"Ann Maxwell - Fire Dancer 3 - Dancer's Illusion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Maxwell Ann)

would have had less trouble there.”

F’lTiri sighed. “I’d rather be invisible while I talk,” he muttered. “Holding invisibility
couldn’t be much harder than telling you....” He made a curt gesture. “As you said, our
society is based on illusion. Nearly all Yhelles can project illusions. Some are better than
others. There are different categories of illusion, as well.”
 Rheba remembered the young Yhelle illusionist she had seen on Loo. His gift was
appearing to be the essence of everyone’s individual sexual desire. The result had been
compelling for the audience and confusing for her—she had seen the appearance of Kirtn
on the young illusionist, yet Kirtn was her mentor, not her lover. The image still returned
to disturb her. She banished it each time, telling herself that it was merely her knowledge
of legendary Bre’n sensuality that had caused her to identify Yhelle illusion as Bre’n
reality.

“The result is that while other societies have tangible means of rewarding their members,
Yhelle doesn’t,” continued f’lTiri. “What good is a jeweled badge when even children
can make theappearance of that badge on themselves? What good is a magnificent house
when most Yhelles can project the appearance of a castle? What good is a famous ‘face
when almost anyone can duplicate the appearance of that face? What good is beauty?
Even poetry can appear more exquisite than it is. One of my daughters could project a
poem that would make you weep ... but when anyone else read the words, they were
merely ordinary.”

The illusionist sighed, and i’sNara took up the explanation. “He doesn’t mean that
everything on Yhelle is illusory. Our money is real enough most of the time, because we
need it for the framework of real food and cloth and shelter we build our illusions on. But
the elaboration of necessity that is the foundation of most societies just doesn’t exist on
Yhelle. We have nearly everything we want—or at least theappearance of having it.” She
looked anxiously from Bre’n to Senyas. “Do you understand?”

“I doubt it,” said Kirtn, “but I’m trying. Do you mean that a Yhelle could take mush and
make it appear to be a feast?”

“Yes,” said i’sNara eagerly. “A good illusionist can even make ittaste like a feast.”

“But can’t you see through the illusions?” asked Rheba.

Both illusionists looked very uncomfortable. “That’s a ... difficult ... subject for us. Like
cowardice for the J/taals or reproduction for the Lems.”

“That may be,” said Rheba neutrally, “but it’s crucial. We won’t be shocked.”

F’lTiri almost smiled. Even so, his words were slow, his tone reluctant. “Some illusions
are easier to penetrate than others. It depends on your skill, and the power of the creator.
But it is unspeakably ... crude ... to comment on reality. And who would want to? Who
prefers real mush to an apparent feast? Especially as they are equally nourishing. Do you
understand?”

Bre’n and Senyas exchanged a long silence. “Keep going,” said Rheba at last. “We’re
behind you, but we’re not out of breath yet.”