short while later, along with several younger at-tendants, all bearing trays of fruits and seasoned cakes, plates and fabulous utensils, and pitchers filled with many different types of juice. They quickly set the table at the northern window in the circular chamber, the one af-fording a spectacular view of the Belt-and-Buckle Mountains, towering black stone and white snowy peaks. The Belt-and-Buckle was the most im-posing range in the known world, with few passes, and even those full of danger, rockslides and avalanches, great bears and cats and other monsters more dangerous by far. The view of the range from Yakim Douan's palace displayed that awesome power in all its glory. That view, with the sun splayed on the eastern slopes and shining on the white caps, and with the dark shadows looming behind every jag, was considered quite spiritual by most who looked upon it. For the Yatols in particular, it held a reminder that there was a greater power than any they might witness in the domain of humankind. It was a spiritual and humbling view - humbling even to im-mortal Yakim Douan.
When the pair sat down, the attendants hustled all about, pouring juice and serving the food, but Yakim Douan waved them away and ordered them out of the room. A couple of them hesitated, staring at the Chezru Chieftain with confusion, even disbelief, for they customarily served through-out the meal.
"We are capable of pouring our own drinks," Yakim Douan assured them. ?And of cutting our own fruit. Now be gone." He ended by waving his hands at them, and they skittered away.
He looked back to Merwan Ma, smiling, and noted that the young man seemed to want to say something.
"You will speak openly at this meal," he instructed, and Merwan Ma shifted uncomfortably.
Yakim went quiet then, but didn't begin eating. He just sat there staring at his attendant, his expression prompting the young man to speak out.
"You wish to discuss your death again, God-Voice. I am not fond of this topic."
"Everyone must die, my young friend," said Yakim, and he smiled in-wardly at the irony of the statement.
"But you are still a young man," Merwan Ma blurted, and he lowered his eyes immediately upon saying the words, as if he believed that, despite Yakim's claim, he had overstepped the bounds of propriety.
"In my bones, I feel the weight, the wrath, of every year and every morn-mg," Yakim replied with a warm smile, and he put his hand on Merwan Ma's forearm, comforting the younger man.
"But God-Voice, you seem as if you are surrendering to age without a fight."
"Do you believe in the Revelation of Yatol?" the Chezru Chieftain said suddenly, sternly, reminding the student of who he was, of his - of their - supposed purpose in life. The Revelation of Yatol wa^ the binding force of the Yatol religion, a promise of eternal life on the Clouo-oLChfez, a place of Paradise. All of the rituals and practices, all of the codes of behavior that governed the Yatol religion were based upon that promise.
"Of course, God-Voice!" Merwan Ma retorted, blurting the response with surprise and horror.
"I am not accusing you, my son," said the Chezru Chieftain. ?I am merely reminding you. If we are to believe in the Revelation of Yatol, then we should accept the onset of death with open arms, confident that we have lived a life worthy of the Cloud of Chez. Am I to be sad, then, to think that Paradise is soon to be my home? ?
"But we do not ask for death, God-Voice - "
"I know, however, when death begins to ask for me," Yakim Douan in-terrupted. ?This is part of my station, to understand when death approaches so that those around me - so that you, Merwan Ma - can begin their prepa-rations for the search for the new God-Voice. Do you understand?"
Merwan Ma lowered his eyes. ?I am afraid, God-Voice," he said.
"You will not fail."
"But how will I know?" asked the young attendant, looking up suddenly at the Chezru Chieftain. ?How can I be sure that I will select the correct re-placement? It is a terrible burden, God-Voice. I fear that I am not worthy to bear it."
"You are," Yakim Douan said, laughing. ?The child will be obvious to you, I assure you. When I was selected, I was reciting the entire Fourth Book of Prophecy."
"But could not a mother so teach her young child, if she wished him to ascend? ?
"I had not yet seen my second birthday!"