Riverworld, Day 43, Night

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Benjamin sat down to think, his mind perhaps cleared and able to focus
better, here in the safety of a warm building, a church, the house of
God.  But his thoughts were no less troubling and when he rose, it was
with a surprised and somewhat pained look which he struggled to
quickly cover with his usual affability.

Moving awkwardly to stand next to Jeanne, and waiting for her
attention to rise from the depths of her thoughts, Benjamin spoke,
quietly, but not so quietly that others could not overhear.

"Jeanne, it occurs to me that we have never found what we have sought
on the River before now.  We seek the Forge and Industry that made the
Scythe of Temuchin but we grow no closer and are only confounded with
more Mysteries.  We seek the Answers to those Questions and find only
more Questions.  But this day, we have finally found exactly what we
sought -- after we prayed, together, for it."

"The Lord has always seemed more distant and removed from everyday
Affairs for me than He was for you in your earthly life.  Perhaps that
was because you were called, perhaps it was because I simply didn't
see His Hands in my life.  Either way, here in this Place He takes an
active role; he guided us to this Church, or this Church to us.
Perhaps you and I should pray again for guidance, to the Answers, or
to the Forge, or both?  What say you?"

Jeanne roused herself from her troubled thoughts as Benjamin
approached her. She eyed him warily as he went through his preamble,
and found herself surprised by his request.

Perhaps, she thought, Father Gregory is right and I have judged him
too harshly.

Clearing her surprise from her face quickly, Jeanne agreed.  "I will
pray with you, Benjamin."  She even offered a smile, adding, "I am
glad to see that you have felt the touch of God in your life here,
even if you did not in your life Before.  Prayer can be a powerful
force. Come, let us gather the others."

Jeanne sought out Charles first.  "It does seem a miracle that we
found this place, does it not?  I hope you find it as cleansing and
uplifting as I have. Even Benjamin has turned to God in this place. He
has offered to lead us in a prayer for guidance; will you join your
voice to ours?"

Charles agreed gladly.  Josephine, however, frowned at the others,
and, with Shaw, wandered about the area. Freud also declined
apologetically. Benjamin found Father Gregory, and the small group of
Christians bowed their head in an impromptu service.

"I'll be honest," Josephine said to Shaw as they hiked back to the
village near the hills. "I don't see any reason to remain here any
longer."

She paused for a few seconds, then added, "And I'll be honest, I'm
getting bored."

"I agree," Shaw said, "Other than the origin of voice that told
Gregory of our arrival I cant see any reason for staying any longer."

Together they approached the villagers, but again they could find no
one with whom they could communicate. 

When Josephine and Shaw returned, it was dark, and the prayers had
finished.

Josephine smiled too-brightly and asked too-loudly, "OK. Great. I'm
glad you've been saved but can we go?"

Realizing how rude she sounded, she offered a more genuine smile and
said in a semi-apologetic voice, "I'm sorry, but while you are finding
some kind of religious fulfillment I'm growing more than a little
bored.  Can we _please_ do something besides pray to a god that may
not even exist?"

Shaw smiled and quietly murmured, "Try leading a army of devout
Muslims one day, they pray five times a day you know.."

"It's dark already," Father Gregory said. "Perhaps you should
spend the night here, and then travel in the morning? And I have yet
to hear of the quest which brings you to my humble church.""

While the group considered his words, Shaw asked Father Gregory, "So
you were a Priest on Earth as well?"

Father Gregory smiled. "Yes, my son."

"Father," Benjamin began, "We were seeking a Church for a very
specific Purpose, and I wonder if you could help us.  It has become
known to us that some of our very Thoughts are not our own; that
mysterious Powers unknown to us have guided us, making us believe we
ourselves made Plans and Decisions, when in truth those thoughts were
given to us in hidden Dreams.  We have no way to know if these Powers
are of good or evil; Jeanne fears that we may be under the Influence
of Evil, and we have no way to gainsay that fear.  Can you tell if we
may be possessed, and exorcise us if so?"

The priest looked surprised. "I have never known the possessed to ask
to be exorcised. None of you seem evil to me, however irreligious," he
added, with a friendly glance at Josephine.

"It is impossible not to question how we came to be here, through
whose actions." Father Gregory continued. "Some of the travelers who
pass this way believe it to be the work of God, some the Devil. Still
others have suggested to me that this is a work of an advanced
science, far beyond that of my day or theirs. Since this is not the
world that God promised, and since I can not know what science may
have learned to do, I hold the latter belief to be most probable."

Benjamin nodded in understanding.  "We are also seeking the Forge or
Industry that created the metal Scythe borne once by Temuchin the
Slaver, and now, by our former companion, Shaka of the Zulu.  It is my
Belief that this Scythe was made here, on the River, and was not a
product of the Grailstone; yet the Industry to work iron into such a
Weapon is not something we have seen anywhere in our Journeys.  In
truth, I can scarcely credit that anyone could have built up such
Industry in the... ummm.... forty-three Days that we all seem to have
been here.  Have you heard of any similar tales of Industry, or do you
have any other Knowledge that may assist us in finding the Source of
this Scythe?"

Father Gregory's face was filled with surprise again. "Truly, no. Your
story is unique, and fascinating."

"The question remains," Charles said, "Do we sail at night, or stay
here until morning?"

It was clear that Josephine and Shaw were ready to depart, and that
Jeanne seemed to prefer to stay.

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Shaka shook his head to clear it, then again looked at the group of
blue-faced men that his men were surrounding.  Waiting until his men
are in position, he paused, then said to those with him, first in
Zulu, then in English, "I will approach them, and tell them who I am
sent by.  If they know anything of the whereabouts of the metal, we
shall speak further, if not, be ready to attack."

Shaka stepped forward into the midst of the men. On closer inspection,
he could see that the blue faces were painted on.  "I am Shaka Zulu,"
he announced, "and I come to you as an emissary of the gods of this
place!  I bear a scythe made of metal, and I am well and truly its
master.  I have to rule over the source of this metal.  Are you its
guardians?"

The people turned to face Shaka, apparently unsurprised by his sudden
experience. One of them, a man with a short but stocky build, came
forward and spoke.

"Speak little English," the man said, "Understand you see God, want
metal. Will show."

The man ushered Shaka and the Zulu party behind him toward a dark
hole, about 3 feet across, in the ground near the foot of the
hills. He pointed into the hole. "Iron mine."

Louis and Sly looked on, shocked, as Pala grabbed the scythe and four
of the Zulu behind Shaka took his arms and flung him into the hole.

Shaka found himself at the bottom of a ten-foot deep pit.

Louis turned, and discovered the blue men surrounding him and Sly,
their own spears pointing toward the lazaris' bellies. Mandragola
lashed out with his spear, and one of the men stabbed him. Louis knelt
down to examine Mandragola, but soon stood again, his face white with
rage. The man was dead.