain."thecrewmansaid,havingpulledacratefromatopthestackintheruptured
storeroomandprieditopen.

Rythershruggedthecrewmanmovedon.Sheturnedherbackonhimandwanderedslowly
outside,totheedgeofthespacefieldwherethe
Lights of Jolostar
rested,itsopenports
brightwithyellowlightinthegatheringgloomofdusk.TheJaenshifollowedher,astheyhad
followedhersinceshearrivedafraid,nodoubt,thatshewouldgoawayandleavethemif
theytooktheirgreatbronzeeyesoffherforaninstant.

"Statues,"Rythermuttered,halftoherselfandhalftotheJaenshi.Sheshookherhead."Why
didhedoit?"sheaskedthem,knowingtheycouldnotunderstand."Atraderofhis
experience?Youcouldtellme,maybe,ifyouknewwhatIwassaying.Insteadof
concentratingondeathclothsandsuch,onrealJaenshiart,whydidAriktrainyoupeopleto
carvealienversionsofhumangods?Heshouldhaveknownnodealerwouldacceptsuch
obviousfrauds.Alienartis
alien."
Shesighed."Myfault,Isuppose.Weshouldhaveopened
thecrates."Shelaughed.

Thebitterspeakerstaredather."Arikdeathcloth.Gave."

Rythernodded,abstractly.Shehaditnow,hangingjustaboveherbunkastrangesmallthing,
wovenpartlyfromJaenshifurandmostlyfromlongsilkenstrandsofflameredhair.Onit,gray
againstthered,wasacrudebutrecognizablecaricatureofArikneKrol.Shehadwonderedat
that,too.Thetributeofawidow?Achild?Orjustafriend?What
had h
appenedtoArikduring
theyearthe
Lights
hadbeenaway?Ifonlyshehadbeenbackontime,then...butshe'dlost
threemonthsonJamison'sWorld,checkingdealerafterdealerinanefforttounloadthe
worthlessstatuettes.Ithadbeenmiddleautumnbeforethe
Lights of Jolostar
returnedto
Corlos,tofindneKrol'sbaseinruins,theAngelsalreadygatheringintheirharvests.

AndtheAngelswhenshe'dgonetothem,offeringtheholdofunwantedlasers,offeringto
trade,thesightonthosebloodredcitywallshadsickenedevenher.Shehadthoughtshe'd
goneprepared,buttheobscenitysheencounteredwasbeyondanypreparation.Asquadof
SteelAngelsfoundhervomiting,beyondthetallrustygates,andhadescortedherinside,
beforetheProctor.
Wyattwastwiceasskeletalassherememberedhim.Hehadbeenstandingoutdoors,near
thefootofahugeplatformaltarthathadbeenerectedinthemiddleofthecity.Astartlingly
lifelikestatueofBakkalon,encasedinaglasspyramidandsetatopahighredstoneplinth,
threwalongshadowoverthewoodenaltar.Beneathit,thesquadsofAngelswerepilingthe
newlyharvestedneograssandwheatandthefrozencarcassesofbushogs.

"Wedonotneedyourtrade,"theProctortoldher."TheWorldofCorlosismanytimesblessed,
mychild,andBakkalonlivesamongusnow.Hehasworkedvastmiracles,andshallwork
more.OurfaithisinHim."Wyattgesturedtowardthealtarwithathinhand."See?Intribute
weburnourwinterstores,forthepalechildhaspromisedthatthisyearwinterwillnotcome.
AndHehastaughtustocullourselvesinpeaceasoncewewereculledinwar,sotheseedof
Earthgrowseverstronger.Itisatimeofgreatnewrevelation!"Hiseyeshadburnedashe
spoketohereyesdartingandfanatic,vastanddark,yetstrangelyfleckedwithgold.

Asquicklyasshecould,RytherhadlefttheCityoftheSteelAngels,tryinghardnottolook
backatthewalls.Butwhenshehadclimbedthehills,backtowardthetradingbase,shehad
cometotheringofstone,tothebrokenpyramidwhereArikhadtakenher.ThenRytherfound
thatshecouldnotresist,andpowerlessshehadturnedforafinalglanceoutoverSword
Valley.Thesighthadstayedwithher.

OutsidethewallstheAngelchildrenhung,arowofsmallwhitesmockedbodiesstilland
motionlessattheendoflongropes.Theyhadgonepeacefully,allofthem,butdeathis
seldompeacefultheolderones,atleast,diedquickly,necksbrokenwithasuddensnap.But
thesmallpaleinfantshadthenoosesroundtheirwaists,andithadseemedcleartoRyther
thatmostofthemhadsimplyhungtheretilltheystarved.

Asshestood,remembering,thecrewmancamefrominsideneKrol'sbrokenbubble.
"Nothing,"hereported."Allstatues."

Rythernodded.


"Go?"thebitterspeakersaid."Jamson'World?"
"Yes,"shereplied,hereyesstaringpastthewaiting
Lights of Jolostar,
outtowardtheblack
primalforest.TheHeartofBakkalonwassunkforever.Inathousandthousandwoodsanda
singlecity,theclanshadbeguntopray.