Glawen assessed the two House Monitors. He was clearly out matched. Why embroil himself; when he failed to return, Kirdy would transmit his message to Plock at the IPCC office, who would take such steps as were necessary.
"Come," said Lilo.
"They need not so much as touch you."
"Lucky Glawen," said Muds.
Glawen spoke between clenched teeth: "This is intolerable! I have important business elsewhere!"
"It must wait!" said Funo in a voice oddly shrill for a person so large and muscular.
"You heard the Ordene. Now, hurry along with you before we lose our patience!"
"Come," said Mutis, inching forward, his loose pink mouth open and pulsing like a polyp.
Glawen stepped warily around him. Lilo took his arm and led him along the passage.
Glawen sullenly followed Lilo up a flight of dank stone steps to the second floor, then along a corridor. Watching the swing of Lilo's hips, Glawen decided that Lilo was female. Behind padded Mutis.
Lilo halted at the bottom of a second staircase and waited while Mutis stepped ahead and by some means set aglow a line of dim lamps to illuminate the stairs. Lilo told Glawen: "We will now climb these steps, but be careful, as they are very dangerous, especially when the lights are not shining."
"Let him find out for himself," said Mutis with a small hard smile.
"He's in line for a bump or two."
Lilo started up the stairs. Glawen stopped short, quivering with a sudden surge of panic. Lilo paused, looked over her shoulder.
"Come."
Glawen still hesitated. Mutis and Funo stood watching him, round white faces impassive. Glawen tensed, thinking to leap upon them, take them by surprise, and somehow make his escape. Rationality prevailed. Mutis and Funo were not to be surprised so easily, and in any event, Kirdy would be notifying the IPCC of his absence before the evening was out.
Lilo spoke again: "Come, Glawen."
Glawen swung about and marched grimly up the staircase, two steps
behind Lilo. An odd staircase for so massive a structure, he thought. It was steep, irregular, devoid of railings, and twice changed direction at eccentric angles. Lilo had described it as dangerous, especially in the dark. It might well be so.
Lilo led him out into a long bleak hall and took him to a chamber lined with bins and racks.
"This is a small preliminary step, but it is essential. You must be cleansed and dressed in a proper garment, that you may conform to the standards. You may now remove and discard your alien wear, which is not suitable for the seminary. You will not be using it again."
"Of course I will be using it again," said Glawen between clenched teeth.
"This is sheer madness! Has the world gone insane? I don't want to be here, and I don't intend to stay here!"
"As to that, Glawen, I cannot say. I can only obey the Ordene. You will find that it is the easiest way."
"But I don't want to obey the Ordene."
"So it may be, but seminary rules are exact. And who knows?
When you discover the excellence of Syntoraxis, your attitude may change! Consider that!"
"It is a most remote possibility. What I have seen so far I abominate."
Lilo said coldly: "For now, you may use that booth, for your privacy."
Glawen stepped into the booth, removed his outer garments and emerged, to find Mutis waiting for him.
Mutis pointed to a stool.
"Sit!"
"What for?"
"So that I can remove that septic louse-mat from your head.
Here we live in a state of civilized cleanliness."
"Never mind the haircut," said Glawen, restraining his outrage with an effort.
"When I leave here I don't want to look a freak."
"Sit." Mutis and Funo seized his arms and thrust him down upon the stool.
"Now, then!" said Mutis.
"Sit quiet and give us no trouble or it's the owl-trap for you, and the wind blows cold of nights."
