Clarke, Arthur C - Fall of Night 02 Read Online Free Page A

expression.
                   "At first there were many of the great
cities, but in the end Diaspar absorbed them all, for there seems to be some
force driving men together as once it drove them to the stars. Few people ever
recognize its presence, but we all have a fear of the outer world, and a
longing for what is known and understood. That fear may be irrational, or it
may have some foundation in history, but it is one of the strongest forces in
our lives."
                   "Then why don't I feel that way?"
                   "You mean that the thought of leaving
Diaspar, where you have everything you need and are among all your friends,
doesn't fill you with something like horror?"
                   "No."
                   The Keeper smiled wryly.
                   "I'm afraid I cannot say the same. But at
least I can appreciate your point of view, even if I cannot share it. Once I
might have felt doubtful about helping you, but not now that I've seen Alaine's
message."
                   "You still haven't told me what it
was!"
                   Rorden laughed.
                   "I don't intend to do so until you're a
good deal older. But I'll tell you what it was about.
                   "Alaine foresaw that people like you
would be born in future ages: he realized that they might attempt to leave
Diaspar and he set out to help them. I imagine that whatever way you tried to
leave the city, you would meet an inscription directing you to the Keeper of
the Records. Knowing that the Keeper would then question his machines, Alaine
left a message, buried safely among the thousands and millions of records that
exist. It could only be found if the Associator was deliberately looking for
it. That message directs any Keeper to assist the inquirer, even if he
disapproves of his quest. Alaine believed that the human race was becoming
decadent, and he wanted to help anyone who might regenerate it. Do you follow
all this?"
                   Alvin nodded gravely and Rorden continued.
                   "I hope he was wrong. I don't believe
that humanity is decadent—it's simply altered. You, of course, will agree with
Alaine— but don't do so simply because you think it's fine to be different from everyone else! We are happy: if we have lost
anything, we're not aware of it.
                   "Alaine wrote a good deal in his message,
but the important part is this. There are three ways out of Diaspar. He does
not say where they lead, nor does he give any clues as to how they can be
found, though there are some very obscure references I'll have to think about.
But even if what he says is true, you are far too young to leave the city.
Tomorrow I must speak to your people. No, I won't give you away! But leave me
now—I have a good deal to think about."
                   Rorden felt a little embarrassed by the boy's
gratitude. When Alvin had gone, he sat for a while wondering if, after all, he had acted
rightly.
                   There was no doubt that the boy was an
atavism—a throwback to the great ages. Every few generations there still
appeared minds that were the equal of any the ancient days had known. Born out
of their time, they could have little influence on the peacefully dreaming
world of Diaspar. The long, slow decline of the human will was too far advanced
to be checked by an individual genius, however brilliant. After a few centuries
of restlessness, the variants accepted their fate and ceased to struggle
against it. When Alvin understood his position, would he too realize that his only hope of
happiness lay in conforming with the world? Rorden
wondered if, after all, it might not have been kinder in the long run to
discourage him. But it was too late now: Alaine had seen to that.
                   The ancient Keeper of the Records must have
been a remarkable man,