Kube-McDowell, Michael P. - Exile by Michael P. Kube-McDowell

Author:Michael P. Kube-McDowell
Language: eng
Format: mobi

I did not mean for it to happen, but my words ended our work for the day, for they launched us into a dialogue as earnest and intense as any I had ever witnessed in Rida's house.

We had neither the means of proof nor disproof at hand, but that did not dampen the ferocity of debate in the slightest. Tevin thought me addled, Kirl declared me inspired—but no one thought tearing the bast from the shives more important than tearing each other's ideas into their component parts.

We were, still on the raking floor, caucusing, when dan Sawai entered the barn. Though I did not know her well, I knew she was well-respected. Her appearance won even Tevin's silent attention.

"How can we help you, dan Sawai?" Kirl said as we rose in courtesy.

"By listening," she said with a faint smile, "and holding your tongues until I am done."

And then we learned that the students of the honor school had not scattered to their homes as Oran had directed.

Instead, they had crossed the river and gathered on the plaza of the arch in protest of Oran's directives—gathered in such numbers, said dan Sawai, that the sentries of the temple of the fountain had surrendered the plaza to them and retreated.

Emboldened, the students had marked all the entrances with the name Plaza of Truth. They vowed to occupy it night and day until the Councilors' Circle provided answers to their list of seventeen Fundamental Inquiries. At the time dan Sawai left them, a delegation was being selected to deliver the list to the high bank.

I was sure I would know at least some of the names of those chosen.

She picked two of us, Tevin and Garet, and asked them to carry the news to the craft houses on the thirty-fifth ring of the cluster.

"Leave your work and go to the plaza," dan Sawai told the rest. "Even if misguided, these are our sons—the best of our lines and our loins. They will need our help to survive their recklessness. Go to the plaza now and talk with them, before it is too late."

She spoke so carefully that I have never been able to decide whether she meant for us to stop the students, or to join them.

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