"So we're giving up on Galt," Ana said. Her voice was flat. "I listen to
all of you, and the one thing I never hear mentioned is all the people
who've died because they happened to be like me."
Maati stepped forward, taking the girl's hand. Otah, watching her,
didn't believe she needed comfort. It wasn't pain or sorrow in her
expression. It was resolve.
"They don't think they can move her to mercy," Maati said. "I will do
everything I can, Ana-cha. I'll swear to anything you like that I will-"
"Take me with you," Ana said. "I'm no threat to her, and I can speak for
Galt. I'm the only one here who can do that."
Her orders were met by silence until Idaan made a sound that was equally
laughter and cough.
"She told me to come alone," Maati said. "If she sees me leading a blind
Galt to her-"
"Vanjit has the right to see her mistakes," Otah said. "She's done this.
She should look at it. We all should look at what we've done to come here."
Maati looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. There was a
deep confusion in the old poet's face. Otah took a pose that asked a
favor between equals. As a friend to a friend.
"Take Ana," Otah said.
Maati's jaw worked as if he were chewing possible replies.
"No," he said.
Otah took a pose that was at once a query and an opportunity for Maati
to recant. Maati shook his head.
"I have trusted you, Otah-kvo. Since we were boys, I have had to come to
you with everything, and when you weren't there, I tried to imagine what
you might have done. And this time, you are wrong. I know it."
"Maati-"
"Trust me," Maati hissed. "For once in your life trust me. Ana-cha must
not go."
Otah's mouth opened, but no words came forth. Maati stood before him,
his breath fast as a boy's who had just run a race or jumped from a high
cliff into the sea. Maati had defied Otah. He had betrayed him. He had
never in their long history refused him.
For a moment, Otah felt as if they were boys again. He saw in Maati the
balled fists and jutting chin of a small child standing against an older
one, the bone-deep fear mixed with a sudden, surprising pride in his own
unexpected courage. And in Otah's own breast, an answering sorrow and
even shame.
He took a pose that acknowledged Maati's decision. The poet hesitated,
nodded, and walked to the riverside. Idaan leaned close to Ana,
whispering all that had happened which the girl could not see.
Kiyan-kya-
Sunset isn't on us yet, but it will be soon. Maati is
sulking, I think. Everyones frightened, but none of us has
the courage to say it. I take that back. Idaan isn't afraid.
Just after Maati refused to take Ana Dasin with him to this
thrice-damned meeting, Idaan came to me and said that she
was fairly certain that if Vanjit kills us all, she'll die