"What do you mean?" That was going to be a common question of hers, I was beginning to notice."What do you mean?" That was going to be a common question of hers, I was beginning to notice. "Well, most of the people who emigrate to Pendor are either the old seeking immortality, the infirm, or the suicidal seeking something to attach themselves to. That's a gross analysis; we get thrill seekers, the curious, the science-fiction freaks who just have to be different, like me. But why you?" "I guess I qualify as one of the infirm." "You like fine to me." "Cancer," she said quietly. "Beg your pardon?" "Cancer, you know... what's the word? Angwurth." "Yeah, that's the word." We were silent as we walked. The cylinder never looked any closer. After a while she said "I was told that when I get inside the Hall, I'll be tested. What does that mean?" "Not a whole Hell of a lot. I mean, you're being tested right now. Why do you think we make you walk three hundred klicks from the SDisk to the epicenter? The Hall wants to watch you, to see how you react." "To what? A hike? Seems to me that the sportsmen have an unfair advantage, Shardik." "Not at all. You were probably told that inside the Hall is always different for every person. Guess what? Same is true out here. Out here's where the real test is." "Are you supposed to be telling me this?" "I'm your guide. Whatever I say is okay with the Hall." "So you can't tell me what it's going to be like inside the well, huh?" "No." "Well guess what? So far I've been in front. Hell of a guide you've been. Can't tell me where I'm going, or how to get back, or what the land between here and there is like. Why are you here?" "Dunno." "Then just leave me the hell alone, okay? I can make it on my own. |