Student of Kyme Read Online Free Page B

you think.’
    Since I
hadn’t even considered Malakess might judge me, this told me he
probably did. For some reason, Huriel had set his heart on me
becoming acquainted with his mentor. Perhaps he sensed
undercurrents of discomfort in the house. Whatever I said, he
wouldn’t listen to me. I couldn’t tell him the real reason for my
lack of enthusiasm, though.
    So, I had
to steel myself for this encounter. I could write fast, and if I
kept quiet, Malakess might speak quickly. The whole idea of the
High Codexia annoyed me intensely. I couldn’t forgive him for his
appearance, because I still thought he had no right to look like
that. At least I wouldn’t have to go to his house or his office in
the library, since he was coming here to Huriel’s. He spends a lot
of time here. It makes me wonder whether his own house isn’t very
homely.
    When he
arrived, Huriel called me from the kitchen, where I was talking
with Ystayne and Rayzie. I’d needed inane chatter to keep the
monsters in my head at bay. Dutifully, I went to Huriel’s office,
note pad and pen in hand. It couldn’t be that difficult, I kept
telling myself, because this is not Ysobi. You must remember
that.
    I closed
the door to Huriel’s office behind me, sensing the presence of
another, even though I didn’t raise my eyes. I sat down before the
desk, behind which Malakess loomed invisibly, and said, ‘I’m ready,
tiahaar. Please dictate to me. I can write very fast.’
    He
dictated to me for over an hour, so that my fingers began to ache.
His voice was nothing like Ysobi’s sensual low tones, being quite
brittle and formal. What he dictated to me was dry, all about the
dissemination of knowledge from human times, and how hara needed to
be educated to believe it wasn’t inherently evil. Rayzie would have
been so much more suited for this job. Malakess thought that not
everything from the old days was bad, and much of it should be
salvaged. I couldn’t disagree with that. But he went on to
reiterate (to the hara who would read his words and know this fact
well, of course) that some tribes have a visceral loathing of
anything human, especially their technology and industry. Malakess
was trying to propose a middle way, which did not exploit the world
or its creatures, but which was forward looking.
    After an
hour, he paused. ‘Stop writing,’ he said.
    I did
so.
    Malakess
sighed. ‘So many hara have said these things before, not least
members of the Hegemony in Immanion. Why should I think I can make
a difference?’
    I didn’t
reply, simply because I didn’t think he expected me to.
    He
laughed coldly. ‘I take it you agree with me, then.’
    ‘ I have no opinion, tiahaar,’ I said, ‘since I don’t have the
experience to judge.’
    ‘ But what do you think, Gesaril? You’re second generation.
You’re not tainted by preconceptions. Tell me what you
think.’
    I
shrugged awkwardly, examining the pen in my hands. ‘I don’t know.
Everything I’ve heard sounds like a good idea to me, but then I
haven’t heard any other har talk this way.’ I paused. ‘Except for
my friend, Rayzie, who works here. He’s very interested in
anthropology.’ I was glad I could remember the word.
    ‘ Are you interested in it?’
    ‘ I like to listen to Rayzie,’ I said. ‘Is there still anything
you wish me to take down, tiahaar?’
    There was
a silence from behind the desk. I wondered if I’d been too rude. I
wished he wouldn’t try to talk to me.
    Then he
said, ‘Gesaril.’
    I
squirmed, but tried not to show it. ‘Yes, tiahaar?’
    ‘ Will you look at me?’
    Reluctantly, I raised my eyes for a second, let them get
scorched, then lowered my gaze.
    I heard
him sigh. ‘Look at me, please. For more than a second.’
    What
choice did I have? I looked up and saw Ysobi sitting there. I tried
to think there was no similarity, or that what similarity existed
was only small. It was like putting pins into my eyes. ‘Yes,
tiahaar?’
    ‘ I have to say