Free Shadow World by A. C. Crispin, Jannean Elliot Page A

would do no harm to grant the human the same courtesy.
    Finally, though, hin felt it would be permissible to begin observation. Quickly reviewing the scientific facts about sleep that hin had learned, the Elpind padded over to the couch-- quietly, for the information had listed some common deterrents to human sleep, and noise was one of them.
    Eerin leaned over the prone figure, comparing Mark's respiration pattern, the movement of his eyes beneath the eyelids, and the other outward aspects of sleep with the knowledge stored in hin's memory.
    After a few minutes, the Elpind nodded with satisfaction. The description had been accurate. Hin's observations confirmed that human sleep was not unlike the inanimate state that came over Elspind before the Change.
    But humans did this activity every day! How could they bear to lose so much time from their lives? The waste was appalling.
    54
    Eerin sighed quietly, retreating back to the center of the room. To see new things, learn new concepts, enrich one's time ... but so much had proved deeply unsettling. To be always enclosed, away from the sky, for example.
    To meet so many different kinds of people in one place--when all on Elseemar were obviously from the same beginning seed. And to be paired with a human who must sleep away part of each precious day.
    It is not hin's task to judge what is a waste of time and what is not, Eerin thought sternly. Each moment is a chance to observe and nothing learned will be wasted. The WirElspind cannot know which knowledge will prove valuable and which will not until all knowledge has been Told and sifted.
    Eerin pictured the faces of hin's peers on the Council. Not since ancient times had a Council faced decisions such as awaited this one ... nor such opposition to the voice of the people as the Wospind offered. Hin must do hin's best to bring back wisdom that would help.
    Eerin sank to the floor, legs folded beneath hin, and began to change hin's breathing pattern. Deeper and slower the Elpind breathed, flushing the wastes of fatigue from the cells of hin's body. Then, erecting a temporary mental barrier against sensory input, the Elpind began reviewing the day's impressions, facts, conversations, and visual memories.
    In spite of the fact that hin did not wish to censor any knowledge before it was laid before the WirElspind, there were obvious duplications and irrelevancies that could be discarded. The rest would be processed and stored. Later, hin would thoughtfully sift and prepare the stored information for a reci, a "Telling." Though it will take many reci to convey all that hin has learned on this trip, Eerin decided. And there remains so much yet to learn!
    Eerin's mental review and compilation of information took nearly three of the human measurement called hours. Finally the Elpind opened hin's eyes, only to see that Mark still slept!
    Eerin sighed, then jumped up with fresh impatience. Hin's knowledge of humans said that sleep consumed an average of six to eight hours daily ...
    but it had also said humans had different sleep patterns. Some required very little, others more.
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    The Elpind studied hin's pair partner. Mark Kenner's size and weight, which hin had demanded to know this afternoon, put him in the average range for adult human males. Did that mean his sleep period would also be average?
    There was nothing to do but wait and see.
    Restlessly, the Elpind wandered into the adjoining bedroom and was overjoyed to see, in the corner, a computer link. Eerin had learned to use one on the ship. Now learning could be accomplished, even while the human slept.
    Activating the machine, Eerin, with mind freshly cleared, prepared to gain new knowledge.
    Mark emerged from sleep with a start, realizing that he'd just heard a high-pitched protesting beeeep! from the computer link. The Elpind was nowhere in sight.
    When he reached the bedroom door, staggering a little, the Elpind looked up, plainly ecstatic. "Mark is awake! That is wonderful!