"Harrison, Harry - Eden 2 - Winter In Eden" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harrison Harry)

"Life, death, despair-all are the same to me. It is not the name or the philosophy that I care about, only the physiological results. I say they are Daughters of Despair because it was I who despaired of ever carrying my research any further. A long time ago, when the walls for this imprisoning orchard were first grown I came here to supervise the work. At that time I talked to some of the Daughters, but I despaired of their intelligence. They reminded me of onetsensast cropping the leaves of a single tree. Having once made a leap into the dark of this philosophy they are happy to remain unmoving ever again. I think you will move for me, Enge, in fact know that you will."

"If you will tell me what your moving involves I will attempt to help. Thus do I welcome you as a Daughter of LifeЕ"

"Don't do that-I am not one of you."

It was Enge's turn to be baffled. "Yet-you said that you would not risk death if the eistaa ordered your death. Then you must believeЕ"

"No, I do not believe. I understand-and that is a different matter altogether. I am a creature of science, not of faith. Can you understand the difference? Or would you find that too disconcerting to your beliefs?"

"I do not find it disconcerting in the slightest," Enge said, registering joy-of-thought. "Quite the opposite. I see it as a testing of my courage and of Ugunenapsa's words and would talk long with you about this."

"I as well. Welcome to the fruit groves of Yebшisk, welcome. Now I ask you a question. If you and your Daughters were free of this place, all of you, would you come with me to a city where you would be welcome? Where you could be free, not oppressed, able to go your own way?"

"We ask nothing else, wise Ambalasi. That is our only desire and we would be your fargi if you could do that."

"It is possible. But before I aid you, I have another request, and you must think carefully before you answer. When you are free I want to make you captive again to my studies. I wish to understand how this new phenomenon operates and the string-knife of my research may cut deep." When Enge registered fear-of-pain Ambalasi signed negative in return. "You misunderstand. It is the string-knife of thought that I wish to use, to cut deep into your philosophy and see what makes it operate."

"That indeed I would welcome. It is what I do myself. If you can aid me in that, then I welcome your help."

"More than aid, Enge. I may dig so deep that I destroy the roots of your tree of knowledge and pull it out."

"If you do then it was a dead tree, a false tree, and I would welcome that as well. I open to you. Embrace my thoughts-do as you will."

Ambalasi seized Enge's arm in the quick gesture of greatest-pleasure. "Then it is agreed. I must now give my attention to our exodus. Since I have long been determined to leave this city I have already made all the necessary arrangements with my assistants and within a day-two at the most-there will be firm results."

Enge signed apologies and lack of understanding.

"You will understand when the time comes. Now there are other things to do. There is one here among the daughters whom I would speak to. Her name is Shakasas<."

"Confusion-naming," Enge said. "Shakasas<, speed-in-changing-movement is a name that one of us would not use, a name that belongs to the existence before the understanding. As a sign of our acceptance of Ugunenapsa's wisdom we take new names."

"I was aware of the ritual. But I am sure that your convert will remember her earlier existence before conversion. Send for her under that name and I will address her in any manner she wishes."

Enge signed respectful understanding and turned away to issue the order. Only then did she realize for the first time that they had been talking in the middle of a circle of silent listeners. Omal stepped forward and welcomed her.

"The one whose presence has been requested has been sent for. But I have pleasure-to-see you, unhappiness-your-imprisonment."

"We must discard unhappiness. This Yilanш of great wisdom whom I have been speaking with may be our salvation. Now let me see and meet with our sisters here, for I wish to know them all."

Ambalasi stepped aside as they greeted each other and waited with stolid patience until she was aware of a Yilanш who appeared before her and signed respectful attention.

"Are you Shakasas
"I was, before the time of my understanding. Because of my joy at accepting Ugunenapsa's words I am now called Elem. What do you wish of me, Ambalasi?"

"The answer to a single question. I have heard that you once served on the crew of an uruketo. Is this true?"

"When I was first Yilanш it was my pleasure. This led me to my interest in air and sea currents. The mysteries of navigation became my study, and through them my interest in the work of Ugunenapsa."