“If the humans are wise, they will learn from this disaster; they will not fight us again, but let us pass where we will. Still, knowing what I do of Daniel, I wonder if they are that rational.”
“They have a certain elethia,” said Ashakh quietly.
“ Au,then you have been studying them after all. What have you observed?”
“They are rather like kallia,” said Ashakh, “and have no viable nasul-bond; consequently they find difficulty settling differences of opinion—rather more than kallia. Humans actually seem to consider divergence of opinion a positive value, but attach negative value to the taking of life. The combination poses interesting ethical problems. They also have a capacity to appreciate arrhei-akita,which amaut and kallia do not; and yet they have deep tendency toward permanent bond to person and place—hopelessly at odds with freedom such as we understand the word. Like world-born kallia, they ideally mate-bond for life; they also spend much of their energy in providing for the weaker members of their society, which activity has a very positive value in their culture. Surprisingly, it does not seem to have debilitated them; it seems to provide a nasul-substitute, binding them together. Their protective reaction toward weaker beings seems instinctive, extending even to lower life forms; but I am not sure what kind of feeling the harachiaof weakness evokes in them. I tend to think this behavior was basic to the civilization, and that what we see now is the work of humans in whom this response has broken down. Their other behavior consequently lacks human rationality.”
“In my own experience,” Chimele said ruefully, “behavior with this protective reaction also seems highly irrational.”
The door opened and there was Rakhi. A little behind him stood Chaikhe, the green robes of a katasatheproclaiming her condition to all about her; and when she saw Chimele she folded her hands and bowed her head very low, trembling visibly.
“Chaikhe,” said Chimele; and Ashakh, who was of Chaikhe’s sra,quickly moved between them; Rakhi did the same, facing Ashakh. This was proper: a protection for Chaikhe, a respect for Chimele.
“I am ashamed,” said Chaikhe, “to be so when you need me most, I am ashamed.”
This was ritual and truth at the same time, for it was proper for a katasatheto show shame before an orithain-tak,and Chimele had made clear to her a more than casual irritation. (“You are a person of kutikkase,” Chimele remembered saying to her: it had bitterly embarrassed the gentle Chaikhe, who prided herself on her chanokhia,but it was truly an unfortunate time for the nas-katasakketo go off on an emotional bent.)
“Later might have been more appropriate,” said Chimele. “But come, Chaikhe. I did not call you here to harm you.”
And while Chaikhe still maintained that posture of submission, Chimele came to her and took her by the hands. Then only did Chaikhe straighten and venture to look her in the eyes.
“We are sra,” said Chimele to her and to the others, “and we have always been close.” With a gesture she offered them to sit and herself assumed a plain chair among them. They looked confused; she did not find that surprising.
“Mejakh has been given a ship,” she said softly. “You know that she wanted it so. She had honor once. I debated it much, considering the present situation, but it seemed right to do. She is e-takkheand henceforth arrhei-nasul.”
“Hail Mejakh,” said Ashakh in a low voice, “for she truly meant to kill you, Chimele, and her takkhenoiswas almost strong enough to try it.”
“I perceive your disapproval.”
“I am takkhe.I agree to your decisions in this matter. At least there is no probability that she will seek union with either Tashavodhor Tejef.”
“I hope that she will approach Mijanotheand that they will see fit to take her. I am relieved to be rid of her, and anxious at once that she may attempt some private vaikkaon Tejef. But to destroy her without Khasif’s consent would have provoked difficulty with him and weakened the nasul.My alternatives were limited. She made herself e-takkhe.What else could I have done?”
Of course there was nothing else. The nasithiwere both uncomfortable and unhappy, but they put forward no opposition.
“ Mijanotheand Tashavodhhave been advised of Mejakh’s irresponsible condition,” Chimele continued, “and I have warned Khasif. Rakhi, I want her position constantly monitored. Apply what encouragement you may toward her joining Mijanotheor departing this star altogether.”
“Be assured I shall,” said Rakhi.
“We have bitter choices ahead in the matter of Tejef. You know that Daniel has been lost. Against the arastietheof Ashanome,Khasif himself has now become expendable.”
“Have you something in mind, Chimele,” asked Ashakh, frowning, “or are you finally asking advice?”
“I have something in mind, but it is not a pleasant choice. You are all, like Khasif, expendable.”
“And shall we die?” asked Rakhi somewhat wryly. “Chimele, I am a lazy fellow, I admit it. I have little m’melakhiaand the pursuit of vaikkais too much excitement for my tastes—”
The nasithismiled gently, for it was high exaggeration, and Rakhi was exceedingly takkhe.
“—so, well, but if we are doomed,” Rakhi said, “need we be uncomfortable in the process? Perhaps a transfer earthward at the moment of oblivion would suffice. Or if not, perhaps Chimele will honor us with her confidence.”
“No,” said Chimele, “no, Rakhi, a warning is all you are due at the moment. But”—her face became quite earnest—“I regret it. What I must do, I will do, even to the last of you.”
“Then I will go down first,” said Ashakh, “because I know that Rakhi would indeed be miserable; and because I do not want Chaikhe to go at all. Omit her from your reckoning, Chimele. She is katasatheand carries a life; Ashanomehas single lives enough for you to spend.”
“Inconvenient as this condition is,” said Chimele, “still Chaikhe will serve me when I require; but your request to go first I will gladly honor, and I will not treat Chaikhe recklessly.”
“It is not my wish,” said poor Chaikhe, “but I will give up my child to the dhisthis day if it will advantage Ashanome.”
Chimele leaned over to take the nasith’shand and pressed it gently. “Hail Chaikhe, brave Chaikhe. I am not of a disposition ever to become dhisais.I shall bear my children for Ashanome’s sake as I do other things, of sorithias.Yet I know how strong must be your m’melakhiafor the child: you are born for it, your nature yearns for it as mine does toward Ashanomeitself. I am disadvantaged before the enormity of your gift, and I mean to refuse it. I think you may serve me best as you are.”
“The sight of me is not abhorrent to you?”
“Chaikhe,” said Chimele with gentle laughter, “you are a great artist and your perception of chanokhiais usually unerring; but I find nothing abhorrent in your happiness, nor in your person. Now it is a bittersweet honor I pay you,” she added soberly, “but Tejef has always honored you greatly, and so, katasathe,once desired of him, you now become a weapon in my hands. How is your heart, Chaikhe? How far can you serve me?”
“Chimele,” Ashakh began to protest, but her displeasure silenced him and Chaikhe’s rejection of his defense finished the matter. He stretched his long legs out before him and studied the floor in grim silence.
“Once,” said Chaikhe, “indeed I was drawn to Tejef, but I am takkhewith Ashanomeand I would see him die by any means at all rather than see him take our arastiethefrom us.”