BROTHERS OF EARTH. C. J. Cherryh

“T’Elas?” asked Ylith.

“Trust me,” said Kta, lifting his face again, composed, “to know my father’s wishes. It is our belief, Methi, that we should not question the wisdom of heaven in settling two peoples on the Ome Sin, so we do not seek to destroy the Sufaki. I am Indras. I believe that the will of heaven will win despite the action of “men, therefore I live my life quietly in the eyes of my Sufaki neighbors. I will not dishonor my beliefs by contending over them, as if they needed defense.”

Ylith’s dark eyes flamed with anger for a time, and then grew quiet, even sad. “No,” she said, “no, t’Elas.”

“Methi.” Kta bowed-homage to a different necessity- and straightened, and there was a deep sadness in the air.

“T’Morgan,” said the Methi softly, “will you still stay with this man? You are only a poor stranger among us. You are not bound to such as he.” ,

“Can you not see,” asked Kurt, “that he wishes greatly to be able to honor you, Methi?” He knew that he shamed Kta by that, but it was Kta’s life at stake. Probably now, he realized, he had just thrown his own away too.

Ylith looked, for one of a few times, more woman than goddess, and sad and angry too. “I did not choose this war, this ultimate irrationality. My generals and my admirals urged it, but I was not willing. But I saw the danger growing: the humans return; the Sufaki begin to reassert their ancient ways; the humans encourage this, and encourage it finally to the point when the Families which kept Nephane safely Indras are powerless. I do what must be done. The woman Djan is threat enough to the peace; but she is

holding her power by stripping away that of the Indras. And a Sufak Nephane armed with human weapons is a danger which cannot be tolerated.”

“It is not all Sufaki who threaten you,” Kurt urged. “One man. You are doing all of this for the destruction of one man, who is the real danger there.”

“Yes, I know Shan t’Tefur and his late father. Ai, you would not have heard. Tlekef t’Tefur is dead, killed in the violence.”

“How?” asked Kta at once. “Who did so?”

“A certain t’Osanef.”

“O gods,” Kta breathed. The strength seemed to go out of him. His face went pale. “Which t’Osanef?”

“Han t’Osanef did the killing, but I have no further information. I do not blame you, t’Elas. If a sister of mine were involved, I would worry, I would indeed. Tell me this: why would Sufaki kill Sufaki? A contest for power? A personal feud?”

“A struggle,” said Kta, “between those who love Nephane as Osanef does and those who want to bring her down, like t’Tefur. And you are doing excellently for t’Tefur’s cause, “Methi. If there is no Nephane, which is the likely result of your war, there will be another Chteftikan, and that war you cannot see the end of. There are Sufaki who have learned not to hate Indras; but there will be none left if you pursue this attack.”

Ylith joined her hands together and meditated on some thought, then looked up again. “Lhe t’Nethim will return you to the hold,” she said. “I am done. I have spared all the time I can afford today, for a man out of touch with reality. You are a brave man, Kta t’Elas. And you, Kurt t’Morgan, you are commendable in your attachment to this gentle madman. Someone should stay by him. It does you credit that you do not leave him.”

XXI

“Kurt.”

Kurt came awake with Kta shaking him by the shoulder and with the thunder of running feet on the deck overhead. He blinked in confusion. Someone on deck was shouting orders, a battle-ready.

“There is sail in sight,” said Kta. “Nephane’s fleet.”

Kurt rubbed his face, tried to hear any clear words from overhead. “How much chance is there that Nephane can stop this here?”

Kta gave a laugh like a sob. “Gods, if the Methi’s report is true, none. If there is civil war in the city, it will have crippled the fleet. Without the Sufaki, the Families could not even get the greater ships out of the harbor. It will be a slaughter up there.”

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