She wished Jack were there, seated beside her. His steadying presence would have been welcomed. But it would have undercut her authority and prompted whispering. People sat near her to have her support, not the other way around. She felt very alone.
The trio of locals was staring at her and she became aware she hadn’t said anything in too long. They were waiting for an answer to the Deyzara’s question. Taking a deep breath, she folded her hands in front of her and sat up as straight as her tired back would allow.
“This is what I am going to do for now. Any Deyzara that enters a chartered community will be given the protection of the local Commonwealth authorities. Food and shelter will be provided insofar as resources permit. The radicals will not be allowed to harass refugees.”
The female Deyzara indicated satisfaction. “What about those of us who are trapped outside such municipal boundaries and who are unable to reach such designated areas of safety? And what about the destruction of property?”
“First things first. The situation continues to evolve rapidly and unpredictably. I have already relayed a space-minus communication to my superiors and am awaiting a response. I can’t do anything more until that’s received.” This did not satisfy the apprehensive pair, but they could think of no hard objection to raise. The Deyzara understood procedure.
Relieved by the ensuing silence, Matthias turned to the Hata. “Meanwhile, I expect the Sakuntala hierarchy to do everything in its power to curb ongoing hostilities and to try to rein in the more extreme elements among the clans.”