Alan Dean Foster Flinx 09 Running from the Deity

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in both time and money and now, this.
There are no gods. Noble Kechralnan looked up from where she was squatting
at the end of the third point of the gemstone-inlaid, three-pointed star
table. There are only the Dwarra, the Nursets, and the lesser creatures.
Tilting her head back, she spread both arms and all four forearms wide,
grasping flanges open to the high ceiling of the fortress meeting room and by
implication all that lay beyond its intricately frescoed ceiling.
Noble Peryoladam begged to differ, albeit not vociferously. Much more
excitable than her counterparts, she was bright and efficient both qualities
that had contributed to her stellar ascension to the ruling triumvirate that
was the Kewwyd. But she was still unsure of herself in many things, and tended
to defer to the more experienced Kechralnan in areas where she had less
expertise.
No reason for her to do so now, Hurrahyrad felt, since no one had any
expertise on the topic presently under discussion.
I do not feel we should dismiss these rumors out of hand, he insisted,
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waving his gleaming metal prosthesis. He had lost the first right forearm as a
youth. In a battle with the scions of Jebilisk, his war tethet had been slain
under him, and in falling had crushed the missing limb beyond repair. As a
result he had lost in addition to the forelimb itself two of his eight
gripping flanges. But the prosthesis that had replaced the missing limb was
excellent for jabbing with, either for stabbing an opponent or to emphasize a
point. He used it thusly now.
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Running
Why not? Kechralnan stared at him, the colorful yet tasteful circular rings
painted around her eyes reflecting the ambient light of the well-lit chamber.
If we choose to investigate such obvious idiocies, we only give credence to
our own credulity. We are already under fire for our handling of the floods.
Why allow our political enemies to add accusations of stupidity to those of
incompetence?
Hurrahyrad was about to snap off a suitable rejoinder when Peryoladam spoke
up. Though low in volume, her voice was oddly compelling. Perhaps Noble
Kechralnan is right and there are no gods. But might the greater cosmos not be
home to other creatures? Perhaps some even cleverer than the Dwarra?
She gestured upward, though not as expansively or dramatically as had her
colleague. After all, while we know much about Arrawd, we know nothing of
other worlds.
That is because there are no other worlds, declared Kechralnan in
exasperation. At least, none boasting the intelligence of the Dwarra. The
other planets that circle our sun are empty and dead. The lights in the sky
may be other suns, as some astronomers insist, but there is not an iota of
evidence to indicate that other worlds circle them, and even less to suggest
that another intelligence dwells somewhere way out in the depths of the sky.
Hurrahyrad was surprised to detect a touch of anger in the other
administrator s reply. It must be a great comfort to be so certain of that
which we know nothing about.
Forestalling argument that would get them nowhere, and least of all advance
the afternoon s already demanding agenda, he did his best to get between them:
rhetorically if not physically.
Both viewpoints are valid, surely. Myself, I tend to think this whole
business a clever ploy of the
Wullsakaans to distract us, and others, from matters of genuine import. While
I refuse to be so easily dissuaded from reality, I see no harm in sending a
spy or two to investigate further. It will be done quietly and with as few as
possible knowing the true nature of the visit. That way, he added, eyeing
Kechralnan, if this is all nothing but mischief-making on the part of
Wullsakaa, our interest will pass unremarked upon.
Despite her counterpart s assurances, the other senior administrator could not
resist one more objection.
Everything costs money these days. Even spies require taxes to support their
activities.
Hurrahyrad dipped his Sensitives in her direction. Then we will only send a
little spy. One who does not eat very much, and files reports but sparingly.
Shrinking down into her lower torso and deliberately holding her Sensitives
back, she responded with a disparaging wheeze. Kechralnan s unmatched
experience and vast knowledge, Hurrahyrad knew, allowed one to overlook her
utter absence of humor. But only just.
Thinking the matter done and dealt with, he was prepared to move on. But
Peryoladam was not quite finished. I believe there is one more thing to
consider in regard to this matter before we can consider it
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Running as closed. Or, more properly, tabled.
Hurrahyrad felt like shoving the second point of the table through the middle
of her body. He was tired, and it was growing late. What might that be? he
inquired wearily of his persistent younger colleague.
She was not intimidated. She rarely was. There was a difference between
showing deference and being intimidated. What if the rumors are essentially
true?
Kechralnan could hardly hide her contempt. You think a god has come down to
Arrawd?
Not a god, I suppose, no. I don t know that anything has come down to Arrawd.
But if something has
a being from another world such as ours, and a superior one at that then we
have no choice but to consider how to deal with the development, which is
complicated by one significant factor. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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