He bent down. Yes, there was the firebox underneath. Some aspects of Quisition thinking never changed.
That much iron would take ages to heat up to the point of pain. Much time, therefore, to reflect on things . . .
“What do you think?” said Vorbis.
A vision of the future flashed across Brutha's mind.
“Ingenious,” he said.
“And it will be a salutary lesson for all others tempted to stray from the path of true knowledge,” said Vorbis.
“When do you intend to, uh, demonstrate it?”
“I am sure an occasion will present itself,” said Vorbis.
When Brutha straightened up, Vorbis was staring at him so intently that it was as if he was reading Brutha's thoughts off the back of his head.
“And now, please leave,” said Vorbis. “Rest as much as you can . . . my son.”
Brutha walked slowly across the Place, deep in unaccustomed thought.
“Afternoon, Your Reverence.”
“You know already?”
Cut-Me-Own-Hand-Off Dhblah beamed over the top of his lukewarm ice-cold sherbet stand.
“Heard it on the grapevine,” he said. “Here, have a slab of Klatchian Delight. Free. Onna stick.”
The Place was more crowded than usual. Even Dhblah's hot cakes were selling like hot cakes.
“Busy today,” said Brutha, hardly thinking about it.
“Time of the Prophet, see,” said Dhblah, “when the Great God is manifest in the world. And if you think it's busy now, you won't be able to swing a goat here in a few days' time.”
“What happens then?”
“You all right? You look a bit peaky.”
“What happens then?”
“The Laws. You know. The Book of Vorbis? I suppose- Dhblah leaned toward Brutha-”you wouldn't have a hint, would you? I suppose the Great God didn't happen to say anything of benefit to the convenience food industry?"
“I don't know. I think he'd like people to grow more lettuce.”
“Really?”
“It's only a guess.”
Dhblah grinned evilly. “Ah, yes, but it's your guess. A nod's as good as a poke with a sharp stick to a deaf camel, as they say. I know where I can get my hands on a few acres of well-irrigated land, funnily enough. Perhaps I ought to buy now, ahead of the crowd?”
“Can't see any harm in it, Mr. Dhblah.”
Dhblah sidled closer. This was not hard. Dhblah sidled everywhere. Crabs thought he walked sideways.
“Funny thing,” he said. “I mean . . . Vorbis?”
“Funny?” said Brutha.