How many other things had the

First Family, in its unchallenged wisdom, legislated out of

existence?

What were the untapped secrets gt/arded by Columbus, the Federation's

computer? How high did he have to go to get the inside story? How

many levels of access were there?

After Cadillac gained his 'wings', he took Steve over to Mr Snow's hut

for a celebratory pipe of rainbow grass. It seemed like a good moment

to seek an explanation for what had happened on the bluff. Had

Clearwater really made a rock fly - or had he imagined it all? Both

wordsmiths were remarkably forthcoming. They confirmed that what he

had seen had actually taken place but, when pressed to explain how or

why, neither was able to furnish a response that met the rational

requirements of a mind shaped by the Federation.

Steve concealed his frustration and sought Mr Snow's opinion on the

questions that had begun to plague him regarding his search for the

ultimate reality. Was it possible ever to know the true state of

things? How high did he have to climb before he found this elusive

Truth, with a capital T, that Mr Snow had referred to?

'Climbing the mountain is not really the problem,' observed Mr Snow.

'It's being able to appreciate the view when you get to the top. There

are times during a man's life when he looks upon the Truth but more

often than not he fails to recognise it. The moment of understanding

passes him by. It may take many years before he stands once again on

the mountain top; others less fortunate are not offered that second

chance." Mr Snow indicated Cadillac with a wave of his hand. 'As I

said to my able but headstrong successor shortly before you came to us,

you must learn to ask the right questions. But your mind must also be

open to understanding - like the deep waters of a lake in the still of

evening. Only then will the great white birds of wisdom alight upon

its surface. Until that moment arrives, I suggest, for your own peace

of mind, that you simply accept that certain Mutes are capable of

performing magical acts. By "magic" I mean the power to manipulate the

forces in the earth and sky - and they are given this power by

Talisman."

Steve listened patiently. 'It's amazing. you really do believe this

guy exists?"

Mr Snow waved the palm of his right hand. 'Who else do you think split

Motor-Head's hammer? It was his power that saved you - the same power

that flowed through Clearwater and gave her mastery over that rock."

Steve eyed both of them silently.

'Why do you find that so difficult to accept?" asked Cadillac.

Steve answered with a shrug. 'Maybe because it's hard for us Trackers

to believe that there are. invisible people."

'The world will see The Thrice-Gifted One soon enough,' said Mr Snow

quietly.

'Thrice-Gifted - ?"

'It is the other name by which Talisman is known.

Perhaps you may live to see that day."

'And die regretting it." Cadillac smiled. 'Let him hear the Prophecy,

Old One. Let him know why we do not fear the iron snakes, or the wrath

of the Federation."

'Prophecy - ? Oh, yeah, I forgot,' said Steve lightly. 'You guys have

got everything worked out."

Cadillac's eyes flashed angrily then died as he stifled all emotion.

Mr Snow's calm remained undisturbed. 'You're wrong, Brickman. What we

believe is that it has all been worked out for us. Some of us are

blessed with an inner ear that can pick up the Sky Voices; a gift

withheld from most of my clan-brothers.

But they believe, as we do, that the pattern of future events is

already drawn. The Cosmic Wheel turns, taking us along its eternal

path - whether we want to go or not. You, too, despite your blindness,

have a part to play. So thank your lucky stars we believe in prophecy,

even if you don't - because it's the only thing that's saved your

ass."

Steve adopted a chastened expression as the old wordsmith readjusted

his cross-legged position.

'I was going to ask you to try and open up your soul to what I'm about

to say but,' Mr Snow eyed him, '... you don't understand."

'I don't even know what the word "soul" means."

'Never mind. Listen well, and mark this. It was first t;ansmitted

through a wordsmith called Cincinatti-Red about six hundred and fifty

years ago, and is known as the Talisman Prophecy." Mr Snow began to