ReTSRBES OC E: TAt the Tower of Silence Because no one can remain actonless, even for a moment. Everyone is driven to action, helplesly indeed. — Bhagavad-Gita, 3:05 Ko-rin of the Quiet Repose caried her body over his shoulder as his leg wept pus and blood. Night was falling over the baren landscape, and far fin the distance flickered lights, from the raniancityof Yaed. There wasa aint wind, andabove the moon was the barest sliver of wory tucked amidst a fishing net of sats ‘Ahead, the ground swelled an rose up into a massive, racural tower of earth and stone — a dry, blood-colored configuration called the Tower of Silence. The climb would be long and hard, he recognized, and looked down for a moment aushe deep, datk gash in his thigh. Watery fluid crept ftom the cut, and it moistened his fur and made it stink of disease ily hhe wondered how long before they would come for him. How longhad theybeen following himnow? Almosta week, at least Pethaps they wouldn't find him. But probably, they would Ko-zintookadeep breath the gray furofhischest swelling out fora moment: He exhaled, centering himself for the task ahead. Such an unpleasant task, One he had sees toa many times oflate,butstill ould nor get usedo. He grittedhisteeth, Ie was time to go up tothe Tower of Silence, tosay goodbye 10 his friend, to the las of his pack. A valediction of mourning. Softly sighing, Kosin began the ascent ‘The bamboo rod whistled through the ae, and bit deep into the back of his thighs. Ko-Zin, no more than seventeen ‘years of age, winced and bit back teas Behind him, Master Nirrti was little more chan a shadow in the half-light of dusk that came in through the open-air winelws. Ko-Zin’s musclesached, his body creamed nelecric shrieks. How long had he been standing bere? He chought he rememberedstartinghisin dawn, Butt washard to remember. “Things were muddy, now, and his body wepe with blood from a hundred cuts. Al from that cursed bamboo rod. “You aren't concentrating,” Master sid, and stuck again with the tod, This time on the small of his back, where a collection of other lash marks gathered. Tears darned up at thecomers of Ko-Zin’seyes. “And you're growing angry Tied. That is not acceptable. Your muscles twitch. The comers of your eyes are red. How do you expect to remain tranquil in the face of evil? Kuns-Kiung is the most terrible enemy. How will you find your repose if you cannot concentrate?” ‘The tod struck again. Ko-Zin's flesh above the shoulder opened and ran with fresh crimson. He made a sound a sight whimper "No sound” Master Nirt chided. “You shouldn't even be feeling this. Our felings only serve as distraction feom our protec tion ofthe Emerald Mother. I'She dies and us with Her, then tis yout fault fo being ash and embeacing your imbalance.” ‘Theaged Stargazer monk circled around to Ko-Zin’sfront. He tll eaveled at how old the man looked, A withered shrub ofa werewolf, anid yet every strike ofthat bamboo felt lke it was swung by a monster, Nirri blinked, and sighed. Stargazers