°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
¡¡¡¡Always¡¡gotta¡¡make¡¡sure¡¡to¡¡get¡¡full¡¡credit£»¡¡don't¡¡you£¿¡¡Dwer¡¡thought£»¡¡knowing¡¡it¡¡was¡¡ungrateful¡¡but¡¡thinking¡¡it¡¡anyway¡£
¡¡¡¡Another¡¡brilliant¡¡explosion¡¡sent¡¡rays¡¡of¡¡brightness¡¡cutting¡¡through¡¡black¡¡shadows£»¡¡all¡¡centered¡¡on¡¡the¡¡fiery¡¡site¡¡by¡¡the¡¡lake¡£¡¡Two¡¡more¡¡reports¡¡followed¡¡within¡¡a¡¡few¡¡duras£»¡¡erasing¡¡any¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡going¡¡back¡¡after¡¡his¡¡supplies¡£¡¡Flames¡¡continued¡¡to¡¡spread¡£
¡¡¡¡He¡¡helped¡¡Rety¡¡up£»¡¡leaning¡¡on¡¡the¡¡glaver¡¡for¡¡support¡£¡¡e¡¡on£»¡¡Dwer¡¡said£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡slight¡¡incline¡¡of¡¡the¡¡head¡£¡¡Better¡¡to¡¡die¡¡in¡¡motion¡¡than¡¡just¡¡lying¡¡here¡£
¡¡¡¡Even¡¡stumbling¡¡in¡¡the¡¡dark£»¡¡numbed¡¡by¡¡cold£»¡¡pain£»¡¡and¡¡weariness£»¡¡Dwer¡¡couldn't¡¡help¡¡pondering¡¡what¡¡he'd¡¡seen¡£
¡¡¡¡One¡¡little¡¡bird¡machine¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡rare¡¡but¡¡explainable¡a¡¡surviving¡¡relic¡¡of¡¡Buyur¡¡days£»¡¡somehow¡¡preserved¡¡into¡¡this¡¡era£»¡¡wandering¡¡confused¡¡across¡¡a¡¡continent¡¡long¡¡abandoned¡¡by¡¡its¡¡masters¡£¡¡But¡¡the¡¡second¡¡machine¡that¡¡daunting£»¡¡floating¡¡menace¡was¡¡no¡¡dazed¡¡leftover¡¡of¡¡vanished¡¡Jijoan¡¡tenants¡£¡¡It¡¡had¡¡been¡¡powerful£»¡¡resolute¡£
¡¡¡¡A¡¡new¡¡thing¡¡in¡¡the¡¡world¡£
¡¡¡¡Together¡¡they¡¡weaved¡¡unsteadily¡¡down¡¡another¡¡avenue¡¡between¡¡two¡¡forests¡¡of¡¡boo¡£¡¡The¡¡channel¡¡spared¡¡them¡¡from¡¡the¡¡frigid¡¡wind£»¡¡and¡¡also¡¡from¡¡having¡¡to¡¡make¡¡any¡¡decisions¡£¡¡Each¡¡step¡¡took¡¡them¡¡farther¡¡from¡¡the¡¡lakeside¡¡conflagration£»¡¡which¡¡suited¡¡Dwer¡¡fine¡£
¡¡¡¡Where¡¡there's¡¡one¡¡death¡¡machine£»¡¡might¡¡there¡¡be¡¡more£¿
¡¡¡¡Could¡¡another¡¡levitating¡¡minifortress¡¡e¡¡to¡¡avenge¡¡its¡¡brother£¿¡¡With¡¡that¡¡thought£»¡¡the¡¡narrow£»¡¡star¡canopied¡¡aisle¡¡ceased¡¡seeming¡¡a¡¡refuge£»¡¡rather¡¡an¡¡awful¡¡trap¡£
¡¡¡¡The¡¡boo¡lined¡¡corridor¡¡ended¡¡at¡¡last£»¡¡spilling¡¡the¡¡four¡¡of¡¡them¡¡onto¡¡a¡¡meadow¡¡of¡¡knee¡high¡¡grass¡¡swaying¡¡before¡¡a¡¡stiff£»¡¡icy¡¡wind¡¡that¡¡drained¡¡their¡¡bodies¡¡as¡¡they¡¡shuffled¡¡along¡£¡¡Frost¡¡flurries¡¡whirled¡¡all¡¡around¡£¡¡Dwer¡¡knew¡¡it¡¡was¡¡just¡¡a¡¡matter¡¡of¡¡time¡¡before¡¡they¡¡collapsed¡£
¡¡¡¡A¡¡grove¡¡of¡¡scrubby¡¡saplings¡¡clustered¡¡by¡¡a¡¡small¡¡watercourse£»¡¡some¡¡distance¡¡from¡¡the¡¡path¡£¡¡Shivering£»¡¡he¡¡nudged¡¡the¡¡glaver¡¡across¡¡the¡¡crunching£»¡¡crackling¡¡grass¡£¡¡We're¡¡leaving¡¡tracks£»¡¡the¡¡hunter¡¡in¡¡him¡¡carped¡£¡¡Lessons¡¡drilled¡¡by¡¡old¡¡Fallen¡¡floated¡¡to¡¡mind¡£¡¡Try¡¡keeping¡¡to¡¡hare¡¡rock¡¡or¡¡water¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡When¡¡you're¡¡being¡¡stalked£»¡¡head¡¡downwind¡£¡£¡£¡£
¡¡¡¡None¡¡of¡¡which¡¡was¡¡helpful¡¡now¡£¡¡Instinct¡¡led¡¡him¡¡to¡¡a¡¡rocky¡¡ledge£»¡¡an¡¡outcrop¡¡shrouded¡¡by¡¡low¡¡bushes¡£¡¡Without¡¡his¡¡fire¡lighter¡¡or¡¡even¡¡a¡¡knife¡¡or¡¡piece¡¡of¡¡flint£»¡¡their¡¡best¡¡hope¡¡lay¡¡in¡¡finding¡¡shelter¡£¡¡Dwer¡¡yanked¡¡Rety¡¡off¡¡the¡¡glaver's¡¡neck£»¡¡pushing¡¡till¡¡she¡¡understood¡¡to¡¡bend¡¡and¡¡crawl¡¡under¡¡the¡¡shelf¡£¡¡The¡¡glaver¡¡shuffled¡¡inward¡¡on¡¡all¡¡four¡¡knees£»¡¡Mudfoot¡¡hitching¡¡a¡¡ride¡¡on¡¡her¡¡corrugated¡¡back¡£¡¡Dwer¡¡yanked¡¡some¡¡fallen¡¡branches¡¡where¡¡the¡¡wind¡¡would¡¡pile¡¡leaves¡¡on¡¡top¡£¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡also¡¡dropped£»¡¡slithering¡¡to¡¡join¡¡an¡¡interspecies¡¡tangle¡¡of¡¡limbs£»¡¡fur£»¡¡skin¡and¡¡someone's¡¡fetid¡¡breath¡¡not¡¡far¡¡from¡¡his¡¡face¡£¡¡Snowflakes¡¡sublimed¡¡off¡¡flesh¡¡as¡¡body¡¡heat¡¡spread¡¡through¡¡the¡¡confined¡¡space¡£¡¡Just¡¡our¡¡luck¡¡to¡¡have¡¡a¡¡late¡¡flurry£»¡¡so¡¡far¡¡into¡¡spring£»¡¡he¡¡thought¡£¡¡Old¡¡Fallen¡¡used¡¡to¡¡say¡¡there¡¡were¡¡just¡¡two¡¡seasons¡¡in¡¡the¡¡mountains¡£¡¡One¡¡was¡¡called¡¡Winter¡£¡¡The¡¡other¡¡was¡¡also¡¡winter£»¡¡with¡¡some¡¡green¡¡stuff¡¡growing¡¡to¡¡trick¡¡the¡¡unwary¡£
¡¡¡¡He¡¡told¡¡himself¡¡the¡¡weather¡¡wasn't¡¡really¡¡so¡¡bad¡or¡¡wouldn't¡¡be¡¡if¡¡their¡¡clothes¡¡hadn't¡¡been¡¡burned¡¡off¡¡their¡¡bodies£»¡¡or¡¡if¡¡they¡¡weren't¡¡already¡¡in¡¡shock£»¡¡or¡¡if¡¡they¡¡had¡¡supplies¡£
¡¡¡¡After¡¡a¡¡while£»¡¡Dwer¡¡realized¡¡the¡¡deafness¡¡must¡¡be¡¡fading¡£¡¡He¡¡could¡¡hear¡¡someone's¡¡teeth¡¡chattering£»¡¡then¡¡a¡¡murmur¡¡of¡¡some¡¡sort£»¡¡ing¡¡from¡¡behind¡¡him¡£¡¡That¡¡was¡¡followed¡¡by¡¡a¡¡sharp¡¡jab¡¡on¡¡his¡¡shoulder¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡said¡¡could¡¡you¡¡move¡¡jes¡¡a¡¡bit£¿¡¨¡¡Rety¡¡shouted£»¡¡not¡¡far¡¡from¡¡his¡¡ear¡£¡¡¡¨You're¡¡lying¡¡on¡¡my¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡He¡¡shifted¡£¡¡Something¡¡bony¡¡slid¡¡from¡¡under¡¡his¡¡rib¡cage¡£¡¡When¡¡he¡¡lay¡¡back¡¡down£»¡¡his¡¡flank¡¡scraped¡¡icy¡¡grit¡£¡¡Dwer¡¡sighed¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Are¡¡you¡¡all¡¡right£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡She¡¡squirmed¡¡some¡¡more¡£¡¡¡¨What'd¡¡you¡¡say£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡He¡¡writhed¡¡around¡¡to¡¡see¡¡her¡¡blurry¡¡outline¡£¡¡¡¨Are¡¡you¡¡okay£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡shouted¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡sure¡£¡¡Never¡¡better£»¡¡dimmie¡£¡¡Good¡¡question¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Dwer¡¡shrugged¡£¡¡If¡¡she¡¡had¡¡energy¡¡to¡¡be¡¡nasty£»¡¡she¡¡was¡¡probably¡¡far¡¡from¡¡death's¡¡door¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡got¡¡anything¡¡to¡¡eat£¿¡¨¡¡Rety¡¡added¡£
¡¡¡¡He¡¡shook¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡¡¨We'll¡¡find¡¡something¡¡in¡¡the¡¡morn¡£¡¡Till¡¡then£»¡¡don't¡¡speak¡¡'less¡¡you¡¡must¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡Because¡¡robots¡¡probably¡¡have¡¡ears£»¡¡he¡¡almost¡¡said¡£¡¡But¡¡why¡¡worry¡¡the¡¡kid£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¨Save¡¡your¡¡strength¡£¡¡Now¡¡be¡¡good¡¡and¡¡get¡¡some¡¡sleep¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡A¡¡slight¡¡vibration¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡the¡¡girl£»¡¡mimicking¡¡his¡¡words¡¡sarcastically¡¡under¡¡her¡¡breath¡£¡¡But¡¡he¡¡couldn't¡¡be¡¡sure¡a¡¡blessed¡¡side¡¡effect¡¡to¡¡the¡¡beating¡¡his¡¡ears¡¡had¡¡taken¡£
¡¡¡¡With¡¡a¡¡series¡¡of¡¡sharp¡¡jabs£»¡¡Mudfoot¡¡clambered¡¡up¡¡his¡¡leg¡¡to¡¡settle¡¡in¡¡the¡¡wedge¡¡between¡¡his¡¡body¡¡and¡¡Rety's¡£¡¡Dwer¡¡squirmed¡¡to¡¡a¡¡position¡¡where¡¡his¡¡head¡¡was¡¡less¡¡sheltered¡¡by¡¡the¡¡glaver's¡¡warm¡¡flank¡£¡¡A¡¡bitter¡¡chill¡¡greeted¡¡his¡¡face¡¡as¡¡he¡¡peered¡¡back¡¡at¡¡the¡¡trail¡¡they¡¡had¡¡just¡¡left¡the¡¡narrow¡¡avenue¡¡between¡¡two¡¡vast¡¡stands¡¡of¡¡boo¡£¡¡As¡¡a¡¡makeshift¡¡hunter's¡¡blind£»¡¡this¡¡wasn't¡¡bad¡if¡¡only¡¡more¡¡snow¡¡would¡¡fill¡¡in¡¡the¡¡trampled¡¡trail¡¡they¡¡had¡¡left¡¡in¡¡the¡¡broken¡¡grass¡£
¡¡¡¡We¡¡got¡¡away¡¡from¡¡you£»¡¡One¡of¡a¡Kind£»¡¡he¡¡thought£»¡¡savoring¡¡a¡¡victory¡¡he¡¡had¡¡not¡¡won¡£¡¡Many¡¡patches¡¡of¡¡skin¡¡still¡¡seemed¡¡too¡¡numb£»¡¡too¡¡cool¡¡for¡¡even¡¡the¡¡glaver's¡¡warmth¡¡to¡¡heat¡¡up£»¡¡tracing¡¡where¡¡the¡¡spider's¡¡golden¡¡preserving¡¡fluid¡¡had¡¡stuck¡£¡¡No¡¡way¡¡to¡¡clean¡¡them¡¡right¡¡now¡£¡£¡£¡¡if¡¡the¡¡droplets¡¡ever¡¡would¡¡e¡¡off¡£
¡¡¡¡Still£»¡¡we¡¡got¡¡away£»¡¡didn't¡¡we£¿
¡¡¡¡A¡¡faint¡¡touch¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡stroke¡¡his¡¡mind¡£¡¡Nothing¡¡he¡¡could¡¡pinpoint£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡triggered¡¡a¡¡tickle¡¡of¡¡worry¡£¡¡Surely¡¡the¡¡crazy¡¡old¡¡mule¡deconstructor¡¡couldn't¡¡have¡¡survived¡¡the¡¡inferno¡¡by¡¡the¡¡lake£¿
¡¡¡¡It's¡¡just¡¡my¡¡imagination¡£¡¡Forget¡¡it¡£
¡¡¡¡Unfortunately£»¡¡his¡¡imagination¡¡also¡¡supplied¡¡what¡¡One¡of¡a¡Kind¡¡would¡¡surely¡¡reply¡£
¡¡¡¡Ah£»¡¡my¡¡precious¡£¡¡Is¡¡that¡¡not¡¡what¡¡you¡¡always¡¡say£¿
¡¡¡¡Shivering¡¡from¡¡more¡¡than¡¡mere¡¡cold£»¡¡Dwer¡¡settled¡¡for¡¡a¡¡long¡¡watch£»¡¡eyeing¡¡the¡¡funnel¡avenue¡¡for¡¡other¡¡strange¡¡things¡¡sneaking¡¡over¡¡the¡¡pass¡¡through¡¡the¡¡Rimmer¡¡Range¡£
¡¡¡¡A¡¡sound¡¡roused¡¡Dwer¡¡from¡¡a¡¡dream¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡sensations¡¡of¡¡failure¡¡and¡¡paralysis¡£¡¡His¡¡eyes¡¡flinched¡¡when¡¡he¡¡opened¡¡them¡¡to¡¡a¡¡chill¡¡wind¡£¡¡Listlessly£»¡¡he¡¡tried¡¡focusing¡¡on¡¡what¡¡had¡¡yanked¡¡him¡¡awake¡£¡¡But¡¡all¡¡that¡¡came¡¡to¡¡mind¡¡was¡¡a¡¡preposterous¡¡notion¡¡that¡¡someone¡¡had¡¡called¡¡his¡¡name¡£
¡¡¡¡The¡¡Dolphin¡¡was¡¡up¡¡near¡¡zenith£»¡¡its¡¡flank¡¡shimmering¡¡with¡¡blue¡white¡¡stars£»¡¡seeming¡¡to¡¡dive¡¡between¡¡milky¡¡waves¡£
¡¡¡¡Clouds¡£¡¡And¡¡more¡¡snow¡¡was¡¡falling¡£¡¡He¡¡blinked£»¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡stare¡£¡¡Something¡¡was¡¡moving¡¡out¡¡there¡£
¡¡¡¡Dwer¡¡lifted¡¡a¡¡hand¡¡to¡¡rub¡¡his¡¡eye£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡fingers¡¡would¡¡not¡¡uncurl¡£¡¡When¡¡they¡¡touched¡¡his¡¡face£»¡¡they¡¡seemed¡¡petrified¡a¡¡sign¡¡of¡¡shock¡¡pounded¡¡by¡¡frostbite¡£
¡¡¡¡Over¡¡there¡£¡¡Is¡¡that¡¡it£¿
¡¡¡¡Something¡¡was¡¡moving¡£¡¡Not¡¡another¡¡robot£»¡¡wafting¡¡on¡¡smug¡¡pillars¡¡of¡¡force£»¡¡but¡¡a¡¡shambling¡¡bipedal¡¡figure£»¡¡hurrying¡¡upslope¡¡at¡¡a¡¡pace¡¡Dwer¡¡found¡¡professionally¡¡lacking¡£¡¡At¡¡that¡¡rate£»¡¡whoever¡it¡was¡¡would¡¡tire¡¡much¡¡faster¡¡than¡¡necessary¡£¡¡No¡¡errand¡¡was¡¡worth¡¡taking¡¡such¡¡risks¡¡in¡¡this¡¡kind¡¡of¡¡weather¡£
¡¡¡¡Of¡¡the¡¡Six£»¡¡only¡¡a¡¡hoon¡¡or¡¡human¡¡could¡¡make¡¡it¡¡this¡¡high¡¡in¡¡a¡¡snowfall£»¡¡and¡¡no¡¡hoon¡¡would¡¡let¡¡himself¡¡get¡¡into¡¡that¡¡much¡¡of¡¡a¡¡hurry¡£
¡¡¡¡Hey£»¡¡you£¡¡¡Don't¡¡go¡¡up¡¡through¡¡the¡¡boo£¡¡¡There's¡¡danger¡¡thataway£¡
¡¡¡¡Dwer's¡¡voice¡¡produced¡¡only¡¡a¡¡croak£»¡¡barely¡¡loud¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡rouse¡¡the¡¡noor£»¡¡causing¡¡Mudfoot¡¡to¡¡lift¡¡its¡¡head¡£
¡¡¡¡Hey£»¡¡fool¡£¡¡Can't¡¡you¡¡see¡¡our¡¡trail¡¡in¡¡the¡¡grass¡¡and¡¡snow£¿¡¡It's¡¡like¡¡a¡¡Buyur¡¡highway¡¡out¡¡there£¡¡¡Are¡¡you¡¡blind£¿
¡¡¡¡The¡¡figure¡¡plowed¡¡right¡¡on¡¡by£»¡¡disappearing¡¡into¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡cathedral¡like¡¡aisle¡¡between¡¡twin¡¡walls¡¡of¡¡vaulting¡¡boo¡£¡¡Dwer¡¡slumped£»¡¡hating¡¡himself¡¡for¡¡his¡¡weakness¡£¡¡All¡¡I¡¡had¡¡to¡¡do¡¡was¡¡shout¡£¡¡That's¡¡all¡£¡¡Just¡¡a¡¡little¡¡shout¡£
¡¡¡¡Glassy¡eyed£»¡¡he¡¡watched¡¡more¡¡flakes¡¡fill¡¡the¡¡runnel¡¡in¡¡the¡¡grass£»¡¡slowly¡¡erasing¡¡all¡¡signs¡¡leading¡¡to¡¡this¡¡rocky¡¡cleft¡£¡¡Well£»¡¡you¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡hide£»¡¡wasn't¡¡that¡¡the¡¡idea£¿
¡¡¡¡Perhaps¡¡the¡¡four¡¡of¡¡them¡¡would¡¡never¡¡be¡¡found¡£
¡¡¡¡Dwer¡¡lacked¡¡the¡¡strength¡¡to¡¡feel¡¡irony¡£
¡¡¡¡Some¡¡hunter¡£¡¡Some¡¡mighty¡¡hunter¡£¡£¡£
¡¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡The¡¡Stranger
¡¡¡¡It¡¡will¡¡take¡¡some¡¡getting¡¡used¡¡to£»¡¡this¡¡curious¡¡unlikely¡¡voyage£»¡¡rushing¡¡along¡¡in¡¡a¡¡wooden¡¡boat¡¡that¡¡glides¡¡down¡¡rocky¡¡canyons£»¡¡swooping¡¡past¡¡high¡¡stone¡¡walls£»¡¡giving¡¡a¡¡sense¡¡of¡¡incredible¡¡speed¡£¡¡Which¡¡is¡¡odd£»¡¡since¡¡he¡¡knows¡¡he¡¡used¡¡to¡¡travel¡¡much£»¡¡much¡¡faster¡¡than¡¡this¡£¡£¡£¡¡though¡¡right¡¡now¡¡it's¡¡hard¡¡to¡¡recall¡¡exactly¡¡how¡£
¡¡¡¡Then¡¡there¡¡are¡¡his¡¡fellow¡¡passengers£»¡¡a¡¡mixture¡¡of¡¡types¡¡he¡¡finds¡¡amazing¡¡to¡¡behold¡£
¡¡¡¡At¡¡first£»¡¡several¡¡of¡¡them¡¡had¡¡filled¡¡him¡¡with¡¡raw¡¡terror¡especially¡¡the¡¡squishy¡¡thing£»¡¡looking¡¡like¡¡a¡¡stack¡¡of¡¡phlegmy¡¡doughnuts¡¡piled¡¡up¡¡high£»¡¡venting¡¡plex¡¡stinks¡¡that¡¡scrape¡tickled¡¡his¡¡nose¡¡and¡¡tongue¡£¡¡The¡¡mere¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡its¡¡corrugated¡¡cone¡¡wrenched¡¡feelings¡¡of¡¡blank¡¡horror¡until¡¡he¡¡realized¡¡that¡¡something¡¡was¡¡quite¡¡different¡¡about¡¡this¡¡particular¡¡Joph¡
¡¡¡¡His¡¡mind¡¡refuses¡¡to¡¡bring¡¡forth¡¡the¡¡epithet£»¡¡the¡¡name£»¡¡even¡¡though¡¡he¡¡trolls¡¡and¡¡sifts¡¡for¡¡it¡£
¡¡¡¡Words¡¡refuse¡¡to¡¡e¡¡easily¡£¡¡Most¡¡of¡¡the¡¡time£»¡¡they¡¡do¡¡not¡¡e¡¡at¡¡all¡£
¡¡¡¡Worse£»¡¡he¡¡cannot¡¡speak¡¡or¡¡form¡¡ideas£»¡¡or¡¡prehend¡¡when¡¡others¡¡send¡¡shaped¡sounds¡¡toward¡¡him¡£¡¡Even¡¡names£»¡¡the¡¡simplest¡¡of¡¡labels£»¡¡refuse¡¡to¡¡rest¡¡within¡¡his¡¡grasp¡¡but¡¡wriggle¡¡off¡¡like¡¡slippery¡¡things£»¡¡too¡¡angry¡¡or¡¡fickle¡¡to¡¡bear¡¡his¡¡touch¡£
¡¡¡¡No¡¡matter¡£
¡¡¡¡He¡¡resolves¡¡to¡¡wait£»¡¡since¡¡there¡¡is¡¡no¡¡other¡¡choice¡£¡¡He¡¡even¡¡manages¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡back¡¡revulsion¡¡when¡¡the¡¡doughy¡¡cone¡creature¡¡touches¡¡him£»¡¡since¡¡healing¡¡seems¡¡its¡¡obvious¡¡intent£»¡¡and¡¡since¡¡the¡¡pain¡¡always¡¡lessens¡¡a¡¡bit£»¡¡each¡¡time¡¡it¡¡ivraps¡¡oily¡¡tendrils¡¡round¡¡his¡¡throbbing¡¡head¡£
¡¡¡¡In¡¡time£»¡¡the¡¡contact¡¡bees¡¡oddly¡¡pleasant¡£
¡¡¡¡Anyway£»¡¡she¡¡is¡¡usually¡¡there£»¡¡speaking¡¡to¡¡him¡¡gently£»¡¡filling¡¡the¡¡tunnel¡view¡¡of¡¡his¡¡attention¡¡with¡¡her¡¡smile£»¡¡providing¡¡an¡¡excuse¡¡for¡¡frail¡¡optimism¡£
¡¡¡¡He¡¡doesn't¡¡recall¡¡much¡¡about¡¡his¡¡former¡¡life£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡can¡¡dimly¡¡remember¡¡something¡¡about¡¡the¡¡way¡¡he¡¡used¡¡to¡¡live¡£¡£¡£¡¡not¡¡so¡¡much¡¡a¡¡philosophy¡¡as¡¡an¡¡attitude¡
¡¡¡¡If¡¡the¡¡universe¡¡seems¡¡to¡¡be¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡destroy¡¡you£»¡¡the¡¡best¡¡way¡¡to¡¡fight¡¡back¡¡is¡¡with¡¡hope¡£
¡¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡IX¡£¡¡THE¡¡BOOK¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡SEA
¡¡¡¡Scrolls
¡¡¡¡In¡¡order¡¡to¡¡be¡¡blessed£»
¡¡¡¡And¡¡to¡¡bring¡¡redemption£»
¡¡¡¡Forgetfulness¡¡cannot¡¡e¡¡at¡¡random¡£
¡¡¡¡Aspects¡¡of¡¡oblivion
¡¡¡¡Must¡¡e¡¡in¡¡the¡¡right¡¡order¡£
¡¡¡¡First¡¡must¡¡e¡¡detachment¡¡from¡¡the¡¡driving¡¡need
¡¡¡¡To¡¡coerce¡¡the¡¡material¡¡world£»
¡¡¡¡Or¡¡to¡¡shape¡¡other¡¡beings¡¡to¡¡your¡¡needs¡£
¡¡¡¡To¡¡be¡¡shaped¡¡is¡¡your¡¡goal¡£
¡¡¡¡First¡¡by¡¡nature£»
¡¡¡¡And¡¡later¡¡by¡¡hands¡¡and¡¡minds
¡¡¡¡Wiser¡¡than¡¡your¡¡own¡£
¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Scroll¡¡of¡¡Promise
¡¡¡¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡Alvin's¡¡Tale
¡¡¡¡SO¡¡THERE¡¡WE¡¡WERE£»¡¡WAY¡¡UP¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡THIN£»¡¡DRY¡¡AIR¡¡atop¡¡Mount¡¡Guenn£»¡¡surrounded¡¡by¡¡heat¡¡and¡¡dust¡¡and¡¡sulfury¡¡smells¡¡from¡¡Uriel's¡¡forge£»¡¡and¡¡what¡¡does¡¡Gybz¡¡the¡¡Alchemist¡¡want¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡to¡¡us¡¡about£¿
¡¡¡¡The¡¡traeki¡¡tells¡¡us¡¡we're¡¡being¡¡sent¡¡to¡¡a¡¡different¡¡kind¡¡of¡¡hell¡£
¡¡¡¡But¡¡hold¡¡on£»¡¡Alvin¡£¡¡Spin¡¡the¡¡yarn¡¡the¡¡way¡¡an¡¡old¡time¡¡human¡¡storyteller¡¡would¡£¡¡Describe¡¡the¡¡scene£»¡¡then¡¡the¡¡action¡£
¡¡¡¡Gybz¡¡concocts¡¡recipes¡¡for¡¡metal¡¡and¡¡glass¡¡in¡¡a¡¡grimy¡¡workshop£»¡¡quite¡¡unlike¡¡Uriel's¡¡prim£»¡¡spotless¡¡hall¡¡of¡¡spinning¡¡disks¡£¡¡Mineral¡¡powders¡¡spill¡¡across¡¡stained¡¡wooden¡¡shelves¡¡and¡¡earthenware¡¡jars¡¡stink¡¡with¡¡noxious¡¡liquids¡£¡¡One¡¡slit¡¡window¡¡overlooks¡¡a¡¡northern¡¡vista¡¡stretching¡¡all¡¡the¡¡way¡¡down¡¡to¡¡a¡¡splash¡¡of¡¡painful¡¡color¡¡that¡¡could¡¡only¡¡be¡¡the¡¡Spectral¡¡Flow£»¡¡which¡¡means¡¡the¡¡chamber¡¡is¡¡about¡¡as¡¡high¡¡as¡¡you¡¡can¡¡get¡¡without¡¡tumbling¡¡into¡¡Mount¡¡Guenn's¡¡simmering¡¡caldera¡£
¡¡¡¡Below¡¡the¡¡window£»¡¡flies¡¡swarmed¡¡over¡¡a¡¡pile¡¡of¡¡nicely¡¡aged¡¡kitchen¡¡mulch¡£¡¡I¡¡hoped¡¡we¡¡weren't¡¡interrupting¡¡Gybz¡¡at¡¡dinner¡£
¡¡¡¡The¡¡four¡¡of¡¡us¡Huck£»¡¡Pincer£»¡¡Ur¡ronn£»¡¡and¡¡me¡had¡¡e¡¡up¡¡to¡¡the¡¡alchemy¡¡lab¡¡at¡¡the¡¡mand¡¡of¡¡Uriel£»¡¡the¡¡great¡¡blacksmith£»¡¡ruler¡¡of¡¡this¡¡fortress¡¡of¡¡industry¡¡perched¡¡on¡¡Jijo's¡¡trembling¡¡knee¡£¡¡At¡¡first¡¡I¡¡figured¡¡she¡¡sent¡¡us¡¡away¡¡just¡¡to¡¡get¡¡rid¡¡of¡¡some¡¡irritating¡¡youngsters£»¡¡while¡¡she¡¡conferred¡¡with¡¡a¡¡human¡¡sage¡¡over¡¡how¡¡to¡¡improve¡¡her¡¡beloved¡¡mobile¡¡of¡¡gears£»¡¡pulleys£»¡¡and¡¡whirling¡¡glass¡£¡¡The¡¡chief¡¡assistant£»¡¡Urdonnol£»¡¡muttered¡¡disapproval¡¡while¡¡shepherding¡¡us¡¡up¡¡a¡¡long¡¡ramp¡¡to¡¡the¡¡traeki's¡¡mixing¡¡room¡£¡¡Only¡¡our¡¡pal¡¡Ur¡ronn¡¡seemed¡¡cheerful£»¡¡almost¡¡ebullient¡£¡¡Huck¡¡and¡¡I¡¡exchanged¡¡a¡¡glance£»¡¡wondering¡¡why¡£
¡¡¡¡We¡¡found¡¡out¡¡when¡¡Gybz¡¡shuffled¡¡ers¡¡mottled£»¡¡conical¡¡bulk¡¡around¡¡from¡¡behind¡¡a¡¡workbench¡£¡¡Words¡¡bubbled¡¡from¡¡a¡¡speaking¡¡tube¡¡that¡¡puckered¡¡the¡¡third¡from¡the¡top¡¡ring¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Bright¡¡youths¡¡of¡¡four¡¡races£»¡¡be¡¡made¡¡wele£¡¡¡Sublime¡¡news¡¡for¡¡you£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡an¡¡honor¡¡to¡¡relate¡£¡¡A¡¡decision¡¡to¡¡approve¡¡your¡¡expedition£»¡¡this¡¡has¡¡occurred¡£¡¡Your¡¡endeavor¡¡to¡¡reach£»¡¡visit£»¡¡explore¡¡the¡¡nearest¡¡reaches¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Upper¡¡Midden£»¡¡this¡¡you¡¡may¡¡attempt¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Gybz¡¡paused£»¡¡venting¡¡puffs¡¡from¡¡a¡¡purple¡¡synthi¡¡ring¡£¡¡When¡¡the¡¡traeki¡¡resumed£»