The Lost Star's Sea

by C. Litka

  02

  I knew I had to apologize to Magistrate Py for my intervention - but I had to patiently wait for my chance to talk to him alone. We were treated politely, but cautiously, by the Laezans of Cloud Home. Polite words, but little conversation. Still, we got the impression that the stir we created extended beyond the method of our arrival. Bandits and rebellions are very rare in the margin marches, and Magistrate Py's involvement was out of the ordinary, to say the least. It was hard to get a read on Py's standing. We saw him only once, briefly, in our first two rounds in the Cloud Home Community and he seemed preoccupied and had little to say. He inquired after our treatment, and we after his. He replied with a rather weary smile that there were many things that needed to be attended to, which was keeping him very busy at the moment. He hoped, however, that we'd soon be free to finish his circuit.

  Late in the second round of our stay, I found him at the parapet of the large, shady, Orchard Terrace overlooking the valley, hundreds of meters below. I hesitated to interrupt his quiet time, but I was anxious to reestablish our past relationship, which I had at least dented with my intervention, so I walked over to stand beside him.

  'Ah, Wilitang,' he said quietly. 'I regret that I've been so busy with the Dere affair - setting out the facts and setting up a trial - that I've not had the time to talk with you and Raya.'

  'We understand. I would have left you to your quiet contemplation, but I feel that I need to beg your forgiveness, Magistrate, for my actions in the Dere camp.'

  He started to protest, but I continued, 'I knew that I was overstepping your authority by taking the action I did. But with DereKin seeming willing to use his drawn springer, I was concerned for your safety. Though I am very familiar with your martial skills, I hope you will forgive me for doubting your ability to dodge slugs. Was I worrying needlessly, Master?'

  He smiled, 'I cannot move fast enough to avoid a flying slug. But I believe I can move fast enough not to be where the slug is heading just before it's sent on its way. It is a matter of movement just prior to the twitch of a finger. But I cannot say this for certain since I have been saved from actually attempting it.'

  'Forgive me for doubting you, Magistrate,' I replied, with a smile. 'Blame it on my regard and affection for you, and Raya. You see, I felt that I might be able to settle the issue - with my weapon that only stuns rather than kills - without violence. I believe I could've put the entire band to sleep, if it had proved necessary. No heads or bones broken, no wounds to patch - no one dead. Even knowing your dream, Master, I felt that if the issue could be settled without anyone being hurt, I was obliged to try?'

  'And you were in the right to do so. I was angry, and I was wrong. It is I who is sorry. I was, I admit, too eager for the fray - my old failing. People could have been hurt, even my trusted lieutenants and friends, for as you say, they had springers at hand. You acted in accordance with the Way even as I eagerly embraced a violent way. I am ashamed of my desires.'

  'You did all you could to avoid violence. You could do no more, but I could, and did. But there was more than just a dart. I stepped out of line and took charge as well. I am sorry for this breach of proper etiquette, especially if it gave you the idea that I doubted your ability to handle the situation. In the moment, it just seemed right that I should bellow orders to stand down. To treat them roughly in the moment of crisis so as to remove the pot from the fire before it boiled over. And I hoped that since no one noticed my actions, your wordless authority would be recognized and perhaps enhanced.'

  'You were acting in accord with the Way. Wu wei - a little action in the right moment is all that is needed to make great changes.'

  I nodded. 'It seemed to be the moment, Master. I acted.'

  'It is well you did. I take it that DereKin's collapse and the fire effect were a result of your electric dart weapon you have told us about.

  'Aye, my little non-lethal darter. I've carried it for 10,000 rounds mostly for my peace of mind. I regret the necessity - and the dangers, real or imagined. In any event, I doubt anyone noticed that I was pointing my hand at DereKin or the fire. They all were focused on you and DereKin and I gathered from their talk that they believe you used some power of the Greater Way to knock out DereKin and create that fuss with the campfire. I don't think a reputation for such power can hurt, do you?'

  He shook his head. 'I'd rather a reputation for wisdom. But that will take several tens of thousands of rounds at this rate, if ever.'

  'How do the sages of the Community look on the affair, if I may ask?'

  He sighed. 'It is an unusual affair. Some, I suspect, would like to find fault in my actions, if only because I acted without consulting them. The matter could have been brought to the attention of the sages of the Community with a messenger within a half dozen rounds, or a half a dozen hours by fan-car, if anyone thought to do so. Master Brey was content to deal with the matter himself, since his position had already been approved by Magistrate VanDian, and DereKin, I believe, felt that I might well be more sympathetic to his cause from my reputation for having two ex-pirates as lieutenants. And even after I had been summoned by DereKin, I should have consulted them before acting. I acted rashly,' he added with a sidelong glance. 'Blame it on my youth.'

  'Not that it would've made any difference,' I said.

  'I think not, but that can't be proven. Still, what has been done, is done. The affair was settled without violence. DereDen is not the fool his father is, so hopefully peace will return to the Grimdar March. It is hard to see what more the sages here could've done - save that now they must deal with DereKin's fate. Some are unhappy about that.'

  'How serious is all this. Are you worried about your status?'

  'Oh, I am not without supporters. I am a magistrate after all, and my actions were well within my power as a magistrate. And though my intervention was somewhat extraordinary, it can be argued that the affair was well within my duties as a magistrate. So, no. I will continue to follow the Way where it leads. We must stay until DereKin's trial to give evidence, and then we shall finish our circuit.'

  'Good. And just so you know, Master, Raya and I would like to stay on as your lieutenants for at least another circuit. We enjoy the job and feel that it would be very unfair to you to have spent so much effort in training us, to abandon you so soon. You can count on your lieutenants, your friends, to stand by you. Assuming, of course, you still want us. I fear our reputation, however false may do you no good.'

  He nodded, 'Thank you. You needn't worry about your reputation. I have vouched for you with the elders. And in the marches, being known as ex-pirates does you no harm.'