Kingsley Amis is one of the more astute critics of science fiction and recently, while speaking about the

mainstream writer Anthony Burgess and his occasional forays into SF, Amis said ". . . he's a stylist and that's rare in this field." uite true. But we do ha!e lack "ance and his haunting, mood#pos#sessed !isions of the distant future, written in a style that stirs the reader to reaction and response. $ere, in this award winning story, he once more spins his seducti!e magic. Nebula Award, Best Novella 1966 Jack Vance THE LAST CASTLE Toward the end of a stormy summer afternoon, with the sun finally breaking out under ragged black rain clouds, Castle Janeil was overwhelmed and its population destroyed. ntil almost the last moment the factions among the castle clans were s!uabbling as to how "estiny properly should be met. The gentlemen of most prestige and account elected to ignore the entire undignified circumstance and went about their normal pursuits, with neither more nor less punctilio than usual. A few cadets, desperate to the point of hysteria, took up weapons and prepared to resist the final assault. #thers still, perhaps a !uarter of the total population, waited passively, readyalmost happyto e$piate the sins of the human race. %n the end death came uniformly to all& and all e$tracted as much satisfaction in their dying as this essentially graceless process could afford. The proud sat turning the pages of their beautiful books, or discussing the !ualities of a centufy'old essence, or fondling a favorite (hane. They died without deigning to heed the fact. The hot'heads raced up the muddy slope which, outraging all normal rationality, loomed above the parapets of Janeil. )ost were buried under sliding rubble, but a few gained the ridge to gun, hack, stab, until they themseves were shot, crushed by the half'alive power'wagons, hacked or stabbed. The contrite waited in the classic posture of e$piation, on their knees, heads bowed, and perished, so they believed, by a process in which the )eks were symbols and human sin the reality. %n the end all were dead* gentle'men, ladies, (hanes in the pavilions& (easants in the stables. #f all those who had inhabited Janeil, only the Birds survived, creatures awkward, gauche and raucous, oblivious to pride and faith, more concerned with the wholeness of their hides than the dignity of their castle. As the )eks swarmed over the parapets, the Birds departed their cotes. They screamed strident insults as they flapped east toward +agedorn, now the last castle of ,arth. (our months before, the )eks had appeared in the park before Janeil, fresh from the -ea %sland massacre. Climbing to the turrets and balconies, sauntering the -unset (romenade, from ramparts and parapets, the gentlemen and ladies of Janeil, some two thousand in all, looked down at the browngold warriors. Their mood was comple$* amused indifference, flippant disdain, over a substratum of doubt and foreboding. All these moods were the product of three basic circumstances* their own e$!uisitely subtle civili.ation, the security provided by Janeil/s wall and the fact that they could think of nothing to do to alter the circumstances. The Janeil )eks had long since departed to 0oin the revolt. There only remained (hanes, (easants and Birds from which to fashion what would have been the travesty of a punitive ..force. At the moment there seemed no need for such a force. Janeil was deemed impregnable. The walls, two hundred feet tall, were black' rock'melt contained in the meshes of a silver'blue steel alloy. -olar cells provided energy for all the needs of the castle, and in the event of emergency food could be synthesi.ed from carbon dio$ide and water vapor, as well as syrup for (hanes, (easants and Birds. -uch a need was not envisaged. Janeil was self'sufficient and secure, though incon'veniences might arise when machinery broke down and there were no )eks to repair it. The situation, then, was disturbing but hardly desperate. "uring the day the gentlemen so in'clined brought forth energy'guns and sport'rifles and killed as many )eks as the e$treme range allowed. After dark the )eks brought forward power'wagons and earth'movers, and began to raise a dike around Janeil. The folk of the castle watched without comprehension until the dike reached a height of fifty feet and dirt began to spill down against the walls. Then the dire purpose of the )eks became apparent, and insouciance gave way to dismal fore'boding. All the gentlemen of Janeil were erudite in at least one realm of knowledge. Certain were mathematical theoreticians, others had made a profound study of the physical sciences. -ome of these, with a detail of (easants to perform the sheer physical e$ertion, attempted to restore the energy'cannon to functioning condition. nluckily, the cannon had not been maintained in good order. 1arious components were obvi'ously corroded or damaged. Conceivably these components might have been replaced from the )ek shops on the second sub'level, but none of the group had any knowledge of the )ek nomenclature or warehousing system. 2arrick )adency Arban 3which is to say, Arban of the )adency family on the 2arrick clan4 suggested that a work'force of (easants search the warehouse. But in view of the limited mental capacity of the (easants, nothing was done and the whole plan to restore the energy'cannon came to naught. The gentlefolk of Janeil watched in fascination as the dirt piled higher and higher around them, in a circular mound like a crater. -ummer neared its end, and on one stormy day dirt and rubble rose above the parapets, and began to spill over into the courts and pia..as. Janeil must soon be buried and /all within suffocated. %t was then that a group of impulsive young cadets, with more elan than dignity, took up weapons and charged up the slope.

The )eks dumped dirt and stone upon them, but a handful gained the ridge where they fought in a kind of dreadful e$altation. 5ifteen minutes the fight raged and the earth became sodden with rain and blood. 5or one glorious moment the cadets swept the ridge clean. +ad not most of their fellows been lost under the rubble anything might have occurred. But the )eks regrouped, thrust forward. Ten men were left,'then si$, then four, then one, then none. The )eks marched down the slope, swarmed over the battlements, and with somber intensity killed all within. Janeil, for seven hundred years the abode of gallant gentlemen and gracious ladies, had become a lifeless hulk. The )ek, standing as if a specimen in a museum case, was a man'like creature native, in his original version, to a planet of ,tamin. +is tough rusty'bron.e hide glistened metallically as if oiled or wa$ed. The spines thrusting back from scalp and neck shone like gold, and indeed they were coated with a conductive copper'chrome film. +is sense organs were gath'ered in clusters at the site of a man/s ears& his visageit was often a shock, walking the lower corridors, to come suddenly upon a )ekwas corrugated muscle, not dissimilar to the look of an uncovered human brain. +is maw, a vertical irregular cleft at the base of his /face/, was an obsolete organ by reason of the syrup sac which had been introduced under the skin of the shoulders, and the digestive organs, originally used to e$tract nutrition from decayed swamp vegetation and coelenterates, had atrophied. The )ek typically wore no garment e$cept possibly a work apron or a tool'belt, and in the sunlight his rust'bron.e skin made a handsome display. This was the )ek solitary, a creature intrinsically as effective as manperhaps more by virtue of his superb brain which also functioned as a radio transceiver. 2orking in the mass, by the teeming thousands, he seemed less admirable, less competent* a hybrid of sun'man and cockroach. Certain savants, notably )orninglight/s ". 6. Jardine and -alonson of Tuang, considered the )ek bland and phlegmat'ic, but the profound Claghorn of Castle +agedorn asserted otherwise. The emotions of the )ek, said Claghorn, were different from human emotions, and only vaguely comprehen'&sible to man. After diligent research Claghorn isolated over a do.en )ek emotions. %n spite of such research, the )ek revolt came as an utter surprise, no less to Claghorn, ". 6. Jardine and -alonson than to anyone else. 2hy7 asked everyone. +ow could a group so long submissive have contrived so murderous a plot7 The most reasonable con0ecture was also the simplest* the )ek resented servitude and hated the ,arthmen who had removed him from his natural environment. Those who argued against this theory claimed that it pro0ected human emotions and attitudes into a nonhuman organism, that the )ek had every reason to feel gratitude toward the gentlemen who had liberated him from the conditions of ,tamin Nine. To this, the first group would in!uire, 82ho pro0ects human attitudes now78 And the retort of their opponents was often* 8-ince no one knows for certain, one pro0ection is no more absurd than another.8 %% Castle +agedom occupied the crest of a black diorite crag overlooking a wide valley to the south. 9arger, more ma0estic than Janeil, +agedom was protected by walls a mile in circumference, three hundred feet tall. The parapets stood a full nine hundred feet above the valley, with towers, turrets and observation eyries raising even higher. Two sides of the crag, at east and west, dropped sheer to the valley. The north and south slopes, a trifle less steep, were terraced and planted with vines, artichokes, pears and pomegranates. An avenue rising from the valley circled the crag and passed through a portal into the central pla.a. #pposite stood the great 6otun'da, with at either side the tall +ouses of the twenty'eight families. The original castle, constructed immediately after the re'turn of men to ,arth, stood on the site now occupied by the pla.a. The tenth +agedom had assembled an enormous force of (easants and )eks to build the new walls, after which he demolished the old castle. The twenty'eight +ouses dated from this time, five hundred years before. Below the pla.a were three service levels* the stables and garages at the bottom, ne$t the )ek shops and )ek living !uarters, then the various storerooms, warehouses and special shops* bakery, brewery, lapidary, arsenal, repository, and the like. The current +agedom, twenty'si$th of the line, was a Claghorn of the #verwheles. +is selection had occasioned general surprise, because :. C. Charle, as he had been before his elevation, was a gentleman of no remarkable presence. +is elegance, flair, and erudition were only ordinary& he had never been notable for any significant originality of thought. +is physical proportions were good& his face was s!uare and bony, with a short straight nose, a benign brow, narrow gray eyes. +is e$pression was normally a trifle abstractedhis detractors used the word /vacant/. But by a simple lowering of the eyelids, a downward twitch of the coarse blond eyebrows, it at once became stubborn and surly, a fact of which :. C. Charle, or +agedorn, was unaware. The office, while e$erting little or no formal authority, e$erted a pervasive influence, and the style of the gentleman who was +agedorn affected everyone. 5or this reason the selection of +agedorn was a matter of no small importance, sub0ect to hundreds of considerations, and it was the rare candidate who failed to have some old solectem or gaucherie discussed with embarrassing candor. 2hile the candidate might never take overt umbrage, friendships were inevitably sundered, rancors augmented, reputations blasted. :. C. Charle/s elevation represented a compromise between two factions among the #verwheles, to which clan the privilege of

selection had fallen. The gentlemen between whom :. C. Charle represented a compromise were both highly respected, but distinguished by basically different attitudes toward e$istence. The first was the talented ;arr of the <urnbeld family. +e e$emplified the traditional virtues of Castle +agedorn* he was a notable connoisseur of essences, he dressed with absolute savoir, with never so much as a pleat nor a twist of the characteristic #verwhele rosette awry. +e combined insouciance and flair with dignity. +is repartee coruscated with brilliant allusions and turns of phrase. 2hen aroused his wit was utterly mordant. +e could !uote every literary work of conse!uence& he performed e$pertly upon the nine'stringed lute, and was thus in constant demand at the 1iewing of Anti!ue Tabards. +e was an anti!uarian of unchallengeable erudition and knew the locale of every ma0or city of #ld ,arth, and could discourse for hours upon the history of the ancient times. +is military e$pertise was unparallelled at +agedorn, and chal'lenged only by ". =.. )agdah of Castle "elora and perhaps Brusham of Tuang. 5aults7 5laws7 5ew could be cited* over'punctilio which might be construed as waspishness& an intrepid pertinacity which could be considered ruthless. :. <. ;arr could never be dismissed as insipid or indecisive, and his personal courage was beyond dispute. Two years before a stray band of Nomads had ventured into 9ucerne 1alley, slaughtering (easants, stealing cattle, and going so far as to fire an arrow into the chest of an %sseth cadet. :. <. ;arr instantly assembled a punitive company of )eks, loaded them aboard a do.en power'wagons and set forth in pursuit of the Nomads, finally overtaking them near "rene 6iver, by the ruins of 2orster Cathedral. The Nomads were une$pect'edly strong, une$pectedly crafty, and were not content to turn tail and flee. "uring the fighting :. <. ;arr displayed the most e$emplary demeanor, directing the attack from the seat of his power'wagon, a pair of )eks standing by with shields to ward away arrows. The conflict ended in a rout of the Nomads. They left twenty'seven lean black'cloaked corpses strewn on the field, while only twenty )eks lost their lives. 0. <. ;arr/s opponent in the election was Claghorn, elder of the Claghorn family. As with :. <, ;arr, the e$!uisite discriminations of +agedorn society came to Claghorn as easily as swimming to a fish. +e was no less erudite than :. <. ;arr, though hardly so versatile, his principal field of study being the )eks, their physiology, linguistic modes, and social patterns. Claghom/s conversation was more profound, but less entertaining and not so trenchant as that of :. <. ;arr. +e seldom employed the e$travagant tropes and allusions which characteri.ed ;arr/s discussions, preferring a style of speech which was almost unadorned. Claghorn kept no (hanes& :. <. ;arr/s four matched ;ossamer "ainties were marvels of delight, and at the viewing of Anti!ue Tabards ;arr/s presentations were seldom outshone. The important contrast between the two men lay in their philosophic outlook. :. <. ;arr, a traditional'ist, a fervent e$emplar of his society, subscribed to its tenets without reservation. +e was beset by neither doubt nor guilt& he felt no desire to alter the conditions which afforded more than two thousand gentlemen and ladies lives of great rich'ness. Claghorn, while by no means an ,$piationist, was known to feel dissatisfaction with the general tenor of life at Castle +agedorn, and argued so plausibly that many folk refused to listen to him, on the grounds that they became uncomfortable. But an indefinable malaise ran deep, and Claghorn had many influential supporters. 2hen the time came for ballots to be cast, neither :. <./;arr nor Claghorn could muster sufficient support. The office finally was cofaferred upon a gentleman who never in his most optimistic reckonings had e$pected it* a gentleman of decorum and dignity but no great depth& without flippancy, but likewise without vivacity& affable but disinclined to force an issue to a disagreeable conclusion* :. C. Charie, the new +agedorn, -i$ months later, during the dark hours before dawn, the +agedom )eks evacuated their !uarters and departed, taking with them power'wagons, tools, weapons and electrical e!uip'ment. The act had clearly been long in the planning, for simultaneously the )eks at each of the eight other castles made a similar departure. The initial reaction at Castle +agedom, as elsewhere, was incredulity, then shocked anger, thenwhen the implications of the act were pondereda sense of foreboding and calam'ity. The new +agedorn, the clan chiefs, and certain other notables appointed by +agedorn met in the formal council chamber to consider the matter. They sat around a great table covered with red velvet* +agedorn at the head& >anten and %sseth at his left& #verwhele, Aure and Beaudry at his right& then the others, including :. <. ;arr, ?. =. 9inus, A. ;. Bernal, a mathematical theoretician of great ability, B. 5. 2yas, an e!ually sagacious anti!uarian who had identified the sites of many ancient cities* (almyra, 9ubeck, ,ridu, <anes'ville, Burton'on'Trent, )assilia among others. Certain family elders filled out the council* )arune and Baudune of Aure& @uay, 6oseth and %delsea of >anten& egus of %sseth, Clag'horn of #verwhele. All sat silent for a period of ten minutes, arranging their minds and performing the silent act of psychic accommoda'tion known as /intression/. At last +agedorn spoke. 8The castle suddenly is bereft of fits )eks. Needless to say, this is an inconvenient condition to be ad0usted as swiftly as possible. +ere, % am sure, we find ourselves of one mind.8 +e looked around the table. All thrust forward ivory tablets to signify assentall save Claghorn, who however did not stand it on end to signify dissent. %sseth, a stern white'haired gentleman magnificently handsome in spite of his seventy years, spoke in a grim voice, 8% see no point in cogitation or delay. 2hat we must do is clear.

Admittedly the (easants are poor material from which to recruit an armed force. Nonetheless, we must assemble them, e!uip them with sandals, smocks and weapons so that they do not discredit us, and put them under good leadership* :. <. ;arr or >anten. Birds can locate the vagrants, whereupon we will track them down, order the (easants to give them a good drubbing and herd them home on the double.8 >anten, thirty'five years old, e$traordinarily young to be a clan chief, and a notorious firebrand, shook his head. 8The idea is appealing but impractical. (easants simply could not stand up to the )eks& no matter how we trained them.8 The statement was manifestly accurate. The (easants, small andromorphs originally of -pica Ten, were not so much timid as incapable of performing a vicious act. A dour silence held the table. :. <. ;arr finally spoke. 8The dogs have stolen our power'wagons, otherwise %/d be tempted to ride out and chivvy the rascals home with a whip.8A 8A matter of perple$ity,8 said +agedorn, 8is syrup. Natu'rally they carried away what they could. 2hen this is e$' haustedwhat then7 2ill they starve7 %mpossible for them to return to their original dietwhat was it, swamp mud7 ,h, Claghom, you/re the e$pert in these matters. Can the )eks return to a diet of mud78 8No,8 said Claghom. 8The organs of the adult are atro'phied. %f a cub were started on the diet, he/d probably survive.8 8Just as % assumed.8 +agedorn scowled portentously down at his clasped hands to conceal his total lack of any construc'tive proposal. A gentleman in the dark blue of the Beaudrys appeared in AThis is only an appro$imate translation and fails to capture the pun'gency of the language. -everal words have no contemporary e!uivalents. /-kirkling/, as in /to send skirkling/, denotes a frantic pell'mell flight in all directions accompanied by a vibration or twinkling or a 0erking motion. To /volith/ is to toy idly with a matter, the implication being that the person involved is of such Jovian potency that all difficulties dwindle to contemptible triviality. /6audelbogs/ are the semi'intelligent beings of ,tamin 5our, who were brought to ,arth, trained first as gardeners, then construction laborers, then sent home in disgrace because of certain repulsive habits they refused to forgo. The statement of :. <. ;arr, therefore, becomes something like this* 82ere power'wagons at hand. %/d volith riding forth with a whip to send the raudelbogs skirkling home.8 the doorway* he poised himself, heBd high his right arm, bowed. +agedom rose to his feet. 8Come forward, B. 5. 6obarth& what is your news78 5or this was the significance of the newcomer/s genuflection. 8The news is a message broadcast from +alcyon. The )eks have attacked& they have fired the structure and are slaughter' ing all. The radio went dead one minute ago.8 All swung around, some 0umped to their feet. 8-laughter78 Croaked Claghom. 8% am certain that by now +alcyon is no more.8 Claghom sat staring with eyes unfocused. The others dis'cussed the dire news in voices heavy with horror. +agedom once more brought the council back to order. 8This is clearly an e$treme situation& the gravest, perhaps, of our entire history. % am frank to state that % can suggest no decisive counteract.8 #verwhele in!uired, 82hat of the other castles7 Are they secure78 +agedom turned to B. 5. 6obarth* 82ill you be good enough to make general radio contact with all other castles, and in!uire as to their condition78 >anten said, 8#thers are as vulnerable as +alcyon* -ea %sland and "elora, in particular, and )araval as well.8 Claghom emerged from his reverie. 8The gentlemen and ladies of these places, in my opinion, should consider taking refuge at Janeil or here until the uprising is !uelled.8 #thers around the table looked at him in surprise and pu..lement. :. <. ;arr in!uired in the silkiest of voices* 8Cou envision the gentlefolk of these castles scampering to refuge at the cock'a'hoop swaggering of the lower orders78 8%ndeed % do, should they wish to survive,8 responded Claghom politely. A gentleman of late middle'age, Claghom was stocky, strong, with black'gray hair, magnificent green eyes, a manner which suggests great internal force under stern control. 85light by definition entails a certain diminution of dignity,8 he went on to say. 8%f : <. ;arr can propound an elegant manner of taking to one/s heels. % will be glad to learn it, and everyone else should likewise heed, because in the days to come the capability may be of comfort to all.8 +agedom interposed before :. <. ;arr could reply. 89et us keep to the issues. % confess % cannot see to the end of all this. The )eks have demonstrated themselves to be mur'derers. +ow can we take murderers back into our service7 But if we don/twell, to say the least, conditions will be austere until we can locate and train a new force of techni'cians.8 8The spaceshipsD8 e$claimed >anten. 82e must see to them at onceD8 82hat/s this78 in!uired Beaudry, a gentleman of rock'hard face. 8+ow do you mean* /see to them/78 8They must be protected from damageD %hat else7 They are our link to the +ome 2orlds. The maintenance )eks probably have not deserted the hangars, since, if they propose to e$terminate us, they will want to deny us the spaceships.8 8(erhaps you care to march with a levy of (easants to take the hangars under firm control78 suggested :. <. ;arr in a somewhat supercilious voice. A long history of rivalry and mutual detestation e$isted between himself and >anten. 8%t may be our only hope,8 said >anten. 8-tillhow does one fight with a levy of (easants7 Better that % fly to the hangars and

reconnoiter. )eanwhile, perhaps you, and others with military e$pertise, will take in hand the recruitment and training of a (easant militia.8 8%n this regard,8 stated :. <. ;arr, 8% await the outcome of our current deliberations. %f it develops that here lies the optimum course, % naturally will apply my competences to the fullest degree. %f your own capabilities are best fulfilled by spying out the activities of the )eks, % hope you will be large'hearted enough to do the same.8 The two gentlemen glared at each other. A year previously their enmity had almost culminated in a duel. >anten, a gentleman tall, clean'limbed, nervously active, was gifted with great natural flair, but likewise evinced a disposition too easy for absolute elegance. The traditionalists considered him /sthross/, indicating a manner flawed by an almost imperceptible slackness and lack of punctilio* not the best possible choice for clan chief. >anten/s response to :. <. ;arr was blandly polite. 8% shall be glad to take this task upon myself. -ince haste is of the essence % will risk the accusation of precipitousness and leave at once. +opefully % return to report tomorrow.8 +e rose, performed a ceremonious bow to +agedorn, another all'inclu'sive salute to the council and departed. +e crossed to ,sledune +ouse where he maintained an apartment on the thirteenth level* four rooms furnished in the style known as 5ifth "ynasty, after an epoch in the history of the Altair +ome (lanets, from which the human race had returned to ,arth. +is current consort, Araminta, a lady of the #nwane family, was absent on affairs of her own, which suited >anten well enough. After plying him with !uestions she would have discredited his simple e$planation, preferring to suspect an assignation at his country place. Truth to tell, he had become bored with Araminta and had reason to believe that she felt similarlyor perhaps his e$alted rank had provided her less opportunity to preside at glittering social functions than she had e$pected. They had bred no children. Araminta/s daughter by a previous connection had been tallied to her. +er second child must then be tallied to >anten, preventing him from siring another child.A >anten doffed his yellow council vestments. Assisted by a young (easant buck, he donned dark yellow hunting'breeches with black trim, a black 0acket, black boots. +e drew a cap of soft black leather over his head, slung a pouch over his shoulder, into which he loaded weapons* a coiled blade, an energy gun. 9eaving the apartment he summoned the lift and descended to the first level armory, where normally a )ek clerk would have served him. Now >anten, to his vast disgust, was forced to take himself behind the counter, and rummage here and there. The )eks had removed most of the spotting rifles, all the pellet e0ectors and heavy energy'guns. An ominous cir'cumstance, thought >anten. At last he found a steel sling'' whip, spare power'slugs for his gun, a brace of fire grenades, ,a high'powered monocular. +e returned to the lift, rode to the top level, ruefully considering the long climb when eventually the mechanism AThe population of Castle +agedorn was fi$ed& each gentleman and each lady was permitted a single child. %f by chance another were born he must either find someone who had not yet sired to sponsor it, or dispose of it another way. The usual procedure was to give the child into the care of the ,$piationists. broke down, with no )eks at hand to make repairs. +e thought of the apoplectic furies of rigid fraditionalists such as Beaudry and chuckled. ,ventful days lay aheadD -topping at the top level he crossed to the parapets, proceeded around to the radio room. Customarily three )ek specialists connected into the apparatus by wires clipped to their !uills sat typing messages as they arrived. Now B. 5. 6obarth stood before the mechanism, uncertainly twisting the dials, his mouth wry with deprecation and distaste for the 0ob. 8Any further news78 >anten asked. B. 5. 6obarth gave him a sour grin. 8The folk at the other end seem no more familiar with this cursed tangle than ?. % hear occasional voices. % believe that the )eks are attacking Castle "elora.8 Claghom had entered the room behind >anten. 8"id % hear you correctly7 "elora Castle is gone78 8Not gone yet, Claghom. But as good as gone. The "elora walls are little better than a pictures!ue crumble.8 8-ickening situationD8 muttered >anten. 8+ow can sentient creatures perform such evil7 After all these centuries, how little we actually knew of themD8 As he spoke he recogni.ed the tactlessness of his remark& Claghom had devoted much time to a study of the )eks. 8The act itself is not astounding,8 said Claghom shortly. 8%t has occurred a thousand times in human history.8 )ildly surprised that Claghom should use human history as referent to a case involving the sub'orders, >anten asked* 8Cou were never aware of this vicious aspect to the )ek nature78 8No. Never. Never indeed.8 Claghom seemed unduly sensitive, thought >anten. nder' standable, all in all. Claghorn/s basic doctrine as set forth during the +agedorn selection was by no means simple, and >anten neither understood it nor completely endorsed what he conceived to be its goals& but it was plain that the revolt of the )eks had cut the ground out from under Claghorn/s feet. (robably to the somewhat bitter satisfaction of :. <. ;arr, who must feel vindicated in his traditionalist doctrines. Claghom said tersely, 8The life we/ve been leading couldn/t last forever. %t/s a wonder it lasted as long as it did.8

8(erhaps so,8 said >anten in a soothing voice. 82ell, no matter. All things change. 2ho knows7 The (easants may be planning to poison our food... % must go.8 +e bowed to Claghorn, who returned him a crisp nod, and to B.*.*&5. 6obarth, then departed the room. +e climbed the spiral staircasealmost a ladderto the cotes, where the Birds lived in an invincible disorder, occupy'ing themselves with gambling at the game of !uarrels, a version of chess, with rules incomprehensible to every gentle'man who had tried to understand it. Castle +agedorn maintained a hundred Birds, tended by a gang of long'suffering (easants, whom the Birds held in vast disesteem. They were garish garrulous creatures, pigmented red, yellow, blue, with long necks, 0erking in!uisitive heads, an inherent irreverence which no amount of discipline or tutelage could overcome. -pying >anten, they emitted a chorus of rude 0eers* 8-omebody wants a rideD +eavy thingD8 82hy don/t the self'anointed two'footers grow wings for themselves78 8)y friend, never trust a BirdD 2e/ll sky you, then fling you down on your fundamentD8 8@uietD8 called >anten. 8% need si$ fast, silent Birds, upon an important mission. Are any capable of such a task78 8Are any capable, he asksD8 "A ros ros ros& 2hen none of us have flown for a weekD8 8-ilence7 2e/ll give you silence, yellow and blackD8 8Come then. Cou. Cou. Cou of the wise eye. Cou there. Cou with the cocked shoulder. Cou with the green pompon. To the basket.8 The Birds designated, 0eering, grumbling, reviling the (eas'ants, allowed their syrup sacs to be filled, then flapped to the wicker seat where >anten waited. 8To the space depot at 1incenne,8 he told them. 85ly high and silently. ,nemies are abroad. 2e must learn what harm if any has been done to the spaceships.8 8To the depot thenD8 ,ach Bird sei.ed a length of rope tied to an overhead framework& the chair was yanked up with a 0erk calculated to rattle >anten/s teeth, and off they flew, laughing, cursing each other for not supporting more of the . load, but eventually all accommodating themselves to the task apd flying with a coordinated flapping of the thirty'si$ sets of wings. To >anten/s relief, their garrulity lessened& silently they flew south, at a speed of fifty or si$ty miles per hour. The afternoon was already waning. The ancient country'side, scene to so many comings and goings, so much triumph and so much disaster, was laoed with long black shadows. 9ooking down, >anten reflected that though the human stock was native to this soil, and though his immediate ancestors had maintained their holdings for seven hundred years, ,arth still seemed an alien world. The reason of course was by no means mysterious or rooted in parado$. After the -i$'-tar 2ar, ,arth had lain fallow for three thousand years, unpopulated save for a handful of anguished wretches who somehow had survived the cataclysm and who had become semi'barbaric Nomads. Then seven hundred years ago certain rich lords of Altair, motivated to some e$tent by political disaffection, but no less by caprice, had decided to return to ,arth. -uch was the origin of the nine great strongholds, the resident gentlefolk and the staffs of speciali.ed andromorphs. >anten flew over an area where an anti!uarian had di'rected e$cavations, revealing a pla.a flagged with white stone, a broken obelisk, a tumbled statue. The sight, by some trick of association, stimulated >anten/s mind to an astonishing vision, so simple and yet so grand that he looked around, in all directions, with new eyes. The vision was ,arth re'populated with men, the land cultivated. Nomads driven back into the wilderness. At the moment the image was far'fetched. And >anten, watching the soft contours of old ,arth slide below, pondered the )ek revolt which had altered his life with such startling abruptness. Claghom had long insisted that no human condition en'dured forever, with the corollary that the more complicated such a condition, the greater its susceptibility to change. %n that case the seven hundred year continuity at Castle +agedomas artificial, e$travagant and intricate as life could bebecame an astonishing circumstance in itself. Claghom had pushed his thesis further. -ince change was inevitable, he argued that the gentlefolk should soften the impact by antici'pating and controlling the changesa doctrine which had been attacked with great fervor. The traditionalists labeled all of Claghorn/s ideas demonstrable fallacy, and cited the very stability of castle life as proof of its viability. >anten had inclined first one way, then the other, emotionally involved with neither cause. %f anything, the fact of :. <. ;arr/s traditionalism had nudged him toward Claghorn/s views. Now it seemed as if events had vindicated Claghom. Change had come, with an impact of the ma$imum harshness and violence. There were still !uestions to be answered, of course. 2hy had the )eks chosen this particular time to revolt7 Conditions had not altered appreciably for five hundred years, and the )eks had never previously hinted dissatisfaction. %n fact, they had revealed nothing of their feelingsthough no one had ever troubled to ask themsave Claghorn. The Birds were veering east to avoid the Ballarat )oun'tains, to the west of which were the ruins of a great city, never satisfactorily identified. Below lay the 9ucerne 1alley, at one time a fertile farm land. %f one looked with great concentration the outline of the various holdings could some'times be distinguished. Ahead, the spaceship hangars were visible, where )ek technicians maintained four spaceships that were 0ointly the property of +agedorn, Janeil, Tuang, )ominglight and )araval, though, for a variety of reasons, the ships were never used. The sun was setting. #range light twinkled and flickered on the metal walls. >anten called instructions up to the Birds* 8Circle down& alight behind that line of trees, but fly low so that none will see.8

"own on stiff wings curved the Birds, si$ ungainly necks stretched toward the ground. >anten was ready for the impact. The Birds never seemed able to alight easily when they carried a gentleman. 2hen the cargo was something in which they felt a personal concern, dandelion fluff would never have been disturbed by the 0ar. >anten e$pertly kept his balance, instead of tumbling and rolling in the manner preferred by the Birds. 8Cou all have syrup,8 he told them. 86est* make no noise& do not !uarrel. By tomorrow/s sunset, if % am not here, return to Castle +agedorn and say that >anten was killed.8 8Never fearD8 cried the Birds. 82e will wait foreverD8 8At any rate till tomorrow/s sunsetD8 8%f danger threatens, if you are presseda ros ros ros& Call for the BirdsD8 "A ros& 2e are ferocious when arousedD8 8% wish it were true,8 said >anten. 8The Birds are arrant cowards, this is well known. -till % value the sentiment. 6emember my instructions, and be !uiet above allD % do not wish to be set upon and stabbed because of your clamor.8 The Birds made indignant sounds. 8%n0ustice, in0usticeD 2e are !uiet as the dewD8 8;ood.8 >anten hurriedly moved away lest they shouli bellow new advice or reassurances after him. %1 (assing through the forest, he came to an open meadow at the far edge of which, perhaps a hundred yards distant, was the rear of the first hangar. +e stopped to consider. -everal factors were involved. 5irst, the maintenance )eks, with the metal structure shielding them from radio contact, might still be unaware of the revolt. +ardly likely, he decided, in view of the otherwise careful planning. -econd, the )eks, in continuous communication with their fellows, acted as a collective organism. The aggregate functioned more complete'ly than its parts, and the individual was not prone to initiative. +ence, vigilance was not likely to be e$treme. Third, if they e$pected anyone to attempt a discreet approach, they would necessarily scrutini.e most closely the route which he pro'posed to take. >anten decided to wait in the shadows another ten minutes, until the setting sun shining over his shoulder should most effectively blind any who might watch. Ten minutes passed. The hangars, burnished by the dying sunlight, bulked long, tall, completely !uiet. %n the intervening meadow long golden grass waved and rippled in a cool bree.e. >anten took a deep breath, hefted his pouch, arranged his weapons, strode forth. %t did not occur to him to crawl through the grass. +e reached the back of the nearest hangar without chal'lenge. (ressing his ear to the metal he heard nothing. +e walked to the corner, looked down the side* no sign of life. >anten shrugged. 1ery well then& to the door. +e walked beside the hangar, the setting sun casting a long black shadow ahead of him. +e came to a door opening into the hangar administrative office. -ince there was nothing to be gained by trepidation, >anten thrust the door aside and entered. The offices were empty. The desks, where centuries before underlings had sat, calculating invoices and bills of lading, were bare, polished, free of dust. The computers and informa'tion banks, black enamel, glass, white and red switches, looked as if they had been installed only the day before. >anten crossed to the glass pane overlooking the hangar floor, shadowed under the bulk of the ship. +e saw no )eks. But on the floor of the hangar, arranged in neat rows and heaps, were elements and assemblies of the ship/s control mechanism. -ervice panels gaped wide into the hull to show where the devices had been detached. >anten stepped from the office out into the hangar. The spaceship had been disabled, put out of commission. >anten looked along the neat rows of parts. Certain savants of various castles were e$pert in the theory of space'time transfer& -. >. 6osenho$ of )araval had even derived a set of e!uations which, if translated into machinery, eliminated the troublesome +amus ,ffect. But not one gentleman, even were he so oblivious to personal honor as to touch a hand to a tool, would know how to replace, connect and tune the mecha'nisms heaped upon the hangar floor. 2hen had the malicious work been done7 %mpossible to say. >anten returned to the office, stepped back out into the twilight, walked to the ne$t hangar. Again no )eks& again the spaceship had been gutted of its control mechanisms. >anten proceeded to the third hangar, where conditions were the same. At the fourth hangar he discerned the faint sounds of activity. -tepping into the office, looking through the glass wall into the hangar, he found )eks working with their usual economy of motion, in a near silence which was uncanny. >anten, already uncomfortable because of skulking through the forest, became enraged by the cool destruction of his property. +e strode forth into the hangar. -lapping his thigh to attract attendon he called in a harsh voice, 86eturn the components to placeD +ow dare you vermin act in such a manner78 The )eks turned about their blank countenances, studied him through black beaded lensclusters at each side of their / heads. 82hat78 >anten bellowed. 8Cou hesitate78 +e brought forth his steel whip, usually more of a symbolic ad0unct than a punitive instrument, and slashed it against the ground. 8#beyD This ridiculous revolt is at its endD8 The )eks still hesitated, and events wavered in the balance. None made a sound, though messages were passing among them, appraising the circumstances, establishing a consensus. >anten could allow them no such leisure. +e marched for'ward, wielding the whip, striking at the only area where the )eks felt pain* the ropy face. 8To your duties,8 he roared. 8A fine

maintenance crew are youD A destruction crew is more like itD8 . The )eks made their soft blowing sound which might mean anything. They fell back, and now >anten noted one standing at the head of the companionway leading into the ship* a )ek larger than any he had seen before and one in some fashion different. This )ek was aiming a pellet gun at his head. 2ith an unhurried flourish >anten whipped away a )ek who had leapt forward with a knife, and without deigning to aim fired at and destroyed the )ek who stood on the companionway, even as the slug sang past his head. The other )eks were nevertheless committed to an attack. All surged forward. 9ounging disdainfully against the hull, >anten shot them as they came, moving his head once to avoid a chunk of metal, again reaching to catch a throw'knife and hurl it into the face of him who had thrown it. The )eks drew back, and >anten guessed that they had agreed on a new tactic* either to withdraw for weapons or perhaps to confine him within the hangar. %n any event no more could be accomplished here. +e made play with the whip and cleared an avenue to the office. 2ith tools, metal bars and forgings striking the glass behind him, he sauntered through the office and out into the night. +e did not look behind. The full moon was rising, a great yellow globe casting a smoky saffron glow, like an anti!ue lamp. )ek eyes were not well adapted for night seeing, and >anten waited by the door. (resently )eks began to pour forth, and >anten hacked at their necks as they came. The )eks drew back inside the hangar. 2iping his blade >anten strode off the way he had come, looking neither right nor left. +e stopped short. The night was young. -omething tickled his mind* the recollection of the )ek who had fired the pellet gun. +e had been larger, possibly a darker bron.e, but, more significantly, he had displayed an indefinable poise, almost authoritythough such a word, when used in connec'tion with the )eks, was anomalous. #n the other hand, someone must have planned the revolt, or at least originated the concept of a revolt in the first place. %t might be worthwhile to e$tend the reconnaissance, though his primary information had been secured. >anten turned back and crossed the landing area to the barracks and garages. #nce more, frowning in discomfort, he felt the need for discretion. 2hat times these were when a gentleman must skulk to avoid such as the )eksD +e stole up behind the garages, where a half'do.en power'wagonsA lay do.ing. >anten looked them over. All were of the same sort, a metal frame with four wheels and an earth'moving blade at the front. Nearby must be the syrup stock. >anten presently found a bin containing a number of containers. +e loaded a do.en on a nearby wagon and slashed the rest with his knife, so that the syrup gushed across the ground. The )eks used a somewhat different formulation& their syrup would be stocked at a different locale, presumably inside the barracks. >anten mounted a power'wagon, twisted the /awake/ key, tapped the /;o/ button, pulled a lever which set the wheels into reverse motion. The power'wagon lurched back. >anten halted it and turned it so that it faced the barracks. +e did likewise with three others, then set them all in motion, one after the other. They trundled forward. The blades cut open the metal wall of the barracks, the roof sagged. The power'wagons con'tinued, pushing the length of the interior, crushing all in their way. >anten nodded in profound satisfaction, returned to the power'wagon he had reserved for his own use. )ounting to the seat, he waited. No )eks issued from the barracks. Apparently they were deserted, with the entire crew busy at the hangars. -till, hopefully, the syrup stocks had been de'stroyed. )any might perish by starvation. 5rom the direction of the hangars came a single )ek, evidently attracted by the sounds of destruction. >anten A(ower'wagons, like the )eks, were originally swamp'creatures from ,tamin E. They were great rectangular slabs of muscle, slung into a rectangular frame and protected from sunlight, insects and rodents by a synthetic pelt. -yrup sacs communicated with their digestive apparatus, wires led to motor nodes in the rudimentary brain. The muscles were clamped to rocker arms which actuated rotors and drive'wheels. The power'wagons were economical, long'lived and docile, and so they were principally used for heavy cartage, earth'moving, heavy'tillage, and other arduous 0obs, crouched on the seat and as it passed, coiled his whip around the stocky neck. +e heaved& the )ek spun to the ground, >anten leapt down, sei.ed its pellet' gun. +ere was another of the larger )eks, and now >anten saw it to be without a syrup sac, a )ek in the original state. AstoundingD +ow did the creature survive7 -uddenly there were many new !ues'tions to be asked& hopefully a few to be answered. -tanding on the creature/s head, >anten hacked away the long antenna !uills which protruded from the back of the )ek/s scalp. %t was now insulated, alone, on its own resources& a situation certain to reduce the most stalwart )ek to apathy. 8 pD8 ordered >anten. 8%nto the back of the wagonD8 +e cracked the whip for emphasis. The )ek at first seemed disposed to defy him, but after a blow or two obeyed. >anten climbed into the seat, started the power'wagon, directed it to the north. The Birds would be unable to carry both himself and the )ekor in any event they would cry and complain so raucously that they might as well be believed at first. They might or might not wait until the specified hour of tomorrow/s sunset. As likely as not they would sleep the night in a tree, awake in a surly mood and return at once to Castle +agedorn. All through the night the power'wagon trundled, with >anten on the seat and his captive huddled in the rear.

1 The gentlefolk of the castles, for all their assurance, disliked to wander the countryside by night, by reason of what some derided as superstitious fear. #thers cited travelers benighted beside mouldering ruins and their subse!uent vi'sions* the eldritch music they had heard, or the whimper of moon'mirkins, or the far horns of spectral huntsmen. #thers had seen pale lavender and green lights, and wraiths which ran with long strides through the forest& and +ode Abbey, now a dank tumble, was notorious for the 2hite +ag and the alarming toll she e$acted. A hundred such cases were known. 2hile the hard'headed scoffed, none needlessly traveled the countryside by night. %ndeed, if truly ghosts haunt the scenes of tragedy and heartbreak, then the landscape of #ld ,arth must be home to ghosts and specters beyond all numbering& especially that region across which >anten rolled to the power'wagon, where every rock, every meadow, eyery vale and swale was crusted thick with human e$perience. The moon rose high. The wagon trundled north along an ancient road, the cracked concrete slabs shining pale in the moonlight. Twice >anten saw flickering orange lights off to the side, and once, standing in the shade of a cypress tree, he thought to see a tall !uiet shape, silently watching him pass. The captive )ek sat plotting mischief, >anten well knew. 2ithout its !uills it must feel depersonified, bewildered, but >anten told himself that it would not do to do.e. The road led through a town, certain structures of which yet stood. Not even the Nomads took refuge in these old towns, fearing either miasma or perhaps the redolence of grief. The moon reached the .enith. The landscape spread away in a hundred tones of silver, black and gray. 9ooking about, >anten thought that for all the notable pleasures of civili.ed life, there was yet something to be said for the spaciousness and simplicity of Nomadland. . . The )ek made a stealthy movement. >anten did not so much as turn his head. +e cracked his whip in the air. The )ek became !uiet. All through the night the power'wagon rolled along the old road, with the moon sinking into the west. The eastern hori.on glowed green and lemon'yellow, and presently, as the pallid moon disappeared over the distant line of the moun'tains the sun came up. At this moment, >anten spied a drift of smoke off to the right. +e halted the wagon. -tanding up on the seat he craned his neck to spy a Nomad encampment about a !uarter'mile distant. +e could distinguish three or four do.en tents of various si.es, a do.en dilapidated power'wagons. #n the hetman/s tall tent he thought to see a black ideogram which he thought he recogni.ed. %f so, this would be the tribe which not long before had trespassed on the +agedorn domain, and which :. <. ;arr had repulsed. >anten settled himself upon the seat, composed his garments, set the power'wagon in motion and guided it toward the camp A hundred black'cloaked men, tall and lean as ferrets, watched his approach. A do.en sprang forward and whipping arrows to bows aimed them at his heart. .>anten tarned them a glance of supercilious in!uiry, drove the wagon up to the hetman/s tent, halted. +e rose to his feet. 8+etman,8 he called. 8Are you awake78 The hetman parted the canvas which closed off his tent, peered out and after a moment came forth. 9ike the others he wore a garment of limp black cloth, swathing head and body alike. +is face thrust through a s!uare opening* narrow blue eyes, a grotes!uely long nose, a chin long, skewed and sharp. >anten gave him a curt nod. 8#bserve this.8 +e 0erked his thumb toward the )ek in the back of the wagon. The hetman flicked aside his eyes, studied the )ek a tenth'second, re'turned to a scrutiny of >anten. 8+is kind have revolted against the gentlemen,8 said >anten. 8%n fact they massacre all the men of ,arth. +ence we of Castle +agedom make this offer to the Nomads. Come to Castle +agedomD 2e will feed, clothe and arm you. 2e will train you to discipline and the arts of formal warfare. 2e will provide the most e$pert leadership within our power. 2e will then annihilate the )eks, e$punge them from ,arth. After the campaign, we will train you to technical skills, and you may pursue profitable and interesting careers in the service of the castles.8 The hetman made no reply for a moment. Then his weathered face split into a ferocious grin and he spoke in a voice which >anten found surprisingly well'modulated. 8-o your beasts have finally risen up to rend youD A pity they forebore so longD 2ell, it is all one to us. Cou are both alien folk and sooner or later your bones must bleach together.8 >anten pretended incomprehension. 8%f % understand you aright, you assert that in the face of alien assault, all men must fight a common battle& and then, after the victory, cooperate still to their mutual advantage& am % correct78 The hetman/s grin never wavered. 8Cou are not men. #nly we of ,arth soil and ,arth water are men. Cou and your weird slaves are strangers together. 2e wish you success in your mutual slaughter.8 82ell then,8 declared >anten, 8% heard you aright after all. Appeals to your loyalty are ineffectual, so much is clear. 2hat of self'interest then7 The )eks, failing to e$punge the gentlefolk of the castles, will turn upon the Nomads and kill them as if they were so many ants.8 8%f they attack us, we will war on them,8 said the hetaian. 8#therwise let them do as they will.8 >anten glanced thoughtfully at the sky. 82e might be willing even now, to accept a contingent of Nomads into the service of Castle +agedorn, this to form a cadre from which a larger and more versatile group may be formed.8

5rom the side another Nomad called in an offensively 0eering voice* 8Cou will sew a sac on our backs where you can pour your syrup, hey78 >anten replied in an even voice, 8The syrup is highly nutritious and supplies all bodily needs.8 82hy then do you not consume it yourself78 >anten disdained reply. The hetman spoke. 8%f you wish to supply us weapons, we will take them, and use them against whomever threatens us. But do not e$pect us to defend you. %f you fear for your lives, desert your castles and become Nomads.8 8(ear for our lives78 e$claimed >anten. 82hat nonsenseD NeverD Castle +agedorn is impregnable, as is Janeil, and most of the other castles as well.8 The hetman shook his head. 8Any time we choose we could take +agedorn, and kill all you popin0ays in your sleep.8 82hat78 cried >anten in outrage. 8Are you serious78 8Certainly. #n a black night we would send a man aloft on a great kite and drop him down on the parapets. +e would lower a line, haul up ladders and in fifteen minutes the castle is taken.8 >anten pulled at his chin. 8%ngenious, but impractical. The Birds would detect such a kite. #r the wind would fail at a critical moment . . . All this is beside the point. The )eks fly no kites. They plan to make a display against Janeil and +agedorn and then, in their frustration, they will go forth and hunt Nomads.8 The hetman moved back a step. 82hat then7 2e have survived similar attempts by the men of +agedorn. Cowards 4lllD +and to hand, with e!ual weapons, we would make you eat the dirt like the contemptible dogs you are.8 >anten raised his eyebrows in elegant disdain. 8% fear that you forget yourself. Cou address a clan chief of Castle +agedorn. #nly fatigue and boredom restrain me from pun'ishing you with this whip.8 8Bah,8 said the hetman. +e crooked a finger to one of his archers. 8-pit this insolent lordling.8 The archer discharged his arrow, but >anten had been e$pecting some such act. +e fired his energy gun, destroying arrow, bow, and the archer/s hands. +e said, 8% see % must teach you common respect for your betters& so it means the whip after all.8 -ei.ing the hetman by the scalp, he coiled the whip smartly once, twice, thrice around the narrow shoulders. 89et this suffice. % cannot compel you to fight, but a/t least % can demand decent respect from scuttling dung beetles.8 +e leapt to the ground and, sei.ing the hetman, pitched him into the back of the wagon alongside the )ek. Then, backing the power'wagon around, he departed the camp without so much as a glance over his shoulder, the thwart of the seat protecting his back from the arrows of the hetman/s stunned sub0ects. The hetman scrambled erect, drew his dagger. >anten turned his head slightly. 8Take careD #r % will tie you to the wagon, and you shall run behind in the dust.8 The hetman hesitated, made a spitting sound between his teeth, drew back. +e looked down at his blade, turned it over, sheathed it with a grunt. 82here do you take me78 >anten halted the wagon. 8No farther. % merely wished to leave your camp with dignity, without dodging and ducking a hail of arrows. Cou may alight. % take it you still refuse to bring your men into the service of Castle +agedorn78 The hetman once more made the spitting sound between his teeth. 82hen the )eks have destroyed the castles, we shall destroy the )eks. Then ,arth will be cleared of star'things for all timeD8 8Cou are a gang of intractable savages. 1ery well, alight, return to your encampment. 6eflect well before you again show disrespect to a Castle +agedorn clan chief.8 8Bah,8 muttered the hetman. 9eaping down from the wagon, he stalked back down the track toward his camp. +e did not look back. 1% About noon >anten came to 5ar 1alley, at the edge of the +agedom lands. Nearby was a village of ,$piationists* malcontents and neurasthenics in the opinion of castle gentlefolk, and a curious group by any standards. A few had held enviable rank& certain others were savants of recogni.ed erudition& but others yet were persons of neither dignity nor reputation, subscribing to the most bi.arre and e$treme of philosophies. All now performed toil, no different from that relegated to the (easants, and all seemed to take a perverse satisfaction in what by castle standards was filth, poverty and degradation. As might be e$pected, their creed was by no means homogenous. -ome might better have been described as /nonconformists/, and others still, a minority, argued for a dynamic program. Between castle and village was little intercourse. #ccasion'ally the ,$piationists bartered fruit or polished wood for tools, nails, medicaments& or the gentlefolk might make up a party to watch the ,$piationists at their dancing and singing. >anten had visited the village on many such occasions and had been attracted by the artless charm and informality of the folk at their play. Now, passing near the village, >anten turned aside and followed a lane which wound between tall blackberry hedges and out upon a little common, where goats and cattle gra.ed. >anten halted the wagon in the shade, saw that the syrup sac was full. +e looked back at his captive. 82hat of you7 %f you need syrup, pour yourself full. But no, you have no sac. 2hat then do you feed upon7 )ud7 nsavory fare. % fear none here is rank enough for your taste. %ngest syrup or munch grass, as you will& only

do not stray overfar from the wagon, for % watch with an intent eye.8 The )ek, sitting hunched in a corner, gave no signal that it comprehended. Nor did it move to take advantage of >an'ten/s offer. >anten went to a watering trough. +olding his hands under the trickle which issued from a lead pipe, he rinsed his face, then drank a swallow or two from his cupped hand. Turning, he found that a do.en folk of the village had approached. #ne he knew well, a man who might have become ;odalming, or even Aure, had he not become infected with e$piationism. >anten performed a polite salute. 8A. ;. (hilidor. %t is %, >anten.8 8>anten, of course. But here % am A. ;. (hilidor no longer& merely (hilidor.8 >anten bowed, 8)y apologies. % have neglected the full rigor of your informality.8 8-pare me your wit,8 said (hilidor. 82hy do you bring us a shorn )ek7 5or adoption, perhaps78 This last alluded to the gentlefolk practice of bringing over'tally babies to the village. 8Now who flaunts his wit7 But you have not heard the news78 8News arrives here last of all. The Nomads are better informed.8 8(repare yourself for surprise. The )eks have revolted against the castles. +alcyon and "elora are demolished, and all killed& perhaps others by this time.8 (hilidor shook his head. 8% am not surprised.8 82ell, then, are you not concerned78 (hilidor considered. 8To this e$tent. #ur own plans, never very feasible, become more far'fetched than ever.8 8%t appears to me,8 said >anten, 8that you face grave and immediate danger. The )eks surely intend to wipe. out every vestige of humanity. Cou will not escape.8 (hilidor shrugged. 8Conceivably the danger e$ists . . . 2e will take counsel and decide what to do.8 8% can put forward a proposal which you may find attrac'tive,8 said >anten. 8#ur first concern, of course, is to sup'press the revolt. There are at least a do.en ,$piationist communities, with an aggregate population of two or three thousandperhaps more. % propose that we recruit and train a corps of highly disciplined troops, supplied from the Castle +agedorn armory, led by +agedorn/s most e$pert military theoreticians.8 (hilidor stared at him incredulously. 8Cou e$pect us, the ,$piationists, to become your soldiers78 82hy not78 asked >anten ingenuously. 8Cour life is at stake no less than ours.8 8No one dies more than once.8 >anten in his turn evinced shock. 82hat7 Can this be a former gentleman of +agedorn speaking7 %s this the face a man of pride and courage turns to danger7 %s this the lesson of history7 #f course notD % need not instruct you in this& you are as knowledgeable as ?.8 (hilidor nodded. 8% know that the history of man is not his technical triumphs, his kills, his victories. %t is a composite* a mosaic of a trillion pieces, the account of each man/s accom'modation with his conscience. This is the true history of the race.8 >anten made an airy gesture. 8A. ;. (hilidor, you over'simplify grievously. "o you consider me obtuse7 There are many kmds of history. They interact. You emphasi.e moral'ity. But the ultimate basis of morality is survival. 2hat promotes survival is good, what induces mortefaction is bad.8 82ell spokenD8 declared (hilidor. 8But let me propound a parable. )ay a nation of a million beings destroy a creature who otherwise will infect all with a fatal disease7 Ces, you will say. #nce more. Ten starving beasts hunt you, that they may eat. 2ill you kill them to save your life7 Ces, you will say again, though here you destroy more than you save. #nce more* a man inhabits a hut in a lonely valley. A hundred spaceships descend from the sky, and attempt to destroy him. )ay he destroy these ships in self'defense, even though he is one and they are a hundred thousand7 (erhaps you say yes. 2hat then if a whole world, a whole race of beings, pits itself against this single man7 )ay he kill all7 2hat if the attackers are as human as himself7 2hat if he were the creature of the first instance, who otherwise will infect a world with disease7 Cou see, there is no area where a simple touchstone avails. 2e have searched and found none. +ence, at the risk of sinning against -urvival, we?, at least& % can only speak for myselfhave chosen a morality that at least allows me calm. % killnothing. % destroy nothing." 8Bah,8 said >anten contemptuously. 8%f a )ek platoon entered this valley and began to kill your children, you would not defend them78 (hilidor compressed his lips, turned away. Another man spoke. 8(hilidor has defined morality. But who is absolutely moral7 (hilidoror %, or youmight in such a case desert his morality.8 (hilidor said, 89ook about you. %s anyone here you recog'ni.e78 >anten scanned the group. Nearby stood a girl of e$traor'dinary beauty. -he wore a white smock and in the dark hair curling to her shoulders she wore a red flower. >anten nodded. 8% see the maiden :. <. ;arr wished to introduce h)o his menage at the castle.8 8,$actly,8 said (hilidor. 8"o you recall the circum'stances78 81ery well indeed,8 said >anten. 8There was vigorous ob0ection from the Council of Notables if. for no other reason than the threat to our laws of population control. :. <. ;arr attempted to sidestep the law in this fashion. ? keep (hanes,/ he said. /At

times % maintain as many as si$, or even eight, and no one utters a word of protest. % will call this girl a (hane and keep her among the rest./ % and others pro'tested. There was almost a duel on this matter. :. <. ;arr was forced to relin!uish the girl. -he was given into my custody and % conveyed her to 5ar 1alley.8 (hilidor nodded. 8All this is correct. 2ellwe attempted to dissuade ;arr. +e refused to be dissuaded, and threatened us with his hunting force of perhaps thirty )eks. 2e stood aside. Are we moral7 Are we strong or weak78 8-ometimes it is better,8 said >anten, 8to ignore morality. ,ven though :. <. ;arr is a gentleman and you are but ,$piationists .. . 9ikewise in the case of the )eks. They are destroying the castles, and all the men of earth. %f morality means supine acceptance, then morality must be abandonedD8 (hilidor gave a sour chuckle. 82hat a remarkable situa'tionD The )eks are here, likewise (easants and Birds and (hanes, all altered, transported and enslaved for human pleasure. %ndeed, it is this fact that occasions our guilt, for which we must e$piate. And now you want us to compound this guiltD8 8%t is a mistake to brood overmuch about the past,8 said >anten. 8-till, if you wish to preserve your option to brood, % suggest that you fight )eks now, or at the very least take refuge in the castle.8 8Not %,8 said (hilidor. 8(erhaps others may choose to do so.8 8Cou will wait to be killed78 8No. % and no doubt others will take refuge in the remote mountains.8 >anten clambered back aboard the power'wagon. 8%f you change your mind, come to Castle +agedorn.8 +e departed. The road continued along the valley, wound/up ahillside, crossed a ridge. 5ar ahead, silhouetted against the sky, stood Castle +agedorn. 1%% >anten reported to the council. 8The spaceships cannot be used. The )eks have rendered them inoperative. Any plan to solicit assistance from the +ome 2orlds is pointless.8 8This is sorry news,8 said +agedorn with a grimace. 82ell thenso much for that.8 >anten continued. 86eturning by power'wagon % encoun'tered a tribe of Nomads. % summoned the hetman and e$plained to him the advantages of serving Castle +agedorn. The Nomads, % fear, lack both grace and docility. The hetman gave so surly a response that % departed in disgust. 8At 5ar 1alley % visited the ,$piationist village, and made a similar proposal, but with no great success. They .are as idealistic as the Nomads are churlish. Both are of a fugitive tendency. The ,$piationists spoke of taking refuge in the mountains. The Nomads presumably will retreat into the steppes.8 Beaudry snorted. 8+ow will flight help them7 (erhaps they gain a few yearsbut eventually the )eks will find every last one of them& such is their methodicity.8 8%n the meantime,8 :. <. ;arr declared peevishly, 8we might have organi.ed them into an efficient combat corps, to the benefit of all. 2ell, then, let them perishD 2e are secure.8 8-ecure yes,8 said +agedorn gloomily. 8But what when the power fails7 2hen the lifts break down7 2hen air circulation cuts off so that we either stifle or free.e7 2hat then78 :. <. ;arr gave his head a grim shake. 82e must steel ourselves to undignified e$pedients, with as good a grace as possible. But the machinery of the castle is sound, and % e$pect small deterioration or failure for conceivably five or ten years. By that time anything may occur.8 Claghorn, who had been leaning indolently back in his seat, spoke at last* 8,ssentially this is a passive program. 9ike the defection of the Nomads and ,$piationists, it looks very little beyond the immediate moment.8 :. <. ;arr spoke in a voice carefully polite. 8Claghorn is well aware that % yield to none in courteous candor, as well as optimism and directness* in short, the reverse of passivity. But ,? refuse to dignify a stupid little inconvenience by e$tending it serious attention. +ow can he label this procedure /passivity/7 "oes the worthy and honorable head of the Claghorns have a proposal which more effectively maintains our status, our standards, our self'respect78 Claghorn nodded slowly, with a faint half'smile which :. <. ;arr found odiously complacent. 8There is a simple and effective method by which the )eks might be defeated.8 82en thenD8 cried +agedom. 82hy hesitate7 9et us hear itD8 Claghorn looked around the red velvet'covered table, con'sidered the faces of all* the dispassionate >anten& Beaudry, with his burly, rigid, face muscles clenched in an habitual e$pression unpleasantly like a sneer& old %sseth, handsome, erect and vital as the most dashing cadet& +agedorn, troubled, glum, his inward perple$ity all too evident& the elegant ;arr& #verwhele, thinking savagely of the inconveniences of the future& Aure, toying with his ivory tablet, either bored, morose or defeated& the others displaying various aspects of doubt, foreboding, hauteur, dark resentment, impatience& and in the case of

5loy, a !uiet smileor as %sseth later characteri.ed it, an imbecilic smirkintended to convey his total disassocia'tion from the entire irksome matter. Claghorn took stock of the faces, and shook his head. 8% will not at the moment broach this plan, as % fear it is unworkable. But % must point out that under no circumstances can Castle +agedorn be as before, even should we survive the )ek attack.8 8BahD8 e$claimed Beaudry. 82e lose dignity, we become ridiculous, by even so much as discussing the beasts.8 >anten stirred himself. 8A distasteful sub0ect, but re'memberD +alcyon is destroyed, and "elora and who knows what others7 9et us not thrust our heads in the sandD The )eks will not waft away merely because we ignore them.8 8%n any event,8 said :. <. ;arr, 8Janeil is secure and we are secure. The other folk, unless they are already slaught'ered, might do well to visit us during the inconvenience, if they can 0ustify the humiliation of flight to themselves. % myself believe that the )eks will soon come to heel, an$ious to return to their posts.8 +agedorn shook his head gloomily. 8% find this hard to believe. 1ery well then, we shall ad0ourn.8 The radio communications system was the first of the castle/s vast array of electrical and mechanical devices to break down. The failure occurred so soon and so decisively that certain of the theoreticians, notably ?. =. +arde and egus, postulated sabotage by the departing )eks. #thers remarked that the system had never been absolutely dependable, that the )eks themselves had been forced to tinker continuously with the circuits, that the failure was simply a result of bad engineering. +arde and egus inspected the unwieldy apparatus, but the cause of failure was not obvious. After a half'hour of consultation they agreed that any attempt to restore the system would necessitate complete re'design and re'engineering, with conse!uent construction of testing and calibration devices, and the fabrication of a complete new family of components. 8This is manifestly impossible,8 stated egus in his report to the council. 8,ven the simplest useful system would re!uire several technician'years. There is not even one single technician to hand. 2e must therefore await the availability of trained and willing labor.8 8%n retrospect,8 stated %sseth, the oldest of the clan chiefs, 8it is clear that in many ways we have been less than provident. No matter that the men of the +ome 2orlds are vulgariansD )en of shrewder calculation than our own would have maintained interworld connection.8 89ack of /shrewdness/ and /providence/ were not the deterring factors,8 stated Claghorn. 8Communication was discouraged simply because the early lords were unwilling that ,arth should be overrun with +ome'2orld parvenus. %t is as simple as that.8 %sseth grunted, and started to make a re0oinder, but +agedorn said hastily, 8 nluckily, as >anten tells us, the space'ships have been rendered useless. 2hile certain of our number have a profound knowledge of the theoretical consid'erations, again who is there to perform the toil7 ,ven were the hangars and spaceships themselves under our control.8 :. <. ;arr declared, 8;ive me si$ platoons of (easants and si$ power'wagons e!uipped with high'energy cannon, and %/ll regain the hangars. No difficulties thereD8 Beaudry said, 82ell, here/s a start, at least. %/ll assist in the training of the (easants, and though % know/ nothing of cannon operation, rely on me for any advice % can give.8 +agedorn looked around the group, frowned, pulled at his / chin. 8There are difficulties to this program. 5irst, we have at hand only the single power'wagon in which >anten returned from his reconnaissance. Then what of our energy cannons7 +as anyone inspected them7 The )eks were entrusted with maintenance, but it is possible, even likely, that they wrought mischief here as well. :. <. ;arr, you are reckoned an e$pert military theoretician. 2hat can you te us in this regard78 8% have made no inspection to date,8 stated :. <. ;arr. 8Today the /"isplay of Anti!ue Tabards/ will occupy us all until the /+our of -undown Appraisal/.8A +e looked at his watch. 8(erhaps now is as good a time as any to ad0ourn, until % am able to provide detailed information in regard to the cannons.8 +agedom nodded his heavy head. 8The time indeed grows late. Cour (hanes appear today78 8#nly two,8 replied :. <. ;arr. 8The 9a.ule and the ,leventh )ystery. % can find nothing suitable for the ;os'samer "elights nor my little Blue 5ay, and the ;loriana still re!uires tutelage. Today B. <. )a$elwane/s 1ariflors should repay the most attention.8 8Ces,8 said +agedom, 8% have heard other remarks to this effect. 1ery well then, until tommorow. ,h, Claghorn, you have something to say78 8Ces, indeed,8 said Claghorn mildly. 82e have all too little time at our disposal. Best that we make the most of it. % seriously doubt the efficacy of (easant troops& they are like rabbits against wolves. 2hat we need, rather than rabbits, are panthers.8 8Ah, yes,8 said +agedom vaguely. 8Ces indeed.8 82here, then, are panthers to be found78 Claghorn looked in!uiringly around the table. 8Can no one suggest a source7 A pity. 2ell then, if panthers fail to appear, % suppose rabbits must do. 9et us go about the business of converting rabbits into panthers, and instantly. % suggest that we postpone all fetes and spectacles until the shape of our future is more certain.8 +agedom raised his eyebrows, opened his mouth to speak, closed it again. +e looked intently at Claghorn to ascertain whether or not he 0oked. Then he looked dubiously around the table. Beaudry gave a rather brassy laugh. 8%t seems that erudite Claghorn cries panic.8 :. <. ;arr stated* 8-urely, in all dignity, we cannot allow the impertinence of our servants to cause us such eye'rolling alarm. % am embarrassed even to bring the matter forward.8

8% am not embarrassed,8 said Claghorn, with the full'faced A/"isplay of Anti!ue Tabards/& /+our of -undown Appraisal/* the literal sense of the first term was yet relevant& that of the second had become lost and the phrase was a mere formalism, connoting that hour of late afternoon when visits were e$changed, wines, li!ueurs and essences tasted* in short, a time of rela$ation and small talk before the more formal convivialities of dining, complaeence which so e$asperated :. <. ;arr. 8% see no reason why you should be. #ur lives are threatened, in which case a trifle of embarrassment, or anything else, becomes of secondary importance.8 :, <. #arr rose to his feet, performed a brus!ue salute in Claghom/s direction, of such a nature as to constitute a calculated affront. Claghorn, rising, performed a similar sa'lute, this so grave and overly complicated as to invest ;arr/s insult with burles!ue overtones. >anten, who detested :. F. ;arr, laughed aloud. :. <. ;arr hesitated, then, sensing that under the circum'stances taking the matter further would be regarded as poor form, strode from the chamber. The 1iewing of Anti!ue Tabards, an annual pageant of (hanes wearing sumptuous garments took place in the ;reat 6otunda to the north of the central pla.a. (ossibly half of the gentlemen, but less than a !uarter of the ladies, kept (hanes. These were creatures native to the caverns of Albireo -even/s moon* a docile race, both playful and affectionate, which after several thousand years of selective breeding had become sylphs of pi!uant beauty. Clad in a delicate gau.e which issued from pores behind their ears, along their upper arms, down their backs, they were the most inoffensive of creatures, an$ious always to please, innocently vain. )ost gentlemen regarded them with affection, but rumors sometimes told of ladies drenching an especially hated (hane in tincture of ammonia, which matted her pelt and destroyed her gau.e forever. A gentleman besotted by a (hane was considered a figure of fun. The (hane, though so carefully bred as to seem a delicate girl, if used se$ually became crumpled and haggard, with gau.es drooping and discolored, and eveiyone would know that such and such a gentleman had misused his (hane. %n this regard, at least, the women of the castles might e$ert . their superiority. They did so by conducting themselves with such e$travagant provocation that the (hanes in contrast seemed the most ingenious and fragile of nature sprites. Their life'span was perhaps thirty years, during the last ten of which, after they had lost their beauty, they encased them'selves in mantles of gray gau.e and performed menial tasks in boudoirs, kitchens, pantries, nurseries and dressing rooms. The 1iewing of Anti!ue Tabards was an occasion more for the viewing of (hanes than the tabards, though these, woven of (hanegau.e, were of intricate beauty in themselves. The (hane owners sat in a lower, tier, tense with hope and pride, e$ulting when one made an especially splendid display, plunged. into black depths when the ritual postures were performed with other than grace and elegance. "uring each display highly formal music was plucked from a lute by a gentleman from a clan different to that of the (hane owner. The owner never played the lute to the performance of his own (hane. The display was never overtly a competition and no formal acclamation was allowed, but all watching made up their minds as to which was the most entrancing and graceful of the (hanes, and the repute of the owner was thereby e$alted. The current 1iewing was delayed almost half an hour by reason of the defection of the )eks, and certain hasty improvisations had been made necessary. But the gentlefolk of Castle +agedorn were in no mood to be critical and took no heed of the occasional lapses as a do.en young (easant bucks struggled to perform unfamiliar tasks. The (hanes were as entrancing as ever, bending, twisting, swaying to plangent chords of the lute, fluttering their fingers as if feeling for raindrops, crouching suddenly, gliding, then springing upright straight as wands, finally bowing and skipping from the platform. +alfway through the program a (easant sidled awkwardly into the 6otunda, and mumbled in an urgent manner to the cadet who came to in!uire his business. The cadet at once made his way to +agedorn/s polished 0et booth. +agedorn listened, nodded, spoke a few terse words and settled calmly back in his seat as if the message had been of no conse!uence. and the gentlefolk of the audience were reassured. 8The entertainment proceeded. :. <. ;arr/s delectable pair made a fine show, but it was generally felt that 9irlin, a young (hane belonging to %sseth 5loy ;a.uneth, for the first time at a formal showing, made the most captivating display. The (hanes appeared for a last time, moving all together through a half'improvised minuet. Then they performed a final half'gay, half'regretful salute and departed the rotunda. 5or a few moments more the gentlemen and ladies would remain in their booths, sipping essences, discussing the dis'play, arranging affairs and assignations. +agedorn sat frown'ing, twisting his hands. -uddenly he rose to his feet. The rotunda .instantly became silent. 8% dislike intruding an unhappy note at so pleasant an occasion,8 said +agedorn. 8But news has 0ust been given to me, and it is fitting that all should know. Janeil Castle is under attack. The )eks are there in great force, with hundreds of power'wagons. They have circled the castle with a dike which prevents any effective use of the Janeil energy'cannon. 8There is no immediate danger to Janeil, and it is difficult to comprehend what the )eks hope to achieve, the Janeil walls being all of two hundred feet high. 8The news nevertheless is somber, and it means that eventually we must e$pect a similar investmentthough it is even more difficult to comprehend how )eks could hope to inconvenience us. #ur water derives from four wells sunk deep into the earth. 2e have great stocks of food. #ur energy is derived from the sun. %f necessary, we could condense water and synthesi.e food from the airat least % have been so assured by our great biochemical theoretician >. B. 9adis'name. -tillthis is the news.

)ake of it what you will. Tomorrow the Council of Notables will meet.8 1%%% 82ell, then,8 said +agedorn to the council, 8for once let us dispense with formality. :. <. ;arr* what of our cannon78 :. <. ;arr, wearing the magnificent gray and green uniform of the #verwhele "ragoons, carefully placed his morion on the table, so that the panache stood erect. 8#f twelve cannon, four appear to be functioning correctly. 5our have been sabotaged by e$cision of the power'leads. 5our have been sabotaged by some means undetectable to careful investigation. % have commandeered a half'do.en (easants who demonstrate a modicum of mechanical ability, and have instructed them in detail. They are currently engaged in splicing the leads. This is the e$tent of my current informa'tion in regard to the cannon.8 8)oderately good news,8 said +agedorn. 82hat of the proposed corps of armed (easants78 8The pro0ect is under way. A. 5. )ull and ?. A. Ber.elius are now inspecting (easants with a view to recruitment and training. % can make no sanguine pro0ection as to the military effectiveness of such a corps, even if trained and led by such as A. 5. )ull, ?. A. Ber.elius and myself. The (easants are a mild ineffectual race, admirably suited to the grubbing of weeds, but with no stomach whatever for fighting.8 +agedom glanced around the council. 8Are there any other suggestions78 Beaudry spoke in a harsh, angry voice, 8+ad the villains but left us our power'wagons, we might have mounted the cannon aboardD The (easants are e!ual to this, at least. Then we could roll to Janeil and blast the dogs from the rear.8 8These )eks seem utter fiendsD8 declared Aure. 82hat conceivably do they have in mind7 2hy, after these centuries, must they suddenly go mad78 82e all ask ourselves the same,8 said +agedorn. 8>anten, you returned from reconnaissance with a captive* have you attempted to !uestion him78 8No,8 said >anten. 8Truth to tell, % haven/t thought of him since.8 82hy not attempt to !uestion him7 (erhaps he can provide a clue or two.8 >anten nodded assent. 8% can try. Candidly % e$pect to learn nothing.8 8Claghorn, you are the )ek e$pert,8 said Beaudry. 82ould you have thought the creatures capable of so intricate a plot7 2hat do they hope to gain7 #ur castles78 8They are certainly capable of precise and meticulous planning,8 said Claghorn. 8Their ruthlessness surprises me more, possibly, than it should. % have never known them to covet our material possessions, and they show no tendency toward what we consider the concomitants of civili.ation* fine discriminations of sensation and the like. % have often specu'lated? won/t dignify the conceit with the status of a theory that the structural logic of a brain is of rather more conse!uence than we reckon with. #ur own brains are remark'able for their utter lack of rational structure. Considering the hapha.arded manner in which our thoughts are formed, registered, inde$ed and recalled, any single rational act be'comes a miracle. (erhaps we are incapable of rationality. (erhaps all thought is a set of impulses generated by one emotion, monitored by another, ratified by a third. %n contrast the )ek brain is a marvel of what seems careful engineering. %t is roughly cubical and consists of microscopic cells intercoimected by organic fibrils, each amonofilament molecule of negligible electrical resistance. 2ithin each cell is a /film of silica, a fluid of variable conductivity and dielectric proper'ties, a cusp of a comple$ mi$ture of metallic o$ides. The brain is capable of storing great !uantities of information in an orderly pattern. No fact is lost, unless it is purposely forgotten, a capacity which the )eks possess. The brain also functions as a radio transceiver, possibly as a radar transmit'ter and detector, though this again is speculation. 82here the )ek brain falls short is in its lack of emotional color. #ne )ek is precisely like another, without any personality differentiation perceptible to us. This, clearly, is a function of their communicative system. %t would be unthinkable for a uni!ue personality to develop under these conditions. They served us efficiently andso we thoughtloyally, because they felt nothing about their condition, neither pride in achievement, nor resentment, nor shame. Nothing what'ever. They neither loved us nor hated us. Nor do they now. %t is hard for us to conceive this emotional vacuum, when each of us feels something about everything. 2e live in a welter of emotions. They are as devoid of emotion as an ice'cube. They were fed, housed, maintained in a manner they found satisfactory. 2hy did they revolt7 % have speculated at length, but the single reason which % can formulate seems so grotes!ue and unreasonable that % refuse to take it seriously. %f this after all is the correct e$planation ...8 +is voice drifted away. 82ell78 demanded :. <. ;arr peremptorily. 82hat then78 8Thenit is all the same. They are committed to the destruction of the human race. )y speculation alters nothing.8 +agedom turned to >anten. 8All this should assist you in your in!uiries.8 8% was about to suggest that Claghorn assist me, if he is so inclined,8 said >anten. ' 8As you like,8 said Claghorn, 8though in my opinion the information, no matter what, is irrelevant. #ur single concern should be a means to repel them and to save our lives.8 8Andsave the force of /panthers/ you mentioned at our previous sessionyou can conceive of no subtle weapon78 asked

+agedom wistfully. 8A device to set up electrical resonances in their brains, or something similar78 8Not feasible,8 said Claghorn. 8Certain organs in the crea'tures/ brains function as overload switches. Though it is true that during this time they might not be able to communicate.8 After a moment/s reflection he added thoughtfully* 82ho knows7 A. ;. Bernal and egus are theoreticians with a profound knowledge of such pro0ections. (erhaps they might construct such a device, or several, against a possible need.8 +agedorn nodded dubiously, and looked toward egus. 8%s this possible78 egus frowned. 8 /Construct/7 % can certainly design such an instrument. But the componentswhere7 -cattered through the storerooms helter'skelter, some functioning, others not. To achieve anything meaningful % must become no better than an apprentice, a )ek.8 +e became incensed, and his voice hard'ened. 8% find it hard to believe that % should be forced to point out this factD "o you hold me and my talents then of such small worth78 +agedorn hastened to reassure him. 8#f course notD % for one would never think of impugning your dignity.8 8NeverD8 agreed Claghorn. 8Nevertheless, during this pres'ent emergency, we will find indignities imposed upon us by events, unless now we impose them upon ourselves.8 81ery well,8 said egus, ahumoi/less smile trembling at his lips. 8Cou shall come with me to the storeroom. % will point out the components to be brought forth and assembled, you shall perform the toil. 2hat do you say to that78 8% say yes, gladly, if it will be of real utility. +owever, % can hardly perform the labor for a do.en different theoreticians. 2ill any others serve beside myself78 No one responded. -ilence was absolute, as if every gentle'man present held his breath. +agedorn started to speak, but Claghorn interrupted. 8(ar'don, +agedorn, but here, finally, we are stuck upon a basic principle, and it must be settled now.8 +agedorn looked desperately around the council. 8+as anyone relevant comment78 8Claghorn must do as his innate nature compels,8 declared :. <. ;arr in the silkiest of voices. 8% cannot dictate to him. As for myself, % can never demean my status as a gentleman of +agedorn. This creed is as natural to me as drawing breath& if ever it is compromised % become a travesty of a gentleman, a grotes!ue mask of myself. This is Castle +age'dorn, and we represent the culmination of human civili.ation. Any compromise therefore becomes degradation& any e$pe'dientdimil ition of our standards becomes dishonor. % have heard the word /emergency/ used. 2hat a deplorable senti'mentD To dignify the rat'like snappings and gnashings of such as the )eks with the word /emergency/ is to my mind unworthy of a gentleman of +agedornD8 Amurmur of approval went around the council table. Claghorn leaned far back in his seat, chin on his chest, as if in rela$ation. +is clear blue eyes went from face to face, then returned to :. <. ;arr whom he studied with dispassionate interest. 8#bviously you direct your words to me,8 he said. 8% appreciate their malice. But this is a small matter.8 +e looked away from :. <. ;arr, to stare up at the massive diamond and emerald chandelier. 8)ore important is the fact that the council as a whole, in spite of my earnest persuasion, seems to endorse your viewpoint. % can urge, e$postulate, insinuate no longer, and % will now leave Castle +agedorn. % find the atmosphere stifling. % trust that you survive the attack of the )eks, though % doubt that you will. They are a clever resourceful race, untroubled by !ualms or preconceptions, and we have long underestimated their !uality.8 Claghom rose from his seat, inserted the ivory tablet into its socket 8% bid you all farewell.8 +agedorn hastily 0umped to his feet, held forth his arms imploringly. 8"o not depart in anger, ClaghornD 6econsiderD 2e need your wisdom, your e$pertise.8 8Assuredly you do,8 said Claghorn. 8But even more you need to act upon the advice % have already e$tended. ntil then we have no common ground, and any further inter'change is futile and tiresome.8 +e made a brief all'inclusive salute and departed the chamber. +agedorn slowly resumed his seat. The others made uneasy motions, coughed, looked up at the chandelier, studied their ivory tablets. :. <. ;arr muttered something to B. 5. 2yas who sat beside him, who nodded solemnly. +agedorn spoke in a subdued voice* 82e will miss the presence of Claghorn, his penetrating if unorthodo$ insights . . . 2e have accomplished little egus, perhaps you will give thought to the pro0ector under discussion. >anten, you were to !uestion the captive )ek. :. <. ;arr, you undoubtedly will see to the repair of the energy cannon . . . Aside from these small matters, it appears that we have evolved no general plan of action, to help either ourselves or Janeil.8 )arune spoke. 82hat of the other castles7 Are they still e$tant7 2e have had no news. % suggest that we send Birds to each castle, to learn their condition.8 +agedorn nodded. 8Ces, this is a wise motion. (erhaps you will see to this, )arune78 8% will do so.8 8;ood. 2e will now ad0ourn for a time.8 The Birds were dispatched by )arune of Aure and one by one returned. Their reports were similar* 8-ea %sland is deserted. )arble columns are tumbled along the beach. (earl "ome is collapsed. Corpses float in the 2ater ;arden.8 8)araval reeks of death. ;entlemen, (easants(hanes all dead. AlasD ,ven the Birds have departedD8 8"elora* a ros ros ros& A dismal sceneD No sign of life to be foundD8 8Alume is desolate. The great wooden door is smashed. The eternal ;reen 5lame is e$tinguished.8

8There is nothing at +alcyon. The (easants were driven into a pit.8 8Tuang* silence.8 8)orninglight* death.8 %> Three days later, >anten constrained si$ Birds to a lift chair. +e directed them first on a wide sweep around the castle, then south to 5ar 1alley. The Birds aired their usual complaints, then bounded down the deck in great ungainly hops which threatened to throw >anten immediately to the pavement. At last gaining the air, they flew up in a spiral. Castle +agedorn became an intricate miniature far below, each +ouse marked by its uni!ue cluster of turrets and eyries, its own eccentric roof line, its long streaming pennon. The Birds performed the prescribed circle, skimming the crags and pines of North 6idge. Then. setting wings aslant the upstream, they coasted away toward 5ar 1alley. #ver the pleasant +agedorn domain flew the Birds and >anten* over orchards, fields, vineyards. (easant villages. They crossed 9ake )aude with its pavilions and docks, the meadows beyond where the +agedorn cattle and sheep gra.ed, and presently came to 5ar 1alley, at the limit of +agedom lands. >anten indicated where he wished to alight. The Birds, who would have preferred a site closer to the village where they could have watched all that transpired, grumbled and cried out in wrath and set >anten down so roughly that had he not been alert the shock would have pitched him head over heels. >anten alighted without elegance but at least remained on his feet. 8Await me hereD8 he ordered. 8"o not stray& attempt no flamboyant tricks among the lift'straps. 2hen % return % wish to see si$ !uiet Birds, in neat formation, lift'straps untwisted and untangled. No bickering, mind youD No loud caterwauling, to attract unfavorable commentD 9et all be as % have orderedD8 The Birds sulked, stamped their feet, ducked aside their necks, made insulting comments 0ust under the level of >anten/s hearing. >anten turned with a final glare of admoni'tion and walked down the lane which led to the village. The vines were heavy with ripe blackberries and a number of the girls of the village filled baskets. Among them was the girl :. <. ;arr had thought to pre'empt for his personal use. As >anten passed, he halted and performed a courteous salute. 82e have met before, if my recollection is correct.8 The girl smiled, a half'rueful, half'whimsical smile. 8Cour recollection serves you well. 2e met at +agedom, where % was taken a captive. And later, when you conveyed me here, after dark, though % could not see your face.8 -he e$tended her basket. 8Are you hungry7 2ill you eat78 >anten took several berries. %n the course of the conversa'tion he learned that the girl/s name was ;lys )eadowsweet, that her parents were not known to her, but were presumably gentlefolk of Castle +agedom who had e$ceeded their birth tally. >anten e$amined her even more carefully than before but could see resemblance to none of the +agedom families. 8Cou might derive from Castle "elora. %f there is any family resemblance % can detect, it is to the Cosan.as of "eloraa family noted for the beauty of its ladies.8 8Cou are not married78 she asked artlessly. 8No.8 said >anten, and indeed he had dissolved his relationship with Araminta only the day before 82hat of you78 -he shook her head. 8% would never be gathering blackber'ries if % were. %t is work reserved for maidens. 2hy do you come to 5ar 1alley78 85or two reasons. The first to see you.8 >anten heard himself say this with surprise. But it was true, he reali.ed with another small shock of surprise. 8% have never spoken with you properly and % have always wondered if you were as charming and gay as you are beautiful.8 The girl shrugged and >anten could not be sure whether she were pleased or not, compliments from gentlemen some'times setting the stage for a sorry aftermath. 82ell, no matter. % came also to speak to Claghorn.8 8+e is yonder,8 she said in a voice toneless, even cool, and pointed. 8+e occupies that cottage.8 -he returned to her blackberry picking. >anten bowed, proceeded to that cottage the girl had indicated. Claghorn, wearing loose knee'length breeches of gray homespun, worked with an a$e chopping faggots into stove'lengths. At the sight of >anten he halted his toil, leaned on the a$e, mopped his forehead. 8Ah, >anten. % am pleased to see you. +ow are the folk of Castle +agedorn78 8As before. There is little to report, even had % come to bring you news.8 8%ndeed, indeed78 Claghorn leaned on the a$e handle, surveyed >anten with a bright blue ga.e. 8At our last meeting,8 went on >anten, 8% agreed to !uestion the captive )ek. After doing so % am distressed that you were not at hand to assist, so that you might have resolved certain ambiguities in the responses.8 8-peak on,8 said Claghorn. 8(erhaps % shall be able to do so now.8 8After the council meeting % descended immediately to the storeroom where the )ek was confined. %t lacked nutriment& % gave it syrup and a pail of water, which it sipped sparingly, then evinced a desire for minced clams. % summoned kitchen help

and sent them for this commodity and the )ek ingested several pints. As % have indicated, it was an unusual )ek, standing as tall as myself and lacking a syrup sac. % conveyed it to a different chamber, a storeroom for brown plush furni'ture, and ordered it to a seat. 8% looked at the )ek and it looked at me. The !uills which % removed were growing back& probably it could at least receive from )eks elsewhere. %t seemed a superior beast, showing neither obse!uiousness nor respect, and answered my !uestions without hesitation. 85irst % remarked* 8The gentlefolk of the castles .are as'tounded by the revolt of the )eks. 2e had assumed that your life was satisfactory. 2ere we wrong7/ 8 /,vidently./ % am sure that this was the word signaled, though never had % suspected the )eks of wit of any sort. 8 /1ery well then,/ % said. %n what manner7/ 8 /-urely it is obvious. 2e no longer wished to toil at your behest. 2e wished to conduct our lives by our own traditional standards./ 8The response surprised me. % was unaware that the )eks possessed standards of any kind, much less traditional stand' ards.8 Claghom nodded. 8% have been similarly surprised by the scope of the )ek mentality.8 8% reproached the )ek* /2hy kill7 2hy destroy our lives in order to augment your own7/ As soon as % had put the !uestion % reali.ed that it had been unhappily phrased. The )ek, % believe, reali.ed the same& however, in reply he signaled something very rapidly which % believe was* /2e knew we must act with decisiveness. Cour own protocol made this necessary. 2e might have returned to ,tamin Nine, but we prefer this world ,arth, and will make it our own, with our own great slipways, tubs and basking ramps./ 8This seemed clear enough, but % sensed an adumbration e$tending yet beyond. % said, /Comprehensible. But why kill, why destroy7 Cou might have taken yourself to a different region. 2e could not have molested you./ 8 /%nfeasible, by your own thinking. A world is too small for two competing races. Cou intended to send us back to ,tamin Nine./ 8/6idiculousD/ % said. /5antasy, absurdity. "o you take me for a mooncalf7/ 8 /No,/ the creature insisted. /Two of Castle +agedorn/s notables were seeking the highest post. #ne assured us that, if . elected, this would become his life/s aim./ 8 /A grotes!ue misunderstanding,/ % told him. /#ne man, a lunatic, can not speak for all menD/ /8No7 #ne )ek speaks for all )eks. 2e think with one mind. Are not men of a like sort7/ 8 /,ach thinks for himself. The lunatic who assured you of this tomfoolery is an evil man. But at least matters are clear. 2e do not propose to send you to ,tamin Nine. 2ill you withdraw from Janeil, take yourselves to a far land and leave us in peace7/ 8 /No. Affairs have proceeded too far. 2e will now destroy all men. The truth of the statement is clear* one world is too small for two races./ 8 / nluckily then, % must kill you,/ % told him. /-uch acts are not to my liking, but, with opportunity, you would kill as many gentlemen as possible./ At this the creature sprang upon me, and % killed it with an easier mind than had it sat staring. 8Now you know all. %t seems that either you or :. <. ;arr stimulated the cataclysm. :. <. ;arr7 nlikely. %mpossible. +ence, you, Claghorn, youD have this weight upon your soulD8 Claghom frowned down at the a$e. 82eight, yes. ;uilt, no. %ngenuousness, yes& wickedness, no.8 >anten stood back. 8Claghorn, your coolness astounds meD Before, when rancorous folk like :. <. ;arr conceived you a lunatic8 8(eace, >antenD8 e$claimed Claghorn irritably. 8This e$'travagant breast'beating becomes maladroit. 2hat have % done wrong7 )y fault is that % tried too much. 5ailure is tragic, but a phthisic face hanging over the cup of the future is worse. % meant to become +agedorn, % would have sent the slaves home. % failed, the slaves revolted. -o do not speak another word. % am bored with the sub0ect. Cou can not imagine how your bulging eyes and your concave spine oppress me.8 8Bored you may be,8 cried >anten. 8Cou decry my eyes, my spinebut what of the thousands dead78 8+ow long would they live in any event7 9ives are as cheap as fish in the sea. % suggest that you put by your reproaches and devote a similar energy to saving yourself. "o you reali.e that a means e$ists7 Cou stare at me blankly. % assure you that what % say is true, but you will never learn the means from me.8 8Claghorn,8 said >anten, 8% flew to this spot intending to blow your arrogant head from your body8 But Claghorn, no longer heeding, had returned to his wood'chopping. 8ClaghornD8 cried >anten. 8>anten, take your outcries elsewhere, if you please. 6emonstrate with your Birds.8 >anten swung on his heel, marched back down the lane. The girls picking berries looked at him !uestioningly and moved aside. >anten halted, looked up and down the lane. ;lys )eadowsweet was nowhere to be seen. %n a new fury he continued. +e stopped short. #n a fallen tree a hundred feet from the Birds sat ;lys )eadowsweet, e$amining a blade of grass as if it had been an astonishing artifact of the past. The Birds for a marvel had actually obeyed him and waited in a fair semblance of order. >anten looked up toward the heavens, kicked at the turf. +e drew a deep breath and approached to ;lys )eadow'sweet. +e noted that she had fucked a flower into her long loose hair.

After a second or two she looked up and searched his face. 82hy are you so angry78 >anten slapped his thigh, seated himself beside her. 8 /Angry/7 No. % am out of my mind with frustration. Clag'horn is as obstreperous as a sharp rock. +e knows how Castle +agedom can be saved but he will not divulge his secret.8 ;lys )eadowsweet laughedan easy merry sound, like nothing >anten had ever heard at Castle +agedom. 8-ecret7 2hen even % know it78 8%t must be a secret,8 said >anten. 8+e will not tell me.8 89isten. %f you fear the Birds will hear it, % will whisper.8 -he spoke a few words into his ear. (erhaps the sweet breath befuddled >anten/s mind. But the e$plicit essence of the revelation failed to strike home into his consciousness. +e made a sound of sour amusement. 8No secret there. #nly what the prehistoric -cythians termed /bathos/. "ishonor to the gentlemenD "o we dance with the (easants7 "o we serve the Birds essences and discuss with them the sheen of our (hanes78 8 /"ishonor/ then78 -he 0umped to her feet. 8Then it is also dishonor for you to talk to me, to sit here with me, to make ridiculous suggestionsD8 8% made no suggestionsD8 protested >anten. 8lGsit here in all decorum8 8Too much decorum, too much honorD8 2ith a display of passion which astounded >anten, ;lys )eadowsweet tore the flower from her hair, buried it at the ground. 8There. +enceD8 8No,8 said >anten in sudden humility. +e bent, picked up the flower, kissed it, replaced it in her hair. 8% am not over' honorable. % will try my best.8 +e put his arms on her shoulders, but she held him away. 8Tell me,8 she in!uired with a very mature severity, 8do you own any of these peculiar insect'women78 8%7 (hanes7 % own no (hanes.8 2ith this ;lys )eadowsweet rela$ed and allowed >airtci to embrace her, while the Birds clucked, guffawed and made vulgar scratching sounds with their wings. > The summer waned. #n June H: Janeil and +agedom celebrated the 5ete of 5lowers, even though the dike was rising high around Janeil. -hortly after, >anten flew si$ select Birds into Castle Janeil by night and proposed to the council that the population be evacuated by Bird'liftas many as possible, as many who wished to leave. The council listened with stony faces and without comment passed on. >anten returned to Castle +agedom. sing the most care'ful methods, speaking only to trusted comrades, >anten enlisted thirty or forty cadets and gentlemen to his persuasion, though inevitably he could not keep the doctrinal thesis of his program secret. The first reaction of the traditionalists was mockery and. charges of poltroonery. At >anten/s insistence, challenges were neither issued nor accepted by his hot'blooded asso'ciates. #n the evening of -eptember E Castle Janeil fell. The news was brought to Castle +agedom by e$cited Birds who told the grim tale again and again in voices ever more hysterical. +agedom, now gaunt and weary, automatically called a council meeting& it took note of the gloomy circumstances. 82e then are the last castleD The )eks cannot conceivably do us harm& they can build dikes around our castle walls for twenty years and only work themselves to distraction. 2e are secure& but yet it is a strange and portentous thought to reali.e that at last, here at Castle +agedom, live the last gentlemen of the raceD8 >anten spoke in a voice strained with earnest conviction* 8Twenty yearsfifty yearswhat difference to the )eks7 #nce they surround us, once they deploy, we are trapped. "o you comprehend that now is our last opportunity to escape the great cage that Castle +agedom is to become78 8 /,scape/, >anten7 2hat a wordD 5or shameD8 booted :. <. ;arr. 8Take your wretched band, escapeD To steppe or swamp or tundraD ;o as you like, with your poltroons,, but be good enough to give over these incessant alarmsD8 8;arr, % have found conviction since % became a /poltroon/. -urvival is good morality& % have this from the mouth of a noted savant.8 8BahD -uch as whom78 8A. ;. (hilidor, if you must be informed of every detail.8 :. <. ;arr clapped his hand to his forehead. 8"o you refer to (hilidor the ,$piationist7 +e is of the most e$treme stripe, an ,$piationist to out'e$piate all the restD >anten, be sensible, if you pleaseD8 8There are years ahead for all of us,8 said >anten in a wooden voice, 8if we free ourselves from the castle.8 8But the castle is our lifeD8 declared +agedom. 8%n essence, >anten, what would we be without the castle7 2ild animals7

Nomads78 82e would be alive.8 :. <. ;arr gave a snort of disgust, turned away to inspect a wallhanging. +agedom shook his head in doubt and perple$'ity. Beaudry threw his hands up into the air. 8>anten, you have the effect of unnerving us all. Cou come in here, inflict this dreadful sense of urgency, but why7 %n Castle +agedom we are as safe as in our mother/s arms. 2hat do we gain by throwing aside allhonor, dignity, comfort, civili.ed niceties for no other reason than to slink through the wilderness78 8Janeil was safe,8 said >anten. 8Today where is Janeil7 "eath, mildewed cloth, sour wine. 2hat we gain by /slinking/ is the assurance of survival. And % plan much more than simple /slinking/.8 8% can conceive of a hundred occasions when death is better than lifeD8 snapped %sseth. 8)ust % die in dishonor and disgrace7 2hy may my last years not be passed in dignity78 %nto the room came B. 5. 6obarth. 8Councilmen, the )eks approach Castle +agedom.8 +agedom cast a wild look around the chamber. 8%s there a . consensus7 2hat must we do78 >anten threw up his hands. 8,veryone must do as he thinks bestD % argue no more& % am done. +agedom, will you ad0ourn the council so that we may be about our affairs7 % to my /slinking/78 8Council is ad0ourned,8 said +agedom, and all went up to stand on the ramparts. p the avenue into the castle trooped (easants from the suiToanding .countryside, packets slung over their shoulders. Across the valley, at the edge of Bartholomew 5orest, was a clot of power'wagons and an amorphous brown'gold mass* )eks. Aure pointed west. 89ookthere they come, up the 9ong/ -wale.8 +e turned, peered east. 8And look, there at Barn'bridge* )eksD8 By common consent, all swung about to scan North 6idge. :. <. ;arr pointed to a !uiet line of brown'gold shapes. 8There they wait, the verminD They have penned us inD 2ell then, let them waitD8 +e swung away, rode the lift down to the pla.a, crossed swiftly to <urnbeld +ouse, where he worked the rest of the afternoon with his ;loriana, of whom he e$pected great things. The following day the )eks formali.ed the investment. Around Castle +agedorn a great circle of )ek activity made itself apparent* sheds, warehouses, barracks. 2ithin this periphery, 0ust beyond the range of the energy cannon, power'wagons thrust up mounds of dirt. "uring the night these mounds lengthened toward the castle& similarly the night after. At last the purpose of the mounds became clear* they were a protective cover above passages or tunnels leading toward the crag on which Castle +agedorn rested. The following day several of the mounds reached the base of the crag. (resently from the far end began to flow a succession of power'wagons loaded with rubble. They issued, dumped their loads and once again entered the tunnels. ,ight of these above'ground tunnels had been established. 5rom each trundled endless loads of dirt and rock, gnawed from the crag on which Castle +agedorn sat. To the gentle'folk who crowded the parapets the meaning of the work at last became clear. 8They make no attempt to bury us,8 said +agedorn. 8They merely mine out the crag from below usD8 #n the si$th day of the siege, a great segment of the hillside shuddered, slumped, and a tall pinnacle of rock reaching almost up to the base of the walls collapsed. 8%f this continues,8 muttered Beaudry, 8our time will be less than that of Janeil.8 8Come then,8 called :. <. ;arr in sudden energy. 89et us try our energy cannon. 2e/ll blast open their wretched tunnels, and what will the rascals do then78 +e went to the nearest emplacement, shouted down for (easants to remove the tarpaulin. >anten, who happened to stand nearby, said, 8Allow me to assist you.8 +e 0erked away the tarpaulin. 8-hoot now, if you will.8 :. <. ;arr stared at him uncomprehendingly, then leapt forward, swiveled the great pro0ector about so that it aimed at a mound. +e pulled the switch& the air crackled in front of the ringed snout, rippled, flickered with purple sparks. The target area steamed, became black, then dark red, then slumped into an incandescent crater. But the underlying earth, twenty feet in thickness, afforded too much insulation& the molten puddle became white'hot but failed to spread or deepen. The energy cannon gave a sudden chatter, as electric'ity short'circuited through corroded insulation. The cannon went dead. :. <. ;arr inspected the mechanism in anger and disap'pointment. Then, with a gesture of repugnance, he turned away. The cannons were clearly of limited effectiveness. Two hours later, on the east side of the crag, another great sheet of rock collapsed, and 0ust before sunset, a similar mass sheared from the western face, where the wall of the castle rose almost in an uninterrupted line from the cliff below. At midnight >anten and those of his persuasion, with their children and consorts, departed. Castle +agedom. -i$ teams of Birds shuttled from the flight deck to a meadow near 5ar 1alley, and long before dawn had transported the entire group. There were none to bid them farewell. >%

A week later another section of the east cliff fell away, .taking a length of rock'melt buttress with it. At the tunnel mouths the piles of e$cavated rubble had become alarmingly large. The terraced south face of the crag was the least disturbed& the most spectacular damage having occurred to east and west. -uddenly, a month after the initial assault, a great section of the terraces slumped forward, leaving an irregular crevasse which interrupted the avenue and hurled down the statues of former notables eniplaced at intervals along the avenue/s balustrade. +agedorn called a council meeting. 8Circumstances,8 he said in a wan attempt at facetiousness, 8have not bettered themselves. #ur most pessimistic e$pectations have been e$'ceeded. A dismal situationD % confess that % do not relish the prospect of toppling to my death among all my smashed belongings.8 Aure made a desperate gesture. 8A similar thought haunts meD "eathwhat of that7 All must dieD But when % think of my precious belongings % become sick. )y books trampledD )y fragile vases smashedD )y tabards rippedD )y rugs buriedD )y (hanes strangledD )y heirloom chandeliers flung asideD These are my nightmares.8 8Cour possessions are no less precious than any others,8 said Beaudry shortly. 8-till they have no life of their own& when we are gone, who cares what happens to them78 )arune winced. 8A year ago % put down eighteen do.en flasks of prime essence& twelve do.en ;reen 6ain& three each of Baltha.ar and 5aidor. Think of these, if you would contemplate tragedyD8 8+ad we only knownD8 groaned Aure. 8% would have? would have . . .8 +is voice trailed away. :. <. ;arr stamped his foot in impatience. 89et us avoid lamentation at all costsD 2e had a choice, remember7 >anten beseeched us to flee& now he and his like go skulking and foraging through the north mountains with the ,$piationists. 2e chose to remain, for better or worse, and unluckily the /worse/ is occurring. 2e must accept the fact like gentlemen.8 To this the council gave melancholy assent. +agedom brought forth a flask of priceless 6hadamanth, and poured with a prodigality which previously would have been unthink' able. 8-ince we have no futureto our glorious pasti8 That night disturbances were noted here and there around the ring of )ek investment* flames at four separate points, a faint sound of hoarse shouting. #n the following day it seemed that the tempo of activity had lessened a trifle. But during the afternoon a vast segment of the east cliff fell away. A moment later, as if after ma0estic deliberation, the tall east wall split off, toppled, leaving the backs of si$ great houses e$posed to the open sky. An hour after sunset a team of Birds settled to the ffight'deck. >anten 0umped from the seat. +e ran down the circular staircase to the ramparts, came down to the pla.a by .+agedorn/s palace. +agedorn, summoned by a kinsman, came forth to stare at >anten in surprise. 82hat do you do here7 2e e$pected you to be safely north with the ,$piationistsD8 8The ,$piationists are not safely north,8 said >anten. 8They have 0oined the rest of us. 2e are fighting.8 +agedorn/s 0aw dropped. 85ighting7 The gentlemen are fighting )eks78 8As vigorously as possible.8 +agedom shook his head in wonder. 8The ,$piationists too7 % understood that they had planned to flee north.8 8-ome have done so, including A. ;. (hilidor. There are factions among the ,$piationists 0ust as here. )ost are not ten miles distant. The same with the Nomads. -ome have taken their power'wagons and fled. The rest kill )eks with fanatic fervor. 9ast night you saw our work. 2e fired four storage warehouses, destroyed syrup tanks, killed a hundred or more )eks, as well as a do.en power'wagons. 2e suffered losses, which hurt us, because there are few of us and many )eks. This is why % am here. 2e need more men. Come fight beside usD8 +agedorn turned, motioned to the great central pla.a. 8% will call forth the folk from their +ouses. Talk to everyone.8 The Birds, complaining bitterly at the unprecedented toil, worked all night, transporting gentlemen, who, sobered by the imminent destruction of Castle +agedorn, were now willing to abandon all scruples and fight for their lives. The staunch traditionalists still refused to compromise their honor, but >anten gave them cheerful assurance* 86emain here then, prowling the castle like so many furtive rats. Take what comfort you can in the fact that you are being protected& the future holds little else for you.8 And many who heard him stalked away in disgust. >anten turned to +agedorn. 82hat of you7 "o you come or do you stay78 +agedorn heaved a deep sigh, almost a groan. 8Castle +agedorn is at an end. No matter what the eventuality. % will come with you.8 The situation suddenly had altered. The )eks, established in a loose ring around Castle +agedom, had calculated upon no resistance from the countryside and little from the castle. They had established their barracks and syrup depots with thought only for convenience and none for defense& raiding parties, conse!uently, were able to approach, inflict damages and withdraw before sustaining serious losses of their own. Those )eks posted along North 6idge were harassed almost continuously and finally were driven down with many losses. The circle around Castle +agedorn became a cusp& then two days later, after the

destruction of five more syrup depots, the )eks drew back even farther. Throwing up earthworks before the two tunnels leading under the south face of the crag, they established a more or less tenable defensive position, but now instead of beleaguering, they became the beleaguered, though still fighting. 2ithin the area thus defended the )eks concentrated their remaining syrup stocks, tools, weapons, ammunition. The area outside the earthworks was floodlit after dark and guarded by )eks armed with pellet guns, making any frontal assault impractical. 5or a day the raiders kept to the shelter of the surrounding orchards, appraising the new situation. Then a new tactic was attempted. -i$ light carriages were improvised and loaded with bladders of light inflammable oil, with a fire grenade attached. To each of these carriages ten Birds were harnessed, and at midnight sent aloft, with a man for each carriage. 5lying high, the Birds then glided down through the darkness over the )ek position, where the fire bombs were dropped. The area instantly seethed with flame. The syrup depot burnt& the power'wagons, awakened by the flames, rolled frantically back and forth, crushing )eks and stores, colliding with each other, adding vastly to the terror of the flames. The )eks who survived took shelter in the tunnels. Certain of the floodlights were e$tinguished and, taking advantage of the confusion, the men attacked the earthworks. After a short bitter battle, the men killed all the sentinels and took up positions commanding the mouths of the tunnels, which now contained all that remained of the )ek army. %t seemed as %f the )ek uprising had been put down. >%% The flames died. The human warriorsthree hundred men froftl the castle, two hundred ,$piationists and about three hundred Nomadsgathered about the tunnel mouth and, during the balance of the night, considered methods to deal with the immured )eks. At sunrise those men of Castle +agedorn whose children and consorts were yet within the castle went to bring them forth. 2ith them, upon their return, came a group of castle gentlemen* among them Beaudry, :. <. ;arr, %sseth, and Aure. They greeted their onetime peers, +agedorn, >anten, Claghorn and others, crisply, but with a certain austere detachment, which recogni.ed that loss of prestige incurred by those who fought )eks as if they were e!uals. 8Now what is to happen78 Beaudry in!uired of +agedorn. 8The )eks are trapped but you can/t bring them forth. Not impossibly they have syrup stored within for the power'wagons. They may well survive for months.8 :. <. #arr, assessing the situation from the standpoint of a military theoretician, came forward with a plan of action. 85etch down the cannonor have your underlings do so and mount them on power'wagons. 2hen the vermin are sufficiently weak, roll the cannon in and wipe out all but a labor force for the castle. 2e formerly worked four hundred, and this should suffice.8 8+aD8 e$claimed >anten. 8%t gives me great pleasure to inform you that this will never be. %f any )eks survive they will repair the spaceships and instruct us in the maintenance and we will then transport them and (easants back to their native worlds.8 8+ow then do you e$pect us to maintain our lives78 demanded ;arr coldly. 8Cou have the syrup generator. 5it yourself with sacs and drink syrup.8 ;arr tilted back his head, stared coldly down his nose. 8This is your voice, yours alone, and your insolent opinion. ./#thers are to be heard from. +agedorn, is this your philos' ophy, that civili.ation should wither78 8%t need not wither,8 said +agedorn, 8provided that all of usyou as well as wetoil for it. There can be no more slaves. % have become convinced of this.8 :. <. ;arr turned on his heel, swept back up the avenue into the castle, followed by the most traditional'minded of his comrades. A few moved aside and talked among themselves in low tones, with one or two black looks for >anten and +agedorn. 5rom the ramparts of the castle came a sudden outcry* 8The )eksD They are taking the castleD They swarm up the lower passagesD Attack, save usD8 The men below stared up in consternation. ,ven as they looked the castle portals swung shut. 8+ow is this possible78 demanded +agedorn. 8% swear all entered the tunnelsD8 8%t is only too clear,8 said >anten bitterly. 82hile they undermined, they drove a tunnel up to the lower levelsD8 +agedorn started forward as if he would charge up the crag alone, then halted. 82e must drive them outD nthinka'ble that they pillage our castleD8 8 nfortunately,8 said Claghorn, 8the walls bar us as effec'tually as they did the )eks.8 82e can send up a force by Bird'carD #nce we consolidate, we can e$terminate themD8 Claghorn shook his head. 8They can wait on the ramparts and flight'deck and shoot down the Birds as they approach. ,ven if we secured a foothold there would be great bloodshed* one of us killed for every one of them. And they still outnumber us three or four to one.8 +agedorn groaned. 8The thought of them revelling among my possessions, strutting about in my clothes, swilling my

essencesit sickens meD8 89istenD8 said Claghorn. 5rom on high they heard the hoarse yells of men, the crackle of energy'cannon. 8-ome of them, at least, hold out on the rampartsD8 >anten went to a nearby group of Birds who were for once awed and subdued by events. 89ift me up above the castle, out of range of the pellets, but where % can see what the )eks doD8 8Care, take careD8 croaked one of the Birds. 8%ll things occur at the castle.8 8Never mindD Convey me up, above the rampartsD8 The Birds lifted him, swung in a great circle around the crag and above the castle, sufficiently distant to be safe from the )ek pellet'guns. Beside those cannon which yet operated stood thirty men and women. Between the great +ouses, the rotunda and the palace, everywhere the cannon could not be brought to bear, swarmed )eks. The pla.a was littered with corpses* gentlemen, ladies and their childrenall those who had elected to r.emain at Castle +agedorn. At one of the cannon stood :. <. ;arr. -pying >anten he gave a shout of hysterical rage, swung up the cannon, fired a bolt. The Birds, screaming, tried to swerve aside, but the bolt smashed two. Birds, car, >anten, fell in a great tangle. By some miracle, the four yet alive caught their balance and a hundred feet from the ground, with a fren.ied groaning effort, they slowed their fall, steadied, hovered an instant, sank to the ground. >anten staggered free of the tangle. )en came running. 8Are you safe78 called Claghom. 8-afe, yes. 5rightened as wellD8 >anten took a deep breath, went to sit on an outcrop of rock. 82hat/s happening up there78 asked Claghom. 8All dead,8 said >anten, 8all but a score. ;arr has gone mad. +e fired on me.8 89ookD )eks 'on the rampartsD8 cried A. 9. )organ. 8ThereD8 cried someone else. 8)enD They 0umpD... No, they are flungD8 -ome were men, some were )eks whom they had dragged with them& with awful slowness they toppled to their deaths. No more fell. Castle +agedorn was in the hands of the )eks. >anten considered the comple$ silhouette, at once so famil'iar and so strange. 8They can/t hope to hold out. 2e need only destroy the sun'cells, and they can synthesi.e no syrup.8 89et us do it now,8 said Claghom, 8before they think of this and man the cannonD BirdsD8 +e went off to give the orders, and forty Birds, each clutching two rocks the si.e of a man/s head, flapped up, circled the castle and presently returned to report the sun'cells had been destroyed. >anten said, 8All that remains is to seal the tunnel en'trances against a sudden eruption, which might catch us off ..' guardthen patience.8 82hat of the (easants in the stablesand the (hanes78 asked +agedorn in a forlorn voice. >anten gave his head a slow shake. 8+e who was not an ,$piationist before must become one now.8 Claghom muttered, 8They can survive two months at most no more.8 But two months passed, and three months, and four months. Then one morning the great portals opened, a hag'gard )ek stumbled forth. +e signaled* 8)en* we starve. 2e have maintained your treasures. ;ive us our lives or we destroy all before we die.8 Claghom responded* 8These are our terms. 2e give you your lives. Cou must clean the castle, remove and bury the corpses. Cou must repair the spaceships and teach us all you know regarding them. 2e will then transport you to ,tamin Nine.8 8The terms you offer are accepted.8 5ive years later >anten and ;lys )eadowsweet, with their two children, had reason to travel north from their home near -ande 6iver. They took occasion to visit Castle +agedorn, where now lived only two or three do.en folk, among them +agedom. +e had aged, so it seemed to >anten. +is hair was white& his face, once bluff and hearty, had become thin, almost wa$en. >anten could not determine his mood. They stood in the shade of a walnut tree, with castle and crag looming above them. 8This is now a great museum,8 said +agedorn. 8% am curator, and this will be the function of all the +agedorns who come after me, for there is incalculable treasure to guard and maintain. Already the feeling of anti'!uity has come to the castle. The +ouses are alive with ghosts. % see them often, especially on the nights of the fetes . . . Ah, those were the times, were they not, >anten78 8Ces indeed,8 said >anten. +e touched the heads of his two children. 8-till, % have no wish to return to them. 2e are men now, on our own world, as we never were before.8 +agedorn gave a somewhat regretful assent. +e looked up'at the vast structure, as if now were the first occasion he had laid eyes on it. 8The folk of the futurewhat will they think of Castle +agedorn7 %ts treasures, its books, its tabards78 8They will come, they will marvel,8 said >anten. 8Almost as % do today.8 8There is much at which to marvel. 2ill you come within, >anten7 There are still flasks of noble essence laid by.8 8Thank you no,8 said >anten. 8There is too much to stir old memories. 2e will go our way, and % think that we will do so immediately.8

+agedorn nodded sadly. 8% understand very well. % myself am often given to reverie these days. 2ell then, good'by, and 0ourney home with pleasure.8 82e will do so, +agedom. Thank you and good'by,8 said >anten, and turned away from Castle +agedom, toward the world of men.