ntrast to what he had left. In the
distance a bird called sleepily from one of the fortress turrets and was
answered by some creature Kennon couldn't identify. A murmur of blended
sound came from the valley below, punctuated by high-pitched laughter.
Someone was singing, or perhaps chanting would be a better description.
The melody was strange and the words unrecognizable. The thin whine
of an atomotor in the fortress's generating plant slowly built up to a
keening undertone that blended into the pattern of half-perceived sound.

"Nice, isn't it?" Alexander remarked as they rounded another turn on the
switchback path.

"Yes. You can't hear a sound from back there except for that generator.
It's almost as though we shut those people out of existence by merely
closing a door."

"I wish it were that simple," Alexander said. "But doors that can be
closed can also be opened. Well--think you'll like it here?"

"I think so, providing I don't have to entertain your relatives.''

"You mean Eloise? Don't worry about her. She's as fickle as the wind."

"I've never seen anyone so frankly predatory," Kennon said. "She worries
me."

"They'll all be gone tomorrow--except for Eloise," Alexander said with
mock comfort. "Douglas is on the Otpens for a year, and the others are
off somewhere."

"You'll be staying, I suppose."

"No--I'm afraid I can't."

"I hoped you'd help me get organized. This whole thing has been
something of a shock. I was expecting something entirely different."

"Sorry--someone has to run the business. But Blalok'll brief you.
Actually he's more qualified than I. He knows everything worth knowing
about this place. We're going past his house in a minute--want to stop
in and see him?"

"It's pretty late."

"Not for Blalok. He's a Mystic--a nocturnal. He's probably doing his
work now."

"Perhaps we shouldn't disturb him."

"Nonsense. He's used to it. I visit him frequently at night."

"Sure--but you're the boss."

"Well--in a sense you are too. At least in the veterinary end of this
business." Alexander swung sharply to the left and climbed a short
flight of stairs that led to the nearest house. Lights flared on the
deep porch, and the old-fashioned iris door dilated to frame the black
silhouette of a stocky, broad-shouldered man.

"Good evening, sir," he said. "I was expecting you. That the new vet
with you?"

"Your pipeline's still working, I see," Alexander said. "Yes, this is
Dr. Kennon--Ev