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Show "Never could the BauerNetwork exist," Jensen broke in, her voice betraying grave seriousness, "without the androids." "Thinkest thou on this good sir,." said Ivan, "they outnumber us, ten to one." The Earthski put his wine flagon down and frowned. "But didn't some of those first settlers bolt and go to the Provinces? I seem to remember hearing something. . ." Ivan shrugged. "Assuredly, a few went, methinks. Their descendants number...oh, mayhap...a hundred or twain. Mayhap three hundred...if thou considerest the others on that very last Sleeper, the one after the Techs came...." Ivan's voice trailed away, and in all truth he'd not really gone that far in his study of BauerWorlde history-of which there was next to nothing anyway. He, along with most BauerWorlders, much preferred reading about ancient OldeWorlde Earth if the truth be known, and had submerged themselves to the eyeballs in it. Moreover, the Provinces were a taboo subject among the Bauercrats, having never had a proper category assigned to them, and discussing the subject was tantamount to belching at table without a napkin before the mouth. "'Tis wild. . .beyond. . .in the Provinces," Ivan said dismissively- "A wight could die just by casting his eyes on the RedDesert alone I hear. And the dreaded HighTartars with their lynx, their giant YellowBison-not a jot like the little beasties we raise in the Commendiums for meat-and the dragons up there-Blessed Jesu save us!" "Dragons! " Visitor Householder was overjoyed. They believe in dragons! he thought. "Saints around us, thou sayest truly!" said Ivan, eyes wide and 73 |