BROTHERS OF EARTH. C. J. Cherryh

“Do so, Mini, please,” said Kta. “Bel, my soon-to-be brother-”

“Kta,” said Bel. “My business is somewhat urgent.”

“Sit then,” said Kta, puzzled. There were several stone

benches about the garden. They took those nearest.

• Then Aimu came from the house. She bowed modestly to her brother. “Bel,” she said then, “you come into Elas without at least sending me greetings? What is the matter?”

“Kta,” said Bel, “permission for your sister to sit with us.”

“Granted,” said Kta, a murmured formality, as thoughtless as “thank you.” Aimu sank down on the seat near them. There were no further words. Tea had been asked; Bel’s mood was distraught. There was no discussion proper. until it had come, and it was not long. Mim brought it on a ! tray, a full service with extra cups.

Aimu rose up and helped her serve, and then both ladies settled on the same bench while the first several sips that courtesy demanded were drunk in silence and with appreciation.

“My friend Bel,” said Kta, when ritual was satisfied, “is it unhappiness or anger or need that has brought you to this house?”

“May the spirits of our houses be at peace,” said Bel. “I am here now because I trust you above all others save those born in Osanef. I am afraid there is going to be bloodshed in Nephane.”

“T’Tefur,” exclaimed Aimu with great bitterness.

“I beg you, Aimu, hear me to the end before you stop me.”

“We listen,” said Kta, “but, Bel, I suddenly fear this is a matter best discussed between our fathers.”

“Our fathers’ concern must be with Tlekef. Shan t’Tefur is beneath their notice, but he is the dangerous one, much

more than Tlekef. Shan and I-we were friends. You know that. And you must realize how hard it is for me to come now to an Indras house and say what I am going to say. I am trusting you with my life.”

“Bel,” said Aimu in distress, “Elas will defend you.”

“She is right,” said Kta, “but Kurt… may not wish to hear this.”

Kurt gathered himself to leave. It was Bel’s willingness to have him stay that Kta questioned; he had been long enough in Elas to understand nemet subtleties. It was expected of Bel to demur.

“He must stay,” said Bel, with more feeling than courtesy demanded. “He is involved.”

Kurt settled down again, but Bel remained silent a tune thereafter, staring fixedly at his own hands.

“Kta,” he said finally, “I must speak now as Sufaki. There was a time, you know, when we ruled this land from the rock of Nephane to the Tamur and inland to the heart of Chteftikan and east to the Gray Sea. Nothing can ever bring back those days; we realize that. You have taken from us our land, our gods, our language, our customs. You accept us as brothers only when we look like you and talk like you, and you despise us for savages when we are different. It is true, Kta, look at me. Here am I, born a prince of the Osanef, and I cut my hair and wear Indras robes and speak with the clear round tones of Indresul, like a good civilized man, and I am accepted. Shan is braver. He does what many of us would do if we did not find life so comfortable on your terms. But Elas taught him a lesson I did not learn.”

“He left us in anger. I have not forgotten the day. But you stayed.”

“I was eleven; Shan was twelve. At that time we thought it a great thing, to be friends to an Indras, to be asked beneath the roof of one of the Great Families, to mingle with the Indras. I had come many tunes, but this day I brought Shan with me, and Ian t’Ilev chanced to be your guest also that day. Ian made it clear enough that he thought our manners quaint. Shan left on the instant; you prevented me and persuaded me to stay, for we were closer friends, longer friends. And from that day Shan t’Tefur and I had in more than that sense gone our separate ways. I could not call him back. The next day when I met him I tried to convince him to go back to you and speak with you, but he would not. He struck me hi the face and cursed me from him, and said that Osanef was fit for nothing but to be servant to the Indras-he said it in cruder words- and that he would not. He has not ceased to despise me.”