The Pillars of Eternity

In the doctrine of an extinct religion the wicked were consigned after death to a lake of supernatural fire. This fire burned a thousand times more intensely than ordinary fire, and was a thousand times more agonizing. Yet it burned without consuming, and those cast into it burned forever.

Boaz understood the description. He had been dipped into the lake of hellfire.

As if in dim after-image to the brilliant pain-flash, he remembered when, after a long time spent in the medibath, his tissues were mended and he emerged as a lumpy, scarred version of his former self – but only physically. Psychologically he was broken.

Then began the visits of Madrigo, his mentor. Methodically, with sure touches, he began the job of reconstituting Boaz’s shattered mentality. Boaz could hear now the mentor’s quiet, sympathetic voice. Ataraxy was all. A contented life was impossible without it. Everything that happened, no matter how good or how bad, must simply be accepted, with equanimity.

Madrigo agreed that some experiences were dread enough to overcome even the most highly controlled human consciousness, and Boaz had been through something that could destroy any normal psyche utterly. Without philosophy there would be no hope for him. But there was philosophy, and the mind, in the last analysis, was stronger than all, simply because it was eternal while experiences were only temporary.

Ataraxy must be striven for. Pleasure and pain, however intense the degree, must never be acknowledged as a master.

‘After all, are not your chosen names Joachim and Boaz, the two pillars of universal stability?’

‘Yes,’ said Boaz, ‘but I am beginning to curse those names….’

‘Take the large view,’ the mentor told him. ‘When the world ends, when all is absorbed in mind-fire, your accident will take on a different aspect. It will not seem fearsome, then.’

‘No!’ Boaz protested with a passion that broke through the resolve that Madrigo had patiently been building in him. ‘I do not believe mind-fire sees experience as illusory or unreal – that would be to render the creation meaningless! The world is real, mentor, you have taught me that. My sufferings were real! They cannot be mitigated by a change of view!’

To that, Madrigo remained silent.

Boaz slumped in his chair, head and shoulders slouched forward as though he were about to fall out of it. The memories faded, then disintegrated and flew apart like a flock of birds startled by a gunshot.

A set of luminous dials on the wall of the cabin quivered. From the drive down below a fuzzy whine, his constant companion, permeated the cabin.

A chime gonged. It was time to change the fuel rods.

With an effort he lurched reluctantly up from his chair. He flexed his stiffened limbs, and turned up the cabin’s dim lighting.

He scanned the dials. He would soon be in Harkio.

Then he would know whether the lead he had was worth anything or not.

3

BY THIS EDICT:

Experimentation aimed at the establishment of travel through time is forbidden UNDER PAIN OF DEATH.

Experimentation aimed at control over the time flow is forbidden UNDER PAIN OF DEATH.

Experimentation aimed at retrieving objects from past or future states is forbidden UNDER PAIN OF DEATH.

Experimentation aimed at gaining direct consciousness of or retrieving information from past or future states is forbidden UNDER PAIN OF DEATH.

Possession of any artifact or natural object exhibiting one or more of the above properties is forbidden UNDER PAIN OF DEATH. Possession of any document containing explicit data relating thereto is forbidden UNDER PAIN OF DEATH.

Acts of experimentation, research or inquiry into the nature of time are forbidden UNDER PAIN OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT OR DEATH unless with the express permission of the Office of Scientific Regulation. Publication of confirmed or theoretical data relating thereto is forbidden UNDER PAIN OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT OR DEATH unless with the express permission of the Office of Scientific Regulation.

(Bearing the seal of the

Department of Law Propagation)

Gare Romrey left Karti’s in a hurry, leaving his friends there feeling decidedly less friendly. Outplanet in a rented Stardiver, he paused within call range just before going into hype, and dialled through. Being what he was, he was quite unable to resist this last look back.

Karti’s Dive Infee Club came up on the cage plate, sour light from the ceiling strips falling on stained walls and tattered furniture. The bar was sticky with spilled drinks to which adhered ash from waft sticks. Only about half a dozen people were visible – the others had decamped in an effort to stop Romrey from reaching the ship ground. They crowded the screen when they realized who was bleeping them.

Up front was the thin-faced redheaded kosher pimp with the archaic cognomen of Jericho Junkie. Romrey flashed him a quick smile.

‘I thought I’d just explain, boys—’