“Not killing people. We could do with one like that,” said someone else.
“It'd be a good start,” said Urn.
They looked at the Chosen One. He shook himself free of their grip and stood alone, swaying a little.
“No-oo,” said Brutha. “No. I thought like that once, but it wouldn't. Not really.”
Now, he said. Only now. Just one point in history. Not tomorrow, not next month, it'll always be too late unless it's now.
They stared at him.
“Come on,” said Simony. “What's wrong with it? You can't argue with it.”
“It's hard to explain,” said Brutha. “But I think it's got something to do with how people should behave. I think . . . you should do things because they're right. Not because gods say so. They might say something different another time.”
VII. I Like One About Not Killing, said Om, from far above.
VIII. It's Got A Good Ring To It. Hurry Up, I've Got Some Smiting To Do.
“You see?” said Brutha. “No. No smiting. No commandments unless you obey them too.”
Om thumped on the roof of the Temple.
IX. You Order Me? Here? NOW? ME?
“No. I ask.”
X. That's Worse Than Ordering!
“Everything works both ways.”
Om thumped his Temple again. A wall caved in. That part of the crowd that hadn't managed to stampede from the Place redoubled its efforts.
XI. There Must Be Punishment! Otherwise There Will Be No Order!
` No.
XII. I Do Not Need You! I Have Believers Enough Now!
“But only through me. And, perhaps, not for long. It will all happen again. It's happened before. It happens all the time. That's why gods die. They never believe in people. But you have a chance. All you need to do is . . . believe.”
XIII. What? Listen To Stupid Prayers? Watch Over Small Children? Make It Rain?
“Sometimes. Not always. It could be a bargain.”
XIV. BARGAIN! I don't Bargain! Not With Humans!
“Bargain now,” said Brutha. “While you have the chance. Or one day you'll have to bargain with Simony, or someone like him. Or Urn, or someone like him. ”
XV. I Could Destroy You Utterly.
“Yes. I am entirely in your power.”
XVI. I Could Crush You Like An Egg!
“Yes.”
Om paused.