for this," she said--and took up the verses
where she had left off. And Kennon learned the Lani version of creation,
of the first man and woman, cast out of Heaven for loving each other
despite the Master's objection, of how they came to Flora and founded
the race of the Lani. He learned how the Lani grew in numbers and power,
how they split into two warring groups over the theological point of
whether Ulf or Lyssa was the principal deity, how Roga the Foolish
opened Lyssa's tower to find out whether the Ulfians or Lyssans were
right, and brought the Black Years to Flora.

He heard the trial of Roga and the details of his torture by the priests
of Ulf and the priests of Lyssa--united by this greatest sacrilege. And
he heard the Lani version of the landing of Alexander's ship and man's
conquest of Flora.

It was a story of savagery and superstition, of blood and intolerance,
of bravery and cowardice, of love and beauty. Yet through it all, even
through the redes that described the Conquest, there was a curious
remoteness, a lack of emotion that made the verses more terrible as they
flowed in passionless rhythm from Copper's lips.

"That's enough!" Kennon said.

"I told you you wouldn't like it."

"It's horrible. How can you remember such things?"

"We begin to learn them as soon as we can talk. We know the redes almost
our entire lives." Copper was silent for a moment. "There's lots more,"
she said, "but it's all about our lives since the Man Alexander--the old
one--took possession of us. And most of the newer redes are pretty dull.
Our life hasn't changed much since the men came. The Book of Man is
boring." Copper sighed. "I have dared a great deal by telling you these
things. If the others knew, they would kill both of us."

"Then why tell me?" he asked.

"I love you," she said simply. "You wanted to know--and I can deny you
nothing."

A wave of tenderness swept over him. She would give her life for
him--and what would he give? Nothing. Not even his prejudices. His face
twisted. If she was only human, If she wasn't just an animal. If
he wasn't a Betan. If, if, if. Resentment gorged his throat. It was
unfair--so damned unfair. He had no business coming here. He should have
stayed on Beta or at least on a human world where he would never have
met Copper. He loved her, but he couldn't have her. It was Tantalus and
Sisyphus rolled into one unsightly package and fastened to his
soul. With a muttered curse he ros