"You were chosen," said McKay.
"Chosen? For what?" He sat up on the pallet and looked wildly around. "Where have you taken me? Where am I?" He paused, then in a soft voice uttered the question that had been concerning him since he had awakened. "Am I dead?"
Another of the Earthmen smiled. "Not dead, Aged and Most Ancient Grandfather."
"No,'' said McKay. "We have brought you here so that we could speak in privacy and without disturbance."
"But I came up! I floated up! I must be nea»* the Great Light Himself!"
"Not greatly nearer," the Earthman said without smiling. "You're in a ship, floating in the cloud layer. The Great Light is far above that."
Incredulously Kinis said, "You have seen the Great Light—face to face?"
"We have seen Him. But the more closely one approaches Him, the more unbearable is His light for human eyes."
Kinis peCharnok sat quietly, head bowed, thinking. They had told him he was in a ship. That was simple enough to grasp: ships sailed the rivers, brought produce from Gelusar southward to Tammulcor, travelled between the mainland and the Bronze Islands—yes, he knew what a ship was. But a ship in the clouds—and such a ship!
The walls were of metal—yes, of metal, shining, silvery, so bright the priest could see the reflection of his own weary, silver-downed face in them. Gleaming colored lights dotted the ceiling; arching spans of metal bridged the air. It was a strange-looking ship, indeed.
And its crew had seen the Great Light.
Kinis peCharnok felt absolute certainty that they spoke the truth. The things these people did were magical—a ship that flew the sky!—and the Great Light was the source of all magic. The magic of the growing peych-bean, the magic of the nightly rains that ground down the mountain-tops, the magic of a woman bearing children—all these were the magic of the Great Light.
And these beings had seen Him!
Kinis peCharnok began to tremble, realizing he had been chosen for something strange and wonderful.
He said, "What do you want with me?"
"Your help in doing the Will of the Great Light," said McKay. "We have been sent by Him to bring your people closer to Him. In order to bring your people to the Light, it has been decided that a school shall be built near Holy Gelusar.''
The priest frowned. "There already is a school in Gelusar. Does a city need two schools?"
"Not in Gelusar," McKay said. "Our school must be outside the city proper— close enough to the Great Temple, but far from city congestion. It must be surrounded by peaceful groves where the students can relax. Besides, this will be a special school. Aside from teaching the Law and the study of Scripture, we intend to give courses in natural sciences, engineering, and agriculture."
"But why do you need me?"
"Many problems face us. The land must be procured. The school buildings must be built. Before that, our presence must be announced. The people must be prepared for our coming, and for the school. And that will be your job, Ancient Grandfather." McKay looked squarely at him. "You will do this for us—and for the Great Light."
II
In the High Council room within the Great Temple at Gelusar, the Elder Vyless, Councillor of the Clan Vyless and second only to Elder Leader Kinis peCharnok in point of venerable age, placed the tips of the fingers of his right hand against those of his left.
He looked unseeingly at the tent they formed when he held them on his chest. "But, Most Aged One,'' he said without looking up, "If what you say is true—"
"If?" The tone of the Elder Leader's voice was sharp. "You have heard others testify that they saw me lifted into the air. You have heard me tell what these Earthmen wish to do for us. Do you imply that I lie?"
The Elder Vyless lifted a hand. "Oh, no, Ancient One. I would never imply any such thing. But—and I offer no offense here—is it possible that you are mistaken, perhaps?"
Elder Grandfather Kinis peCharnok narrowed his eyes. He saw Vyless' motivation, and he did not like it.
The Elder Vyless had been waiting years for the death of Elder Leader Kinis peCharnok Yorgen, so he could succeed to the Leadership. Of late, he had become increasingly irritable as his own health had shown signs of waning, while the Elder Leader seemed more youthful than ever. It became increasingly clear that if matters went on as they had, the Elder Vyless would not live to see the death of his superior. And this knowledge, Kinis peCharnok thought, made the Elder Vyless more and more bitter.
Kinis peCharnok knew Vyless' position, and could appreciate his feelings. But he could only put up with so much of the Elder's sly needling before he became somewhat sharp with him.
He swivelled to face the Elder Vyless. "And how, just how might I be mistaken?'' he asked. "Did I dream it all, then? And did everyone else dream it?"
Instantly the Elder Vyless bent his hand in a ritual gesture of apology. "I didn't mean that, Elder Leader. I believe you saw what you say you saw."
"Well, then?"
"Have you ever considered the possibility that these beings might be lying to you?"
Kinis peCharnok's eyes widened. "Agents of the Great Light lying, you say? That comes dangerously close to blasphemy—youth!"
Youth! The Elder Vyless flushed at the insult, but he dared not argue with his superior. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Ancient and Venerable One, if a group 6f demons from the Outer Darkness were to come here, would they not tell us that they came from the Great Light?"
Kinis peCharnok rose and glared down the brightly-polished table at the gaunt, hard features of the Elder Vyless. Choosing his words with some restraint, the Elder Leader said, "You 're evidently not thinking well this day, Elder Vyless. Consider: how, may I ask, could a demon of the Darkness lift up a praying priest in the middle of the day—indeed, right after Midmeal Services? I'm afraid your doctrinal theology is weak, Elder. Your argument lacks backbone. Demons can tempt the righteous in the daytime, but they certainly cannot manifest themselves."
The Elder Yorgen paused, watching Vyless stiffen. In the space of minutes, his Elder Leader had called him both youthful and unlearned, before several other members of the Council. But, as Kinis peCharnok waited, his authority asserted itself: Vyless' anger faded, as he realized that it was wrong to question the judgment of the Elder Leader.
There was a sharp rap at the door, breaking the tension. At the Elder Leader's command, the door opened and a yellow-clad acolyte stepped in.
"Well?" Kinis peCharnok asked impatiently.
"Ancient Leader, the Aged Elder Grandfather Dran peBor Gormek would see you."
"I'm speaking with the Elder Vyless now. Tell the Elder Gormek to wait for me in my office; I'll be with him as soon as I'm free."
He turned back to the Elder Vyless. Speaking quietly he said, "I would appreciate your aid in the matter of the land. Come here."
He led the way to the window.
Below them spread the Holy City of Gelusar, the City of the Great Light Himself. It clustered around a bend in the broad Tammul River, which could be seen shining in the distance, spanned by bridges.
"The school must not be in the city,'' Kinis peCharnok said. "The Earthmen said it must be near the city, but separated from it. You will buy, therefore, a proper tract of land from the estates across the river. It must be good land, suitable for growing trees and hedges, for the Earthmen specifically said that they wished the school to be located in a pleasant park." "Why?" Vyless asked.