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Circus World - Circus World 03

Barry Longyear

A Berkley Book / published by arrangement with the author

PRINTING HISTORY

Berkley edition / January 1981

Davis Publications, Inc.

by Davis Publications, Inc.

Page 1

Cover illustration by John Rush. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by mimeograph

any other means, without permission.

For information address: Berkley Publishing Corporation,

200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York-10016.

ISBN: 0-425-04709-1 ABERKLEY BOOK ® TM 757,375

PRINTED IN THEUNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEDICATION

Book dedications are an inadequate but cheap way of attempting to pay off debts. "The Tryouts" was

the first story I ever sold. With the interest of George H. Scithers in the story's premise, and the pitiful bit

of leverage of my first sale, I proposed to George a series of stories that would constitute an episodic

novel. In the process of purchasing these, and other stories, George had placed into Isaac Asimov's

Science Fiction Magazine's inventory approximately 150,000 words worth of my stories before "The

Tryouts" appeared in the November-December 1978 issue of lA's sfm. This kind of commitment doesn't

come cheap, and is not done without risk. But. it happens. New writers take note. Therefore, to the man

who bought them, and to the man who paid for them, Circus World is gratefully dedicated to:

George H. Scithers Editor, Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine

and

Joel Davis President & Publisher, Davis Publications, Inc.

Page 2

Contents

1 The Tryouts

15 The Magician's Apprentice

56 The Second Law

86 Proud Rider

112 Dueling Clowns

118 The Quest

147 Priest Of The Bamboo

The Trvouts

The stranger sat cross-legged on the sand staring at the vent from which the natural fire of the planet

Momus illuminated the small wayside depression on the road to Tarzak. His black hood was pulled

forward leaving only twin dancing flames reflected from unblinking eyes*as evidence of a face. As a light

breeze rose from the desert, bringing the heavy smell of sulphur from the fire, a portly figure dressed in

grey robe and apron stepped between the rocks into the firelight. He raised his hand and motioned

toward a place near the flames.

"The fire is free," answered the black-hooded stranger. The newcomer squatted next to the flames,

pulled a wad of dough from his pack and placed it on a rock close to the fire. In moments the sweet

smell of cobit bread drove the odor of sulphur from the depression.

Page 3

"Care you for some cobit, stranger?"

"For half, two movills. No more."

"Two? Why, it would distress me no more to hand out my bread for nothing."

"In which case, I would gladly take all."

"Three."

"Two."

The man in grey broke the cobit and handed half to the black-robed stranger who handed back two

copper beads. The bargaining hadn't been in earnest; only enough to satisfy custom. Finishing his cobit

first, the one in grey tapped himself on his chest. "I am Aarel the mason. Have you news?" Aarel jingled

his money pouch. The one in black shook his head. "But, you wear the newsteller's black."

"True, Aarel, but I apprentice only. However, my master will be along directly."

"What fortune! A master newsteller at the fire! Is he known?"

"No,"

Aarel shrugged. "I am not one to discourage youth. Is this his first news?"

"No, but only small ones until now. His news tonight will play Tarzak, he thinks."

Page 4

Aarel raised an eyebrow. "Tarzak? I hope his is the enthusiasm of experience rather than youth."

"My very words, Aarel."

They sat in silence watching the flames until two other men, wearing the tan robes of merchants, entered

the circle of firelight.

"Ho, Aarel!" called the taller of the two.

"Parak," the mason answered, then, nodding at Parak's companion, "Jum."

Parak pointed at th£ fire. "It costs nothing, join us," said Aarel.

The merchants squatted close to the flames, each placing wads of cobit dough on the hot rocks. After

some social bargaining and exchange, the four travelers sat munching cobit. Parak produced a wine flask,

they bargained further, then passed around the flask while Parak pocketed his movills.

"It has been a weary trek from the Deeplands." He cocked his head toward the black-robed stranger

and asked Aarel, "Has he news?"

"His master has news he believes will play Tarzak, and he should be here soon."

"Tarzak, eh?" Parak rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Has the apprentice introduced it?"

"No."

Page 5

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