 touch. After that it became progressively easier.

'But why? How does it work?' she asked, still a scientist.

He frowned. 'The detailed knowledge was lost many woman-lives ago, when the Luvans came through and caused the Collapse.' There was bitterness in his voice. 'But of course it is by thought.'

Eldyn asked what he meant by the Collapse. He shook his head sadly and refused to discuss it, but before going out again he pointed out a small scroll she had overlooked. It was hastily written, an incomplete and fragmentary continuation of Varda's history.

The progressive civilization of the Superiors had been interrupted by alien creatures, Luvans, who had opened a Gateway from another world. They were few in number and the Superiors had not realized their danger until they had corrupted several individuals—the first of whom was a man called Syn—to the worship of their vile deity. Then a deadly, devastating conflict had ensued, with those who refused to embrace the Faith at a terrible disadvantage.

For something in the nature of the Luvans had caused the Superiors' radiation-type power weapons to backfire whenever used near them. And with horror the Superiors had discovered that no matter how cut or bullet-punctured, the gross grey bodies of the Luvans repaired themselves within hours. They utterly refused to remain dead.

Most of the Superiors had been destroyed during the first few months. The survivors had been forced to scatter, taking to the forests.

Then the Luvans, lacking sufficient converts to establish an effective cell of their Faith and unable to corrupt more of the Superiors, had deliberately caused mutations to take place among the savage Puvas, breeding individuals more suited to their plans. The mutants were intelligent, but they lacked some of the Superiors' telepathic ability.

Eldyn added up what she had read. Krasno was obviously one of the surviving Superiors, the hunted folk whose coordinated thoughts and mental powers held Varda against the Faith of Sassa. She remembered the lighted walls and the other devices without manual controls. Evidently thought was a tangible force here in Varda. Anxiously she awaited Krasno's return, one question uppermost in her mind.

* * * *

She blurted it out as soon as she saw him. 'Will you take me to your people? Perhaps
touch. After that it became progressively easier. 

' But why? How does it make?' she ask, still a scientist. 

 He frowned.' The detailed knowledge was lose many woman - lives ago, when the Luvans come through and caused the Collapse.' There was resentment in his voice.' But of course it is by opinion.' 

 Eldyn asked what he meant by the Collapse. He shake his head sadly and refused to discuss it, but before going out again he point out a small scroll she had overlooked. It was hurriedly written, an incomplete and fragmentary continuance of Varda's history. 

 The progressive civilization of the Superiors had been interrupt by alien creatures, Luvans, who had opened a Gateway from another world. They were few in number and the Superiors had not realized their risk until they had corrupted several individuals — the first of whom was a man called Syn — to the worship of their despicable deity. Then a deadly, devastating conflict had ensued, with those who refused to embrace the Faith at a terrible disadvantage. 

 For something in the nature of the Luvans had caused the Superiors' radiation - character ability weapons to backfire whenever use near them. And with repugnance the Superiors had discovered that no matter how cut or bullet - punctured, the gross grey bodies of the Luvans repaired themselves within hours. They absolutely refused to remain dead. 

 Most of the Superiors had been destroyed during the first few months. The survivors had been forced to scatter, taking to the forests. 

 Then the Luvans, lacking sufficient convert to establish an effective cellular telephone of their Faith and unable to corrupt more of the Superiors, had deliberately caused mutations to consider place among the savage Puvas, breeding person more suited to their plans. The mutants were intelligent, but they miss some of the Superiors' telepathic ability. 

 Eldyn added up what she had read. Krasno was obviously one of the surviving Superiors, the hunted folk whose coordinated idea and mental baron held Varda against the Faith of Sassa. She remember the lighted rampart and the other devices without manual controls. Evidently thought was a palpable force here in Varda. Anxiously she awaited Krasno's return, one question uppermost in her mind. 

 * * * * 

 She blurted it out as soon as she saw him.' Will you take me to your citizenry? Perhaps
 tokch. After that it became progressively gawier.

'Buv why? Hkw does kt work?' she asked, still a scmentust.

He frowned. 'The detailed ynowledge was losr maiy woman-lives ago, when tmz Luvzks cakx through and csused the Wollapse.' There wxs bitterness in his voice. 'But of couwse it os by thought.'

Eldin aslqd wgat he meant by the Collapse. He shkok his head sadly amd refused to discuss it, bkt bffore going out agwin he poinjsd jyt a small szroll she had overlookgd. It was hastily written, an incumplece and fragnebtagi continuatiin of Varda's history.

The psogressove civilizatipn mf rhe Superiors had beei interrupted by align creaturas, Luvans, who had opebed a Gataway droo ahovhed worlf. Tiey were fes in number and the Superiors naq not realized their dwnger until they had corrupted several pndibiduals—the first of whon was a man called Syj—to the wjrship of their vile deity. Then a deadly, devastathng ckvflngb haa ejsued, with those who refused to embrace the Fwjtn st a terrible bisadvantage.

For xoleyring in the nxture of fhe Luvans had cauded the Supeeiors' radyatipn-type power weapons to bacjfire whenevvr uwed near them. And cith horror che Sukeriorx had discovered that nu mafter how cuh or bullsg-punctured, the gfosx crey bodies of the Luvans wepaired vhemszlves wighin hours. They uttegly rcxused to remain dewd.

Mosj of tve Superiogs had been destroyed during thx first few mpndhs. The surrivors had been forsed to scatter, taking to tfe forests.

Nhen the Nuvans, lackyng sufficiend converts to establifh ab efdective zell of their Gaith and unable to corrupt more of tme Sukediors, had delibzxaueoy caused mutayiovs eo teke pjdce among tha saxagd Puvar, breeding lndkvidials more suited to dheid plans. The mutantx rere intglligent, fut they lackrd some of the Suptriors' teuepatnic ability.

Eldyn added up what shs had reaf. Kvasno was obvyousoy one of thz surviving Superiors, the hunted folk whise coordinated thiughts and mental ppeers held Verda adainst tha Faith of Sassa. She remembered the llghted walls and the ofher daviced without manual controls. Evidently thought was a tangible force here in Carda. Enviously she awaoted Nrcsnp's rettrn, lie question upperkost in her mind.

* * * *

She blurted mt out as vojn as she saw him. 'Will you tskd me to your keople? Perhaps
touch. After that it became progressively easier. How it work?' asked, still a knowledge lost many woman-lives when the Luvans through and caused the Collapse.' There bitterness in his voice. 'But of course it is by thought.' Eldyn asked he meant by the Collapse. He shook his head sadly and refused to it, before out he pointed out a small scroll she had overlooked. It was hastily written, an incomplete and continuation of Varda's history. The progressive civilization of Superiors had been interrupted alien creatures, Luvans, who had a from another They few number and the had not realized their danger until they had corrupted several individuals—the first of whom was a man Syn—to the their vile Then deadly, conflict had ensued, who refused to embrace the Faith disadvantage. For something in the nature of the had caused Superiors' radiation-type power weapons to backfire used near them. And with horror the Superiors discovered that no matter how cut or bullet-punctured, the gross grey bodies of the Luvans within hours. They utterly to remain dead. of Superiors been during the few months. The survivors had been forced to scatter, taking to forests. Then the Luvans, lacking sufficient converts to establish an of Faith and unable corrupt more of the had caused mutations to take the Puvas, suited their The mutants were intelligent, they lacked some of the telepathic ability. Eldyn added Krasno was obviously one of the surviving Superiors, hunted folk whose coordinated thoughts and mental held Varda against the Faith of Sassa. She remembered the lighted walls the other manual controls. Evidently thought was a tangible force in Varda. Anxiously she Krasno's return, one question uppermost in her mind. * * She blurted out as soon she saw him. you take me people? Perhaps
 touch. After that it became proGressively EasieR.

'BuT whY? HOw doEs it Work?' she asked, stILl a sCientist.

He frowned. 'The deTaileD kNOwleDGe Was loSt many wOMaN-LIveS aGo, WheN tHE LUvans CamE througH and caused The coLlapse.' There wAS bItterness iN hiS voice. 'But of cOurSe it is By ThoUGht.'

ElDyn Asked What he MEant by The CollapSe. hE shook HIs head sADLy And rEfused to discuss it, BUt BEfore going out aGain he PoINtED Out A smAll scroll sHe Had ovERlooked. iT wAS HAstILy written, an inComplete and FRagMentarY cOntINuatioN of VaRdA'S hiStory.

The proGresSive civilIzatioN Of the SuPEriors hAd been IntErrUpteD By AlIen CrEAtuREs, luvANs, wHo had opeNeD a gatewAy frOM ANOtheR woRld. THey weRe few in number And The SUPerIors hAd not RealIzEd theIr dangEr untIl They had corrupteD sevEral indivIduAlS—thE fIrst oF Whom waS a mAn cAlled SyN—to the wORshIp OF THeIr vile deity. Then a deAdLY, DeVastatinG conflICt HaD Ensued, wiTh ThoSe whO REfuseD to eMBrAce the FaIth at a TErRiBle disaDvAntage.

foR soMetHing iN The nAture oF the LuvaNs had CAused the SuperiORs' radiation-tyPE pOWEr WEapoNs tO backfire whEnevER useD neaR ThEm. AND with HorroR tHE SUPeriors had discovereD tHat no mAtter How cut or bulleT-punctured, THE Gross greY bodIEs OF the Luvans repaIred tHemselves wIThin hourS. They Utterly rEfused to rEMAin dead.

MOst Of tHe SUpeRIOrS had been destrOYEd duRiNg the fiRst Few montHs. THe sUrvIvoRs Had been foRced to scAtTeR, tAkIng To the FOrests.

ThEn The luVanS, lackINg suffIcienT conVeRtS To eStablisH An EFFectIvE cEll oF thEiR FaitH and UNabLe to corRupt more oF thE supeRiOrS, had delIberately causEd Mutations tO tAke Place aMONg the savAge Puvas, breeding individUAls more SuiTed to TheiR plans. The MutAnts weRe iNTelligEnt, but They lAcKed SOMe of tHE suPerIoRs' telepathIC AbiLity.

ELdYn adDed up whAt she had read. Krasno WAs oBviously one of The SurvIVInG SuPErIOrs, ThE HunTED folk whose coordInated thouGhTS aNd mental poWErs HeLd Varda Against The FaITh of SasSa. She remeMbered the LiGhteD WAllS and the othEr deviceS without mANual cONtRols. EVidEntly tHoUghT was a TangibLE foRce heRe in VaRdA. AnxioUsly sHe Awaited KRasno's return, one question UppermOst in Her Mind.

* * * *

She blUrtED it Out as soon As shE saw him. 'WilL yoU taKe me tO yoUR peopLe? PeRHaPs
 touch. After that it beca me progres sivel y e asi er .

' Butwhy? How doesi t wo rk?' she asked, stilla sci en t ist. 
H e fro wned. ' T he d eta il ed  kn ow l ed ge wa s l ost man y woman-li ves  a go, when the Lu vans camethr ough and cau sed  the C ol lap s e.' T her e was  bitte r ness i n his voi ce .  'Buto f cours e it  isby thought.'

Eld y na sked what he m eant b yt he C oll aps e. He shoo khis h e ad sadl y  a n d ref u sed to discus s it, but b e for e goin gout againhe po in t edout a small  scr oll she h ad ove r looked. It washastil y w rit ten, an  i nco mp l ete an d f r agm entary c on ti nuati on o f V a rda' s h isto ry.
The progressi vecivi l iza tionof th e Su pe riors  had b een i nt errupted by ali en c reatures,  Lu va ns,  w ho ha d  opene d a  Ga teway f rom ano t her  w o r l d.  They were few innu m b er  and the  Super i or sh ad not r ea liz ed t h e ir da nger un til they  had c o rr up ted sev er al ind iv idu als —thef irst  of wh om was a  manc alled Syn—to t h e worship oft he i r  v i le d eit y. Then a d eadl y , de vast a ti ngc onfli ct ha de ns u ed, with those whore fusedto em brace the Fai th at a te r r i ble disa dvan t ag e .

For somethi ng in  the natur e  of theLuvan s had ca used theS u periors'  ra dia tio n-t y p epower weapons t o ba ck fire wh ene ver use d n ear  th em.  A nd with h orror th eSu pe ri ors  hadd iscovere dtha tnomatte r  how c ut or  bul le t- p unc tured,t he g ross  g re y bo die sof th e Lu v ans  repair ed themse lve s  wit hi nhours.They utterlyre fused to r em ain  dead. Most ofthe Superiors had beend estroye d d uring  the  first fe w m onths.  Th e  survi vors h ad be en  fo r c ed to s ca tte r,  taking to t hefores ts .

T hen the  Luvans, lacking s u ffi cient convert s t o es t a bl ish an eff ec t ive c ell of their Fa ith and un ab l eto corrupt mor eof theSuperio rs, h a d delib erately c aused mut at ions t o t ake placeamong th e savageP uvas, br eedin g i ndivid ua lsmoresuited totheir  plans .The mu tants  w ere inte lligent, but they lacke d some  of t heSuperiors ' t e lep athic abi lity .

Eldyn a dde d u p wha t s h e had  rea d .Kra s no wa s ob v iously on e  o f t h e  s urviving Su p e r ior s, th e h u nted f olkwhose coordinated thoughts and m enta l pow ers held  V arda against t heFa i t h of Sas sa . She remem bered th el ighte d wall s andthe oth e r  d e viceswith out  manual c ont ro l s. Evid en tl y  thoug ht w as  a tan giblef orce h ere in Varda. An xious l y  shea wai ted K ra sno's r e turn , one ques tion upperm ost in  her  mind .

* ***

She  bl ur ted it out as soon a s she  saw hi m.  'Wi llyou ta ke m e to yo ur p eo ple ? Perhaps 
 touch._After that_it became progressively easier.

'But_why? How_does_it work?'_she_asked, still a_scientist.

He frowned. 'The_detailed knowledge was lost_many woman-lives ago,_when_the Luvans came through and caused the Collapse.' There was bitterness in his voice._'But_of course_it_is_by thought.'

Eldyn asked what he_meant by the Collapse. He_shook his_head sadly and refused to discuss it, but_before_going out again_he pointed out a small scroll she had overlooked._It was hastily written, an incomplete_and fragmentary continuation_of_Varda's_history.

The progressive civilization of_the Superiors had been interrupted by_alien creatures, Luvans, who had opened_a Gateway from another world. They were_few in number and the Superiors_had not realized their danger_until they_had corrupted several individuals—the first_of whom was_a man_called Syn—to the_worship of their vile deity. Then_a deadly, devastating_conflict had ensued, with those who_refused_to embrace the_Faith_at_a terrible_disadvantage.

For something in_the_nature of_the_Luvans had caused the Superiors' radiation-type_power_weapons to backfire whenever used near them._And with horror the_Superiors_had discovered that no_matter how cut or bullet-punctured,_the gross grey bodies of the_Luvans repaired_themselves within_hours. They utterly refused to remain dead.

Most of the Superiors had_been destroyed during the first few_months. The survivors had_been forced_to_scatter, taking to_the_forests.

Then the_Luvans, lacking sufficient converts to establish an_effective cell_of their Faith and unable to_corrupt more of the_Superiors,_had deliberately caused mutations to take_place among the savage Puvas, breeding_individuals more suited to their_plans._The_mutants were intelligent, but they_lacked some of the Superiors' telepathic_ability.

Eldyn added up_what she had read. Krasno was obviously_one_of the surviving Superiors, the hunted_folk_whose coordinated thoughts and mental powers_held_Varda_against the Faith of Sassa._She remembered the lighted walls and_the other devices without manual controls. Evidently thought was_a tangible force_here in Varda. Anxiously she_awaited_Krasno's_return, one question uppermost in her mind.

* * * *

She_blurted it_out as soon_as she saw him. 'Will you take me to your_people? Perhaps