the metal monster-第16章

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Little　turrets　globular　and　topaz；　yellow　and　pierced　with　tiny　hexagonal　openings　clustered　about　it　like　baby　bubbles　just　nestling　down　to　rest。

Great　trees　shadowed　it；　unfamiliar　trees　among　whose　glossy　leaves　blossomed　in　wreaths　flowers　pink　and　white　as　apple…blossoms。　From　their　graceful　branches　strange　fruits；　golden　and　scarlet　and　pear…shaped；　hung　pendulous。

It　was　an　elfin　palace；　a　goblin　dwelling；　such　a　bower　as　some　mirthful；　beauty…loving　Jinn　King　of　Jewels　might　have　built　from　enchanted　hoards　for　some　well…beloved　daughter　of　earth。

All　of　fifty　feet　in　height　was　the　blue　globe；　and　up　to　a　wide　and　ovaled　entrance　ran　a　broad　and　shining　roadway。　Along　this　the　cubes　swept　and　stopped。

〃My　house；〃　murmured　Norhala。

The　attraction　that　had　held　us　to　the　surface　of　the　blocks　relaxed；　angled　through　changed　and　assisting　lines　of　force；　the　hosts　of　minute　eyes　sparkling　quizzically；　interestedly；　at　us；　we　gently　slid　Ventnor's　body；　lifted　down　the　pony。

〃Enter；〃　sighed　Norhala；　and　waved　a　welcoming　hand。

〃Tell　her　to　wait　a　minute；〃　ordered　Drake。

He　slipped　the　bandage　from　off　the　pony's　head；　threw　off　the　saddlebags；　and　led　it　to　the　side　of　the　roadway　where　thick；　lush　grass　was　growing；　spangled　with　flowerets。　There　he　hobbled　it　and　rejoined　us。　Together　we　picked　up　Ventnor　and　passed　slowly　through　the　portal。

We　stood　in　a　shadowed　chamber。　The　light　that　filled　it　was　translucent；　and　oddly　enough　with　little　of　the　bluish　quality　I　had　expected。　Crystalline　it　was；　the　shadows　crystalline；　too；　rigidlike　the　facets　of　great　crystals。　And　as　my　eyes　accustomed　themselves　I　saw　that　what　I　had　thought　shadows　actually　were　none。

They　were　slices　of　semitransparent　stone　like　pale　moonstones；　springing　from　the　curving　walls　and　the　high　dome；　and　bisecting　and　intersecting　the　chamber。　They　were　pierced　with　oval　doorways　over　which　fell　glimmering　metallic　curtainssilk　of　silver　and　gold。

I　glimpsed　a　pile　of　this　silken　stuff　near　by；　and　as　we　laid　our　burden　upon　it　Ruth　caught　my　arm　with　a　little　frightened　cry。

Through　a　curtained　oval　sidled　a　figure。

Black　and　tall；　its　long　and　gnarled　arms　swung　apelike；　its　shoulders　were　distorted；　one　so　much　longer　than　the　other　that　the　hand　upon　that　side　hung　far　below　the　knee。

It　walked　with　a　curious；　crablike　motion。　Upon　its　face　were　stamped　countless　wrinkles　and　its　blackness　seemed　less　that　of　pigmentation　than　the　weathering　of　unbelievable　years；　the　very　stain　of　ancientness。　And　about　neither　face　nor　figure　was　there　anything　to　show　whether　it　was　man　or　woman。

From　the　twisted　shoulders　a　short　and　sleeveless　red　tunic　fell。　Incredibly　old　the　creature　wasand　by　its　corded　muscles；　its　sinewy　tendons；　as　incredibly　powerful。　It　raised　within　me　a　half　sick　revulsion；　loathing。　But　the　eyes　were　not　ancient；　no。　Irisless；　lashless；　black　and　brilliant；　they　blazed　out　of　the　face's　carven　web　of　wrinkles；　intent　upon　Norhala　and　filled　with　a　flame　of　worship。


It　threw　itself　at　her　feet；　prostrate；　the　inordinately　long　arms　outstretched。

〃Mistress！〃　it　whined　in　a　high　and　curiously　unpleasant　falsetto。　〃Great　lady！　Goddess！〃

She　stretched　out　a　sandaled　foot；　touched　one　of　the　black　taloned　hands；　and　at　the　contact　I　saw　a　shiver　of　ecstasy　run　through　the　lank　body。　〃Yuruk〃　she　began；　and　paused；　regarding　us。

〃The　goddess　speaks！　Yuruk　hears！　The　goddess　speaks！〃　It　was　a　chant　of　adoration。

〃Yuruk。　Rise。　Look　upon　the　strangers。〃

The　creatureand　now　I　knew　what　it　waswrithed；　twisted；　and　hideously　apelike　crouched　upon　its　haunches；　hands　knuckling　the　floor。

By　the　amazement　in　the　unwinking　eyes　it　was　plain　that　not　till　now　had　the　eunuch　taken　cognizance　of　us。　The　amazement　fled；　was　replaced　with　a　black　fire　of　malignancy；　of　hatredjealousy。

〃Augh！〃　he　snarled；　leaped　to　his　feet；　thrust　an　arm　toward　Ruth。　She　gave　a　little　cry；　cowered　against　Drake。

〃None　of　that！〃　He　struck　down　the　clutching　arm。

〃Yuruk！〃　There　was　a　hint　of　anger　in　the　bell…toned　voice。　〃Yuruk；　these　belong　to　me。　No　harm　must　come　to　them。　Yurukbeware！〃

〃The　goddess　commands。　Yuruk　obeys。〃　If　fear　quavered　in　the　words；　beneath　was　more　than　a　trace　of　a　sullenness；　too；　sinister　enough。

〃That's　a　nice　little　playmate　for　her　new　playthings；〃　muttered　Drake。　〃If　that　bird　gets　the　least　bit　gayI　shoot　him　pronto。〃　He　gave　Ruth　a　reassuring　hug。　〃Cheer　up；　Ruth。　Don't　mind　that　thing。　He's　something　we　can　handle。〃

Norhala　waved　a　white　hand；　Yuruk　sidled　over　to　one　of　the　curtained　ovals　and　through　it；　reappearing　almost　instantly　with　a　huge　platter　upon　which　were　fruits；　and　a　curdly　white　liquid　in　bowls　of　thick　porcelain。

〃Eat；〃　she　said；　as　the　gnarled　black　arms　placed　the　platter　at　our　feet。

〃Hungry？〃　asked　Drake。　Ruth　shook　her　head　violently。

〃I'm　going　out　for　the　saddlebags；〃　said　Drake。　〃We'll　use　our　own　stuffwhile　it　lasts。　I'm　taking　no　chances　on　what　the　Yuruk　lad　bringswith　all　due　respect　to　Norhala's　good　intentions。〃

He　started　for　the　doorway；　the　eunuch　blocked　his　way。

〃We　have　with　us　food　of　our　own；　Norhala；〃　I　explained。　〃He　goes　to　get　it。〃

She　nodded　indifferently；　clapped　her　hands。　Yuruk　shrank　back；　and　out　strode　Drake。

〃I　am　weary；〃　sighed　Norhala。　〃The　way　was　long。　I　will　refresh　myself〃

She　stretched　out　a　foot　toward　Yuruk。　He　knelt；　unlaced　the　turquoise　bands；　drew　off　the　sandals。　Her　hands　sought　her　breast；　dwelt　for　an　instant　there。

Down　slipped　her　silken　veils；　clingingly；　slowly；　as　though　reluctant　to　unclasp　her；　whispering　they　fell　from　the　high　and　tender　breasts；　the　delicate　rounded　hips；　and　clustered　about　her　feet　in　soft　petalings　as　of　some　flower　of　pale　amber　foam。　Out　of　the　calyx　of　that　flower　arose　the　gleaming　miracle　of　her　body　crowned　with　glowing　glory　of　her　cloudy　hair。

Naked　she　was；　yet　clothed　with　an　unearthly　purity；　the　purity　of　the　far…flung；　serene　stars；　of　the　eternal　snows　upon　some　calm；　high…flung　peak；　the　tranquil；　silver　dawns　of　spring；　protected　by　some　spell　of　divinity　which　chilled　and　slew　the　flame　of　desire。　A　maiden　Ishtar；　a　virginal　Isis；　a　womanyet　with　no　more　of　woman's　lure　than　if　she　had　been　some　exquisite　and　breathing　statue　of　mingled　ivory　and　milk　of　pearls。

So　she　stood；　indifferent　to　us　who　gazed　upon　her；　withdrawn；　musing；　as　though　she　had　forgotten　us。　And　that　serene　indifference；　with　its　entire　absence　of　what　we　term　sex　consciousness；　revealed　to　me　once　more　how　great　was　the　abyss　between　us　and　her。

Slowly　she　raised　her　arms；　wound　the　floating　tresses　into　a　coronal。　I　saw　Drake　enter　with　the　saddlebags；　saw　them　drop　from　hands　relaxing　under　the　shock　of　this　amazing　tableau；　saw　his　eyes　widen　and　fill　with　wonder　and　half…awed　admiration。

Now　Norhala　stepped　out　of　her　fallen　robes　and　moved　toward　the　further　wall；　Yuruk　following。　He　stooped；　raised　an　ewer　of　silver　and　began　gently　to　pour　over　her　shoulders　its　contents。　Again　and　again　he　bent　and　filled　the　vessel；　dipping　it　into　a　shallow　basin　from　which　came　the　bubbling　and　chuckling　of　a　little　spring。　And　again　I　marveled　at　the　marble　smoothness　and　fineness　of　her　skin　on　which　the　caressing　water　left　tiny　silvery　globules；　gemming　it。　The　eunuch　slithered　to　one　side；　drew　from　a　quaint　chest　clothes　of　white　floss；　patted　her　dry　with　them；　threw　over　her　shoulders　a　silken　robe　of　blue。

Back　she　floated　to　us；　hovered　over　Ruth；　crouching　with　her　brother's　head　upon　her　knees。

She　made　a　motion　as　though　to　draw　the　girl　to　her；　hesitated　as　Ruth's　face　set　in　a　passion　of　denial。　A　shadow　of　kindness　drifted　through　the　wide；　mysterious　eyes；　a　shadow　of　pity　joined　it　as　she　looked　curiously　down　on　Ventnor。

〃Bathe；〃　she　murmured；　and　pointed　to　the　pool。　〃And　rest。　No　harm　shall　come　to　any　of　you　here。　And　you〃　A　hand　rested　for　a　moment　lightly　on　the　girl's　curly　head。　〃When　you　desire　itI　will　again　give　youpeace！〃

She　parted　the　curtains；　and　the　eunuch　still　following；　was　hidden　beyond　them。





CHAPTER　XIII

〃VOICE　FROM　THE　VOID〃

Helplessly　we　looked　at　each　other。　Then　called　forth　perhaps　by　what　she　saw　in　Drake's　eyes；　perhaps　by　another　thought；　Ruth's　cheeks　crimsoned；　her　head　drooped；　the　web　of　her　hair　hid　the　warm　rose　of　her　face；　the　frozen　pallor　of　Ventnor's。

Abruptly；　she　sprang　to　her　feet。　〃Walter！　Dick！　Something's　happening　to　Martin！〃

Before　she　had　ceased　we　were　beside　her；　bending　over　Ventnor。　His　mouth　was　opening；　slowly；　slowlywith　an　effort　agonizing　to　watch。　Then　his　voice　came　through　lips　that　scarcely　moved；　faint；　faint　as　though　it　floated　from　infinite　distances；　a　ghost　of　a　voice　whispering　with　phantom　breath　out　of　a　dead　throat。

〃Hardhard！　So　hard！〃　the　whispering　complained。　〃Don't　know　how　long　I　can　keep　connectionwith　voice。

〃Was　fool　to　shoot。　Sorrymight　have　gotten　you　in　worse　troublebut　crazy　with　fear　for　Ruththought；　too；　might　be　worth　chance。　Sorrynot　my　usual　line〃

The　thin　thread　of　sound　ceased。　I　felt　my　eyes　fill　with　tears；　it　was　like　Ventnor　to　flay　himself　like　this　for　what　he　thought　stupidity；　like　him　to　make　this　effort　to　admit　his　supposed　fault　and　crave　forgiveness　as　like　him　as　that　mad　attack　upon　the　flaming　Disk　in　its　own　temple；　surrounded　by　its　ministers；　had　been　so　bafflingly　unlike　his　usual　cool；　collected　self。

〃Martin；〃　I　called；　bending　closer；　〃it's　nothing；　old　friend。　No　one　blames　you。　Try　to　rouse　yourself。〃

〃Dear；〃　it　was　Ruth；　passionately　tender；　〃it's　me。　Can　you　hear　me？〃

〃Only　speck　of　consciousness　and　motionless　in　the　void；〃　the　whisper　began　again。　〃Terribly　alive；　terribly　alone。　Seem　outside　space　yetstill　in　body。　Can't　see；　hear；　feelshort…circuited　from　every　sensebut　in　some　strange　way　realize　youRuth；　Walter；　Drake。

〃See　without　seeinghere　floating　in　darkness　that　is　also　lightblack　lightindescribable。　In　touch；　too；　with　these〃

Again　the　voice　trailed　into　silence；　returned；　word　and　phrase　pouring　forth　disconnected；　with　a　curious　and　turbulent　rhythm；　like　rushing　wave　crests　linked　by　half…seen　threads　of　the　spindrift；　vocal　fragments　of　thought　swiftly　assembled　by　some　subtle　faculty　of　the　mind　as　they　fell　into　a　coherent；　incredible　message。

〃Group　consciousnessgiganticoperating　within　our　sphereoperating　also　in　spheres　of　vibration；　energy；　forceabove；　below　one　to　which　humanity　reactsperception；　command　forces　known　to　usbut　in　greater　degreecognizant；　manipulate　unknown　energiessenses　known　to　usunknowncan't　realize　them　fullyimpossible　cover；　only　impinge　on　contact　points　akin　to　our　senses；　forceseven　these　profoundly　modified　by　additional　onesmetallic；　crystalline；　magnetic；　electric　inorganic　with　every　power　of　organicconsciousness　basically　same　as　oursprofoundly　changed　by　differences　in　mechanism　through　which　it　finds　expressiondifference　our　bodiestheirs。

〃Conscious；　mobileinexorable；　invulnerable。　Getting　clearersee　more　clearlysee〃　the　voice　shrilled　out　in　a　shuddering；　thin　lash　of　despair〃No！　Nooh；　God　no！〃

Then　clearly　and　solemnly：

〃And　God　said：　let　us　make　men　in　our　image；　after　our　likene