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Show terrified beyond sanity of the Tartars-were the easiest of them all to rehypnotize into carrying out their message. They were the easiest as well to sacrifice, in case the fools in the BauerNetwork had the presence of mind to call in the EarthColonySystem. And after the easterners tackled the peaks, the Seljuk had mused with satisfaction, the others were sure to follow or be humiliated by their own cowardice! "Have ye answer at last?" cried the Seljuk, testing the heft of the box her warrior handed over to her. Then she tore open the cover and peered inside. "By the GreatMother!" she said with a good show of exasperation. "What in Isaac's Hell is this?" The three other dignitaries crowded around and Jothra picked off a thick volume from the top-for the northerners, alone of all the Provincials, were able to read and write. "'Tis labeled a history of the BauerWorlde hoofworm, "said Jothra wonderingly, and then he lugged out the rest of the hardcopy. "Complete in seven volumes!" He dropped them one by one on the floor. '"Twill be a great help, that," he said drily, looking at each of the others in turn. Elsen scratched his sandy head and laughed. "Can they be used as forage?" he asked. Zud was livid. "Ask we for magic and they send us a history!" he cried through his teeth. "By Isaac's full panoply of devils!" He stamped his greaved legs on the throne room floor, making a great clatter which echoed off the stone walls. "Now, now," soothed Ludsela uncharacteristically. "Jothra will draft another request and. . . ." "Will I, indeed?" cried Jothra in outrage. 307 |
