To Defend the Bond by Buhler Carol

To Defend the Bond by Buhler Carol

Author:Buhler, Carol
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-14T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter 22

Airledon

Wici and I again sat behind Joedon’s Speaker desk as we still had no other place to be during Council meetings—⁠the Wic Speaker’s desk had not been yet brought of storage. At least Ayedon was quiet as he avoided looking at us.

Joedon spoke from the podium. “I’m sure you all recall the presentation of the medical research team using their wonderful technology. Also, many of you saw the results of Goldon’s investigation, enabled by the use of computers.” Although appearing totally confident, he drew in a deep breath before he went on. “I hereby ask the Council for permission to transfer information from our Record book to computer storage.” He held up the book itself. “As you can see, it’s getting old and battered. Our Bailiff is willing to rewrite this information into a new book, but he and I agree it would be much more efficient to purchase a computer and store the information electronically.” Murmurs of surprise and consternation rippled through the Speakers.

One I didn’t recognize stood. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

“I’m not sure, of course. Then, it’s not safe this way either. Older records are almost undecipherable. If we copy this information into computer storage, we’ll have it in both places, and, according to our human friends, copies can be stored in many locations to preserve the information forever, if we want.” He paused and waved a small, narrow apparatus, no bigger than his thumb. “This is all it takes to store much more than the records in our book. If we wanted, each of us could have a copy safe in our homes and never fear losing our history.”

“What about updating each year?” someone else asked.

“My understanding is that the Bailiff will update as he has always done although he can do it using a computer easier than ever. Then, new copies are made and distributed.” He paused and once again I held my breath. Clever not to even mention Wici and me in this process. I knew he’d already talked to the Bailiff about our involvement as that don winked at me while Speaker attention was focused on Joedon.

“I’d appreciate the passage of this proposal.” He got it; no one demurred.

“There are two things for you to consider for our next meeting.” His face lined in deep concern, he said quietly. “Firstly, I propose to move Kevdon into the Speaker position for the Kew family since Kewdon is no longer available.”

I glanced around, not seeing the young don anywhere in the chamber. The entire business of Kewdon was sad, and for me as well as everyone, inexplicable. He’d be better off dead, I thought, then realized we might have another widow to contact. Ashamed of the direction of my thoughts—⁠no one said Kewdon was dead, just unable to perform Speaker duty and unlikely to recover—⁠I scolded myself and put it out of my mind.

It jumped right back at me as Joedon said, “Secondarily, I want you to discuss and consider a proposition to implement a Speaker position for a widow to represent that portion of our population.



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