Damon Knight by The World;Thorinn

Author:The World;Thorinn
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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How Thorinn was made captive by a flying engine that carried him deeper into the Underworld.

When he opened one of the bundles he had taken from the demons’ house, he discovered that it contained lumps of dried meat, tough and nourishing. He ate his fill, drank water from the jug, then wrapped the meat again and put it away. Next he set the magic box upright on the floor and looked at it in silence awhile.

“Box,” he said at last.

“I am here.”

“Well, what have you got to say for yourself?”

“I have nothing to say for myself.”

“Then why did you betray me?”

“What does betray mean?”

“Why did you tell them to use the sword on me, instead of—” Indignation choked him.

“I did not tell them to use the sword on you.”

“Don’t lie!”

“What does lie mean?”

“Not to tell the truth. Not to say what really happened.”

“I tell only the truth.”

“What a lie! Didn’t you tell them the sword was better than a stick to cut with?”

“Yes.”

“And didn’t you know they would use it on me?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then, why did you do it?”

“Because they asked.”

Thorinn sat back on his heels, confused and angry. “If it happened again, would you do the same thing?”

“Yes.”

“Tell them about the sword, and let them kill me with it?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, don’t you see, I can’t have you with me any more, it wouldn’t be safe.” Thorinn stood up.

“It would be safe.”

“How’s that?”

“If you told me not to tell them the sword is better than a stick to cut with.”

Thorinn squatted again, staring at the box. “You mean if I told you not to, you wouldn’t?”

“Yes, I mean I wouldn’t.”

“Well—Suppose I tell you now never to do anything or say anything that will be bad for me. Does that mean you never will?”

“I never will.”

“All right then,” said Thorinn, “but I don’t understand you. I don’t care if you’re a spirit or an engine, why should I have to tell you a thing like that?”

“An engine can only do as it is told,” said the box.

“Do as I tell you, then,” said Thorinn. After a moment he gathered his bundles together, slung them over his shoulder, box and all, and set off down the passage.

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