The White City

Lamla drew the resentful Hepteidon away from the couch on which Kandrigi lay and led him to the far end of the room, to the wall that was covered by the star chart. The gold of the stars glowed in the candlelight.

  ‘I will permit myself this blunt remark, Hepteidon: You are exceedingly tactless. This is a matter for generosity and goodwill, not threats and bullying.’

  Hepteidon’s green eyes glittered.

  ‘I have little patience with the old fool.’

  Lamla’s retort was quick. He was not inclined towards hiding his anger. ‘It is not your place to consider the demands on your patience. As you have admitted, this affair is not of your own making. You are an instrument of events, perhaps beings, far greater than you.’

  Hepteidon snapped suddenly: ‘And I grow impatient with you, old priest. If it were not that you have been considerate and fatherly towards me, I would have you taken to the homeland of my family on the next boat, together with the story of your insolence during this day. There would be no fine talk then, for we have quick, efficient ways of dealing with such things... Do you doubt me?’

  Lamla checked himself. He composed his face and spoke without emotion.

  ‘I will make my appeal to reason, Hepteidon, and I will be pleased if you listen to you.’

  ‘Very well, I will listen. You are wise even if you are insolent.’

  ‘This morning we discovered that Kandrigi would speak if the proper question was asked, did we not?’

  ‘That is true.’

  ‘You have now spoken to Kandrigi without success, therefore we are to presume that you have not discovered the question. Do you agree?’

  ‘I agree.’

  ‘Do you believe then that the question will be found in the tongs and whip?’

  ‘He must be made to speak.’

  Lamla betrayed a trace of his earlier anger. ‘Do you believe our puny instruments will persuade him to speak when whoever had the power to strike him deaf and blind could not?’

  ‘He is a man. Many men have been made to speak.’

  ‘Is he only a man? Is there not a new spirit in him?’

  ‘That is superstition, Lamla.’

  ‘I made myself clear on that point this morning, Hepteidon, and I am not one to be expedient in my opinions on matters of this nature. It is not superstition. Consider the events of last night. The most sceptical of men is forced to admit that something unusual occurred. Do you not agree?’

  Hepteidon shrugged. The unease of that morning was returning.

  ‘It could be a trick. It is not difficult for a man to pretend to be deaf and blind. Many beggars do it.’

  ‘For what end, Hepteidon?’

  ‘To demoralise us. Perhaps he is a spy for his people.’

  Lamla allowed himself a tight smile.

  ‘And that is why you cried this morning?’

  Hepteidon wrinkled his face in his discomfort.

  ‘I was unguarded and tired. Now I am impatient and I wish to resolve this so-called mystery as quickly as possible.’

  Lamla’s tone was caressing.

  ‘And you are no longer afraid.’

  Hepteidon started and stepped away from Lamla’s side. ‘Fear? Who has spoken of fear? I have not.’

  Lamla appeared resigned.

  ‘Very well, Hepteidon. Take Kandrigi to the Temple cellars and examine him, if it will please you. but remember that he wishes for death. He will have no fear of your instruments.’

  Hepteidon had regained his composure.

  ‘That remains to be seen. No man wishes to die, Lamla. You must know that.’

  Lamla smiled smoothly.

  ‘Again I ask you: Is he only a man?’

  Hepteidon replied with arrogance.

  ‘Lamla, you begin to argue in circles. Your old brain grows tired.’

  Lamla bowed slightly.

  ‘I ask the question a second time because you did not answer it the first time.’

  ‘Well, I will answer it now: He is only a man, for he could be nothing else, except mad.’

  ‘Is he mad?’

  ‘I do not know yet.’

  Lamla glanced at the supine figure of Kandrigi at the far end of the room.

  ‘Now that you have answered this question, Hepteidon, may I continue my reasoning?’

  ‘You may. But do not detain me long. The sooner this old man is examined the better.’

  ‘What is the best method for formulating a question, Hepteidon? No, I will tell you. By knowing the answer.’

  ‘Come, Lamla. This is a trick of logic. I am not a tradesman to be fooled in this way.’

  ‘It is not. Consider that most questions seek confirmation rather than knowledge.’

  ‘There are questions that have no answers.’

  ‘Such questions are merely provocative and entail matters of belief rather than fact.’

  ‘Do you then know the answer?’

  ‘Not entirely. It concerns man, and may be of the greatest importance. It also concerns the new star. The evidence points to some connection.’

  Hepteidon laughed outright. Lamla checked his anger.

  ‘Is that all, Lamla?’

  ‘It is a beginning.’

  ‘You are free to ponder on this question and answer. Meanwhile, I will take Kandrigi to the cellars and have him examined.

  ‘I cannot stop you, much to my sorrow. Will you promise me one thing, Hepteidon?’

  ‘Not to cause him too much pain?’

  ‘No. The pain will be meaningless to him. It is this: if I succeed in discovering the answer will you ask him the appropriate question?’

  Hepteidon, excited now, sneered.

  ‘Yes, yes, Lamla. If it gives you comfort, I promise. Now, let us put an end to this talk. Your reasoning becomes too subtle for my practical mind.’

  Lamla bowed more formally this time.

  ‘As you wish. I will go up to the platform and study this star with Ma-Tin. Perhaps I will find the answer tonight.’

  ‘Perhaps.’

  Hepteidon spun on his heels and walked briskly from the room to get priests to carry Kandrigi to the Temple.

  Lamla crossed to Kandrigi’s side and spoke to him on his fingers:

  ‘It is I, Lamla, your friend. You have my pity. I will do what I can for you.’