Satana Enslaved by Andrew J. Offutt

Author:Andrew J. Offutt [Offutt, Andrew J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Adult
ISBN: 9780867211115
Publisher: Playboy Paperbacks
Published: 1982-07-01T07:00:00+00:00

“You are here because your mistress wanted a private interview with Cinnabar the Jarp,” Graborn said, “and I am to be distracted. I really don’t care, for I know the sort of master Borg Garnax is. You would not dare even think of discussing, much less disputing any ‘request’ of him or his lady wife. My life is given to seeking knowledge. It is an attitude that few understand. I do not care about that either. Do what you wish while we . . . wait, girl.”

She tried. “Of what use is knowledge, my lord?”

“It is all there is of value, g—Laleemis, in all the universe!”

Shocking! What a weird statement! What a weird attitude! “But—we of Survival dare not gain overmuch knowledge, my lord, or progress, for we have noplace to go!”

Graborn shrugged. “You are right, Laleemis. By the way, you can put your cloak back on if you wish. We—”

She did not wish! “My lord does not like me? The tunic?”

“I like the tunic and the way you look, Laleemis. I do not know whether I like you or not, for I do not know you. You are hardly merely a body, as I am more than mine. I bade you do as you wish. I wanted you to know that includes resuming your cloak, if you wish, in the presence of a stranger you have been thrown at.”

Weird man! Standing, Laleemis quite unconsciously expanded her chest and pushed it forth.

“I was about to say that you are right—we have noplace to go. We have only our Survival: closed, finite. Yet our visitors came from Outside. We know that Outside it is too cold to live, save as beasts. Or what we consider beasts. So it can be said that we have nowhere to go. Still, we are going somewhere. We are going down the Firepit, in a rush! More and more of our children are idiots, fit only to be beasts. I have chosen to have none.”

“Oh my lord!” She was nearly in tears, that quickly. “No one speaks that way—no one dares! What are you saying?”

“How can you know, Laleemis? No one speaks of anything to a slave, is that not true? You know what I am saying, unless you are hopelessly stupid. That is not what I think I see in your eyes, Laleemis. I see intelligence there—and now tears. I am sorry for that. Perhaps you are better off being a slave. A shadow no one speaks to, other than to give orders. But you know what I am saying. Survival is dying.”

“Lord! Borg Graborn!”

“Yet we continue as always,” he said, ignoring her. “Doing nothing. Sneering at knowledge and those who seek it out. Pretending. Producing half-wits and idiots. Failing even to learn from these Outsiders. Refusing to learn from them!” His arm moved in a gesture of helplessness. “I try to learn, Laleemis. If we learn, perhaps we can survive. If we do not—why should we survive? What are we? Lichen! Stigluls! Unlearning, arrogant

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.