The Being had learned new emotions as the conversations with Vulpis continued, new ways of thinking about things. Chemical messages of alarm had spread through its mind, bubbling upwards from the blackest depths on deep sea thermals.
It had learned fear: fear harder and colder even than that inspired by the Morn catastrophe. Without the Tok, the Being faced the threat alone.
“I have a problem, though,” said Vulpis. “I can achieve much with your vast knowledge, but I need people among my kind to follow me, too. I need assistance if I am to act.”
“You lead a group of them already.”
“A few. They follow me because they think I talk to Omn.”
“I am not Omn.”
Vulpis laughed. “No, perhaps you are not, but you are going to have to learn how to be. Do you understand? They will follow the true
