had an almost infinite mind for diversions. Sam resisted, though, figuring
that
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20L.%20Chalker/Chalker,%2...201%20-%20When%20the%20Changew
inds%20Blow.txt (90 of 156) [1/19/03 4:09:40 PM]
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20L.%20Chalker/Chalker,%20Jack%20L%20-%20Changewinds%201%2
0-%20When%20the%20Changewinds%20Blow.txt if Charley could make this kind of
sacrifice she owed it to tough it out for a month after which she was
convinced that Charley would be coming back. That left baking and eating the
sweet breads and confections that were the easiest to make from their limited
grocery budget, and, eventually, letting Boday play out her perversities,
which seemed infinite. Boday, after all, was a master teacher of
courtesans-and consorts, too-and she knew everything. At first Sam was
nervous, then repelled, but eventually she found herself drawn to it by sheer
boredom and
Boday's persistence.
And, after a while, Sam just didn't have reservations anymore.
It was Boday who'd taken the love potion, but that did nothing to dim her
dominant personality or to change any of her ways. In the hands of a love
object who was equally strong she could have been curbed, restrained, even
radically changed, but in this case her love object was a confused, lost,
lonely, bored seventeen-year-old girl with little experience and waning
self-confidence while the potion-obsessed lover was strong, domineering,
experienced in many ways, including the manipulation of others. It wasn't like
the fairy tales where the taker of the potion became the submissive love-slave
of another, in this case, the tables were turned as the single-minded lover
more and more dominated the object of that artificial love.
It wasn't quick; it was a slow, bit by bit breakdown of Sam's old morality,
her self-image, her attitudes and behavior. Charley could have stopped it, but
Page 106
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
when the month passed and the runner informed them that the little vial had
been accepted and later picked up empty and that Charley was still there and
still the same, it all crumbled. Sam had hoped at least that Charley would
have sent word before taking the potion again, that they could have seen each
other, talked. When that didn't happen, and she faced months of unremitting
boredom in the loft with Boday, all resistance crumbled. She even gave in to
Boday's pleas and allowed the artistic alchemist to begin doing commissions
again, even eventually helping out.
But now the money rolled in. Boday was delighted to get an accounting, and
drew some of it for fine food and new fashions and a bit of celebration. Their
standard of living improved and they even went out a bit, although Boday was
clever enough to understand that Sam was best kept on a tight leash, with
bright little magical toys a nice reward and diversion, and new clothes for
both in the loft and outside for Sam, who no longer even Cared what she looked
like or how much she ate. At the start she'd tried some diversions like asking
Boday to teach her to read the Akhbreed language, but after only a couple of
weeks she'd given up. It was like ancient Chinese-almost a character for every
word in the rich and colorful language- and she'd never been much good at
memorizing anything. She tried art and sculpture but she was awful and she
knew it and again quickly lost heart, and any attempt to figure out more than
the bottom line basics of alchemy just made her dizzy. She finally simply gave
up, and it was the last crushing blow to her ego.
With one day looking much like another and one week looking much like another,
Sam lost track of time completely. There was supposed to be an end to it, but
the end never seemed to come, one day looking exactly like the next. Boday,
quite satisfied, was arranging things, and Sam, so that such an ending might
never come and this could go on indefinitely.
Only the nightmares and visions remained uncontrolled. They were infrequent
and came at odd times, but they were particularly virulent during times of
storms on the waterfront. Twice more she saw the horror of the changewind in
remote places far different from Tubikosa, and many more times she was back
with the Horned
One again, this time watching dark armies grow secretly composed of hordes of
mostly nonhuman creatures, some of which were horrible indeed just to look
upon.
They were secretive, training in small groups all over Akahlar, but for what
she did not know.
But every time she had such dreams Boday would be there, soothing, calming,
often with a dream of elixir that induced sweet dreams without thought.
It was late one night when Sam awoke and struggled sleepily into the bathroom.
She was having a very bad period, with the worst cramps and heaviest flow she
could remember, in spite of Boday's potions that were supposed to keep it from
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20L.%20Chalker/Chalker,%2...201%20-%20When%20the%20Changew
inds%20Blow.txt (91 of 156) [1/19/03 4:09:40 PM]
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20L.%20Chalker/Chalker,%20Jack%20L%20-%20Changewinds%201%2
0-%20When%20the%20Changewinds%20Blow.txt noticeably happening. She made her
way to the sink and turned on the small light, then looked at herself in the
mirror as something twinkling caught her eye.
It was the Jewel of Omak, and it was shining. It was such a startling,
unexpected thing that she frowned and stared at its reflection-and was caught
by its beam. Suddenly she was immobile, unable to move or react, and the magic
jewel spoke to her mind.
You are now pursuing a course contrary to the interests of Boolean as well as
yourself, the jewel told her. As per my instructions in this eventuality, I
must take independent rectification actions. Henceforth you will see yourself
clearly as you have made yourself. Henceforth, the drug action will be
negated. I will take the appropriate biochemical measures to insure that this
brings clear thinking and not suicidal depression but you will not like
Page 107
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
yourself. What you do for your own appearance and self is not my concern, but
I will now intervene.
You now have the means. You have had the means for some time. You will proceed
to carry out Boolean's wishes. The trip to the university is optional, but you
will no longer be permitted to act in a manner not calculated to bring you
eventually to Boolean's presence. If you do not do this then I will take
command. Boolean requires only your body, not your soul. Protection of the
body and its delivery to Boolean alve is the only directive. Demonstration.
She suddenly felt as if she were falling down a deep well, swirling around in
the water, falling, falling. . . .
And then she saw again, but not as she had ever seen before. The image was
low, somehow, and it was two-dimensional, slightly distorted, with the middle [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]