To Storm Heaven - Esther Friesner [95]
“Bovridash.” “The holy place?” Rak Ti’ask feigned laughter.
“Are you suggesting we send our blessed bovereem into the Ashkaarian wilderness? For what?” “For healing,” Picard answered mildly. “All manner of healing. Who better to make amends than the bovereem, who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of righteousness? Who better to pass on the medical knowledge of Ne’elat than they? They could begin by teaching the oberyin new skills, instruct them in the making of new remedies and preventatives. The oberyin could in turn pass this on to the people of Ashkaar.” “Do you think it worth the risk?” Udar Kishrit asked, clearly interested.
“I spent time in Bovridash, Udar Kishrit,” Picard said, “and I came to know many of the bovereem. I think that their integrity is strong, and I know that they regard justice as a holy duty, linked to the keeping of the Balance. I also realize that they are as fallible as any of us, but if you were careful about screening the ones who were picked to travel to Ashkaar, you would have no worries about their presence doing any harm.” “Then that is a risk worth taking,” Ma’adrys maintained.
“That is a risk you must take, Udar Kishrit,” Ambassador Lelys declared. “We came here on a mission to save lives. We have failed our own colonists, but I will not stand by and let more lives be lost over the vague possibility of Ne’elatian healers setting themselves up as false gods.” “Do not trouble yourself over that, Ambassador,” Rak Ti’ask said. “It will never happen because we will never consent to it.” “Speak for yourself, Rak Ti’ask,” Udar Kishrit spat.
“I do,” the younger man responded with an ugly gleam in his eye. “For myself and for enough votes to forbid this absurdity from ever coming to pass.” “Turn your backs on Ashkaar and we turn our backs on you,” Lelys cried.
“Exclude us from your union if you will,” Rak Ti’ask said. “It would have been sweet to regain the secret of interstellar flight as a gift, but with enough time we can discover it on our own. When that day comes, we will come after you and take our rightful place among our sisterworlds. And I assure you, we will come with long memories.” “Are you threatening us?” Lelys demanded, and with that the room erupted into warring camps, everyone arguing at once, at the top of their lungs.
Some members of the Masra’et sided with Udar Kishrit, others with Rak Ti’ask, others still tried to garner further information from what had become a shouting match rather than a reasoned discussion.
Some of the Na’amOberyin let it be known that they would have nothing to do with anything that came from Ne’elat, others argued that their chief duty was the welfare of their people. Threats flew, and harsh names. It was only with the greatest difficulty that Captain Picard—with much help from Lt. Woff— reasserted control.
“In the circumstances” he boomed, then realized that he had raised his voice to be heard over an argument that was no longer going on. In more tranquil tones he repeated, “In the circumstances I believe it would be better if the Ne’elatian delegation retired to reach some sort of internal accord before we proceed any farther.” “That seems… reasonable,” Rak Ti’ask said, almost reluctantly.
“Very much so,” Udar Kishrit concurred.
“Shiplord, I think it would be a good idea if the honored Na’amOberyin might also have some time apart,” Ma’adrys said. “I wish to speak with them, if they will permit it, so that they may begin to understand the true nature