Finally the chief broached the main subject. He said, “What god is worshiped in your land?”
“Most people not,” Jing said. “Is some old and sick folk think of pleasing gods, but to rest of us is imaginary thing. We tell easily dream from fact, same as here.”
“You don’t believe in a creator at all?” the middle one demanded. “You don’t think the world was created?”
“Is certain,” Jing said. “But very long past. We think”—he groped for words—”world is made as path for us to go on as we choose. Important is to learn from sky whether we take right or wrong way. Creator is watch us, but not for punish, not for want offerings, just for see how done by us. When well done, more star come in sky. Perhaps in farthest future all sky is starry, and all here below walk in light all time.”
He hated to give this bald account of the system Ntahish philosophers had evolved over many score-of-score years, but it was the best he could manage.
The junior, who was better-favored than his colleagues, spoke up eagerly. “But the New Star did light the whole of the night sky! For a while it could even be seen by day! Do you think—?”
“There is no New Star!” the chief snapped. “It’s an illusion!”
Humbly the junior said, “Sir, I’m aware of that. But with respect it seems our visitor is not. I only wish to learn what explanation his people have—well, invented for it.”
Gruffly, the chief granted permission for the question.
“We not have explanation,” Jing admitted. “Never saw so much bright star appear in past, not at any rate to stay so long. In Ntah is no great change to explain it. Here why I am sent to ask in foreign lands.”
“You actually imagine there have been other new stars?” asked the middle one. “Dreamstuff!”
“Can show you true. I bring copies of old sky-maps to make proof. Is also much difference in time of rise and set from old days. Will explain meaning of maps when want you!”
“Your star-maps,” said the chief sacerdote coldly, “are of no interest to us. Any apparent change in the heavens must be due to the working of evil forces passing off dreams as reality. Bring your maps, yes, but so that we can burn them and save other people from your mad ideas!”
That was more than Jing could bear. Rising to his full height in the most disrespectful manner possible, he said, “Is your belief, anyone make use of fire is companion of evil, yes? You just propose that same! I say plain: I better tell dream from true than you! And anyway, is not place of you to order foreigner, guest of Count!”
The middle one scowled a warning, aware his chief had gone too far. After a moment the latter rose, glowering.
“The Count is not yet back! He is a reckless hunter and may well not come back at all! And if he doesn’t, then we’ll see about you!”
He stormed away.
Greatly distressed, the junior sacerdote escorted Jing to the exit, muttering apologies. And, as soon as they were out of hearing, he did the most amazing thing. Leaning confidentially close, he whispered, “Sir, I would like to see your sky-maps! Since coming here, I no longer think the heavens never change! I think new stars signal the birth of righteous persons, and the most righteous of all must now be among us!” Before Jing could recover from his startlement, he was gone.
At first Jing was inclined to hasten straight back to Twig, but a moment’s reflection changed his mind. Even in peaceful Ntah there were such things as court intrigues, and while in his profession he had been largely insulated from them, he was well aware of the need to protect himself. Given the Count’s absence, might his daughter offer a degree of help, or at least advice? From a passing prongsman he inquired the way to her ladyship’s quarters.
They proved to be in a large and comfortable bower on the west side of the castle, where she sat poring over a table of Ntahish mathematical symbols he had prepared for her. He was relieved to find she did not resent interruption; on the contrary, she declared herself delighted, and sent her maids to bring refreshments.