Sharon L Reddy
Paradox Equation - Book One
Choice of the Gallant
(c)1995, 2011, 2012
Target Yonder
Millennium Works Collection
ISBN 978-1-58338-995-4
The ten books of the Paradox Equation
Choice of the Gallant
Battle is Joined
True Sons of Their Fathers
We, the Paradox Born Child
To Gain a Liege
War for Yet to Come
Build the Sixth Power
Define Sentience
Acceptance
Mobius
Book One
Choice of The Gallant
Chapter One
"That one?"
"Yes, My Lord. A pretty thing."
"Yes, and he seems to have more spirit than the others. Do you suppose it's their long lives that make them weak?"
"They call themselves civilized. I find them boring. They live millennia and never live at all. Lord, the instruments say his mind is worth harnessing."
"Excellent. Buy him."
"He is expensive. He's the scion of one of their great houses."
"Very nice. I've never owned a king before. I think I'll just take the one. He will fill all three roles. That should make Lord Rorisk take note."
"A charming idea. He'll require intense physical training. It will reduce his useful time in the mind/comp link."
"And enhance his beauty. A fair trade. Stim him."
"Temporary?"
"No. In fact, give him all four of the stimulation's. Let's see if they work on this weak-willed race."
"Do you wish the experiment documented?"
"Of course. Wipe his name carefully, Demisk."
"And what shall I put in its place?"
"Nothing. Leave him nameless. Leave his knowledge of his station among his people, if possible."
"A nameless, wanton, king. My Lord, you have a wonderful humor."
****
"Gallant."
He moaned softly in his sleep. She had come again.
"Take heart, Gallant. You will free them all. Learn, my gallant one. Do all they ask. Build for them. That which they seek is their destruction and freedom for this world. Build. Come to me."
He awoke in desperate need of her. The emptiness she left, he could only suffer. He carefully hid the name she called him. He would not share the gift she had given until his people were free. He grasped her promise of freedom and fought to stay alive. He heard them coming again.
"Well, Demisk?"
"Amazing! He's stronger! My Lord, none of the others have been successful. He's the only one that's lived through the first stim."
"I've made several large wagers he'll survive all four. Give him his reward for surviving. Document it carefully. I'll show the record at the banquet."
"Take him to room three. How many, Lord?"
"Ten of the stimmed oriki. Hungry ones."
He lowered his fevered body into the swirling waters of the pool set in one corner of the room. The chain on the collar he wore was just long enough to reach it. A reward for surviving? What were oriki? What were the multitude of holographic lenses set in the walls and ceiling to record?
He hated the collar and its chain. He wondered if they knew. He'd never hated before the stim. He smiled softly. It was probably a side effect. Side effects were dangerous. He intended they learn the fact well.
"Hello, pretty thing. Come out of the pool."
"I'd rather not."
"We are in need of you. Won't you aid us?"
"Who are you?"
"We are women of the oriki. Help us."
"I'm currently not much help to myself."
"Oh, but you will be of great aid to us. Come."
He really didn't have any choice. Three of the women were pulling on the chain on his collar. There were ten of them. They were quite beautiful; long dark hair, large green eyes, and skin of pale aqua. He didn't understand what was happening to his body. It must be due to the stim. One of the women touched him.
"Please, I don't understand what's happening. Please, don't touch me."
"Foolish boy, you are a slave. As are we. You have no choices."
Choice of the Gallant - Paradox Equation I Page 1
