Fantasy - A fantastic tale "Ice and Flame" (continued).


               Fantasy



              Ice and Flame.


                 Story


              Ray Bradbury


      (Continued in Echo 2)


                 - 5 -
 Quarter life behind! Passed childhood. He
became a young man. In the evening violent downpours lashed
valley. Sim saw babies flows scoured the valley, cutting off a 
mountain with a grain of metal. He tried to remember 
everything. Every night - the new river, fresh channel.


 - And what's the valley? Asked Sim.

 - There no income - explained Duck.
- Anyone who tried to reach the plains,
either froze to death or burned.
Half an hour of running - that's the limit of honest report
edge. Half an hour there, half an hour back.

 - So, no one has yet reached the metallic grains?

 Duck snort.

 - Scientists - they tried. Fools! They lack the intelligence 
to give up that idea. After a blank case. Too far.


 Scientists. This word stirred the soul of Shem.
He almost managed to forget the vision that
seemed to him just before the birth and
immediately after it.

 - And where are these scientists? - Impatient
he asked.

 Duck looked away.

 - If only I knew, still does not tell you.
They will kill you with their experiences. I do not want you to 
be left to them! Live, as expected, does not terminate the life 
at half in pursuit of this stupid thing out there on the

Mount.

 - Ask someone else!

 - No you will not tell! Everybody Hates
scientists. Most will have to look for. And let's say you find 
them ... What's next? You will save us? Come save us, boy! - 
She was angry, half of her life already passed.


 - We can not all just sit, so to speak, yes there is - he 
replied. - And nothing more! ..


 Again he jumped to his feet.

 - Go, go, ishi them! - She replied tartly.
- They will help you forget. Yes, yes. - She
spitting out the word: - forget that a few days - and the end 
of your life! 

 Looked for, Sim ran overcame
tunnel for the tunnel. Sometimes he thought
that he was on the right track. But it was enough to ask others 
to which side lies the cave scientists, as it is flooded with a 
wave someone else's rage, a wave of confusion and resentment. 
After all, it is the scientists fault that has brought them 
into such a horrible world! Sim shivered under barrage of swear 
words. 

 In one of the middle cave, he sat quietly
other children to listen to the speech
adult men. The hour of exercise, Chas
interview. No matter how oppressed its delay
no matter how tormented impatience with the idea
that the flow of life and death of the rapidly diminishing
approaching, like a black meteor Sim
knew that his mind needs to know.
That night he will spend in school. But he did not
sit still. To live only five days.

 Kayon sat in front of Shem, and thin-
his face expressed the challenge.

 Between them there was Light. Over the past
few hours she had grown up, her movement became softer, firmer 
step, the hair shone brighter. Smiling she sat next to

Sim, a Kayona like and did not notice. Kayon scowled and 
stopped eating. 

 The cave was filled with loud speech. Swift as sound of heart, 
- one thousand, two thousands of words per minute. Head Sima 
assimilated science. With eyes wide open as if he sank into 
drowsiness, sensitively drowsiness chemto nopominayuschuyu 
utero. Words that echoed in the distance,

intertwined in my head into the tapestry of knowledge.

 He had the meadows green, without a single stone, solid grass 
- wide meadows, waves stretching toward dawn, and no

icy cold nor hot sun baked the spirit stones. He went through 
these green meadows. Above it, high in the

sky, which breathed even mild heat
flying metal grains. And all
round proceeded so slowly, slowly,
slowly ...

 The birds sat quietly on the mighty tree
which was necessary for the growth of a hundred, two hundred
five thousand days. All remained on their
field and the birds were in no hurry to escape the sight of 
sunlight, and trees do not shrank in fright when they dealt 
with solar beam.


 People in this dream went slowly, running often, and their 
hearts beat a measured and not in a mad, galloping rhythm. 
Grass remained grass, it do not eat fire. And people did not 
talk about tomorrow and death, but about the future and life. 
And all seemed so familiar that when someone Sima took the hand 
he took it for the continuation of a dream. 

 Light hand lay in his hand.

 - Dreams? - She asked.

 - Yes.

 - It's for balance. Life is arranged
unfairly, that's mind and finds solace in the paintings, which 
keeps our memory. 

 Several times he slammed his fist on the stone floor.

 - It does not fix! Go to hell! Not
I want to remind me that good,
I'm lost! Would be better if we did not
know! Why can not we live and die
so that no one knew that our lives
goes wrong?

 From a distorted grimace semi
mouth burst hoarse breathing.

 - Everything in the world has its meaning, - said Light. - 
Here it gives meaning to our life compels us to do something, 
chtoto conceive, find a way out. 

 His eyes were like fiery emeralds.

 - I climbed the slope of the green hill
walking slowly - he said.

 - The very hill on which I was raised an hour ago? - Asked 
Light. 

 - Maybe. Something very similar. Only sleep better waking. - 
He closed his eyes. - I look at people, they were not busy 
eating. 

 - A conversation?

 - And the conversation too. And we always eat
and all the while talking. Sometimes these people in my dreams 
lay with his eyes closed and completely did not stir.


 Light looked at him, and then there was
terrible thing. He suddenly pictured
that her face darkened and covered with wrinkles. Hair over the 
ears - as if Snow on the wind, eyes - colorless coins

Web eyelashes. Toothless lips obtyanuli
gums, tender fingers turned into scorched twigs, hanging from 
the congestion wrist. On his eyes fade, dying its charm. 
Horrified Sim grabbed Light for hand ... and suppressed the 
tearing out a cry: he quirk, that her hand zhuhnet.


 - Sim with you?

 The taste of those words had become dry during
mouth.

 - Five more days ...

 - Scientists.

 Sim shuddered. Who said that? In the dim
light of the tall man continued:

 - Scientists have abandoned us on this planet and
killed since then thousands of lives in vain,
abyss of time. All of their venture in vain, no one needs. Do 
not touch them, let them live, but do not sacrifice them to a 
single particle your time. Remember, you only live

once.

 But where they are, they hated
scientists? Now, after school, after-hours
interview, Sim was determined to
find. Now he is armed with knowledge and can begin their battle 
for freedom, for the ship! 

 - Sim, where are you?

 But Sim was gone. Echoes of running feet got lost in the 
transition, laid out smooth plates.


 It seemed half the night spent in vain. He lost count of the 
impasse. Many times He attacked the young fools who

expected to assign it the vital energy. After he flew them 
crazy cries. Scribbled skin deep scratches left greedy nails.


 Still, Sim found what I was searching for.

 A handful of men huddled in basaltic bag in the bowels of the 
mountain. On the table before them lay the unknown objects 
whose form, however, the father of an echo in the soul of Shem. 

 Scientists working in groups - the elderly to solve important 
problems, the young were taught, asked questions and it was 
here, and three children. Taken together, formed the links of a 
single process. Every eight days the group, working on a 
particular issue, fully updated. Overall impact was to

absurdly small. Scientists grew old and died, barely reaching 
artistic maturity. Creative time each was from

force twelve hours. Three-fourths of life
went on teaching, but for short times
creative impact immediately followed by senility, insanity, 
death. 

 They all turned when he entered Sim.

 - Is the completion? - Said the oldest.

 - I do not think - said the other younger. -
Throw it away. This must be one
of those that instigate people to fight.

 - No, - said the old man. Shuffling on
stone, bare feet, he went to Sim.
- Come in, boy, come.

 His eyes were friendly, balanced, not like those impetuous 
people the upper caves. Gray calm eyes.


 - What do you want?

 Sim confused and hung his head, unable to withstand a quiet 
affectionate glance. 

 - Live - "he whispered.

 The old man laughed softly. Then touched
Sima's shoulder.

 - Are you out of some of the new breed? Or
Maybe you're sick? - He kept asking
almost seriously. - Why do not you play? Why not prepare 
yourself for the pore of love, marriage, to fatherhood? Do not 
you know, that tomorrow night will be almost an adult?

Do not you realize that life will pass you by,
if you are not cautious?

 The old man stopped.

 With every question with his eyes crossed Sima
subject to subject. Now he looked at
devices on the table.

 - I did not have to come here? -
he asked.

 - Of course, it was necessary - the old man thundered.
- But it's a miracle that you came. For a thousand days, we did 
not receive recharge outside! Have grown by scientists,

in their own closed system! Soschitayka us! Six! Six men. And 
three children. Mighty power, right? - The old man spat on the 
stone floor. - We are inviting volunteers and we say: "Please 
refer to someone friend 'or:' We have no time! "And you know,

why do they say so?

 - No - Sim shrugged.

 - Because everyone thinks about himself. Of course, they want 
to live longer, but they know that, no matter how hard, it is 
unlikely they personally be added at least one day. Perhaps 
descendants will live longer. But for the sake of posterity 
they do not agree to donate their love, her brief youth, but at 
least be one hour of sunset or sunrise!


 Sim leaned against a table.

 - I understand - seriously he said.

 - Do you understand? - The old man stared vacantly
on the Cima. Then he sighed and patted
his hand. - Well, of course, you know. Can I require someone to 
understand more. You're doing fine. 

 Others surrounded by a ring of Shem and the old man.

 - My name Daynk. Tomorrow nachyu my place
Court will take. I am by the time I die. On
next night, someone else will replace court, and then comes 
your turn, if you will work hard and believe. But first I want 
to let you think about it. Go back to your playmates, if you 
want. Kogonibud you love? Come back to it. Life brief. Why 
should you grieve for those not yet born? You have the right

on youtube. Go if you want. After all, if
you stay, all your time just go away
out to work, old and die in harness. True, you do
good deed. Well?

 Sim looked at the tunnel. Somewhere there was howling wind and 
the smell of brew, and spanked bare feet, and sounded, 
rejoicing the heart, the young laughter. He angrily shook his 
head at His eyes flashed moisture.


 - I will stay - he said.


                 - 6 -
 The third night and third day are left behind. There was a 
fourth night. Sim was involved to life scientists. He was told 
about the metal grain on the top of the mountain. Talked about 
a lot of seeds - the so-called "ships" and as they crashed, 
about how the survivors who took refuge among the rocks, began 
to quickly grow old and in a desperate struggle for life forget 
everything Science. In such a volcanic civilization

knowledge of the mechanics could not continue. Every living 
interpretation of the present moment. 

 On the previous day no one thought tomorrow ominously stared 
into her eyes. But that same radiation that accelerated aging 
and spawned a sort of telepathic communication to help infants 
to perceive and comprehend. A received by the instinct of 
hereditary memory preserved paintings of other times.


 - Why do not we try to get to the ship on the mountain? "Asked 
Sim. 

 - Too far away. Need protection
sun, "explained Daynk.

 - Have you tried to come up with defense?

 - Ointments and rubbing, apparel made of stone and
bird feathers, and recently
of hard metals. But nothing helped.
Another ten thousand generations, and we may be able to produce 
a water-cooled shell that protects us on the path to the ship. 
But we are working very slowly and all to the touch. This 
morning I, mature man, picked up the instrument. Tomorrow, when 
dying, postpone it. What do people in mozhet

one day? If we had ten thousand men, the problem could be 
solved ... 

 - I'll go to the ship, "said Sim.

 - And die, "said the old man in silence,
reigned after Sima. All looked
the boy. -You are very selfish young man.

 - Selfish? Sim-indignant.

 The old man took a hand in the air.

 - But such selfishness to my liking. Do you want to
live longer and everything is ready to do it.
Want to get to the ship. But I say
you, that will not work. And yet, if
you will insist, I can not stop you. At least you do not imitate
those of us who go to war to
win a few extra days of life.

 - On the war? - Asked Sim. - About what
war, there can there be?

 Over his body ran trembling. Confusing ...

 - About this tomorrow, "said Daynk. -And now listen.

 Another night passed.


                 - 7 -
 It was morning. According to one of the moves, shouting and
crying, ran to Light and fell straight into the arms of Shem. 
She again changed. Became even older and more beautiful. 
Trembling, she clung to him.


 -Sim, they go for you!

 The tunnel grew, approaching the sound of walking bare feet. 
Seemed Kayon. He also stretched in length, and each had his 
hand on the sharp stones. 

 - Go! - Furiously shouted Light, to strike at him.

 - No Sim will not go, - said firmly Kayon. And smiling, he 
turned to Sim. - Unless, of course, he is ready to fight with 
us. 

 Daynk, dragging his feet, stepped forward, his
eyes often twinkled, thin hands trembled
a bird in the air.

 - Go! - Angrily said he was fine
voice. - This young man is now a scientist. He
working with us.

 Kayon stopped smiling.

 - He is waiting for a better job of this. We go
fight with the inhabitants of the distant cliffs. - His eyes 
shone restlessly Kayona. - You're come with us, Sim?


 - No, no! - Light hung on the arm of Shem.

 Sim patted her shoulder, then turned to
Kayonu.

 - Why did you decide to attack people?

 - Three extra days waiting for someone who will go with
us.

 - Three extra days? Three days of life?

 Kayon confidently nodded.

 - If we win, we live together
eight eleven days. Where they live, in the rocks have a special 
rock, it protects against radiation! Think Sim

three long glorious days of his life. Come with us?

 - Go without him - intervened Daynk. - Sim
- My pupil!

 Kayon snorted.

 You'd go to die, man. Today at sunset from you will remain 
alone charred bone. Who are you to command us? We are young, we 
want to live longer. 

 Eleven days. Unbelievable! Eleven
days! Sim now understood that generates
War. Who would not go to war for something that
almost half to extend its life!
So many extra days of life! Yes. In fact, why not!

 - Three extra days - said the squeaky
Daynka voice. - If you will live up to it.
If you do not get killed in battle. If. If. You
has never won. Always lost.

 - But this time - has said Kayon -
We will win!

 Sim was perplexed.

 - But we are all one blood. Why
can not live together, where the rock to protect
better?

 Kayon laughed, clutching a sharp
stone.

 - Those who live there consider themselves to be better
us. So always think someone who is stronger. K
Besides, the cave, there are fewer, they placed only three 
hundred men. 

 Three extra days!

 - I'll go with you, - said Sim Kayonu.

 - Excellent! - Something Kayon really very happy.

 Daynk impulsively sighed.

 Sim turned to Daynku and Light.

 - If I'll be able to win the battle, I'll be on
half a mile closer to the ship. And I have in stock
There will be three extra days to try to
reach it. It seems I have no
choice.

 Daynk sadly nodded.

 - Yes, it is. I believe you. Go away.

 - Good, - said Sim.

 Old man's face reflected astonishment, then he
laughed, as if in response to mildly
joke.

 - It is true, because I do not see you anymore ...
Well, goodbye.

 And they shook hands.

 All together: Kayon, Shem, Light and other children quickly 
grow into men - they left the cave scientists. And twinkle in 
the eyes Kayona not promise anything good.


 Light went to Sim. She collected for it
stones and carried them. Refused to go home as he had not 
persuaded. They walked through the valley, was approaching 
sunrise. 

 - Please, Light, go home!

 - To wait for the return Kayona? - She said. - He conceived 
that I would his wife, when you die.


 She angrily tossed his implausible blue curls.

 - No, I'll go with you. If you die
in battle, I too will perish.

 Sima posurovelo person. It has grown enormously. For
night of the world like a shrunken. Flocks of children
that with jubilant cries of collecting fruit, caused him 
surprise, even bewilderment: is he just four days ago was this? 
Strange. In a head Sima rebelled much longer, as if he actually 
lived for a thousand days. Layer of events and thoughts in his 
mind was so powerful, so multi-colored and

diverse, that simply could not believe it - yes
how could so many things happen for a
a few days?

 The soldiers fled in twos and threes. Sim looked forward to 
sticking away low black teeth. "Today is my fourth day,

- He said to himself. - And I'm still not a single step
approached the ship, nowhere near, even to that - he had heard 
a number of lyagkuyu pace of Light - that is my

weapons and collects for me, ripe fruit. "

 Half life is over. Or one-third ...
If he won that battle. If ...

 Sim ran easily elastically relaxed.
"Today, I somehow feel particularly
its existence. I run and eat, eat and grow, grow
and with bated breath to draw views
Light. And she, too, fondly looking at me. Day of our youth ... 
Do we spend it wasted? Spend on nonsense, on a chimera? "


 From a distance came the laughter. As a child, laughter 
alerted Sim. Now he understood. This laugh was born in the soul 
of a man who climbed the high cliffs and collected there

leaves are green, drink intoxicating wine with icicles morning, 
ate fruit and mountain for the first time tasted the sweetness 
of young lips. 

 That is near the rocks of the enemy.

 And Sim before his eyes - a slender posture
Light. He seemed to be first discovered it
neck, touching which can be counted
heartbeat, and fingers, which tremulously
cling to your fingers, and ...

 Light abruptly turned away.

 - Look ahead! - She cried. - Watch
for those that will be ... Look forward.

 He felt as if they were
pass by a large chunk of his life,
All youth is left behind, and even once
look.

 - Eyes are tired of looking at rocks!

 - I see the stones ... - His voice was gentle as her palm. The 
landscape swam back. Sim like flying in a gentle embrace, 
drowsy breeze. - I can see the stones, the gorge, cool shade 
and stone fruit. They - like the dew. Tronesh rock and roll in 
berries down the soundless red avalanche, and herbs

such silky ...

 - I can not see! - She ran faster, looking
in the other direction.

 He saw down on her neck - like a thin
silvery moss on the cold side of the rubble that sways from the 
lightest breath. Then he presented himself with his fists 
clenched hard racing ahead, to his death. On his hands were 
swollen elastic strands.


 Light gave him some food.

 - I do not want to eat - he said.

 - Eat, eat properly - strictly ordered
she said. - To have strength for the battle.

 - Lord! - The pain he cried. - Who needs these battles!

 To meet them down the hill jumped
stones. One of the men fell from a split
skull. The war has begun.

 Light handed Sima weapons. Then they fled without a word until 
the battle line. 

 Above, because of the bastions of the enemy, to
hit by the collapse of the artificial!

 Now one thought possessed Sim. Kill
take the life of others might live,
to gain a foothold here, to prolong his life and
try to reach the ship. He squatted,
avoided, grabbed stones and throw them up.
In his left hand he had a flat stone
shield, whom he beat flying above the wreckage. All around were 
heard clapping. Light ran alongside, encouraging him. One after 
another fell in front of two, killed on the spot - his chest

strut to the bone, blood hits the fountain ...

 And it all in vain. Sim instantly
realized the futility of them had started
bout. Storming the rock did not take. Cob
rolled down from the top solid avalanche. Ten
fallen soldiers with black shrapnel in the brain,
still have five lashes drooped fractured
hands. Someone cried out - white knee
joint protruding from the skin, ripped aptly
abandoned pieces of granite. Offensive stumbled on the bodies.

 Sima started playing on the cheeks nodule, he had already
cursed himself for having come here. And All the same, then 
jumping into one side or the other, dodging dive from the 
stones, it is hard looked up at the black rocks. Live there and

make treasured attempt - this desire was the hardest! But 
courage was ready leave it.


 Light piercing scream. Sim turned obomlev from fright, and saw 
that her hand was broken, from the laceration across the

wrist was gushing blood. She squeezed his hand
under his arm, to moderate pain. Rage
stirred in his soul, he frantically rushed forward, throwing 
stones with deadly accuracy. That's well-aimed shot from an 
enemy soldier threw himself down and rolled down

the ledges. Probably Sim shouted something,
because it easily pushes spewed
air and in the throat smart, but the earth is rapidly running 
away before. 

 The stone hit him on the head and knocked
on the ground. On the teeth crunching sand. World
scattered at the crimson curls. Sim is not
could rise. He lay there and thought that that's
came to his last day, last hour.
Round battle continues to boil, and semi-conscious, he felt 
like it leaned over Light. Her hands were cooled his forehead, 
she would Sima pull into a safe place, but he

lay, gasping for air, and insisted that she left him.

 - Stop! - Shouted a voice.

 It seemed the war was halted for a moment.

 - Back off! - Quickly ordered that the same voice.

 Lying on his side, Sim saw his comrades turned and ran back 
home. 

 - The sun rises, our time is over!

 He watched the muscular back
flashing in the run leg. Dead left
lie on the battlefield. The wounded cried for help. But is now 
the wounded! Only headlong to beat an ignominious way home

and with scorched lungs to dive in caves,
before the merciless sun caught up with them
and killed.

 Sun!

 Someone ran to the side of Shem. It was Kayon! Whispering 
words of cheer, Light has helped Sim to get up.


 - You can go? - She asked.

 - I think I can - he groaned.

 - Then let's go, - she went on. - First
quiet, then faster and faster. We get,
I know that we reach!

 Sim stood up unsteadily. Ran Kayon -
face, distorted with fierce folds
sparkling eyes had not yet grown cold after the battle. Pushing 
Light, he grabbed a sharp stone and a sharp blow ripped Sima 
leg. Struck in silence, without a sound.


 Then he stepped back, still without saying a word, just 
smiled, as if nocturnal predator. His chest heaving, eyes ran 
with blood Nogo Sima on Light and back. Finally, he caught his 
breath. 

 - He will not come - Kayon nodded at
Sim. - We'll have to leave it here.
Come on, Light.

 Light cat pounced on Kayona, trying to
reach his eyes. A thin squeal broke through her bared teeth, 
fingers blazing a bloody splash a line deep furrows on the 
biceps, then the neck Kayona. C abuse Kayon recoiled from the 
Light. She threw a stone. He dodged and growling, ran a few 
more yards. 

 - You fool! - Scornfully he shouted. - Go
with me. Sim will die within a few minutes.
Come on!

 Light turned his back on him.

 - If you me ponesesh.

 Kayon face changed. Luster was gone from
his eyes.

 - Time is short. We both die, if I
carry you.

 Light looked at him like an empty place.

 - Nesi, I want to.

 Without saying a word, Kayon frightened glance at the band 
aleyuschey dawn and ran. His steps raced off into the distance 
and died away. 

 - If I could fell and broke his neck - Light whispered 
frantically looking at crossing the gorge of the silhouette. 
She turned to Sim. 

- Can you go?

 From the wound pain was spreading throughout the leg.
Siem ironic nod.

 - If you go two hours before the cave get there. But I have an 
idea, Light. Suffered on my hands.


 He smiled at his own grim joke.

 She took his hand.

 - And still we go. Come on ...

 - No, - he said. - We'll stay here.

 - But why?

 - We came here to win back his
new home. If we go back - dead. I would rather die here. How 
long will we remain? 

 Together, they looked to where the rose
sun.

 - A few minutes - a dull, colorless
she said, clinging to him.

 Sunlight flooded the horizon, and
on black rocks appeared purple and brown markings.

 Fool he is! We had to stay and work
with Daynkom, meditate and dream.

 The veins in his neck bulged Sima, he defiantly
shouted, referring to residents of black caves:

 - Hey, send somebody here to fight!

 Silence. Voice reflected from the rocks. Became
hot.

 - Not what it is, - said Light. - They do not
reverberate.

 - Listen! - Sim shouted again. Wounded
leg ached from the throbbing pain, he underwent
weight to a healthy and waved his fist. - Send a soldier here, 
but not a coward! Send a fighter who is willing to fight for 
the right to their caves! I'll kill him!


 Still silence. Over the edge of a wave of heat.

 - Hey - mockingly cried Sim, widely
mouth open, her head thrown back, leaning his hands on the bare 
thigh - do not there is among you a man who dare to fight with 
a cripple? 

 Silence.

 - No?

 Silence.

 - So, I was mistaken in you. Miscalculated.
Okay, stay here until the sun will not remove the black 
shavings from my bones, and I will you have diarrhea as you 
deserve. 

 He answered.

 - I do not like being insulted! - Shouted a male voice.

 Sim leaned forward, forgetting about the crippled leg.

 At the mouth of the cave on the third floor appeared
broad-shouldered athlete.

 - Come down - repeated Sim. Come down,
fat, kill me.

 Second opponent looked at Sima from under frowning brows, and 
then slowly sauntered down the trail. In his hands he is not

had no weapons. At the same moment every
All caves stuck his head out - the audience
the upcoming drama.

 A stranger approached Sim.

 - Fighting is going by the rules, if you have them
you know.

 - Find out as we go, - said Sim.

 His answer is like an enemy, he looked carefully at the Sima, 
but without animosity. 

 - Look, - he generously offered -
if you die, I'll take your companion
under their roof and let live without worries,
because she was the wife a good soldier.

 Sim quickly nodded.

 - I'm ready - he said.

 - And the rules are simple. Hands with each other not
touch, our weapons - stones. Stones and
the sun will kill someone one of us. Now let's ...


                        To be continued ...


                 PRINTED BY PAWEL / REAL / NEW