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
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Later, when a portion of Brekâs tunic had been cut into bandages with a fragment of metal heâd found in the wreck and Talyra had bound his ribs securely, they decided to climb out of the canyon. âWeâve a much better chance of being seen from higher ground,â Brek insisted; and Noren, knowing that only action could maintain Talyraâs optimism, concurred without argument. If they were to go, they must do so at once, for theyâd 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 bodiesâ needs. Fasting to the point of malnutrition was not permitted in camp, and dehydration was even more closely watched. Theyâd 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 haveâthat 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. âTalyra,â he said bluntly, âdo you remember how at my trial I admitted having drunk impure water?â
Nodding, she protested, âBut itâs a sin against the High Law to do that!â
âYes. Still, there is no other water in the mountains, and the High Law does not demand that we die for lack of it.â
âWeâd be transformed into idiotsââ She stopped, realizing that the villagersâ tale that had come automatically to her lips must be untrue. Though originally sheâd told herself that others were right in thinking Norenâs admission an idle boast, she knew him better now. In horror she whispered, âThe other story . . . the one mentioned in the courtroomââ
âAbout a man who drinks impure water fathering idiot children?â
His face confirmed its truth; for the first time since the crash she was moved to tears. âThatâs the reason you canât marry,â she faltered miserably, âand youâyou couldnât bear to tell me. Oh, Norenââ
âItâs not the reason. One can drink a limited amount, and I didnât exceed my limit; the Scholar Stefred has assured me of that.â There had also been confirming medical tests. He had been warned, however, that he could drink very little more.
Taking him aside, Brek protested, âAre you really going to run the risk, Noren?â
âWhat risk? There wonât be any child, thatâs certain.â
Reddening, Brek glanced at Talyra and muttered, âI thoughtâwell, anyway, somedayââ
âThere wonât be any âsomeday,â not for any of us.â
âOh. But what if something unforeseen happens; what if we get out?â
âYou, too, Brek?â Noren snapped. âIâm keeping up the pretense for her sake, not yours.
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