Eye of the Zodiac

Already they were too inbred, young faces bearing a similar stamp, lines of weakness lying close beneath the surface. Fresh blood would revitalize them, his own and that of others. The mountains could hold minerals and gems, the predators could provide skins and furs. Even the Kheld could be snared and sold to zoos. A worthy task for any man and here, maybe, he would come as close as he ever would to home. To Earth.

A temptation. A snare loaded with enticing bait; authority, respect, security, the power to manipulate lives, to guide the destiny of a people. Iduna.

* * * * *

She entered the chamber as if at a signal, coming directly towards him, her hands extended, features radiating pleasure.

"Earl! I've been so worried! Thank God you're alive and well!"

"And you?"

"They kept me within a house. There was a loom and some of the women tried to teach me how to use it Earl, it's not for me."

He said, flatly, "They say that we have to stay here. You will have to weave, bake bread, make pots, do what the other women do. Mate with me," he added. "Bear my children."

"Earl!"

"Does the prospect horrify you?"

"No, why should it?" Her eyes were candid as they met his own. "If we have to, then we must."

"Your body against mine," he said deliberately. "Hot as we mate, your womb filled with child, growing, swelling, later to feed the new life. And not just once, Iduna, but many times. We shall eat together, sleep together. Your body will provide my pleasure, my hands-" He broke off, eyes narrowed, searching. "You do not object?"

"No." She swallowed, then managed to smile. "Of course not. You are a fine man, Earl. No woman could ask for better. We can be happy here, you and I. The valley is a nice place, the people kind. When-"

"Now! Today!"

"You mean that tonight-?" Again, she swallowed. "But why the hurry? Earl, you must give me a little time, a few days at least. My brother-I can't forget Jalch so soon."

"He was your brother, Iduna, not your husband. I shall be that."

"Yes, Earl, of course. Even so, I need a little time." Her laugh was strained. "You don't understand. I- you will be the first. Please, Earl! Please!"

She sagged as he nodded, her relief obvious. As she left Dumarest said, dryly, "As I told you, she is not my woman."

"But she will obey." Vestaler had watched from where he stood against a wall. "She must obey. There is no alternative."

"I disagree," said Dumarest quietly. "We could always leave."

"That is impossible. No one can leave the valley!"

"No?" Dumarest looked from one to the other, from Usdon to Vestaler. "Like Zafra, you lie. Men left the valley to go searching for Leon. He saw them and they frightened him. That's why he took passage on the first vessel he could find."

"He-"

"Ran," interrupted Dumarest. "We know why, but he did not leave empty handed. He took three things with him. A map which he had to have in order to find his way from the mountains. Something of value which he could sell in order to obtain passage money-what was it?"

"An ancient seal," said Usdon bitterly. "Made of precious metal and gems. It has been with us since the beginning."

"And the photograph," said Vestaler. "The one you brought with you. It is of no importance."

Dumarest said, quietly, "I wasn't counting the photograph. There was something of far higher value. A safeguard in case he should be caught. With it, he could bargain for his life."

"The Eye!" Usdon turned to Vestaler. "Master, he is talking of the Eye of the Past!"

He knew! He had to know. For a moment relief made Vestaler giddy, so that he had to clutch at the table for support. The brooding, the regret was over. Now, at last, he could sleep easily at night instead of spending endless hours in self-recrimination. He should have known, suspected. But how to even imagine the possibility of such an event?

For a boy to act so! The very concept was incredible.

He said, fighting to control the tenor of his voice, "You know? He told you?" And then, as Dumarest remained silent, he shouted, "If you know where it is, man, tell us! I beg you!"

"I will," said Dumarest. "The moment I reach the town."

* * * * *

The price-always there seemed to be a price. First, his life and that of the woman. Now, the demand to leave the valley, to travel safely under escort to the city. To be taken to the field where ships landed and departed for other worlds.

A danger. A thing contrary to the rule-yet how could he refuse?

Vestaler felt that his world had overturned, conscious that he dealt with a man accustomed to things beyond his experience. One who had early learned to take advantage of every chance life had to offer, to gain any edge in order to survive.

"The Eye, Phal," urged Usdon. "The Eye of the Past."

The most sacred object they possessed. One which had been stolen and now, by an incredible series of events, could be regained.

If Leon hadn't met Dumarest. If he hadn't died. If Dumarest himself had died in the crash, or in the mountains-surely fate had guided him.