What difference does it make whether you slay him or Horus slays him? He will be just as dead either way."
Wakim pauses, apparently considering the matter, as if for the first time.
"This thing is mission, not his." he says at length.
"He will be just as dead, either way," Vramin repeats.
"But not by my hand."
"True. But I fail to see the distinction."
"So do I, for that matter. But it is who have been charged with the task."
"Perhaps Horus has also."
"But not by master."
"Why should you have a master, Wakim? Why are you not your own man?"
Wakim rubs his forehead.
"I-do not-really know…. But I must do as I am told.
Wakim pauses, apparently considering the matter, as if for the first time.
"This thing is mission, not his." he says at length.
"He will be just as dead, either way," Vramin repeats.
"But not by my hand."
"True. But I fail to see the distinction."
"So do I, for that matter. But it is who have been charged with the task."
"Perhaps Horus has also."
"But not by master."
"Why should you have a master, Wakim? Why are you not your own man?"
Wakim rubs his forehead.
"I-do not-really know…. But I must do as I am told.
( Roger Zelazny )
[ Creatures of Light and ]
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