(eng) Pamela Sargent - Watchstar 03 by Homesmind (v5.0)

Author:Homesmind (v5.0) [Homesmind (v5.0)]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The tent had been taken down. One of the shuttlecraft had departed; the other two had been abandoned.

Rulek was gone. Anra walked along the rows of her garden, telling herself that it was better this way. The feelings the boy had evoked in her had made her irrational and weak. She couldn't afford them now; she needed to keep her mind steady to deal with what was to come.

The Net was heavy with despair. She had blocked her mind off from it, not wanting the village's sorrow and fear to seep into her, but she could still feel the Net's heavy cords.

She poured water from her jug, letting it trickle as she walked down one row. Etey had been oddly quiet all morning, shielding her thoughts even more than usual. She hadn't responded when Anra had told her Rulek was leaving Earth, but then Etey had probably sensed that earlier.

Anra opened her link slightly, reaching out to Homes-mind's thoughts. She could feel the drain on Its energy as it struggled to hold the Minds together. She suddenly regretted her parting words to Rulek. She had wanted to shock him, warn him of the dangers of dreaming; instead, she had only expressed her own resentment and anger and given him yet another reason for retreating from the world.

Should I tell him that you're sorry? Homesmind said faintly.

—No— she replied. —I doubt he cares whether I'm sorry or not—

He thinks that dreaming will heal him. My people once learned from their dreams. They could experience part of the life of another as though it were their own life, and use the lessons they learned in the real world. A dream could soothe a troubled spirit and enable it to return to life refreshed. When My people would tire of their long lives, and choose to die, their final dreams would help them gather the threads of their lives so that they could leave this life with a sense of completion, of a life well lived. But fear has entered their lives, and dreams are becoming a retreat. I cannot prevent it. Even if I had the power, I cannot resist My people and cling to the Minds as well.

—Perhaps they would stop their dreaming— Anra said, —if You left this system—

I cannot abandon Earth's Minds. I tell Myself that if My people are dreaming, then at least they will not try to interfere with that important mission. But that is only My reason helping Me make the best of this situation. Child, your people may have been right to fear dreaming. You and those like you may still be strong enough to face what may come.

She closed her link. Homesmind had more faith in her than she had in herself.

Reiho and Lydee were walking along the path leading to the hut; Etey suddenly emerged from the doorway. Anra put down her jug and went to the edge of the garden. All three were shielding their minds tightly; Etey looked away quickly when Anra gazed at her.

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