The Klikiss robots took two steps forward on their articulated legs. Then Sirix froze as he recognized her. In his humming and clicking synthetic voice he said, “Margaret Colicos. Your arrival was unexpected.” The robots eased back down, reflective sails folding and withdrawing into their body cores. Curved exoskeletons clicked back into place. “We did not mean to activate our automatic response.”

“What was that?” Margaret said, her heart pounding, sweat prickling on her skin. “Those sails …”

Sirix buzzed an answer quickly. “Merely solar panels to recharge our power cells. We came up here to absorb energy and to contemplate. There are many mysteries on this world. We have absorbed more details of our past, though our memories remain empty.”

Businesslike again, still trying to cover her nervous reaction, Margaret held up the datapad. “Well, Louis and I are doing our best to find answers for you. I have a report that must be transmitted to Earth, and I need to find Arcas. He sometimes comes up here.”

“Not today,” said Sirix.

“I can see that. Do you know where he is?”

“Is it urgent that you find him immediately?” asked Sirix.

“I need to transmit this report, and he’s our green priest.” Margaret put her left fist on her hip. “We have a deadline.”

“Then it must be urgent.” He and the other two robots buzzed in a rapid, vibrating conversation, then Sirix extended one articulated arm from a capped hatch in his body core. “He went to that canyon. Do you see which one?”

Margaret saw a clear trail leading into a crack in the rocks surrounded by sheer walls. “Yes, I remember it. Arcas told me he discovered something there two days ago.”

“You will find him at that location,” Sirix said. “We will stay here … and attempt to remember.”

Margaret trudged off, relieved to be away from the baffling robots. Sirix called after her with an odd observation, “Because we are so ancient, Margaret Colicos, we are not as impatient as humans. Given a problem, we are willing to study and ponder for decades. But we do arrive at an answer eventually.”

Margaret turned as she climbed down the slope. “That may be so—but I don’t have that much time.” She went off in search of the green priest.

51: NIRA

51NIRA

Representing Theron and the green priests, Nira and Otema prepared to depart for the heart of the Ildiran Empire. A merchant woman named Rlinda Kett would transport them to the dazzling capital city.

Thanks to Sarein’s relentless insistence, along with Reynald’s friendlier intercession, Father Idriss and Mother Alexa had finally allowed Rlinda Kett to take a small cargo of Theron products—fruits, nuts, juices, woven fibers—on the condition that she also carry the two passengers.