Arkadi and Boris Strugatski. Hard to be a god

 

 

 

 

PROLOGUE

 

аааа Theа stock of Anka's crossbow was made ofа black plastic. The string of

chrome steel was operated by a noiselessly moving winch. Anton did not think

much of suchа innovations. He owned aа conventional arquebus in the style of

Marshal Totz, Kingа Pitz theа first. It was overlaid with black copper and a

rope of steer sinews ran along small wheels.а Pashka, on the other hand, had

an air rifle.а Crossbows were childish weapons, he thought, for heа was lazy

by nature and lacked manual dexterity.

аааа They landedа on theа north shore at aа spot where the gnarled rootsа of

mighty pine trees protruded from the yellowа sandy slope. Anka let go of the

rudder and lookedа around.а Theа sun had risenа above the forest. A blue fog

hung over theа lake. The pines glowed dark greenа and aа yellow sandyа beach

stretched in the distance. A light blue sky arched over the whole landscape.

аааа The children bent over the side of the boat and looked into the water.

аааа "Can't see a thing," said Pashka.

аааа "A huge pike," said Anton, a trifle too sure of himself.

аааа "With fins like that?" asked Pashka.

аааа Anton did not reply. Anka, too, looked into the water, but she saw only

her own reflection in it.

аааа "How about takingа a swim?"а said Pashka, and plunged his arm intoа the

water up to the elbow. "Cold," he reported.

аааа Antonа climbedа onto the bow and jumped ashore. Theа boat rocked to and

fro.а Anton took holdа of the boat and glanced questioningly at Pashka.а Now

Pashkaа rose, placedа the oar likeа a water carrier's beamа across his neck,

bent his knees a bit and sang at the top of his voice:

 

аааа Old salt, sea-dog, Witzliputzli!

аааа Are you watching, on your guard?

аааа Look! A school of hard-boiled sharkies

аааа Are approaching, swimming hard!

 

аааа Anton rocked the boat.

аааа "Hey, hey!" yelled Pashka, trying not to lose his balance.

аааа "Why 'hard-boiled?'" Anka asked.

аааа "Iа don't know,"а answered Pashka.а They climbed outа of the boat. "But

it's pretty good, isn't it? 'A school of hard-boiled sharkies!'"

аааа They pulled the boat ashore. Their feetа slipped on the wet sand, which

wasа strewnа withа driedа needles andа pineа cones.а The boat wasа heavy and

slippery but they dragged it all the way up onto the land. Then they stopped

for a while to catch their breath.

аааа "Almost squashed my foot,"а saidа Pashka, and straightened his red fez.

Heа made sure that theа tassel hung directly above his rightа ear--just like

theа broad-nosedа Irukanianа piratesа were wont to do.а "lifeа isn't worth a

farthing, my dear!" he recited dramatically.

аааа Anka was intently sucking her finger.

аааа "A splinter?" asked Anton.

аааа "No. Got a scratch. One of you two must have long nails."

аааа "Let me see!"

аааа She showed him her finger.

аааа "Yes," said Anton. "A scratch.--Well, let's do something!"

аааа "Pick up your arms and let's walk along the shore!" suggested Pashka.

аааа "For that we didn't need to crawl ashore," Anton said.

аааа "It's chicken to stay in the boat," stated Pashka. "But along the shore

thereа areа all kindsа ofа things. Reeds, canyons,а whirlpools, eddiesа with

eels--and catfish, too."

аааа "A school of hard-boiled catfish," said Anton.

аааа "Hey, did you ever dive into a whirlpool?"

аааа "Sure."

аааа "Funny that I didn't see you do it."

аааа "Lots of things you haven't seen yet"

аааа Anka turned herа back on them, raisedа her crossbow and aimed at a pine

tree 20 feet away. The bark came off in splinters.

аааа "Wow,а didа youа see that!"а exclaimed Pashka with admiration.а Then he

aimedа his air rifle atа the sameа spot. Butа heа missed. "Iа didn't hold my

breath properly," he said.

аааа "And even if you had held it properly, so what?" asked Anton. He looked

at Anka.

аааа Withа a firm movement Anka retracted the steel bowа with the winch. She

had splendidа muscles,а and Anton watched with pleasure the hard ball of her

biceps rolling beneath her tanned skin.

аааа Anka tookа aim carefully,а andа shot again. The second arrow penetrated

the tree trunk, a bit lower than the first

аааа "Thatа doesn't makeа any sense," said Anka, andа letа the crossbow hang

down her side. "What?" asked Anton.

ааа а"We'reа onlyа damaging the trees, that's all. Yesterday, aа kid shot an

arrow at a tree and I forced him to pull that arrow out with his own teeth."

аааа "Pashka would have run away," said Anton. "You have good teeth."

аааа "I can whistle through my teeth, too," said Pashka.

аааа "Well," said Anka, "let's do something!"

аааа "I don't feel like climbing up and down canyons," said Anton.

аааа "Me neither. Let's walk straight ahead."

аааа "Where to?" asked Pashka.

аааа "Just follow your nose."

аааа "Meaning what?" said Anton.

аааа "Let'sа go into theа forest!" said Pashka. "Toshka, do you remember the

'Forgotten Road'?"

аааа "Sure!"

аааа "You know, Anetchka--" said Pashka.

аааа "Don't you call me Anetchka," Anka cut in abruptly. She could not stand

to be called by any other name than Anka.

аааа Anton remembered very well that she did not like it, and said quickly:

аааа "Sure--the Forgotten Road. Nobody has driven over it for ages. It isn't

even marked on the map, and where it leads to, nobody knows."

аааа "Have you ever been there?"

аааа "Yes. But we didn't explore it."

аааа "Aа roadа coming from nowhere and leading nowhere," stated Pashka,а who

had regained his former self-assurance.

аааа "That's fine!" said Anka. Here eyes narrowed to black slits. "Let's go!

Will we get there by tonight?"

аааа "What are you talking about? Well be there by noon."

аааа They clambered up the steep slope.а Once theyа had arrivedа at the top,

Pashka tamed around. Down below was the blueа lake with yellow speckled sand

bars, and the boat on the sandyа beach. Close to the shore, whereа the water

was as smoothа as oil, large concentric circles broke the surface-- that was

theа pike,а probably.а Andа theа boyа felt,а asа always, thatа vagueа joy he

experienced whenever he and Toshka stole away from the boarding-school and a

whole day ofа freedom lay beforeа them. A day filled with unexplored places,

strawberries,а sun-scorched desertedа meadows, lizards, andа ice coldа water

from unexpected springs amidst the rocks. And as always he feltа overcome by

a desireа toа shoutа outа loud andа jump up intoа the air.а Anton,а laughing

happily, watched him, and Pashka saw the understanding in his friend's eyes.

Anka placed two fingers in her mouth and gave forth with a piercing whistle.

And they entered the forest.

аааа It was a pine wood, with sparse vegetation. Their feet skidded over the

slippery, needle-coveredа soil.а The slanting sun rays glittered between the

straight tree trunks, and golden spots danced on the ground. The air smelled

of resin, the nearby lake,а and strawberries. Somewhere, far aboveа them, an

invisible lark was warbling.

аааа Anka walked ahead.а Sheа carried her crossbow in one hand, and with the

other reachedа nowа and then for the strawberriesа that occasionallyа peeked

out, asа red as blood, from among the foliage. Anton marched behind her with

the solid battle gear of Marshalа Totz slungа over his shoulder. The quiver,

filled with mightyа battle arrows, rhythmicallyа banged against the seatа of

hisа trousersа with everyа step.а Heа looked at Anka's neck:а it wasа deeply

tanned,а and the vertebrae jutted out likeа little knobs. Once in a while he

turned around and looked for Pashka, who had disappeared; onlyа the redа fez

flashedа from time to timeа in the brightа sunlight. Antonа imaginedа Pashka

prowlingа silentlyа amongа theа pineа trees, his airа rifle heldа inа firing

position, hisа lean faceа with the hookedа nose pointingа forwardа like some

predatory animal Pashka crawling through the underwood. But the forest knows

no mercy.а A challenge--and youа must react atа once,а thought Anton. He was

just aboutа to duck--but Ankaа was walkingа rightа in frontа of him, and she

might turn around any moment Wouldn't he look silly then!

аааа Anka tamed around and asked:

аааа "Did you sneak away real quietly?"

аааа Anton shrugged his shoulders. "Nobody sneaks away noisily!"

аааа "Well,а Iа did. Iа guessа I made some awfulа noise," said Ankaа with аa

worried expression.а "I droppedа aа cup--and suddenly I heard stepsа inа the

corridor. Probably old maid Katja; she's on duty today. I had to jump out of

theа windowа intoа aа flower bed.а Guess whatа kindа of flowers growа there,

Toshka?"

аааа Anton frowned.

аааа "Under your window? I don't know, what kind?"

аааа "Prettyа tough flowers. No wind can rock them, no storm can break them.

You can jump around in them and trample on them and it won't harm them."

аааа "That's interesting," said Anton in a serious voice. He remembered that

he also hadа a flower bed under his window, with flowersа that wereа neither

rocked byа wind nor brokenа byа storm.а Butа actually he had neverа paid any

attention to it.

аааа Anka stopped and waited untilа Anton hadа caught upа with her. She held

herа hand outа to him.а Itа was fullа of strawberries. Withа the tip ofа his

fingers, Anton seized exactly three berries.

аааа "Go ahead. Take some more," said Anka.

аааа "No, thanks," said Anton.а "I like to pickа them myself.-- Butа listen,

Anka, it must be easy to get along with old maid Katja, isn't it?"

аааа "That all depends," said Anka. "Just imagine somebody telling you every

night how dirty and dusty your feet are--"

аааа Sheа fellа silent. It was goodа toа walk withа herа throughа the woods,

shoulderа to shoulder, and their bareа elbows touching now andа then. And it

felt good toа look at her--how prettyа she was, so nimble,а so friendly--and

how big and gray her eyes were, and what dark lashes she had.

аааа "Sure," saidа Anton, and stretched out his hand toа grasp aа spider web

that glistened in the sun. "Her feet wouldn't get dirty. If somebody carried

you through every puddle, then you wouldn't get dirty either."

аааа "Who carries her?"

аааа "Henry from the weather station. A big, strong guy with blond hair, you

know."

аааа "Really?"

аааа "Didn't you know it? It's old hat, everybody knows they're in love."

аааа Both fell silent again. Anton looked at Anka. Her eyes were dark caves.

аааа "And when did that happen?" she asked.

аааа "Oh, on a moonlitа night," replied Anton, not too eagerly.а "Justа keep

this all to yourself, will you?"

аааа Anka laughed.

аааа "It wasn't hard to drag itа out of you, Toshka," She said. "Do you want

some more strawberries?"

аааа Quiteа mechanically, Anton nowа tookа some berries from her red-stained

hand andа put themа in his mouth. I don't like gossip-mongers, heа thought I

can't stand people who tell tales about others. Suddenly he had a thought.

аааа "Some day somebody will carry you, too. How would you like it if people

talk about it then?"

аааа "I'm certainly not going to tell anybody about it," said Anka. "I don't

like gossip."

аааа Thenа she continued in aа more confidential tone: "You know, I'm really

fed up with having to wash my feet two times every night."

аааа Poor old maid Katja, thought Anton. What an uphill fight she has.

аааа They reached a narrow lane. The path led up a steep slope andа the wood

became darker and darker. Ferns grew in profusion, and wood sorrel. The pine

trunks were covered with moss and the whitish foam of lichen.

аааа But the forest knows noа mercy. Suddenly a hoarse, shrill voice,а quite

unhuman, roared out:

аааа "Stop! Throw yourа arms to the ground! You, milord, noble donа and you,

too, Dona!"

аааа Ifа there is aа challenge in the woods, you must react atа once,а Anton

knew.а With calculated precision, Antonа pushed Anka down into the fernsа to

the left of the path, while he himself leapt into the ferns to the right. He

slipped at first,а and thenа hid behind the evil-smelling lichenа foam.а The

echoа of theа hoarse voice stillа rang throughа the wood,а but theа path was

empty. Suddenly everything was quiet.

аааа Anton turned to one side to bend his bow, when an arrowа hitа close by.

Dirt showered down on him. The hoarse, unhuman voice announced:

аааа "Milord has been hit in the heel!"

аааа Anton moaned and pulled up his left

аааа "Not that one, it's the right heel!" corrected the voice.

аааа He could hear Pashkaа giggle nearby. Cautiously, Anton peered outа from

the ferns, but he could not see him anywhere in the dusky, green jungle.

аааа At that moment, a penetrating,а whistling sound came and a thud as if a

tree were falling to the ground.

аааа "Owoooooo!" howled Pashka inа a tortured voice. "Have mercy!а Spareа my

life! Don't kill me!"

аааа Antonа leapt to his feet.а From theа thicket ofа fernsа heа sawа Pashka

approach in an unsteadyа gait, both arms raised above his head. Anka's voice

asked:

аааа "Toshka, can you see him?"

аааа "Yes,а Iа can," calledа Anton cheerfully. "Don'tа move!"а he yelledа in

Pashka's direction. "Put your hands on top of your head!"

аааа Pashka obediently clasped his hands above his head and declared:

аааа "I won't tell a thing."

аааа "What shall we do with him, Toshka?" asked Anka.

аааа "You'll find out in just a minute," said Anton, settling comfortably on

the ground and placing his crossbow across his knees.

аааа "Name!" he croaked, using the voice of the witch of Irukan.

аааа Pashka simplyа arched his back and made a contemptuousа gesture. He did

notа wantа to submitа toа defeat.а Antonа fired.а Theа heavyа arrowа noisily

penetrated the branches above Pashka's head.

аааа "Wow!" exclaimed Anka.

аааа "Theyа call me Don Sarancha," grudgingly confessed Pashka. Andа then he

beganа toа recite:а "Andа hereа lies,а asа youа allа canа see,а oneа ofа his

accomplices."

аааа "An infamousа thugа andа murderer,"а Antonа clarified. "But he is known

neverа to doа something for nothing.а On whose behalfа have you come here to

snoop around?"

аааа "Don Satarina the Pitiless has sent me," Pashka lied.

аааа Anton spoke with contempt in his voice:

аааа "This hand of mine cut the thread of Don Satarina'sа stinkingа lifeа on

the Square of the Heavy Swords just two years ago."

аааа "Shall I pierce him with an arrow?" suggested Anka.

аааа "Oh, I completelyа forgot," said Pashkaа quickly. "Actually,а I'm being

sent by Arataа the Fair.а He promisedа me one hundredа gold pieces forа your

heads."

аааа Anton slapped his knees.

аааа "Whatа a liar!" he shouted. "Do youа believeа for an instant that Arata

would have anything to do with a swindler like you?"

аааа "Maybeа I'dа betterа pierce himа withа anа arrowа after all?"а askedа a

bloodthirsty Anka.

аааа Anton laughed demonically.

аааа "By the way," said Pashka, "you were shot in your heel. You should have

collapsed long since from losing so much blood."

аааа "Nuts!" countered Anton. "First of all, I've hadа a piece from the bark

of theа White Tree inа myа mouth the whole time; and, second, twoа beautiful

barbarian maidens bandaged my wound."

аааа Theа fernsа began to move and Anka stepped out onto theа path.а Onа her

cheek was a long scratch and her knees were smeared with earth and lichen.

аааа "It'sа about time we threw himа into the swamp," sheа declared. "If the

enemy won't surrender, he must be destroyed."

аааа Pashka's arms dropped down and dangled at his sides.

аааа "You don't stick to the rules of the game," he said to Anton. "With you

it always turns out that the witch is a good person."

аааа "You don't know the first thing about it!" said Anton. He, too, stepped

out onto the path. 'The forest knows no mercy, you filthy mercenary."

аааа Anka returned the air rifle to Pashka.

аааа "You twoа are real sharpshooters," saidа Anka enviously. "Do you always

aim so close?"

аааа "What else did you expect from us?" Pashka asked. "We don'tа run around

yelling 'Bang, bang--you're dead!' When we play, we always take risks."

аааа Anton added with nonchalance:

аааа "We play William Tell a lot."

аааа "Weа take turns," volunteered Pashka. "One day I have to go stand there

with an apple on my head, and next time he's got to do it."

аааа "Youа don't say." Her wordsа came slowly. "I'd love to watch thatа some

time."

аааа "We'd show it to you right now--with pleasure," snapped Anton. 'Too bad

we don't have an apple!"

аааа Pashka grinned аfrom ear to ear.а But Ankaа quickly yanked the pirate's

fez from his head and swiftly rolled it up into a cone.

аааа "It doesn'tа have toа beа an apple!" she said. "This makes aа marvelous

target. Come on, let's play William Tell!"

аааа Anton took the red cone and examinedа it carefully. He glanced at Anka;

her eyes were like dark wells. Pashka was dancing about; he felt great Anton

held the cone out to him.

аааа "I canа hit the bull's-eyeа atа 30 paces," heа said flatly. "Of course,

only with a pistol I'm familiar with."

аааа "Really?" said Anka, and she turned to Pashka. "And how aboutа you? Can

you score a direct hit from 30 feet away?"

аааа "I'mа knownа asа theа fastestа gun thisа side ofа the lake!" he grinned

broadly. "Let's try it out."

аааа Anton made an about-face and walked down the path, counting out loud:

аааа "... fifteen... sixteen... seventeen..."

аааа Pashka saidа something that Anton couldn't hear, and Anka laughed, much

too loud.

аааа "Thirty," said Anton and turned around.

аа ааAt a distance of thirty paces, Pashka looked pretty small. The red cone

sat on hisа head like aа dunce cap.а Pashkaа grinned. He was stillа playing.

Anton leaned forward and leisurely drew his bow.

аааа "Bless you. Fatherа William!"а Pashka called out to him. "Andа whatever

happens, thanks for everything!"

аааа Anton placed aа boltа in theа slot whichа would guideа theа missile. He

straightened up. Pashka and Ankaа looked at him. They were standing close to

each other. The lane stretched ahead like a dark soggy passage betweenа tall

greenа walls.а Antonа raised the crossbow. The battleа gear ofа Marshal Totz

suddenly felt very heavy. My hands are trembling, thought Anton. That's bad.

What nonsense! He remembered how he andа Pashkaа had amused themselvesа last

winter for one full hourа byа aiming snowballsа at an icicle on a fence post

Theyа wereа throwingа fromа a distance of twentyа feet, thenа fifteen,а then

ten--and they still could not hit it And finally, whenа they had grown tired

of the game and were justа about to leave, Pashka pitched the last snowball,

without even taking aim, and made a direct hit.

аааа Antonа pressedа theа stock hard against hisа shoulder. Anka is standing

much too close, he thought He was on the point of calling out to her to move

over a bit, but thenа heа rememberedа thatа thisа wouldа seem silly. Higher.

Higher still.а .а .а Higher . .. Suddenlyа he wasа firmly convinced that the

heavyа bolt was going to strike Pashkaа right between the eyes, boreа deeply

between those merry, green eyes, evenа if he turned aroundа now andа let the

arrow fly in the opposite direction.

аааа He opened his eyes and looked atа Pashka.а Pashka's grin hadа vanished.

Anka raised herа hand very slowly, then everа so slowly spreadа herа fingers

apart.а Herа faceа looked very intenseа and grown-up.а Now Anton liftedа his

crossbow higher still and pulled the trigger. He did not see where the arrow

landed.

аааа "Missed it!" he said very loud.

аааа Heа walkedа alongа theа path but his legs wouldа not properly obey him.

Pashkaа wiped theа red cone across his face,а shook himself like a wetа dog,

unrolled the cone and formed it into a fezа again. Anka bent down and picked

up her crossbow. If shell hit me over the head with it, thought Anton,а I'll

even say thank you. But Anka did not even look at him.

аааа She tamed to Pashka and asked: "Are we leaving?"

аааа "Right away," said Pashka.

аааа He looked at Anton, tapping his finger against his forehead.

аааа "But you were scared too." Anton said. Pashka did not reply.а Once more

he tapped his finger againstа his forehead.а Then heа followedа Anka.а Anton

ambled along in the rear, trying to cope with his doubts.

аааа What did I do, he thought.а His head felt very heavyа allа of a sudden.

Why are they soа put out? Pashka--well,а he was scared stiff. Whoа knows who

was more afraid: Father William or his son? But what's the matter with Anka?

Maybe she was worried about Pashka. But whatа shouldа Iа have done? Now they

make me trot behind like an outcast. I should take off on my own. I can take

that tarn over there on the left, there's an interesting looking little pool

Maybe I can catch an owl; wouldn't that be something!

аааа But he did not even slow down. That's for good, he thought Somewhere he

had read that such things happened frequently.

аааа They reached the Forgotten Roadа sooner than they had expected. By now,

theа sunа was high up in theа sky, and itа wasа very hot.а The pineа needles

prickedа their bare skin. The road was pavedа with concrete; it consisted of

twoа rows ofа cracked,а reddish-gray blocks. Thick tufts of dried grass were

growing in the cracks. The soft shoulders on eitherа side were full of dusty

thistles.а Aboveа theа road flewа fat blowflies, buzzing andа droning, and a

brazen one bumped right into Anton's forehead. The air was quiet and sultry.

аааа "Look, you two!" said Pashka.

аааа He pointed to a round metal sign hanging over the middle of the road on

a rustyа wireа that hadа been strungа across. The paint was peeling offа the

sign.а Theyа couldа barelyа makeа outа aа light-coloredа crossbarа on aа red

background.

аааа "What is that?" asked Anka. She did not seem too interested.

аааа "A traffic sign," said Pashka. "Do Not Enter."

аааа "A one-way street," explained Anton.

аааа "What does that mean?" asked Anka.

аааа "That means that you can't enter that road," said Pashka.

аааа "But why do they have the road, then?"

аааа Pashka shrugged his shoulders.

аааа "It's a very old road," he said.

аааа "An anisotropicа road," Antonа explained. Anka stoodа with herа back to

him. "Traffic can move only in one direction."

аааа "The wisdomа ofа our forefathers,"а said Pashkaа pensively. "There they

were,а drivingа alongа forа aboutа 200 miles,а andа all of aа sudden--smash,

bang!--Do Not Enter! Wrongа Way! And youа can'tа drive on, andа thereа isn't

anybody you can ask."

аааа "Just imagine all the thingsа that might be there on the other sideа of

that trafficа sign!" said Anka. She looked all around.а For many miles there

wasа only the deserted forest andа not a person to ask what might lie beyond

that traffic sign. "Maybe itа isn't an anisotropicа traffic sign after all,"

said Anka. "The paint's almost all peeled off."

аааа Now Anton lifted his crossbow, took careful aim and shotа off an arrow.

How nice if the bolt would snap the wire and let the traffic sign fall right

before Anka's feet. But theа arrow hitа the upper part of theа sign, pierced

the rusty metal and nothing fell down except some flakes of dried paint

аааа "Silly ass!" said Anka without bothering to turn around.

аааа Thatа was theа firstа remark sheа had addressedа to himа since they had

played William Tell. Anton smiled wryly.

аааа "Andа enterprises ofа greatа pitch and moment,"а he recited, "with this

regard their current turn away and lose the name of action."

аааа Faithful Pashka called out:

аааа "Hey, kids, a car was here! After the thunderstorm! The grass isа still

flat where the tires drove over it! And here--"

аааа That lucky Pashka, thought Anton. Carefully he examined the tire tracks

in the road. He, too, saw the trampled grass and the black skid marksа where

the car must have suddenly braked before a pothole in the concrete pavement.

аааа "I can see it now," called out Pashka. "The car must have come from the

other side, from behind the traffic sign."

аааа It seemed very obvious, but Anton said:

аааа "Baloney! He's come from the other direction!"

аааа Pashka regarded him with surprise:

аааа "What's gotten into you? You're blind as a bat!"

аааа "He'sа come from this way here," Anton argued stubbornly. "Let's follow

his track."

аааа "You idiot!" Pashka sounded angry. "Whoа in his right mind wouldа drive

into a one-way street the wrong way? And look here:а here is the pothole and

over there the skid mark --so where did the car come from?"

аааа "I don't care whatа you say! I'm goingа along this one-way street, even

if it's the wrong way."

аааа Pashka turned pale with fury. "Go right ahead!"

аааа He startedа to hiccup.а "What idiocy!а The sunа mustа have cookedа your

brain!"

аааа Anton turned around. He looked straight ahead, ducked under the traffic

sign and passed through to the other side. He only wished he could come upon

a collapsed bridgeа and haveа to work his way over to the other side. I have

nothingа moreа toа do withа them,а heа thought.а Let themа goа wherever they

please--with herа darling Pashka.а Then he remembered how Ankaа hadа cut off

Pashka whenа heа had calledа herа Anetchka, andа feeling a bit relieved,а he

turned and looked back.

аааа Hisа eye fell on Pashka. Like a dog sniffing a scent, Don Saranchaа was

following the trackа of the mysterious car. The rusty sign over the road was

gentlyа swaying inа the wind, and the blue sky gleamedа through the hole the

arrowа had made, Anka sat at the side of the road, her elbows resting on her

knees and her chin supported by her small, clenched fists.

аааа As they were returning home,а dusk began to fall.а The twoа boys rowed,

while Anka sat at the rudder. A red moon stood above the dark forest and the

frogs croaked untiringly.

аааа "And we had planned everything soа nicely," said Ankaа mournfully. "You

two--!"

аааа The boys remained silent. Then Pashka asked softly:

аааа "Toshka, what did you find behind the one-way street sign?"

аааа "Aа collapsed bridge,"а answered Anton. "And the skeleton of aа German,

chained to a machine gun."а He thought a while, then heа added: "the machine

gun was halfway sunk into the ground already."

аааа "Hmm, yes,"а said Pashka. "These thingsа can happen. Iа helped somebody

repair his car back there."

 

ONE

 

аааа As Rumata passed by the tomb ofа the Holyа Mickey--the seventhа and the

last onа this stretch of the road--darkness hadа already fallen.а The highly

praisedа Chamalharianа stallion which he had won from Don Tameo in a game of

cards, wasа in fact a miserable nag. The animal was drippingа with sweat; it

kept stumbling over its own legs, and its irregular trot reminded one of the

swaying motionsа of a tossing ship.а Rumata pressed his knees hard intoа the

animal's flanks and slappedа hisа glovesа between the horse's ears. Theа nag

respondedа merelyа withа a tiredа nod; its pace remained the same. Under the

lateа evening dusk, the bushes that linedа the road appeared like solidified

smokeа clouds. Swarms of flies buzzed annoyingly around the rider's head. Up

inа theа darkenedа nightа skyа aа fewа yellowishа starsа dimlyа nickered. An

alternately cold and warmа wind came inа gentle, irregular squalls,а typical

for thisа coastal stripа during fall withа its sultry,а dust-filled days and

cold, frosty nights.

аааа Rumata drew his cloakа closer around his shouldersа and letа go ofа the

reins. There was no use trying to hurry. Midnight was stillа one hourа away,

and already he couldа recognize the black jagged outline of Hiccup Forest on

theа horizon. To the leftа andа the rightа ofа the roadа carelessly ploughed

fields stretched into the distance. Swamps stinking of rotten vegetation and

decaying animals glimmered inа the faint light of the stars: here andа there

silhouettes of hills andа theа half-rotted wooden palisades from the time of

the Great Invasion loomed up horribly.а Far off in the distance theа sullen,

lambentа flamesа ofа aа fireа flickered:а most likelyа a village was burning

somewhere overа there--one of theа innumerableа wretchedа littleа look-alike

places that until recentlyа had been known by namesа such as "Death Hamlet,"

"Gallows Hill View,"а or "Robbersа Nest"; imperialа edicts hadа renamed them

"Blossom Grove," "Peace Harbor View" and "Angel Rest."

аааа This land stretched overа hundreds of miles, from the shores of the Big

Bayа toа the eerie Hiccup Forest. Theа terrain teemed withа hostsа of gnats,

gougedа by gorges, half smotheredа by swamps;а its inhabitants were raked by

fever and forever threatened by pestilence and vile colds.

аааа Near aа bendа inа the road, a darkа figure stepped from the bushes. The

stallion gave a suddenа start and threw back its head. Rumata quickly seized

theа reins,а then with a swift movementа adjusted hisа right sleeve--anа old

habit of his--and reached for hisа sword. Then he had a closer look. The man

at the side of the road took off his hat.

аааа "Good evening, noble don," he said softly. "I beg your pardon."

аааа "What'sа theа matter?"а inquired Rumata. Heа cocked an earа towardа the

bushes.

аааа Thereа isа actuallyа no such thingа asа aа silentа ambush. Robbersа are

betrayedа by the singing ofа their bow strings;а the men of the Gray Militia

constantlyа belch upа their sour beer;а theа hordes of the barons grunt with

greedа and rattleа theirа sabers; and the monksа who hunt for slaves scratch

themselves noisily. No,а it wasа all quietа in the thicket. Thisа man was no

bushwhacker, thought Rumata.а He did not look at all like a sniper: he was a

short, stocky townsman wrapped in a rather inexpensive cloak.

аааа "Willа you permitа meа to run alongside your horse?" he asked the rider

and bowed deeply to him.

аааа "Come along,"а said Rumata, toying with theа reins. "Youа can hold onto

the stirrup."

аааа Theа man walked alongside, holdingа his hatа in hisа hand. His head was

completely bald. A stewart from some baronial estate, thought Rumata. Visits

barons and cattle dealers, buys up hemp and flax. Aа stalwart man . . . Then

again, maybeа he'sа noа stewartа afterа all. Maybe he'sа a "bookworm," orа a

fugitive. Maybe he'sа aа ne'er-do-well--there are many ofа that kind roaming

the roads at night--certainly more than there areа baronial stewarts. But be

could be a spy as well...

аааа "Who are you and where are you coming from?" asked Rumata.

аааа "They call me Kiun,"а answered the manа sorrowfully. "And Iа comeа from

Arkanar."

аааа "You mean you are fleeing fromа Arkanar," said Rumata and bentа forward

slightly toward him. "Yes."а The man spoke withа sadness. Some freak, an odd

character, thought Rumata. Or is he a spy after all? I'll keep an eye on him

. . . But why should Iа bother to keep an eyeа on him? Who will be helped by

that? Who am I to scrutinize and test him? I don't even want to observe him!

Why shouldn'tа I simplyа believeа him?а There isа a man,а quite obviously an

intellectual, on the run, his life at stake ... He feels lonely, he's afraid

andа weak,а justа looking forа aа helpingа hand--and then heа runsа intoа an

aristocrat The aristocrats areа tooа stupid and arrogant toа know much about

politics. Instead, they have very long sabers, and theyа don't like the Gray

Militia, Why shouldn't citizen Kiun simply seek protection from some stupid,

arrogant aristocrat? That'sа it. Ofа course,а Iа won'tа keep my eyeа onа him

especially. I have no special reason to. Let's rather chat for a while, kill

some time, and then we will part friends...

аааа "Kiun . . ." he said aloud. "I onceа knew aа Kiun. Aа quack doctorа and

alchemist on Klempner Street. Are you related to him?"

аааа "Oh dear, yes, I am," saidа Kiun. "I'mа only a very distant relative of

his,а butа theyа don't care.а They exterminate our kindа upа toа the twelfth

generation."

аааа "And where are you fleeing to, Kiun?"

аааа "Any place. Asа far awayа fromа here asа possible. Manyа haveа fledа to

Irukan. Ill try my luck with Irukan, too."

аааа "Well, well," said Rumata. "Andа youа think the noble don will lead you

safely through the sentry posts?"

аааа Kiun remained silent.

аааа "Or, maybe you think the noble don doesn't know whatа kind of a man the

alchemist on Klempner Street really is?"

аааа Kiunа stillа did notа answer. I think I'm talking aа lotа ofа nonsense,

thought Rumata. But thenа he rose high up in his stirrups and, imitating the

town crier on the Royal Square, puffed up his throat and shouted:

аааа "Accusedа andа condemnedа of the mostа horrible and unforgivable crimes

against God, the Crown and the public safety!"

аааа Kiun still remained silent.

аааа "Andа what if theа noble don adored and revered Don Reba, the father of

all abominations? What if he were devoted with all his heart to the cause of

the Gray Militia? Or do you think that is totally out of the question?"

аааа Kiun kept silent.а To the right of the road,а the black silhouette of a

gallowsа tree loomedа in the dark. Aа ghostly white naked body, strung up by

the feet, swung from a crossbeam.а Oh well, thought Rumata,а what's the good

of it all? He pulled tight his reins, seized Kiun by the shoulder and turned

the man's face around for him to see.

аааа "And howа would you like it ifа the noble donа would hang you now right

next to thatа gallows bird?" he said and stared into the white face and dark

orbsа ofа Kiun.а "I'dа doа itа myself.а Swiftа andа skillful.а With a strong

Arkanarianа rope? Forа theа sake of ideals? Why do you keep silent, bookworm

Kiun?"

аааа Kiunа did not speak. His teeth were rattling with fright and he twisted

weakly under Rumata's strong grip like a captured lizard. Suddenly, a splash

could be heard as something fell into the canal alongsideа the road. Atа the

same time, as ifа to drown outа the splashingа noise of the impact,а the man

shouted desperately:

аааа "Go ahead and hang me! String me up, you traitor!"

аааа Rumata caught his breath and let go of Kiun.

аааа "I was only joking," he said. "Don't be afraid."

аааа "Lies, lies," Kiun sobbed. "Nothing but lies everywhere!"

аааа "All right, then," said Rumata. "Forgive me! You'dа betterа fish it out

of the water,а whatever you just threw in there. It willа get soaked through

otherwise."

аааа Kiun did not budge from the spot. Hisа upper body swayed back and forth

in indecision. Heа continued toа sob softly, and beatа his palms senselessly

againstа hisа cloak.а Then, slowly, he crawled into theа canal.а Rumataа was

waiting. He was very tiredа and he sank down into his saddle. That's the way

it's got toа be, he thought;а it can'tа beа doneа any otherа way. Kiunа came

staggering out of the canal, a bundle hidden under his cloak.

аааа "Books, of course," said Rumata.

аааа Kiun gently shook his head.

аааа "No," he said hoarsely. "Only one book. My book."

аааа "What do you write?"

аааа "I'm afraid it wouldn't interest you, noble don."

аааа Rumata wrinkled his brow and sighed.

аааа "Hold onto the stirrup," he said, "and come on."

аааа Neither spoke for a long time.

аааа "Listen,а Kiun," said Rumata. "Iа was only joking. Don'tа beа afraid of

me."

аааа "What a world," grumbled Kiun. "What a funny world. Everybody is making

fun. And they all do it the same way. Even the noble Don Rumata.

аааа Rumata was startled.

аааа "You know my name?"

аааа "Yes,а I do,"а saidа Kiun.а "I recognized you byа theа circletа on your

forehead.а And at first I was so happy to have met you of all people here on

this road--"

аааа Why, ofа course, Rumata thought.а That's what wasа onа his mind when he

called me a traitor. He said:

аааа "You see, I thought you were a spy. And those I kill usually at once."

аааа "Aа spy?"а Kiunа replied.а "Yes,а indeed.а Nowadaysа it'sа soа easy and

profitable to be a spy. Our shining eagle, our most noble Don Reba,а is very

anxious to know what the king'sа subjects are saying and thinking.а I wish I

wereа aа spy. A proper scout in the Gray Joy Tavern. How fine and honorable!

At sixа o'clock, offа I goа to the inn. Theа innkeeper will rush to my usual

table to bring me my first tankard, and Iа can drink as muchа as I can hold.

Don Reba is paying for the beer-- or to be exact, nobody really pays for it.

Iа just sit there with my beer in front of meа and my ears open. Sometimes I

pretend to make some notes aboutа the conversations, and youа should see the

poorа frightened things crawl up to offer their friendship and their purses.

In their eyes I can see what Iа always wanted to: theа devotionа ofа whipped

dogs, awe and fear and impotent hatred. I can have any girl I want, any time

I like;а women melt inа my arms right in front ofа their husbands' eyes--all

healthy, strapping men, whoа standа thereа with obsequious giggles. Splendid

prospects, noble don, don'tа you agree? I heard all thisа first-handа from a

fifteen-year-old kid, a pupil of the Patriotic School--"

аааа "And what did you tell him then?" Rumata's curiosity had been roused by

the fugitive's tale.

аааа "What should I have told him? He wouldn't have understood anyhow. Soа I

told him about the men of Waga Koleso, the robber chief; whenever they catch

a spy, they simply slit his belly open andа stuff his guts with pepper. Then

again, thereа are the drunkenа soldiers who jam a spy into a sackа and drown

him in the village pond. And, what's more, I was telling the truth, the pure

truth--but heа wouldn't believe me. He said,а "That's not what they teach us

at school." Thenа Iа took aа piece of paperа andа startedа to write down our

conversation. I needed it at the time for my book, but theа poor boy thought

it was a denunciation. He suddenly broke out in a sweat all over..."

аааа They could see lights twinkle through the foliageа of theа trees lining

the road. Itа was comingа from the innа called Bako's Skeleton. Kiun's steps

began to falter and he fell silent.

аааа "What's the matter?" asked Rumata.

аааа "Aа patrol of the Gray Militia. Overа there," answeredа Kiun underа his

breath.

аааа "Well, soа what?" said Rumata. "Listen--we love and revere these simple

rough men, our militant Gray boys. We need them. From now on the people will

have toа keep their tongues in check, if they don't want toа dangle from the

nearest branch of a tree!"

аааа He laughed because heа hadа expressed it so splendidly--exactlyа in the

language of the Gray Barracks.

аааа Kiun seemed to shrink; he pulled his head between his shoulders.

аааа "Simple folkа have to know their place.а God didn't giveа them a tongue

for talking, but for licking the boots of their master,а the noble lord, who

has been placed above them from the very beginning of time..."

аааа In the paddock, behindа theа inn, the saddled horses of the Gray Patrol

pranced about.а Through an open windowа cameа theа raucousа cursingа ofа the

players and theа knockа and rattle from their game ofа knucklebones.а In the

doorwayа stoodа "Skeletonа Bako"а inа person,а blockingа theа wayа withа his

tremendous belly.а Heа wore an old leatherа jacket whose seamsа had burst in

innumerable places. Theа edgesа ofа his sleeves drippedа with moisture.а His

mossyа paw gripped a club--evidently he had just slain aа dog for his broth,

had broken out in a heavy sweat with the effort, and had steppedа outside to

get his wind back. A Gray Sturmovik lolled on the stairs, his battle-ax held

between his knees. The massive handle of his ax pushed his face to one side.

Itа was plain to seeа that he was nursing a giant hangover. Whenа he noticed

theа rider,а be clearedа hisа throat, spatа betweenа hisа feet,а andа called

hoarsely. "Sto-o-o-p! Who goes there? St-o-o-op! No-o-o-ble d-o-n-n-n!"

аааа Rumata's chin barely jutted out as he rode past the man without so much

as a glance.

аааа ". . . But if their tongue is licking the wrong boots," he saidа aloud,

"then it must be yanked out, for it is written: Your tongue--my enemy..."

аааа Hidden by the nag's croup, Kiun hopped alongsideа with long leaps.а Out

ofа the corner ofа his eye, Rumataа noticedа Kiun'sа bald head gleaming with

perspiration.

аааа "Stop, I said!" roared the Sturmovik.

аааа One could hear his ax scrapingа against the steps as he dragged himself

down the stairs, cursing God, the devil, and all people of high birth.

аааа About five men,а pondered Rumata, and tugged at his lace cuffs. Drunken

butchers. So what!

аааа They had passed the inn by now and kept moving toward the woods.

аааа "Iа can walk faster, if you soа desire," said Kiun with anа exaggerated

firm voice.

аааа "Certainly not!" said Rumata and slowed his horse down.

аааа "It would be boring to ride so many miles without a single brawl. Don't

you ever want to getа into a good fight, Kiun? Just talk, that's all you do,

don't you?"

аааа "No," said Kiun. "I have never any desire to get into a fight."

аааа "That'sа exactly yourа trouble," Rumataа grumbled, annoyed. He directed

the stallion to the side of the road, and tugged impatiently at his gloves.

аааа Fromа a bend in the road, two riders came galloping at full speed. They

halted as soon as they caught sight of him.

аааа "Hey, there, noble don!" shouted the first one. "Show your pass!"

аааа "Youа boor!" Rumata'sа voice was icy. "Youа can't evenа read, what good

will a pass do you!"

аааа He jerked his knees deeply into his horse's flanks, and the steedа took

off inа aа fast trotа straight toward the twoа Gray Sturmoviks. Cowards,а he

thought. Let's just slap their faces a few times! No, what's the use. Here I

am, burning to ventа the rage that has been building up all day--but nothing

will comeа ofа itа anyhow. Soа let's stayа calmа and humane,а let'sа forgive

everyone, remain imperturbable like the gods. The gods are never in a hurry;

after all, they have all eternity ahead of them...

аааа Heа rodeа closeа to the Sturmoviks. Theа twoа men,а noа longer sureа of

themselves, seized their axes and fell back.

аааа "W-e-e-ell?" Rumata asked slowly.

аааа "Oh--what'sа theа matterа with me?"а stammeredа the braverа of theа two

Sturmoviks, quite perplexed. "I mean--it's you, the noble Don Rumata?"

аааа Hisа companionа had already turned hisа horseа around and made off in a

fastа gallop.а The first Sturmovik kept falling back and loweredа his raised

ax.

аааа "Iа begа your most humble pardon, noble don,"а he gushed. "Weа didа not

recognizeа youа rightа awayа ... it wasа our fault.а Official business,а you

know--soа easyа to make a mistakeа there. The fellowsа have been drinkingа a

little,а andа theyа are burningа withа eagerness--" He maneuvered hisа horse

around, readyа to takeа off. "You willа understand, noble don, such restless

times .а . . We're hunting down those fleeing bookworms ... I hope you won't

make complaints about us, noble don--"

аааа Rumata turned his back on him. "A pleasant journey,а mostа nobleа don!"

shouted the Sturmovik after him, much relieved.

аааа As soon as the two riders were out of sight, Rumata called outа softly:

"Kiun!"

аааа There was no answer.

аааа "Hey, Kiun!"

аааа Stillа no answer. He listened more closely; now he could hear a distant

rustling in the bushes that was set off distinctly against the background of

the constantlyа singing gnats and mosquitoes. Kiun must be marchingа hastily

across theа land, toward the West, in the direction of the Irukanian border.

That's that, thoughtа Rumata.а What was the good of the wholeа conversation?

It's alwaysа theа sameа thing, overа andа over again. Cautiousа exploring at

first, then guarded exchangeа of ambiguous remarks . . . Week after week you

wasteа your energy on stupid chatter withа any number of morons; but ifа you

areа luckyа enoughа toа meetа someа realа person,а there'sа noа timeа forа a

heart-to-heartа talk. You'd likeа toа provide some cover for him, to protect

him, to helpа him reach some refuge--and he walks away withoutа ever knowing

whether he encounteredа aа friendа or a vain fop.а Andа you don'tа findа out

anythingа aboutа himа either--hisа desires, hisа abilities, hisа reasonа for

living, his goals...

аааа His thoughts turned to Arkanar in the evening. Solid stone houses along

theа mainа streets,а friendlyа lanternsа over theа innа gates,а kindhearted,

satisfied shopkeepersа drinking their beer atа clean tables, chattingа about

the world, howа it isn'tа such a bad place after all; discussing the falling

bread pricesа orа the rising harness prices; here and there a conspiracyа is

unveiled,а warlocks and suspectа bookworms are incarcerated, the king isа as

magnificent and grand as ever;а Don Reba, however,а is infinitely clever and

always onа hisа guard.а "You don't say!"---"That's the way it'sа supposed to

be!"-- "The world is round!"--"For all I care it might be square, only don't

you touch our learned men!"--"Believe me, brothers, all our misfortunes come

from those know-it-alls!"-- "Happiness is notа causedа by money; the peasant

is a human being, too, soа they say, fine, but go on--and all the timeа more

and more of this inciting poetry: and they begin toа raise hell,а thereа are

riots andа mutinyа . . ." "Throwа themа all inа jail,а brothers! Myself, for

example, what would I do? I would ask them directly: can you read and write?

Lock him up! You write poems?а Lockа him up! Youа are an expert on diagrams?

Lockа him up! You know too much!--" "Bina,а my angel, another three tankards

of beer and a roast hare!"

аааа And outsideа the window--stomp,а stomp, stomp--come marchingа along the

nailed boots of the sturdy, red-nosed fellows in their gray shirts. And over

their right shoulder,а the heavy hatchets. "Brothers!а Thereа theyа are, our

protectors! They keep this learned rabble at a proper distance, yes, indeed!

.а . . Andа that one over there, that's my boy, myа son--Overа there onа the

right flank! Itа was only yesterday that I tanned hisа hide!а Yes, brothers,

we're livingа inа aа wonderful time!а Our monarchy, soа solidlyа entrenched,

prosperity, unshakableа lawа andа order--andа justice. Hoorayа forа our Gray

Troops! Hooray, Don Reba! Long live our King! That's the life, brothers!"

аааа Over the dark plains ofа the kingdomа ofа Arkanar,а however,а lit up by

ragingа fires andа glowing woods,а hundredsа of miserableа menа are fleeing,

skirting the sentryа posts,а running, stumbling,а and runningа on. Bitten by

gnats,а withа bleeding, sore feet, covered withа dustа and sweat, tormented,

frightened and tortured by despair, butа as hard as steel andа firm in their

convictions--they are unlawfully accusedа andа persecuted. Why? Because they

healа andа teachа their people, whoа are riddled by diseaseа and swampedа by

ignorance;а because, like gods, theyа create a second nature out of clay and

stone, wishing to beautify our existence,а forа a people that does notа know

beauty;а because they penetrateа into the secrets of nature hoping toа place

these secrets at the service ofа andа for the benefit of the dull, apathetic

people, who have been kept in fear by ancient black arts. They are helpless,

good and awkward, way ahead of their own times...

аааа Rumata pulled off oneа glove andа soundlyа slapped his stallion between

the ears. "Let's go, you lame oldа mare!" Heа spokeа Russian. It was already

past midnight when he rode into the forest.

аааа Nowadaysа nobodyа could tell exactlyа any moreа where that strange name

came from--"Hiccup Forest." A rumor had been circulated via official sources

that some 300а years earlier the Iron Squads of Imperialа Marshalа Totz (who

later became the firstа king of Arkanar) had penetrated thisа forest as they

were pursuing the retreatingа hordes of the copper-skinned barbarians. There

the braveа warriors had gathered the barkа ofа the White Trees andа brewed a

kind ofа domesticа beer which turnedа out so miserably that whoever drank it

would suffer for hours from hiccups and belching.а The following morning, so

theа legend goes, whenа said Marshal Totz came to inspect the camp, he tamed

upа his blue-blooded noseа and spoke,а the following words; "Indeed, this is

unbearable! The whole forest has the hiccups and reeks of bad beer!" That is

the origin, it is said, of this peculiar name.

аааа One might quarrelа about the veracity ofа thisа legend, but in any case

this was no ordinary forest. Giant trees with firm white trunks were growing

inа it,а ofа the kind that couldа noа longerа be found anywhereа else in the

country. Not evenа in theа dukedomа ofа Irukan, andа definitely notа inа the

Mercantile Republic of Sloan, where all theа timber had longа since been cut

down forа use inа theа construction ofа ships. There were rumorsа making the

roundа thatа many such woodsа still existed beyond the Red Mountains, in the

country ofа theа barbarians--butа there are all kinds of stories toldа about

those barbarians, you know ...

аааа Aа path had been cutа through the forest some 200 years back. This road

led to the silver minesа and by virtue of feudal law the noble family of the

Barons of Pampa, the descendants ofа a comrade-in-arms of Marshalа Totz, had

been invested with these holdings. Accordingа to this feudal law, the Barons

of Pampaа wereа supposedа to payа theа Arkanarian kings twelve poods of pure

silver each year. Thus each new king would gatherа an army shortlyа after he

ascended toа the throne, and march toward Castle Bau, where the barons dwelt

The walls of the castle were solid, the barons were brave, and each year, as

before, theа kingdom of Arkanar had yet to collect theа twelve poods of pure

silver. After their defeated armies had returned home, the Arkanarianа kings

would once again confirmа theа barons' legalа claims, inа addition toа other

privileges, including the right to pick one's noseа at the royalа table, the

right to goа huntingа in theа western regions of Arkanarа and,а finally, the

right to call the princes by theirа first names,а without addingа their rank

and title.

аааа Hiccupа Forestа wasа full ofа dark secrets.а Throughout the day,а heavy

carloads ofа silver ore would roll toward the South. But at night,а the road

was deserted, for few men dared walk there under the lights of the stars. It

wasа saidа that at night the Siu bird called from the Highа Tree. No one had

everа beheldа this bird, аforа it cannotа be seen by humanа eyes,а beingа no

ordinary bird. Itа wasа said that greatа shaggy spiders would jumpа from the

tree branches onto a horse's neckа to suck his blood in almostа no time.а It

wasа said that the monstrousа primeval dragon Pechа roamed this forest;а the

monsterа was saidа toа beа covered with giant scales; toа bearа a live young

dragonletа onceа every twelveа years;а and to drag after it 12 tails pouring

withа sweat. And somebodyа is said to have seen withа his own eyes, in broad

daylight, how the naked wild sow Y, cursed by theа Holy Mickey, was dragging

itself along the highway, moaning andа grunting--a rapacious beast ofа prey,

invulnerable to iron but easily pierced by a bone.

аааа Here in this mysterious forest, you might encounter the fugitive slave,

the oneа with the black tattoosа between his shoulder blades. Heа was stupid

and pitiless, just like the shaggy, blood-sucking spiders. Or you might meet

the magician, the one who hadа been mangledа by three deaths;а he was always

gathering mysterious mushrooms for his magic potions, which could make a man

invisible, or change him intoа different animals, or evenа give him a second

shadow.

аааа Everyone knew, of course, thatа theа robber captain Waga Koleso and his

bandа roamedа alongа the roadа all throughа theа night,а and fugitive forced

laborersа fromа theа silver mines,а withа theirа blackа handsа andа whitish,

transparentа faces.а The poisonersа wouldа gather here forа theirа nocturnal

meetings, and the brazen hunters of the Baronsа of Pampaа camped out inа the

gladesа where they could roast their stolen buffaloes on a spit over an open

fire.

аааа In theа midst ofа theа thicket, where the underbrush was growing denser

than anywhere, stood a giant tree, gouged with clefts and chinks by old age.

Beneath it leanedа aа warped woodenа hut, surrounded by a blackened,а wooden

palisade. The hut had been here sinceа time immemorial. Theа door was always

closed. Idols hewn of entire logs leaned against the moldering wooden steps.

Thisа hutа was,а as everyone could testify, the most, most dangerous spot in

all Hiccupа Forest. Everyа twelve years the old wild sowа Pech comes here to

bring forth its young. Then the sow crawls under this hut to die,а poisoning

the whole foundation ofа theа hutа with its black venom. If ever this poison

seepsа to the outside, the end of the worldа will be near. Peopleа alsoа say

that on unclean nights, theа idolsа will digа themselvesа out from the soil,

walk to the path, and make mysterious signs there. And they also say that at

times a demonicа light will shine in the dead windows of the hut, while dull

soundsа can be heardа from within, andа smoke canа beа seen rising fromа the

chimney up to the sky.

аааа Not long ago, the village idiotа Kukisch from the hamlet "Sweet Stench"

(also popularly known as "Dung Heap") happened to chance upon this hutа and,

fool thatа he is, staredа into a window. Heа cameа home completely mad,а and

after heа had regained the pitiful tracesа of wit he had, heа told of having

seen a light inside the hut, a man sitting at a rough wooden table, his feet

propped upа onа theа rough bench, holdingа a little casketа in hisа hand and

drinking from it. His jowls drooped almost down to his belt and his skin was

all pockmarked. And that, naturally,а was the Holy Mickeyа in person, before

he had seen the light,а in fact: a moll hunter, drunkard, and blasphemer. To

gaze upon him was only possible for thoseа who were entirely without fear. A

sweet, heavy odor had comeа through the window and shadowsа flittedа through

the trees.а Peopleа came from all overа to listenа to the idiot'sа tale. The

whole storyа finally ended when the Sturmoviks appeared,а screwed his elbows

up to his shoulders and sent him packing. Still, of course, the rumors about

the old hut could not be quenched, and fromа then on it wasа generally known

as the "Drunkard's Lair."

аааа Rumata madeа hisа wayа through theа prolific growths ofа gigantic ferns

until he came to the entrance of theа Drunkard's Lair. Heа tied his horse to

one of the idols. There was a light inside theа hutа and the doorа was open,

hangingа by aа singleа hinge. Father Kabaniа sat atа theа table,а completely

disheveled.а A penetratingа odor of schnappsа filled the hut; on theа table,

amidst gnawed bones and boiled beets, sat a giant earthenware jug.

аааа "Good evening, Father Kabani," said Rumata as he crossed the threshold.

аааа "Iа bid you welcome," replied Father Kabani with aа voice thatа sounded

like a hunter's horn.

аааа Rumata approached the table with clicking spurs, dropped hisа gloves on

the tableа and looked again at Father Kabani, who sat motionless,а his heavy

drooping jowls supported inа his palms. His shaggy,а half-gray eyebrows hung

down onto his cheeks like dried grass tufts over a ravine. From the nostrils

ofа his porousа large-pored nose the air came whistling whenever he breathed

out. It stank of half-digested alcohol.

аааа "Iа invented it myself!" heа saidа suddenly, unexpectedly.а Withа great

effort heа pulledа up hisа rightа eyebrowа andа directed aа somber glance at

Rumata. "I myself! And whatа for?" He withdrew his right hand from under his

jowl and his hairy finger gestured aimlessly in the air. "And despite all, I

am good for nothing!а Iа have invented it--andа yet I'm no good,а eh? That's

right, that'sа right, a failure. Noneа of us invents anything anyhow, nobody

has any new ideas, but-- oh, the devil with it all...!"

аааа Rumata unbuckled his belt, took off his fez and removed his swords.

аааа "Come, come," he said gently.

аааа "The box!"а Father Kabani wheezed. Then heа fell silent andа movedа his

cheeks in a strange fashion.

аааа Without taking his eyes off the old man, Rumata swung his feet, shod in

dusty boots, over the benchа and sat down. He placed both his swords next to

each other on the table.

аааа "The boxа . . ." repeated Father Kabani. "We always say we invented it.

Butа inа reality itа was all thought upа aа long time before us. Some person

invented it ages ago, put it in a box, made a hole in the box, and then made

off--maybe went to sleep somewhere--And what comes next? Then Fatherа Kabani

arrives,а closes his eyes and putsа his handа into the hole."а Father Kabani

looked at his hand. "Ha! аInvented!а I, he said,а have thought up this thing

... ! And if you don't believe it,а then you are an ass. And I stick my hand

inside --One! What do I find? Barbed wire! What is that for? For the wolves,

naturally. Splendid! And I stick my hand inside again--Two! What do Iа find?

What a cleverly conceived thing, a so-called meat grinder. What is that for?

Forа finelyа groundа meat. Splendid!а I stick myа handа inside for the third

time--Three! What isа it?а Firewater. Whatа is that for? To makeа dampа wood

burn, eh?"

аааа Father Kabani fell silent once, moreа and arched forward as ifа someone

hadа grabbed himа by theа collar. Rumata tookа the jug, peeredа inside, then

pouredа aа few drops on the back ofа hisа hand. Theа liquid wasа violetа and

smelled strongly of cheap alcohol. Rumata carefully dried his hand withа his

laceа handkerchief.а Greasyа spotsа remainedа on theа cloth. Father Kabani's

disheveled head touched the table. He suddenly straightened up again.

аааа "Whoever putа allа thisа stuff intoа the box knew what it was good for.

Barbed wire against the wolves? I made that up myself,а fool that I am. They

use theа barbedа wireа for fencingа theа minesа andа theа pits! So thatа the

political prisoners don't run awayа from there. But I won't playа along with

them! I'mа an enemy of theа state, too. But did they askа me? Sure they did!

Barbedа wire, eh? Sure,а barbed wire,а what else.а Against theа wolves,а eh?

Againstа the wolves .а .а .а Excellentа . . . Splendid chap! Let's fence the

mines and the pits with it! Don Reba in person, the first minister of state,

helped toа fence theа mines. And he even requisitioned my meat grinder. He's

got brains, all right! Splendid! And now he grinds the meat in the Towerа of

Joy--fromа humanа beings--Andа thatа worksа miraclesа during interrogations,

people say..."

аааа I know all that, thought Rumata. I know it all. I know how you screamed

inа your privateа audienceа withа Donа Reba,а how you crawledа at hisа feet,

imploring аandа begging: Stop,а please. I'll confess! But itа wasа tooа late

already. Your meat grinder had already started...

аааа Father Kabani seized the jug and lifted it to his hairy mouth, tippling

the poisonousа swillа as he roaredа like the wild sow Y. Then he set the jug

back on the table with a bang and popped a boiled beet into his mouth. Tears

flowed over his broad cheeks.

аааа "Yes, firewater!" he said when he found his voice again. "To be used as

tinderа for theа hearthа andа forа a jolly gameа orа two. Butа whatа kind of

firewater isа that, my dear, if youа can drink it? Mix it with beer, and how

the price of beerа would soar! But no, I won't give it to you! I'll drink it

all myself.а Andа how I drink it!а Night and day. I'm all bloated. Andа it's

gettingа worse all the time. Theа other day I lookedа inа a mirrorа and--Don

Rumata,а you won't believeа it--I was scared of myself! I looked closer--may

the Good Lord protect me! What was left ofа Father Kabani? A sea-monster,а a

polyp,а dotted all over with colored spots. Someа red, some blueа . . . They

say firewater was invented for merry games with fire--"

аааа Father Kabani spat on the floor, scraping his shoe over the spot to rub

out his spittle. Suddenly he asked: "What day is it today?"

аааа "The eve of Kata the Just," said Rumata.

аааа "And why isn't the sun shining?"

аааа "Because it's night."

аааа "Nightа again," said Father Kabani painfully and fell forward, his face

splashing into the beets.

аааа Rumataа regarded him for aа while, whistlingа softly between his teeth.

Then he rose from the bench and walked overа toа the backа porch. Amid small

piles ofа beetsа and sawdust glitteredа the glassа pipesа of Father Kabani's

voluminous distillation equipment for home-brewed liquor. It was the amazing

creationа of aа born engineer andа aа masterful glass-blower. Twice,а Rumata

walked around the devilish machine, then, in the dark, groped for a piece of

ironа and beganа to hitа aboutа atа random, withoutа aimingа atа anything in

particular.а Thereа wasа the sound ofа breakingа glass, rattlingа metal, and

gurgling liquids. The cheap smell of soured spirits pervaded the small room.

As he walked over to the otherа comer to switch on theа electric light,а the

broken glass crunched under his boots. In the comer stood a heavy strongbox,

containingа a "Midas" fieldа synthesizer. With his rightа hand Rumataа swept

some rubble off the top of the safe, dialed a combination of various numbers

onа theа lockа and openedа it. Evenа in theа brightа electricalа light,а the

synthesizer looked rather odd inа the midst of allа the rubbish and garbage.

Rumata grasped a handful of sawdust from a pile and threw it into the feeder

funnel. The synthesizer started humming at once, then automatically switched

on the indicator. With the tip of his boot, Rumata shoved a rusty pail under

theа output slot. And in no time--clink, clink,а clink--golden ducats, coins

with the aristocratic profile of Pitz the Sixth, King of Arkanar,а fell into

the battered pail.

аааа Rumata carried the old manа overа to an old creaking wooden cot, pulled

off his boots,а tamed himа over on his right side, and coveredа him with the

almost hairless furа of aа long-dead animal. In the process,а Fatherа Kabani

woke up briefly. Heа could neitherа move nor think clearly. So heа contented

himself withа reciting a few verses ofа aа forbidden romance: "I amа likeа a

crimson flower in your dearа little hand . . . ," whereupon he lapsed into a

hearty snore.

аааа Rumataа clearedа the table,а sweptа the floor, andа cleaned theа single

window,а which was blackа withа accumulated dirt andа soot from the chemical

experimentsа that Father Kabaniа conducted at theа windowа sill.а Behind the

dilapidated stoveа he found a bottle with alcoholа whichа heа poured intoа a

rathole.а Thenа heа watered his Chamalharian stallion, fed him oats from his

saddlebag, washed his faceа and hands, and sat down to wait.а He stared into

the little smoking flame of the oil lamp.

аааа He had been leading this strange dual existence for the pastа six years

and had apparently adjusted to it by now. Only fromа time to time--likeа the

present, for instance--it suddenly seemedа to him thatа there was no reality

behind the organized bestiality, the depressing cult ofа the Grays.а He felt

asа if a strange theater performance wereа unrolling inа frontа of his eyes,

with himself, Rumata, playing theа principal part And any moment now,а after

some particularly successful rejoinder, the applause would begin toа thunder

andа the connoisseursа andа artа lovers fromа the Instituteа of Experimental

History would shout enthusiastically from their loges:

аааа "Bravo, Anton, fantastic, great! Well done, Tony!"

аааа Heа looked aroundа but there was no crowded theater, onlyа damp,а mossy

walls of rough-hewn logs, blackened by the smoking oil lamp.

аааа Outside, the Chamalharian stallion neighed softly and pawed the ground.

Gradually, a deep whistle came nearer. It sounded so familiar, so well known

from daysа ofа old, thatа tears almost welled up in Rumata's eyes--the sound

was so unexpected in thisа godforsaken place. Rumata listenedа intently, his

mouth halfа open. Now the throbbing stopped suddenly; theа tiny flame in the

oil lamp began to sputter,а then suddenly flared up again. Rumataа was about

toа get up fromа the bench when Don Kondor emerged from the darkness ofа the

night and came striding into the room.а Don Kondor was the Supreme Judge and

Keeper of the Great Seal of the Mercantile Republic of Soan,а Vice-President

of the Conference of theа Twelve Negotiators,а andа Cavalier of the Imperial

Order of Righteous Pity.

аааа Rumata jumped up andа knockedа the benchа over. He would have lovedа to

embrace, his friend, kiss his cheeks, but his legs automatically bent at the

kneeа (asа prescribed by etiquette),а his spurs clicked solemnly,а his right

hand swept in a semicircle from hisа heartа over to hisа right side, and his

headа lowered itselfа soа swiftly that hisа chinа almostа disappeared in his

scarf.а Don Kondor took off his velvet cap, adorned by a simple feather, and

quickly waved it in the directionа ofа Don Rumata, asа ifа heа wereа shooing

flies. Then he threw the cap on the table and undidа the clasp at the collar

of his cloak. The cloak sank downwards along his back as he sat on the bench

and stretchedа out hisа legs.а His left hand was held akimbo,а andа with his

outstretched right hand heа held the hiltа of hisа gildedа sword,а whose tip

stuck in the moldy wood of the floor. He was rather small and lean, and big,

somewhat protruding eyes markedа his pale face. His black hair was gathered,

like Rumata's, by a heavy golden circlet with a green stone on his forehead.

аааа "Are you alone, Don Rumata?" he asked hastily.

аааа "Yes, noble don," Rumata answered, depressed.

аааа Fatherа Kabani'sа voice thundered suddenly: "Noble Don Reba!а You are a

hyena, that's what you are!"

аааа Don Kondor didа not pay anyа attentionа to him. Heа did notа evenа turn

around.

аааа "I've come with the helicopter," he said.

аааа "Let's hope nobody saw you."

аааа One legendа more or less. "What's the difference?" answered Donа Kondor

in a somewhat irritated voice. "I've simply not the time to ride around on a

horse. What's happened with Budach? I'm worried aboutа him. Do sit down, Don

Rumata, will you please? I'm getting a crick in my neck this way."

аааа Rumata obediently took a seat on the bench.

аааа "Budach hasа disappeared," he said. "Iа waited for him at the Square of

the Heavyа Swords. Theа only person thatа came was aа one-eyed vagabond, who

gave the passwordа and handed me a bagа full ofа books. I waited for another

two hours; then I got in touch with Don Hug,а who told me he tookа Budach as

far as theа border. Budach was in the company ofа someа noble don, a man who

could beа trusted sinceа he had lost everything at a game of cards withа Don

Hugа andа therefore sold himselfа over, body and soul.а Consequently, Budach

must be somewhere here in Arkanar. That's all I know."

аааа "Not much, I dare say," remarked Don Kondor.

аааа "But the affair with Budach is not that important," replied Rumata. "If

he is still alive,а I'll find him andа extricateа him from any tight spot he

mightа beа in.а That's no problem really. But this wasn'tа what Iа wanted to

discuss with you. I must once more draw your attention toа the fact that the

situation in Arkanar is exceeding the bounds of the basis theory--"

аааа Don Kondor made a sour face.

аааа "No, no, hearа me out,"а said Rumata firmly. "I have the feeling Iа can

neverа makeа myselfа properlyа understoodа overа theа radio. Andа in Arkanar

everythingа is helter-skelter! Aа new, systematically effectiveа factorа has

madeа its appearance. It looks as ifа Don Reba is intentionally hurtling the

whole depressing Grayness of the kingdom on the scientists. Anyone who rises

even slightly above the average Gray level puts his life in jeopardy. Listen

to me, Don Kondor! These are no vague, emotional impressions, these are real

facts!а It's enough to beа intelligent and educated, to dare to have doubts,

to say something out of the ordinary. Perhaps if some day you refuse a glass

of wine, your life willа be in danger. Any little grocery clerk can beat you

to death. Hundreds, thousands of people are being denounced. They are caught

by the Sturmoviks, strung up by their feet in the streets. Naked, with their

head dangling down. Only yesterday they trampled an old manа toа death in my

street withа their boots:а somebody toldа them he could read and write. They

kept kickingа himа for twoа hours,а theseа stupidа pigsа with theirа beastly

drooling snouts--"

аааа Rumata paused forа aа moment to collectа himselfа and endedа in aа calm

voice:а "Toа sum itа allа up,а it won'tа be longа nowа untilа notа aа single

intelligent person will remain alive in Arkanar. Just likeа in the domain of

the Holy Order after the slaughter of Barkan."

аааа Don Kondor fixed his dark eyes on Rumata and pressed his lips together.

аааа "I don't like what's happening with you, Anton," he said in Russian.

аааа "There are lots of things I don't like either, Alexander Vassilevitch,"

said Rumata. "For instance, I don't like the factа that we have tied our own

hands,а the way we have set upа our problem here. I don't like the fact that

weа callа itа the 'problemа ofа bloodlessа procedure.'а For as far asа Iа am

concerned, this isа equivalent toа scientific justification of inactivity. I

knowа all your arguments!а And I am wellа acquaintedа with our theories. But

theories doа not work in such a situation, where everyа minuteа human beings

are attacked by wild beasts in a typical fascist manner! Everything is going

to pieces, going to rack and rum. What goodа is our knowledge and ourа gold?

It always comes too late."

аааа "Anton," said Donа Kondor, "calmа down. I believe you when you say that

theа situationа in Arkanarа hasа reachedа a criticalа point.а Butа I am also

convinced that you cannot propose a single constructive solution."

аааа "That's true," agreed Rumata. "I have no concrete solutions to propose.

But it gets to be more and more difficultа forа me to control myself in view

of these increasing signs of physical and moral corruption."

аааа "Anton,"а saidа Donа Kondor. "There areа 250 ofа us altogetherа on this

entireа planet. All of us exercise effective self-control, and it is equally

difficult for all of us. The most experienced among usа have lived hereа for

twenty-twoа years. Theyа cameа onlyа as observers,а nothingа else.а They are

forbidden to intervene here in any way. Justа imagine: an out-and-out ban on

any intervention.а We don'tа haveа theа right to rescue Budach, even if they

trampled him to death in front of our eyes."

аааа "You don't need to talk to me as if I were a child," said Rumata.

аааа "But you areа as impatient as a child,"а replied Donа Kondor.а "And you

must display a lot of patience here."

аааа Rumata laughed bitterly.

аааа "And while weа are practicing patience and waitingа forever,"а he said,

"holding endless discussionsа about the proper ways to behave, theseа beasts

are attacking their fellow human beings every day, every single minute."

аааа "Anton," said Don Kondor, "there areа thousands of other planets in the

universe which we have not yet visited and where history runs its course."

аааа "But we did come to this planet!"

аааа "Yes.а Notа toа ventа ourа righteous anger,а but ratherа toа help these

creatures here. If you're too weak for theа job, then get out! Go back home!

After all, you're not a child. You knew what to expect here."

аааа Rumata didа not speak. Don Kondor's features relaxed; he seemed to have

agedа many years during his last words.а Slowly he strode the length ofа the

table,а seizedа hisа sword and dragged it behind himа likeа a stick. Then he

lapsed into an almost imperceptible, sad shaking of hisа head; only his nose

seemed to move.

аааа "I canа understand all that," he said. "I've gone through allа ofа this

myself.а There were times when this sensation of personal impotence, myа own

wretchedness,а appearedа to meа asа the mostа horribleа thing.а Someа weaker

characters even went crazy over it and were sent back home for treatment. It

tookа me fifteen years to understand whatа the most horrible thingа is. It's

become dehumanized, Anton; to harden yourа soulа by draggingа it through the

dirt.а We are the gods here, Anton, butа we have toа be wiser than the local

godsа thatа menа here have created after their own image. Our path, however,

leads us along the edge of an abyss. Oneа wrong step and you are caught in a

morass,а and for the restа of your days you cannot free and cleanse yourself

of it. In the Story of the Descent, Goran the Irukanian wrote: After God had

descended fromа Heaven and emerged from the Pitanian swamps in order to show

himself to the people, lo and behold, his feet were covered with dirt."

аааа "Goran wasа ultimatelyа burnedа to death forа that," added Rumata inа a

somber voice.

аааа "True, they put him toа death by burning him alive. But these things do

not really concern us. I have beenа hereа nowа for fifteen years. Even in my

dreams I don't see Earth any longer.а Some time ago while I was rummaging in

some old papers, I found the photoа of aа woman, and for the longest timeа I

couldа not remember who she was.а Sometimes Iа am overcome by a sensation of

horror because in reality I am no longer a staff member of the Institute but

rather an exponentа of thatа local institution,а theа highest judgeа ofа the

Mercantile Republic.а That, to my mind, isа the mostа frightening thing:а to

becomeа adjustedа toа yourа role. Insideа eachа ofа us, the nobleа wildа sow

struggles with the communard. And while everyone around cheers forа the sow,

theа communard is allа alone.--Earthа isа aа thousand yearsа and aа thousand

parsecsа awayа from here."а Donа Kondorа fell silent;а he pattedа his knees.

"That'sа the way it is, Anton,"а he said after a while, andа hisа voice grew

firmer. "So let's remain communards!"

аааа He doesn't understand, thoughtа Anton-Rumata.а How should he after all?

He's lucky; he does notа knowа the Gray Terror or Donа Reba. All that he has

seen on thisа planet in theа course of these past fifteen years fits somehow

within the frameworkа ofа the basis theory.а Andа ifа Iа talkа toа him about

fascism, the Gray Sturmoviks, the rising militancy of the petty bourgeoisie,

he accuses me of emotional word games: "Don't fool aroundа with terminology,

Anton! Terminological confusion will bring about dangerousа results!"а He is

absolutelyа incapable ofа comprehendingа that the average levelа of medieval

bestiality corresponds to theа happy day yesterday onа Arkanar. In hisа eyes

Donа Rebaа isа anotherа Richelieu, a wise and farsightedа politician, who is

defendingа the absolute regime from feudalisticа excesses. I am the only one

on this planet to see the terrible shadow spreading over the whole land. But

I just can'tа understand whereа this shadow is coming from, and why. And how

can I convince him,а when Iа can clearly see in his eyes that he wouldа like

best to send me back to Earth on the spot for a cure?

аааа "How is the noble Synda?" asked Rumata.

аааа Donа Kondorа stopped inspecting himа with his eyes andа murmured: "Very

well,а thank you." Then heа added:а "We mustа finally come to grips with the

fact that neitherа you, nor I, nor anybody of our group here, willа ever see

the tangible results of our work. We are not physicists but historians.а Our

unit of timeа is not the secondа but the century. And what we are doing here

is notа meant to be the sowing of the seed but merely the preparation of the

soil.а And those emissaries from Earth, those--enthusiasts we getа from time

to time--I wish they'd go to hell, those eager beavers ..."

аааа Rumata put on a forced smile and tugged needlessly at his riding boots.

Eager beavers. Yes indeed.

аааа Tenа years ago, Stefan Orlovski,а aliasа Don Kapada,а commander ofа the

crossbow troops of Hisа Imperial Highness, had ordered hisа soldiers to open

fire on the emperor's men as theyа were publicly torturing eighteen Estorian

witches. With his ownа hand he had slain the imperialа high judge and two of

his assistantsа but inа the endа he hadа been piercedа by theа spears of the

emperor's bodyguard. As he layа dying, he called outа to the people watching

the public spectacle:

аааа "Remember, you are human beings! Defend yourselves, kill them, don't be

afraid ofа them!" But his voice could scarcelyа be heard over the din of the

roaring crowd as they were shouting, "Burn the witches! Burn them alive!"

аааа And itа was at about the same time that Karl Rosenblum, one of the most

highlyа regardedа historicalа experts on the Peasants'а Warа inа Germany and

France, alias Pani-Pas, the wool merchant, incited a riot amongst the Murian

peasants, Heа took two cities by assault andа was killed by an arrow inа his

back as he tried to put a stop to the looting. He wasа stillа alive whenа he

was rescued byа a helicopter but he could no longer speak. His big blue eyes

expressedа guiltа and amazementа asа big tears trickledа downа his bloodless

cheeks ...

аааа And shortly before Rumata's arrivalа on this planet,а the most powerful

fellowа conspirator,а confidantа ofа theа Tyrantа ofа Kaisanа (aliasа Jeremy

Toughnut, specialistа in reformsа on Terra), hadа staged a palace revolution

out of a clear sky,а had seized power and tried to introduce theа Golden Age

within two months; had stubbornly refused to reply to the strongest protests

andа interpellationsа of neighborsа andа theа Earthа had earned theа dubious

reputation of aа crazy fool; had successfully evaded eightа rescue attempts;

and was finally capturedа by the Institute's special commandoа troop who had

taken him by submarine to an island base near the South pole...

аааа "Justа thinkа ofа that!"а Rumata said under his breath. "And peopleа on

Earth stillа firmly believe to this very day that our physicists are working

on the most complicated problems ..."

аааа Don Kondor suddenly sat up and took notice.

аааа "Ah, finally," he whispered.

аааа Fromа outsideа cameа the soundа of angry orа desperate neighing,а hoofs

pawing the ground, and energetic cursing in a voice with a strongа Irukanian

accent.а A man enteredа theа room,а It was Donа Hug, theа first groom of the

chamber of His Lordship the Duke of Irukan. He was stout, red-cheeked with a

smartlyа upturned mustache, grinned from ear to ear, and from under the wavy

curls of hisа auburn wig peered two merry little eyes. And once again Rumata

wanted to obey the impulseа to аembrace the new arrival--it was hisа boyhood

friend Pashka; butа Don Hug suddenly assumedа a formal posture, his fat face

took onа the sickeninglyа sweet smile demanded by etiquette; he bowed nimbly

from the waist down, pressed hisа hat against his chest and pursed his lips.

Rumata stoleа a furtiveа glanceа over toа Alexander Vassilevitch.а Alexander

Vassilevitchа had vanished,а and inа hisа place wasа Don Kondor, the Supreme

Judge and Keeper ofа the Seal; his legs stretched out, his left hand akimbo,

while his right hand clasped the hilt of his gilded sword.

аааа "You are very late, Don Hug," he said in an unpleasant tone of voice.

аааа "Iа begа yourа mostа humbleа pardon!"а calledа outа Donаа Hug,а swiftly

approaching the table. "I swearа byа my Duke'sа rickets, nothing but totally

unforeseen unfortunate circumstances! I was stopped four times by the patrol

of Hisа Highness, the King of Arkanar,а andа twice I hadа to fightа off some

rascals." Heа raised his left hand with an elegant movement to showа off his

blood-soaked,а bandaged limb. "By the way, nobleа don,а whose helicopterа is

that behind the hut?"

аааа "It's mine," Donа Kondor answered snippishly.а "I have no time to waste

on brawls along the way."

аааа Don Hug gave him aа friendly smileа and sat down, straddling the bench.

"In other words, noble dons,а we are forced to state thatа our mostа learned

Dr.а Budach has mysteriously vanished somewhere between the Irukanian border

and the Square of the Heavy Swords-"

аааа Fatherа Kabani stirredа onа hisа cot. He turned overа inа his sleep and

without waking he mumbled: "Don Reba ..."

аааа "Leave Budach toа me,"а said Rumata, in a desperate tone,а "and despite

everything, will you please try to understand me..."

 

TWO

 

аааа Rumata woke up with a start. He opened his eyes. It was broad daylight.

Down inа theа street, just below his windows, was some commotion.а Somebody,

probably a soldier, yelled at the top of his voice: "Youа stinking bum! Look

at thisа filth! I'll make you lap it upа with your tongue!а (Good morning to

you, thought Rumata.) Shut up, you! I swear by the hunchback of Holy Mickey,

you make me lose my temper!"

аааа Another voice, hoarse and coarse,а growled: "You'veа gotа to watch your

step in thisа miserable street!а It rained this morning, butа who knows when

they last swept this place."

аааа "You'll show me where I'm supposed to look, all right."

аааа "You'd better let go of me, noble don, let go of my shirt, will you!"

аааа "Oh, you'll show me, all right--"

аааа Rumata heard aа loud slapping sound.а It was evidently the second slap;

the first one had woken him up.

аааа "You'd better stop hitting me, noble don." A familiarа voice. Who could

it be? Probablyа Don Tameo. I'll let himа win back his decrepit Chamalharian

nag today. I wonderа ifа I'llа ever learn to distinguish a good horse from a

poorа one. Butа after all,а my family isn'tа known for theirа expertise with

horses.а Camels, yes; we are experts on fighter camels.а A goodа thing there

are hardly, any camels here inа Arkanar. Rumata stretched his arms and legs,

untilа his joints cracked.а Heа gropedа for aа silken ropeа attached toа the

headboard ofа his bed and tugged atа it several times. Little bells could be

heard ringing throughout the house. That fellowа is probably hangingа out of

the window, watching the racket down below.

аааа I could simply getа up, of course, and get dressed by myself, butа that

would only start tongues wagging again.

аааа He listened once more to the streamа ofа abuseа coming fromа belowа his

windows. The inventivenessа of the humanа tongue! What entropy, what measure

of the uncertainty of human knowledge!

аааа Lately, Rumataа continued with hisа thoughts,а someа know-it-allsа have

emerged in the guard troops, declaring that only one sword alone can be used

forа noble warfare,а while the secondа swordа mustа beа used exclusively for

streetа fights--and Donа Reba paysа too much attention to theirа worriesа in

beautiful Arkanar. By theа way, Don Tameo isа not one of them. Too much of a

coward, our dear Don Tameo, and an incorrigible armchair politician.

аааа Howа horrible whenа the day starts out with Don Tameo ... Rumata sat up

in bedа and claspedа hisа handsа around his knees underneathа the patched-up

elegant coverlet. Heа wasа seized by aа feeling of leadenа hopelessness. You

could ponder forever, keepа thinking about how powerless and small we are in

the face of circumstances ... On Earth I wouldn't ever dream of doing such a

thing.а Onа Terraа weа areа strong,аа self-assuredа menа withаа specialized,

psychological training, menа who are readyа forа anything.а Andа we doа have

strong nerves:

аааа Weа manage,а forа instance, not to turnа away ourа headа when some poor

person is beatenа or executed. We are capable of tremendous self-control: We

can stand to listenа unperturbed to the endless babblings of the most abject

cretins. We have also forgotten howа to feel disgusted:а Weа don't mind when

someone puts a dish before usа from which the dogs eat, or when they wipe it

out afterwards with a duly rag. And aren't we marvelous actors?а Not even in

our dreams do weа lapse into our mother tongue or any of the other languages

ofа Earth. Andа after all,а we are equipped with an invincibleа weapon:а The

basis theory of feudalism, worked out in the quiet offices ofа our officials

andаа inа ourа laboratories,а basedа onа studiousаа researchаа andаа serious

discussions...

аааа It'sа just tooа bad thatа Don Reba hasn't the slightest inklingа of the

theory. And too bad, also, that our special psychological training peels off

like sunburnt skin, that weа haveа toа go to extremes, that we are forced to

submit to a steady mental reconditioning: gritа your teeth and remember that

you are a godа in disguise. Remember thatа theyа doа not know what theyа are

doing; and that they are almost all free ofа guilt. And that is why you must

have the patience of Job, patience, patience--and meanwhile the fountains of

humanism inside us, which on Earth seemed to be well-nigh inexhaustible, are

dryingа upа hereа withа frighteningа speed.а Holy Mickey!а Weren'tа weа real

humanists back on Terra, lovers of mankind, humanism was the mainstay of our

nature and in our respect for the human being, in our love forа man, we even

steered toward anthropocentrism--and now we discover with horror that we did

notа trulyа loveа mankindа butа onlyа theа communards,а ourа compatriots who

resembled us ...а And more and more frequently we catch ourselves in the act

of wondering: Are theseа human beings,а after all? Areа they even capable of

becoming humanа beingsа in time? And then we remember men like Kyra, Budach,

Arata,а theа hunchback,а orа theа unsurpassableа Baronа Pampa, andа weа feel

ashamed--butа this is equally rareа and unpleasant and, worse still, it does

not help us in the least...

аааа All right, thought Rumata, that's enough of that. At least not so early

inа the morning.а Andа damn this Don Tameo! Soа muchа trouble, soа muchа has

accumulated inside me, in my soul, and there is no place to get rid of it in

this isolated state. That'sа what gets me: the isolation, the solitude. What

did they call us back home? "Strong and self-assured,а strapping young men."

When we were back home did we ever imagine in those days thatа we would ever

have toа put upа with such loneliness? Nobody wouldа believeа it.а Anton, my

friend, what's happening to you? To the West from here,а barely threeа hours

by plane, lives Alexander Vassilevitch, a goodа man with a set of brains. To

the East is Pashka, аa merry, faithfulа friend, who went to schoolа with you

forа sevenа years.а It's justа a momentaryа depression,а Anton. Tooа bad--we

believed you had more endurance; but doesn't thisа happen to all of us? What

aа wretched grind. We understand. So why don'tа you goа back home toа Terra,

recuperate from all this, occupy yourself with theoretical research, and the

rest will follow...

аааа Incidentally, Alexander Vassilevitch is a dogmatist par excellence.а So

ifа theа basisа theory doesn'tа take in the Gray Ones--"In fifteen yearsа of

workingа on this, my friend, I have never once come across an exception like

this ..." In other words, I am simply dreaming of theа Gray hordes. And if I

dreamа aboutа them, itа simply means that Iа amа overworked, underа too much

tension, that they should send me home for a rest. "All right, Don Rumata, I

promise to investigate this personally and advise you of my findings. But in

the meantime, give me your word, noа excesses, please . . ." Andа then there

is Pavel, whom I used to call Pashkaа when we were kids together: now he's a

scientist, an expert,а aа brainа fullа ofа information.а Heа becameа totally

immersed inа the history of two planets and proved withа enthusiasm that the

phenomenon of theа Gray hordes represents merely the most commonа occurrence

in the relationshipа of theа bourgeoisieа against the barons--" By theа way,

I'll pay you a brief visit in aа few days. Toа be frank withа you, I'm quite

disturbed when I think aboutа the incident withа Budach . . ."а Many thanks!

And that's the end of it!а I'll take care of the Budach case myself, even if

I'm no longer much good for anything else.

аааа The mostа learnedа Doctor Budach.а Aа greatа physician,а a most devoted

citizen of Irukan; the duke almostа knightedа him,а but then heа changed his

mind and hadа him incarcerated. The most distinguishedа specialist for cures

by drugsа inа theа entire empire. Authorа ofа the widelyа knownа andа famous

treatiseа Concerning Herbsа and Other Plants, which Items in Mysterious Ways

Cause and Occasion Sorrow,а Joy orа Tranquility; Concerning the Salivary and

Body Fluids of Reptiles, Spidersа andа the Hairless Wild Sowа Y,а which Last

Disposesа over said Characteristics and Manyа Othersа Besides. Aа remarkable

person, undoubtedly, and a genuine mentalа giant, at the same time a devoted

humanist and eccentric who never had any money. His entire fortune consisted

of a sackа full of books. Who needs you, Doctorа Budach,а in this country of

darkest ignorance that wallows in a bloody morass of conspiracy and greed?

аааа Letа us assume you are aliveа and you are in Arkanar. Of course you may

have fallenа into the handsа ofа the barbarians, whoа periodicallyа raid the

countrysideа from theirа mountain strongholds.а Ifа this should be the case,

thenа Donа Kondorа willа contactаа withа ourа friendа Schumtuletidovodus,а a

specialistа in theа historyа of antique cultures,а who presently works as an

epileptic shaman for the chieftainа whose first name consists ofа forty-five

syllables. But ifа you should be inа Arkanar afterа all--firstа ofа all, you

might haveа been capturedа by the nocturnal armies of theа robberа chieftain

Wagaа Koleso. No, not "captured, " - butа simply taken along, for they would

consider your companion the far more desirable booty, your friend, the noble

don, who has gambled away his entire fortune. Either way, they will not kill

you: Waga Koleso is far too avaricious.

аааа There'sа an equal chance, though, that some idiot of a baron has you in

his clutches.а Withoutа any malicious intentions,а merely out of boredom and

some warped idea of hospitality. He simply would like to drink together with

aа noble guest,а soа heа sends out his hordes and hasа them dragа you to the

castle of your companion. And youа will beа sittingа in the stinking chamber

until the dons have drunk themselves into oblivion and finally part company.

In that case no harm will befall you.

аааа But it's quite another story with the remnants of the recently defeated

peasant army of Don Ksi and of Pert Posvonotchnik, who have retreated to the

hamlet "Rotten Nest" where they are secretly supported and fed by our bright

eagle, Donа Reba himself--just in case some complication should arise in his

relationship with the barons. These peasantа soldiers know noа mercy; better

not even imagine the eventuality.а Andа then there is Don Satarina, a crabby

imperial aristocrat,а 102а yearsа of age and, of course,а totally senile. He

carries on a family feud with the dukes of Irukan, and snatches--whenever he

revives sufficiently--anything that crosses the Irukanian border. He is very

dangerous;а whenа heа is underа the influenceа ofа Cholezistit,а he is quite

capable of issuing commands with such catastrophic results that the churches

cannot collect the corpses from his cellars fast enough.

аааа And then there's the top possibility. Not theа most dangerous one,а but

the one most likely to occur: the Gray Patrol of Don Reba. The Sturmoviks on

the mainа roads. You might haveа fallen into their hands quite byа accident,

Budach, in which case your only hope would be the quick wit and cool head of

your companionа to get you out of this calamity. But what if Don Reba should

beа interested in youа personally? For Don Reba will occasionally display an

unexpectedа concern .а .а .а His spies might report that youа areа traveling

through Arkanar, then a detachment under the command of some very eager Gray

officer will be sent out to meet you. Andа this Gray cretin of low rank will

be responsible for your ending up in a bag of stones in the Tower of Joy...

аааа Rumata pulled once moreа at the rope, veryа impatient now. Theа bedroom

doorа opened withа a repulsive creak andа a thin, somber-looking boy entered

the room. His name wasа Uno, and his fate might have served as the theme for

aа ballad. He bowed deeply as he stood on the threshold, scraping theа floor

with his torn shoes, and stepped up to the bed. On theа smallа bedside table

he put down a tray withа letters, some coffee, and a stale bread crust to be

chewed, whichа in turnа wasа supposedа to strengthen and cleanseа the teeth.

Rumata glanced at him, very annoyed.

аааа "Tell me please, are you ever going to oil that creaky door?"

аааа Theа boy looked silently at theа floor. Rumata threw the coverlet back,

let his bare feet dangleа down over the edge of the bed and reached forа the

tray.а "Washedа yourself this morning?" heа asked. Theа boy shifted from one

footа to the other; without answeringа he wandered through the room, picking

up the scattered garments that lay on the floor.

аааа "I believe I asked you whether you washed yourself today?" saidа Rumata

while he opened his first letter.

аааа "Water won't wash away your sins," mutteredа theа boy under his breath.

"So why, noble don, should I wash myself?"

аааа "And what did I tell you about microbes?" said Rumata.а Carefully,а the

boy placedа his master's green trousers overа the back of the armchair, then

passed his thumb in a circle above it to chase away the wicked ghosts.

аааа "I prayed three times last night," he said. "What more could I do?"

аааа "You numbskull," said Rumata and started to read his letter.

аааа It wasа from Dona Okana, a lady-in-waiting, theа latest favorite of Don

Reba. She invitedа him to come and visit herа this very evening,а and signed

the letter "amorously languishing for you." The P.S. stated in clear, simple

languageа whatа sheа reallyа expectedа fromа thisа rendezvous.а Rumataа felt

embarrassed; heа blushed. Throwingа a side glance at the boy,а heа murmured:

"That'sа really too much . . ." Heа ought to think itа over. To go there was

disgusting; not to go there would be foolish. Dona Okana was a well-informed

person. He quickly drained his cup of coffee andа put the chewing-crust into

his mouth.

аааа The next envelope was made of heavy paper; the seal was damaged. It was

obvious that the letter had been opened. The letter wasа fromа Don Ripat, an

unscrupulousа careerist andа lieutenantа in the Grayа Militia,а who inquired

after his esteemedа well-being, expressed his belief in the imminent victory

of the Gray Cause, and begged to postpone paymentа ofа hisа debt, by quoting

various unfavorable circumstances. "All right,а allа right,"а Rumata mumbled

and put the letter aside, picked the envelope up once againа and examined it

with great interest. Oh yes, they were working much more carefully now; much

more carefully.

аааа The third letter contained an invitation to a duel because of a certain

Dona Pifa, but the writer was willing to withdraw his challenge provided the

noble Don Rumataа would testify that he was making no claims upon the person

of Dona Pifa and had never made any such claims. The letter was typical: the

basic text had been written by a calligrapher and the blanks had been filled

in with names and times-- in a clumsy hand and full of mistakes.

аааа Rumata put the letter down and scratched the mosquito bites on his left

hand.

аааа "I want to wash up. Bring the things in!" he ordered.

аааа Theа boyа disappearedа behind the door,а to return soonа withа a wooden

basin.а Heа dragged theа tubа along the floor, hisа behind wagging withа the

exertion. Then he ran onceа more out of the room and dragged in an empty tub

with a big dipper.

аааа Rumataа nowа jumpedа toа his feet, pulledа theа elaborately embroidered

nightshirt over hisа head, and noisilyа unsheathed the swords thatа had been

hanging over the headboard of his bed.а Cautiously, theа boy ducked behind a

chair. For ten minutesа Rumata practicedа attack and defense; then he leaned

theа swordsа against theа wall, bent over the emptyа tub,а and ordered: "The

water!" It wasа rather miserable to wash without soap butа Rumata had become

used to it. The boy scooped up the water with the dipper and poured itа over

Rumata's back,а neck, andа head. Dipper after dipper filled with water.а All

theа whileа he kept grumbling:а "Everywhere elseа peopleа behave likeа human

beings, only here in our houseа must weа bother withа such refined nonsense.

Who hasа everа heard of suchа a thing? To wash yourself withа two buckets of

water? Every day a fresh towel . . . And His Lordship jumps around all naked

with two swords every morning, without having said his prayers first.. ."

аааа While Rumata toweled himself vigorously, he spoke with an authoritative

tone:а "Iа am a memberа of the court, not just some lousyа baron. A courtier

must always be clean and sweet-smelling."

аааа "His Royalа Highness willа hardlyа sniffа atа you,"а repliedа theа boy.

"Everyone knows thatа his Highness prays day and night forа us sinners.а And

Don Reba--he never washes. I have itа first-hand;а hisа servant has toldа me

so."

аааа "All right, don't fret,"а said Rumata and put on hisа nylon undershirt.

Theа boyа regardedа the undershirtа withа dismay.а Rumorsа about it had been

circulating forа quiteа some time nowа amongst the servants inа Arkanar. But

there was nothing thatа Rumata could do about it,а forа very natural reasons

growing out of his masculine mentality. As Rumata slipped on his shorts, the

boy jerkedа his head to one side,а movingа his lipsа as if he wanted to shoo

away the spirit of impurity.

аааа Still, itа wouldn'tа be aа bad ideaа to introduce here theа fashionа of

wearing undergarments, thought Rumata. Butа such innovations could naturally

be carried out onlyа withа the helpа ofа the fairer sex. And inа thisа area,

too--unfortunatelyаа forа him--heа distinguishedа himselfа byа ratherаа high

requirements.а Quite inconvenientа for a spy. For a cavalier andа man of the

world, forа a renownedа connoisseur of court etiquetteа and for a person who

was sent toа the provinces, there to fight duels to settle love affairs,а it

was only fitting toа have twenty mistresses. Rumata made heroic endeavors to

keepа upа withа his reputation. Half the members of hisа agency, rather than

devoteа theirа timeа toа more serious efforts, spreadа theа mostа despicable

rumors--rumors calculated to arouse the envy and delight of the young men of

theа Arkanarian Guard. Dozens ofа overjoyedа andа disappointedа ladiesа whom

Rumataа visited until late in the night--reciting poemsа all the time (third

nightа watch: fraternalа kiss onа the lady's cheek, aа mighty leap overа the

balcony's balustrade and rightа into the arms of the commander ofа the night

watch, whomа heа knew well)--dozens ofа ladies wouldа outdo each otherа with

tales of theа marvelous styleа ofа the genuine cavalierа fromа the big city.

Rumataа usedаа theа vanityа ofа theseа women,а depravedа toа theаа pointа of

repulsiveness, for his own purposes. However, the questionа of underwear was

never touched on.

аааа How much simpler had been theа business with theа handkerchiefs! On the

occasion of the very first ball be had pulled an elegant silk cloth from his

waistcoat pocket, and with flourishа hadа proceeded to dry his lips with it.

And at the next ball, the manlyа youths were drying their sweatyа faces with

large or small pieces of cloth of various colors, gaily embroidered and with

monograms. And within one month, the ladies' men were outdoing each other by

draping bedsheets over their hand, dragging the four comers elegantlyа along

the floor behind them ...

аааа Rumataа putа onа hisа green trousers and a white batiste shirtа withа a

freshly pressed, upturned collar.

аааа "Any callers?" he inquired of the boy.

аааа "The barber is waiting," said the boy.а "And there are two dons sitting

in the drawingа room,а Don Tameoа and Don Sera. They had me bring themа some

wine and areа quarreling violently. They are waiting to haveа breakfast with

you."

аааа "Go and get the barber. Tell theа nobleа dons that I'll join themа very

soon. But don'tа beа rudeа to them,а do you hearа me? You must always remain

polite."

аааа Breakfast was not very opulent and leftа room forа anа earlyа lunch.а A

strongly spiced roastа wasа servedа alongа withа dogs'а ears,а marinatedа in

vinegar. They drank Irukanianа sparklingа wine, the viscous,а brown Estorian

and the white Soanian. While he skillfully dissected a leg of lamb withа the

aidа of two daggers, Don Tameo complained about the overbearingа temerity of

the lowerа classes. "Iа willа lodge a complaint at the highest instance," he

declared.а "Theа nobilityа demands thatа the plebs, theа peasants,а andа the

artisansа beа forbidden toа showа theirа faces in publicа places andа in the

street. Letа them useа the courtyards and back entrances. In those instances

whereа the appearance of a peasant cannot be avoided--for example, when they

deliverа bread, meat, or wine--they should obtainа a special permit from the

Ministry for the Protection of the Crown.'"

аааа "What a cleverа brain!" Don Sera spokeа with enthusiasm and sprayed the

areaа before him liberally withа saliva and juiceа from the meat.а "But last

night atа the Court . .а ."а Andа he relatedа the latestа gossip. Don Reba's

current flame.а Lady inа waiting Okana,а had been careless enough to step on

the king's sore foot. His Highness flew into aа rage and turned to Don Reba,

ordering him to mete out an exemplary аpunishment to the evildoer. Whereupon

Don Reba, without even so much as battingа an eyelid, replied; "Itа willа be

carried out, Your Highness. This very night!"

аааа "I laughed so hard thatа two buttons popped off my waistcoat!" remarked

Don Sera, cocking his head to one side.

аааа Protoplasm, thoughа Rumata.а Nothingа but ingestingа andа digesting and

procreating protoplasm.

аааа "Indeed, noble dons," he said. "Don Reba isа trulyа a very, very clever

man."

аааа "Ho, Ho!" said Don Sera. "Much more--he is an intellectual luminary!"

аааа "An outstanding statesman," said Don Tameo emphatically, with a knowing

expression.

аааа "Yesа it's really very strange," Donа Rumata continued withа a friendly

smile, "when youа rememberа the kind ofа thingsа people would tell about him

hardly a yearа ago.а Doа youа recall, Don Tameo, howа wittilyа you expressed

yourself on the subject of his bow legs?"

аааа Donа Tameo'sа drinkа almostа wentа downа theа wrongа wayа as he quickly

swallowed a little glass of Irukanian wine.

аааа "I can't remember a thing," he grumbled. "And besides I am not known as

a wit--"

аааа "Oh surely you must remember," said Donа Sera andа reproachfully wagged

his head.

аааа "Yes,а indeed!"аа shoutedа Donаа Rumata.аа "Youа wereа presentа atа the

conversation,а Don Sera! I remember so well how youа laughed at Donа Tameo's

witty ideas. You laughed soа hard thatа something popped off the clothes you

were wearing."

аааа Don Sera turnedа red andа blueа in the face and started toа justify his

remarks with long-windedа andа distorted explanations. Heа wasа lying in his

teeth, of course. Don Tameo's face had grown somber. He made a long face. He

devoted himself wholeheartedly to theа strongа Estorianа wine, andа since he

had--according to hisа own аwords--"begun two mornings ago, and had not been

able to desist till now," he had to be supported from either side whenа they

finally departed.

аааа Itа was a sunny, friendlyа day. The common peopleа stoodа around in the

streetsа and gaped as ifа thereа were somethingа toа lookа at;а littleа boys

whistledа andа screamed,а throwingа mud atа eachа other;а prettilyа bedecked

housewivesа with bonnets on their headsа leaned outа ofа the windows; daring

servant girls flashed theirа shy glancesа from moist eyes.а Don Sera'sа mood

began to improve. He tripped a peasant and almost split his sides to see how

the man wallowed in the mud. Donа Tameo suddenly noticed thatа he had put on

his fez with the double sword ornament back to front. He yelled: "Stop! Stay

put!" and raised his fez, held it up steady, while he tried to turn his body

180а degreesа underneathа theа fez.а Anotherа itemа poppedа offа Donа Sera's

waistcoat. Rumata seizedа a pretty servant girl passing by the group, tugged

at her pink ear and begged her to put Don Tameo's headgear in order. A crowd

of onlookersа quicklyа gatheredа around theа threeа noble dons,а all eagerly

dispensingа adviceа toа the girl whose face was as red asа a beet--and Don's

Sera's waistcoat kept losing a steady stream of buttons, buckles, and hooks.

When finally they were on their way again, Don Tameo summoned up his courage

and onа the spot drew up an addenda to hisа complaint wherein he pointed out

how necessaryа itа was "Toа keep pretty persons аof theа female gender atа a

proper distance from peasants and the common people."

аааа And thenа a cart loaded with earthenwareа pots blockedа their path. Don

Seraа unsheathed both his swordsа andа stated that it was not fit and proper

for the noble dons to make a detour around pots of any kind and declared his

determination to paveа his way straight through theа cart. Butа while he was

still busyа trying to aim properly andа distinguish whereа theа wall ofа the

house endedа and where theа potsа began, Rumataа graspedа the spokesа of two

wheelsа andа turned the cart around, and thusа cleared the road. Theа gaping

crowd, who had followed the incident with delight, began to cheer: Hip, hip,

hooray! The nobleа donsа wereа about toа continue on their wayа when fromа a

second-storey windowа a fatа merchant'sа gray-blue headа poppedа out, loudly

giving forth with aа tirade concerning the rudeness of the courtiers against

whom "Ourа Enlightened Eagle, Don Reba, would soon find some proper remedy."

Of courseа theyа had toа stop on the spot once more andа transfer the entire

load of pots intoа the merchant'sа window. Rumata saved theа last pot, threw

two gold pieces with the profileа of Pitz the Sixth insideа intoа the vessel

and presented it to the petrified owner of the wagon.

аааа "How much did you give him?" asked Don Tameo as they started out again.

аааа "Oh,а it'sа notа worthа mentioning,"а answeredа Rumata,а shruggingа his

shoulders. 'Two pieces of gold."

аааа "I swearа by theа humpback of our Holy Mickey!" broke from Donа Tameo's

lips.а "You do haveа money!а If youа want,а I'll sellа youа myа Chamalharian

stallion!"

аааа "I'd rather win that stallion from you in a game of knucklebones," said

Rumata.

аааа "Splendid!" shouted Don Sera and stopped in hisа tracks. "Let'sа have a

game of knucklebones!"

аааа "Right here?" asked Rumata.

аааа "Why not?" asked Don Sera.а "I see no reason why three noble dons can't

play a game of knucklebones wherever it pleases them!"

аааа Suddenly Donа Tameo stumbledа and sprawled full length in the mud.а Don

Sera's legs, too, suddenly became entangled and he fell down.

аааа "Oh, I completely forgot," he said. "We're supposed to be on guard duty

now."

аааа Rumataа dragged the two to their feet and led each by the arm along the

way. Before the giant dark house of Don Satarina he came to a halt

аааа "We ought to pay a visit to the old don," he suggested.

аааа "Sure, can'tа see any reason why three noble dons shouldn't call on Don

Satarina," said Don Sera.

аааа Don Tameo opened his eyes.

аааа "Inа the king's Service," heа managed the words painfully, "we must all

look ahead toа the future.а D-d-d-on Satarina-- that's a pieceа ofа the past

already. Onward, noble dons! I must get to my guard post."

аааа "Onward!" echoed Don Rumata.

аааа Don Tameo's head droppedа forward to rest on his chest; he did not wake

upа a second time. Don Sera cracked his knuckles andа beganа to tell stories

about his ever-successful amorous adventures. They arrived at the palace and

wentа toа theа guardroomа where Rumata, very relieved,а laid Don Tameoа on a

bench. Donа Sera, however, took aа seatа at the table, grandly swept aside a

pile of orders signed by theа king, andа declared that the time hadа finally

come to drink a glass of cold Irukanian wine. The landlord ought to roll out

a little barrel, he stated, and theseа old women (he pointed to the officers

of the guard onа duty who were playing cards atа another table)а should join

themа for a drink. Theа commander of theа guard,а a аlieutenant of the guard

troop, came over. He eyedа Don Tameo and Don Sera from top to toe. And after

Donа Seraа had directed an inquiryа toа him--"Why are all the flowers fading

away in the shelter of my solitude?"--he decided it would not make any sense

to send them to their sentry post in the present condition; they'd be better

off to lie there for a while.

аааа Rumata won a goldа piece from the lieutenant and talkedа with him about

the new ribbons on their uniformsа and the best method of polishing a sword.

He mentioned a short time later that he hoped to visit Don Satarina, who was

known to possessа some fineа grinding stones,а and seemedа visiblyа upset to

learn that the honorable grandeeа apparently had now lost his mind for good.

Oneа month earlierа he wasа said toа have released allа hisа prisoners,а had

dissolved hisа bodyguard and handed overа toа the state his richа arsenal of

instruments of torture.а At the age ofа 102 years, the old man declared,а it

was his intention fromа now on to devote the rest of his life to good deeds.

He'd probably not be long for this world now.

аааа Taking his leave ofа the lieutenant,а Rumata left the palace and ambled

over in the direction of the harbor. He had to walk around puddles andа jump

over deep wheel ruts filled with greenish-brown water. Without furtherа ado,

he pushed the loiteringа onlookers out of his path, winked at the girls (who

seemed greatly impressed by his outfit), bowed deeply to the ladies who were

beingа carried down the street inа sedan chairs, waved friendly greetings to

hisа acquaintancesа fromа theаа courtа andа deliberatelyа ignoredа theа Gray

Sturmoviks.

аааа Next, Rumata made a little detour to look in at the School of Patriots.

This schoolа had been founded two years previouslyа under theа protection of

Donа Reba himselfа forа theа purposeа ofа trainingа the adolescentа sonsа of

merchants andа the lower middle class for positions as low-rankingа military

and administrative officials. The building was constructed of stone, without

anyа columns or ornaments; itа hadа thickа walls with narrow,а embrasurelike

windows; onа either side of the main entrance were two semicircularа towers.

If necessary, one could defend oneself there for quite a while.

аааа Rumataа climbed up a narrow circularа staircaseа leading to theа second

floor, hisа spurs clankingа on the stone floor. On his way to theа office of

the school's procurator he passed by the classrooms. Aа monotonous,а uniform

hum of voices cameа from the rooms;а answers were given inа unison. "What is

our king?"--"Aа sublime person." "What areа our ministers?"--а "Faithful and

without theа spirit ofа contradiction."а "Andа God, the Creator,а spoke:а 'I

pronounce a curse.' And He pronounced a curse . . ." ". . . and at the sound

of theа horn blowing twice, run two byа twoа and form aа chain, holding your

spearsа readyа toа thrustаа ...""...а inа caseа theаа torturedа shouldа lose

consciousness, the torturing must be interrupted immediately..."

аааа The school, thought Rumata. The breeding ground of wisdom. The mainstay

of culture ...

аааа Without knocking, he pushed openа the low entrance door and entered the

office; it was dark and icyа as a crypt. Behind an immensely massive writing

desk, heaped with papersа and thrashing canes, a tall, angular man jumped to

his feet. A pair of deep-seatedа eyes peered from his bald head,а and on his

tightly braidedа gray uniform could be seen theа epaulets of the Ministry of

Security. Heа was the procurator of the School of Patriots, the most learned

Father Kin, a sadist, a murderer, and a monk at the same time, author of the

Treatise Dealing with Denunciations, which had aroused Don Reba's interest

аааа "Well, howа are youа faring here?" askedа Don Rumataа with a benevolent

smile. 'The literate folk . . . Some we slaughter and others we teach, eh?"

аааа Father Kin smiled wryly.

аааа "Not every literate man is an enemy of the crown," he said. "The king's

enemiesа are theа literateа dreamers,а skeptics,а andа disloyalа dissidents!

Whereas our task here--"

аааа "All right, all right," said Rumata. "Iа believeа you. Are youа writing

anything new? I have read your treatise--a very useful work, but stupid. How

canа you harbor such thoughts? How doа you get suchа ideas? That isn'tа very

good, my dear ... procurator, is it... ?"

аааа "I make no boastful claims of special intelligence or wisdom," answered

Father Kin with dignity. "My only goal is the good ofа the state. We need no

clever people. We need loyalty. And we--"

аааа "That will do, that will do," said Rumata. "All right then. But are you

writing anything new or not?"

аааа "In theа nearа future Iа will hand the minister anа outline of theа New

State for his perusal. I have used theа Realmа of theа Holy Order as a model

for it"

аааа "The very ideal"а Rumata was filled with wonder. "Do you intend to make

monks of all of us?"

аааа Father Kin pressed his palms together and leaned forward.

аааа "Permitа me, nobleа don, toа makeа myselfа clear,"а heа said excitedly,

licking his lips. "The crux of the matter liesа somewhere else. Theа crux of

the matter lies in the basic pillars of the New State. And the basic pillars

are rather simple; there are but three: blind belief in the infallibility of

theа law;а totalа submissionа toа theа law;а andа finally,а theа unrelenting

observation of everyone by all."

аааа "Hum," said Rumata. "And what for?"

аааа "What do you mean, what for?"

аааа "Youа are stupid after all," said Rumata. "All right, Iа believe you. I

wanted somethingа else. What wasа it now? . . . Oh, yes. Tomorrow you'll get

two new teachers to add to your staff. Father Tarra, a venerable old man, is

dabblingа inа --cosmography; andа Brother Nanin,а alsoа a mostа worthyа man,

specialist inа history. They are my people, and you are to treat them right!

Here is my pledge." He threw a money pouch ofа leather on the table. "That's

for you, five gold pieces. All clear?"

аааа "Yes, noble don," said Father Kin humbly.

аааа Rumata yawned and looked around.

аааа "Just asа long as we understand eachа other," he said. "For some reason

my fatherа used to loveа these people very dearly, and charged meа withа the

task of making their lives as pleasant as possible. Would youа do me a favor

and explain, you learned man, why such a most noble don would be so inclined

toward the sciences?"

аааа "Some special merits perhaps?" guessed Father Kin.

аааа "What are you babbling about?"а asked Rumata angrily. "Butа then again,

why not? Indeed, why not? There might be a beautiful daughter, or a sister .

. . Don't you have any wine here? Of course not--"

аааа Father Kinа shrugged his shouldersа guiltily. Rumataа tookа one ofа the

papers thatа cluttered theа writing desk and held it against the light for a

while.

аааа "Defensiveа beltа breakthrough,"а heа readа outа loud. "Oh,а you crafty

fellows!"

аааа He dropped the paper on theа floor and rose to his feet "Just make sure

thatа your educated brood doesn't bother theseа two. Ill come toа visit them

some time soon,а and if I hear that--" He pushed his fist under Father Kin's

nose.

аааа "All right, all right, don't worry." Father Kin snickered obsequiously.

аааа Rumataа nodded curtly and walked out the door, scraping his spurs along

the floor.

аааа On the Boulevard of Overwhelming Gratitude, he wentа into anа armorer's

workshopа and boughtа new rings for his swordа sheath.а He tried outа aа few

daggers, hurled them againstа the wall, weighed them in his hand,а but could

not decide on any of them. Then he sat down on aа table and chatted with the

owner of the place, a certain Fatherа Hauk. Father Haukа had kind, sad eyes,

and small pale hands, stained with inkspots. Rumata discussed with him for a

while the merits of Zuren's poetry, listened to an interesting commentary on

theа poem.а "Itа weighsа upon myа soul likeа fallenа leaves,"а and asked for

something newа to read. Beforeа leaving, he sighed with the authorа over the

inexpressibly sad verses and recitedа "To be orа notа to be" in an Irukanian

translation.

аааа "Holyа Mickey!"а Fatherа Hauk cried outа exuberantly. "Whoа writes such

verses?"

аааа "I do," said Rumata and left the store.

аааа He made his way to the Gray Joy Inn, drank thereа aа glass of Irukanian

white wine, patted the innkeeper's wife on theа cheek,а skillfully overthrew

with one thrust of his swordа a table where a government spy satа staring at

himа with empty eyes. Then he walked toа aа farа comer of the inn аand found

there a ragged, bearded man, who had an inkwell suspended around his neck.

аааа "Good day, Brother Nanin," he greeted the man. "How many petitions have

you written today?"

аааа Brother Nanin's embarrassed smile displayed his small decayed teeth.

аааа "Nowadays peopleа wantа to writeа veryа few petitions,а noble don,"а he

answered.а "Some believe thatа itа is useless to beg for favors. Andа others

count on the likelihoodа thatа theyа will getа whatа theyа want soon anyhow,

without having to ask for it."

аааа Rumata bentа overа andа whispered in hisа ear that he hadа arranged the

matter with the School of Patriots.

аааа "Here are two pieces ofа gold for you,"а he said finally. "Clean up and

put on some decent clothes. And weigh your words. At least for the first few

days. Father Kin, the procurator, is a dangerous man." .

аааа "I'll read him my treatise about rumors,"а said Brother Naninа merrily.

"I thank you, noble don."

аааа "The things one does in memory of a dear departed father," said Rumata.

"But, tell me, where can I find Father Tarra?"

аааа Brotherа Nanin'sа smile vanishedа suddenly andа aа nervous tickа played

around his mouth.

аааа 'There wasа a brawl here yesterday," heа said.а "And Father Tarra had a

bit too much to drink and got somewhat out of hand.а And, then, you know, he

has red hair . . . They broke his ribs."

аааа "What a mess!" Rumata said. "Why do you all drink so much?"

аааа "Sometimes it's hard to control oneself," said Brother Nanin sadly.

аааа "That's very true," said Rumata. "Well, here's a few more goldа pieces,

and try to take care of him, will you?"

аааа Brother Nanin bowed low and wantedа toа kissа Rumata's handа but Rumata

stepped back quickly.

аааа "Now, now," he said. "I have seenа you make better jokes in yourа time,

Brother Nanin. Farewell!"

аааа Theа harbor smelledа likeа noа otherа spotа in Arkanar.а It smelledа of

seawater and foul algae, of spices, tar,а smoke, and rotten corned beef, and

from theа taverns came a nauseating odor of boiled fish and home brewed beer

turnedа sour. Theа sultry airа was filled with aа jumble of cursesа inа many

tongues. On the piers, in the narrow lanes between the warehouses and around

theа taverns,а thousands of people shoved andа pushed. They caughtа the eye.

Down-and-out seamen, bloated merchants,а fishermen with somber faces,а slave

traders, pimps, heavily made-up whores, drunken soldiers,а men impossible to

classify, hung with arms fromа headа to toe, and fantastic vagabonds in torn

clothesа withа golden braceletsа around theirа dirtyа wrists. Andа allа were

excited and ill-tempered. Donа Rebaа had issued an edict three daysа before,

forbidding any ship or boat to leave the harbor.

аааа The Grayа Sturmoviks lounged onа theа quays,а playingа with their rusty

butcher cleavers. Theyа spat intoа theа water andа bestowed impertinentа and

malicious glances on theа crowd. On some of the ships that were mooredа near

the quays, groupsа of five or sixа menа huddled, brawny, copper-skinnedа men

clad in heavy furs turned inside out. These were the barbarianа mercenaries.

They were noа good inа aа fightа atа close range, butа whenа they wereа at a

distance (as theyа were now) theyа were very dangerous with theirа blowpipes

and poisonedа arrows.а Inа theа distance loomed theа blackа masts of the war

galleys of the royal fleet, like threatening fingers pointing skywards. From

time to time, streams of fire issued from them and landed on theа surface of

the water toward the quays: the oil slicks were ignited in this way in order

to intimidate the waiting crowd.

аааа Rumata passed the customs shed where the ship captains wereа waiting in

front of closed doors in vain, trying to obtain theirа permitа to depart. He

thrust through the noisy crowd that was busy atа barteringа and trading with

anything at hand: from slave girls and black pearls to narcotics and trained

spiders. He continued on to the quays, threw a swift glance over to the side

where corpses in sailors'а uniforms were publicly displayed. The dead bodies

had already swelled up under the hot sun. Heа described a wide circle around

a square whichа was littered with all kinds of junk and garbage, and finally

enteredа anа evil-smellingа little sideа street. It wasа much quieterа here.

Half-nakedа prostitutesа were sprawledа inа the doorways of cheap waterfront

dives; at a street crossingа a soldier lay, dead drunk, his noseа bashedа in

andа his pocketsа tamedа inside out: suspicious figuresа with pale nocturnal

faces crept along the walls of the houses.

аааа Thisа was the first time that Rumataа had come here duringа the day. At

first he wasа surprised at the lack of reaction to his presence. Theа people

he encountered either looked past him with their watery eyes or saw straight

through him. Still,а they stepped aside to let him pass. Onceа when he tamed

aroundа a comer andа thenа swiftlyа looked back, heа saw some twenty various

heads--maleа and female, bushy-hairedа andа bald--disappear instantly behind

doorways,а windows, and fences.а Suddenly he felt theа strange atmosphere of

thisа nauseatingа neighborhood,а anа atmosphereа filledа notа soа muchа with

hostility or danger as with an evil, avaricious interest.

аааа He pushed a door open with his shoulder and entered one of the taverns.

Inside the darkened room a man dozed behind the bar. He was very old, with a

face like a mummy and an extraordinarily long nose. There were no patrons in

the room.а Rumata approached the bar andа was just about to flip his fingers

against the enormous nose ofа the oldа man when allа of aа suddenа he became

aware that the old man was not really asleep, but was watching him carefully

fromа behind hisа almost closedа eyelids. Rumata threw aа silver coin on the

table and the old man's eyes jerked open as if pushed by a button.

аааа "What wouldа you like,а noble don?" he inquired officiously. "Something

to eat? To sniff? Or maybe a girl?"

аааа "Don't ask such stupidа questions," said Rumata. "Youа knowа quite well

what I'm here for."

аааа "Well! Now isn't that the noble Don Rumata!"а shouted the old man as if

completely taken by surprise. "Thereа I am, just sitting there--and suddenly

I see a familiar face--"

аааа After this long speech, the old man closedа hisа eyes again. Rumata got

the message: theа coast was clear. Heа walkedа aroundа theа barа and crawled

through aа tiny doorа into the adjoining room. Itа was very crowded and dark

inside and the room was filled withа a penetrating odor of sour beer. In the

middle of the room, standing behind a highа desk,а was an elderlyа man.а His

deeply wrinkled face was bent over a pile of papers. His head was covered by

a flat black cap.а A weak oilа lamp flickered on the high desk and itsа pale

light barely illuminated the faces of the men sittingа motionless alongа the

wall. Rumata used his two swordsа like canes and groped for a low chair near

the wall. He sat down. Special laws and a special etiquette ruled here. None

ofа those presentа paid the slightestа bitа of attention to the newcomer. If

somebody entered, then that was the way it wasа supposed toа be; but in case

it was notа the way it was supposedа to be, then you blinkedа just onceа and

that person disappeared. You could search the wide world over and never find

a traceа of him . . . The pucker-faced old man busily scratched his pen over

the paper; the people along the wall did not budge. From time to time one of

themа wouldа sighа deeply.а Upа andа downаа the аwallsа scurriedаа invisible

salamanders, hunting for flies.

аааа The motionless men alongа theа wall were theа leadersа of robber bands.

Rumataа had known someа of themа by sightа for quite a while now. These dull

brutesа wereа notа worthа anything, actually.а Theirа psyches wereа noа more

complicatedа than that ofа the average shopkeeper. They were stupid, brutal,

and very handy with .knives and cudgels. But then there was theа man atа the

high desk.

аааа He wasа calledа Waga Koleso, andа he wasа all-powerful;а thereа wasа no

competitor whoа wouldа haveа contested hisа positionа as chiefа ofа allа the

criminal forces in the land, from the Pitanian swamps in the Western regions

of Irukan to the maritime borders of the mercantile republic of Soan. He had

been cursedа andа expelled from all three officialа churches ofа theа empire

because ofа his excessiveа haughtiness,а for he claimedа to beа theа younger

brother of the ruling prince.а He had at hisа disposalа a standing nocturnal

army, someа ten thousand men strong; had aа few hundred thousand gold pieces

in his treasure chests; andа his agents penetrated asа far as the very heart

of the government machine.а Heа had been officiallyа executedа at least four

timesа duringа the past twentyа years,а each time in the presence of a large

populace. According toа anа officialа version heа wasа currently languishing

simultaneously inа threeа ofа the darkestа jailsа ofа the realm.а Donа Reba,

however, had repeatedly issued commands "regarding the rebelliousа spreading

of rumors and legendsа by enemies of theа State and other malevolent persons

regarding a certain so-called Wagaа Koleso, who in actualityа does not exist

and thus belongs to the realm of legends."

аааа According to certain rumors, the same Don Reba summoned several barons,

whoа disposedа ofа strongа troopsа ofа warriors, andа promised the following

reward: five hundred gold pieces for Waga's body and seven thousand for Waga

alive. In his time, Rumataа himself had had toа spend a great deal of effort

andа moneyа inа orderа toа establish contact with Koleso. He feltа violently

repelledа by the oldа manа but Koleso wasа occasionallyа veryа useful,а even

literally indispensable. Besides, Wagaа was of scientificа interestа to him,

namely as aа mostа intriguing specimen inа Rumata'sа collectionа of medieval

monsters, and as a person who apparently lacked any trace of a past.

аааа Finally,а Wagaа put his quill aside, straightened up his back andа said

with a croaking voice:

аааа "Well, then, myа dear children. Two and aа half thousand pieces of gold

within three days. And expenses run only 1996. Five hundredа and four little

roundа pieces ofа gold in three days. Not bad, my dear children,а not bad at

all..."

аааа Nobody moved. Waga .left his place behind the high desk, took a seat in

a comer and forcefully rubbed his dry palms together.

аааа "Isn'tа that something to make you jumpа for joy, my dear children?" he

said. "Theseа are good times for us, these fruitful yearsа . . . But we must

work hardа for our daily bread. Indeed, how hard! My older brother, the king

of Arkanar, has setа his mindа onа annihilatingа all learnedа men in his own

kingdom as well as in mine. Well, he in his wisdom ought to know what should

be done. After all, whoа are we to doubt the wisdom of his judgment? It does

not behoove us toа criticize his most exalted decisions. On theа other hand,

we may--nay, we must--extract some profit from these decisions. And since we

are hisа loyal subjects,а we mustа serveа him. As we are butа hisа nocturnal

subjects we will not deliver into his hands our modest part of these profits

without further ado. He, of course, won't notice it,а andа therefore he will

not be annoyed at us. What is the matter?"

аа ааNobody moved.

аааа "I had theа impression that Piga wasа sighingа over there. Amа I right,

Piga, my son?"

аааа Thereа wasа aа slightа commotion,а somebodyа fidgetingа inа hisаа seat,

apparently, asа nothing could be seen in theа darkened room.а A slight cough

came from a comer.

аааа "I didn't sigh, Waga," said a coarse voice. "I wouldn't.. ."

аааа "That's it, Piga, just keepа quiet! Excellent! Now hold your breath and

listenа to me carefully! Look sharp andа set to workа and nobody will bother

you at your difficult task. My older brother, His Royal Highness, has let it

beа known through his mouthpiece, theа noble Donа Reba,а that heа hasа set a

rather considerable sum of money on the heads of several learned men who are

in hiding or whoа wish to flee from here. Weа must deliver theseа heads into

his royalа hands, just to humor the old man. On the other hand, though, some

of these scientists want toа hideа fromа myа older brother's wrath,а and are

willing toа remunerate whoever will assist them in it. Out of compassion, in

the nameа ofа pity, and also to guard my brother's soulа from the burdenа of

excessive misdeeds, weа will help these people.а Andа if later onа His Royal

Highness shouldа still be in need of these heads, he can still get them from

us. At a good price. Very cheap ..."

аааа Waga fellа silent and lowered his head. Tearsа were trickling downа his

cheeks all of a sudden--the slow tears of an old man.

аааа "I am getting old," he sighed, trying vainly to stifle a sob. "My hands

are tremblingа withа age, my legsа fail meа andа myа memory begins toа fade.

Indeed, I forgot completely that inside this tiny, stifling cage a noble don

is languishing in our midst--surely he does not care to hear about our petty

money deals. I amа leaving you, I will rest. But meanwhile, my children, let

us ask the noble don to beа gracious enough to forgive our oversight .а . ."

Moaningа and groaning heа roseа to his feet, arched over to make aа bow. The

restа of аtheа menа also gotа to their feet andа bowedа beforeа Rumata,а but

indecision and fear showed plainly inа their faces. Rumataа couldа literally

hear theirа dull,а primitive brains cracklingа with the strain ofа trying to

interpret the old man's words and gestures.

аааа Things wereа perfectlyа clear, however. Theа clever old man would seize

the opportunity at the right moment to inform Don Reba of his intention that

he and hisа nocturnal army would join the Gray hordes in the pogrom they had

justа started. Now, however,а the time forа concreteа ordersа had come, when

lists of names were to be handed out andа the exact date and hour were to be

determined whenа the plans would be carried out. At this pointа Don Rumata's

presence was, toа putа it mildly, consideredа undesirable.а This wayа it was

suggestedа to theа noble don to stateа quickly the purposeа of his visit and

then to take his leave as fast as possible. What a moroseа old man! Aа nasty

person! What was he doing here in town? Waga couldn't stand city life.

аааа "You are right, my dear Waga," said Rumata. "My time is limited. But it

isа Iа whoа must begа yourа pardonа becauseа I willа botherа youа withа some

inconsequentialа littleа business."а Rumataа remained seated whileа allа the

others listened to him standing up.

аааа "It has come about that I amа inа need of your adviceа . .. You may sit

down."

аааа Waga bowed once more and sat down.

аааа "This is what I came to tell you," continued Rumata. "Threeа days ago I

wasа supposed to meet my friend, a nobleа donа from Irukan, at the Square of

the Heavy Swords. We failed to meet. He has vanished. But I knew for certain

that heа has crossedа safelyа the Irukanian border.а Perhaps you mightа know

something further about his fate?"

аааа Waga did notа reply for a long time. Theа banditsа kept clearingа their

throats and sighed deeply. Then Waga, too, cleared his throat.

аааа "No, noble don," he said. "Nothing is known to us in this matter."

аааа Rumata instantly stood up.

аааа "Thank you, my friend," he said. Then he walkedа over to theа high desk

in the middle of the room and set down a leather pouch with ten gold pieces.

"I'm leavingа this here with you with the following request: Should you hear

ofа anyа furtherа news, let me know about it, please."а Heа touched his cap.

"Farewell!"

аааа He stopped onceа more, justа before he reached the door,а turned around

and remarked casually:

аааа "You mentioned somethingа about learned men. A thought just occurred to

me. Iа have the feeling that theа King of Arkanar won't succeed in capturing

anyа proper bookworms even if he shouldа try for a wholeа month. And Iа must

found a universityа in the capitalа city. I once made such aа vow when I was

cured there from the plague. Soа if you should seize any bookworms, will you

let me knowа before you inform Don Reba. Maybe I might use one or theа other

for my university."

аааа "That will costа you dearly," warnedа Wagaа withа a mawkish voice. "The

merchandise is hard to come by."

аааа "But my honor is dearer still," bragged Rumata as he turned to go.

 

 

THREE

 

аааа It would be most interesting, thought Rumata, to capture this Wagaа and

bring him to Terra. Technically not difficult at all. Easyа toа arrange. But

whatа would he doа on Earth? Rumata tried to imagine whatа Waga wouldа do on

Earth. Throw a giant shaggy spider into a bright room with shining walls and

air conditioning pervadedа with pine scent or ocean breezes - and the spider

flattensа itselfа againstа theа shiny floor,а jerksа its wicked,а feverishly

contorted eyes to and fro and--what else can he do?--crawls sideways, always

sidewaysа intoа theа farthestа littleа comer,а doublesа upа into a ballа and

threateningly bares its poisonous mandibles. First and foremost,а Waga would

seek out the company of the dissatisfied andа the social outcasts. Andа just

asа certain would it turn out, thatа even the most stupidа grumbler of Earth

would still beа tooа pureа and unsuitable for Waga's purposes.а The oldа man

would simply deteriorate. Maybe even expire. But who really knew what he was

like? That is the whole difficultyа inа such an affair. The psycheа of these

monsters resembles a dark forest. Holy Mickey! Toа findа your way through it

isа far more complicated than in nonhumanoid civilizations. It's possible to

explainа all theirа actions but hellishlyа difficultа to prognosticate them.

Yes, thereа was definitely aа possibilityа thatа Waga mightа dieа ofа grief.

Perhaps,а though, heа mightа lookа around,а getа adjustedа somehow,а quickly

understand what belongs where,а and then sojourn in some wildlife reserve as

aа sylvan spirit.а It'sа mostа unlikelyа thatа he wouldn't haveа some small,

insignificant passion, some interest which is only in his way here, but that

on Earthа might become the center of his existence. I believe he isа fond of

cats. They say he has aа whole barrageа of themа somewhere in Hiccup Forest,

and a servantа whoа doesа nothing but take care of them.а And Waga even pays

that man, despite his reputation of being an old miser, and despite the fact

that he could simply string alongа the caretaker withа promises and threats.

But I can't imagineа what he would doа on Earth with his tremendous lust for

power!

аааа Rumata stopped before a tavern. Heа was about to enter when heа noticed

thatа one of hisа money pouches was missing.а He stood at the entrance door,

totally perplexed--he could not get used to such things for the life of him,

although thisа was not theа first time thatа it happened.а Heа searchedа and

rummaged through his pockets forа the longest time.а All told he had brought

along threeа pouchesа with ten gold coins inа each. One he had givenа Father

Kin,а the procurator,а the secondа to Waga. The third pouch had disappeared.

His pockets were empty. From his leftа trouser leg all gold clasps hadа been

carefully cut away and his dagger had been removed from his belt.

аааа Suddenlyа he saw twoа Sturmoviki a little way off who wereа staringа at

him, grinningа and sneering. Asа far as the collaborator andа memberа of the

Institute of Experimentalа History was concerned,а they could simplyа goа to

Hell--but the noble don flew into aа rage. Forа a moment he lost control. He

walked over toа theа twoа Gray Soldiersа and raised his hand, whichа somehow

clenched into a fist of its own accord.а Evidently some terrible changeа had

alsoа comeа over his face,а for the sneering soldiers were grippedа by sheer

terror,а their mocking facesа suddenlyа frozen,а andа they fledа insideа the

tavern. Rumataа wasа frightened.а Onlyа onceа beforeа had heа everа feltа so

horrible: theа time when (as a standby cosmonaut) he had been seizedа by the

firstа symptoms ofа malaria.а Nobodyа couldа understandа how the maladyа had

appearedа soа suddenly, andа two hours later he had been cured, and sent off

with some good words and a few jokes. Butа heа had never been able to forget

theа shock,а theа shockа thatа heа --whoа had neverа been sick before in his

life--hadа feltа at the notionа that something was disintegrating inside his

body, theа realizationа thatа he was graduallyа diminishing andа was somehow

threatened with loss of control over his body.

аааа Iа didn't want to do it, he thought now. It would never have crossed my

mind. They didn'tа even do anything in particular,а after all ... Theyа were

just standingа there, grinning, baring their teeth ... It was a stupid grin,

I admit, but I must have lookedа quiteа idiotic myself, rummaging through my

pockets like that. And I almostа toreа them to pieces, he suddenly realized.

If they hadn't run inside I would have killed them! He remembered the bet he

had recently made, how he had taken a dummy clad in a double Soanian suit of

armor and split itа from headа to toe with hisа sword--cold shivers ran down

his back at the thought. They might now be lying here in a pool of their own

blood,а like stuck pigs, andа he wouldа be standing here, sword in hand, not

knowing whatа to do ... Aа fine godа youа are! You'veа becomeа aа beastа ...

Suddenly all his muscles ached as if he had been doing heavy physical labor.

Come on, come on, he told himself. It wasn't so horrible after all. It's all

over now. Just an instant flash. Like a bolt of lightning and it's all gone.

I am a human being, in spite of everything, so there must be animal in me as

well. It'sа onlyа nerves. Nerves and the tensionа of the past few days.а The

worst thing,а though, is the sensationа of an approachingа shadow. You can't

tell whose shadowа it is or where it comes from but it keeps creeping closer

and closer and can't be stopped . . .

аааа This feeling of inevitability pervaded everything. It could beа felt in

theа fact that the Sturmoviks,а whoа until recently had huddled like cowards

insideа theirа barracks, nowа paradedа brazenly in the middle ofа the roads,

where hitherto only the noble dons had been permitted.а And in the fact that

the streetsingers had vanished from the city, the storytellers, the dancers,

the acrobats. And in the factа that theа citizens no longerа sang songs with

political themes, had become very serious, andа could suddenly predictа with

utter certaintyа what would benefit theа state.а Andа inа the factа that the

harborа had suddenly been closedа without any explanation.а Andа in the fact

thatа "indignantа crowds"а had beenа seenа destroying allа the old curiosity

shops, the only places in the kingdomа where it was still possible to buy or

borrow books and manuscripts in allа the languages ofа the country, evenа in

theа now dead languages ofа the natives beyond the bay. And in the fact that

the landmarkа of theа city,а theа shining tower ofа theа observatory, loomed

against the sky like a blackened, decayed tooth: it hadа been burned down by

a "careless conflagration." And in the fact that the consumptionа of alcohol

had increased fourfold duringа the past two years--in Arkanar of all places,

that had been notorious for itsа heavy drinkers from days of old. And in the

factа that the floggedа andа frightenedа peasantsа buried themselvesа in the

cellarsа of theirа filthyа littleа nests andа could notа bring themselves to

emerge even to deal withа theа most urgentа field chores. And finally in the

fact that the old buzzardа Waga Koleso hadа transferred his headquartersа to

the city (evidently he must have gotten wind of some worthwhile spoils).

аааа Somewhere inа the interior of the palace, inа the luxurious apartments,

where the gout-ridden king resided, the king who hadа notа seen the light of

the sun for the past twenty years for fear of anything that moved outside in

the world; the son of his own grandfather; the imbecile kingа who would sign

one terrible edict afterа the other, sending the most honorable and selfless

people to a cruel death--somewhere inside there ripened a tremendous abscess

that threatened to burst any moment now...

аааа Rumata stumbledа overа theа remainsа of a squashed melon and raised his

head.а He wasа onа the Boulevard of Overwhelming Gratitude, the neighborhood

whereа theа better merchantsа hadа their stores,а theа moneylenders andа the

jewelers. The street wasа lined withа solid oldа houses, theа sidewalks were

wideа andа the road was paved withа granite. Usually one would find here the

noble dons and the moneyed aristocracy ofа the town but now a dense crowd of

simple folkа poured towardа him. They made a wide and cautious detour around

Rumata. Some gaped at him withа curiosity; many, though, bowed deeply before

him, just to make sure. Fat shiny faces glowed from the upper-storey windows

like little light towers,а excited andа paralyzed with curiosity. Somewhere,

farther on ahead,а imperiousа voices couldа be heard: "Hey,а there, move on!

Disperse! Hurry up, will you? Move it on!" Comments came from the crowd:

аааа "They've gotа the devil on their backs, gotа toа watchа out forа those,

they're the worst kind. Look like ordinary, quiet, moral people. Like honest

folk. Just like anyа otherа merchant. Butа justа look a bitа closer--there's

poison inside them, .. bitter poison..."

аааа "He had itа coming, the devil ... I'm used to quite a lot,а but my eyes

are still smarting from that..."

аааа "Put a fire under them!а Yes, that does my heartа good. We can count on

our boys."

аааа "Wasn't that aа littleа tooа cruel? After all, he isа a human being,а a

creature of flesh and blood . . . When someone sins, well, you should punish

him, set his mind right, but why--"

аааа "Cut out that nonsense! And please keep your voice down, my friend. You

aren't alone here, remember that, will you? People are listening ..."

аааа "My dearа sir! It's marvelous material, aа goodа piece ofа cloth.а Take

advantage of it now, before the price goes up again . . . Takeа advantage of

it, before Pakin's agents snatch up everything again ..."

аааа "Aboveа all,а my son,а don't doubt!а Simplyа believe,а that's theа most

importantа thing. Onceа theа authorities step in, you can beа sure that they

know what they are doing..."

аааа They've done itа again. Cruelly beaten some poor soul. Rumata wished he

couldа turnа around, make a wide detour around this spot, from theа oncoming

crowd and the shouts of "Get a move on! Disperse!" But he did not turn back.

Instead, heа smoothedа backа his hair toа uncoverа the stone inа theа golden

circlet around his forehead. Inа fact, it was not a stone, but the lens of a

television camera, andа the circlet wasа notа an ornament but a transmitter.

The historians backа onа Earth couldа see and hear everything thatа theа two

hundredа fiftyа scouting emissaries saw and heard on the nineа continents of

this planet. And the emissaries were obligated to look and to listen.

аааа He made his chin jut out, spread theа two swords apart on eachа side of

his body, in order to push as manyа people out of his wayа as heа could, and

marched directly toward theа middleа of the road. The idle onlookers quickly

jumpedа asideа toа let himа pass. Four thick-lippedа porters,а theirа mouths

heavily painted, wereа carrying past a silvery sedan chair. Fromа behind the

curtains peered aа beautiful, cold faceа with half-closed eyes. Rumataа took

off his hat with a flourish and made a bow. Itа was Dona Okana,а the current

favorite of the Enlightened Eagle, Don Reba. Upon catching sight of the most

nobleа cavalier, sheа smiled at him, yearningа andа promise in her eyes. One

could have ticked off the names ofа at least twoа dozen noble dons who would

have given a great deal for that smile. Such a smile was a rare thingа these

days and could not be bought with gold. Rumataа paused for a moment andа let

his glance follow the sedan chair. I must come to aа decision, he thought. I

must finally makeа up my mind . . . He shuddered at the thought of what this

would involve.а Butа it had to be! I must .а .а .а My mind isа made upа now,

besides I have no choice,а thereа is no other way. Tonight. He passed by the

armorer's workshop where he had tried out the daggers and listened to poetry

earlier in the day. He stopped. So that's what it was. It was your turn this

time, my dear Father Hauk ...

аааа The crowd had alreadyа begun to thin out. The door of the shop had been

torn off its hinges, the windows smashed. A bully of a Gray Sturmovik leaned

inа the entrance,а his,а feetа crossed. Another Sturmovikа squatted near the

wall. The wind blew someа tornа papers with writing acrossа theа street. The

Sturmovik bully stuck his finger in his mouth and sucked at it forа a while,

pulled it out again and examined it carefully. Theа finger was bleeding. The

Sturmovik caught Rumata's glance and said in a complacent, raucous voice:

аааа 'That beast bit like a polecat."

аааа The second Sturmovikа chuckled, full of zeal. What a thin, paleа youth,

stillа insecure,а withа pimplesа aroundа hisа mouth.а Heа wasа obviously:а a

greenhorn, a beginner, a young monster, a wolf cub.

аааа "What's going on here?" asked Rumata.

аааа "They went after a secret bookworm," the wolf cub said nervously.

аааа Theа bullyа stuckа his finger backа in his mouth, withoutа changing his

posture.

аааа "At-ten-tion!" commanded Rumata.

аааа The youngа wolf cub jumped to his feet and tookа his ax, holding it the

proper way. The bully thought a while, but then he straightened out his feet

and stood more or less at attention.

аааа "A bookworm? What kind? Who?" inquired Rumata.

аааа "Who knows?" said the young one. "On orders of Father Zupik..."

аааа "Well--did they catch him?"

аааа "Sure. They got him all right."

аааа "Splendid," said Rumata.

аааа Itа wasn't too bad,а after all. Thereа was stillа time left. Nothing is

more important than time, heа thought. One hour may costа a life, one day is

invaluable.

аааа "And where did you take him to? To the Tower?"

аааа "Huh?" asked the wolf cub in a totally absentminded voice.

аааа "I'm asking you, is he in the Tower now?"

аааа An uncertain smile spread over theа pimply face. The bully laughed deep

in his belly. Rumata turned around quickly. Over there, on the other side of

the street, the body ofа Father Hauk swung from a crossbeam of a house door.

He hung limply like a bag filled withа rags. A few neglected children stared

at him, their mouths wide open.

аааа "Not everyone gets to go to the Tower nowadays," came the raucous voice

of the bully from behind his back. "We do quick work these days. Rope around

the neck--and fare-thee-well..."

аааа The wolfа cub started giggling again. Rumataа glared at himа with blind

eyes and then walked slowly across the street. The faceа of the sad poet was

black and unrecognizable.а Rumata lowered hisа eyes.а Only theа poet's hands

looked familiar now, long, weak fingers, all covered with ink ...

аааа No one walks out on life these days.

аааа You're led out by the neck.

аааа Did anyone ask for

аааа Another choice?

аааа Limp and awkward

аааа his feeble hands will fall.

аааа Who knows where the heart of the polyp is located

аааа Or whether the polyp has a heart at all...

аааа Rumata turnedа away and left. Good weakа Father Hauk ... The polyp does

have a heart. And we know where it is. Andа that is the most horrible thing,

my silent,а forsaken friend. We know its location,а but we cannot destroy it

withoutа shedding the blood of thousands of frightened, corrupt, uncritical,

blind people. And there are soа manyа of them, soа hopelesslyа manyа dismal,

desperate people, grown аhardа byа constant work withoutа proper recompense.

Debased human beings who are not yet capable of rising aboveа the ideal of a

few copper pennies. And they cannot yet be taught, united, guided, and saved

fromа themselves. Too early, far too early, oneа century too earlyа didа the

Gray vermin rise in Arkanar; there is no resistanceа to meet it. So only one

thingа remains to be done:а saveа the few that canа still be saved.а Budach,

Tarra, Nanin, and another dozen or two at most. . .

аааа But merelyа the thoughtа that thousands ofа others, perhaps less gifted

but still honestа and truly nobleа humanа beings, wereа condemned to perish,

evoked in Rumata aа sensationа ofа chillа horrorа and a feelingа of hisа own

baseness.а Occasionally this feeling would overwhelm him to the pointа where

his conscious awareness grew dim; and then Rumata could visualizeа in bright

daylightа rowsа upon rowsа ofа Grayа soldiers,а their backsа turned toа him,

illuminatedа byа flashes of gunfire; and Don Reba's insignificant face being

eaten up alive by stinking flies; and theа Tower of Joy slowly collapsing in

aа rubble heapа .а .а .а Wouldn'tа thatа beа a splendid, aа marvelousа feat.

Intervention in great style. But then later ... They were right back home in

the Institute. Then the inevitable willа follow. Bloody chaos throughout the

country. Koleso's nocturnal troops will rise to theа forefront, ten thousand

foulа assassins, theа rejectsа ofа society,а theа excommunicated, theа child

molesters,а theа rapists,аа theаа dregsа ofаа theа humanаа race;а hordesа of

copper-skinnedа barbariansа pour downа fromа their mountainа strongholds and

slaughter everyone,а babes-in-armsа andа theа old alike;а immenseа crowds of

peasants, artisans andа burghers, blinded with fear, take to the woods, flee

to theа mountains,а the desert;а and your comrades-in-arms--those wonderful,

brave men!--will slit each other's bellies in a cruel struggle for power and

your machine gun, of course, afterа you have comeа to an inevitable, violent

end, your death . . . And this stupid, ugly death will rise to find you from

a goblet of wine some friend will offer you, or in an arrow shot from behind

a curtain. Andа then the stony face of your successor, who will be sent from

Earth as your replacement and who will find the land drenched with blood and

ravaged by fire--aа landа where everything, yes, everything mustа be started

all over again from the very beginning...

аааа Rumata pushed open his house door, and entered the magnificent entrance

hall, which already had fallen in a state of disrepair. His face was as dark

as an approaching thunderstorm. Muga, the hunchback, his gray-haired servant

who had worked as a lackeyа for the past forty years, was frightened at this

sight He hunched his torso a bit more forward and drew his head still deeper

betweenа his shoulders,а as the furious young master tore off his hat, cape,

and gloves, hurled his swords on a bench, andа quickly ascended to his room.

The boy Uno awaited him in the drawing room.

аааа "Give orders to have my lunch served!" yelled Rumata. "In my study!"

аааа The boy did not move from the spot.

аааа "Somebody's waiting for you in there," he announced in a sulking voice.

аааа "Who?"

аааа "Some young woman. Perhaps a dona.а Very charming, dressed like a noble

lady; she is beautiful."

аааа Kyra, thoughtа Rumata, relieved. His tension beganа toа fadeа away. How

wonderful, howа good of her to come right atа this moment, sweet child . . .

He stood there, his eyes closed in order to regain his composure completely.

аааа "Want me to chase her away?" asked the boy solicitously.

аааа "Idiot," said Rumata. "I'll chase you away! Where is she?"

аааа "In the study," answered the boy and smiled sheepishly.

аааа "Lunch for two, Uno," Rumata said as he turned to go to the study. "And

no visitors! Not evenа the king--or the devil --or Don Reba himself! I won't

let anybody in."

аааа He saw her as he enteredа the study. She was sitting in a big armchair,

her legs tucked under sideways, аherа head cuppedа in her little leftа hand,

while she absentmindedly leafed through the Treatise Concerning Rumors.

аааа Sheа saw Rumataа come into the room and wanted to stand up.а But he did

not give her enoughа time to do so, rushed over to her, embraced her, buried

his noseа in her thick, fragrant hair and said softly:а "You've come atа the

right time, Kyra! How wonderful!"

аааа Thereа was reallyа nothing veryа special aboutа Kyra. A girl likeа many

others, eighteen years old, upturned nose. Her fatherа an assistant clerk at

the courthouse,а herа brother a sergeantа in the Grayа Militia. Sheа had few

admirers,а since she had reddish-blond hair,а and redheads were notа much in

demand inа Arkanar.а This was probably theа reason she wasа soа surprisingly

quiet and shy: she had nothing in common with thoseа loud, voluptuousа women

who wereа the idols of rich and poor alike. Neither did she share any of the

characteristicsа of those languid ladies of the court, whoа wereа forcedа to

learn--farа tooа soon, and for the rest ofа their lives--what a woman's role

was. Kyra was capable of true love, the way women on Earth would love--quiet

and without any reservations.

аааа "Why have you been crying?"

аааа "What has upset you so much?"

аааа "No, tell me, why have you been crying?"

аааа "I'llа tellа youа in a moment.а Yourа eyesа lookа soа tired.а Whatа has

happened?"

аааа "Later. Who insulted you?"

аааа "Nobody insulted me. Just take me away from here! Please!"

аааа "I promise I will."

аааа "When will we leave?"

аа аа"I don't know, sweetheart. But we will go away, most assuredly."

аааа "Far away?"

аааа "Very far."

аааа "To the capital?"

аааа "Yes... To the capital. To my home."

аааа "Is it beautiful there?"

аааа "Very beautiful. Nobody ever has to cry there."

аааа "And what are the people like there?"

аааа "Like me."

аааа "All?"

аааа "Not all. There are many far better than myself."

аааа "That's impossible!"

аааа "You'll see!"

аааа "Why is itа so easy to believe you? My father won't believe in anybody.

My brother says all men are pigs, filthy animals. But I don'tа believe them,

I have no confidence in what they are saying, but I always believe you."

аааа "I love you..."

аааа "Wait. . . Rumata .. . Take off your circlet--you said it was sinful--"

аааа A happy smile came over Rumata's face. He removed theа circlet from his

head, placed it on the table and covered it with a book.

аааа "That is the eye of the God," he said. "Let it rest for a while."

аааа He took her in his arms.

аааа "It's really very sinful. But when I am with you, I don't need any god,

do I?"

аааа "Yes, you are right," she said softly.

 

аааа Whenа they finally sat down at theа table, the roast wasа cold andа the

wine from the cool cellar had become warm. Uno came into the room and walked

noiselessly along the wall--the wayа heа had beenа trained byа old Muga--and

began to light the candles in the candlesticks, although it was still day.

аааа "Is that your slave?" asked Kyra.

аааа "No, he is free. A splendid boy, only very stingy."

аааа "Gold should stay in its place," said Uno without turning around.

аааа "Youа probably stillа haven't boughtа any newа sheets, have you?" asked

Rumata.

аааа "Why should I?"а saidа the boy.а "Theа oldа ones are still good enough.

They'll do for quite a while."

а ааа"But I can't sleep on the same sheets for a whole month, Uno," remarked

Rumata.

аааа "Eh!"а said theа boy. "His Royal Highness sleeps on the same sheets for

half a year, and he doesn't complain."

аааа "And the candles?" said Rumata and winked at Kyra.а "The candles in the

candlesticks? Did you get those for free?"

аааа Uno paused for a moment.

аааа "But you have a visitor," he said finally with emphasis.

аааа "You see what he is like!" said Rumata.

аааа "He is a good person!" Kyra was serious. "He'sа fond of you. Let's take

him along with us."

аааа "We'll see about that," said Rumata.

аааа The boy frowned with suspicion and said:

аааа "Where are we supposed to go? I won't leave."

аааа "We'll go to a place where all men are like Rumata."

аааа The boy pondered for a while, then said, full of contempt:

аааа "To paradise, eh, like nobility?"

аааа Then he snorted like a horse and shuffled out of the study.

аааа Kyra followed him with her eyes.

аааа "A fineа boy,"а she said.а "Grouchy as a bear cub. Butа you have a real

friend in him."

аааа "All my friends are good people."

аааа "Baron Pampa, too?"

аааа "Where do you know him from?" wondered Rumata.

аааа "Youа talk about no one else. All I hear from you is Baronа Pampa this,

Baron Pampa that."

аааа "Baron Pampa is a valuable comrade."

аааа "What do you mean: the Baron--a comrade?"

аааа "I meantа to say,а he is a goodа fellow. Very kind and cheerful. And he

dearly loves his wife, more than anything."

аааа "I'd like to meet him ... or do you have second thoughts about me?"

аааа "N-n-n-o. But even if he is a good fellow, he's still a baron."

аааа "But--"she said.

аааа Rumata pushed back his plate.

аааа "Now,а tellа me,а why youа were crying. And why you cameа running to my

house unaccompanied. You know it's not advisable these days to be out in the

streets all alone."

аааа "I couldn't stand it any longer atа home. I won't goа backа there. I'll

work for you as a servant. For free."

аааа Rumata smiled but he felt a lump in his throat at the same time.

аааа "Everyа dayа Fatherа copiesа written confessions," sheа continued, with

quiet desperation in herа voice,а "and the papers he copies from are stained

with blood. He gets them in the Tower of Joy. Oh, why did you everа teach me

to read? Everyа evening, everyа night,а heа copiesа these reportsа fromа the

hearings--and heа drinks. It's soа horrible, so horrible! 'Look,а Kyra,'а he

says. 'Our neighbor, the calligrapher, heа used toа teach people how to read

and write.а Can you imagineа what he is inа reality? He confessedа it in the

torture chamber: A magician and an Irukanianа spy.--'And who,' he says, 'who

should one believe now? I myself,' heа says, 'learned to read and write from

him.' And my brother comes home from patrolа service reeking of beer,а dried

blood on his hands . . . 'We are exterminating all of them,'а he says, 'down

to the twelfth generation.' He won't leave Father alone, he keeps asking him

why he canа read and write . . Today, he says he and hisа friends draggedа a

man into our house .а .а . They beat him until they were splashedа allа over

with blood. Then heа finally stopped screaming.--I can'tа go on like this, I

won't go back any more, I'd rather die..."

аааа Rumata stood beside her,а his hand softly caressing herа hair. Her dry,

shining eyes were fixed onа a far-away point. What could heа sayа to her? He

swooped her up inа his arms, carried her to the divan, satа down next to her

and beganа toа speak.а He toldа herа ofа crystalа temples,а ofа gayа gardens

stretching for manyа miles--without filth, or swarms of flies andа gnats, or

garbage. He spokeа of theа tableа that servesа dinner all byа itself, of the

flying carpet,а of theа charming cityа of Leningrad,а of his friends--proud,

happy, good people, and of a wonderful country beyond the oceans, beyond the

sevenа mountains,а theа so-called "Earth" . .а . Sheа listenedа quietlyа and

attentively, and pressed аcloser to him as they heardа now down below in the

street--grrrrum, grrrum,а grrrum--rang outа the metallic soundа of bootsа on

pavement.

аааа Kyra possessed a marvelous trait. She believedа unconditionally in what

wasа good. If he were to tellа theа same story to some peasant serf, the man

would only make an unbelieving, stupid grimace, wipe theа snot off hisа nose

on his sleeve and wordlessly gape at him as if he were a legendary creature,

all the while thinking: What a pity, such a good, clever, noble don! Too bad

he lost his marbles tellingа such tales! Orа evenа worse,а let him tell such

stories to Don Tameo orа Don Sera--they wouldn't bother hearing him out. One

would unfailingly fall asleepа and theа otherа just belch and remark:а "Very

creditable, very creditable indeed . . . and how about the women over there,

any good?" Whereas Don Reba would listen attentively to the end, then give a

sign to his bloodhounds, the Sturmoviki,а to screw the noble don's elbows up

to his shoulder blades and find out for sure where the noble don had learned

such fairy tales and who else had heard them...

аааа After Kyra had calmedа down andа fallen asleep, he kissed her gently on

her peacefully slumbering face, covered her with his fur coat, andа left the

roomа on tiptoe, closing the squeaking doorа behind him softly. He descended

through the darkened house, downа theа servants'а quarters, lookedа over the

heads bowed down in salute to him, and said:

аааа "I haveа takenа onа a housekeeper.а Herа nameа isа Kyra. Sheа will live

upstairs,а share my quarters. The room next to the study is to be thoroughly

cleaned tomorrow. You will obey the housekeeper's orders as ifа they were my

own!" He threwа aа quickа glance atа his servants to see whether anyoneа was

grinning.а Noа oneа asа muchа asа battedа an eyelid; theyа listenedа toа his

instructions withа the respect due him. "And if anybodyа hereа dares whisper

behind my back, I'll pluck out his tongue!"

аааа After he had finished, heа lingered a while to letа his words take full

effect on them, then he turned andа walked back to his apartments. The walls

of his parlor were draped all over with rusty old weapons, and theа room was

filledа withа strange-lookingа furniture, stained fromа the deadа remains of

innumerable insects. He went to the window, pressed his forehead against the

dark, cold glass, andа looked downа into the street.а Theа bellsа wereа just

chiming for the firstа night watch. Inа theа windowsа across theа street the

lights were lit and the shutters closed,а to avoid attracting wicked men and

ghosts. All was quiet for a littleа while. The silence was broken only once,

when a drunk roared out horribly; either he was being robbed orа else he had

stumbled against a strange house door.

аааа These evenings wereа the most terrible thingа here:а miserable, lonely,

and hopeless.а Weа believed it would be a long drawn-outа battle,а wildа but

victorious, reflected Rumata. Weа believed weа would never deviateа from our

firm notions ofа goodа and bad, of friend and foe.а And in general our ideas

proved to be correct;а butа we didа notа foreseeа everything. Eveningsа like

these,а for instance--although we knew well enough thatа theyа were bound to

come.

аааа Downstairs he heard the sound of metal strikingа uponа metal: they were

bolting theа doors to prepare for the night. The cookа prayed to Holy Mickey

to send her a man, any man, just as long as he had some pride in himself and

understandingа forа her. Oldа Muga yawned and made little circlesа withа his

thumb in the air. The servants in theа kitchen drank their eveningа beer and

gossiped for all they were worth, while the boy Uno flashed angry glances at

them and scolded them like an adult:а "He'll wash your mouths out with soap,

you fools."

аааа Rumata steppedа back from the window and began toа pace theа room. It's

hopeless, he thought. No powerа in this world isа strong enough to jerk them

out of their habits,а their worries, their ingrained traditions.а Youа could

giveаа themаа everything.а Youаа couldаа moveаа themаа toа theа mostа modern

spectro-acoustic housing, teach them the ionization--they'd still gatherа in

their kitchensа atа night, playа cards till all hours, and letа loose on the

neighbor whoа beats his wife. And there will be no better pastimeа for them.

Donа Kondorа is right there:а Reba isа a louse, a nothingа comparedа toа the

overwhelmingа weightа of traditions, strictа rulesа sanctifiedа throughа the

centuries, time-honored, irrefutable, and familiar for even the most stupid.

Theyа relieveа you ofа theа necessity toа thinkа andа toа beа interestedа in

something.а Andа Don Rebaа will probably hardly beа mentioned in high school

textbooks:а "Aа minorа adventurerа duringа theа epochа ofа consolidationа of

absolutism."

аааа Don Reba,а Don Reba! Neither tallа nor short, neither fat nor lean; his

hair is not exactly full, but he's far from beingа bald. When he moves, it's

neither energetic nor lethargic.

аааа You'd forget his face in a minute; there are thousands who resemble him

closely.а Heа isа politeаа andа gallantа towardа theа ladies;а anа attentive

conversationalist, if he so chooses, but not a brilliant one...

аааа Threeа yearsа ago heа emergedа fromа someа mustyа basementа room in the

chancellery, a small, inconspicuous official . . . At that time he was still

servile,а andа hisа complexionа wasа ratherа paleа (sometimes evenа a little

grayish-blue). Shortly afterwards,а the prime minister was suddenly arrested

and executed. In theа torture chambers many high officials lost their lives;

theyа went mad with fright and never even knew what had happened.а Andа over

theirа corpses grew a giant, colorless mushroom, this bull-headed, merciless

genius of mediocrity.

аааа He is a nobody. He comes from nowhere. He is not some brilliant mind in

the regime of aа weak ruler, the kind of man we know from history; nor is he

the great man who strikes fear in many hearts as he devotesа his entire life

to uniting theа country in the name ofа autocracy. He isn'tа even the greedy

parasite with nothing on hisа mind except women andа gold,а who, drunkа with

power, will blindly lash out left and right, and who rules in order to kill.

Some people even whisper that he isn'tа Donа Reba at all,а thatа Don Reba is

actually quite a different person;а while the other one. God knows, may be a

werewolf, a Doppelganger, a changeling...

аааа Whateverа plan Donа Rebaа hatched out, it was bound to fail. He incited

two princely houses ofа theа kingdomа to battle andа intrigueа againstа each

other, in order to weaken them,а andа tried to profit fromа thisа enmityа by

wagingа a frontalа attack againstа the barons.а But the two princelyа houses

becameа reconciled, swore eternalа blood-brotherhood overа theа clinkingа of

champagne glasses,а and robbed theа kingа of a fine piece of land that since

timeа immemorialа hadа belongedа toа the royal family Totzа ofа Arkanar.а He

declared warа onа Irukan, personally led the armyа to theа border, letа them

drown in the swamps or lost them inа the woods, left them to their fate, and

fled back to Arkanar. Dueа to Donа Hug's endeavors--ofа which he was totally

ignorant, of course--he succeeded in wresting aа peace treatyа from the Duke

of Irukan, albeit atа the cost of two fortified borderа towns.а Furthermore,

the Kingа was forced to scrapeа the bottomа ofа the barrelа of hisа depleted

treasury in order to cope withа the peasant rebellions that hadа seizedа the

entire country. Anyone else committing such foolish blunders would have been

strung upа byа his feetа in the Towerа of Joy.а Don Reba,а however,а somehow

managedа again and again toа remain in power. He issued a decree to dissolve

the ministriesа ofа cultureа andа morals, foundedа the Ministry ofа Internal

Security for the Protectionа of the Crown, removed the local aristocracy and

a few scholars from key positions,а totally upset the entireа economy of the

state,а wrote a treatiseа Concerning the Foolishness of Cattleа Breeders and

Agriculture,а and just one year ago, organized his special troops,а the Gray

hordes.а Hitler was backed by the capitalists,а thoughtа Rumata, butа nobody

stands behind Donа Reba; it is as inevitable as nightа follows day thatа his

Sturmoviki will kill him like a fly sooner or later.--But he kept on hedging

and shuffling, committed one foolish act after the other, extricated himself

again andа again from the net that threatened to strangle him,а cheatedа and

deceivedа himself day after day, and was in theа grip of one ardent,а insane

desire: to destroy all culture. Like Waga Koleso, he had no past. Barely two

years ago,а every aristocratic parasite of the court had still talked of him

scornfully asа aа "contemptible swindler who cheats theа King." Atа present,

however, you could ask any number of noblemen, and each would firmly declare

himselfа to be a relative of theа minister of internal security, at least on

his mother's side.

аааа Rightа now he seems to need Budach for one of his plans. It'sа bound to

turnа intoа another of his manyа calamities.а Anotherа blunder. Budachа is a

bookworm. Into the hole with him! Make a lot of fuss and noise aboutа it, so

that all will know. Butа there is noа fuss and outcry. Should that mean that

heа needsа Budachа alive? What for? Reba can't be naive enough to hope to be

able to force Budach to work for him? But maybe he is that stupid after all.

Could it beа thatа Don Reba is merely aа dumbа (but successful)а spinnerа of

intrigues,а who doesn't know what he wants himself, who acts the fool with a

sly face in front of everyone'sа eyes?а It's ridiculous; I'veа been watching

him now for the past three years,а and I still can't figure him out.а And if

he should watch meа in turn, he would not fareа any better.а But anything is

possible,а that'sа the amusing part about itа all. The basis theoryа may put

forthа a listа ofа fundamentalа aspects ofа theа psychological goalsа toа be

attained; but in realityа there are as many of these objectives as there are

humanа beingsа on Earth, and anyа one--it doesn't matter who--canа ascend to

power, even one whoа has devotedа hisа life to playing pranks onа his fellow

human beings,а sabotaging andа ruining them. Eventually he isа swept off the

throne, of course, butа in the meantime he's had sufficient time to show his

contempt forа allа mankind, to cause harmа wherever there, is a chance, and,

worst of all, to enjoy his evil deeds. Andа he is not in the least concerned

that history won't even wonderа who heа was, andа just as little affected by

the thought that his descendants willа rack their brains many years from now

toа categorize hisа behavior toа fitа theа advancedа theoryа of the lawsа of

history. Suddenly Rumata remembered Dona Okana. Come on, make up yourа mind,

heа thought.а Start atа once. Once a godа decides toа make a clean sweepа of

things, he needn't bother to make sure he has unsullied hands . .а . He felt

nauseated as he thought of what lay ahead of him. But this was preferable to

killing. Better filth than blood.

аааа He walked on tiptoe,а careful notа to awakenа Kyra, to his E studyа and

changed his clothes. Undecided, he kept toying with his transmitter circlet,

but then put itа resolutely in a drawer of hisа desk. Then heа stuck a white

featherа behindа his right ear as a symbolа ofа passion,а buckled on his two

swords and threw hisа best cloak over his shoulders. As he was unlocking the

gate downstairs, he thought: If Don Reba gets wind of this, that will be the

end of Dona Okana. But it was already too late to turn back.

 

FOUR

 

аааа The guests were assembled, but Dona Okana had not yet arrived. Gathered

around a small golden snack table, as ifа on a wall gobelin, were the chiefs

of the royal guard, who were famous for their duels andа amorous adventures.

They leaned forward gracefully as they drank, while their fatа behinds stuck

out in the rear. Beside the fireplace giggledа thin-bloodedа ladies who were

distinguishedа inа nothingа whatsoever, andа whoа for thisа reasonа had been

assigned to Dona Okana asа herа confidantesа and companions.а They satа in a

simpleа rowа on small, low divans, andа before themа three elderly gentlemen

danced around constantly onа their thin legs: famed loungeа lizards from the

era of the previous king, the lastа connoisseurs of long forgotten anecdotes

of the royal court. Every one knew that a salon wasа no proper salon without

theseа old gentlemen. Inа theа middle of theа hall, legs spreadа wide apart,

stood Don Ripat, lieutenant of the Gray Court Guard--a clever and dependable

agent for Rumata. He had аa splendidа mustache and was completely amoral. He

had hooked the thumbsа ofа hisа bigа red handsа intoа his leatherа beltа and

listened to Don Tameoа who, totally disorganizedа and with greatа rushesа of

detail, triedа to present a project to revitalize business at the expense of

theа peasants;а atа the same time,а Don Ripat pointedа hisа mustacheа in the

directionа of Donа Sera,а whoа groped hisа way alongа theа walls,а obviously

searching for some hidden door. Two famous portrait painters sat in a comer,

scanning theа room with alert eyes as they devouredа a roastа the sizeа of a

half-grown crocodile, and nearby in a bay window sat an elderlyа lad clad in

black --а theа chaperoneа assigned toа Dona Okanaа by Don Reba.а Sheа stared

straightа ahead with a rigid face, looking very severe; only once in a while

would she suddenly jerk her whole body forward. Off to one side, a personage

of royal blood and the secretary of the Soanian embassy passed the time with

aа game of cards. The royal personage was cheating and the secretaryа smiled

indulgently. Heа was the only personа in the entire salonа whoа was occupied

withа something serious: he wasа gatheringа material for theа diplomatic spy

forces.

аааа Theа guard officers atа the little goldenа tablesа greeted Rumataа with

friendly shouts. Rumata gave them a comradely nod and went from one guest to

theа other. Heа exchangedа bowsа withа theа oldа lounge lizards,а paid a few

compliments to the confidantes of Dona Okana, who immediately eyed the white

featherа behind his ear;а gave a friendly slap to theа blubberyа back of the

personage of royal blood; and then turned his attention to Don Ripat and Don

Tameo. As he passed the bayа window, the chaperone's upper torso happened to

fall forward once again; a strong odor of brew emanated from her.

аааа Uponа seeingа Rumata,а Donа Ripat pulled hisа thumbs fromа his belt and

clicked hisа heels.а Donа Tameo, however,а called out loudly:а "It's you, my

friend?а Wonderfulа that you have come, Iа hadа already given up all hope of

seeing you. Like a swan with a broken wing, sighing and staring up to a star

. . . I was filled with such a longing--And if it had not been forа the most

charming Don Ripat, I would have long since perished from grief!"

аааа It was obviousа that Don Tameo hadа hadа the best intentions toа remain

sober until lunch, but unfortunately had not quite made it.

аааа "Dear,а dear!" exclaimed Rumata. "Since whenа doа we quote the words of

the rebel Zuren?"

аааа Don Ripat straightened up and flashed his catlike eyes at Don Tameo.

аааа "Eh, eh--" stammered Donа Tameo in confusion.а "Zuren? Yes, indeed, and

why am I quoting him? Yes, yes, if I may say so ... with sarcastic intent--I

assure you, noble dons!а Yes, forа who isа this Zuren? Nothing but a common,

ungrateful demagogue. I wanted simply to emphasize--"

аааа "That Dona Okana hasn't arrived yet," interrupted Rumata. "And you were

forced to drink without her company."

аааа "That's exactly what I wanted to emphasize."

аааа "By the way, where is she?"

аааа "We expect herа any moment now," answered Don Ripat, who then bowed and

walked away.

аааа The confidantes of the lady of the house, however, sat there with their

mouths wide open, still staring at the white feather. The old lounge lizards

snickered archly. Don Tameo finally noticed the feather,а too, andа began to

tremble.

аааа "My friend!" he whispered. "What is that supposed to mean? If Donа Reba

should see that . . . Even if we don't expect him tonight, but you can never

know for sure . . ."

аааа "Oh,а cut it out,"а saidа Rumata, letting hisа eyesа sweepа impatiently

across the room. He wanted to get it all over with as quickly as possible.

аааа The officers of the guard approached, wine cups in their hands.

аааа "How pale you are!" whispered Don Tameo. "I understand, passion is like

thatа . .а . But, Holy Mickey! The state should comeа first. And afterа all,

it's so dangerous,а so very dangerous... Anа insultа toа Don Reba's emotions

..."

аааа Somethingа inа hisа faceа changedа andа heа beganа toа minceа his steps

restlessly; he stepped back a bit and then walked backwards out of the room,

bowing and scraping all the while. The officers of the guard gathered around

Rumata. Somebody handed him a full wine goblet

аааа "Let's drink to honor and to our Majesty, the King!" shouted one of the

officers.

аааа "And to love!" added another officer.

аааа "Just show her what the guard is capable of, noble don," saidа aа third

officer.

аааа Rumata took the goblet; then suddenlyа he saw Dona Okana. Sheа stood in

the doorway, fanning herself with her elegant fan and swaying her shoulders,

a languid expression animatingа her features. She was very pretty. From this

distance she could even be called beautiful. Unfortunately sheа wasа notа at

all Rumata's type,а but she was undoubtedlyа pretty,а thisа stupid, sensuous

cow. Big,а blue eyes withoutа aа glimmerа ofа intellectа or warmth,а a soft,

knowing mouth, aа voluptuous body whose contours were revealed intentionally

withа skill and with great care ... A guard officer behind Rumata apparently

couldа not controlа himselfа anyа longer andа he noisily smackedа hisа lips.

Without turning around,а Rumata handed him his goblet and withа long strides

walked over to Dona Okana. All thoseа present in the salon turned their eyes

aside and began to talk busily about inconsequential things.

аааа "Your beauty is blinding myа eyes," murmured Rumata asа he bowed deeply

andа rattled his swords. "Permit me to lie at yourа feet--like aа whippet at

the feet of an indifferent and beautiful woman."

аааа Dona Okana hid her face behind her fan and peeked out coquettishly.

аааа "Youа areа very daring,а nobleа don,"а sheа said. "Poor ladies from the

provinces that we are, weа are simply unable to withstand such storms . . ."

Sheа had a deep,а raspingа voice, that occasionally failed.а "Alas, there is

nothing left for me to do but to open the gates of my fortress and admit the

victor..."

аааа Gritting his teeth with shame and anger, Don Rumata bowed deeper still.

Dona Okana lowered her fan and called out loudly:

аааа "My noble dons! Go on and amuse yourselves! I'll be right back with Don

Rumata! I have promised to show him my new Irukanian carpets ... I"

аааа "Don'tа robа usа tooа long ofа your presence,а youа bewitching beauty!"

bleated one of the old gentlemen.

аааа "What a magnificent woman!" called out another old man. And he added in

a sickeningly sweet tone of voice: "A fairy princess!"

аааа The officers of the guard rattled their sabers. "You must admit, he has

pretty good taste,"а saidа the personage ofа royalа blood.а Dona Okanaа held

Rumata by his sleeve andа dragged him along behind her. Out in the corridor,

Rumata could hearа Donа Sera declare in an offended tone of voice:а "I can't

see why a noble don shouldn't have a look at some Irukanian carpets..."

аааа At the end of the corridor. Dona Okana suddenly came to a halt, clasped

her arms around his neck and with a deep moan to indicate a suddenа outburst

ofа wild passion, she kissed himа hard on his mouth, clinging and sucking on

to his lips as tightlyа as a leech. Rumata held his breath. The woman's body

radiated a sharp odor of strong Irukanian perfume mingled withа the smell of

unwashedа limbs. Her lips felt fieryа hot, moist and sticky from sweetmeats.

He triedа valiantly toа fight off nausea andа to returnа theа kiss, andа was

apparently successful, for Dona Okana moaned againа loudlyа and with tightly

shut eyes surrenderedа herselfа toа hisа embrace.а That seemedа toа lastа an

eternity. Well, you're going to getа itа now, you beast, thoughtа Rumata and

pressedа his armsа tightly around herа torso. Somethingа began to crack, the

corset--orа perhaps her ribs--;а theа beauty whinedа pitifully,а openedа her

startled eyes and wiggled weakly trying to free herself from his firm clasp.

Rumata quickly let go of her.

аааа "You daredevil,а you, what a lover!" she saidа breathing hardа and rapt

with desire. "You almost squashed me!"

аааа "I'm burning with desire," he murmured guiltily.

ааа а"So am I. Oh, how I have been waiting for you! Let's go! Let's hurry!"

аааа Sheа led him by the hand throughа someа icy cold rooms. Rumata took his

handkerchiefа andа furtivelyа wipedа hisа Ups. Theа whole affairа seemedа so

senseless now. But it's got toа be,а he thought Theа things we have toа bear

here! Can'tа beа all done with words alone. Holy Mickey, why don't they ever

washа hereа atа court? Andа onа top of that stench thisа peculiar passionate

temperament ...а if only Donа Reba would surprise them now . . . She dragged

himа behind her, withoutа aа word, with purposeful strength, the wayа an ant

dragsа alongа deadа larvae. Rumataа felt likeа anа idiotа and kept murmuring

nonsenseа about "swift littleа feet" andа "rosy pinkа lips." Dona Okana kept

giggling the whole way. Sheа whiskedа him into anа overheated boudoir, whose

walls actually were decorated byа hugeа rugs; threw herself on herа enormous

bed, gaped at him withа her moist, glittering eyes. Rumata's body stiffened.

Thereа was anа unmistakable odor ofа bedbugsа in this boudoir. "Youа areа so

beautiful!" she whispered loudly. "Do come closer,а come to me. I haveа been

waiting for you such a long time!"

аааа Rumata turned away his eyes; heа felt nauseated. Perspiration beaded on

his forehead. I can't do it, flashed through his mind. To hell withа all the

informationа Iа canа dragа outа of her . .а .а whatа aа beast she is, what a

caricature . . . It's unnatural, it goes against my grain, it'sа dirty. Dirt

is preferable to blood, of course, but this here is far worse than dirt.

аааа "Whatа areа you waitingа for, noble don?"а panted Dona Okana.а "Oh,а my

sweet, do come to me, I'm waiting!"

аааа "Oh, go to hell!" Don Rumata hissed between his teeth impulsively.

аааа She jumped off the bed and hurried toward him.

аааа "What is the matter with you? Are you drunk?"

аааа "I don't know." He forced the words over his lips. "It's so hot here."

аааа "I'll have a cup brought for you."

аааа "What cup?"

аааа "Oh,а forget аit ... it'll pass .а ," Her fingersа were tremblingа with

impatience as she started to unbutton his vest. "How gorgeous you are . - ."

she whispered breathlessly.а "But you are soа shy, like a virgin.а I'd never

have suspected that from you , . . But it's so exciting, I swear by the Holy

Bara!-"

аааа Whetherа he wanted to or not,а he couldа no longerа delay it; he had to

take herа by theа handsа now. He lookedа downа on her and saw her lacquered,

untidy hair, herа round, bareа shoulders, dotted with tiny clumps of powder,

and herа tiny rose pink ears. Disgusting, he thought. Nothing doing here.а .

Too bad, though, she is bound to know a few things .а . . Donа Reba talks in

hisа sleepа ...аа Heа takesа herа alongа toа theа hearings,а andа sheа loves

cross-examinations . . . No, I can't do it...

аааа "Well?" she asked, irritated.

аааа "Your carpets are beautiful indeed, Dona," he said. "Thanks for showing

them to me but I have to go now."

аааа Atа firstа sheа failedа toа understand;а butа thenа herа featuresа were

grotesquely contorted with fury.

аааа "How dareа you!" she demanded, butа heа had already groped for the door

knob,а slipped outа into the corridor and taken to hisа heels. From now on I

won't wash myself any longer, he thought. One has to be a filthy swine here,

not a god!

аааа "Youа oldа nag!" she yelled. "Youа miserableа old woman!а You should be

thrown into the dungeon!"

аааа Rumata yanked a window open and jumped downа into the yard. For a while

he stood underneath a tree, greedily breathing in bigа gulpsа of fresh, cold

air.

аааа Then heа rememberedа theа stupid white feather. Furiously he pulledа it

fromа behindа his ear and stompedа on it withа his boots.а My friendа Pashka

wouldn't have madeа itа either, heа thought. None ofа our crowd. (Are you so

sure?--Yes!--а Thenа noneаа ofаа youа areаа anyа good.--Butа itаа makesаа me

nauseated!--The experiment doesn't care what your feelings are. If you can't

do it, then keep out of it!--But I'm no animal!

аааа --Ifа it's required byа theа experiment,а then you mustа turnа intoа an

animal, ifа need be.--Theа experiment can't make such demands.--Itа can very

well, as you see!--But then ... !

аааа --What, then?--He did not know what would follow after that--Then . . .

Thenа . . . Well, then, well say that I am a bad historian.--He shrugged his

shoulders--so let's try to improve. Let's learn how to turn into a pig ...)

аааа Itа was midnight whenа he arrived home.а He undid the clasps of his fez

and, without getting undressed, threw himself down on aа couch in the salon,

where he fell into a deep sleep.

аааа He wasа awakenedа by the exasperated shouting of Uno and a good-natured

deep bass voice yelling:

аааа "Get away, you little beast. I'll skin you alive!"

аааа "My master is asleep, I'm telling you!"

аааа "Beat it! Don't crawl around my legs!"

аааа "You can't go in, I'm telling you!"

аааа The door flew open with a loud bang and into the room came storming Don

Bau, Baron Pampa, giganticа likeа the wildа monster Pech, red-cheeked,а with

white teeth, drooping mustache, a jaunty red velvet beret on his head and an

expensiveа raspberry-coloredа cape slung around hisа broadа shoulders, and a

copperа mail shirt clearly visible underneath. He dragged Uno after him. Uno

frantically clung to the baron's right trouser leg.

аааа "Baron!"а called out Rumata and let his legs slide offа the couch. "How

do you happen to be in town, my friend? Uno, let go of the baron!"

аааа "Whatа a devotedа boy,а heа reallyа sticks by you," said theа baron and

walked toward Rumataа with open arms. "Heа seems all right, I must say.а How

muchа will you take for him? But let'sа discuss this later . .а . Now let me

embrace you!"

аааа Theyа embraced.а Theа baron exudedа aа pleasant smell of dustyа country

roads, horses, and a mixed bouquet of various wines.

аааа "I see you are totally sober," he said, sorrow in his voice. "But then,

you are always sober, you fortunate man!"

аааа "Please sitа down, my friend!"а said Rumata. "Uno! Bringа some Estorian

wine, and plenty of it!"

аааа "Not a drop!"

аааа "What? Notа a drop of Estorian wine? Uno, forget the Estorian and bring

us some Irukanian instead!"

аааа "No wine at all!" said the baron miserably. "I'm not drinking."

аааа Rumata sat down again.

аааа "What has happened?" he asked, worried. "Are you sick?"

аааа "I am as healthy as aа horse.а But these damnedа family quarrels ... To

make a longа story short; I have had a terrible fight with the baroness. And

now I am here."

аааа "A fight with the baroness? You? Nowа pleaseа stop it, baron; what kind

of joke is that supposed to be?"

аааа "I can't understand it myself,а I'm like in a fog. Yes, Iа came here on

horseback, riding 120 miles, my brain all in a fog!"

аааа "Myа friend," saidа Rumata,а "let'sа start right away andа ride back to

castle Bau."

аааа "Butа my horse isа still windedа and sweaty,"а replied theа baron. "And

what's more: I want to punish her!" "Who?"

аааа 'Theа baroness, damnа it!а Am Iа a manа orа aа mouse?а You see,а she is

dissatisfied with Pampa,а the--drunk; let her find out for herself how sober

heа can be!а I'd ratherа rotа away here withа plain water than return to the

castle!" Uno pouted:

аааа "Tell him to stop wiggling his ears."

аааа "Now be off, you little rascal!"а grumbled the good-humored deepа voice

of the baron. "And bring me some beer! I've sweated itа allа out; now I must

fill up again."

аааа Baron Pampa spent the next half hourа filling upа againа and chattering

away merrily all theа while. In between big gulps from a tankard ofа beer he

reported his troubles.а He repeatedly cursed "those drunkards, my neighbors,

who come and invade my castle. They pretend they want to go hunting with me,

arrive early in the morning--and before you know it, they are all dead drunk

and smashа upа theа furniture.а Theyа come charging over theа entire castle,

befoulа everything, annoy the servants, spoilа the dogsа and set aа terrible

example for the young baron. Then they all depart, ride home again and leave

me behind,а drunk as a pig,а and I have to stay there with the baroness, all

alone, have to face her, eye to eye..."

аааа Toward the end of his story, the baronа lostа controlа over himself and

wasа just about toа askа forа some Estorianа wine, аwhenа heа pulled himself

together again and said:

аааа "Rumata,а myа friend.а Let'sа leaveа here.а Yourа winesа areа muchа too

expensive! Let's go!" "But where to?"

аааа 'That doesn't matter, where to! How about the Gray Joy?"

аааа "Hmm,"а said Rumata. "Andа what are weа going toа doа there at the Gray

Joy?"

аааа The baron remained silent for a few moments and tugged mischievously at

his beard.

аааа "Come, come, now!"а he saidа finally. "You ask the strangest questions.

What are we going to do there? We'll just sit and talk a bit."

аааа "At the Gray Joy?" asked Rumata doubtfully.

аааа "Yes," said the baron. "I understand what you mean . . . That's awful .

. . but still, let's go. Here I'mа constantly temptedа toа ask forа Estorian

wine!"

аааа "My horse!" said Rumata and went into his study in order to pick up his

sender.

аааа A few minutes laterа theа twoа were riding side by sideа downа a narrow

lane,а enveloped by impenetrable darkness. Theа baron hadа regained his good

humorа and told with aа loudа voice about the huge boar they had killedа the

previousа day, then aboutа theа remarkable talents of the youngа baron,а and

aboutа theа miracle at the monastery of the Holy Tukky, whereа the abbot had

givenа birth from his hip to aа six-fingeredа boy. In between stories he did

not forget his own kind ofа pranks. From time to time he would howlа likeа a

wolf, singа lullabies, and knockа with the heavyа handle of hisа riding whip

against the shuttered windows.

аааа They arrived at theа Gray Joy and the baron stopped his horse andа fell

into deepа thoughts.а Rumataа waited.а The dirtyа windows ofа the innа shone

gaudily,а theа horses were pawing the ground, the heavily made-up girlsа who

were sitting on a bench underneathа the windowа were quarreling noisily, and

two servantsа were strainingа toа rollа a giant barrelа through the entrance

door.

аааа The baron said sorrowfully:

аааа "Alone! How horrible toа think thatа I have the whole night beforeа me,

and all alone! And she, too, is all alone!"

аааа "Don't be so sad, my friend," saidа Rumata. "The youngа baronа is there

with her, and I am here with you."

аааа 'That is not the same thing," said the baron. "You haven't the faintest

idea, my friend.а You are young and light-hearted.а I believe you even enjoy

looking at these sluts here."

аааа "Andа why not?"а repliedа Rumata andа regarded the baron with interest.

"These girls are quite acceptable, I think."

аааа The baron shook his head and laughed sarcastically.

аааа "Justа look atа thatа oneа overа there,"а heа shouted,а "herа behind is

practicallyа floppingа toа theа ground.а Andа the oneа overа there,а the one

scratching herself, she hasn't any behind at all.а They are cows, my friend,

cows atа best.а Just think of the baroness! Whatа hands, what grace!а What a

body, my friend!"

аааа "Yes," agreed Rumata.а "Theа baronessа is beautiful. Let's getа outа of

here."

аааа "Where to?"а asked the baronа depressed. "Andа why?"а Anа expression of

resoluteness came аsuddenlyа over his face. "No, myа friend.а I won'tа leave

here. I won't go anywhere butа you can doа what pleases you." He got off his

horse. "Although I would feel insulted if you would leave me here alone."

аааа "I'll stay with you here, of course," said Rumata. "But--"

аааа "No buts," said the baron.

аааа They threw the reins to one of the servants who rushed up, and strutted

haughtilyа past the girls into the inn.а The air was oppressively heavy. The

weak light of the tiny oil lamps hardly penetrated through the dense haze of

fumes and exhalations; theа place resembled a big and very filthy sauna bath

back on Earth. Soldiers with unbuttoned tunics, dripping with sweat, sailors

with colorfulа kaftansа over their naked bodies,а women withа barely covered

breasts.а Gray Sturmoviks holding their battle axes between their knees, and

some down-at-the-heelа workers were all sittingа at some long tables, eating

andа drinking, cursing,а laughing,а crying,а andа singing filthy songsа with

roaringа voices.а Toа theа left, oneа couldа vaguelyа see aа bar,а where the

innkeeper sat on a platform surrounded byа huge barrels and directed a swarm

of skilled and fraudulent servants. On the right, aа large brightа rectangle

shoneа through the mist, the entrance to the "privateа room,"а theа room for

noble dons, reputable merchants, and Gray officers.

аааа "Whyа shouldn't we wetа ourа whistle, come toа thinkа of it?" asked the

baron in a tone of irritation. He seized Rumata by theа sleeveа and made his

wayа toward theа bar,а passing through aа narrow aisleа betweenа the tables,

scratchingа theа backsа of guestsа who were seatedа at theа tables withа his

slightly protruding belt-armor. At the counter he picked up a large jug, had

the innkeeperа fillа it up to the rim and withoutа a word drained the jug in

one large draught to the last drop;

аааа then he stated that all was lost anyhow and only one thing remained--to

haveа aа good time.а Then he turned to the innkeeper andа inquired loudly if

this establishment had some accommodation where noblemen could pass the time

in a befittingа manner without having to be bothered by all kinds of rabble,

riff-raff and vermin. The innkeeper reassured him that there was indeed such

a suitable place on the premises.

аа аа"Excellent!" said theа baronа with a grand flourish asа heа threw a few

gold coins to the innkeeper. "Will youа bring usа theа best you have in your

house?а Butа don't have theа food served by some dolled-upа little whore--we

want to be waited on by some respectable older woman!"

аааа The innkeeper himself accompanied the noble dons to the "private room."

Itа wasа occupied by just a few guests.а In oneа comer satа a group ofа Gray

officers,а twoа lieutenants inа tightа uniformsа andа two captains inа short

soldiers' coats with the epaulets of theа Ministry of Internal Security. Two

aristocratsа were dozingа near the window over a slender jugа of wine: their

facesа looked pinched and sour, exuding an air of general depression. At the

nearby table satа a little band of impoverished dons inа rumpled jackets and

mended cloaks. They sipped their beer and let their greedy eyes sweep around

the room ever so often.

аааа Theа baron lumbered over toа a freeа table, castа aа mean glance in the

direction of the Gray officers and grumbled:

аааа "You just can't get awayа from that rabble. Notа even here."а But now a

fatа old auntie waddledа into theа room bearing the firstа course. The baron

croaked greedily, pulledа his dagger from his belt, and fell over the feast.

Silently heа devoured bigа chunks ofа roastа venison, mountains of marinated

mollusks, huge piles of crabs, enormous quantities of saladsа and mayonnaise

dressings, washed everything down with cascades of wine, beer and home brew,

andа finally wineа mixedа with beerа andа home brew. Theа impoverishedа dons

attempted repeatedly to joinа Baron Pampaа at his table, butа the baron sent

them packing with a majestic sweep of his hand and a nasty growl.

аааа Suddenly he stopped eating, stared at Rumata with protruding eyes,а and

roared like aа beast of prey:а "It'sа quite a whileа since I've been last in

Arkanar, my noble friend. Andа I swear upon myа honor there isа somethingа I

don't like about this place!"

аааа "And what would that be?" inquired Rumata, interested,а while he gnawed

at a chicken wing.

аааа Awe and attention marked the faces of the impoverished dons.

аааа "Tell me, myа dearа friend," thunderedа the baron and wiped hisа greasy

hands atа his cloak,а "since when has it become the custom in ourа beautiful

capital city, the seat of our Highness the King, that the descendants of the

oldest families ofа the realmа can't take a stepа without running into these

miserable shopkeepers and butchers?!"

аааа The noble dons exchanged quick glancesа and withdrewа into their comer.

Rumata blinkedа overа toа the otherа cornerа whereа theа Grayа officers were

sitting. They put down their glasses and looked over to the baron's table.

аааа "I'llа tell you,а nobleа dons,а whereа theа flyа inа theа ointment is,"

continued Baron Pampa.а "The whole trouble is that you are a bunch of damped

cowards. You tolerate them because you are afraidа OF them. Youа over there,

you areа scared stiff!" He yelled at the topа of hisа voice and lockedа eyes

with theа impoverished donа nearest to him.а But theа poor nobleman, smiling

weakly, left his table like a dog with his tail between his legs. "Cowards!"

trumpeted the baron. He was so excited that his mustache reared up skywards.

аааа But there wasn't much one could expect from the impoverished dons. They

wereа obviously disinclined to get into a brawl; they only wanted to eat and

drink.

аааа Now the baron hurled one foot over the bench, twirled the right half of

his mustache around his fist, rivetedа hisа eyes on the comer where the Gray

officers were sitting and declared:

аааа "But I, gentlemen, I am not afraid, not even of the devil! I squash the

Gray pests under my foot wherever I encounter them!"

ааа а"What's that beerа barrelа whining overа there?" loudly inquired a Gray

captain with a horse's face.

аааа A satisfied smileа played around the baron's lips. He rose Boisterously

fromа the tableа andа jumped onto the bench. Rumata raisedа his eyebrows and

started to gnaw at his second chicken wing.

аааа "Hey, there, you Gray bastards from hell!" yelled the baron asа loud as

if the officers were milesа away. "Let it be known thatа I, Baronа Pampa Don

Bau, gave a fineа object lesson to the likes of you just three days ago. You

know, my friend," Baron Pampa turned and spoke from the ceiling down toа Don

Rumata, sitting atа the table,а "Iа had aа few drinksа the other nightа with

Fatherа Kabaniа atа my castle. Suddenlyа my horse groom cameа running upа to

announceа thatа aа Horde ofа Grayа Sturmoviks is just about to tear down the

Golden Horseshoe Inn. My inn! On my own grounds! I issued the command; Let's

ride!а And we wereа there in no time. I swearа to you by myа spurs, we found

thereа a whole horde, some twentyа men altogether! They'd caught three of my

men, gotа as drunk as pigs--these bastards can't drink,а of course--and they

were just beginning to smash everything to smithereens. I grabbed one by the

legs, and thatа startedа the merry chase. I chased them as far as theа Heavy

Swords.а Blood was flowing--youа won't believe it, my friend--we were wading

inа it upа to our knees, andа Iа don't know how manyа battle axes wereа left

behind!"

аааа Here theа baron's account was interrupted. The captain with the horse's

face swung his hand and hurledа hisа heavy dagger againstа the baron's chain

mail.

аааа "Finally!" said the baron and drew his giant two-fisted sword.

аааа He jumpedа offа theа bench withа unexpected agility; hisа sword аarched

expertlyа throughа the air andа cut through aа crossbeam supportingа the low

ceiling. The baron cursed. The ceiling sagged a little andа plaster and dust

fell from above on the men's heads.

аааа Everyone in the room had risen. The impoverished dons kept close to the

walls. The youngа aristocrats climbed onto the tables to have a better view.

The Gray officers formedа a half-circle andа drew their swordsа while slowly

advancing toward the baron.а Only Rumataа remained seated,а trying to figure

out on which side it would be safer to stand up without coming to grief. For

nowа theа baron'sа broadа swordа wasа hissingа ominouslyа throughа theа air,

describing flashingа circles above the baron's head. It was an awe-inspiring

sight. The baron remindedа Rumata of a freight helicopter with idly spinning

rotary blades.

аааа Now the baron wasа hemmed in on three sidesа by theа Gray officers, who

were forced to a haltа as soon as theyа cameа withinа range of theа whirling

sword. One ofа the officersа wasа unfortunateа enough toа have hisа backа to

Rumata, who leaned across theа table, seized theа hapless man by the collar,

yanked him down so that his back slammed into the dirty dishes on the table,

and gave him a sharp chop behind his ear. The Gray officer shut his eyes and

his body stiffened. The baron yelled:

аааа "Cut his throat, noble Rumata, I'll finish off the others!"

аааа He'll massacre the whole lot, thought Rumata uneasily.

аааа "Attention!"а heа said to the Gray officers.а "Why should we ruinа each

other's evening? Youа don't have a ghost of a chance against us.а Throw down

your arms and beat it!"

аааа "Certainlyа not! Thatа wouldа be theа limit!" put in the baron, visibly

upset.а "I wantа to fight! Iа want them to fight!а Stand upа andа fight, you

wretches!"

аааа With theseа words he advanced towards the Gray officers, all theа while

whirling his sword faster andа faster above his head. The Gray officers fell

back, all pale in the face. Evidently this was the firstа time they had ever

seen a freight helicopter.а Rumata jumped over the table. "Stop, my friend!"

heа calledа out. "Thereа is reallyа no reason forа us to quarrelа with these

people. You don't care for their presence here? Fine, tell them to leave!"

аааа "We won'tа leave without our weapons," grumbled one of the lieutenants.

"We'd be punished. We are on patrol duty now."

аааа "Go to hell andа takeа your weapons with you!" decidedа Rumata. "Sheath

your swords, hands on top of your head; leave one at a time! Andа no tricks!

Or I'll beat you to a pulp!"

аааа "How can we getа out of the room?"а inquired the captain with the horse

face. His long upperа lip twitched with irritation. "This don blocks our way

as you can see!"

аааа "And will continue to do so!" insisted the stubborn baron.

аааа The young dons snickered.

аааа "All rightа then," said Rumata.а "I'll holdа him down and you file out,

oneа afterа theа other, but hurry up. Iа won't beа able toа control him much

longer!а Hey,а there, clear the doorway!а Baron," he said and graspedа Pampa

around hisа broad waist, "itа seemsа toа me you haveа forgotten an important

fact. This famous sword was used by your ancestors only to do battle, for it

is written: Do not draw your sword in taverns!"

аааа The shadow of a doubt darkened the baron's features whileа he continued

to swing his sword.

аааа "But I don't have another sword here with me," he said puzzled.

аааа "All the more relevant . . . ," answered Rumata emphatically.

аааа "Do you think that?" The baron was still hesitating.

аааа "You know the rules better than I do!"

аааа "That's true," said the baron. "You areа right."а Heа looked up toа his

whirling hands. "Youа wouldn't believeа it,а Don Rumata, I could go onа like

this easily for another three or four hours without stopping. And I wouldn't

even feel tired. Too bad that she can't see me like this now!"

аааа "Ill tell her all about it, rest assured," promised Rumata.

аааа The baron sighed and lowered his sword. The Gray officers crept outа of

the room, cowering in fear. The baron followed them with his eyes.

аааа "I don't know, I don't know," he said undecided. "Do you really think I

made the right decision, not smashing them to a pulp?"

аааа "You acted correctly, absolutely correctly," Rumata reassured him.

аааа "Well then,"а said the baron as he sheathed his sword. "If we wereа not

fortunate enough to have aа good fight, let's haveа something decent toа eat

and lots to drink."

аааа He grabbed the still unconscious Gray lieutenant by his legs and pulled

himа off the table, whileа heа croaked outа loudly: "Hey, there,а innkeeper!

Bring us some wine and a bite to eat!"

аааа Theа young aristocrats came toа theirа table toа congratulate them most

humbly on their victory.

а ааа"That's nothing, it was easy!" said the baron complacently. "Six skinny

milksops--and big cowards, like all shopkeepers are.а I've finishedа off two

dozen likeа that,а at theа Goldenа Horseshoe--chasedа themа outа . .а .а How

fortunate," and heа turnedа to Rumata, "that I did not have myа battle sword

with me at the time!а I might have drawn it,а absentminded as I am. Although

theа Golden Horseshoeа is actuallyа notа a tavern, it's just a littleа comer

bistro ..."

аааа "Some also say," remarked Rumata, "that it is written: Do not draw your

sword in the corner bistro!"

аааа The innkeeper's wife brought new dishes with meatа and some moreа wine.

The baron rolled up his sleeves and set to work.

аааа "Byа the way,"а said Rumata, "who were the three prisoners you set free

that time at the Golden Horseshoe?"

аааа The baron stoppedа chewing and stared atа Rumata.а "But my dear friend,

maybeа I didn't make myself clear.а I did not setа anybodyа free. True, they

wereа allа prisoners,а had beenа arrested,а butа theseа areа affairs ofа the

government.а Why should I have liberated them? It wasа justа some old don, a

bigа coward, anа oldа bookwormа andа hisа servantа . .а ."а He shruggedа his

shoulders.

аааа "Yes, of course," said Rumata.

ааа аSuddenly the baron turned purple in the face; he rolled hisа eyesа in a

most frightening manner.

аааа "What?! Again?!" he roared.

аааа Rumata turned around. Don Ripat stood in the doorway. The baronа jumped

upа fromа hisа seat,а overturningа benches andа dishes.а Don Ripatа threwа a

significant glance at Rumata and left the room again.

аааа "Iа begа your pardon,а baron,"а said Rumata,а rising to hisа feet. "The

King's service is calling."

аааа "Oh, dear," mumbled the baron inа a disappointedа voice.а "I feel sorry

for you. I wouldn't serve for anything in this world!"

аааа Don Ripat was waiting for him outside the door.

аааа "What's new?" asked Rumata.

аааа "Two hours ago,"а reportedа Don Ripat officiously, "I placed Dona Okana

under arrestа under the orders of our Minister of Internalа Security.а I had

her taken to the Tower of Joy."

аааа "Hmm," was all that Rumata said.

аааа "Dona Okana died one hour ago. She did not survive the tortures."

аааа "Hmm."

аааа "Officially sheа was accusedа of beingа a spy. But--" Donа Ripat seemed

embarrassed and gazed down at the floor. "I think--I believe--"

аааа "I understand what you mean," said Rumata.

аааа Don Ripat looked at him with a guiltridden face.

аааа "I was powerless--" he started to say.

аааа "That's none of your concern," said Rumata hoarsely.

аааа Don Ripat's eyes became leaden. Rumata slightlyа nodded his head to him

and went back to his table. The baron was just finishing off a platterа with

fried clams.

аааа "Estorianа wine! Let's have a lot of it!" Rumata could hardly choke out

the words.а He triedа toа swallow aа big lump inа his throat.а "Let'sа enjoy

ourselves now! To hell with everything, let's have a good time!"

аааа When Rumata cameа to again,а heа found himself lying in the middle of a

bigа empty lot. Aа grayа dayа was dawning, in the distance roosters crowed a

raucous reveille. Dense flocks of blackbirds were crowing overhead, circling

aboveа something unpleasant nearby. It smelled of rot and decay.а The fog in

Rumata's head lifted quickly, the usual penetrating lucidity and reliability

of all his senses returned. A pleasant taste of mint seemed to linger on his

tongue. The fingersа of his rightа hand hurtа badly. Rumata lifted his right

fist, all cramped up, to his eyes. The skin around his wrist was chafed.а He

opened his fist and foundа that he had still been grasping anа empty vial of

Casparamid,а theа potentа medicationа againstа alcoholа poisoningа thatа was

standardа equipment --just asа a precautionaryа measure--forа allа Terranian

emissariesа sentа byа the variousа institutesа to extraterrestrialа planets.

Apparently he had followed some blind instinct and poured the whole contents

ofа theа vialа intoа his mouth beforeа heа hadа sunk completelyа intoа brute

unconsciousness here on this large empty lot.

аааа Theаа neighborhoodа seemedа familiar.а Theаа charredа skeletonа ofа the

observatory tower jutted skywards and to the left of the burnt-out ruin, the

watchtowers of the royal palace, thin as minarets, pierced the pale light of

the dawn.а Rumata breathed inа deeply the cold,а humid air, then set out for

home.

аааа Baronа Pampa hadа hadа a wonderfulа night, exactly the kindа heа liked.

Accompaniedа byа a little band of moneyless dons who were easily inclined to

lose theirа dignity, he set out on a gigantic rovingа expedition through the

cheapа saloonsа ofа Arkanar,а whereа he downedа unbelievableа quantitiesа of

alcohol, accomplished amazingа feats of gluttony, andа became involved in no

less thanа eight brawls.а At least this was the numberа of times that Rumata

could clearly recall having intervened to separate the belligerents in order

to prevent the worst fromа happening. The rest had vanished in aа haze. Only

occasionally the fog would lift and animallike, grimacing faces, knives held

in their teeth, would emerge, then again the bewildered, bitter face ofа the

last of the moneyless dons, whom Don Pampa tried to sell as aа slave down in

the harbor area, then again anа Irukanian with a bulbous nose and mean eyes,

who, boiling withа rage, demanded fromа theа nobleа donsа the return ofа his

horse.

аааа In the beginning Don Rumataа still remained a spy. He did not drink any

lessа than the baron: Irukanian, Estorian, Soanian, and Arkanarian wine; but

every timeа he changedа the brand ofа wineа heа secretlyа popped aа vialа of

Casparamid into his mouth. He retained his discerning power ofа judgment and

noticedа thatа theа Grayа Patrols wereа stationing themselvesа in far larger

numbers than usualа at intersections and bridges;а thenа there was aа sentry

post of barbarians on horseback somewhere on the Soanian cross-country road,

whoа would probably have shot the baron if Don Rumata had not understood and

masteredа theirа dialect.а He remembered clearlyа theа thought thatа flashed

throughа his mind at the motionlessа rows of strange soldiers in long, black

cloaksа withа hoods, whoа had takenа up positionа in frontа of the Patriotic

School:

аааа Butа isn't that theа guard of the monks? What businessа does the church

have in thisа place?а heа had wondered. Since whenа doesа the church mixа in

secular affairsа here in Arkanar? Only very gradually did he get inebriated,

but then, all at once, heа was overcome by deepа intoxication. In a fleeting

momentа of lucidity heа noticedа a totallyа wrecked table in some unfamiliar

room,а saw his ownа hand brandishing aа swordа andа theа pitiful,а imploring

figuresа of the impoverished dons around him. He almost thought it wasа time

to go home; but by then it was already too late. He was seized by aа wave of

mad rage and by a disgusting, irresistibleа joy to be able for once to throw

offа allа tracesа of humaneness.а Nevertheless,а heа hadа stillа remainedа a

Terranian and anа emissary of theа institute back on Earth, a descendantа of

man, the masters over fire and iron, who willа neither spare themselvesа nor

stop before anything if it isа in the cause of a great goalа to be achieved.

Heа couldа notа remainа Rumata ofа Estoria, fleshа from theа flesh of twenty

generations of his warriorа ancestors, who were famedа for their robbing and

drunkenness. But neither wasа he a communard, a comrade anyа longer.а Heа no

longer felt any obligation to the greatа Experiment.а Heа was only concerned

now with obligationsа towardа his own person.а And heа wasа no more beset by

doubts. Everythingа seemedа clear now, absolutely clear. He now knew exactly

who was to blame for everything and he knew exactly what he wanted to do: to

lashа out blindly, to hurl down intoа the fire,а down fromа the steps of the

palace, down onto the spears and pitchforks of the raging mob . . .

аааа Rumata gave a sudden start; he unsheathed his swords. Thereа were nicks

on the blades that were otherwise blank. He remembered vaguely having fought

with someone. But with whom? And how had it ended?

аааа They hadа boozed awayа their horses. The impoverished dons had vanished

somehow. Rumata had dragged the baron home--this he could recall, too. Pampa

Don Bau was enterprising, apparentlyа completely sober and good and ready to

continue with this most entertaining evening--only he could not stand on his

legs any longer. Besides, heа believed forа some obscureа reason that he had

just taken leaveа of his belovedа baroness and that he was now on a campaign

against his arch enemy, Baronа Kaska,а who had alreadyа had theа audacity to

commitа the mostа outrageous feats ("Willа youа judge forа yourself, my dear

friend, this scoundrel broughtа forth from his hip aа six-fingeredа boyа and

named him Pampa...").

аааа "Theа sunа isа about toа set,"а heа declaredа as he regarded aа gobelin

representing a sunrise.а "We could drink all nightа through, noble dons, but

weа need someа sleep beforeа the battle. And notа a drop of wine duringа the

battle! Besides, the baroness would not care for it."

аааа "What?а A bed? Beds onа a battlefield? Our bedа isа our saddled steed."

Withа theseа words heа tore the gobelin off the wall,а wrapped it around his

entire body and stumbled noisily over to the comer under the big chandelier.

Rumata ordered theа boy Uno to place a tubа with pickled cucumbers and a tub

with sauerkraut beside the baron.а The boy's face was sleepy and very angry.

"There, look! He hasа wrapped himself inа ourа goodа gobelin," heа muttered.

"Eyes thatа lookа in different directions . . ." "Shut up,а youа fool," said

Rumata inа answer, and--then something happened. Something very vulgar, that

had chased himа halfway across town to this empty lot. Somethingа very, very

vile, wretched, mean, unforgivable, embarrassing...

аааа Theа memory of this distressing action reawakenedа as he approached his

house. He stopped in his tracks.

аааа .а . . He had pushed Uno aside, climbedа up the stairs, pushed the door

open and stormed over to her. He wasа her master.а And by theа light ofа the

streetа lantern heа saw her whiteа face and huge eyes filledа withа fear and

disgust--and in these eyes heа could see himself as he was: staggering, with

a drooping,а drooling lower lip, with fists whose skin hungа down in shreds,

in soiledа clothes.а Heа sawа aа beastly, vile, blue-bloodedа skunk. And her

glance hurled himа backwards, down the stairs,а into the entry hall,а out of

the door and out into the street, the dark nocturnal street andа onа and on,

farther and farther, as far away as possible ...

аааа He gnashed his teeth, felt his insides contort and turn to ice, then he

gently opened the house door and entered the hall.а Over in a comer, snoring

peacefully like a walrus, was the sleeping baron. "Who is that?" called Uno,

whoа hadа been slumberingа on aа bench,а aа spread lying acrossа hisа knees.

"Quiet!"а commanded Rumata inа a whisper. "Go to the kitchen, bring a bucket

of water, vinegar and new clothes. Hurry up!"

аааа Leisurelyа he pouredа water over his body forа quite a while, andа with

great gustoа scrubbed himself with vinegar, thusа cleansing himself from the

filth of hisа nightlyа pleasures and fights. Contrary to his usual self, Uno

remained silent throughout while he assisted his master. Not until he helped

himа button up the ridiculous lilac-colored trousers with the pretty buckles

did he report sullenly:

аааа "During the night, after you ran out, Kyra came downstairs and asked if

theа master had come home or not,а butа thenа said thatа she must haveа been

dreaming.а I told herа that you had not yet returned from your guard duty at

the palace, where you went last night..."

аааа Rumataа sighedа deeply and turned away.а Butа this didа not help in the

least. It made things even worse.

аааа "And I've been sitting here the whole night through near the baron with

myа spear allа readyа across my knees. I was afraid he mightа crawl upstairs

while he was so drunk."

аааа "Thanks, myа little one, thanks," Rumata uttered painfully.а He putа on

his shoes, went into the dressing room and stood in frontа of his dark metal

mirror.а Theа Casparamidа wasа doing its work. Veryа effectively. The mirror

reflected anа image of anа elegant, noble don withа a slightly fatigued face

afterа theа long, strenuousа nightа guard duty. Butа definitely veryа decent

looking.а His moist hair, framedа byа theа goldenа circlet, fellа softly and

neatlyа down onа either side of his face. Withа an automatic gesture, Rumata

adjusted the lensа on his forehead. Lovelyа scenes they're watching today on

Earth, he thought somberly.

аааа Meanwhile, the day broke. The sun began to peer into dusty windows. The

shutters rattled. Sleepy voices could be heard in the street. "Did you sleep

well, brother Kiris?"-- "Very well, brother Tika, praise the Lord. The night

is over,а thank God."--"Somebody wasа beatingа against theа windowsа ofа our

house. They say Don Rumata went out during the night"--"He is said to have a

house guest."--"So, andа he went out? I think he went to theа youngа prince,

andа did not even notice howа they burnt downа half the town."-- "What can I

tell you,а brother Tika? Thank God that we haveа suchа aа noble donа inа our

neighborhood. Once a year he does guard duty, and that's a lot already."

аааа Rumata walked upа the stairs, knocked and entered theа study. Kyraа was

sittingа in the armchair as the day before. She raisedа her eyes and looked,

restless and fearful, into his face.

аааа "Good morning, my darling," he said,а walked over toа her,а kissedа her

hands and sat down in an armchair across from her.

аааа She looked at him a while with questioning eyes and asked finally:

аааа "Are you tired?"

аааа "Yes, a bit. And I must go away once more today."

аааа "Would you like me to prepare something for you?"

аааа "No, thanks. Uno will take careа ofа it.а Well. . . you mightа ironа my

collar..."

аааа Rumata could feel a wall of lies rise between them. Very thin at first,

then thicker and thicker and more and more solid. For the rest of our lives!

Rumataа thought bitterly. Heа sat in hisа seat,а covered his eyesа withа his

hands, while she was rubbing carefully various lotions and perfumes onto his

strong neck, his cheeks, his forehead and his hair. Then she said:

аааа "You don't even ask how I slept."

аааа "How did you sleep, my darling?"

аааа "I dreamt. A terrible, horrible dream. Do you know what I mean?"

аааа The wall grew as thick as a rampart.

аааа "It'sа usuallyа that wayа in a new place,"а said Rumata hypocritically.

"The baron must have caused quite a commotion."

аааа "Shall I order breakfast for you?" she asked.

аааа "Go ahead!"

аааа "What kind of wine do you like in the morning?"

аааа Rumata opened his eyes.

аааа "I'd like some water," he said. "I don't drink in the morning."

аааа She went out and he heard how she spoke to Uno. Her voice sounded clear

and full. Then she returned, sat onа the arm of hisа chair and began to tell

him her dream. Rumata listened, nervously plucking at his eyebrows, and felt

the wall grow thicker and moreа unassailable byа theа minute, separating him

forever fromа the only human being whom he lovedа and cherished here on this

horrible world.а And, all of a sudden,а heа threw himself forcefully against

this wall.

аааа Kyra, he said. It was no dream!" And nothing extraordinary happened.

аааа "My poor darling," said Kyra. "Wait, I'll bring you some pickles..."

аааа FIVE

аааа Once,а not too longа ago the court of the Irukanian kings had beenа one

that especiallyа concerned itself with refinementа and culture. A numberа of

scholars were retained at court-- mostly charlatans, of course, but also men

like Bagir Kissenski, the discoverer of the curvature of theа planet, or the

king's personalа physicianа Tata,а whoа made theа brilliantа assertionа that

epidemics were caused by tiny worms, invisible to the nakedа eye andа spread

by water andа wind,а orа Syndaа theа alchemist,а who--true toа his kind--was

searchingа for aа way of making gold from dirt, andа whoа quite incidentally

discovered theа law of the preservation of energy. There were also poetsа to

beа found at the Arkanarian court. Though the majority consistedа mainlyа of

sycophants and parasites, there was also Pepin, the Great, the author of the

historical tragedy The Northernа Campaign;а then thereа wasа also Zuren, the

Just, who wrote over five hundred ballads and sonnets that became folksongs;

and finally the poet Gur, who wrote theа first secular novel inа the history

of the realm, a sad romance about a prince who fell in love with a beautiful

barbarianа maiden. There were also splendid artists, dancersа and singers at

theа court.а Remarkable painters coveredа the wallsа with immortal frescoes,

famous sculptors adorned the parks of the royal abode with theirа creations.

Nevertheless itа cannot be said thatа the Arkanarian kings were true patrons

of the arts and sciences or genuineа connoisseurs. All that served merely as

decoration, the sameа as the ceremonyа accompanying the awakening and rising

of the king or the spectacular officers of the guard at the castle entrance.

аааа The indulgenceа of the monarchs would sometimes go asа far as to permit

some scientists and poets to become note-worthy little cogs in the machinery

of theа state. Thus,а for instance, barely fifty years had passedа since the

highlyа learnedа alchemistа Botsaа had heldа theа postа ofа Ministerа of the

Departmentа of Mining--a position that had since been eliminated becauseа it

was no longer needed. In thisа capacity he opened up several newа minesа and

madeа Arkanarа famousа for itsа high-grade,а alloys;а unfortunately, Botsa's

secret formulasа had beenа lostа after his death.а Pepin, the poet, presided

until recently over theа state's educational program, but then hisа Ministry

for History andа Language Sciences was declared to be detrimental toа mental

health, as it was known to have caused the disintegration of human minds.

аааа Althoughа itа hadа occasionallyа happenedа thatа theаа king'sа favorite

mistress, a dull, mawkish person, did not care for a particular scientist or

artist, who then might be either sold abroadа or poisoned by arsenic, it was

Donа Rebaа who finally espoused the cause thoroughly and withа gusto. During

hisа reignа asа omnipotentа Ministerа of Securityа for the Protection of the

Crown, heа would organizeа such violent pogroms amongst the membersа ofа the

intelligentsia that heа wouldа evenа manageа to evoke the dissatisfaction of

certainа nobleа grandees,а whoа pronouncedа thatа courtа lifeа wasа becoming

increasinglyа more boringа and whoа complained that theyа heardа nothing but

silly gossip at the court balls.

аааа Bagir Kissenskiа was accused of insanityа present to a degree bordering

onа treason,а and was then imprisoned inа a dungeon. It was only through the

efforts of Rumata that he was released and returned to the capital.а Bagir's

observatoryа wasа burnedа to the ground andа those of his studentsа whoа had

remained unmolested fled as far away asа possible. Tata, the king's personal

physician, togetherа with five other quacks,а suddenlyа turnedа out toа be a

common poisoner whoа wasа inciting the Irukanian Duke against the personа of

the King. He confessedа everything in the torture chamber andа was hanged in

public onа the Royal Square. While attempting to rescueа Tata,а Rumata spent

thirty poodsа ofа gold, lostа four of hisа agents (nobleа dons whoа didа not

realize what they were doing) and came himself within an ace of being killed

when he was attacked during an attempt to abduct the condemned physician.

аааа That hadа beenа hisа firstа bigа defeat.а And that was whenа he finally

understoodа that Don Rebaа was no mere accident.а One week later heа learned

that Synda the alchemist was to be brought to trial for allegedly concealing

theа philosopher'sа stoneа from the state treasury. Rumata was still boiling

mad overа his latest defeat andа therefore decided to take mattersа into his

own hands. Heа laid an ambush aroundа the houseа of the alchemist, disguised

himself with a black mask, and personally disarmed theа Sturmoviks whoа were

about toа march the alchemist off toа prison;а lockedа the Sturmoviks in the

cellarа of Synda's houseа andа thatа very night ledа Synda, who hadа not the

vaguest notion what was happening toа him, across the border to Soan. There,

after an initial shrug of his shoulders, the alchemist continuedа his search

for the philosopher's stone under Don Kondor's supervision. Pepin, the poet,

suddenly donned a monk's garb andа retired to some distant monastery. Zuren,

theа Just,а had been unmasked onlyа recently.а He was found guilty of making

criminally ambiguousа utterances, and was further convicted of playing up to

the taste of the lower classes. He was declared toа have forfeited his honor

and fortune,а tried to fight for his rights, recited quite openly subversive

balladsа in disreputable inns andа was twice almost beaten to death byа some

patriotically minded persons. Not untilа then didа he permit hisа friend and

patron Donа Rumata to persuade himа to fleeа to theа capitalа of theа realm.

Rumata would neverа be able to forget the sight аof the departing poet: pale

and blue at the same time,а totally drunk, his thin arms clung to the planks

of the ship as it left the dock,а while he roared out his farewell sonnet in

a resonant, surprisingly youthful voice: "It weighs upon my soul like fallen

leaves .,."

аааа As far as the poet Gur was concerned, heа wasа informed by Donа Reba on

theа occasion of a private audience thatа theа Princeа of Arkanar couldа not

befriend his ilk, in view of the hostility expressed in his poems. Whereupon

Gur personally threw his own works into a bonfire on theа Royal Square. Ever

since that time, whenever the king was graciously pleased to goа for a ride,

Gurа would stand in the crowdа of courtiers, his head bowed, his face blank;

upon anа imperceptibleа sign from Don Reba, heа would step forward fromа the

courtiers'а ranksа and reciteа ultrapatriotic poems--а which, however,а were

greeted with nothing but secretly stifled yawns.

аааа And on the stage the same play was presented over andа over again:а The

Downfall of the Barbarians; or Marshalа Totz, King Pits of Arkanar.а Musical

performancesа were generally limited now to concerts with songsа accompanied

by orchestra.а Thoseа artists who had survivedа paintedа signboards.а Two or

threeа of the cleverestа ones evenа managedа to remain at court, whereа they

painted portraitа afterа portrait of the king and Donа Rebaа (who was always

solicitouslyа and respectfullyа supportingа the king). This characterization

was noneа tooа encouraging: the king was alwaysа representedа asа aа radiant

twentyа year oldа clad in a suit of armor, while Don Rebaа was pictured as a

mature man with a very meaningful expression.

аааа It became very boring indeed at the Arkanarian court. Nevertheless, the

grandees, the noble donsа without occupation, the officers of the guard, and

the noble dons' frivolous beauties would fill the antechambers and salons of

the palace as ofа yore--someа outа ofа vanity,а others out ofа fear.а Toа be

truthful, manyа wereа quite unaware of any changes.а They were those who, in

theа olden days, whenа they had had to attend concerts andа poetry readings,

had beenа most appreciative of the intermission.а In fact, they could hardly

wait for the pause so that theyа could discuss the meritsа of various breeds

of huntingа dogs orа tellа each otherа jokes.а Theyа wereа stillа capable of

participating in a short dispute about the characteristics ofа souls in life

afterа death, but problems suchа as theа form of planetsа orа theа causeа of

epidemics were already considered indecent. A certain nostalgiaа was felt by

the officers of theа guard when the painters vanished; their representations

of nature in the raw had been so masterful...

аааа Rumata appeared at the palace, aа little too late.а The ceremony of the

king's toilette had already begun.а The rooms wereа packed,а and theа king's

irritated voice could be heard overа the melodious commands of the master of

ceremony, who oversaw the formal dressing of His Majesty. The courtiers were

discussingа the eventsа ofа the previousа night.а Aа criminal with Irukanian

features had stolenа into the palace during the night, slain theа guard, and

creptа into theа king'sа sleeping chamber.а There, it was said, he hadа been

disarmed and captured by Don Reba in person; on the way to the Towerа of Joy

he had been torn to pieces by a pack of patriots whose servility and loyalty

to theа king had driven them wild with rage.а This was the sixthа attempt on

the king's lifeа inа oneа month, and thisа latest incident hardly roused any

particularа interest.а Itа wasа onlyа theа specialа details that wereа being

discussed. Rumata learned that His Majesty had set up in bed at the sight of

the murderer and had coveredа theа most beautifulа Dona Midara withа his own

body, whileа utteringа the historic words:а "Get awayа with you, scoundrel!"

Most courtiers willinglyа believed that these historic words had been spoken

butа assumedа that theа king had uttered them mistaking theа murderer forа a

servant. Andа all agreed to a man that as usual Donа Rebaа hadа been onа his

guard and was invincible in a fightа at close quarters. Rumata expressed his

agreement with this opinion with some flowery expressions, and in reply told

a storyа he thoughtа up onа the spur ofа theа moment howа Donа Reba had been

attacked by twelve bandits: he finishedа offа threeа of them right thenа and

there, and routed theа rest. Theа story was received withа keen interest and

lively approval, whereupon Rumataа made the incidentalа remark thatа heа had

heard this story from Don Sera. All interest rapidly faded from the faces of

the listeners, for itа wasа common knowledge what a notorious liar and cheat

Don Sera was. Not a word was said about Dona Okana. Either they had notа yet

heard about it or they pretended not to know anything.

аааа With pleasantа remarks,а gallantly kissing theа ladies'а hands,а Rumata

pushed his way stepа by step through the crowdа of bedizened,а perfumedа and

profusely sweating people until he reached the front rows. The nobles of the

land spoke in soft voices: "Yes indeed, what a filly. She tried to barricade

herself but, confound it! ifа he didn't gamble herа away that same night and

lost her toа Don Ke . .а ."--"And her hips, my nobleа don, were ofа the most

exquisite shape. How did Zuren phrase it so beautifully . . . hm, hm, hm . .

. mountains ofа cool foam . . . hm, hm, hm . . . no,а hills of cool foam . .

.. beа itа as itа may,а theyа were fine hips."--"So Iа open the windowа very

softly, take my dagger between my teeth, and just imagine, my dear friend, I

feel how the window grating above me is giving way . . ."--"I raked the hilt

of my swordа across his teeth so that the old gray dog spun twice around his

axis. By theа way,а you can admireа himа right overа there; there heа stands

looking like heа owned the world . . ." --". .а . and Don Tameo was spitting

on the floor, slipped and fellа head forward into the fireplace . . ."--". .

. then the monk says to her: 'Do tell me your dream.' Ha ha ha!"

аааа Nauseating,а thought Rumata. If somebody should chanceа to do away with

meа at this moment, this group of morons would be the last thingа I had seen

in my life. Only ready wit, that's theа only thing that will save me. Me and

Budach. Seize the right moment and then suddenly let himа have it. Takeа him

by surprise so he won't even have a chance to open his mouth! But don't give

them a chance to finish me off; there-is no reason for me to die here!

аааа Atа aа measuredа paceа heа advancedа towardа theа doorа ofа theа king's

bedchamber, touched hisа swordsа with both hands, bentа his legs slightly at

the knees according to the court's etiquette and approached theа royalа bed.

Theyа wereа justа aboutа to putа onа theа king'sа stockings. Theа masterа of

ceremonies followed with bated breath each movement of the skillful hands of

the two royal grooms. To the right of an open alcove stood Don Reba, talking

inа a hardly audibleа voice withа aа tall, rawbonedа manа inа aа gray velvet

uniform. Itа was Father Zupik,а oneа ofа theа leadersа of the Sturmoviki,а a

colonel in the king's bodyguard.а Don Reba was aа well-experienced courtier.

To judgeа by the expression on his face, his only concern hereа was the nose

ofа a certainа filly,а or theа virtuousа behavior of the royal niece. Father

Zupik, however,а a warriorа andа an ex-grocer, did not know howа toа control

himself.а His face grew dark, heа bit his lips, and hisа fingers gripped his

sword hilt, then released it suddenly. Finally,а with a violent twitching of

hisа cheeks, he turned around abruptly and--violatingа all rulesа ofа proper

etiquette -- walked straight out ofа the king's bedchamberа toward the crowd

of assembled courtiers, who stood there petrified by such rudeness. Don Reba

looked after him with an innocent smile, while Rumataа followedа the awkward

gray figure with his eyes and thought: anotherа dead man. Here we goа again!

He knew ofа theа friction between Don Rebaа and the leadershipа of theа Gray

hordes. History was about to repeat itself; another one to share the fate of

Captain Ernst Rohm of Nazi fame!

аааа Nowа the stockingsа hadа beenа properlyа pulled upа on the king's legs.

Obeyingа the melodious orders of the master ofа ceremony,а theа royal grooms

elegantly reached for the royal shoesа with their fingertips, when suddenly,

outа of the clear blue sky, theа king kicked at them and turned so violently

in the direction of Donа Reba,а that his belly flopped onа his kneesа like a

fully packed sack.

аааа "Iа amа sickа andа tiredа ofа yourа attemptsа onа my life!"а heа howled

hysterically. "Assassins,а assassins,а assassins! I want to sleep atа night,

and not to have to battle with assassins! Why can't it be arranged that they

attack meа sometime during theа day? You're a lousyа minister, Reba. Another

night like this and I will have you executed." Donaа Reba bowed and putа his

hand on his heart.а "Iа alwaysа get a headache afterа theseа attempts onа my

life!"

аааа Allа ofа a suddenа he fellа silent and quietly regardedа his belly. The

moment seemed favorable. The royal grooms were hesitating. Above all, he had

to draw the king's attention to himself. Rumata yanked the right shoe out of

the royal groom's hand, knelt down before the king and reverently pulled the

shoe ontoа the heavy, silk-clad foot. Forа this was the age-old privilege of

the house of the Rumatas:а to shoe with their own hand the right foot of the

crownedа headsа ofа theа kingdom.а The king bestowed a dull glanceа upon Don

Rumata; then suddenly, a glimmer of interest came into his eyes.

аааа "Ah, Rumata!" he said. "You are still alive? But Reba promised me to do

away with you!"

аааа He started to chuckle.а "What aа miserableа minister he is,а that Reba.

He's alwaysа making promises but he only pretends. He promised to put an end

to allа these conspiracies but the conspiracies grow more and more frequent.

And these Gray monsters he'sа shipped into my palace . . .а I'm a sickа man,

and he hangs all my personal physicians."

ааа аRumata had now completelyа slippedа the shoe on, bowed and stepped back

twoа paces. Heа intercepted anа attentive glance fromа Don Reba and tried to

give his face a snooty, dull expression.

аааа "I'mа aа very sick man," theа king continued. "Everything hurts me. I'd

likeа to pass on to myа eternal rest.а I would have long since done so,а but

you'll all go to rot and ruin without me, you pigs..."

аааа Nowа they put on hisа other shoe. He rose to his feet but soon began to

moan, doubled over with pain, and clasped his knees.

аааа "Where are my physicians, my quacksalvers?" he roared with pain. "Where

is my good Tata? You hanged him, youа imbecile! And Iа wouldа feel better at

the mereа soundа ofа hisа voice!а Be silent!а I know myselfа thatа heа was a

poisoner! Butа I could not have cared less? So what if he concocted poisons?

Heа wasа a physician,а he was a good medical doctor! Do you understand that,

you murderer? He may have poisoned some people, but he cured others. But you

strangle everybody youа canа layа yourа hands on. Howа I wishа you'dа hanged

yourself instead ofа him!" Don Rebaа bowed, placed a hand over his heart and

remained inа this position. "You had all of them hanged! Nobody stayed alive

except for the charlatans! And the priests whoа administerа holy water to me

instead of medicineа .а . .а Who will prepare some medicineа for me now that

Tata is gone? Who will rub healing ointment on my foot?"

аааа "My King!" Rumata spoke up loudа and clear, and it seemedа toа him that

the whole palace froze in horror. "You have but to giveа the command and the

best doctor in your entire kingdom will be here within one hour!"

аааа The kingа staredа at him perplexed. The riskа was tremendous.а Don Reba

needed merely to blink an eyelid . .а . Rumata could sense with all his body

howа numerous eyes stared at him intensely, ready to attack atа any moment--

heа also knewа theа purpose of theа rows of round, black openings which were

visibleа just belowа the ceiling of the bed chamber. Donа Reba regardedа him

with an expression of both politeness and benevolent curiosity.

аааа "What isа that supposed toа mean?" asked the kingа inа a sulking voice.

"Well, then, I am giving you an order: where is your quacksalver?"

аааа Rumata'sа entire body began to tense up. He could almost feel the arrow

tips in his back already.

аааа "Your Majesty," he said quickly. "Please, order Don Reba to produce the

famous doctor Budach before your presence!"

аааа How amazing! He hadа said theа mostа important thing andа he wasа still

alive. Should Don Reba harbor anyа doubts aboutа hisа position in this case?

The king directed his weary glance toward his Minister of Internal Security.

аааа "Yourа Majesty,"а continuedа Rumata,а nowа withoutа hasteа andа withа a

deliberate andа restrainedа tone. "Inasmuchа as I haveа known ofа your truly

unbearable suffering,а and heedfulа ofа myа family'sа duty towardа the royal

house, I arranged for the famous, most learned physician Budach to come here

from Irukan. Most regrettably I must report that the doctor's journey to you

was cut short. The soldiersа of ourа honorableа Don Reba seized him one week

ago and his fate from that day on is known to Don Reba alone. I presume that

the physician is currently somewhere in this vicinity, probably in the Tower

of Joy.а I canа only hope that Don Reba's peculiar dislike of physicians has

not yet had a fateful effect on Doctor Budach's well-being."

аааа Rumata fell silent and held his breath. Apparently everything was going

smoothly. Hold your horses, Don Reba! He glanced swiftly in the direction of

the minister--and froze. The Ministerа of Internal Security had firm control

overа himself. He nodded briefly toward Rumata--a tender, fatherly reproach.

Thisа wasа theа last thingа Rumata expected fromа him.а He seems triumphant,

thoughtа Rumata nonplussed. But the king, on the other hand, behaved true to

form.

аааа "You scoundre!" he shouted. "I'll wring your neck! Where is the doctor?

Where is the doctor, I am asking you!"

аааа Reba advanced a step, smiling pleasantly.

аааа "Your Majesty," he said, "you are truly a fortunate ruler, for you have

so many devoted subjects that they sometimesа interfere withа eachа other in

theirаа desireаа toа serveа you."а Theа kingа staredа atаа himа withаа dull,

uncomprehendingа eyes.а "Iа doа notа wishа toа conceal that ourа zealous Don

Rumata'sа noble intentions wereа wellа known to me, like everything elseа in

your realm. I do not wishа to conceal that Iа sent outа our Gray soldiers to

meet Doctorа Budach halfway for the sole purpose of protecting the honorable

old man from the discomforts of his long journey. Furthermore, I do not wish

to conceal that I was in no particular hurry to present the Irukanian Budach

to Your Majesty"

аааа "How dare you do that!" the king reproached him.

аааа "Yourа Majesty, Don Rumata is young and as inexperienced in politics as

he isа experiencedа in theа noble art of dueling.а Thusа he was, ofа course,

totally unaware of the dastardly feats the Dukeа of Irukan is capableа of in

his raging wickedness against the person of Yourа Majesty. But you and I, we

two are naturallyа aware ofа that, aren't we, Your Majesty?" The king nodded

assent.а "And thatа is why I deemedа it advisable to conduct some kind of an

investigation, merely as a precautionaryа measure. I wouldа notа have rushed

matters, butа if you, my King (aа deep bowа towardа theа king), and you, Don

Rumata (a slight nod towardа Rumata), soа urgentlyа insist on it, I'll bring

Doctorа Budach into your presence this very day,а after your midday meal, so

that he can begin your treatment."

аааа "Youа areа notа so stupid afterа all, Don Reba," said theа king,а after

pondering aа little while over his minister's words. "An investigation . . .

that's fine . . . can never do any harm.

аааа Theа cursed Irukanianа .а . ." He howled suddenly with pain and touched

his knee again. "Oh, damn thatа leg! Good, right after the midday meal then?

I'll have to wait till then . . . have to wait."

а аааAnd leaning on the shoulder ofа the master of ceremony, the king slowly

walkedаа intoа theа presenceа chamber,а pastа Rumata,а whoа wasаа completely

dumbfounded. And justа as Donа Rebaа was aboutа to make his wayа through the

crowdа of the courtiers, who politely stepped aside to let him pass through,

he bestowed a friendly smile on Don Rumata and asked:

аааа "Is itа correct, Don Rumata, thatа itа isа youа who willа do guard duty

tonight in the Prince's bedroom? I have been properly informed, haven't I?"

аааа Rumata bowed in silence.

аааа Rumataа ambledа aimlesslyа throughа theа endlessа corridorsа andа cross

passagesа of the palace. It was dark and humid there, and smelled of ammonia

andа putrefaction.а He passedа byа magnificent rooms,а decoratedа with аrich

carpetsа and wall hangings, and also by storage closets filled with junk and

oldа furniture withа peeling gilding. Oneа rarely encountered anybody there.

Occasionallyа someа courtier would loseа hisа way and wanderа around in this

labyrinth,а locatedа inа theа backа wingsа ofа theа palaceа where theа royal

apartments gradually mergedа into theа offices ofа the Ministry ofа Internal

Security. It was easy toа get lost here. Everyone remembered the time when a

patrol ofа the guard, doingа their rounds, were frightened by the howling of

some man, who stretched his scratched hands outа to them through theа barred

windowа of an embrasure. "Save me!" yelled the man. "I am a gentleman of the

bedchamber! Iа don'tа know howа to get out of here!а I haven't eaten inа two

days! Willа you get me outа of here!" (There was anа animated correspondence

for tenа days between the Treasurerа ofа the Household and the Lord Stewart,

whichа finally resultedа in aа decision to yank out theа window bars. During

these ten daysа they fed the poor gentleman of the bedchamber with bread and

meat that was passed to him speared upon the tip of a lance.) Besides, there

lurked variousа other dangersа inа theseа passages.а Drunken soldiers of the

Householdа troops, who were supposedа to guardа the person ofа the king, and

drunken Sturmoviks, in charge ofа watching over the ministry, would clash in

theseа narrow corridorsа and fightа bitter battles. But after theyа had done

with beating each other up, they would separate and carry off their wounded.

And finally, this wasа where the ghosts of theа slain would wanderа about--a

quite considerable crowd of poor murdered soulsа had accumulated here in the

palace during the course of the last two centuries.

аааа From aа deepа nook in the wallа he saw a Sturmovik emerging who wasа on

guard duty. The Gray soldier raised his ax and said somberly:

аааа "No admittance."

аааа "A fat lot you know, stupid!" said Rumata and shoved him aside.

аааа As he was walking on, he could hear the Sturmovik scrape the floor with

his boots and stompа hisа feet, unable to decide how he should reactа to Don

Rumata'sа insult. Donа Rumata caughtа himself thinkingа that thisа offensive

manner ofа speaking and theseа indolentа gestures hadа almostа become second

nature to him: no longerа did he merely pretendа to act like a lout of noble

birth, but he had assumed such behavior as sort of anа automatic reflex.а He

visualizedа theа effectа of such behavior backа on Earth and was overcome at

once by a feeling of shame and nausea.--Why shouldа I behaveа that way? What

change has come over me? Whateverа became of theа respect and the confidence

in my peers thatа constituted anа ingrained pattern ofа conduct ever since I

wasа aа child?а What kindа of relationship haveа I developed to otherа human

beings,а toа theа wonderful creature called "man"? Butа I must be beyond all

helpа anyhow by now . . . The horrifying thought racedа through hisа mind: I

actuallyа hate and despise them.а I feel no pity for them--no, I trulyа hate

andа despise them. Even ifа I consider the dullnessа and bestiality ofа that

lump of flesh, the social circumstances and his horrible education ... I can

try as hardа as I might, but I now see quite clearly thatа this is my enemy,

hostile to everything I hold dear, the enemy of my friends, the enemy of all

I personally hold sacred. And I do notа hate him in an abstract manner,а nor

asа a "typical representative," but as anа individual. I hate his disgusting

mouth, all smeared with saliva, theа stenchа of his unwashed body, his blind

faith, his antipathy toward anything beyondа sexual needs and guzzling beer.

There he stands, shuffling his feet, this adolescent whose potbellied father

used to thrash his hide not more than half aа year ago in order to train him

withа suchа methods to become aа merchant in maggoty flourа andа mouldy jam:

there he stands, moaning and groaning, this addlebrain, torturing himself as

he tries in vain to remember the pertinent paragraphs of the rules that were

crammed into his stupid head--and he cannot make up his mindа whether to use

his hatchet on the nobleа don, to shout forа help, or to simply waveа him on

his way. Whichever wayа he decides, no oneа will ever findа out about it. He

shrugs off everything in the world that bothers him, returns to his niche in

the wall, puts a piece of chewing rind intoа his fat mouth, smacks his lips,

chewsа the cudа like a contented cow, and drips saliva like a teething babe.

And nothing in the worldа will interest him. He will notа exercise his brain

for anything. Godа forbid! Butа how muchа better than he is ourа Enlightened

Eagle,а Don Reba? True, his psyche is more complicated, and his reflexes are

more intricate,а but аhis thoughts definitely resemble those of this fellow,

whoа isа reeking ofа ammonia and these labyrinthineа corridors, studded with

crimes. Andа he is indescribablyа vile,а a horrid criminal, anа unscrupulous

spider. I haveа come to this planet to love these people,а to assist them in

their task of self-development, to enable them to see theа light. No, I am a

poor emissary, he thought sadly. I am a failure as a historian. And when did

it happen that I fell into this abyss of which Don Kondor was speaking? Is a

god entitled to any other feelings besides pity?

аааа Fromа behindа hisа backа cameа aа hurriedа clomping of bootsа downа the

corridor. Rumata spunа around and seized bothа swordsа with his hands placed

crosswiseа atа theа hilt.а Don Ripatа rushedа towardа him,а brandishingа his

unsheathed sword.

аааа "Don Rumata,а Don Rumata!" he calledа out in a loud whisper while still

far away.

аааа Rumata released his grip on hisа swords. Now Don Ripatа had comeа quite

close;а heа looked carefullyа inа allа directions,а thenа whispered,а almost

inaudibly, into Rumata's ear:

аааа "I've been lookingа for you for nearly an hour.а Waga Koleso is here in

the palace! He is talking with Don Reba in the lilac room."

аааа Rumata narrowed his eyes momentarily. Then he cautiously stepped to one

side and said with polite surprise:

аааа "You wouldn't be talkingа aboutа the famous robber chief? Iа believe he

hasа been executed a long time ago, orа probably exists only as a figment of

popular imagination."

аааа The lieutenant licked his chapped lips.

аааа "Heа doesа exist . . . He isа in the palace ... Iа thoughtа thisа would

interest you."

аааа "My dear Don Ripat," said Rumata with emphasis. "I am always interested

in all kinds of rumors. Gossip. Anecdotes. Lifeа is so dull... You must have

misunderstood me."

аааа Theа lieutenant regardedа himа with perplexedа eyes. Rumataа continued:

"Justа useа your own judgment, will you?а Why should Iа be involvedа inа Don

Reba's underhand dealings and fishy relationships? But don't forget how much

I doа appreciate Don Reba as aа person; Iа wouldа beа unableа to condemn and

criticize his actions.--Please, will you forgive me, I am in a hurry. A lady

is expecting me."

аааа Don Ripat licked his lips again, bowed awkwardly and walked offа to one

side. Suddenly, Don Rumata had an inspiration.

аааа "By the way, my friend," he called after Don Ripat with kindness in his

voice,а "how did youа like theа littleа trickа weа playedа on Don Rebaа this

forenoon?"

аааа Don Ripat willingly came to a halt.

аааа "We are most satisfied," he said.

аааа "Wasn't it charming?"

аааа "It was marvelous!а The leadership of the Gray soldiers is very pleased

that you finally have openly taken our side. Such a clever man like you, Don

Rumata, wasting your time with barons, these titled monsters ..."

аааа "My dear Ripat!"а said Rumata condescendingly, while turningа to leave.

"Youа seemа to forget that seen from the pinnacle ofа my lineage hardlyа any

difference can be noticed between the king and your ilk. Goodbye!"

аааа He strodeа offа confidentlyа through theа corridors,а turnedа into side

passages without a trace of indecision andа pushedа the guards aside without

as much as a word being said. He had only some dim notion how to proceed now

but he was sureа that this was an amazing and very rare coincidence. He must

hear the conversation between the twoа spiders. It wasа not for nothing that

Don Reba had promised fourteenа timesа the reward forа Waga brought in alive

rather than dead.

аааа Fromа behindа theа heavyаа lilac-coloredа curtainsа steppedаа twoа Gray

lieutenants, their swords unsheathed.

аааа "Greetingsа toа you, myа friends,"а said Don Rumataа and stoppedа right

between the two men. "Is the minister in his apartment?"

аааа "The minister is busy, Don Rumata," said one of the two lieutenants.

аааа "I'llа wait for him, then," saidа Rumata and passed between the drapes.

It was pitchа dark here, impossible to seeа anythingа atа all. He cautiously

gropedа hisа way through chairs, tables, and heavy cast iron lantern stands.

Thenа he perceivedа a thin ray of light, heard the familiarа tenorа voice of

Wagaа Koleso, and came to a halt. Severalа times he distinctly heard someone

breathe just behind hisа head and he was enveloped in a cloud of garlicа and

beerа odors. Then he feltа a spear point pressed cautiously but unmistakably

between his shoulder blades. "Keepа calm, you moron!"а he said irritably but

softly. "It's me, Don Rumata!"

аааа The spear wasа withdrawn. Rumataа pushedа aа chair towardа the chink of

light,а sat down, crossedа oneа leg over the other, and yawnedа so loud that

anyone could hear it. Then he started to observe.

аааа Theа spidersа hadа met.а Don Reba sat there, very tense,а elbows on the

table andа fingersа interlaced. At his right was a stackа ofа papersа with a

heavy wooden-handled dagger placed on top.

аааа The minister'sа face displayed a pleasant if somewhatа rigid smile. The

honorableа Wagaа wasа sitting on aа divan,а hisа backа turned toа Rumata. He

resembledа a quaint old magnate who had beenа spending the last thirty years

of his life on his country place in total seclusion.

аааа "Theа murgles are crockled," he said, "and the crack-stampers have been

stubbing around our warrels with theirа greemsа quappered up. Andа there are

twenty longа zackerlingsа byа now. Crupply and cressly, Iа wouldа shrab them

right onа theа snoller, crump over crass. But the zackerlings have aа zunker

way of sharmauning things. That's why we've been brimsing our trunks. That's

our expomple ..."

аааа Don Reba cupped his well-shaven chin in his hand.

аааа "Murbelously brickered out," he said pensively.

аааа Waga shrugged his shoulders.

аааа "That is krapul our expomple. I wouldn't flarry that you'd cruckle with

us. Well, groosby then?"

аааа "Groosby," said the Minister of Internal Security firmly.

аааа "And smucks off," said Waga and got to his feet.

аааа Rumata, who had listened totally perplexed to this nonsense, discovered

a bushy mustache in Waga's face andа a little, gray pointed beard. A genuine

courtier from the reign of the former king.

аааа "This was a very pleasant chat, Don Reba," said Waga.

аааа Don Reba rose, too.

аааа "I thoroughly enjoyed ourа conversation,а a greatа pleasure indeed," he

said. "I have never met such a courageous man as you, my dear Koleso..."

аааа "The sameа here," replied Wagaа with a slightly bored expression. "I am

as аamazedа as Iа amа proudа of the boldnessа ofа the First Ministerа of our

kingdom."

аааа Then he turned on his heels and walked toward the exit, leaning heavily

on his cane. Don Reba did not take his eyes off the old man.а He seemed lost

in thought and absentmind-ediy placed his hand on theа handle of his dagger.

Immediately afterwardsа somebody standingа behind Rumata puffed with all his

might andа the long blue tube of a blow-gun pushed past his ear to the chink

inа theа drapes.а For aа moment,а Donа Rebaа remainedа motionless, intent on

listening, then he sat down again, pulled out a drawer, took out a bundle of

papers and began to study them. Somebody spat out inа back of Rumata and the

blowpipe disappeared. Itа wasа all very clear. The spidersа had foundа their

solution. Rumata stood up,а stepped on someone'sа feetа and finally left the

horrid room with the lilac-colored drapes.

аааа The kingа wasа diningа in aа giganticа hall whoseа ceiling tookа up two

storeys. Theа ninety-foot tableа had beenа set for 100 persons. The king was

joined atа table byа Donа Reba, personages of royalа bloodа (twoа dozen blue

bloods, gluttons, and experienced drunkards),а various mastersа of ceremony,

several membersа of the local aristocracy whoа traditionally were the king's

dinner guests and among whom Rumata was counted, a few transient barons with

theirа wooden-headed spouses,а and atа theа farthestа end of theа table, the

landed gentry,а the lesser nobilityа thatа hadа beenа invited withа orа even

without any special privileges.а The last group of guests received, together

with their dinner invitations, a seating number for the table, and a list of

instructions: "Sit quietly; the King does not like people to wiggle in their

seats. Keep your hands on top of the table; the King does not like people to

hide their hands underneath it. Doа not turnа around; the King does not like

people to turn thenа back on him." At every meal they would devourа enormous

quantitiesа of theа choicestа foods,а guzzleа down rivers of old wines,а and

veritableа mountains of the famous Estorian porcelain dishes were broken. In

one ofа hisа reportsа to the king, the Treasurer once boasted that oneа such

dinnerа at the royal table cost as much as wasа spent for theа upkeep of the

Soanian Academy of Sciences during six months.

аааа Whileа Rumata was waitingа for the master ofа ceremoniesа to call three

times,а "Come to table!" and the accompanying sound of fanfares, he joined a

group of courtiers andа listenedа for the tenthа timeа to Don Tameo's famous

story about how he hadа had theа honor to partake of another royal meal some

six months ago.а "... So I arrive at my designated seat, we're all standing,

the King enters, sits down,а so we,а too, sit down, andа theа meal takes its

normal course. But suddenly, just imagine, myа noble dons, all of a sudden I

feelа all wet on my seat. Wet! I don't dare to budge fromа the spot, neither

turnа around,а nor put myа handа downа there. But,а then, Iа waitа forа some

propitious moment and cautiously feel down there with the fingers of my left

hand.а And would youа believe it, my dearа gentlemen, wouldа you believe it!

It's wet downа there! I quicklyа sniff at myа fingers--no, they don't stink.

What the devilа isа goingа on? Meanwhileа the dinner is over, everyone rises

from their chairs,а but--as you canа fullyа imagine,а my dearа dons--I don't

quite feel like gettingа up from my seat . . . Then, lo and behold, the King

comes toward me, His Majesty! But I remain seated like some yokel baron from

the hinterlandа who knows nothing aboutа court etiquette. His Majestyа comes

quite close, smiles graciously and putsа hisа hand on myа shoulder. 'My dear

Don Tameo,' he says. 'We have all gottenа upа from tableа andа areа going to

watch the balletа but you areа stillа sitting onа yourа chair.а What isа the

matter? Haveа youа not had enough toа eat, perhaps?'--'Your Majesty,' I say,

'have myа head cutа off,а but my seat is wet."а His Majestyа wasа graciously

pleased to break out in laughter, and ordered me to stand up. I rise from my

chair--andа guessа what?а Loudа laughterа allа aroundа us.а Nobleа dons, all

throughoutа dinnerа I hadа been sittingа onа aа rum torte!а His Majestyа was

graciouslyа roaring with laughter. Finally he said: 'Reba, Reba! Is that one

ofа your pranksа again?а Just wipe the noble don's behind, he hasа his pants

full!' Don Reba doubles over with laughter, pulls out his dagger and scrapes

the torte off the seat of my pants. Can you pictureа what I felt like, noble

dons? Iа won't hide it fromа you,а Iа wasа tremblingа and shakingа all over,

frightened to death at the thought of having humiliated Don Reba in front of

everyone, afraidа that heа now would revenge himself. Fortunately,а however,

all turned out all rightа at the end. Iа assure you, my noble dons, this was

the happiest eventа in my life! Iа made the Kingа enjoy himself.а Oh, how he

laughed! How he had fun!"

аааа The fanfares sounded,а the master of ceremonies called in his melodious

voice for allа to come to theа table.а The king entered theа hall,а slightly

dragging one leg behind. All took their seats at the royal table. The guards

on duty wereа stationed in all four comers of the hall, immobile, leaning on

their double-fisted swords. Rumata's tableа companions on eitherа sideа were

silent. To his right,а the chairа was filled with the quaking, immense belly

of the somber glutton Don Pifa, married to a fabledа beauty. On his left sat

the poetа Our,а staringа intoа his empty plate with a blank expression. аThe

guests were all intently watching the king. The king fastened a napkin, more

gray than white, around his neck, quickly glanced at theа round of dishes in

front ofа him,а and reached for aа chickenа leg. Hardly hadа he fastened his

teeth on the meat than one hundred knives swept with a noisy clatter down on

the platesа and oneа hundred hands greedilyа dug into the dishes. The dining

hall was filledа with slurping and smacking of lips, the wine flowedа like a

torrent. The mustaches of the guardsmen, who wereа leaning unmoving on their

swords, began to twitch inа a dance of greed. Once Rumata had been nauseated

by these affairs, but now he had gotten used to them.

аааа While he was carvingа the thighа of a ram withа hisа dagger,а heа slyly

glanced to his right, but quickly looked away again:

аааа Don Pifa's torso was bent over an entire roast boar and working its way

into itа like a bulldozer. Notа even the bonesа remained behind his steadily

advancing body. Rumata held his breath and emptied a full glass of Irukanian

wine. Then he turned slightly to his left. The poet Gur was poking his spoon

joylessly in a bowl of meat salad.

аааа "Writing something?"а inquiredа Rumata in a subduedа voice. Gurа gave a

sudden start.

аааа "Writing something? I? I don't know ... sure, sure, lots of things.."

аааа "Poems?"

аааа "Yes, yes ... poems ..."

аааа "They're terrible poems, Father Gur." Gur looked at him with aа strange

expression "You're no poet!"

аааа "Noа poet. . . Sometimes I reflect on whatа I really am,а and what I am

afraid of. I don't know..."

аааа "Look into your plate and continue eating. I'll tell you what youа are.

A creative genius, the discoverer of new ways in literature,а and one of the

most productiveа writers to boot." Gur's cheeks became flushed with red. "In

a hundredа years, andа maybe sooner,а dozens ofа poets will followа inа your

tracks."

аааа "God forbid!" The words escaped from the poet's lips. "Now I shall tell

you what you're really afraid of."а "I amа afraid of theа dark." The evening

darkness?"

аааа "This too. For dusk offers us up to the power of the ghosts.а Butа most

of all Iа fear the darkness at night, forа everything turns gray in the same

manner at night."

аааа "Well said.а Father Gur. But now,а somethingа else:а is your work still

obtainable?"

аааа "I don't know--and I do not want to know." "Let me assure you, one copy

isа in the capital, in the emperor's library. Anotherа copyа is preserved in

the Museum of Raritiesа in Scan. And a third copyа is in my possession." Gur

took a spoonfulа ofа jelly,а hisа handа trembling heavily.а "I...а I doа not

know..."

аааа His large, deep-setа eyes wereа depressed as heа lookedа atа Rumata. "I

wouldа like to read it...а read it once more . .." "Iа shall sendа it to you

withа pleasure." "And then?"а "And then you'll returnа it toа me." "Oh, yes,

give it back again!" saidа Gur sharply.а "Donа Reba has intimidated you very

much Father Gur."а "Intimidated , . . Have youа ever hadа toа burn yourа own

children? What do you know of terror, of fear, noble don?"

аааа "I bowа myа head respectfully beforeа allа you have had toа go through,

Father Gur. But I condemn you with all my soul for giving up!"

аааа Suddenly Gur,а the poet, began toа whisperа so softly that Rumata could

hardly hear him over the generalа babble of voicesа and noisy eatersа at the

table.

аааа "And what is that all supposed to mean? What is the truth? Prince Chaar

reallyа didа loveа that beautifulа copper-skinned woman.а Theyа had children

together.а I know their grandchildren. Theyа poisoned them, they really did.

But theyа told meа this was all a lie.а They told meа truthа is whateverа is

beneficial for the King. Allа else is nothing but lies and crimes. Only аnow

am I finallyа writingа theа truth . . ." He suddenlyа rose from his seat and

recited in a lofty, declamatory singsong:

аааа Great and glorious, like eternity,

аааа Rules the King named Noblemind.

аааа Plotting princes grope uncertainly

аааа When their visions he strikes blind.

аааа The king interrupted his chewing forа a moment, parted his lips to show

aа mouth full of food. He regarded Gur out of dull eyes.а Theа guests pulled

their heads back betweenа their shoulders.а Only Don Reba smiled and clapped

hisа handsа a few times, almostа inaudibly. The king spat outа several bones

onto the carpet and said:

аааа "Glorious? Right. Eternity? Good! You can go on eating."

аааа The lip smacking and babbling started anew. Gur sat down.

аааа "How sweet and pleasant to tell the King the truth right toа his face,"

he said raucously.

аааа Rumata was silent. Then he said:

аааа "I'llа haveа aа copy of theа book sent over, Father Gur.а One condition

though. You will immediately begin a new work."

аааа "No," said Gur.а "Too late. Let Kiunа write. I'm alreadyа poisoned. And

anyway, I'm no longer interested in these things. The only thing I'd like to

do now--I want to learn to drink. Only I can't... My stomach hurts ..."

аааа One more defeat to chalk up, thought Rumata. Too late.

аааа "Listen, Reba,"а saidа the kingа suddenly.а "Whereа is theа quack?а You

promised to bring me a physician after dinner!"

аааа "He isа here, Yourа Highness," said Don Reba. "Are youа ordering meа to

call him?"

аааа "Amа I ordering you? That's more than flesh and bloodа can bear! If you

had pains in your knee like mine,а you'd be squealing like a stuck pig! Have

him come in at once!"

аааа Rumata leaned back in his chair in order to see better. Don Reba raised

his hand above hisа headа and snapped hisа fingers. Theа doorа opened and in

walked an old, bent man, constantlyа bowing, clad in a floor-length mantilla

embroidered with silvery spiders, golden stars and glittering snakes. He was

carryingа aа long,а flat аsatchel underа hisа arm.а Rumata wasа worriedа and

disappointedа atа theа sameа time.а Heа had imaginedа Budach toа lookа quite

different.а Could suchа a wise man andа humanist, author of the encyclopedic

Treatise Concerning Poisons, have such restlessly аwandering, inflamed eyes,

lipsа aquiverа withа fear, and suchа aа pitiful, subservient smile? But then

Rumata remembered the poet Gur. Wouldn't the persecution of an Irukanian spy

be a worthwhile literary discussionа inа Don Reba's cabinet?а Wouldn't it be

fun to tweak Don Reba'sа ear, he thought, andа mentally smacked his lips. He

shouldа beа draggedа offа toа theа dungeon.а Andа theа torturersа shouldа be

instructed:а Thereа heа is,а thatа Irukanianа spyа who pretendsа toа beа our

Arkanarian Minister of Internal Security. The king demands that you drag out

ofа him whereа the real minister is beingа kept. Go toа work! And woe betide

you, if he dies before the week is over . . . Rumata had to hide his face in

his hand.а Aа wave ofа hatred swept overа him. Whatа a terrible thing,а this

hatred...

аааа "There you are. Comeа over here, you quack," said the king. "Come here,

myа dearа man,а you mental giant.а Well,а sitа down overа here--sit down,а I

said!--and begin!"

аааа The unfortunate Budach set to work, his face contorted with fright.

аааа "Goа on, go on!" winced the king. "Keep on going, I tell you!а Get down

onа yourа knees,а your kneesа can'tа possibly hurt you.а Cured himself, that

devil! Now, let me seeа your teeth! That's the way. I'll say aа fine set аof

teeth you haveа here. If I only had teeth like that! Andа yourа hands are in

fine shape, too, good and strong. What a healthy chap he is ... and a mental

giant in spite of itа ... Well, then . . . Come on, my dove, go on, heal me,

what are you waiting for?"

аааа "If You-you-r Ma-majestyа .а . . would graciouslyа show me the sick leg

... the leg . . .," stuttered the physician. Rumata looked up.

аааа The physician knelt before the king and cautiously examined his leg.

аааа "Eh!" snorted the king.а "What's thatа supposed to be? Don't youа touch

me! Now that you have started, cure me!"

аааа "I ... I ...а have seen everything I need,а Your Majesty," mumbledа the

physician nervously and started to rummage hurriedly in his satchel

аааа Theа guestsа stopped chewing. The aristocratsа ofа lower rank, who were

sitting at the farthest endа of the table,а evenа stood up and, burning with

curiosity, stretched their necks so as to be able to see better.

аааа Budach took aа few small stone bottles from his satchel, uncorked them,

sniffed atа each, one after the other,а thenа placed them in one rowа on the

table beforeа him.а Then heа took the king's gobletа and filled it half with

wine. While heа was executing mysterious hand motions aboveа theа goblet, he

whispered magicа formulas thenа swiftlyа emptied all the little bottles into

the cup. A distinct smell ofа ammonia spread throughout the hall. The king's

lips became pencil-thin. He peered into the cup, puckered, up his mouth, and

glanced overа in Donа Reba's direction. The minister smiled sympathetically.

The courtiers held their breath.

аааа What on earth is he doing? wondered Rumata. The old king has gout! What

concoction has heа been brewing together inа that cup?а Yetа he stated quite

clearly in his treatise:

аааа "Rub the swollen limbs with the three-days-old poison of the Qu snake."

Perhaps he is going to use it to rub the potion into his skin?

аааа "What is this?" asked theа king,а full ofа distrust, pointing withа his

right forefinger toа the goblet. "It's aа liniment, is it,а toа rub intoа my

aching knee?"

аааа "Not at all, Your Majesty," said Budach. He seemed to have regained his

composure somewhat by now. "This is to be taken by mouth."

аааа "B-y-y mou-outh?" The king puffed out his cheeks and leaned back in his

armchair. "I don't want to take anything by mouth! Rub it in!"

аааа "Your wishа is myа command,"а said Budachа obediently. "But I takeа the

liberty ofа warning Your Majesty thatа an external application will not help

you, not at all."

аааа "And why didа all theа othersа usedа to rubа myа kneeа with ointments?"

inquired theа king in a surly tone. "And you insist on makingа me drink this

abomination."

аааа "Your Majesty," said Budach and straightened up proudly. "This medicine

is known only to me. I have curedа the uncle of the Duke ofа Irukan with it.

And what concerns those who advocate rubbing yourа kneeа withа salves . .а .

permit me to say ... these quacksalvers have not cured Your Majesty ..."

аааа Theа kingа glanced onceа more over to Don Reba.а Donа Reba smiledа with

compassion, it seemed.

аааа "You swindler!" said theа kingа to the physicianа inа aа nastyа tone of

voice.а "You yokel! You flea-bitten know-it-all!" He seizedа the cup. "Here,

that's what I'll do with this brew!а I'll throw it in your teeth!" He peered

into the goblet. "What if it makes me throw up?"

аааа "Then the procedure will have toа beа repeated. Your Majesty," answered

Budach with a sad face.

аааа "Well, I'll do it then," said the king and wasа just about to raise the

cup toа hisа lips whenа he suddenly pushed it back again, soа violently that

some of the liquid spilled on the rug. "Ha, dearа man, youа drink some of it

first! I know your ilk, you tricky Irukanians have even sold our Holy Mickey

to the barbarians. Drink, I order you!"

аааа Budachа accepted theа cup, lookingа rather offended, andа sippedа a few

drops from it.

аааа "Well, what does it taste like?"

аааа "Bitter, Yourа Majesty," said Budach subdued. "Butа you,а Your Majesty,

must drink this medicine now!"

аааа "Must, must!" wailedа the king. "I know all byа myself what I mustа do.

Give it to me!а Halfа has been spilt already anyhow. Well then,а handа it to

me!"

аааа He drainedа the cup at one draught. Compassionate sighs could beа heard

hereа and there comingа fromа the dinner guests. And suddenly all was quiet.

The kingа grew rigid, his mouth wide open. Tears welled up in his eyes, then

ran down hisа cheeks, one by one. His face became flushed, little by little,

then it turned blue. He stretched one hand out over the table, spasmodically

snapping his fingers. Don Reba quickly handedа himа a sour pickle. Theа king

hurled the pickle at Don Reba and then stretched his hand out again.

аааа "Wine!" he croaked hoarsely.

аааа Somebodyа bent down and handed himа a clay jug. Theа long drank hastily

with hugeа gulps,а madly rolling hisа eyesа all the while.а Red stripes were

flowing down on his white vest. After he had drained the jug, he threw it at

Budach, but he missed.

аааа "Youа dog'sа son!" he said with anа unexpected deep basso. "Why doа you

wantа toа kill me off? Haven't theyа hanged enoughа of yourа kind? Go to the

devil!"

аааа He fell silent and touched his knee.

аааа "Itа hurts!"а he saidа inа the same whining tone as before. "It's still

hurting!"

аааа "Your Majesty!"а saidа Budach. "Toа obtain a complete cure your Majesty

ought to drink this mixture daily, for at least one week."

аааа Something seemed to burst in the king's throat.

аааа "Get away!" howledа theа king. "Goа andа beа hanged! Allа of you!"а The

courders jumped up, rushed en masse to the doors, overturning some chairs.

аааа "Out of my sight! Ou-ou-ou-t!" screamed the king, besideа himselfа with

fury, and swept the dishes from the table.

аааа Afterа Rumata had quicklyа fledа the scene alongа with the rest ofа the

diners,а heа dived behind the nearest curtainа at hand and started to laugh.

Behind the curtain next to him, he heard the othersа laughing too--fitfully,

gasping for breath and howling with delight.

 

SIX

 

аааа Rumata'sа tour ofа night duty in the prince's bedchambers did not begin

until midnight.а Rumataа decided,а therefore, toа go home in the meantime in

order toа checkа if everythingа wasа in order and toа change clothes. He was

puzzled by the way theа town looked in the eveningа light. Theа streets were

enveloped in deep silence, the inns and taverns had shut their doors. At the

street crossings groups of the Gray Sturmoviksа rattled metallically,а their

torches in theirа hands. They, too, did not utter a sound, and seemed toа be

waitingа for something definite. On several occasions one of them would come

quite close toа Rumata, stare at hisа face, but as soon as he had recognized

him, would always silently permit him to proceed on his way. When Rumata was

within fifty feet of his own house, a group of suspicious-looking characters

followed hard behind him, yet keeping at a steady distance. Rumata came to a

brief halt andа rattled his swords. The figuresа fellа back a bit,а but soon

afterwards heа heard behindа himа theа clickа ofа aа loaded crossbow. Rumata

hurried on his way, all theа time pressing close to the walls of the houses.

Heа groped forа his house door, turned the keyа in the lock andа was all the

time painfully aware of his unprotected back.а He leapt insideа the entrance

hall with a sigh of relief.

аааа All his servants had already assembled in the entrance hall, armed with

all kinds of weapons. They had checked theа gate already repeatedlyа to make

certain it was wellа secured. Rumata liked none of this. Perhaps I shouldn't

leave the house after all, he thought. To hell with the young prince.

аааа "Where is Baron Pampa?" he asked.

аааа Agitated greatly,а his crossbow slung over his shoulder,а Unoа answered

that the baron had not awakened until noon, had then drunk all the available

water from the sour pickleа jugs andа had then departed again toа haveа some

moreа fun.а Then Unoа reported inа aа seriousа voice thatа Kyra had inquired

several times after the master--she was most worried about him.

аааа "Allа right," said Rumataа andа ordered his servants toа takeа up their

posts.

аааа Allа in all,а not countingа theа femaleа cooks,а he hadа sixа servants,

dependable peopleа generally,а used to street brawls. Ofа course, they won't

start up anything with the Grayа Ones, thoughtа Rumata,а forа theyа fear the

wrath of the omnipotent Minister of the Security Forces; but they can make a

standа against the wretched characters ofа the nocturnal army, all the more,

since theа robbers were expectingа to find easy prey without any resistance.

The servants were equipped with two crossbows, four battle-axes, several big

butcher knives, iron helmets; the gateа was secured, studded withа nails and

bound with iron in keepingа withа the good old local traditions. Or would it

perhaps be best not to leave the house tonight?

аааа Rumata walked upstairs and tiptoed into Kyra'sа room. Kyra was sleeping

in her clothes, curled up on top of the bedspread. Rumata leaned over her, a

candlestick held inа his hand. Shall I go or not?а Iа would dearlyа like for

once not to have to leave.

аааа He put a lightа blanket over her,а kissed her on the cheek and returned

to hisа room. I must go.а Whatever happens, a scout mustа always be right in

the thick of all that is going on. For the benefit of the historians back on

Terra. A bitter smile flitted across hisа features, heа took the circlet off

his forehead, carefully cleaned theа lens with aа soft rag and then putа the

circlet back on again. Then heа called Uno and ordered him to bring his suit

of armorа and theа freshly polishedа copperа helmet Shivering with cold,а he

pulled hisа metalloplast shirtа overа his undershirt, rightа underneathа his

vest.а The metalloplastа garment wasа fashioned like chainа mailа (the local

chain mail provided good protection against injuries inflicted by daggers or

swords,а butа an arrowа fromа a crossbow could easilyа pierce it).а While he

girded himself with his uniform belt, fastening the metal clasps, he said to

Uno:

аааа "Listen, my boy. I trust you more than anyone else.

аааа Whatever might happenа here, Kyra mustа remain alive and well. Iа don't

care ifа the whole house burnsа down, or if they steal all the money I have,

but do protect Kyraа for me. Lead her,а ifа necessary, over roofs or through

basements,а whichever way is best, butа look out for her, guard her. Is that

clear?"

аааа "Yes, sir," said Uno. "You shouldn't go out tonight"

аааа "Listen to me. If I'm not back in three days, take Kyra and lead her to

theа clearing in Hiccup Forest.а Do you know where that is? Well, thereа you

willа find the Drunkard's Lair, a peculiar-looking hut not far off the road.

You needа only ask, people will show you where it is. But be careful who you

ask. A man by the name of Father Kabani lives there. Tell him everything. Is

that clear?"

аааа "Yes, sir. But it would be much better if you wouldn't leave tonight."

аааа "I would prefer to stay. But it's impossible. Duty calls. Well then, be

careful!"

аааа He gently patted the boy's cheek andа returned his awkward smile with a

friendlyа glance.а Downstairs,а heа saidа aа few encouragingа wordsа toа his

servants,а left theа house,а and disappearedа once more intoа theа darkness.

Behind him, he heard theа clanking ofа the heavy doorsа as theyа were barred

against intruders. Traditionally, theа prince'sа apartmentsа had neverа been

guarded very closely. Quite likely this was the reason noа one had ever made

an attackа against the lifeа of the Arkanarian princes.а And inа particular,

nobody seemed to be interested inа the present prince. There was noа one who

likedа thisа sicklyа blue-eyed boy, whoа resembled everyone exceptа hisа own

father. Rumata was fond of theа boy, though. His educationа had been grossly

neglected and therefore his imagination hadа remained unspoiled; he wasа not

cruel likeа the others, could notа standа Don Reba--instinctively, itа would

seem--lovedа toа sing songs to theа verses of Zuren and to play withа little

boats. Rumata had ordered some illustrated books to be sent for him from the

capital, told him about the starry sky and completely won the boy's sympathy

by regalingа him with fairy tales about flying ships. To Rumata,а who rarely

had any dealings with young children,а the ten-year-old princeа seemed to be

quite different fromа theа other inhabitants ofа this wild country. Andа yet

these innocent, blue-eyed children, whichever strata of the populationа they

came from, were theа ones who would later develop bestiality, ignorance, and

blind submission to the authorities.

аааа Still,а theseа children showedа absolutely no tracesа ofа meanness.а It

wouldn't beа aа bad idea, he thought sometimes,а if there were noа adults on

this planet.

аааа Theа princeа was already asleep. Rumata began hisа guard duty. Together

with theа officerа he had comeа to relieve, he approached the bed whereа the

prince was sleeping, and they executed complicated figuresа with their naked

swords as prescribed byа court etiquette.а Thenа Rumata made the traditional

rounds to check if all windowsа were closed and bolted, if the nursery-maids

were stationed at their assigned places and ifа candlesticks were burning in

all the rooms.а Thenа heа returnedа to the antechamber,а playedа aа gameа of

knuckles with theа officerа ofа the guard,а whoа was now off duty,а andа who

inquired of theа noble don what he thought of the recent events in town. The

nobleа don, a man of tremendous intellectualа prowess,а became lost inа deep

thoughts, then announced that in his opinion theа common folk were preparing

for Holy Mickey Day.

аааа After the officer had left, Rumata pushed a chairа toа theа window, sat

downа at ease and looked out over the city. Theа houseа of theа prince stood

atop a hill and during the day one had a splendid view all over the city and

asа farа asа the ocean. Now, however,а all wasа envelopedа in darkness. Only

occasionalа clustersа ofа lights were visible where people gatheredа atа the

crossroads,а waiting forа the torch signals of theа Sturmoviks. The city was

asleep, or atа leastа pretended to be. How interesting it wouldа be toа know

whether the inhabitantsа could sense thatа something horrendous was about to

happen.а Or didа theyа assume,а likeа theа nobleа donа withа theа tremendous

intellectual prowess, that these were just preparations for Holy Mickey Day?

Twentyа thousandа menа andа women.а Twentyа thousandа locksmiths,а armorers,

butchers,а clothа merchants,аа jewelers,аа housewives,а prostitutes,а monks,

money-changers, soldiers, vagabonds, and bookworms who had still been spared

wereа tossingа inа theirа stickyа bedsа thatа reeked of bedbugs.а Theyа were

sleeping, making love, going over inа their mindsа theа profitsа of the day,

crying, gritting their teeth with wickedness or depression...

аааа Twentyа thousand humanа beings! In the eyes of aа terrestrial observer,

they all had something in common. Probably it was the fact that all of them,

with almost no exceptions, were not yet human beings in the current sense of

the word, but rather preliminary stages, blocks of raw iron ore out of which

the bloody centuries of historyа would eventually forge proud and freeа men.

Theyаа wereа passive,аа greedy,аа andа incrediblyаа egoistic.а Seenа fromа a

psychologicalа point ofа view, almostа allа of themа wereа slaves--slaves of

faith,а slaves of their own persons,а slaves of their powerful passionsа and

slaves of their avarice. Andа if by chance one of them wasа born a nobleman,

or worked his way upа through diligence over the years, he did not even know

what to do with his freedom. He rushed to become a slave once more--enslaved

byа wealth, enslavedа by unnatural luxury,а enslaved by debauched companions

and enslaved by his own slaves. The majority could not really beа blamed for

thisа atа all.а Theirа enslavement wasа rootedа in passivity andа ignorance.

Passivityа andа ignorance,а however,а would lead inа turn again and again to

theirа enslavement.а If indeedа they all cameа from the same mold, all would

merely twiddle their thumbs and not a glimmer of hopeа would exist for them.

But they were neverthelessа human beings and bore the spark of intelligence.

And thus constantly,а sometimes here,а sometimes there, the fire ofа a very,

veryа distant but inevitable future wouldа flare up. It wouldа begin to bum,

despiteа everything.а Despiteа theirа apparentаа incompetence.а Despiteа the

unending suppressionа and persecution. Although they were kicked and beaten.

Although nobody in this worldа neededа them, and all men wereа against them.

Although at the very best they could count on uncomprehending, condescending

pity ...

аааа They did not realize that the future was ahead of them, that the future

wasа impossible withoutа them. They did not recognize themselves as the only

real hope for the future in a world caught in the grip of horrible ghosts of

the past,а that theyа are a ferment, theа vitamin inа the organismа of their

society. Once you destroy these ferments,а society will start to rot, social

decay will result, theа muscles growа limp, the eyesight fade andа the teeth

fall out. No state can develop without the help of the sciences.--It will be

wiped out byа its neighbors. Withoutа art and culture a state will loseа its

capacityа for self-evaluation,а will give impetus to theа wrong drifts, will

constantly bringа forth hypocrites and scoundrels, encourage the development

ofа overconsumptionа ofа goodsа byа itsа citizens,а engenderа arroganceа and

eventually fall victim in turn to someа bolder neighbor. Let the authorities

persecuteа theа bookwormsа as muchа asа itа pleases,а hinderа andа stopа the

activitiesа ofа theа scientists,а destroyа the arts:а soonerа orа laterа the

government leaders will stumble, and as they gnash their teeth theyа will be

forced toа reopen all those avenues toа mankindа that areа soа hatedа by the

power-hungry dunderheads andа ignoramuses.а And as thoroughlyа as these Gray

menа in power might despise culture and knowledge, in theа long run they are

nevertheless impotent in the faceа ofа objectiveа historical necessity--they

canа onlyа delay the courseа ofа progress,а but they can notа bring itа to a

completeа standstill. And even ifа they fearа and scorn educated minds, they

areа inescapablyа forcedа toа furtherа them eventually, simplyа inа order to

survive. Sooner or later theyа mustа standа by as universitiesа are founded,

scientificа societies are organized, scientific research centers are set up,

observatories and laboratories are built, to train cadres of experts who are

already beyond the rulers' control--to educate men with a totallyа different

psyche, with completely different demands.

аааа These people, however, cannot exist--nor can they function properly--in

anа atmosphereа ofа common greed, plebeian interests, dull self-sufficiency,

andа exclusivelyа sensual desires. They need aа newа type ofа atmosphere--an

atmosphere ofа general andа all-encompassing cognition, imbued with artistic

tension; they need writers, poets, painters, composers --and the mighty Gray

Ones willа seeа themselves forced to make concessionsа here,а too. Those who

resist will be swept away by cleverer rivals in the battle for power; those,

on the other hand, who agree to make such concessions, will be digging their

ownа gravesа againstа theirа ownа will--inescapably andа paradoxically.а For

ignorantа egoistsа andа fanaticistsа areа doomed, onceа the people's culture

awakens in allа areas, from scientific research to the ability to enjoy good

music. This is followed by an epoch of vast social upheavals, accompanied by

an upswing ofа theа sciences such asа hasа neverа beenа seenа before. And in

conjunction with the intellectualizationа of society through all strata will

follow an era when the powers of Grayа willа gatherа their final effort in a

battle whose cruelty will throw mankind back to the inhumanity of the Middle

Ages. This life-and-deathа struggle will seeа theа downfall of the powers of

Gray,а and theyа will ultimatelyа goа under inа a society freed of all class

distinctions and the oppression of man .. .

аааа Rumata was stillа looking out over the city, a petrified glob veiled in

gloom. Somewhere in itsа midst,а inа some stifling littleа room, wasа Father

Tarra,а twisting andа squirming onа aа wretchedа cot,а rackedа by fever, but

Brother Nain was sitting аnextа toа him at a lopsidedа littleа table--drunk,

happy, and mean--finishingа hisа Treatiseа about Rumors, the book wherein he

ridiculed with obviousа relish, andа with artfully chosen words, the life of

Graydom. Somewhere else, down there, Gur, the poet, was pacingа the floor of

hisа empty,аа elegantа rooms,а blindа withа despairа andа terrifiedа atа the

realization that in spite of everythingа new worlds were tryingа toа surface

fromа the depths of his ravaged soul.а These new, bright worlds seemed to be

buoyedа up byа anа unknown force,а seemed to be filled with wonderfulа human

beings andа staggering emotions. And somewhere down there Doctor Budachа was

spending the night, who knew how?а Humbled, forced to his knees, and beaten,

but still aliveа . . . My brothersа all, thoughtа Rumata. Iа amа one of you.

Afterа all,а we areа of theа same flesh! Suddenlyа he was overwhelmed by the

insight that he was no god protecting the luminaries of the mind between the

palms of his hands, but rather aа brotherа helping another brother, or a son

hurrying to his father's rescue. "I'll kill Don Reba."--'What for?"--"He has

destroyedа my brothers."--"He does not know whatа he isа doing."--"But he is

murdering the future."--"He is innocent; a child of his time."--"You mean he

doesа not realize his guilt?а But what does it matterа whether orа not he is

aware of his guilt?"--"And what about Father Zupik? What wouldn't he give if

someone were to slay Don Reba? Now you're silent. You'll have to do a lot of

killing,а won'tа you?"а --"I don't know. Perhaps. Oneа afterа the other. All

those who try to prevent the future fromа happening."--"The same oldа story.

Poison, homemadeа bombs--they neverа changed anything."--"Oh yes, theyа did.

Theа strategyа of the revolution wasа born."--"What do youа careа aboutа the

strategy ofа the revolution?а All you wantа isа to kill."--"Yes,а Iа want to

kill."--"Canа you really go through with it?"--"Yesterday I caused the death

of Dona Okana. I knewа she wouldа be killedа the moment I wentа to her house

withа aа feather stuckа behindа myа ear.а Iа only regretа havingа killed her

senselessly. They'veа almostа managed to teach me suchа things here."-- "But

this is bad.а It'sа a seriousа matter, and aа dangerous one. Do you remember

Sergeiа Koschin, George Lenniа or Sabine Krueger?"--Rumata ran his hand over

hisа sweat-coveredа forehead.а Hereа you are,а pondering,а contemplating and

worrying--and all you have to show for it is a load of garbage.

аааа Heа leaptа to his feet andа tore the window open. The widelyа dispersed

concentrationsа ofа lights throughoutа theа darkа cityа were setа in motion,

broken, scattered, driftedа apart, moved alongа in chains,а vanishedа behind

invisible houses and appeared again. An indefinable roar surgedа up over the

city, a distant, many-voiced din. Two conflagrations flared up, illuminating

the neighboring rooftops.а Somethingа explodedа inа the harbor area. Itа had

begun.а In a few hours it would be known whatа theа significanceа was of the

unionа betweenа theа Grayа hordesа andа theа nocturnal army, thisа unnatural

alliance of little shopkeepers and robbers. And it wouldа also be known then

whatа Don Reba had accomplished withа that and what new provocationа heа had

managedа toа finagle,а or--to put itа in aа plainа language--whoа was toа be

slaughteredа tonight. Most likely this was theа beginningа of a night of the

long knives, a blood-letting among the leadership ofа the Gray hordes and at

the same time the annihilation of those unfortunate barons who just happened

to be in town, as well as ofа those aristocrats who represented the greatest

nuisance. I wonder what Pampa is doing, he thought. If only he isn't asleep.

Hell make out all right then.

ааа аThere was no more time now to giveа free rein to his thoughts. The door

began to shake from a violent hammering with fists; somebodyа was yelling in

a hoarse voice: "Open up! Open up!" Rumata pushed back the bolt. A man, half

undressed, blue with fright, rushed into the room, seized Rumata by his vest

and shouted with a trembling voice:

аааа "Where isа the prince? Budach has poisonedа theа king!а Irukanian spies

have started a riot in the city! Save the prince!"

аааа Itа was theа marshalа ofа theа prince's household,а aа stupidа man,а an

obsequious servantа of his master. He pushed Rumata asideа and ran intoа the

prince'sа bedchambers.а Theа womenа beganа toа scream.а Meanwhile,а however,

brandishing their notched battle-axes, the Sturmoviksа in gray shirts rushed

through the open doors, their distorted faces drenched in perspiration.

аааа "Get back," he said as cool as a cucumber.

аааа From behind hisа back,а fromа the bedchamber,а cameа aа brief,а muffled

outcry. We areа inа trouble, thoughtа Rumata.а He dashedа intoа aа comer and

barricaded himself behind a table.а Pantingа Sturmoviks beganа toа fillа the

room. Fifteen men in all, it seemed.а A lieutenant in a gray uniform, in the

front row, raised his dagger.

а ааа"Donа Rumata?"а heа asked, gaspingа forа air.а "Youа areа under arrest.

Surrender your swords."

аааа "Why don't you come and get them!" said Rumata and threw a quick glance

toward the window.

аааа "Seize him!" the lieutenant wheezed.

аааа Fifteen men, drunk and equipped with mere axes are no match for one who

is an expertа in defensive techniques that will become known here only three

hundred years hence. The crowd surged forward and thenа fell backа again. On

the floorа remained several axes,а two Sturmoviksа writhing inа pain,а their

smashed handsа gingerly pressed against their stomachs asа they stumbled off

to the back rows of their comrades. Rumata was a master of the defensive fan

technique. The attackers were greeted by a dense, glittering curtain created

byа his whirling swords, and it seemed impossible toа penetrate this barrier

of steel.а Theа Sturmoviks withdrew and lookedа at eachа otherа with baffled

faces. A sharp odor of beer and onions emanated from them.

аааа Rumata moved theа table,а cautiously walkedа along the wall towardа the

window,а all theа while keepingа anа eye on the Gray soldiers.а A knifeа was

thrown at him from the back rows but it missed. Rumata laughed, set one foot

on the window ledge and said; "You tryа once more and this time I'll cut off

your hands. You know me."

аааа They knewа him. They knew him very well,а and not one of the men budged

from his spotа despite the commands and curses from their officersа who were

careful notа to risk anything themselves.а Constantly threateningа them with

both swords, Rumata pulled himselfа all the way up onto the window ledge. At

that moment a lance, coming from the street down below, hit him in the back.

The impactа wasа terrific. Though the weapon did not pierce his metalloplast

shirt, it still sweptа himа offа the ledge and threw him back into the room,

down to theа floor. Rumata held onto his two swords but they were of no help

in this situation. The whole mob pounced at once. All of them togetherа must

have weighed well over a ton but they were inа eachа other's way and thus he

succeeded in getting back to his feet again.

аааа Hisа fistа smashed betweenа somebody'sа wetа lips,а another fellowа was

wiggled under hisа shoulder like a woundedа rabbit,а and Rumata kept hitting

out in all directionsа withа hisа fists, elbows,а shoulders (he had not felt

that free in a long time) but he could not shake them off. Dragging a throng

of bodies behind him, he managed to get as far as the door, where he finally

freed himself from the men who had dug theirа fingers into his legs. Then he

felt a painful, mighty blow on his shoulder and he fell on his back. Several

Sturmoviks were struggling to get out from under him. Onceа again he managed

toа getа backа on hisа feet, dealing short blows that hurled the desperately

hitting and kicking Gray soldiers against the walls. For a moment he saw the

pockmarked face of the lieutenant loom up before him as he ducked behind his

dischargedа crossbow,а when suddenly the door gaveа way and a newа floodа of

sweating, grimacingа faces poured into the room. They threw a large net over

him, drew it together around his feet, and flung him to the ground.

аааа He stoppedа resistingа at once in order to preserve his strength. For a

whileа theyа kickedа himа withа theirа boots-- silently, straining hardа and

panting with delight.а Then theyа grabbed himа byа his feet and draggedа him

away. As theyа passedа theа open door of the bedchamber,а heа could seeа the

master of the prince's household nailed to the wall by a spear, and a bundle

of bloodyа sheetsа on the bed. "It's a revolution!" thought Rumata.а 'That's

what itа isа all about.а Poor boy. .." They pulledа him down the stairs, and

then he lost consciousness.

 

SEVEN

 

аааа He was lyingа onа a grassy hill lookingа up into the clouds that sailed

along the deep, blue sky. He felt quiet and at peaceа but on the grassy hill

next to him sat theа embodiment of shooting pain. The pain was externalized,

and yet he could also feel it insideа himself, especially on hisа right side

and on the back ofа his neck. "Kicked the bucket, has he? I'llа cut off your

heads!" And then aа floodа of icyа cold water poured down on him from out of

the sky. True,а he was lying on his back and looking up into the sky, but it

was notа a grassyа hill,а butа a puddle of water; and the sky wasа notа blue

either,а it wasа leaden black with redа stripes.а "Not a bit," saidа another

voice. 'That'sа alive. Twitching with theа eyes." I am the one who is alive,

he thought.а Theyа areа talking aboutа me.а Iа amа the oneа whoseа eyesа are

twitching. What's all this drivel? Don't they know how to speak properly?

аааа Someoneа moved nearbyа andа hit theа water withа some heavy object. The

black silhouette of a head with a flat cap appeared on the sky.

аааа "How about it, noble don, will you walk under your own power or shall I

have them carry you?"

аааа "Untie my legs!" snapped Rumata, and felt at once a sharp, burning pain

in his bruised lips. Gingerly he passed hisа tongue over them. Some lips, he

thought. More like flabby pancakes.

аааа Someoneа busied himselfа aboutа hisа feet,а pushingа andа pullingа them

unceremoniously. People were conversing nearby in subdued voices.

аааа "You certainly made a mess of him."

аааа "Had to, he almost got away . . . He's bewitched--arrows bounce off his

body ..."

аааа "Iа knewа a fellowа once, youа could workа him over with an axа andа he

wouldn't bat an eyelash."

аааа "Probably a peasant."

аааа "Of course he was."

аааа "So? But this one is a blue blood."

аааа "To hell with it. Look how they tied these knots! Even our Holyа Mickey

couldn't untie those. Pass me a torch!"

аааа "Better take, a knife!"

аааа "Hey,а fellows,а leaveа hisа legs tiedа up. Hell start thrashingа at us

again. He almost knocked my head off."

аааа "No, no, he won't do anything."

аааа "Whatever anyone says, comrades, I sure let him have it with myа spear.

It went right through his armor."

аааа Some voice called out peremptorily from the darkness.

аааа "Finish up, will you!"

аааа Rumata felt now that his legsа were free; heа stretched them, triedа to

standа up,а but fell down immediately. Several Sturmoviks who were crouching

on the ground watched inа silence as he wallowed in the muddy puddle. Rumata

gnashed his teethа inа fury andа humiliation. He jerked his shoulder blades:

his hands were bound and turned up on his back, but so tightly that he could

not tell where hisа palms and where his elbows were. He gathered upа all his

strength andа violentlyа jerked them upwards,а butа at once doubled overа in

pain. The Sturmoviks broke out in laughter.

аааа "Can't escape that way," said one of them.

аааа "I think he's a little tired. Hey, you, drop dead."

аааа "Hey, don, not too pleasant, is it?"

аааа "Shut up! Stop that silly babbling!" said the imperative voice from the

dark. "Come over here, Don Rumata!"

аааа Rumataа struggled to his feet andа walkedа towardа the voice;а heа felt

himselfа staggering uncertainlyа fromа sideа toа side.а A man appearedа from

somewhere, holding a torch, and led theа way forа him. Rumata recognized the

locality. It was oneа of the innumerable interior courtsа of the Ministry of

Security, near the royal stables.

аааа He thought quickly. If they lead meа to the right, thatа would mean the

Tower, theа dungeon. To theа left: The offices ofа Don Reba'sа Ministry.а He

shookа hisа head. So what, he thought. Iа amа still alive, I'll make out all

right.--Theyа turnedа to theа left. These new,а bright worldsа seemed toа be

buoyed up byа anа unknown force,а seemed to beа filled with wonderfulа human

beings and staggeringа emotions. Andа somewhere down there Doctor Budach was

spending the night,а who knew how? Humbled, forced to his knees, and beaten,

but still alive ... My brothers all,а thought Rumata. I am one of you; after

all, we areа ofа the same flesh! Allа ofа a sudden he wasа overwhelmed by an

insight thatа he was actually no godа protecting the luminaries ofа the mind

between the palms of his hands, but rather a brother helping another brother

orа aа sonа hurryingа toа comeа toа hisа father'sа rescue.а "I'llа killа Don

Reba."--"What for?"--"He has destroyed my brothers."--"He does not know what

he is doing."--"But he is murdering the future!"--"He is not guilty; he is a

child of his time."--"You mean he does not realize his guilt? But whatа does

it matter whether or not he is aware of his guilt?"--"Andа what about Father

Zupik?а Whatа wouldn't he give if somebody were to slay Don Reba. Now you're

silent. You'llа have to doа aа lotа of killing, won't you?" --"I don't know.

Perhaps. One after the other. All thoseа that try to prevent the future from

happening!"--"That's an old story. Poison, homemade bombs--Andа nothing ever

changed."--"Oh yes, something did change. The strategy of the revolution was

born."--"What do you care about the strategy of the revolution? All you want

is toа kill!"-- "Yes, I want toа kill."--"Canа youа reallyа go throughа with

that?"--"Yesterdayа I caused the death of Dona Okana.а Iа knewа she would be

killed the moment I went to her house with a feather stuck behind my ear.а I

only regret having killedа her senselessly.а They've almost managed to teach

meа such thingsа here."--At least not rightа away, thoughtа Rumata. First an

interrogation, aа cross-examination. Awful. Inа thatа case,а whatа canа they

accuse me of? That's obvious enough. Inducing theа poisoner Budach to poison

the king, conspiracy,а plottingа against the crown. Maybe also murdering the

prince. And, of course, spying for Irukan, Soan, the barbarians, the barons,

the Holyа Order, andа so on and so on. Surprisingа enoughа that Iа amа still

alive.а Thatа means he аhasа been thinkingа ofа somethingа elseа still,а the

toadstool.

аааа "This way,"а said the manа with the imperiousа voice.а Aа low door flew

open. Rumataа duckedа hisа head and entered a large room,а lit up by a dozen

chandeliers. The men who sat or lay on theа wornа rug inа the centerа of the

roomа were tied upа and covered with blood.а Some were alreadyа dead orа had

fainted. Almostа allа were barefootа and woreа onlyа worn andа rippedа night

shirts. Along the walls, the red-nosed Sturmoviks wereа leaningа negligently

on their hatchets and battle axes. They looked about with wild eyes and were

satisfied. They had beenа victorious. The officer onа guard was stridingа up

and down before them, his hands clasped on his back. He wore a grayа uniform

with a very greasy collar. Rumata's companion, aа tall man in a black cloak,

approached the officerа andа whisperedа somethingа inа hisа ear. The officer

noddedа his head, regardedа Rumata forа aа momentа withа great interestа and

disappeared behind the heavy, colorful drapes at the other end of the room.

аааа The Sturmoviks examined Rumata in turn, alsoа very interestedly. One of

them, with a dim eye, said:

аааа "Say, that's some precious stone there on his forehead!"

аааа "Not bad,а thatа stone,"а agreed anotherа soldier.а "Some booty for the

king. And the circlet is made of pure gold."

аааа "We are the kings now."

аааа "Down with it then, eh, what do you think?"

аааа "Get away from there," growled the man in the black cloak.

аааа The Sturmoviks stared at him in surprise.

аааа "Another one to patronize us?" asked the Sturmovik with the blind eye.

аааа The man with the black cloak did not answer, but turned his back on him

and stepped close to Rumata. Theа Sturmoviksа looked him up and down,а their

eyes filled with mistrust.

аааа "Perhaps a blackbird, a priest?" said the Sturmovik with the blind eye.

аааа "Hey, blackie, want a smackie?"

аааа The Sturmoviks cackled andа crowed inа amusement. The dim-eyed man spat

on hisа palms, tossed his hatchet from hand to hand and moved toward Rumata.

He's going toа get it now, thought Rumata, and slowly pulled back hisа right

foot.

аааа "The people Iа have always beaten up," said the Sturmovik as he came to

aа halt before the man inа black,а and staring at him insolently,а "were the

priests, any learned trash and our so-called masters. Once I--"

аааа Theа man withа the black cloak raised his outstretched hand.а A buzzing

click could be heard all of a sudden, just below the ceiling. Sh-sh-sh-! The

Sturmovik with the blind eye dropped his hatchetа and fell over backwards. A

thick,а feathered arrowа protruded fromа the middle ofа his forehead. All at

onceа there wasа absolute silence. The Sturmoviks shifted nervously from one

foot to the other, their eyes flitted anxiously along the openings below the

ceiling.

аааа "Get rid of that body, quick!"

аааа Severalа Sturmoviks bent down, grabbed their comradeа by hisа armsа and

legsа andа dragged himа outside. A Grayа officer cameа outа fromа behind the

curtains and beckoned to Rumata and the man in black.

аааа "Let's go, Don Rumata," said the man in black.

аааа Rumata passedа theа bodiesа of the prisonersа andа walkedа overа to the

curtains. I don't understand anything any more, he thought. Once behindа the

drapes,а he wasа seized by invisible hands that expertlyа frisked his

body in theа darkness, tore the empty scabbardsа fromа his belt, then pushed

him into the light.

аааа Rumata knew at once where he was.

аааа This wasа theа infamousа cabinetа ofа Donа Rebaа inа theа lilac-colored

apartments.а Don Reba satа at the same spot, strikingа the identical pose as

once before; his back straight, elbowsа resting onа the tabletop and fingers

clasped. Iа bet theа oldа man is sufferingа fromа hemorrhoids,а theа thought

abruptly flashed through Rumata's mind. He felt sorry for him. To theа right

ofа Don Rebaа wasа enthroned Father Zupik, concentrating hardа and pompously

biting his lips. To Don Reba's left sat a kindly smiling potbellied man, the

epaulettesа onа his shouldersа marking himа as a captain ofа theа Gray Army.

Nobody else was in the room besides these three- As Donа Rumata entered, Don

Reba said benevolently in a low voice:

аааа "Well, my friends, here we have finally the noble Don Rumata."

аааа Father Zupik smiled condescendingly and the fat man started to nodа his

head kindly.

аааа "Our old and very consistent enemy," said Don Reba.

аааа "An enemy? Hang him!" remarked Father Zupik hoarsely.

аааа "Andа what isа your opinion,а Brother Aba?" asked Don Reba,а throwing a

warning glance at the potbellied man.

аааа "You know . .а .а somehow Iа haveа .а . ." Brotherа Abaа smiledа rather

childishly and lost, fidgeting with his short arms in the air. "Somehow, you

know, I actually do not care.а Butа maybe we ought toа hangа him anyhow?а Or

perhaps burn him, what do you say, Don Reba?"

аааа "Why not," said a pensive Don Reba.

аааа "You see," continued Brother Abaа desperately, and directed a strangely

friendly smile towardа Rumata, "in general we hang the riff-raff, the little

fish. But we must maintain a respectful relationship toward the aristocracy.

For the sake of the people. After all, he is a descendant from old nobility,

an important Irukanian spy. Irukanian, isn't that right?" He took a piece of

paper from theа tableа andа staredа atа it with nearsighted eyes.а "Ah,а and

besides that, also a Seaman spy. Even worse!"

ааа а"Burn him then," concurred Father Zupik.

аааа "Fine," said Don Reba. "Then we are all agreed. Burn him!"

аааа "By theа way, I believe Don Rumataа might easeа hisа lot!" said Brother

Aba. "You know what I mean, Don Reba?"

аааа "To be quite frank with you, not quite."

аааа "His fortune!а My noble don, his fortune! The Rumatas are aа fabulously

wealthy family... !"

аааа "You're right, as always," said Don Reba.

аааа Father Zupik yawned, covered his mouth with his hand, and kept stealing

glancesа toward theа heavyа lilac-coloredа drapes toа the right side ofа the

table.

аааа "Allа rightа then,а let's start according to the rules," said Donа Reba

with a sigh.

аааа Father Zupik still cast furtive glances at the drapes. Evidently he was

waitingа forа something definite andа wasа notа atа allа interested inа this

cross-examination. What kind of a farce is that? thought Rumata. What is the

meaning of all this?

аааа "Well,а then, my nobleа don,"а said Don Rebaа and turned to Rumata, "it

wouldа be mostа pleasantа toа hear yourа answersа to some questionsа weа are

interested in."

аааа "Remove these bonds from my hands," said Rumata.

аааа Father Zupik flinched, whileа making desperate chewing motions with his

lips. Brother Aba moved his head from side to side excitedly.

аааа "Well?" saidа Don Reba and lookedа first at Brother Aba, then at Father

Zupik.а "Iаа doа understandаа you,а myа friends.а However,а consideringа the

circumstances and the fact that they willа also be clear to Don Rumata . .."

With a meaningful glance he let his eyes sweep along the rows of openings in

theа walls underneath the ceiling. "Untie him," heа said inа the same quiet,

even voice.

аааа Withoutа makingа a sound, somebody stepped up to Rumata from behind. He

felt the oddly soft, skillful fingers touching his hands, and then heard the

ropesа beingаа cutа withа aаа knife.а Withа amazingа speed--consideringа his

bulk--Brotherа Abaа pulledа a huge crossbowа from underneathа theа table and

placed it directly in front of him on top of a pile of papers. Rumata's arms

fell to his sides like two braids. He had almost no feeling in them.

аааа "Well, then, let's begin," said Don Reba cheerfully. "Name, family, and

rank?"

аааа "Rumata,а descendedа fromа theа raceа ofа the Estorianа Rumatas.а Noble

courtiers for the past twenty-two generations."

аааа Rumata lookedа around, sawа a sofa, sat down and started to massage his

wrists. Brother Aba gasped for air and aimed the crossbow at him.

аааа "Your father?"

аааа "My noble father--imperial councilor, loyal servant and personal friend

of the emperor."

аааа "Is he alive?"

аааа "He's dead."

аааа "When?"

аааа "Eleven years ago."

аааа "How old are you?"

аааа Rumata found noа timeа to reply. From behind the lilac-colored curtains

cameа suddenlyа someа noises,а and Brotherа Aba turned aroundа suspiciously.

Father Zupik rose slowly from his seat and laughed maliciously.

аааа "Well, thereа you are, gentlemen ..." That was all heа managedа to say.

For three men jumped out from behind the heavy drapes, toа Rumata's greatest

surprise--theyа were the last people heа wouldа have expected in this place.

Apparentlyа hisа feelings wereа shared by Fatherа Zupik.а The three men were

powerfully built, clad in black monk's garb, theirа hoodsа pulledа down over

theirа eyes. Swiftly and noiselessly,а they leapt overа toа Father Zupik and

seized him by the elbows.

аааа "Devilа takeа it!"а heа uttered somehow. A deathly pallor fell over his

face. Undoubtedly he had expected something quite different.

аааа "What do you think, Brother Aba?" inquiredа Don Rebaа calmly and leaned

slightly toward the fat man.

аааа "Yes, of course!" Father Aba answered resolutely. "Of course!"

аааа Don Reba motioned with his hand. The monks lifted Fatherа Zupik off his

feet and carried him, still treading noiselessly, behind the curtain. Rumata

frownedа inа disgust,а Brother Abaа rubbed his soft palms togetherа and said

boldly;

аааа "That went off splendidly. What did you think, Don Reba?"

аааа "Yes, not bad," nodded Donа Rebaа in consent. "But let's go on. So. How

old are you, Don Rumata?"

аааа "Thirty-five years."

аааа "How long have you been in Arkanar?"

аааа "It has been five years."

аааа "Where did you come from?"

аааа "Till then I had been living in Estoria on my family's ancestral seat."

аааа "Why this change of residence?"

аааа "I was forcedа by circumstances to leave Estoria. I was inа search of a

city that could challengeа the splendor of our capital." Finally he began to

feelа aа fiery tinglingа inа hisа arms.а Patientlyа andа untiringly,а Rumata

continued to massage his swollen joints.

аааа "What kind of circumstances?" asked Don Reba.

аааа "I killed a member of the imperial household in a duel."

аааа "Oh? Who?"

аааа "The young Duke Ekin."

аааа "And what was the reason for this duel?"

аааа "A woman," answered Rumata briefly.

аааа Heа became gradually suspicious that all these questions wereа actually

meaningless.а Thatа theyа wereа justа asа muchа partа ofа theа gameа asа the

consultation regarding the manner of his execution.

аааа The threeа of us are waiting for something.а Iа am waiting until I have

regained full use of my hands.а Brother Aba, theа dunderhead, is waiting for

me to drop all the gold of the family treasure ofа the Rumatasа inа his lap.

Don Reba, too, is waiting for something. Butа the monks, theа monks! How did

the monks come to be here atа court? And especially such skillful and nimble

fellows--?

аааа 'The name of that woman?"

аааа Oh, these questions, thought Rumata.а One would be hard put to think up

a more witless batch. I'll try to throw him out of gear a bit.

аааа "Dona Rita," he replied.

аааа "I did not expect that you would answer me. Thank you."

аааа "Always at your service."

аааа Don Reba slightly bowed his head. "Have you ever been in lrukan?"

аааа "No."

аааа "Are you sure?"

аааа "Are you?"

аааа "We wantа toа speakа theа truth!"а said Don Reba in a didactic toneа of

voice. Brotherа Aba produced aа quivering nod of his head. "Nothing butа the

truth."

аааа "Aha!"а said Rumata. "Andа Iа was underа the impressionа ..а ." He fell

silent.

аааа "Under what impression?"

аааа ".а .а .а thatа you were mainly interested inа laying your handsа on my

fortune. Butа forа the life ofа meа I can't imagine, Donа Reba, how you will

finagle that?"

аааа "How about donating it? Yes, donate it!" shouted Brother Aba.

аааа Rumata laughed impudently.

аааа "You are an ass, Brother Aba, or whatever your nameа might be.а One can

see with half an eye that you're nothingа but a miserable little shopkeeper.

You probably are not aware that the right of primogeniture is not subject to

transfer into other hands?"

аааа It wasа plain to beа seen that the fatа manа was ready to explodeа with

rage. But he managed to keep himself under control.

аааа "You areа not entitled toа speak in such a manner," said Don Reba inа a

gentle voice.

аааа "You want the truth?" countered Rumata. "Here it is, the truth, nothing

butа the truth--theа absoluteа truth:а Brother Abaа isа an assа andа a petty

shopkeeper."

аааа Meanwhile, Brother Aba had completely regained his composure.

аааа "It seems to me that we are not sticking to the point," he saidа with a

smile. "What do you think, Don Reba?"

аааа "You're right, as always," said Donа Reba.а "My noble don, did you ever

go to Soan?"

аааа "I was in Soan."

аааа "For what purpose?"

аааа 'To attend the Academy of Sciences."

аааа "What a peculiar occupation for a young man of your circumstances."

аааа "That's what I fancied."

аааа "And are you acquainted with the chief judge of Soan, Don Kondor?"

аааа Rumata became suspicious; he smelled a rat

аааа "He is an old friend of my family."

аааа "A most worthy man, isn't he?"

аааа "A most honorable person."

аааа "Are youа familiar withа the fact that Don Kondorа is aа memberа of the

conspiracy against His Majesty the King?"

аааа Rumata's chin began to jut out imperceptibly.

аааа "Put your own houseа in order first,а Don Reba," said Rumata haughtily.

"Asа far as we,а theа old nobility ofа the capital, are concerned, all these

Soanians and Irukanians, as well as theа Arkanarians, are and will always be

nothing but vassals of the imperial crown!"а Heа crossed his legs and turned

away.

аааа Don Reba studied him pensively.

аааа "Are you rich?"

аааа "Iа could buy up allа ofа Arkanar if Iа hadа aа mind to.а But I amа not

interested in trash."

аааа Don Reba took a deep breath.

аааа "Myа heart bleeds," he said,а "when I consider how I am forced toа chop

off the famous branch of such a famous and noble lineage! It would almost be

a crime if I were not driven to do it in the higher interests of State."

аааа "Don't worry so much aboutа theа interests ofа the state," said Rumata.

"Better worry about how to save your own skin."

аааа "You are quite right," said Don Reba and snapped his fingers.

аааа Rumataа alternatelyа tensedа andа relaxedа hisа muscles. Hisа bodyа was

apparently functioning normally again. From behindа the curtains,а once more

three monks jumped out, with the same incredible agility and precision which

bespokeа aа greatа dealа ofа experience.а Theyа surrounded the still smiling

Brother Aba and grasped his arms, twisting them up behind his back.

аааа "Ou-ou-ou-ouch!" he screamed in pain, his fat face distorted in agony.

аааа "Hurry up, get it over with quickly!" commanded Don Reba.

аааа As they wereа draggingа himа behind the drapes,а theа fatа man resisted

furiously. Heа could stillа beа heard, crying and whining;а then suddenly he

roared briefly in a weird, hardly recognizable voice, and finally all became

quiet again.

аааа Don Reba stood up andа cautiously unloaded theа crossbow. Rumata, quite

perplexed, followed his motions with his eyes.

аааа Slowly,а Donа Reba began toа pace аtheа floor, apparentlyа lost in deep

thought,а whileа scratchingа hisа backа withа theа arrow.а "Good, good,"а he

murmured,а almost tenderly. "How perfect . . ." He seemed to have completely

forgotten Rumata's presence. He kept pacing faster and faster, twirlingа the

arrow inа the air like a baton. Then, abruptly,а he stopped in his tracks by

the table, threw the arrow away, sat down gingerly, his face suddenly lit up

by a smile, and said:

аааа "Well,а what doа you say to that? Neither ofа them even putа up aа good

fight. I don't think we'd get away as easily as that with you."

аааа "Ye-e-es ...," said Rumata slowly, thoughtfully.

аааа "All right then. Now let'sа have a talk, Don Rumata. Or is it maybe not

even Rumata? And perhaps not even a don? How about it?"

аааа Rumata remainedа silent andа examined himа interestedly.а Donа Reba was

pale, and little redа veins showedа on hisа nose. He was nearly shaking with

excitement, as if he were about to clap his hands in glee and scream out: "I

knew it! I knew it!"--You know nothing at all, you dog, he thought. And even

ifа you should findа out, you would not believe it anyhow. Goа ahead, speak,

I'm listening.

аааа "I'm listening," said Rumata.

аааа "You are not Don Rumata," explained Don Reba. "You are anа usurper." He

looked seriously into Rumata's eyes. "Rumata of Estoria diedа five years ago

and is entombed inа the family cryptа of his ancestors. And theа saints have

long since quieted his rebellious and--excuse me--none too pure soul. So? Do

you confess or do you need some prompting?"

аааа "I confess," said Rumata.а "I am called Rumata of Estoria, and I am not

accustomed to people doubting my words."

аааа Let me annoy you a bit, thought Rumata. Look out, here we go.

аааа "I canа seeа well have to continueа this talk somewhere else," said Don

Reba in an ominous tone.

аааа Remarkableа changesа cameа over Donа Reba'sа face.а The pleasantа smile

disappeared, his lipsа narrowed toа a thin line. It was odd,а almost toа the

point ofа eeriness: even theа skin on his foreheadа started to twitch.а Yes,

thought Rumata, a man like that can be frightened. "You do have hemorrhoids,

don't you?" he asked solicitously.

аааа Something flashed inа the comers of Don Reba's eyes but he didа not bat

an eyelid. He acted as if he had not heard.

аааа "Youа treated Budach very badly," saidа Rumata.а "Heа isа anа excellent

physician. That is to say, he was . . . ," he added significantly.

аааа For another moment, Don Reba's eyes flashed again. Aha, thought Rumata.

Budach is presumably stillа aliveа ... He settled moreа comfortablyа inа his

chair, clasped his hands around his knees.

аааа "You refuse to confess," said Don Reba.

аааа "What?"

аааа "That you are an usurper!"

а ааа"Myа most honorableа Donа Reba," said Rumataа with the intonation ofа a

schoolmaster.а "Suchа accusationsа usually oughtа toа be solidlyа backedа by

concrete proof. You insult me!"

аааа Don Reba's face assumed an expression of utter sweetness.

аааа "Myа dear Don Rumata," he said.а "Forgiveа me if I continue to use that

name for the time being.а I am not usually in the habit of proving anything.

The proof comesа over there, in the Tower of Joy. For this purpose I have at

my service experienced, well-paid specialists who work with the meat grinder

of our Holy Mickey, with the weapons of the sole divine force, the gloves of

the holy martyrа Tata, or, for instance, with the seating accommodation--oh,

pardon me, with the iron chair of Totz, the fighter. They can prove anything

theyа pleaseа with theseа implements.а Thatа God existsа or that He does not

exist. That human beings walk on their hands or even onа their sides. Do you

understand me?а You are perhaps unaware of it but weа have an entire science

devoted to obtaining confessions. Just think for a moment:

аааа Why should I try to prove what I already know? And what's more, no harm

will befall you after you have confessed . .."

аааа "I am not threatened by any harm, but you are," interrupted Rumata.

аааа Don Reba pondered for a while.

аааа "All right,"а heа saidа finally.а "Apparentlyа I will haveа toа makeа a

beginning.а Let'sа examine in what way Rumataа of Estoria hasа distinguished

himselfа duringа the five years of hisа stay inа the kingdom of Arkanar. And

then you will explain the meaning of it all. Agreed?"

аааа "I won't make any rash promises," said Rumata. "But Iа am interested in

listening to what you have to say."

аааа Don Reba started to rummage in his writing desk, took out aа thick pile

of square papers and skimmed them with raised eyebrows.

аааа "You are probably aware of the fact," he started with a pleasant smile,

"that in my capacity as Minister of Internal Security I have undertaken some

steps--for the protection ofа theа Crown--against theа so-calledа bookworms,

scholars and otherа elements that are uselessа andа harmful forа theа State.

These actions encountered strange resistance. At the same time as the entire

populationаа helpedаа meаа inаа aаа unanimousаа waveаа ofаа patriotismаа and

loyalty--denouncing hidden criminals,а organizing trials on the spot, giving

usefulа hints as toа who the suspicious characters were that hadа escaped my

attention--just atа that аtimeа some unknown but extremely energeticа person

snatched away from right under my nose all the most important,а incorrigible

and detestable criminals and abducted them across the border. This wayа many

haveа gotten away, as forа instance the godless astrologerа Bagir Kissenski;

theа criminalа alchemist Synda,а who, it hasа been definitely proven, was in

alliance withа the devil'sа brood as well asа with the Irukanian potentates;

theа vile pamphleteer and disturber of the peace, Zuren; and severalа others

of low rank. And the mad magician and mechanic Kabani has slunk away andа is

hiding in some hole somewhere. Some unknown person hasа distributed enormous

sums ofа gold in orderа to preventа theа people from venting their righteous

angerа onа thoseа blasphemousа spiesа andа poisoners,а theа formerа personal

physicians of His Majesty. Someone liberated Arata, the hunchback, under the

most fantastic circumstancesа which once more lead us to suspect the unknown

to be in league with ungodlyа forces--Arata, aа regular demon ofа depravity,

who seditiouslyа poisonsа theа nation's soul, theа instigator andа leader of

peasants' revolts ..."

аааа Donа Reba stopped,а wrinkled his forehead andа regardedа Rumata withа a

meaningfulа glance. Rumata turnedа his eyes upа toа theа ceilingа and smiled

dreamily. True, he had kidnappedа Arata,а the hunchback, yes, indeed--with a

helicopter at that. It had made aа tremendous impression onа Arata's guards.

On Arata, too, by theа way. I'm quite a guy, I must admit,а he thought. That

was a good piece of work.

аааа "You are probably also aware that the aforementioned Arata is currently

in the eastern sectors of the capital, leading a mutineering army of slaves,

shedding considerable quantities of noble blood--and he stillа disposes over

sufficient money and arms."

аааа "I canа easily believe that," said Rumata. "He impressed me rightа away

as a very determined man."

аааа "You confess then?" quickly asked Don Reba.

аааа "To what?" asked Rumata surprised.

аааа They remained silent for a while, just staring at each other.

аааа "I'll continue," said Don Reba. "In order to rescue allа these spoilers

of souls, you, Don Rumata, have poured out at least over one hundredа pounds

ofа gold, according to my moderate аand incompleteа calculations. I will not

make mentionа here ofа the factа that contactа with these forces of evil has

sullied yourа soul for allа eternity.а Neither will Iа discuss here the fact

that you did not receive a single copper penny from your Estorian estates as

longа as you have beenа staying withinа the borders of the Arkanarian realm;

surely, after all, why should you have gotten any money? Why provideа a dead

man with money even if he's a relative? But your gold, your gold!"

аааа He opened a strong-box that had beenа buriedа under a pile of papers on

theа table and tookа out a handful of gold coins showing the profile of Pitz

the Sixth.

аааа "This goldа aloneа would suffice toа have you burntа at theа stake!" he

cried. 'This goldа isа theа devil'sа work! Humanа hands are notа capableа of

producing gold of such purity!"

аааа He literallyа piercedа Rumataа with hisа glance. I mustа admitа inа all

honesty, Rumata thought, he's got me there.а Touche. We didn't think of that

one. Must give him credit forа that; he's the first to have noticed it .а ..

But Don Reba grew suddenly very mildа again. Paternal, solicitous tones came

into his voice:

аааа "Andа inа generalа you are behavingа in aа most imprudentа manner,а Don

Rumata. Iа keptа worrying about youа the whole time. What aа duelist, what a

mischief-maker! Oneа hundred and twenty-six duels within five years! And not

a singleа person killed . . .а After all, in the final analysis,а oneа might

arrive at some conclusions. I, for instance, have done so.а And I am not the

onlyа one. Just takeа Brother Aba, for example--well, we shouldn't speak ill

of the dead, but he was a very cruel man, and I never could really stand him

.а .а . Well, then.а Brother Abaа selected notа the most skillful,а butа the

biggest and strongest men to have you put underа arrest. And he was right in

the end.а Aа few dislocated shoulders,а wrenched necks, not toа mention some

bashed-in teeth . .а . And here you are standingа in frontа of me!а Butа how

could youа know you were fighting for your life?а Youа are a master! You are

undoubtedly the best sword fighter in the whole country. And there can be no

doubt thatа you have soldа your soulа toа theа devil, for only in hell is it

possible toа learn suchа fantastically masterfulа swordsmanship.а I amа even

inclinedа toа admit that youа wereа givenа this fabulousа skillа onlyа under

condition never to killа anyone. Althoughа I amа hard put to imagine why the

devilа of allа creaturesа shouldа insist onа such a stipulation.а But that's

something for our scholars to figure out..."

аааа Aа thin, high scream, aа soundа like aа squealingа pig, interrupted Don

Reba's deliberations. Annoyed, he looked at the lilac-colored, heavy drapes.

Sounds of people scufflingа came from behind them. There wereа thuds, blows,

and someone shouting, "Let go! Let go!" and thenа hoarse voices, cursing and

shoutingа in an incomprehensible dialect. Suddenlyа the curtainа tore with a

crack like aа whipа and fellа toа theа ground. Intoа the cabinet staggered a

bald-headed man on all fours, his chin bleeding and his eyes open wide. Huge

human paws pushed throughа a chink of theа other curtains that were still in

place,а seized theа manа byа his-feetа and pulledа himа backа again.а Rumata

recognized the man--it was Budach.

аааа He screamed like a wild animal:

аааа "Betrayed! I have been betrayed! It was poison! Why?"

аааа They dragged him back into the darkness.а A man, clad in black, swiftly

picked up the fallen curtain and arrangedа itа again. The sudden silence was

interrupted by sickening noises coming from behind the curtain--somebody was

vomiting. Rumata understood.

аааа "Where is Budach?" he asked harshly.

аааа "As you can see, he's had a little accident," answered Don Reba, but he

was clearly no longer as self-assured as he had been.

аааа "Don'tа tryа to pull the woolа over my eyes," saidа Rumata.а "Whereа is

Budach?"

аааа "My dear Don Rumata," said Don Reba, wagging his head. He had collected

himself again. "Whatа doа you wantа with Budach? Is heа a relative of yours,

perhaps? You've never even set eyes on him in your life until now."

аааа "Listen to me, Reba," Rumataа was enraged. "I'm not joking. If anything

happens to Budach, you'll die like a dog. I'll strangleа you with my own two

hands!"

аааа "Hardly," Don Reba said quickly. He was very pale.

аааа "You're aа fool, Reba. You're aа masterа atа intrigue, but you actually

don't knowа your wayа around.а You've never letа yourselfа in for a gameа as

dangerous as this one. And you don't even know it."

аааа Don Rebaа bent over the table, his eyes like glowing coals. Rumata knew

that he himself had never been inа a situation as precarious asа the present

one. It was time to put the cards on the table; they would soon know who had

theа upperа handа in the game. Rumata tensed hisа muscles,а ready to spring.

There wasа noа weapon, be it spear or arrow, that couldа kill you instantly:

theа thoughtа wasа writtenа onа Don Reba's face. And theа old manа withа the

hemorrhoids wanted to live. "What is it that you want?" he said in a whining

voice. "We've had a nice little chat here . . .а your Budach is alive. Alive

and healthy. He'll even liveа to treat me one of theseа days. Just don't get

excited."

аааа "Where is Budach?"

аааа "In the Tower of Joy."

аааа "I need him!"

аааа "So do I, Don Rumata."

аааа "Listenа toа me,а Reba," saidа Rumata,а "don'tа provokeа me.а Andа stop

pretending. You are afraid of me. And well youа might be.а Budach belongs to

me, do you understand? To me!"

аааа Nowа bothа were standing,а facing eachа other. Don Reba'sа face wasа an

alarmingа sight: He turned blue, his lipsа began to twitch feverishly and he

mumbled to himself with little spurts of saliva coming from his mouth.

аааа "You whippersnapper!"а heа hissed.а "I'mа not afraid of anybody! Iа can

squash you like a leech!"

аааа He wheeled around abruptlyа andа pulled downа a gobelinа thatа had been

hanging behind his back. A wide window appeared.

аааа "There, have a look!"

аааа Rumata wentа to the window. It opened ontoа the square inа front of the

palace. Dawn was approaching by now. The smoke ofа many fires roseа into the

sky. The square wasа dotted with corpses. In theа center of the square was a

black, unmoving rectangular mass. Rumata examined it more closely. It wasа a

group of riders,а linedа up with amazing exactitude. Theyа woreа longа black

cloaks, black hoods that were pulled down over their eyes, black, triangular

shields in their left hand--and long halberds in their right.

аааа "Ifа you please," said Don Reba with a rattling voice. He was trembling

all over. "The valiant, martial children of the Lord our God--the cavalry of

the Holy Order. They landed in the port of Arkanar during the night in order

toа crush the barbarian revoltа of theа nocturnal scoundrel Waga Koleso, who

allied himself with the snooty merchants and storekeepers. The rebellion has

been quelled. The Holy Order now rules over theа city and the entire country

whose name henceforth is the Arkanarian Province of the Holy Order..."

аааа Instinctively, Rumata scratched theа back of his neck. So,а that's what

it is! These are theа people for whom the unfortunate shopkeepers have paved

the way. What a coup! Don Reba was grinning triumphantly.

аааа "We haven'tа properly met yet," heа continuedа withа the sameа rattling

voice.а "Allow me to introduce myself: Don Reba,а representative of the Holy

Order inа the Arkanarian Province. Bishopа and Councilor of War,а servant of

Our Lord!"

аааа Itа isn'tа so surprisingа afterа all, thoughtа Rumata. Wherever Graydom

triumphs,а theа blackbirds willа alwaysа seize power. Oh, you historians, to

hell with you ... But he regainedа his composure,а grippedа his hands behind

his back and began to rock back and forth on his heels.

аааа "I am tired now,"а he said in an affected manner.а "Iа want to sleep. I

want to wash myself with warm water, to rinse off the blood and spit of your

cut-throats. Tomorrow . . . that is to say, today . . . let'sа say, one hour

after sunrise ... I'llа come to your offices. The writ for Budach'sа release

must be ready by then."

аааа "Look, down there!а Twentyа thousand men!" shouted Don Reba pointing to

the square below the windows. Rumata frowned.

аааа "Not quite soа loud, please," he said. "And justа remember, Don Reba: I

am absolutelyа certainа that you areа not a bishop.а I knowа you through and

through. You are nothingа but a filthy traitor and a clumsy, cheap schemer .

. ."а Don Reba licked his lips; his eyes assumed a glassy stare. "Iа know no

pardon.а For anyа foulа play, involving myself or anyа of my friends, you'll

have to pay with your own life! I hate you, just remember that! I'll have to

tolerateа you,а but youа must learnа inа timeа toа getа out ofа myа way. You

understand?"

аааа Don Reba smiled pleadingly and said quickly: "Iа have onlyа one wish. I

want youа to be nearа me, Don Rumata.а I cannot loll you. I do not know why,

but I cannot do it!"

аааа "You are afraid," said Rumata.

аааа "All right,а then, so I am afraid," said Don Reba. "Maybe youа areа the

devil,а maybe the Son of God. Whoа can tell? Maybe, onа the otherа hand, you

come from some faraway, powerfulа domain: People say they do actually exist.

I won't even try peering down into the abyss that has swallowed you. My head

begins to swimа andа I feel close to heresy. Yet, I can have youа killed any

time I want to. Now. Tomorrow. Yesterday... Do you understand that?"

аааа "I am not interested in any of that," said Rumata.

аааа "So? What does interest you?"

аааа "Nothing at all," answeredа Rumata. "I simply want to have a good time.

I am neitherа a devil nor a god, Iа am Chevalier Rumataа ofа Estoria, aа gay

nobleman,а aа courtier,а burdenedаа withа personalаа whimsа andа prejudices,

accustomed to be free in every respect. Bear that in mind, will you!"

аааа Donа Rebaа had himself wellа under control again. He dabbed his swollen

face with a handkerchief and smiled pleasantly.

аааа "Iа appreciate yourа stubbornness.а Afterа all,а even youа are striving

toward someа goal. And I respect these ideals, even if I failа to comprehend

them.а Iа am veryа happy thatа weа had a heart-to-heart talk. Quite possibly

sometime you will present your views toа me moreа fully and,а who knows, you

might convince meа thatа way to revise my own. Allа men are liableа toа make

mistakes;а that's a human failing.а It may well be that I am theа one who is

makingа a mistake, that I am not striving toward those goals that would make

it worthwhile to work asа arduously and strenuously as I do now. I amа a man

of broad views, and I can well imagine that some day we will workа together,

standing shoulder to shoulder..."

аааа "That remainsа to be seen,"а saidа Rumataа and leftа theа room.а What a

bootlicker!"а he thought. Someа collaboratorа heа wouldа make!а Shoulderа to

shoulder... "

аааа The city was shaken to the core by the unbearable terror. The blood-red

morning sunа illuminatedа a somber sceneа of emptyа streets,а smoking ruins,

shattered window shutters and doors. Bloody glass splinters glittered in the

dust of the roads.а Innumerable swarms of crows descended on the city asа if

it were a churchyard. Patrols of two to three riders, clad in black, trotted

their horses acrossа open places and at crossroads. Theyа slowly tossed from

side to side in the saddles. Everywhere could be seen wooden stakes, hastily

rammed into the ground, with scarred bodies drooping over the embersа of the

pyre.а Theа wholeа cityа gaveаа theа appearanceа thatаа nothingа aliveаа had

remained--exceptа forаа theа disgusting,а screechingа crowsа andаа theа busy

slaughterers in black.

аааа Rumata wasа making his wayа through the city. Most ofа the time he kept

hisа eyesа closed.а Heа wasа gaspingа forа air,а hisа bruisedа bodyа hurting

furiously.--Can theseа stillа beа calledа human beings? Some are slaughtered

openly inа the streetsа while theа others sit inside theirа houses,а waiting

obediently for their turn. And each one thinking: Who cares what happens, as

longа asа itа isа notа me--I'llа escape.аа Cold-bloodedа bestialityа ofа the

slaughterersаа andа cold-bloodedаа obedienceа ofаа theа slaughtered.а Stupid

cold-bloodedа attitudes, thatа is the worst.а Ten peopleа willа standа there

paralyzed with fear and wait obediently until someone comes by and chooses a

victim and cuts hisа throat in cold blood. The soulsа ofа theseа peopleа are

littered with filth, and аeachа hourа of obedient waitingа willа sullyа them

further and further. Quite unintentionally, these homes, cringing with fear,

will give birth to the vilest villains, informers,а and murderers. Thousands

of people who throughout all their lives will be wracked by fear and fright,

will teach fear and fright to their own children, and these children in turn

will teach their children.--I can't go on, Rumata kept repeating to himself.

Iа am closeа to losing myа mind andа then I'll become like these people;а it

won'tа take much more beforeа I finally stop understanding the reason for my

being inа this place ... I must gain perspective again, turn my back onа all

of this for a while, get some peace and quiet...

аааа ". . . At the end of theа year of the Great Water--in the year X of the

new era--the centrifugal processes rapidly gained ground in the oldа empire.

By takingа advantage of thisа future, theа Holy Orderа which represented the

interestsа of theа most reactionary groups of the feudalа societyа who tried

with every means to bringа toа a halt the general decayа . . ." Butа are you

familiarа with the stench of smoldering corpses at theа stake?а Do youа know

what itа is like? Haveа youа ever seen aа naked woman, herа belly slit open,

wallow in the dusty road?а Have you ever seen citiesа where human beings are

silent and onlyа crows can be heard? Yet, theа stillа unborn boys and girls,

who will beа sitting before theа dictascopes of the schools in the Communist

Republic of Arkanar?

аааа His chest bumped into something pointed and hard. He looked upа and saw

aа blackа rider before him.а Aа long spear with aа broad,а precisely toothed

blade, pressedа againstа his chest. Theа rider regarded him silently through

the slits of his blackа hood. All the hood revealed were a thin-lipped mouth

and a smallа chin.а Iа must do something, thought Rumata. But what? Dismount

him? No. The rider slowlyа drew back his right arm, readying his spear. This

gesture reminded Rumata of what he had toа do. Casually,а he raised his left

hand and pulled back his sleeve. An iron bracelet came to light; it had been

handedа to himа beforeа heа hadа left the palace.а The riderа inspectedа the

bracelet,а loweredа his weapon, moved aside to let Rumata pass. "In the name

of the Lord," he said with a strange accent. "Blessed be His name," murmured

Rumata. A shortа stretch farther onа he passed another riderа who was busily

knocking down with hisа spear some elaborately carved figurines representing

littleа devils fromа a roof ridge. On the second floor a fat face, distorted

withа fright, peeked out fromа behind half-lowered shutters--probably one of

those shopkeepers whoа barely three days agoа had enthusiastically hollered,

"Hooray for Don Reba!" while waving his beer stein and listening withа gusto

and relish to the crunch, crunch, crunch of the Gray horde's hobnailed boots

marching on the pavement. Oh, Graydom, Graydom... Rumata turned away.

аааа But what isа happening at home? he suddenly remembered, and he began to

quicken his steps, almost running duringа the last stretchа of theа way. The

houseа was unharmed. Two monksа were sittingа on theа small stoop. Theyа had

pulled back their hoods, exposing their badly shavedа heads to the sunlight.

The moment they saw him, they stood up. "In the name of the Lord," both said

in unison. "Blessed be His name," replied Rumata and demanded:

аааа "What businessа have you to be here?" Both monks bowed and folded their

arms over theirа stomachs. "Now that you have comeа weа can leave," answered

one of the monks.а They descendedа the fewа steps and walkedа leisurely off,

their crossed arms halfwayа hidden in theirа longа sleeves.а Rumata followed

them withа his eyes, remembering howа manyа thousands ofа timesа he had seen

these humble figures in then-long black habits, walking down the street. But

thenа they did not use to drag the scabbards ofа long swordsа behind them in

theа dust. We goofed on thisа one. Oh,а and nowа we goofed here, he thought.

Whatа aа delightfulа pastimeа it hadа beenа forа theа nobleа donsа to attach

themselves to someа lone monk, ambling down the road, and to tell each other

naughty stories close to the monk's ears. And fool that I am, I pretended to

be drunk, and would walk behindа them, laughing out loud for joy because the

country,а at least,а was not ravaged byа religious fanaticism. But what else

could weа have done? Indeed, what else could we have done? "Who is it?" rang

out a voice. "Open up, Mugu, it's me," said Rumata softly. The bolts clicked

as they were pushed back; the door was Openedа slightly, and Rumata squeezed

himself throughа the narrowа chink. Hereа in the entranceа hall,а all was as

usual, andа Rumata breathed a sigh of relief. Old Mugu with the silvery hair

andа perpetually wagging head relieved his master ofа his helmet and swords.

"How is Kyra?"

аааа "Kyra is upstairs,"а saidа Mugu. "She is fine." "Splendid," said Rumata

whileа he unbuckled his belt.а "Andа whereа is Uno? Why isа heа not hereа to

welcome me?" Mugu took the belt.

аааа "Uno isа dead," he said inа aа calm,а firm tone.а "Heа isа lying in the

servants' room."а Rumata closed his eyes. "Unoа dead..."а he repeated.а "Who

killed him?" Without waiting for an answer, he went into the servants' room.

Uno's body lay on theа table. He was covered with aа sheet up toа his waist.

Hisа hands were foldedа overа his chest,а hisа eyes wide open and hisа mouth

distorted inа aа grimace.а The servantsа surrounded theа table,а their heads

bowed, listeningа toа theа murmurings of the monk who prayed in a comer. The

cook was sobbing. Without taking his eyes off the boy, Rumata unbuttoned his

collar.

аааа "The dirtyа dogs," he said. "Oh, those filthy beasts!" He stumbled over

something, went veryа close to the table, looked into theа dead eyes, raised

the sheet slightly, but dropped it again at once.

аааа "Yes, tooа late," he said. "Tooа late. Hopeless. Oh, youа bastards! Who

killed him? The monks?"

аааа Heа turned toа the monk, seized him byа the scruff of his neck, pressed

him down to the ground and bent over his face.

аааа "Who killed him?" he said. "Was it one of you? Speak up!"

аааа "No,а not theа monks,"а spoke aа calm voice behind hisа back. "The Gray

soldiers did it."

аааа For a while Rumata stared intoа the emaciatedа face of theа monk, whose

pupils slowly began to dilate. "In the nameа of the Lord,"а croaked the monk

painfully. Rumata let him go,а sat down on a bench atа the boy'sа feet,а and

began to cry. He covered his face with his hands, cried, and listened to the

quietly droningа voice of Mugu. The old servant told that shortlyа after the

second watch, there was knocking at the house door: "Open up, in the name of

the King!" Uno called out not to open the gate, but then they were forced to

open itа afterа all whenа the Gray soldiers threatenedа to setа the house on

fire.а Theyа forcedа their wayа into theа entrance hall,а beat and bound the

servants, then crept upstairs. Uno hadа been standingа guard at the doors of

theа upstairs apartments; he started shooting withа his crossbow. He had two

bolts,а and shot off both. Theа second arrow missed. The Gray soldiers threw

their knives, and Uno fell. They dragged him downа theа stairs and were just

about to kick him and hackа him with their cleavers, when suddenly the black

monks entered the house. They killed twoа Gray soldiers, disarmedа the rest,

tied ropes around their necks and dragged them out into the street.

аааа Mugu fell silentа But Rumataа remained seated at the endа of the table,

hisа elbows resting on the table top at the feet of the dead boy. Slowlyа he

rose to his feet, wiped his eyes dry with his sleeve, kissedа the boy on his

cold forehead.а Then heа walked upstairs, placingа one footа in front of the

other with great effort.

аааа Heа was half dead with fatigue andа exhaustion. Onlyа with great effort

did he reach the landing, and walk through the guest room to his bed; there,

moaning, he fell face down on a pillow. Kyra hurried over toа him. He was so

exhaustedа thatа heа could notа evenа helpа herа as she removedа hisа soiled

clothing. Sheа pulledа off his boots, cried over his swollen face, tookа off

his uniform and the metalloplast shirt, andа continuedа to weep quietly over

his bruised body. Now, suddenly, he felt his bonesа aching, aching as ifа he

had been bound on the torture rack. While Kyra washed his body with a sponge

dipped in vinegar water, he panted andа hissed throughа hisа teeth,а without

opening his eyes: "Iа could have killed himа . . .He was standing right next

to me ... Wrung his neckа with my bare hands ... Is that a life, Kyra? Let's

leave this place . . . Afterа all,а this is anа experimentа with me, and not

with them." He did not even notice that he was speaking Russian. Kyra looked

anxiously at his eyes, glassy with tears,а and showered gentle kisses on his

cheeks. Covering him with the mended sheets (Uno had not bought any new ones

despite hisа master's urging) she ran downstairs to prepare some mulled wine

for him. Moaning in physicalа and mentalа pain, Rumata crawled fromа his bed

and staggered barefootа into the study. There he opened aа secretа drawer in

his desk, rummaged in his medicine chest, and took several Sporamin tablets.

Whenа Kyra returned, bearingа a steamingа kettleа onа aа silver tray, he was

already back in bed. He felt the pain leave him, the din in his head quieten

downа and his body fill with new strength and energy. Heа drained the kettle

and soonа feltа quite wellа again. Then he called Muguа andа asked thatа his

clothes be made ready.

аааа "Don't go, Rumata," said Kyra. "Don't go! Stay here at home!"

аааа "I must go, my darling!"

аааа "I am afraid. Stay here... They'll kill you!"

аааа "Youа don'tа say. Whyа shouldа they kill me? They'reа all afraid of me,

aren't they?"

аааа She startedа toа weepа again,а butа quietly,а asа ifа she was afraid of

annoying him. Rumata pulled her down on his lap and gently stroked her hair.

аааа "The worst isа over," he said. "And remember, we're going to leave this

place..."

аааа She calmed down and pressedа herа bodyа against his. Mugu stood quietly

next to them, patientlyа holding Rumata'sа trousers withа the littleа golden

bells.

аааа "Butа beforeа we leave, Iа haveа aа lot toа do here," continued Rumata.

"Countless numbers of people haveа been killed this night.а Iа must find out

whoа is still alive and who has beenа slain.а And I must help thoseа who are

still in danger."

аааа "And who is going to help you?"

аааа "Fortunate the man whoа thinks only of othersа . . . And besides, there

are powerful people who will come to our assistance if necessary."

аааа "I cannot think ofа others," sheа said. "You came homeа more deadа than

alive. I canа seeа with my own eyesа how they haveа beaten you. And Unoа was

beaten to death.а Where were your powerfulа people when you needed them? Why

did they not preventа all this slaughter? I do not believe you ...а I do not

believe..."

аааа She tried to wrest herself free from his arms but he held her tight.

аааа "It was unfortunate," he said. "This time they came a bit too late. But

now they are watching us again and will protect us. Why don't you believe me

today? You have always believed me. And didn't youа see for yourself: I came

home half dead, and now, just look at me!"

аааа "I don't want to look at you," she said hiding her face.а "I don't want

to cry again."

аааа "Oh, come, come! Theseа scratches here? Nothing!а The worst is over now

... at least for the two of us.а But thereа are fine,а upstanding people for

whom the horror has not yet ended. And I must help them."

аааа She sighed deeply,а kissedа his neck andа freed herself gently from his

embrace. "Come tonight," she begged. "Will you come?"

аааа "Youа canа count on it," he said firmly andа smiled. "I'll be home even

earlier than nightfall, and most likelyа not alone. I'llа be back atа dinner

time."

аааа She walked over to an armchair,а sat down, clasped her hands around her

knee, and watched Rumata getting dressed. As he put on his trousers with the

bellsа he mumbled to himself in Russian; Muguа sat cross-legged on the floor

before him andа beganа to fasten the innumerable buckles and buttons. Rumata

put a clean undershirtа over hisа metalloplastа shirt. Finally he said inа a

desperate tone: "Darling,а pleaseа do understand me, Iа must go! Whatа can I

do?! It's simply out of the question for me to remain here!"

аааа Suddenlyа she saidа pensively: "Sometimes Iа wonder why you don'tа beat

me."

аааа Rumata was just buttoning his shirt with the lacy frills; he froze with

horror.

аааа "Whatа doа youа mean by that?"а he askedа perplexed. "Howа could anyone

possibly want to beat you?"

аааа "Youа areа notа onlyа a good, a veryа good man," she continuedа without

listening to him, "but you are also a strange man, almost like an archangel.

When you areа with me I feel veryа strong.а Now,а for example, Iа am strong.

Sometimeа soonа Iа shall askа youа forа something. Won't youа tellа me about

yourself someа day? Not now, only whenа allа this is over-- will you do that

for me?"

аааа Rumataаа didа notаа replyа forа aа longа time.а Muguа handedаа himа the

orange-coloredа vestа with the red ribbons.а Rumata putа it on withа intense

dislike and buckled up his belt.

аааа "Yes,"а heа saidа finally. "Someday Iа shall tellа youа everything,а my

darling."

аааа "I'll wait tillа then,"а she said seriously.а "Butа now you must leave.

Don't let me detain you here any longer."

аааа Rumata walked over to her and pressed his bruised lips tenderlyа on her

soft mouth. Then he pulledа the iron circletа from his wrist and held it out

to her.

аааа "Put this onа your left arm,"а heа said. "I doubt thatа they'll payа us

anotherа visitа today . . . but in case they should turnа upа here just show

them this iron bracelet."

аааа Sheа followed him with her eyes and he felt that she was mutely calling

out after him.--I know, she is thinking: I do notа know who you are, perhaps

the devil or the Son of God, or maybe a man from legendary worlds across the

seas, but one thing is certain. If you do not return I will die.

аааа He was most grateful for her silence, for having to leave herа nowа was

somehow quite unusually hard for him. Like divingа headа first from a sunny,

emerald-blue shore into an evil-smelling puddle.

 

EIGHT

 

аааа Rumataа decidedа notа to take theа direct route to theа officesа of the

bishop of Arkanar. He crept stealthily through rows of backyards, hid behind

rags hung on washlines,а crawled through holes in fences--catching his rich,

colorful ribbons andа strips ofа the finest Soanian lace on rusty nails--and

wriggled on all fours between mounds of potatoes. But for all his efforts he

failed to evade the watchful eye of theа blackа soldiery. As he turnedа into

the narrow, winding lane which led to the big dump heap, heа encountered two

somber, drunken monks.

аааа Rumata wanted toа get out of their way but the monks drew theirа swords

and blocked his path. Asа Rumata, too,а grasped bothа his swords,а the monks

whistled for reinforcements. Rumataа was just about to withdraw to theа hole

in the fence through which he had emergedа a moment ago when an agile little

manа with aа nondescript face ranа toward him. Heа brushedа against Rumata's

shoulder,а hurriedа over toа theа monks,а and whisperedа somethingа to them,

whereupon the monks pulled up theirа long habits,а baring their legs wrapped

around with lilac-colored ribbons and made off in a trot, soon toа disappear

behind some houses. The littleа man scurried after them without looking back

once.

аааа So that's the story, thought Rumata. A spy, a bodyguard. And he doesn't

even bother to doа his jobа in an inconspicuousа manner;а our newа bishop of

Arkanar really thinks of everything. It would be interesting to know whether

he'sа frightened for me or ofа me. Followingа the spy with his eyes,а Rumata

walked toward theа dump heap. The dump heap led to the rear buildings of the

formerа Ministryа of Internalа Security. He аhopedа thatа no guards had been

posted there.

аааа The lane was empty; not a living thing could be seen. But soon he could

hear the softа creaking ofа shutters,а doors beingа opened andа shut, a baby

crying,а andа aboveа allа thatа hungа anxiousа whispering.а Fromа behindаа a

half-rotten fence cautiously peered out an emaciatedа face allа blackened by

deeplyа imbedded layers ofа soot.а Twoа frightened,а hollowа eyesа stared at

Rumata.

аааа "I beg your pardon, noble don;а please forgive me. Could theа noble don

perhaps tellа me what is goingа on in the city? I am Kickus, the smith, also

called the lame one; I want to go to my forge, but I am afraid ..."

аааа "Don't go there," advised Rumata. "Oneа can'tа foolа aroundа with these

monks. The King is dead. Don Rebaа has seized power. He is now the bishop of

the Holy Order. Just stay home, will you."

аааа The smith accompanied each of Rumata'sа words with an eagerа nod of his

head, his eyes filling with melancholy and despair.

аааа 'The Holy Order,а you don't say,"а he mumbledа heavily. "I'll be damned

... I beg yourа pardon, nobleа don. So, the Order, well then .а . . They are

the Gray Ones, aren't they?"

аааа "No, no," saidа Rumata and regardedа him with a certain curiosity. "The

Gray Ones have been beaten, you see. These are the monks."

аааа "Oh, dear me!" said the smith. "So the Gray Ones are ... well,а and the

Holy Order! The Gray Ones are defeated? Not bad, I say. But what is going to

happen with us now, noble don, what do you think? We'll have to conform, eh?

Conform to the Holy Order, yes?"

аааа "Why not," said Rumata.а "The Orderа will have to eatа and drink,а too.

Adjust to them, I say!"

аааа All of a sudden the smith became quite animated.

аааа "That's what I think, noble don. We must adjust and conform. Iа believe

the main thing is not to botherа others andа you willа be left inа peace. Is

that the idea?"

аааа Rumata shook his head.

аааа "Oh,а no,"а he said. "Those whoа remain quietа and peaceful will be the

first ones to be slaughtered."

аааа "That sounds right to me, after all,"а moaned the smith. "But whatа are

we supposed to do? One man alone isа as weak as a little finger, and all the

snot-nosedа blackbirds are on his back.а Oh,а Gloriousа Mother, if only they

would cut my master's throat!а He was an officer with the Gray Ones. What do

you think,а noble don, it's possibleа thatа theyа did himа in, isn't it? You

know, I owe him five golden guilders."

аааа "Iа wouldn't know," saidа Rumata.а "They might haveа finishedа him off,

quite possible.а Butа I'd like you to think about something: It'sа true that

you alone are as weak as a little finger, but fingers like that exist by the

tens of thousands in this city."

аааа "So?" said the smith.

аааа "Just think about it, what that means!" said Rumata annoyed, and walked

on.

аааа A fatа lot of good that advice will doа him, thought Rumata. It's still

too earlyа for him to tryа and think.а Andа how simpleа things could be here

really; Tenа thousand suchа hammerlike fists--if properlyа infuriated--would

make mincemeatа outа of anyа foe. But they have notа yet reached that point.

They have not yet experienced the right kindа of fury. Only fear.а Every man

for himself, and one god for the lot of them.

аааа The elderberryа bushesа lining the road suddenly began to move and sway

and out jumped--Don Tameo. Theа momentа he saw Rumata walking inа the harrow

lane,а Donа Tameo roaredа with joy, and despite hisа enormousа bulk he leapt

nimblyа toаа hisа feet,а thenаа staggeredа towardаа Rumata,а stretchingа his

dirt-encrusted hands out to him.

аааа "My noble friend!" he roared. "What joy! I see you too areа on your way

to the chancellery offices?"

аааа "Yes, indeed,а myа noble don," answeredа Rumata and quickly twisted his

body to free himself from Don Tameo's embrace.

аааа "Will you permit me to join you, noble don?"

аааа "It will be an honor for me, noble don."

аааа They bowed to each other. Apparently Don Tameo had not yet quenched his

thirst from earlier in the day.а He extracted a little bottle of theа finest

quality from the folds of his wide yellow trousers.

аааа . "Wouldа you care toа join me in a drink?" came his offer, accompanied

by an elegant flourish of the bottle.

аааа "No, thank you," said Rumata.

аааа "Rum!" explainedа Don Tameo. "Genuine rumа from the capital! I'veа paid

its weight in gold!"

аааа Theyа descended to theа dump heap.а Theyа held their noses as they made

their wayа throughа theа garbage piles,а pastа deadа dogs, throughа stinking

puddles swarmingа with whiteа worms.а Theа morningа airа was filled with the

constant hum of millions of emerald green flies.

аааа "Mostа peculiar," said Don Tameo,а andа stoppered up theа bottle. "I've

never been in this place before."

аааа Rumata was silent.

аааа "I'veа always been delighted by Don Reba," said Don Tameo.а "I knew all

along that he would sweep this good-for-nothing monarch from the throneа and

paveа newа ways for usа and open up new vistas for the country." Withа these

words he slid with oneа leg intoа aа yellow-green puddle, splashing mud over

himself from head to toe, but managed to grasp Rumata's arm to avoid falling

flat on his face. "Oh, yes," he resumed his remarks after theyа had regained

firm ground once again, "we, the young aristocracy, will always stand by Don

Reba's side! Now they'll finally showа the proper respect due toа us.а Judge

forа yourself, my noble friend, I've been walking nowа for one hourа through

streets and gardens and I have not met aа single Gray bastard. We have wiped

the Gray scum off the face of the earth. Ah,а how wonderful and how sweet it

is now to be able to breathe freely in our newborn Arkanar! Inа place of the

boorishа shopkeepers, inа place ofа the impertinentа swindlers, andа peasant

louts, the streets have now been taken over byа the Servants of the Lord.а I

have seen it with my own eyes:а noblemenа are parading quite openly in front

of theirа houses. No longerа mustа they fear thatа some fool in a coachman's

apron willа splash mud all over them with his dirty cart. And youа no longer

haveа toа elbowа your wayа through the throng ofа butchersа and shopkeepers.

Inspired by the blessing of the great Holy Order, for which--I must admit--I

haveа alwaysа felt great admiration and great sympathy, we are nowа striving

forwardа to an era of unheard-of glory. No peasant will dareа any longerа to

raiseа hisа eyes up toа a nobleman without procuring first aа special permit

which will have to be signed by the district inspector of the Holy Order.а I

am just on my way to hand in a written petition for this purpose."

аааа "A nauseating stench," said Rumata with feeling.

аааа "Yes,а disgusting,"а agreedа Donа Tameo andа replacedа theа cork on his

bottle. "On the other hand, though--how freely we can breathe in our newborn

Arkanar Iа And the price ofа wineа hasа gone down to halfа what itа was just

yesterday..."

аааа By the time they reached theа end of the lane Don Tameo had emptied the

contents of his bottle, whichа he flung to the side of the street. He became

unduly agitated,а fell twice flat on his face, refusingа both times to brush

the dirt off his soiled clothes, declaring that it was his natural stateа to

be defiled and that he wished to come into the presence of his new master in

this condition. He began againа and again to reciteа his petition at the top

of his lungs. "How marvelously said!"а he shouted.а "Just take this passage,

for instance, nobleа dons: 'Inа order that the stinking peasants .а . .' Eh?

Isn't that a splendid thought?"

аааа Asа theyа enteredа theа courtyardа behind theа chancellery,а Donа Tameo

collided with aа monk,а burst into tears and beggedа forа forgiveness of his

sins. The almost choking monk tried to wardа off hisа iron clasp and whistle

for help but Don Tameo clung to theа monk's habit and thus both fell intoа a

garbageа heap. Rumataа leftа them lying there and walkedа on.а Fromа quite a

distance he could still hear the fitful, pitiful whistling and the shouts of

"In order that the stinking peasants! . .. your blessi-i-ing! . . . with all

my heart! ... I felt sympathy, sympathy, understand, you peasant lout?"

аааа Onа theа squareа in frontа of theа entranceа to the chancellery stood a

detachment of infantry monks, armed with blunt cudgels. They had removed the

dead from the street. The morningа windа drove yellow columns of dust across

the square. The rectangular shadow of the Tower of Joy аfell across the monk

soldiers. Below the broad, conical roof of the towerа the crowsа were cawing

andа quarrelingа asа usual. A rafterа jutted out above; thisа was where they

wouldа hangа the men headа downwards. The towerа had been builtа two hundred

years beforeа byа the king's ancestors for theа exclusive purpose of warding

off the enemies in case of war. It had been erectedа on a firm foundation, a

three-storey structure, whichа served as storage rooms forа victuals in case

of a protracted siege. Later on the tower wasа used as a prison. As a result

of an earthquake, all the floors and ceilings inside the tower collapsed and

the prisonа had toа beа movedа to theа basement. Someа timeа previously,а an

Arkanarian queenа complainedа thatа theа criesа ofа theа torturedа prisoners

disturbed her, whereupon herа royal consort decreed that a military band was

to play in the tower from early in theа morning until late at night.а It was

from thisа time that it received its present name. It was no longer anything

more than an empty stoneа shell; the tortureа chambers had long been shifted

to the newlyа opened,а deeper cellar holes; and the orchestra had long since

stopped playingа its daily concerts; but the citizens still called it by its

old name, the Tower of Joy.

аааа Usually the area around the Tower of Joy. was deserted. But today there

wasа aа great commotion.а Theа soldier monks led, pushed, draggedа along the

ground hordes of Sturmoviks in tornа gray uniforms, miserable vagabonds clad

inа rags,а half-undressedа citizens,а frozenа withа fear,а andа hysterically

screamingа young girls. The down-at-the-heel soldiers of the nocturnal army,

castingа sullen looks aboutа them,а were driven thereа likeа whole herdsа of

cattle. And from secret exits they pulled out the corpses with barbed hooks,

threw them on carts, and transported them out of the city. In the long queue

ofа waiting courtiersа and privileged citizensа that still stood outside the

doors of theа chancellery, the last in lineа observedа this dreadful traffic

with fear and horror.

аааа All were admitted to the chancellery; some, however, were guided inside

in a convoy. Rumata elbowed his way inside, where he found the air as sticky

and close as inа the dumpа heap.а Behind anа enormous table, piled high with

papers, sat anа official with a yellow-gray complexion. A giant gooseа quill

was stuck behind his right ear.а The petitioner, whose turnа it was now, the

noble Don Keu, haughtily twitched his mustache as he announced his name.

аааа 'Take off your hat," said the official inа aа monotonous voice, without

raising his eyes from his papers.

аааа "The clan of the Keus has the privilegeа to keep on their hats, even in

the presence of the King," stated Don Keu proudly.

аааа "Nobody has any privileges before the Holy Order," said the official in

the same monotonous tone of voice. Don Keu began to hiss and tamed beet red,

but removed his hat nevertheless. The official moved hisа long yellow finger

across the paper.

ааа а"Donа Keu . . . Donа Keu,"а he murmured. "Donа Keu . .а . Kingа Street,

number twelve?"

аааа "Yes," said Don Keu in his fat, irritated voice.

аааа "Number 485, brother Tibak."

аааа Brotherа Tibak, his face purple fromа obesity andа shortness of breath,

satа at the next table. He rummaged in some documents, wiped theа sweat from

his brow, got to his feet and read out in a toneless voice:

аааа "Number 485, Donа Keu, King Street,а number twelve, guilty of blasphemy

against the name of His Magnificence, theа bishop ofа Arkanar, Don Reba, two

years ago at a royal dance, is ordered to receive three dozen lashes onа his

bare buttocks, as well as to kiss the shoe of His Magnificence."

аааа Brotherа Tibak resumed his place again. "Go to the corridor here," said

the official with the colorless voice.а "The lashings to the right, the shoe

to the left. Next, please."

аааа Toа Rumata's great surprise, Donа Keu did not evenа attempt to protest.

Evidentlyа he mustа have seen a great deal while he was waitingа in line. He

croaked once briefly, stroked his mustache with great dignity and walked out

into the corridor.

аааа Theа next in line was theа gigantic Don Pifa, whoа wobbled with fat. He

had already taken off his hat as he stepped up to the table. "Don Pifa . . .

Don Pifa," cackled theа official and moved his finger along the paper before

him. "Milkjugа Street,а numberа two?" Donа Pifaа emitted aа gurglingа sound.

"Number 504, brother Tibak."а Brother Tibak stroked his bald headа and stood

up.а "Numberа 504, Don Pifa, Milkjug Street, number two,а remained unnoticed

for any offenses by His Magnificence and consequently pure!"

аааа "Don Pifa," said the official, "receive the sign of blameless conduct."

Heа bent down over a boxа next to hisа chair and tookа out anа iron bracelet

which he handed to Donа Pifa. 'To be worn on the left wrist, to be presented

immediatelyа when requestedа byа the warriorsа of the Holy Order.а Next one,

please."

аааа Once more Donа Pifaа emitted a gurgling sound; his eyes were riveted to

his bracelet as he left the room. The official with the colorless voiceа was

already calling out the next name. Rumata viewed the people who had lined up

to wait. There were many familiar faces among theа crowd. Some wereа dressed

in fine clothesа asа usual, othersа were obviously impoverished, but whether

theyа wereа richа orа poor,а theyа wereа all thoroughlyа splashedа with mud.

Somewhere in theа middle of theа line, Don Sera said in a loud voice and for

the third time in five minutes, "I fail to see why a noble don shouldn't get

a few sound whacks, too, in the name of His Magnificence!"

аааа Rumata waited until they sent the next man into the corridor (heа was a

well-known fishmonger, sentenced to five strokes with a cane--without having

to kissа theа shoe-- because ofа illicitа trainsа of thought).а Thenа Rumata

jostledа hisа way to the table and without much ado placedа his hand onа the

official's stack of papers.

аааа "I beg your pardon,"а heа said. "Iа need anа official order forа Doctor

Budach's release. I am Don Rumata."

аааа The official did not look up.

аааа "Don Rumata . . . Don Rumata,"а he mumbled, pushed Rumata'sа hand aside

and ran a finger down a list of names.

аааа "What are you doing,а you old inkpot?" said Rumata. "I need an order of

release!"

аааа "Donа Rumataа . . . Don Rumata . .а ."а Itа was impossible to stop this

ossifiedа automatonа of a bureaucrat, "Spengler Street, number eight. Number

sixteen. Brother Tibak." Rumata sensed how all behind him were holding their

breath. Butа to beа quiteа frank, he, too, feltа somewhatа ill atа ease. The

scarlet-faced, heavily perspiring Brother Tibak stood up!

аааа "Number sixteen, Spengler Street, number eight, for special services in

the cause of the Holy Order to receive an expression of specialа recognition

by Hisа Magnificence. Hisа Magnificence will therefore graciously issueа for

him anа edictа for Doctorа Budach'sа release, overа whose personа he will be

permitted to dispose at his own discretion, see form 6/17/11."

аааа The official proceededа to pull this form immediatelyа from the pile of

documents to his right and handed it to Don Rumata.

аааа "Through theа yellowа door, to theа second floor,а roomа six,а straight

through the corridor, make a right turn at first, thenа one to the left," he

said without moving a muscle. "Next, please."

аааа Rumata quicklyа skimmed the contents of theа document. Itа wasа notа an

order for Doctor Budach's release. Itа was merely aа document toа obtainа an

entry permitа to the fifth specialа department of the chancellery,а where he

was supposedа toа pickа up a recommendation forа the secretary of the secret

police. "What did you give me here, you nitwit?" asked Rumata. "Where is the

official release order?!"

аааа "Through theа yellow door,а to theа secondа floor,а room six,а straight

throughа the corridor, makeа aа rightа turnа first, thenа one toа the left,"

repeated the official.

аааа "I am asking you, where is the release order!" yelled Rumata.

аааа "Haven't the faintest idea ... no idea . . . Next one, please!"

аааа A softly rattling breath sounded above Rumata's ears and something warm

and softа leaned againstа hisа back. Heа shookа it off with a brief resolute

movement.а Itа was Don Pifa, who had pushed аhis wayа back once more toа the

front.

аааа "It doesn't fit," he complained in a whining voice.

аааа The official looked up and regarded him with his tired, dull eyes.

аааа "Name? Rank?" he inquired.

аааа "It doesn't fit," repeated Don Pifa, and pulled and pushed the bracelet

that would hardly fit over three of his fat fingers.

аааа "It doesn'tа fit ...а itа doesn't fit .а .а ." murmured one ofа the two

officials and suddenly seized aа fat book that had been lyingа on theа table

over in a comer.а The book looked ominous in its greasy, black cover.а For a

few seconds Don Pifa stared in confusion atа the book, then swiftly recoiled

oneа step and without another word quickly stomped towardа the exit.а Voices

from theа queue began to complain: "Don't keep us waiting!... hurry up, will

you!"

аааа Rumata, too, left the table. You filthy beast. I'll show you a thing or

two!а thought Rumata.а The official startedа loudlyа to read from the greasy

black bookа in a droningа voice: "In case said braceletа should not fitа the

leftа wrist, or if the purified person should not have aа leftа hand .а . ."

Rumata walked around to the otherа side of the table, stuck bothа hands into

the box with theа bracelets, took out asа many as he could hold in his hands

and went his way.

аааа "Hey, hey," shoutedа theа officialа inа the sameа monotonous tone, "the

motivation ..."

аааа "Inа theа nameа ofа theа Lord,"а said Rumataа overа hisа shoulderа with

significant emphasis. The official and Brother Tibak rose swiftly from their

seats and answeredа confused:а "Inа His name!" Theа peopleа waitingа in line

stared after Rumata with envy and admiration.

аааа Rumata left the chancellery and made his wayа toward theа Tower of Joy,

merrily jingling the iron rings on his left hand. It turnedа out that he had

snatched nine iron rings but he could find enough place for only five on his

left arm. So he slipped the other four overа his right wrist. That's the way

theа bishop ofа Arkanar intended to get rid ofа me, heа thought.а Well, he's

barking up the wrong tree! His metal bracelets were clanking with every step

he made and in his handа he held an important-lookingа pieceа of paper--form

6/17/11--а decoratedа with many colorfulа stamps. Theа monks inа the street,

walking or riding toward him, quickly gave him a wide berth. Occasionally he

caught a glimpse in the crowd of his faithful spy and bodyguard,а who always

kept at aа respectful distance.а Rumata arrived at the gate ofа the Tower of

Joy. He rattledа his swords in a menacing manner at the guardа who stuck out

hisа headа in curiosity,а but who justа as quickly withdrew it when he heard

Rumata'sа growl.а Rumataа passed throughа the courtyardа andа descendedа the

slippery, worn-out state down intoа the semidarkness, onlyа relieved by some

primitive, sputtering oil lamps. Here was the entrance to the Holy of Holies

ofа the formerа Ministryа of Internal Security, theа royalа prison,а and the

torture chambers.

аааа Every tenа pacesа along the vaulted corridorа heа couldа see a stinking

torchа fastenedа inа aа rusty holderа on the wall. Belowа each torchа wasа a

cavelike recess that ended in a small black door with a tiny window provided

with iron bars.а This was the entranceа to the prison cells; heavy boltsа on

the outside secured the doors. The corridors were teeming with people.а They

bumped into each other, ran back andа forth, shouted and screamed, trying to

give orders to each other. Bolts rattled and clanked, doors wereа opened and

slammed, somebodyа was beingа beaten and criedа out in pain,а anotherа tried

desperately toа hold ontoа the railing asа heа was dragged away, another was

shoved into a cell that was already overflowing with too many prisoners, and

another prisoner, whom some men were unsuccessfully trying to drag out ofа a

crowded cell, clutched his neighborа withа anа iron grip,а screaming all the

while: "Notа me, notа me!" The facesа ofа the passingа monks wereа eager and

puckeredа up. Everyone was inа aа hurry, everyone performed dutiesа of great

importance to the State. Rumata intended first of all to findа out whatа was

goingа on inа this place. He wandered leisurely through a number of passages

and corridors, gradually venturing farther down the stairs. The lower floors

wereа somewhat quieter. Judgingа by the conversations he overheard, this was

the place where the graduates of the School for Patriots were examined. Clad

onlyа inа leather breechcloths,а the adolescents stood at theа doors ofа the

torture chambers, leafed through old greasy manuals, and occasionally walked

over to a big wooden tub to drink waterа from a tin cup that was fastened by

a chain to theа wall above. Horrible cries came from the chambers, the sound

ofа thrashings,а and it smelled unmistakably of burnt flesh. And their talk!

Oh, that talk!

аааа "You know, theа rack has a screwа on top, and it got wornа out and went

rightа through. Is that my fault, I ask you?а He hadа them whip me for that.

'You rotten, stupid pig,' he said. 'You ape, go get five on your naked butt.

Then let me see you again.'"

а ааа"If we only could find out who does the whipping. Maybe it's one of us,

a student. We could grease his palm--a few copper pennies would do the trick

..."

аааа "If you get a fat man, the spikes won't leave a mark in his flesh.а The

best thing to do is take a couple of red-hot needles and push the lard aside

a bit..."

аааа "Yes, but theа Lord's bonds are intended forа torturing onlyа the legs,

and the martyr's gloves, those with the screws, are specially for the hands,

remember?"

ааа а"I almost exploded, brothers, I laughed so hard! I go inside to have me

a look--and who's lying there, all chained up? Fikaа with the redа hair, the

butcher from down our street, heа always used toа box my ears,а whenа he was

drunk. Now it's my turn, I said to myself, just wait..."

аааа "And Pekor withа theа thick lips wasа dragged away this morningа by the

monks. He hasn't come back yet. Didn't show up even for the exam."

аааа "I was supposed toа work the meat grinder but I accidentally placed the

man sideways. Well, he brokeа a few ribs, soа what? But you should have seen

Father Kin! He grabs me by the hair and kicks me in my behind with his heavy

boots. Boy, can he aim well! I saw stars! 'What's the idea,' he screamedа at

me; 'you're damaging the goods!"

аааа Just look here, friends. Come take a good look, thought Rumata while he

slowlyа turnedа hisа headа from side toа side to get aа sweeping view of the

scene.а We're notа dealingа with mereа theory here. No one on Earth has ever

seen anything like it before. Just watch, listen, and film it all! And learn

to appreciate and love our ownа era on Earth--oh, damn it-- and bow to honor

theа memory of those whoа have lived throughа timesа like these! Just take a

long, close look at these disgusting faces--young, dull, indifferent, inured

to the worst kinds of bestialities;а butа don'tа turn up your noses. Our own

ancestors weren't any better in their time.

аааа By now the young students had noticed him. A dozen pairs of eyes of all

shades stared at him.

аааа "Hey, look, theа noble donа deignsа to visit usа downа here. A bit pale

around the gills, eh, milord?"

аааа "Iа say! I thought we were all done with noblemen?"а "They sayа in such

cases they put water in front of them, but make the chain too short for them

to reach it..." "What's he nosing around down here for?" "I'd love to lay my

hands onа thatа character. He'd answer every question, confessа anything I'd

ask him to, I bet.,.."

аааа "Keep it quiet! Not so loud, friends! He's quite capable of drawing his

sword allа of a sudden, just watch out . . . Look at all theа iron bracelets

he is wearing--and that slip of paper!"

аааа "I don't like it the way he is lookingа at us.а Let's beat it, boys; we

don't want to mix with such unsavory characters!"

аааа Finallyа they withdrew and left the scene,а hiding in some darkа comers

whereаа occasionalа flashesа fromа suspiciousа spiderа eyesа revealedа their

presence. Good riddance,а thought Rumata, they won't botherа me any more. He

was just about to tug at the cloak of one ofа the monksа who hurried by down

the corridor, when he noticed three other monks in a comerа who were less in

a hurry andа quietlyа concentratedа on theirа businessа at hand.а Theyа were

systematicallyааа beatingааа aааа henchman--probablyааа guiltyааа ofааа some

insubordination--with their heavy sticks. Rumata approached them.

аааа "In the name of the Lord," he said and clanked his iron bracelets.

аааа The monks loweredа their cudgels andа examinedа Rumata. "Inа His name,"

saidа theа tallest of the three. 'Take me toа theа section supervisor!" said

Rumata. Theа monks quicklyа exchanged some glances. Meanwhile,а the henchman

crawledа behind a water tub to hide.а "What do you need him for?"а asked the

tall monk. Without a word, Rumata shoved the paper under the monk's nose.

аааа "Aha," said the monk. "Well, for the time being I am the supervisor for

this section."

аааа "Splendid," said Rumata and rolled up the piece of paper.

аааа "I amа Don Rumata. His Magnificence has made aа present to me of Doctor

Budach. Have him brought here!"

аааа "Budach?"а he said frowning. "Who is that supposed to be?" The monk put

hisа hand underа his hoodа andа noisilyа scratchedа hisа head. "Budach,а the

troublemaker?"

аааа "No, no," said another monk. "The troublemaker is called Rudach. He was

released last night already. Father Kin in person removed his chains and led

him out of the building. But I--"

аааа "Nonsense, nonsense!" said Rumata impatiently and slapped the rolled-up

paper against his thigh. "Budach is the one who poisoned the King!"

аааа "Ah-aah," said the supervisor. "Now I know who you mean.а He's probably

already in the dungeon. Brother Pacca, go and have a look in number twelve."

Then he turned again to Rumata. "So, and you want to take him out of here?"

аааа "Of course," said Rumata. "He belongs to me now."

аааа "All right. Your Honor. May I have that paper? I must record everything

properly." Rumata handed him the form. The supervisor examined both sides of

theа paper,а devotingа specialа attentionа to theа seal, andа thenа remarked

delightedly:

аааа "That's what I call a fine document! Pardon me, don, will you just step

aside for a moment and wait until we have finished this little business here

. . . Now where did that henchman get to?"

аааа Theа monks searchedа forа theа hangman, who hadа apparently treated the

torturedа prisonersа too tenderly forа the new master's taste. Rumata walked

away.а The monks found the hangman, pulledа himа from behindа theа water tub

expertly,а laid him out flat on theа floor and then started to work him over

againа withа their sticksа withoutа displayingа anyа particularа passionа or

cruelty. Five minutes later, the first monk,а who had been sent off to fetch

Doctor Budach,а reappeared.а The monkа cameа aroundа a bend in theа corridor

pulling behind him aа rope that had beenа fastenedа aroundа the neckа ofа an

emaciated gray-haired old man in dark clothes.

аааа 'There you have your man! Youа old Budach!" shoutedа the monkа joyfully

while still at a distance. "He hadn't been thrown into the dungeon yet; he's

alive and well! Just a bit weak, probably hasn't eaten in quite a while."

аааа Rumataа walked toward them, yanked the ropeа out ofа [:] the

monk's hand, and removed the noose from the old man's neck.

аааа "Are you Budach from Irukan?" asked Rumata.

аааа "Yes," said the old man.

аааа "Iа am Rumata. Follow me and try to keep up withа me!" Rumata turned to

the monks. "In the name of the Lord," he said.

аааа Theа supervisor straightenedа up, letа his stickа sinkа to his side and

answered, breathing heavily: "In His name!"

аааа Rumata turned his attention back to Doctor Budach. He saw that theа old

man was leaning against the wall, hardly able to keep on his feet

аааа "I am nauseated andа very weak," he said,а and a sickly smile came over

his face. "Please forgive me, noble don!"

аааа Rumata took him by the arm and ledа him along the corridor. As soonа as

theа monks no longer could see them, he stopped and took from a small vial a

Sporamin pill. He handed it to Budach who questioned him with his eyes.

аааа "Just swallow it," said Rumata, "you'll feel better directly."

аааа Budach wasа stillа leaning against theа wall. Heа took the tabletа from

Rumata'sа hand,а examinedа itа carefully,а sniffed atа it, raised his shaggy

eyebrows, then cautiously placed the pill on his tongue and tasted it.

аааа "Swallow it, just swallow it," said Rumata with a friendly smile.

аааа Budach swallowed the pill.

аааа "Mmm," he said.а "Andа I thought Iа knewа everything there wasа to know

about medicines." He fellа silent again and observed the changesа thatа soon

came over his body. "Mmm," he said again. "Interesting! Dried spleenа of the

wild sow Y? Np, can't be, I can't taste any putrefaction."

аааа "Let's go," said Rumata.

аааа They walkedа along the corridors,а thenа upа someа stairs,а turned into

another passage,а aа fewа more stepsа again. Suddenly Rumata stoppedа in his

tracks as if struck by lightning. A wild and familiar roar filled the prison

vaults. From somewhere inside one of the cells curses boomed out damning God

andа theа world; it was theа thundering voice ofа his dearа friend the baron

Pampa,а Don Bau de Suruga de Gatta de Arkanar.а With his stentorian voice be

cursed Godа and all the saints heа could think of, Don Reba, the Holy Order,

and manyа more.а So theа baron fell into theirа clutches afterа all, thought

Rumataа very contritely. I hadа completelyа forgotten about him. He wouldn't

have forgottenа me ...а Rumata quicklyа slippedа two bracelets offа hisа own

wrist, placed them on Doctor Budach's thin arms and said:

аааа "Walk upstairs now, but stay inside the building. Wait for me somewhere

in some hidden comer. If anybody should bother you, just show him these iron

circlets and you'll be left alone."

аааа Baron Pampa roared and howled like an atomic icebreaker plowing through

the Polar fog. A thunderingа echo reverberated in the vaulted building.а The

peopleа inа the corridorsа stiffened andа listened attentively, their mouths

wide open. Many quickly passed (heirа thumbs across their faces inа order to

chaseа awayа the evil spirits. Rumata raced down two stairs and hurled aside

the monks that tried to block his way. With his two swords he forced his way

through the throng ofа the graduating students of theа School forа Patriots,

and kicked in theа door of the cell. The whole room shook with Baron Pampa's

bellowingа voice. The flickeringа light of theа torches аrevealedа a strange

sight: His friend Baron Pampa, this mountain of a man, had been strung up by

the legsа and was hanging faceа downа and stark naked. His face had turned a

bluish-blackа colorа from the congestionа of blood inа hisа head. At a small

table with crookedа legs satа a hunchbacked official holding hisа hands over

his ears;а a perspiringа torturerа --who somehow resembled a dentist--busied

himself with his clinking instruments in an iron vat.

аааа Rumataа dosed theа door,а stepped up toа theа torturer fromа behind and

struck him on theа head with the hilt ofа his sword.а Theа torturerа wheeled

around, hisа handsа flewа up toа hisа head,а he lostа his balanceа andа fell

backwardsа into theа tub. Rumata drewа his other swordа from itsа sheath and

hacked the table inа twoа where the officialа had been silting shuffling his

papers. The torturer sat in the tub hiccupping violently, while the official

swiftly crawled onа all fours into aа comer of the cell. Rumata stepped over

toа the baron and triedа toа loosen the chains byа whichа his feetа had been

fastened toа the wall. At the secondа try he succeeded in yanking the chains

down. Carefully,а he helped the baron toа getа back on hisа feet. Theа baron

abruptlyа ceased to roar, stiffened inа a peculiar pose, then hastily pulled

and tugged at his bonds and freed his hands.

аааа "I can't believe my eyes,"а he bellowed, rollingа his bloodа shotа eyes

from side to side. "It's you, my noble friend! I've found you at last!"

аааа "Yes,а my friend, here I am,"а said Rumata. "But let's get out of here.

This is no place for you!"

аааа "Beer!"а said the baron. "I've seen beerа somewhere in this place."а He

walkedа around the cell, dragging theа rest of his chains behind him onа the

floor andа did notа stop roaring andа bustling about. "Half the night Iа was

chasing through town! And damn it, they told meа you had been arrested, so I

beat up a number of people, one after the other. And I was convinced I would

findа you here in this prison!а Well, andа hereа you are indeed, as it turns

out."

аааа He went over to the torturerа and with one move of his mighty arm swept

him and the tub aside asа if he were busy dusting off something.а Beyond the

space where theа tub had stoodа appeared nowа a small barrel.а With his bare

fist the baron smashed in its bottom, threw back hisа head, opened his mouth

wideа and let theа contents pourа downа his throat.а A torrentа of beerа ran

gurgling into his gullet. What a guy, thought Rumata as he watched the baron

with great pleasure. Looks like an ox,а like some brainless bull, but still,

he went looking for me,а wanted to rescue me, and most likely landed here in

this prison because of me . .а . and he did all this out ofа his own accord.

Thank God there are some human beings on this worldа after all, as rotten as

it is. How lucky it's turned out all right in the end!

аааа The baron had drained the barrel dry and hurled it into the comer where

the official'sа teeth couldа beа heard loudly chattering. Now aа squeal came

from that comer.

аааа "That'sа better," said the baron and wiped his beardа with the backа of

his hand. "Now I'mа ready to follow you. Does it matter that I haveа nothing

on?"

аааа Rumata lookedа around the room, walkedа overа to the torturer and shook

him out of his leather breechcloth.

аааа "Take that for the time being," he said.

аааа "You are right,"а said theа baronа andа tied the breechcloth around his

loins. "It would be most improper to appear naked before the baroness."

аааа Theyа left the torture chamber. Nobody hadа the courageа to block their

way and the corridor was suddenly quite deserted for twenty paces.

аааа "I'll kill allа of them!" shoutedа theа baron.а "They'reа occupyingа my

castle--they'veа ordered somebodyа byа the name of Fatherа Arimaа to take up

residence there. I don't know whoseа father he is, but I swearа to youа that

hisа children will soon be orphans! Devil takeа it, dear.а friend, don't you

agree that these ceilingsа here are mighty low? I've already skinned the top

of my skull to the bone..."

аааа Finally they got out of the tower. For a moment theа spy andа bodyguard

became visible but he disappeared directly again in the crowd. Rumata gave a

sign to Budachа to follow him. Theа crowd in front of the gate parted before

themа asа if theyа had triedа to scatter themа with a sword. They could hear

shrieks that an important stateа criminal had fled, fingers pointed to them,

and voicesа growled:а "Justа look atа that naked devil,а the famous Estorian

hangman!"

аааа The baronа walked to the center of the square,а stopped and halfway had

to close his eyes because ofа the bright sunlight. Speed wasа of the essence

now. Rumata quickly sized upа the situation. "My horse was somewhereа around

here," said the baron. "Hey you there! My horse!"

аааа Over in the paddock where the horses of theа cavalry of the orderа were

prancing, a wild commotion arose.

аааа "Not that one!"а crowedа theа Baron. "That oneа overа there,а theа gray

piebald stallion."

аааа "In theа name ofа theа Lord!" yelledа Rumata belatedly andа pulledа his

circlet down over his forehead.

аааа A frightened little monk in a dirty cloak brought the Baron his horse.

аааа "Giveа him something, Donа Rumata," said the baronа and raisedа himself

with difficulty up onto his saddle.

аааа "Stop, stop!" came loud shouts from the tower.

аааа Severalа monksа cameа runningа acrossа theа square,а brandishingа their

cudgels. Rumata gave the baron one of his swords.

аааа "Hurry up, baron. Quick!" he said.

аааа "Yes,"а saidа Baronа Pampa. "I mustа speedа on. Thatа Arima is probably

cleaning out my whole wineа cellar in theа meantime.а Illа expect youа at my

castle,а tomorrowа orа theа dayа after,а my friend.а Anyа messagesа forа the

baroness?"

аааа "Kiss her hand for me," said Rumata. The monks were almost upon them by

now. "Faster, faster, baron!"

аааа "Areа you out of danger yourself,а myа friend?" the baron pressed.а His

voice betrayed that he was still concerned about Rumata's safety.

аааа "Yes, damn it, yes! Move on!"

аааа The baron dashed off and rode at fullа speed directly into the crowd of

monks. One of them fell to the ground, another one tumbled, there was a loud

whine, a great cloud of dust arose, the horses' hooves rapped sharply on the

cobblestones -- and the baron was out of sight. Rumata was just looking down

a lane which led off the square and where those who had been knocked over in

theа tumultа hadа takenа refuge. Suddenly anа insistentа andа stealthy voice

sounded in his ear:

аааа "But,а myа nobleа don,а don'tа youа thinkа you areа takingа unwarranted

liberties here?"

аааа Rumata spunа aroundа andа foundа himselfа peeringа intoа the affectedly

smiling face of Don Reba.

аааа "Unwarranted?" said Rumata. "That word doesn't exist for me."

аааа Suddenlyа he remembered Don Sera. "Andа anyway,а I can'tа see why noble

dons should not help each other in case of distress."

аааа Aа group ofа heavily breathingа monksа rodeа quicklyа pastа them, their

halberds held ready for action, in hot pursuit of Baron Pampa. A change came

over Don Reba's face.

аааа "All right then,"а he said. "Forget it. Oh, isn't this the most learned

Doctor Budach here? You look splendid, Doctor. I think I ought to inspect my

prison. Criminals ofа State, includingа released prisoners, must never go on

foot when they leave. They should be carried out."

аааа Doctor Budach stormed toward Don Rebaа with theа movementsа of aа blind

man. Rumata quickly stepped between the two men.

аааа "By the way, Don Reba," he said, "what do you think of Father Arima?"

аааа "Father Arima?" Don Reba raised his eyebrows.а "An outstanding warrior.

Occupies a high position in my episcopate. What is that question supposed to

mean?"

аааа "As a faithfulа servant of Your Magnificence," said Rumata with obvious

maliciousа relish of the situation, "I hastenа toа informа youа that you may

consider this high position as vacant."

аааа "How come?"

аааа Rumata glanced down the lane where the yellow dust had not yet settled.

Don Reba, too, looked that way. A worried expression came over his face.

аааа It was already late in the afternoon when Kyra asked her noble Lord and

his most learned guest to come to the table.

аааа Now thatа Doctor Budach had bathed,а carefully shaved, and changed into

fresh clothes,а he madeа aа pleasantа and imposing impression. His movements

were deliberate andа dignified, his intelligentа grayа eyes peered outа from

under his shaggy eyebrows in a benevolent and somewhat condescending manner.

First ofа all he apologized to Rumata for his impetuous behaviorа toward Don

Reba during their encounter on the square.

аааа "Please understand me," heа said. "He's a hideous person, a monster who

came intoа this worldа onlyа becauseа ofа someа divineа oversight.а Iа amа a

physician, but I'm not ashamed to admitа that I would kill him if I only had

anа opportunityа toа do so. Itа has come toа myа ears that the King has been

poisoned.а And now I do understand how heа perished." Rumata sat up and took

notice. "That Reba came into my cell and demanded I should mix a poisonа for

him which wouldа become effective a few hours later. Of course, I refused to

do so. He threatened to have me tortured -- I laughed in his face. In reply,

heа summoned his torturers and ordered them to bring a dozen boys and girls,

not more thanа ten yearsа old. He linedа them up inа front ofа me, opened my

medicine bag and declaredа he would try out all my medications one after the

other onа theseа pitiful human guinea pigs until he found the right one. And

this is the way the King was poisoned, Don Rumata."

аааа Budach'sа lips beganа toа tremble, butа he soon regained his composure.

Rumataа nodded knowinglyа andа turnedа aside, soа asа notа to embarrassа his

scholarly guest. Nowа Iа finally understand, he thought. I understand it all

now. Theа king would neverа have acceptedа anythingа from the handsа ofа his

ministers,а notа evenа aа dillа pickle.а Soа theа wicked rogue foistedа some

fifth-rate charlatanа offа on the king byа promisingа that no-good nobody to

make him the king's personal physician as aа rewardа forа curingа his ailing

legs. And now it's clear why Don Rebaа felt so triumphant when I compromised

himа in the royalа bedchamber:а oneа would haveа been hard-put toа imagine a

better way toа slip the kingа a falseа Budach. The entire responsibility now

fell on theа shoulders of Rumata from Estoria, the Irukanian conspirator and

spy.а We are realа greenhorns, he thought.а Just like silly littleа innocent

puppies. They ought to teach a special course for feudal intrigues back home

at the Institute. And they should introduce another course on how to acquire

the rightа qualifications for properly sizing up the Rebas ofа the universe,

largeа and small.а Doctor Budach was quite obviously starving. Nevertheless,

heа politely yet veryа definitely refusedа allа meat dishesа and devoted his

attentionа exclusively to theа salads, pastas and desserts. Heа also drank a

glass of fine Estorian wine and his eyesа beganа to sparkle again; a healthy

blush spread over his cheeks. Rumata could not swallow even a bite. He could

still seeа in hisа mind's eyes the crackling,а smoking,а scarlet torches; he

could still smell the odor of burnt flesh. He felt a big lump in his throat.

And thusа heа waited, untilа Doctorа Budach had eatenа hisа fill, whileа he,

Rumata,а leaned againstа the windowа sill, conversing politely,а slowlyа and

calmly, to avoid disturbing the guest who was enjoying his meal.

аааа Slowly,а life returnedа toа the city. Peopleа appearedа in theа streets

again, voices could be heard, growing louderа and louder, accompanied by the

pounding ofа hammers and the crackingа of wood: they were knocking downа the

woodenа idolsа from the walls and the gabled roofs. A bald,а fatа shopkeeper

pushed a cartа laden with a barrel of beer in front of himа so he could sell

it laterа onа the squareа forа two pennies aа jug. People walked arm in arm,

slapping each other on the back in a friendly fashion. Under the arched gate

across theа street heа couldа see his spy and bodyguard talkingа with a thin

woman. Cartsа passed underа his windowа piled high with something.а At first

Rumataа failedа toа understand whatа kindа of carts these wereа but thenа he

noticed blue-black hands andа feet sticking out from under the hemp matting.

He quickly walked away from the window.

аааа "Man's nature," said Budach while chewing leisurely, "is аcharacterized

by his ability to adjust to everything. There is nothing in this worldа that

manа cannotа adjustа to. Neitherа horsesа norа dogsа possessа thisа ability.

Presumably when God created man he considered the tortures to which he would

subject man onа thisа earth,а and therefore equipped himа with aа tremendous

capacityа for endurance. Ofа course, it's difficult toа say whetherа this is

good or bad. If manа had notа beenа endowed with such potential for patience

and suffering, then all good peopleа would haveа perished longа ago and only

the wicked andа soulless wouldа remain.а On theа other hand,а toleranceа and

adaptabilityа make menа dumbа beasts, distinguishable from animalsа onlyа on

corporalа structure,а evenа surpassingа the lowlyа beastsа in theirа lack of

ability toа defend themselves. And each new day brings forthа new horrors of

wickedness and brutality ..."

аааа Rumata glancedа over in Kyra's direction.а Sheа sat opposite Budach and

attentively listened to his words,а one cheek resting on her hand.а Her eyes

were filled with grief: it was obvious how sorry she felt for mankind.

аааа "Youа areа probably right, dear Doctorа Budach," said Rumata. "But take

me,а for instance.а I am nothing but a simpleа donа of high birth." Budach's

highа forehead became wrinkled like a washboard and hisа eyes grew wide with

amazement and amusement. "I love learned people more than anything; I admire

their nobilityа ofа spirit. But onа the otherа handа Iа completelyа failа to

understand why you, who areа men of science and the sole representativesа of

intellectualа lifeа and wisdom,а remainа soа hopelessly passive? Whyа do you

surrender without any resistanceа to contempt, why do you permitа yourselves

to be thrown into prisons, why do you accept your fate and let yourselves be

burnt at the stake? Why do you separate your raison d'etre -- the search for

new knowledge -- from the practical demands of life,а theа fight against all

evil?"

аааа Budach pushed back his empty dish.

аааа "You ask strangeа questions, Don Rumata," he said. "Oddly enough, I was

confrontedа withа these self-same questionsа byа the honorable Donа Hug, the

duke'sа chamberlain. Areа youа acquainted with himа by anyа chance?а Yes,а I

thought soа .а . . Indeed, the fight against evil! But whatа actuallyа do we

understand by 'evil'?а Afterа all,а everyone is at liberty to interpret this

concept ofа evilа in hisа ownа way.а Forа us,а the scholars,а evilа liesа in

ignorance; the Church, however,а teaches ignoranceа to be bliss and that all

evil comes from knowledge. For the peasant, evil consistsа of high taxes and

drought; for the grain merchant, however, drought is very propitious. Slaves

seeа the evil embodied in the person of a drunken, hardhearted master, while

the artisans regard an avariciousа moneylender as evil personified. Tell me,

then, what is the evilа weа are supposed toа fight,а Donа Rumata?" He cast a

saddened glance at his interlocutor. "Evilа cannot be eradicated. No manа is

capable of curtailing its growth in this world. The individual might improve

his own lot, perhaps, but always only atа the expense of sealing the fate of

others.а Andа thereа will always be kings, who can be distinguished from one

another by the degree of their cruelty, and there will always be, too, crude

and debauched barons, the sameа asа there willа alwaysа be stupid folk,а the

ignorantа masses,аа whoа showа delightа towardа theirа oppressorsа andа who,

paradoxically, meet their liberators with hatred. Thisа can all be explained

by the strange phenomenon that servants and slavesа understand their masters

(evenа the mostа cruel)а soа muchа betterа than their liberators;а forа each

subjugatedа slave can easily picture himself in the place of his master, but

it's a rare one who can visualize himself in the role of his liberator. This

is the way of human beings, Don Rumata; this is what our world is like."

аааа "The world undergoes constant changes. Doctor Budach," said Rumata. "We

know of a time when there were no kings at all..."

аааа "The worldа cannot keep on changingа forever,"а countered Budach,а "for

nothing isа forever, not even change itself . . . We do not know the laws of

completed perfection butа completionа will beа reachedа some day, soonerа or

later. Examine, for example, the structure of our society. Howа pleasant for

the eye of the beholder to regard this geometrically perfect system! Down at

the very bottom come the peasants and the artisans, above them the noblemen,

then the clergy, and finallyа the king. How meticulously everything has been

calculated! Whatа steadfastness, what constancy,а whatа harmonic order! What

changeа could everа occur in this cut crystal fromа the handа ofа our divine

jeweler?а Thereа isа no аstructure inа thisа world thatа isа superiorа toа a

pyramid--asа any well-trained architect will confirm."а He raisedа a finger,

punctuatingа eachа remark with a slight stab in theа air.а "When grain pours

from aа sack, it does not spreadа out flat in a plane area, butа will form a

so-called conical pyramid. Eachа little grain adheres to the next, trying to

avoid the fall to the ground.а And this is theа way it goes with mankind. In

their attemptа to form some kind ofа an entity, men must cling together, and

inevitably they form a pyramid."

аааа "Do you seriously consider this world the best of all possible worlds?"

askedа Rumataа astonished.а "Afterа yourа encounterа withа Donаа Reba,а your

experiences in jail?"

аааа "Of course not, my young friend! There are many things I do not like in

this world,а I'd like to see many thingsа changed. But what should we do? In

the eyes of the Supreme Power, perfection presents quite a different picture

thanа in mine. What senseа would it makeа for a treeа to complain that it is

rooted to the spot,а although it would be most happy to be able to move away

in order to escape from the woodcutter's ax?"

аааа "But if it were possible to change the decisions of the Supreme Power?"

аааа "Only the Supreme Power itself is capable of doing so,"

аааа "But just imagine you had divine authority to act . . ."

аааа Budach laughed.

аааа "If I could imagine being God, I would become God!"

аааа "All right, suppose you had the opportunity to give God some advice?"

аааа "You have aа fertile imagination,"а said Budach amused. "Thatа would be

splendid. You know the Holy Scriptures? Wonderful! I'd be happy, to carry on

a conversation with you."

аааа "You flatterа me. But still, what adviceа wouldа you give the Almighty?

What, in your opinion, would the Almighty have to doа so thatа you'd be able

to say: the world is now truly good and beautiful?"

аааа Budachа smiled approvingly, leaned comfortably back in his armchair and

folded his hands across his stomach. Full of interest and anticipation, Kyra

peered into the physician's face.

аааа "Allа rightа then,"а heа said,а "ifа youа soа desire. I would tellа the

Almighty:а 'Great Creator, I do not knowа your plan; maybe it'sа simplyа not

your intention to make mankind goodа and happy. Nevertheless, I beg you: let

itа happen--itа would beа soа easy for you to accomplish--that all menа have

sufficientа bread,а meat, and wine! Provideа them with shelter and clothing,

letа hungerа and want disappearа from the face of theа earth,а andа all that

separates men from each other."

аааа 'That would be all?" asked Rumata.

аааа "Does it seem too little to you?"

аааа Rumata shook his head slowly from side to side.

аааа "God wouldа answerа you: This would be no blessing for mankind. For the

strong of your world take away from theа weakа whatever I gave them andа the

weak would be as poor as before."

аааа "I would begа God to protect the poor. "Enlightenа the cruel rulers,' I

would say."

аааа "Crueltyа is a mighty force.а Once theа rulersа rid themselves of their

cruel ways they would lose their power. And other cruel men would take their

place."

аааа Budach's friendly face grew suddenly somber.

аааа "Then punish the cruel men," he said with determination, "and lead them

awayа from the pathа ofа evil, so that the strongа may not be cruel to their

weaker brothers."

аааа "It is man's nature to be weak from the moment he is born. He will only

grow strong when there is no oneа stronger than he is. And if the cruel ones

among the strong are punished and removed from their ranks, they will simply

be replaced by theа relatively stronger onesа from amongа theа throng of the

weak. And the newly strong onesа will become cruel in their turn. That would

meanа that eventually all men wouldа haveа to be punished, and this I do not

want to do."

аааа "Youа haveа greaterа insight, Almightyа Lord.а Thereforeа arrangeа that

mankind willа obtainа all theyа need and thus avoid thatа they will rob each

other of whatever you gave them."

аааа 'Thisа solutionа wouldn'tа beа a blessing for mankindа either,"а sighed

Rumata. "They would not reap profit from this. For if they obtain everything

from my handа without any effort on their part, they willа forget what it is

toа work andа labor; they will lose their tasteа for living. As time goes on

they'll become domestic animalsа whomа I will haveа to feedа and clothe--and

that for all eternity."

аааа "Don't giveа them everything at once!"а said Budach excitedly. "Give it

to them slowly, gradually!"

аааа "Gradually mankind will take everything they need anyhow."

аааа Budach's smile became embarrassed.

аааа "Now I canа see that things are not quiteа so simple,"а he said.а "I've

never really thought about the problems ... I believe we haveа discussed all

possibilities now.а However," he leaned forward, "there exists still another

possibility:а Ordain thatа mankindа will love work and knowledgeа above all,

thatа work andа wisdom willа beа regardedа by them asа their sole reason for

being!"

аааа Yes, thought Rumata, we'veа already considered suchа experiments.а Mass

hypno-induction,а positiveа remoralization, exposureа to hypnoticа radiation

from three equatorial satellites ...

аааа This is an alternative I might chooseа perhaps," he said. "But could it

be justified if I were to rob mankind of its history? Does itа make sense to

replace one type of manа withа another? Wouldа this not mean in the end that

one would wipe this mankind off the faceа of the earth and create another in

its place?"

аааа Budachа frownedа and remained silent, busy with his ownа thoughts. From

below the windows came again the melancholy groaning of heavily laden carts.

Suddenly Budach spoke softly:

аааа "Then,а oh,а Lord, removeа us from the face of theа earth and create us

anew,а makeа usа betterа menа thisа time,а moreа perfect beings. Or,а better

still--leave us the way we are, but ordain that we can follow our own path!"

аааа "My heart isа heavy with sorrow," Rumataа said slowly, "but this is not

within my power."

аааа And he suddenly becameа aware of Kyra's eyes which sheа had fastened on

him with great intensity. There was fear and hope in her glance now.

 

NINE

 

аааа Rumata led Doctor Budach toа a bedroom toа restа forа theа long journey

ahead,а and then went to his study. The Sporaminа hadа worn off, and he felt

exhausted;а hisа wounds beganа toа hurt again, andа hisа wrists--theyа still

smarted from theа rope burns--started to swell. I shouldа lie down and sleep

nowа for a while, he thought, I simplyа must get some sleep; then I ought to

get in touchа with Don Kondor.а I should alsoа communicate with Controls and

have them report everythingа toа headquarters. We needа to decide what to do

now -- if there is anything we can doа at all.а And how weа should behave in

case there's nothing we can do.

аааа As Rumata entered hisа study, he saw a black monk sitting at the table,

hisа hood pulled down overа his eyes.а He was all bent over and had his arms

hidden in his wide sleeves.

аааа "Whatа are you doing here?" askedа Rumata,а very tired. "Who let you in

here?"

аааа "Greetings, noble Don Rumata," said the monk and pulled back his hood.

аааа Rumata shook his head gently.

аааа "Well, I'll be damned!" he said. "Greetings to you, my good Arata. What

brings you here? What has happened?"

аааа "The usual," said Arata. "The army has brokenа up, the men are dividing

up theа land amongа themselves and nobody wantsа toа goа south. Theа duke is

gathering those of his warriors who have escaped unscathed,а and it won't be

long now beforeа he starts stringing up my peasants by theirа feet along the

Estorian tract. Everything as usual," he repeated.

аааа "I understand," said Rumata.

аааа He threw himself down on the divan, leaned his head back on his crossed

arms and regarded Arata. Twenty years earlier, when Antonа had builtа models

with his erector set and played William Tell back on Earth, the man had been

known as Arata the Fair, and he was quite a different person at that time.

аааа Atа that time Arata the Fair had notа yet acquiredа the horrible purple

scar onа his highа forehead. He bore the scar ever sinceа theа mutiny of the

Soanian sailors--three thousandа naked, enslaved workers who had been driven

from all corners ofа theа realm to the wharves ofа Soan and whoа had already

become so brutalized that they had almost lost their drive for survival. One

dark night they swarmedа out ofа the harbor areaа and attacked Soan, leaving

nothing but bodiesа and raging fires behind. Finally they were received near

the edgeа of the town byа the imperial infantry,а well equippedа withа steel

armor...

аааа And at that time, of course,а Arata still had two healthy eyes. He lost

his right eye through the vigorous blow of a cudgel, struck by a baron, when

aа peasants' army, twenty-thousand men strong, planned to invade the capital

in order to ferret out the baronial gangs, and when instead they encountered

the imperial guard, fiveа thousand men strong, onа the open field. They were

split upа into small groups, surrounded, and finally trampled to death under

the pointed iron shoes of the fighting camels ...

аааа In those days, Arata the Fair was still asа straightа as a poplar tree.

He acquired his hunchback (and with it his new nickname) after the battle in

the dukedom of Uban, two oceans removed from here, when after seven years of

pestа and drought, four-hundred-thousand livingа skeletons seized theirа hay

forks and threshing flails,а chased away the noblemen and besiegedа the Duke

of Uban in his residence. However, the duke, whose weak mind suddenly became

strongа inа the face of this unbearable strain and fright, declaredа himself

willing to forgive his subjects, lowered the price of intoxicating beverages

and promised his serfs freedom. Arata, seeing that all was lost, ordered and

imploredа them in a desperate roar, not to swallow this treacherous bait; he

wasа then seized byа the Atamans,а who believed that nothing goodа should be

expectedа from a good man; they beat him with iron rods and threw him into a

pit, leaving him to die a miserable death ...

аааа But the heavy iron ring on hisа rightа wrist probably wentа back to the

time when he was still called the Fair One. The ring had been forged atа the

end of a chain to the rudder of a pirate's galley, andа Arata had ripped the

chain apart,а struckа a blow against the temple of Captain Ega the Gracious,

captured first theа ship andа then the entire pirate's fleet, andа thenа had

tried to foundа a free republic on the ocean. And the whole enterprise ended

in a blood fight, for at that time Arata was still aа youngа man who had not

learned how to hate and who believed that the gift of freedom was sufficient

in itself to render a slave into a godlike creature...

аааа Heа was a professional rebel, an avenger by the grace of God, aа figure

that is not oftenа encountered during the Middle Ages.а Historical evolution

gives birthа to such pikes onlyа from timeа to time, releases them intoа the

deep gulfs of societyа to stir up the fat carps who sit and dream in the mud

at the bottom of theа abyss . . . Arata was the only person here whom Rumata

neither hated nor pitied. And in the heated dreams of this citizen of Earth,

whoа hadа spent almostа fiveа years inа blood andа stench, he frequently saw

himselfа as a figure resembling Arata. He had gone throughа all the infernal

torments of this universe and was rewarded for it withа the privileged right

to slay the murderers, to torture the torturers, and to betray the traitors.

аааа "Sometimes it seems," said Arata, "that weа are all powerless. I remain

forever the leader ofа mutineersа and I realize that my strength is based on

myа extraordinaryа vitality.а Butа thisа strengthа doesа not help meа inа my

powerless state. As if by magic,а my victories change into defeat. My allies

inа battle become my enemies,а theа mostа courageousа desertа me,а theа most

faithfulа betrayа meа or perish. Andа nothingа remains to me but my own bare

hands. But one cannot reach the golden idols behindа the fortress walls with

bare hands ..."

аааа "How did you get to Arkanar?" asked Rumata.

аааа "With the monks."

аааа "You're crazy! You're so easy to recognize."

аааа "But not among monks. Among the crowds of officers ofа theа Holyа Order

nearly half are made up of divine fools and cripples like myself. The maimed

and the deformed are a pleasing sight in God's eyes."а He stared straight at

Rumata and laughed.

аааа "What do you intend to do now?" asked Rumata and lowered his eyes.

аааа "The same as always. I know the Holy Order. Before the year is out, the

people ofа Arkanar will arm themselves and crawl out of their holes--they'll

chopа each otherа toа bitsа withа theirа axes. I'llа lead them soа that they

slaughter not each other, butа ratherа thoseа whoа deserve it." "Do you need

some money?" asked Rumata.

аааа "Yes, as usual. And weapons . . ." He fell silent. Then he narrowed his

eyes and said; "Don Rumata, doа you remember how disappointedа I was whenа I

found out whoа you really are?а I hate the shavelings, and it hurts meа that

their tissue, ofа lies provedа toа be the truth. Butа unfortunately,а a poor

rebel isа forced to profit fromа circumstances of all kinds. The priests are

saying that the gods have thunderbolts at their disposal . . . Don Rumata, I

urgentlyа need suchа thunderbolts,а to be able toа smash theа walls of these

fortresses."

аааа Rumataа sighed deeply.а Followingа hisа miraculousа rescue,а Arataа had

ceaselesslyа demanded explanations. Rumata hadа once evenа attempted to tell

about himself, he even once showed himа Sol, the sun ofа his planet,а in the

nocturnal sky --a tiny, hardlyа recognizable star. But theа rebel understood

onlyа oneа thing:а The cursedа priestsа were right, gods were indeedа living

behindа theа walls of the firmament, omniscientа and almighty gods. And from

that moment on, every conversationа he had with Rumataа would always lead to

the same point: God, since you do exist, lend me your strength, for thisа is

the best that you can do for me. And each time Rumata made no reply or would

steer the conversation on to a different topic.

аааа "Don Rumata," said the rebel, "why don't you want to help us?"

ааа а"Just a minute," said Rumata. "I beg your pardon, but first tell me how

you got into my house?"

аааа "Thatа isn't so important. No one besides me knowsа the way.а But don't

try to sidetrack me, Don Rumata. Why don't you want to confer your powers on

us?"

аааа "We won't go into that."

аааа "Oh yes,а we will.а I didа not callа you. I have never asked a favor of

anybody. You came to meа of your own accord. Or did youа just want to have a

little fun?"

аааа It's hard to be a god, thought Rumata.

аааа Patiently, he answered:а "Youа don't understand.а I have tried at least

twenty times to explain that Iа am not a god-- and you wouldn'tа believe me.

And neither will you comprehend why I cannot help you with my weapons."

аааа "Do you have thunderbolts?"

аааа "I cannot lend you the thunderbolt."

аааа "I've heard that story twenty times," said Arata. "Nowа I want to know:

why not?"

аааа "I'll tell you once more: you won't understand."

аааа "So try once more to explain it to me."

аааа "What do you plan to do with the thunderbolt?"

аааа "Iа will burnа the golden brood likeа bedbugs, toа theа last man, their

cursedа kithа andа kinа downа toа theа twelfthа descendant I'llа wipeа their

fortresses off the face ofа the earth. I'll burn their armiesа and all those

whom they defend and support. Youа can rest assured that your lightning will

serve a just cause, and once only the freed slaves remain on earth and peace

reigns everywhere, I shallа returnа your thunderbolts to you and never again

ask you for them."

аааа Arata fell silent He was breathing heavily. His face hadа turned almost

purple fromа theа blood that had congestedа his brain.а Apparently heа could

already see duchies and kingdoms going up in flames, the seared bodies lying

atа the sceneа ofа conflagrationа and among аtheа burnt-outа ruins, andа the

gigantic armies of the victors roaring triumphantly: "Liberty! Liberty!"

аааа "No," said Rumata. "I will not give the thunderbolt to you. It would be

a mistake. Try to believe me, I can see further than you can."

аааа Arata lowered his chin onto his chest. Rumata began to crack his finger

joints. "I'll tellа you just one of the reasons. Though itа is insignificant

comparedа with theа mainа reason,а youа willа understandа this one.а You are

brimming over with vitality, dear Arata, but even you are mortal. And if you

should perishа and theа thunderbolt should happenа to fallа intoа theа wrong

hands,а those that are not quite as pure as yours, the mere thought ofа what

this might lead to is unbearable ..."

аааа Neither spoke for some time. Then Rumata took outа a bottle of Estorian

wine and something to eat,а and placedа itа before his guest Without raising

his head, Arata started silently to bite offа chunks of bread and sip at the

wine. Rumata was overcome by a strange and morbidа schism within himself. He

knew he was right and yet thisа awareness humbled him before Arata. Somehow,

Arata surpassed him; butа not him alone--Arata surpassed all the others that

came unbiddenа toа thisа planetа and observed withа fullа impotentа pity its

teeming life fromа the lofty peak of passionless hypotheses and alienа moral

standards.а Andа for the first timeа Rumata thought: Nothing can be acquired

without loss.а Weа areа infinitely stronger thanа Arataа within our realm of

goodness but infinitely weaker than he is within his realm of evil.

аааа "Youа should not have descended from heaven," Arata remarkedа suddenly.

"Go back. You are doing us here only harm!"

аааа "No, no," said Rumata. "We don't harm anybody here."

аааа "Oh, yes, you are harming us. You instill unfounded hopes in us."

аааа "Who, for instance?"

аааа "Me. You have weakened my will power, Don Rumata. It usedа to be that I

relied only on myself, but now you have caused me to be always aware of your

strength standingа behind me. Formerly, I fought every battleа as if it were

my lastа one.а But now I have noticed thatа I preserveа my strength forа the

other battles, forа the decisive ones, because you will participate in them.

Leave this planet, Don Rumata, return to yourа heavens,а and never come back

here. Or else, giveа usа your thunderbolts, orа at least your ironа bird. If

nothing else, draw your sword and be our leader."

аааа Arata fell silent again andа reached for another piece of bread. Rumata

observedа Arata's hands, especially his fingers. Twoа years ago, Don Reba in

person had torn outа the nailsа of both hands withа some special device. You

know onlyа halfа theа story,а thought Rumata . .а . You feel pacified by the

thought that you are the only one to be condemned to failure. You don't know

yet how hopeless your entire cause really is. You don't know that your enemy

is not to be found beyond the ranksа of your own soldiers, but rather within

themselves.а Perhapsа you will succeed in annihilating the Holy Order of the

Black monks and theа wave of theа peasant rebellion will carry you ontoа the

throneа of Arkanar. You willа raze toа the ground theа castles of the feudal

lords andа drownа the baronsа in theа bay. The rebellious masses will shower

you, their liberator, withа allа honors,а and you will be aа goodа andа wise

ruler--the only good and wise man in yourа entire kingdom; in yourа goodness

you willа distribute all the land among your comrades-in-arms, but what good

will this land do your co-fighters without serfs? And the wheel will turn in

another direction again. And you'll beа getting off easy if you die a normal

deathа and do not have toа watch the new barons and counts emerge from among

the ranks of your faithful collaborators of yesterday. All this has happened

time and again, my good Arata, back on Earth as well as on your planet.

аааа "You are silent?"а asked Arata. He pushed back his plate andа swept the

bread crumbs off the table with the sleeve of his cloak. "Once upon a time I

had a friend,"а heа said.а "You have probably heardа of him--Waga Koleso. We

startedа outа together. Then he turned into a bandit, a dark princeа ofа the

night. I have never forgiven him for this betrayal, and heа knows it. Later,

he wouldа help me a great deal--out of fear or vanity--but whichever way, he

did not wish to repent his ways: He hadа goals of his own. Two years ago his

menа deliveredа me intoа the hands of Don Reba . .а ." He looked down at his

maimed fingers and clenched hisа fist. "And this morning I caught him in the

harbor of Arkanar. Half-hearted friendships are impossible in our cause, for

half a friend--is always half an enemy."

аааа He rose and pulled the hood downа over hisа eyes. "Will I find the gold

inа the usual place, Don Rumata?" "Yes," saidа Rumataа slowly. "In the usual

place."а "I amа leaving now.а Thankа you, Donа Rumata." Almost inaudibly, he

crossedа theа study and disappearedа behindа theа door.а Downstairs, inа the

entrance hall, the door bolts clicked softly.

 

TEN

 

аааа "The Drunkard's Lair" was comparatively clean today; the floor had been

carefully swept and the table vigorously scrubbed. Bunches of sweet-smelling

herbs andа lavender lay in the comers.а Fatherа Kabani sat respectablyа on a

benchа inа the comer. He was completely soberа and calm andа his clean hands

rested in his lap.

аааа While they waited for Budachа to fall asleep, they discussed everything

imaginable.а Budach,а who sat nextа toа Rumataа at theа table, followedа the

lighthearted chatterа of theа noble dons with aа kind, indulgent smile. From

timeа to time he would give aа suddenа start, when he wasа just about to nod

off. Hisа hollow cheeks burned from the double dose of Tetraluminal they had

slippedа unnoticed intoа hisа food. Theа oldа man was highly excited and had

great difficulty falling asleep. Don Hug, filled with impatience, fingered a

camel'sа horseshoeа underneathа theа table;а hisа face,а however,а keptа its

appearanceа of unaffected ease. Rumataа crumbledа his breadа intoа balls and

followed with tired interest Don Kondor'sа efforts to swallow his anger. The

Keeper of the Seal of State wasа excessivelyа nervous sinceа heа had arrived

lateа at the extraordinaryа nocturnalа conference ofа the twenty terrestrial

agents. The conference was toа deal with theа overthrow of the government in

Arkanar, and he was supposed to be the chairman.

аааа "My dear friends!" Doctor Budach said at last with a sonorous voice. He

stood up and immediately fell onto Rumata's shoulder.

аааа Rumata carefully put an arm around him.

аааа "Ready?" asked Don Kondor.

аааа "He won'tа wakeа upа till tomorrow morning,"а said Rumata, andа he took

Budach into his arms and carried him over onto Father Kabani's cot.

аааа Father Kabani said with jealousy:

аааа "You certainly takeа good care of the doctor, but you forgetа about old

Kabani. Well, then, gentlemen!"

аааа "I have fifteen minutes," Don Kondor said in Russian.

аааа "Iа need only five minutes," answered Rumata. He could hardlyа hide his

irritation. "And I've told you earlier so much about it that even one minute

will do now. In complete accordance with the basis theory of feudalism," his

furious glance was directed straight at Don Kondor's eyes, "this is merely a

normal confrontation between the burghers and the barons"--he looked over at

Donа Hug--"which developed, however, intoа aа provoking intrigue of the Holy

Order and eventually made Arkanar a stronghold of feudal-fascist aggression.

Weа areа sitting here,а rackingа ourа brainsа inа anа attemptа to alignа the

complicated, contradictory, andа enigmatic figure ofа our Enlightened Eagle,

Donа Reba,а withа historicalа personalitiesа ofа similarа stature,а suchа as

Richelieu, Oliver Necker, Tokugawaа Ledschasu, and Monk--and our eagle turns

outа to beа merelyа a little insignificant hoodlum and dolt. He betrayed and

sold out anythingа he couldа lay his hands on; got caught in the webа of his

own intrigues, was overcome by mortal terror, then tried to save his skin by

throwing himself into the hands of theа Holy Order. Wait another six months:

they'llа cutа hisа throat,а butа theа Orderа will remain.а Theа consequences

resulting fromа this for theа coastal regions and eventually for theа entire

kingdom I simply dare not envision. One fact, though, is certain: our entire

work ofа twenty years within the bordersа of the kingdomа hasа gone down the

drain.а Thereа is noа wayа back under the regimeа of the Holy Order.а In all

probability, Budach is the last person I'll be able to rescue. We won't save

anyone else; it's too late. That is all I have to say."

аааа Donа Hug finally broke the horseshoe inа twoа and hurledа the fragments

into a comer.

аааа "That's quite aа setback,а to be sure," heа said.а "Butа maybe it isn't

quite as bad as you think, Anton."

аааа Rumata glanced briefly at him.

аааа "You should have removed Don Reba," said Don Kondor suddenly.

аааа "What do you mean by 'removed'?"

аааа Red splotches spread over Don Kondor's face.

аааа "In a physical sense!" he said sharply.

аааа Rumata sat down.

аааа "Kill him?"

аааа "Yes! Yes! Yes!а Kidnap! Destroy!а Squash!а Killа him! Youа should have

acted and notа conferred with two idiots aboutа theа matter, men who had not

the vaguest notion what was really going on."

аааа "Neither did I!"

аааа "You sensed it, at least."

аааа There was an uneasy silence.

аааа Thenа Donа Kondor started upа again. He spokeа softly and looked to one

side. "Something like the carnage at Barkan?"

аааа "Yes, something like it. Only better organized."

аааа Don Kondor bit his lips.

аааа "Would it be too late now to remove him from the scene?"

аааа "Completely senseless," said Rumata.а "First of all, they'll finish him

offа anyhow, with or without our assistance; and secondly,а it won't even be

necessary to kill him. He's eating out of my hand."

аааа "What do you mean?"

аааа "He'sа afraid of me.а He senses that some mysterious power isа standing

behind me. He even suggested that we collaborate."

аааа "Really?" growled Don Kondor. "Then there's no point in doing it."

аааа Don Hug swallowed hard.

аааа "Whatа is theа matterа with you,а comrades,а are youа serious about all

this?"

аааа "What do you mean?"

аааа "Well, all this . . . everything ... to remove him, to kill him off ...

What has gotten into you, are you out of your mind?"

аааа "The noble don is cut to the quick," Rumata remarked softly. Don Kondor

chose his words deliberately and cautiously:

аааа "Inа case ofа extraordinary circumstances only extraordinary meansа are

effective!"

аааа Don Hug let his eyes wander from one to the other, his lips trembling.

аааа "Do you ...а do you . .а . really knowа whatа you are getting into?" He

could hardly bring the wordsа to his lips.а "Do you realizeа what this might

lead to?"

аааа "Calm down, please,"а said Donа Kondor. "Nothing willа happen. And now,

enough of that. What shall we do about the Holyа Order? I suggest a blockade

of theа area aroundа Arkanar.а What's your opinion, comrades? Make it quick,

will you, I'm in a hurry."

аааа "I have no opinion, not yet,"а replied Rumata. "And neither has Pashka.

Well have to confer with Controls. Let's wait a bit. We'll meet again in one

week and then come to a decision."

аааа "Agreed," said Don Kondor and stood up. "Let's go!"

аааа Rumata loaded Budach onto hisа shouldersа and leftа the hut. Don Kondor

litа the way with a lantern. Theyа walked to the helicopter andа Rumata laid

Budach down on the back seat. Don Kondor's foot got caught in his long cloak

and he fell into the driver's seat with rattling swords.

аааа "Couldn't you take me home quickly?" asked Rumata.а "I have to get some

sleep."

аааа "Yes, yes," rumbled Don Kondor. "Make it quick, will you!"

аааа "I'll be right back," said Rumata and hurriedly returned to the hut.

аааа Donа Hug was still sitting at the table, staring vacantly ahead ofа him

and rubbing his chin. Father Kabani, who stood beside him, said:

аааа "This is the way it always ends, my friend. You strive toothа and nail,

try to do your best, and still it doesn't turn out right in the end ..."

аааа Rumata swiftly picked up his swords and his fez.

аааа "Cheerа up, Pashka," he said to Don Hug. "Don'tа lose heart,а we're all

overtired and irritable."

аааа Don Hug shook his head vigorously.

аааа "Lookа here,а Anton,"а heа said.а "Will you pleaseа look!а Iа won't say

anything about Uncleа Sasha. He's been here a long time, and we can't change

him any more. But you . . ."

аааа "I want to sleep, that's all I want now. Father Kabani, do me the favor

and take my horses and bring them to Baronа Pampa. I'll come to see him in a

few days."

аааа Outside, theа propeller started up a gentleа roar.а Rumata waved to his

friendsа and ranа outа of theа hut. Theа brightа lightа streamingа fromа the

helicopter's headlightsа made the gigantic tangled growthsа of the high fern

look ghostly against theа backgroundа of the brilliantа whiteа trunks of the

birch trees. Rumata climbed into the cabin and slammed the little door.

аааа Insideа theа cabin it smelledа ofа oxygen,а syntheticа wall-boards, and

cologne. Donа Kondorа letа the machine climb andа guided it withа nonchalant

assurednessа along the country road. I wouldn't be upа to that now,а thought

Rumata, a bit jealous. Fromа the backа seat came theа peaceful snoreа of old

Doctor Budach.

аааа "Anton," said Don Kondor, "I'd like to ... that is, 1 don't ... I don't

want to beа tactless,а and please believeа me, I don'tа wantа to ...а uh ...

interfere with your personal affairs..."

аааа "I'mа listening," said Rumata. He knewа at onceа what Don Kondor had in

mind.

аааа "We are scouts on a mission here," said Don Kondor. "And all we cherish

must either remain back on Earth or locked up inside ourselves. This wayа it

can never be taken away from us or used for blackmail or as hostages against

us."

аааа "Are you referring to Kyra?" asked Rumata.

аааа "Yes, my friend. Ifа allа I haveа heard about Don Reba is true, then it

will be neither easy nor safeа toа hold him back.а Do youа understand what I

mean?"

аааа "Yes, I understand," said Rumata. " I'll try to think of something."

аааа They lay next to each other holding hands in theа darkness. It was very

quiet nowа in the city.а From the distanceа came only an occasional neighing

and stomping of horses. From time to time Rumata would drop off into a light

sleep, but he woke up quickly again. Then Kyra would hold her breath; in his

sleep he clung tightly to her hand.

аааа "Youа areа very,а very tired,"а saidа Kyraа softly.а "Go toа sleep,а my

darling."

аааа "No, no, tell me all, I am listening."

аааа "You keep falling asleep, my darling."

аааа "I'm neverthelessа listeningа to you.а You areа right,а Iа am extremely

tired, butа Iа am longing even more to beа near youа and toа listen toа your

words. I won't sleep. Just go an telling me, I'll pay attention, go ahead."

аааа Gratefully she rubbed her nose against his shoulder, kissed himа on the

cheek and picked upа her story again, how recently theа son of herа father's

neighbor had come to her oneа evening at her father's bidding. "Yourа father

is confined to his bed. They chased him from the office and beat him up with

sticks as aа farewell present. He hardly eatsа anymore,а he just drinks. His

face looks bluish-gray, and he's got the shakes." The boy also told her that

her brotherа hadа appeared again, wounded,а butа happy and drunk,а inа a new

uniform. He gave someа money toа the father, had a few drinks with him, then

threatenedа thatа heа wasа going toа slaughter all ofа them.а Heа isа nowа a

lieutenant--goodnessа knowsа where--in someа specialа detachment, hasа sworn

loyalty to the Holy Order, andа willа soonа be knighted. Her father implored

herа notа toа come home,а at leastа forа theа time being.а Herа brotherа was

constantly threatening to disavow her since she, the red witch, had taken up

with some nobleman...

аааа Sureа enough, heа thought,а sheа can'tа go home аanymore. And underа no

circumstances can she stay here either. If anything should happen to her ...

He had vivid visions that someа evil would befall her.а Chills ran downа his

back at the mere thought.

аааа "Are you asleep?" asked Kyra.

аааа He gave a sudden start and relaxed the hand that had been squeezing her

little finger spasmodically.

аааа "No," he said, only half awake. "What else did you do?"

аааа "I tidied up your rooms; everything was in a terrible disorder. I found

aа book, a work by Father Our.а Itа tellsа about a noble prince whoа loves a

beautiful butа primitive young girl from the mountain regions. She is really

a savage and thinks he is a god, but she still loves him with all her heart.

Then they become separated and she dies of grief."

аа аа"It's a good book," said Rumata.

аааа "I even cried. I kept thinking it was about us, about you and me."

аааа "Yes, it concerns people like the two of us. And, in general, all human

beingsа who areа in loveа withа eachа other. Exceptа that nobodyа willа ever

separate us."

аааа The safest place for herа would beа on Earth, he thought. Butа how will

she get along there without me? And how will I fare here, all alone? I could

ask Ankaа to become yourа friend. Butа howа willа Iа be able toа remain here

without you? No, we'll flyа to Earth,а but together! I myself will steer the

spaceship and you will sit beside me and I'llа explain everything to you. So

that you won't be afraid. So that you'll love Earth immediately. So that you

will never be homesick. This planet isn'tа yourа home atа all. Your home has

rejectedа you. And you wereа bornа a thousandа yearsа before yourа time.а My

darling,а youа good,а you dear,а youа selflessа girl,а willing toа sacrifice

yourselfа .а . . people like you have been born in every epoch of the bloody

historyа of our planets. Pure, unsullied souls who do not understand cruelty

andа who know noа hatred. Victims.а Unnecessary victims. Farа more senseless

still than the poet Our or Galileo. For people likeа you are no fighters. In

order to be a fighter one has toа be able toа hate and this isа exactly what

you cannot do...

аааа Rumata dropped off toа sleep again. In his dreams he saw Kyraа standing

at the edge of a flat rooftop in Soviet Russia withа a degravitator fastened

toа herа belt. Andа Anka, in gay and mocking mood, urgingа Kyraа impatiently

toward the edge of a mile-deep abyss ...

аааа "Rumata," said Kyra, "I'm afraid!"

аааа "Of what, my darling?" .

аааа "You are always silent, forever silent I get an uncanny feeling..."

аааа Rumata pulled her closer to him.

аааа "All right, my darling,"а he said, "then I'llа talkа and youа pay close

attention toа me: Far, farа away from here,а beyond theа great forest, isа a

sinister-looking,а inaccessibleа castle Thereа livesа Baron Pampa,а a merry,

happyа and good man the very best baron ofа all of Arkanar. He has a wife, a

beautiful, kind woman, who loves Pampa when he is sober but who cannot stand

him when he is drunk..."

аааа He fellа silent and listened attentively. He heard the stomping of many

hooves inа the street and the loud snortingа of many menа and horses. "Looks

like it's here, eh?" asked aа coarse voiceа under their windows. "Looks like

it, yes." "Ha-a-alt!"а The heels of many boots were clicked outsideа onа the

stepsа ofа the terracedа staircase,а andа shortlyа afterwardsа several fists

hammered on the gate. Kyra was frightened and clung closely to Rumata.

аааа "Wait, my darling," he said and threw back the blankets.

аааа "They've come for me," she whispered, "I knew they would!"

аааа Rumata freed himselfа with difficultyа fromа her arms and rushed to the

window. "In the name of the Lord!"а they shouted down below. "Open up, it'll

go bad with you ifа w haveа to beat downа the front door!" Rumata pushed the

curtainа aside a bit and the dancing light of torches flitted into the room.

Aа fairly large crowd of riders wereа tramplingа theа ground in front of the

house, somberа people, dressed in blackа with pointed hoods onа their heads.

Rumata cast aа swift glance down below,а then looked and examined the window

frame. The frame was solidly anchoredа inа the masonry. Downstairs they were

tryingа to ram the front door. Rumataа groped for his swordа in the dark and

smashed the windowа pane with the hilt A tinkling shower of splinters rained

down to the street.

аааа "Hey, you there!" he shouted down to them. "What's the matter with you?

You must be tired of living!"

аааа The pounding and ramming stopped.

аааа "Theyа always mess things up,"а came theа low voicesа from below.а "The

master is home..."

аааа "And what should that matter to us?"

аааа "Don't you know? He's unbeatable with his swords in his hands..."

аааа "And they said he was away forа the night and wouldn't beа backа before

daybreak."

аааа "Scared?"

аааа "N-n-o,а weа aren'tа scared. It's justа that we have noа ordersа toа do

anything with him. No orders to kill him . . ."

аааа "Well tie him up, beat himа over the head, and then chain his legsа and

hands! Hey, who's fidgeting with their spears back there?"

аааа "If only he won't bash in our skulls ..."

аааа "No,а don't be afraid. They all say heа has the strange habit ofа never

killing anybody."

аааа "I'll slit your throats likeа puppies," said Rumata withа a frightening

voice.

аааа Kyra pressed herself against his back. Her heart was beating wildly; he

couldа hear it. Downstairs theа screamingа commandsа were flying: "Knock the

gate down, brothers! In the name of the Lord!"

аааа Rumataа turned around and looked into Kyra's eyes. She stared at him as

she hadа done a little while ago,а with fear andа hopeа inа herа glance. The

reflection of the torches shone in her dry eyes.

а ааа"Come,а come, my little one,"а he said tenderly. "You aren't afraidа of

that mob? Go and get dressed. There's no sense in stayingа here any longer."

Hastilyа heа put on his metalloplastа shirt. "I'll chase themа away and then

well leave. We'll go to Baron Pampa's castle."

аааа She stood at the window and was lookingа downа into the street Red dots

of light ran across her face. Sounds of smashing, splintering wood, clanking

metal came from downstairs. Rumata's heart seemed toа burst, itа was so full

ofа pity and tender love for her.--I'll chase them away like mangyа dogs, he

thought. He bent down to pick up his other sword but when he straightened up

again, Kyra was no longerа standing at theа window. Her fingers clutched the

drapes as she slowly sank to the ground.

аааа "Kyra!" he cried.

аааа A bolt fromа a crossbow hadа pierced her throat, another stuckа inа her

chest. He seized her in his arms and carried her to theа bed, gently placing

her downа on the covers.а "Kyra . . . ," he calledа out softly.а Sheа moaned

briefly and her limbs went limp. "Kyra,"а he said. She did not answer. For a

moment heа stood over her, thenа he took hisа swords, slowly walked down the

stairsа to the entrance hall and waited for the gate to give way under their

blows...

 

 

EPILOGUE

 

аааа "And then?" asked Anka.

аааа Pashka loweredа his eyes, slapped his knee several times withа the flat

of his palm, bent down and pickedа a wild strawberryа growing on theа ground

near his feet. Anka waited.

аааа "Then .а .а .,"а heа murmured. "Actually, nobodyа knowsа for sureа what

happened then, Anka. He had leftа hisа transmitterа at home,а andа after the

house had burnt to the ground, they understood at Controls that thingsа were

notа going well, andа theyа immediatelyа sentа a special emergencyа squad to

Arkanar. They released a considerable amountа of sleeping gas over the city,

to cover all eventualities.а At first they looked at the house. But since it

wasа totally burnt to the ground,а they were confused, not knowingа where to

look for him. But then they saw--"

аааа He became embarrassed and hesitated for a moment

аааа "Well, they saw the traces he had left behind."

аааа Pashka fell silentа againа and started popping one strawberry after the

other into his mouth.

аааа "And?" said Anka softly.

аааа "They came to the palace . . . That's where they found him."

аааа "How?"

аааа "Well ... he wasа sleeping. And all the othersа . , . around him . .а .

were also lyingа on the ground. Some were asleep and others . . . well . . .

They also found Don Reba . . ." Pashka quickly glanced at Anka, then swiftly

lowered his eyes again. "They took him, that is, they took Anton and brought

him back to the station at the base . . . You see,а Anka, he doesn't tell us

about anything. And in general he talks very little now."

аааа Ankaа sat bolt upright, very pale, and looked over Pashka's head toward

theа little meadow in front of the cabin in the woods. The fir trees rustled

their needlesа asа theyа swayedа in the breeze;а a pair of fat whiteа clouds

slowly drifted through the blue sky.

аааа "And what was the matter with the girl?" she asked.

аааа "I don't know," Pashka said firmly.

аааа "Listen, Pashka," said Anka, "maybe I shouldn't have come here at all."

аааа "Will you stop that nonsense! Of course he will be happy to see you..."

аааа "Andа I have theа feeling he isа hiding somewhere here inа theа bushes,

watching us, and waiting for me to leave."

аааа Pashka laughed.

аааа "No, no," he said.а "Anton'sа not hiding in the bushes, you can believe

me. He hasn't got the faintest ideaа that you're here. He's gone off fishing

somewhere, as usual."

аааа "And how does he behave toward you?"

аааа "So-so. We get along all right. But didn't you want something else?..."

аааа They were both silent for a while.

аааа "Anka," said Pashka. "Do you remember the anisotropic road?"

аааа Anka frowned.

аааа "What kind of a road?"

аааа "Theа anisotropicа road.а Withа theа one-wayа streetа sign.а Don'tа you

remember? We were there, the three of us ..."

аааа "Oh, yes. Now I remember. Anton used that word."

аааа "Yes, and then he entered the one-way road the wrong way and walked its

whole length; and when he returned he said he'd found a collapsed bridge and

the skeleton of a German chained to a machine gun."

аааа "I don't remember that part," said Anka. "What about it?"

аааа "Nowadays I often think back to that road," said Pashka. "Maybe there's

some connection somewhere ... theа road was anisotropic--just as history is.

Thereа is no way back.а And he wentа right aheadа anyway. Andа met up with a

chained skeleton."

аааа "I don't follow you. What do you mean by the chained skeleton?"

аааа "I don't know," admitted Pashka. "It's just an impression I have."

аааа Anka said:

аааа "See to it that he doesn't brood too much!а Try to keep him involved in

discussions about anything at all. Make small talk with him. Try to take his

mind off his worries."

аааа Pashka sighed deeply.

аааа "Oh, I know ... I've tried all of that. But what good does all my small

talk do him? He listens for a little while, smilesа andа says: 'Pashka,а why

don't you sit here? I'm going for a walk.' And then he goes off. And there I

sit ... In the beginning I used to follow him secretly; butа now Iа only sit

here waiting for him to come back. Maybe you could--"

аааа All of a suddenа Anka got to her feet.а Pashkaа stood up too and looked

around. Anka followed with bated breath as Anton emerged fromа a clearing in

the woodsа andа came walking toward them--veryа tall, broad-shouldered,а his

face pale.а He seemed completely unchanged; heа hadа alwaysа hadа aа serious

expression on his face.

аааа She walked to meet him.

аааа "Anka," he said tenderly. "Anka, my little friend ..."

аааа Heа held hisа long arms out to her.а Timidly sheа leaned forward,а then

quickly jumped back a step. On his fingers . . .

аааа But it was not blood, only the stain of strawberries.