Roadmarks by Roger Zelazny Read Free Book Online Page B

too well. He was instantly alert to the approach of a fellow monk, however, though he gave no sign of this awareness until the other came to a halt at the head of the row he was working.
    "You are wanted within," said the other.
    Timyin Tin nodded.
    "Good-bye, my friends," he said to the plants, and he went to clean his tools and place them in the shed.
    "The garden grows well," the other said.
    "Yes."
    "I believe this summons involves the visitors."
    "Oh? I heard the gong earlier, announcing the arrival of travelers, but I did not see who had come."
    "Their names are Sundoc and Toba. Do you know them?"
    "No."
    The two men passed toward the main building, pausing briefly before a statue of the Buddha. They entered and moved along a hall to a cell near its end. The second man entered there with proper observances and addressed the small, shriveled man who was the head of the monastery.
    "He is here, worthy one."
    "Then bid him enter."
    He returned to the doorway, barely glancing at the two strangers who sat on mats across from the master, drinking tea.
    "You may come in," he said, withdrawing himself as Timyin Tin entered the cell.
    "You sent for me, honored sir," he said.
    The master regarded him for several moments before speaking.
    "These gentlemen wish you to accompany them on a journey," he finally said.
    "Myself, esteemed one? There are many who know the area far better."
    "Of this I am aware, but it seems they want more than a guide. I will leave it to them to make matters clear to you."
    With this, the master rose to his feet, carrying with him a saddlebag that clinked and rattled, and departed the cell.
    Both strangers stood as Timyin Tin regarded them.
    "My name is Toba," said the dark-skinned one with the beard. He was heavily built and stood perhaps a head taller than Timyin Tin. "My companion is called Sundoc." He indicated the very tall, copper-haired man, whose skin was pale, whose eyes were blue. "His fourteenth-century Chinese of this district is not as good as my own, so I will speak for both of us. Who are you, Timyin Tin?"
    "I do not understand," the monk replied. "I am he whom you see before you."
    Toba laughed. A moment later, Sundoc laughed also.
    "Forgive us," Toba said then. "But what were you before you came to this place? Where did you live? What did you do?"
    The monk spread his hands.
    "I do not remember."
    "You work in the gardens here. Do you like that?"
    "Yes. Very much."
    Toba shook his head.
    "How are the mighty fallen," he said. "Do you think — ”
    The larger man had taken a step nearer the monk. His fist suddenly shot forward.
    Timyin Tin appeared to shift only slightly, but Sundoc's fist passed him without making contact. The fingers of the monk's left hand seemed but to graze the passing elbow to guide it. His body turned somewhat. His other hand disappeared behind the larger man.
    Sundoc was swept across the room to crash into the wall, head-downward. He fell to the floor and lay still.
    "Ex — ” Toba began. Then he, too, lay on the floor, senseless.
    When the light returned to his eyes, Toba looked about the cell. The monk stood near the door, regarding him.
    "Why did he attack me?" Timyin Tin asked.
    "It was but a test," Toba gasped. "It is now ended and you have passed it. Do they practice such unarmed combat here?"
    "Some," the monk said. "But I knew much from — before."
    "Tell me about before. Where was it? When?"
    Timyin Tin shook his head.
    "I do not know."
    "Another life, perhaps?"
    "Perhaps."
    "You believe in such things here — having lived other lives, do you not?"
    "Yes."
    Toba got to his feet. Across the chamber, Sundoc sighed and stirred.
    "We wish you no harm," Toba said. "Quite the contrary. You must accompany us on a journey. It is very important. The head of your order has agreed to this."
    "Where are we to go?"
    "The place names would be meaningless to you at this time."
    "What is it that you want me to do in the place where we are to go?"
    "You would not