Menagerie - Martin Day [32]
'We must split them asunder, taking our meaning only from the now, from our great secrets and all that we have, and destroy science and legend.
'Recognition of legend pulling to the past is not difficult k those who have sought the Higher in praise and prayer.
True recognition of science is more complex, and its pulls to
"past' and 'future" will be examined in more detail during the course of this book.'
Extract from Towards a Definition of Science, written by Grand Knight Uscolda. Subsequently banned and destroyed by order of Grand Knight Zipreus.
Six
The brightly coloured tents and ox-pulled caravans were scattered over an area of flat ground at the edge of the town.
The main tent had been erected first and was already surrounded by sideshows and exhibits. Lurid poster boards were being touched up with gleaming paint. Growls emanated from within portable huts as animals were fed and watered. A group of women scuttled from tent to tent, cleaning the mud from the unfurled canvas.
The workers were now constructing a light fence around the site, with a tall kiosk taking shape like a castle gatehouse. The hum of the wind on the ropes was lost to the intermittent chugging as the portable generator was coaxed into life. A miasma of smoke drifted across the field.
Even Zoe could feel the apprehension in the air. Mere hours from the first show there was still much to do, but the men and women seemed happy to have completed their latest journey.
As, indeed, was Zoe. Her back ached, and her face felt numb from the wind. Although the rope had long been removed from her wrists they still throbbed from their recent ill-treatment.
Despite the discomfort of the journey Zoe had felt a gathering lightness of spirit as they left the dark, rain-drenched city behind. The countryside had become lighter and more open, well-managed copses breaking into view over tumbling fields of grass and corn. It was as if the soil around the city was so thick and dark that it gave up few of its nutrients to the plant roots that burrowed down into it. A few miles beyond the stifling walls and the land seemed richer and more accommodating. Zoe remembered watching farmers and labourers waving from the fields, although perhaps it had been too much to expect any of them to rescue her.
The town was a carefree clutter of thatched roofs warming under the intermittent golden sun. She noticed a power station similar to the one in the city, but here its unrefined nature was more bucolic than overbearing. White clouds hung quietly in the air over its chimneys and then dissipated.
Although the larger houses on the far side of the town were dark and smugly impressive, in the main the place was a collage of painted stone and wood. The gaudy circus did not seem out of place against so colourful a backdrop.
'Diseaeda's Travelling Freak Show,' announced the man at her side. 'I'm sorry the journey was rough, but I think you'll agree that it's quite a sight.'
'I've never seen anything like this before,' said Zoe. A small troupe of jacket-wearing monkeys danced by, cartwheeling and chattering, their trainer in hot pursuit
'There are animals here, and yet the purpose is clearly to provide entertainment and not to facilitate zoological research.'
'Entertainment is exactly it,' said Diseaeda. 'You've got a good head on your shoulders. I'm sure you'll come up with some valuable ideas in future.'
Zoe pondered this for a moment. 'I get the impression that you didn't purchase me because of any business acumen I might have.'
Diseaeda laughed. 'Indeed no. It's much simpler than that.
Unlike most of my friends, I bought you because you're pretty and you've got two arms and two legs. I'm expecting you to work hard. But I'll make sure that it's all worth it. I promise.'
Zoe could tell that Diseaeda meant well, but she felt very lonely indeed without the Doctor and Jamie. 'How long will you be staying here?' she asked, trying not to let her fear show in her voice.
'A week, maybe two,' said the man. 'It depends on the crowds. The folk round