root of the problem by stopping its realization in the past, the
Futurists, however, would venture into the future and brings its
stabilization and completion back. On the military level, our forces
collide in the forests around Lake Umquam Renatusum, the northern
mountains belonging to us and the southern plains to them. The lake
itself is of little importance, yet whoever conquers it will conquer
all."

"Interesting," I said, "But I do not understand how you seem to imply
that I am your ancestor, while Onan seemed to mean the opposite, that
you are my ancestors."

"It is strange and complex, and we understand very little of it,
ourselves. The time for the council has come though, for our talk has
dwindled away the afternoon. Perhaps some of your questions will there
be answered. But come, let us go."

"Very well," I said, "Take me to your leaders."

From that room, the one I had awoken in, it wasn't very far to the
council room. Exiting it, we turned down a short, closed hallway that
opened into the concealed area behind the podium that I spoke of
earlier. On the sofa where I had fallen asleep was seated Wagner and on
a circle of smaller chairs around the edges of the area were seated
about ten stately looking Canitaurs, clean and well dressed, according
to their customs. They greeted me amorously, with a mixture of
eagerness, excitement, and hope painted on their purloined countenances,
taken from the sleepless spirits of several departed generations of war-
hardened veterans.