Choice of the Gallant - Paradox Equation I Page 4

  ****

  "What effect did the last three stims have on you?"

  "None that I could tell. No, one. I'm faster, but that may be due to the training.

  "Yes. I don't think any of them worked. Well, the first lowered your thresholds, but that's all. Have you always been different from the rest of your people?

  "Trainer, I am a child. I don't know. I have no other children to compare myself with, though I know I am quite large for my age."

  "A child?"

  "Yes, I am but... I do not know my years, but perhaps I can give you information which is useful to you. Ah, I know. The first stim. It nearly killed me. I was far too young to have sexual maturity forced on me."

  "You were prepubescent?!"

  "Very. At what age does your species mature?"

  "About fourteen."

  "Then I was a child of... This is difficult. I lost so much when my name was taken. I am of a great house. None would have spoken to me without my name and title and the taking of it... I know that I am very young. Perhaps, between twenty and thirty. In comparison with your people... physically nine or ten. I had no body hair until the stim. I'm still a bit smug about it."

  "Oh, my son, the cruelty of what was done to you makes me ache."

  "Don't. There's already too much pain around me."

  "Boy, I've seen the documentation of the first stim."

  "That was an interesting experience. I had no idea what those women wanted."

  "It didn't take you long to learn."

  "I learn fast. Trainer, I like this weapon. Its simplicity... attracts me."

  "The staff? Yes, I like it too. A simple wooden shaft. Boy, I can't pretend to teach you longer. You know all I know."

  "Thank you. I'll use it well."

  "You know I won't return. My master is already unhappy he gave Hensk my use."

  "Strange. At the time, he seemed to feel your use for mine was a fair exchange."

  "Lean near. When you destroy them, let me kill Rorisk for what he did to you."

  He smiled at his only friend.

  "I love you too. And I promise I'll remember. Thank you."