Рами Юдовин – Wind in the Hands (страница 7)

“Anyone can deprive people of their autonomy. Even I can do this,” the Seer looked up at a frowning companion and smiled. “Calm down I'm not using my abilities corruptly or for self-assuredness as some think. There are brain diseases that deprive people of self-control. Passions deprive us of reason and make us act crazily, so that we will regret these actions. Manufacturers of goods and advertisements impose a certain value image on us and turn us into slaves who depend on goods, which are attributes of success and happiness in the eyes of ordinary people. Tyrants, rulers, and politicians manage people’s lives. Strong people try to make the weak obey, take away the right to search, independence of thinking, and destroy the right of choice… And have you ever thought why the powerful need that?” the Seer asked.

“It is not difficult to understand: money, power, and glory. All this relies on vanity, ambition, different insecurities, and sometimes just boredom and passion,” the Stranger answered quickly. “Why is it allowed? There might be many traps along the path; it is a kind of preparation for those who are willing to enter the world of peace and justice.”

“Then it means that confrontation with the powerful people of the world, diseases, and vices are just a race track which makes spiritual people stronger? And by the way, this training is to get ready for the war and not for peace,” it was long ago when the Seer discussed those topics, and therefore despite tension in the air, was glad to have these visitors.

“It's bad that not all arrive at the finish line. And there are cases when you have to run to a certain point as there you will get your reward. You know, in order to run you have to move your legs faster. You buy a simulator, move, sweat, get exhausted, but are running in the place. People have the right to choose their way while they often serve some silly and unworthy things. They sweat as if they were running with a simulator, but senselessly. It is their choice and we do not care about it, do we? But others suffer from their actions and not all are protected against the evil,” the Stranger seemed that his fate was hanging in the balance during the conversation.

The Seer was trying to recollect something.

“My camp experience proves that most people cannot withstand trials, and will break physically and morally and become inferior people. I don’t understand who might need that. I have been observing ants the other day,” he said as if turning it in his mind.

“They labored, hurried, stumbled against each other. A boy ran up to them and caught the first ant on the way. The kid tore off an ant foot and threw the wretched fellow away. He placed another on his palm and blew. The ant was off. While the boy was experimenting, I didn’t tell him anything. Let him explore the world, however cruel the method might be, but when the brat started to stamp ants with his feet I interfered as his unreasonable actions disturbed the natural balance. The struggle for survival ended long ago, the territory was divided. Observe co-existence of creatures in the world. The boy didn’t know that, was offended and ran away. He even didn’t understand why it was wrong to be so cruel to living creatures and I didn’t have time to explain him that. But the thing is the ants didn’t understand anything either and continued their ant routine as before. They didn’t and couldn’t understand the service I rendered rescuing them from the boy.”

“Who is this boy?”

“Boys are capable of anything. At least they have strength to tear off feet and blow off from the palm.”

The Seer was attentively watching the Stranger’s reaction.

“Listen:

If I remember it

And my memory doesn’t sleep,

They are creators

Of the world

They do not believe

Or never cry…

…They seem to care for nothing

Captains of heaven,

Smoking in the open window

And leading by bad example…”

The Stranger laughed.

“Is this the source of your philosophy? Do you believe that the authorship of such a complex world belongs to those who do not know its laws? Those who make harm and lead astray?”

“I don’t know, I think not,” the Seer scratched the tip of the nose.

“But I think they exist. We are ants for them. These creatures might know nothing about compassion, cannot feel it, but they are much stronger and more experienced than we are. They have their own goals and objectives. They can use you in their own interests to no one’s benefit.”

The Stranger thought the Seer was not sincere and was playing cat and mouse challenging him.

“Ok,” the Stranger smiled with the edges of his lips going up. He understood that the Seer could not believe he could think critically. “I know about the existence of the other world. I can sometimes feel their presence. Do you think I will have to encounter them in the City?”

“I’m not sure you need a special place, but it is dangerous for you in the City,” the Seer answered and stretched a hand to fetch another cigarette.

The Stranger came up to the window and looked at a well-kept orchard with fruit trees. With his back to the Seer, he asked him the most important question:

“Have you felt the Power in me? What is it? Why do I have it?”

The Seer smoked again, was silent for several minutes. He was smoking with his eyes closed, without looking at ash falling down onto his knees, and spoke without looking at the Stranger:

“I will be honest. I have never encountered similar energy before. You are unlikely to use it to suppress people. There are other more known, simpler and no less efficient means. Certainly, this power can be used to protect against all energy impacts and even more: attack. But you won't search people who have special energy. No? That’s what I have thought. And there are not many people who use their talent to make evil and so it means we have no one to fight … This might be a weapon but many-sided and very complex. A sword and a shield at the same time and God know what else. At first I thought I had something which could not be put in practice in our life. That happens. Believe me! I have faced different people, even the ones who could burn paper with their eyes from a distance of five steps. And? Who needs this when there are affordable means to make fire? I don't have information to answer. You have to tell me more.”

The Stranger sighed feeling that the Seer was suspiciously interested. Rather, he thought he should not open the reason that made the Wind appear.

“I don’t know why but I can’t.”

Suddenly the Seer looked rough.

“I understand that you do not trust me. You fear that learning the mechanism, I will deprive you of your protection. Or – more than that, acquire your ability and then you will not be the unique holder of the talent. I won’t dissuade you but let me just note that it is dangerous both for you and others not to know the purpose of this complex weapon. You can’t even use it at your discretion. This power shows by itself. Believe me, I’m not weak and have seen much, but I have felt uncomfortable and miserable and frightened when you showed your power. I don’t know yet who controls whom: you it or it you,” the Seer seemed to become tense trying hard not to lose control.

“I’m not going to fight flesh and blood. Calm down, I beg you,” the Stranger was visibly afflicted.

“Do not calm me down. I don’t know how I can help you. Maybe you need money?” the Seer tried to look calm and self-assured. “I can see that you are not rich.”

“Thank you. Money will not help,” the Stranger viewed the walls covered with expensive trinkets and looked at the host merrily. “You have much to be proud of. You have a beautiful and large house. You seem to have everything to live a happy life but you are unhappy. You have strong eyes but look like a hunted down wolf. I wanted to go to the City with you. I think we will meet something important there and you may be interested to know something new and unknown.”

“I'm sorry,” the wounded Seer answered coldly. A prick aimed at his guest turned against himself, “but I’m not so inquisitive to risk all for something unknown. Moreover, I can’t show up in public places, especially in the City. I have too many enemies who want to become a history by sharing in my glory, who want to test me and hide behind me. I can’t. I won’t advise you to do this either and, even more so, to your silent friend. You can always come to me and I will do my best to help you. I wish you all the best.”

The Stranger got up from his armchair and stretched his hand. The Seer answered sluggishly without looking his guest in the eyes.

Companions left the house, walked along an even path in the garden to the gate. The Soldier sighed with relief:

“Good house, nice women, lots of money, and glory. How can he leave all that and go for something unknown? The wealthy find it hard to risk,” he said seriously but smirk showed in his eyes.

“Maybe. I have nothing to hold to in this world and the same is true about you, but still, have you heard his advice? Don’t go to the City. I regret I let you in,” the Stranger said.