Children of the Star by Sylvia Engdahl

Children of the Star by Sylvia Engdahl

Author:Sylvia Engdahl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: faith, dystopia, science, freedom, survival, heresy, postapocalyptic, space colonization, exoplanets
Publisher: Ad Stellae Books


* * *

Later, when a portion of Brek’s tunic had been cut into bandages with a fragment of metal he’d found in the wreck and Talyra had bound his ribs securely, they decided to climb out of the canyon. “We’ve a much better chance of being seen from higher ground,” Brek insisted; and Noren, knowing that only action could maintain Talyra’s optimism, concurred without argument. If they were to go, they must do so at once, for they’d neither eaten nor drunk that day and their stamina would not last.

They were hardened to some degree, of course, by the weeks of camp life; the self-discipline of voluntary rationing had inured them to hunger and thirst. But by the same token, that discipline had taught them to recognize and meet their bodies’ needs. Fasting to the point of malnutrition was not permitted in camp, and dehydration was even more closely watched. They’d learned to know the warnings; to pay no heed would be harder than to ignore what might be dismissed as mere discomfort. Moreover, having no excess reserves, they would face starvation sooner than well-fed villagers would have—that is, if they did not succumb to thirst before finding a stream.

The question of drinking stream water was discussed before they set out. Talyra raised it herself by observing matter-of-factly that rescue would be of little benefit unless it came soon, and Noren seized the opportunity to introduce what was bound to be a difficult topic. “Talyra,” he said bluntly, “do you remember how at my trial I admitted having drunk impure water?”

Nodding, she protested, “But it’s a sin against the High Law to do that!”

“Yes. Still, there is no other water in the mountains, and the High Law does not demand that we die for lack of it.”

“We’d be transformed into idiots—” She stopped, realizing that the villagers’ tale that had come automatically to her lips must be untrue. Though originally she’d told herself that others were right in thinking Noren’s admission an idle boast, she knew him better now. In horror she whispered, “The other story . . . the one mentioned in the courtroom—”

“About a man who drinks impure water fathering idiot children?”

His face confirmed its truth; for the first time since the crash she was moved to tears. “That’s the reason you can’t marry,” she faltered miserably, “and you—you couldn’t bear to tell me. Oh, Noren—”

“It’s not the reason. One can drink a limited amount, and I didn’t exceed my limit; the Scholar Stefred has assured me of that.” There had also been confirming medical tests. He had been warned, however, that he could drink very little more.

Taking him aside, Brek protested, “Are you really going to run the risk, Noren?”

“What risk? There won’t be any child, that’s certain.”

Reddening, Brek glanced at Talyra and muttered, “I thought—well, anyway, someday—”

“There won’t be any ‘someday,’ not for any of us.”

“Oh. But what if something unforeseen happens; what if we get out?”

“You, too, Brek?” Noren snapped. “I’m keeping up the pretense for her sake, not yours.



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