Foster, Alan Dean Catechist 02 Carnivores of Light and Darkness

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knowledge and skills to help them survive in the grass. Without me they will panic and perish.
I doubt that, Ehomba replied. I have no doubt that you are a person of importance among your tribe,
and master of some small competencies. But I think they would manage to find another to take your
place.
Too right, bruther. Nodding agreement and smiling wickedly, Simna shoved the point of his sword
more firmly against the green man s neck.
However, Ehomba went on even as he rested his free hand on the swordsman s arm, I will kill
another only to defend myself, and that is no longer necessary.
Awww. Openly disappointed, Simna reluctantly drew back his blade. The air went out of
Boruba-Ban-Beylok. Then he rose and gestured in the direction of the hares, who were both now
munching contentedly on the towering grass, indifferent to the small drama being played out in their
vicinity.
How? he asked simply. I have never seen or heard of such a thing, magician.
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As soon as I saw what kind of creatures were threatening us, I was no longer worried. And stop calling
me that. A touch of irritation crept into the southerner s voice. I am a herdsman; nothing more, nothing
less.
As you say, mag herdsman. You were not worried? You are the first interloper I have ever
encountered who was not terrified by the very sight of the giant browsers.
That is because I know them, Ehomba explained. Or rather, I know their kind. You see, I come from
a dry country, and in dry country there is always constant competition for pasturage. Left to themselves,
cattle will compete with sheep. There are also the wild animals: the antelope and the rhinoceros, the mice
and the meerkats, the bushbuck and the brontotherium, the gerbil and the gormouth.
Simna s brows drew together. What s a gormouth?
Tell you later. To the sangoma he added, In the face of such endless competition for forage a
herdsman can do one of two things: poison and kill those that compete with his herds for food, or try to
work out some kind of mutually acceptable arrangement that satisfies all.
And you, the sangoma asserted, you are a compromiser.
Ehomba nodded. The Naumkib are not a violent tribe. Our herds and flocks share with the oryx and
the deer. They understand this, and so do the animals we claim for our own. To maintain this peaceful
arrangement it is sometimes necessary for the parties involved to ratify and adjust, to discuss and debate.
The talking of it is delegated to those of us who possess some small skill in conversation.
And you, Simna declared bluntly, you talk to hares.
Yes. The herdsman nodded once. I talk to hares. He glanced back over his shoulder at the quietly
browsing brown behemoths behind them. Among the Naumkib there is a saying for each species, for
each of the grazing kind we have learned to deal with. For the hare it is Speak softly and carry a big
carrot. Unfortunately, I have no carrots to offer these, but I think it would not matter. To impress these
would take a carrot the size of a sago palm.
But they recognize a conciliatory spirit, and being of a nonviolent nature themselves, were quick to
respond to my overtures. He looked down at the green hominid, who, while still wary, had managed to
cease trembling. I do not know if it is natural to your tribe, Boruba-Ban-Beylok, but you, at least,
should learn some hospitality.
Immediately, the sangoma dropped to his knees and placed his forehead and palms upon the ground.
Command me! Tell me what it is you need of me.
Well now, that s more like it, bruther. Strutting back and forth while picking at his teeth with the point
of his sword, Simna considered the offer. For a start we
We need nothing from him, Ehomba declared, interrupting. I take nothing from someone who is
offering under duress.
Duress? What duress? Simna demanded to know. I ve drawn back my sword, haven t I? Besides,
what s wrong with taking from someone who s under duress? D you think he d not do so if given the
chance?
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I do not know, the herdsman replied softly. I know only that I am not him.
Well, I ain t him neither, Simna protested, but I do know that finding a way through this bulwark of
bastard grass is going to be Gimil-bedamned difficult, and that he probably could show us the way!
Eagerness shining from his face, the sangoma rose quickly to his feet. Yes! I can have several of our
youth guide you! Otherwise you will quickly become hopelessly lost and wander about until you perish.
He waved an arm at the green barrier. In the grass there are no landmarks, no way to determine
direction. Even at night, the tops of the blades will shut you in and keep you from seeing the stars. Nor
can you climb to find your position. The upper edges of the blades are too sharp, and can cut a person to
shreds. He tapped his chest. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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