“Did you investigate further?”
“No, Royal. I didn’t feel authorized to. I returned directly to decontam. My opinion, though, is that Celeste has left the dome by means of that door.”
“Poor child,” said Butto. “She has surely died of radiation by now, or is wandering lost out there if she took supplies. If you wish, I shall put on a radiation suit and try to find her.”
“Impossible,” said Eolyn. “She would be dead by now. The wand readings are such that no one wearing a radiation suit could long withstand them. We must regard her as terminated.”
A silence followed, interrupted by Bill, who said, “There is an even more grave implication to all this.”
“Yes?”
“If that door is above ground, and the slope, as viewed by our one window, descends toward the far end of the dome, then the entire dome must be suspended in midair, including the whole weight of the isotopic generator. I don’t think the structure was made to withstand such stresses.”
“There are pilings, all of reinforced concrete.”
“I have checked the diagrams. I believe they are dangling in the air, and the generator is above them.”
The principals looked at each other. Finally, Royal said, “Eolyn, can you construct a device that could tell us electronically about the slope under the dome. It would have to operate through the floor.”
She pondered. “I don’t know. I will try.”
“Now then, Butto, please check the comps. Put them back into service as soon as possible. Bill, go over the recycling tanks and the algae. The rest, then, to our work. We will have to reconsider this. I can’t conceive of leaving the dome and levels in such a storm of radiation. But it may be that the days of the dome are indeed numbered. It may be that we will have to sacrifice some to go out and reinforce the structure. I will give it some study. Let us then adjourn.”
At that moment, in Pelbarigan, a full council moved quietly into the central council hall to discuss the matter of Celeste. All the quadrants of the city were represented. The guard stood fully in place, and as the sun reached the third quarter of morning, the Protector raised her staff for order and announced the proceedings.
“We are here, as you know, to determine our attitudes toward the girl from the dome—Celeste—and to discuss and decide what actions, if any, we will take to make some contact with the survivors in the dome. Since this is so important a question, I have designated speakers I know hold the three major opinions. Then additional views, if they are indeed additive, may freely be voiced. In keeping with the vital nature of these considerations, I here call for the whole assembly to begin four sunwidths of prayer in silence.”
Then the Protector placed the heels of her hands against her eyes and sat perfectly still. Seeing this, some immediately, some reluctantly, also assumed the position of prayer. The two inside guards flanking the Protector scanned the group, and soon all had at least adopted the prescribed pose. From far below, a faint sound of hammering could be heard, where workmen were erecting a scaffold to repair the wall.
Finally the clear, high ting of the triangle sounded, ending the prayer. The council removed their hands from their eyes, blinked, and then rubbed them. The Protector again raised her staff. “Now I request your attention to the Southcounsel, Obel the Ormana, who will speak in favor of making contact if that is possible.” Turning, she extended her staff to the Southcounsel, as was the custom in formal debate.
Obel was a young woman for a family head, robust from her years as a guardcaptain. She stood and moved down to the front of her section, facing the three sides of the council chamber as she talked.
“I will try to be brief,” she began. “But we feel there are several considerations in favor of aiding the dome people. First, they are human beings we know are in need of help. Our commitment to ethics and to Aven demands it. To refuse would be to turn back from the purpose that built the Pelbar cities. We are concerned not for our own safety alone, but for the restoration of the civilization we know was lost somehow. As we have gained perspective, we have seen that the loss occurred in the time of fire, when the whole land and all its people, but for small remnants, were eradicated.
“Second, it is evident from Celeste that much of the knowledge of the ancients has been preserved—at least their technology. She has already done much to teach us basic concepts of chemistry that she is amazed we didn’t know. She is only a child. We must assume that adults exist in the dome. Their knowledge, and their means of conveying it, must be much greater than that of the child. We can offer them survival and help in adjusting. In return, perhaps they will render us some of the information that has now passed entirely from Urstadge, perhaps the entire earth, aiding us in restoring human greatness.
“Third, let us suppose that we don’t aid them and they manage to leave the dome anyway. We would have a far greater chance of appearing their enemies, of earning only their hostility, not the gratitude that friendship brings. As Tor has told us, even Celeste carried a small box, which is some sort of weapon, we think. It affected Tristal’s dog, he believes. But we know nothing about it. If such weapons exist, we would do better to be friendly with their owners than hostile.
“Fourth, let us suppose again that the dome people manage to leave the dome without our aid. Other peoples may ally with them to our detriment. If, for example, they went eastward and met the Peshtak, rendering them knowledge of their technology and weaponry, we would be in real and grave danger. Let us suppose again that the eastern cities gained that knowledge. We might once more be in some jeopardy.
“These are my chief reasons. However, the primary one is our devotion to Aven and the ethics that evolve from Her. Thank you for your indulgence.” The Southcounsel bowed formally and resumed her chair.
The Protector nodded to her, then pointed her staff toward the Northcounsel. “Dahmena, please give us the contrary view.” The Dahmena, an old and slight woman, the mother of Ahroe, who had left the family in an old argument, stood, and with the aid of her assistant made her way to the central floor.
“Thank you, Protector,” she said, bowing slightly. “We take the contrary view from that just stated. I have several points to present to you which would indicate, I believe, that it would be folly to aid these dome people and that for the good not only of our community but of all the Heart River peoples, this child, Celeste, should be kept happy but imprisoned here in Pelbarigan so that her pernicious ideas will not infect us as diseases have infected her so continually.
“First, we all know well that the Pelbar people are the real civilization of the Heart River country. While we have recently allied ourselves with the outside tribes, nonetheless we have gained nothing from them but peace. They have gained from us the central ideas of decency, the rule of women, forbearance, gentleness, justice, honesty, industry, learning, and above all a sound and organized religion.
“It is in that point, really, that the main thrust of my argument lies. What I have learned of this Celeste indicates that she has no knowledge of Aven or of this same Supreme Being called by any other name, even that of God, which our errant members have encountered in other cultures. Let us suppose that we were to rescue the people in the dome, and that they became influential members of the community. Naturally their views would be respected. They would have no knowledge of our cornerstone—our foundation—which is the worship of Aven according to the methods that our ministers have developed as correct over many centuries now. These methods have proved profitable not only for their truth but for their positive effect on the community, binding it together in the single purpose of goodness and order, as the leadership of womanhood alone will permit. I fear this would be lost. The effect on the Heart River peoples would be severe, indeed catastrophic. In fact, we might say it would set us back, far back, on the road of progress, and the truly faithful Pelbar, if they could not be left in possession of this city, would surely leave and found their own city, to perpetuate the true and just society th
ey would be deprived of here. It would indeed be a tragic and unjust eventuality, destructive of righteous order in every way.
“In fact, I would advise, with much support, that not only should we not aid the dome people, but that we should do what is possible to see to the destruction of the dome, people and all, before its pernicious influence spreads.”
A murmur of protest spread around the hall, and the Protector’s guards rapped the floor with the butts of their long swords to restore silence.
“Does that complete your statement, Dahmena?” the Protector asked mildly.
“For the present, if it must. We will not give in on this issue.”
“You will of course if the majority wills it so, Dahmena.”
The Northcounsel did not reply, but resumed her seat in some agitation.
“Now one more view has been requested, that of Plaat, the chief of manufactures and stores. Please take the floor now, Plaat.”
She was short, a wide woman who walked with something of a waddle, but with quick, businesslike motions.
Assuming the floor, she too bowed. She too began with the customary thanks to the Protector. “My view is brief, and does not involve any high-sounding philosophy,” she continued. “It is simply this. Anything we do will have an impact on our supplies, our manufactures, our trade. There is more trade now. Northwall has outgrown us, largely by incorporating so many Shumai into its enterprises. They also have made greater use of power devices, both water and wind. We need technology. Celeste has already told us of methods of wood preservation, though she has seen almost no wood all her life. The potential for us is too great to miss. Our men should be put to work involving skill, not made to labor like beasts if that is not necessary. We need what we can gain from these people.” She abruptly took her seat.
The Protector raised her staff, but a voice interrupted. “One more word, Protector, if it is possible.”
“Yes, of course, Westcounsel, please speak—but only if you offer new views, new material entirely.”
“I believe I do, yes. Thank you, Protector.” She stood, a tall, thin woman, aged but erect. “This is also brief, but very important. It is also a largely secular view. It has to do with the men. Before the great truce, the old order preserved our cities, with the proper judgment of women, because the men had no alternative. Now conditions are different. I understand that at Northwall Pelbar men are often marrying Shumai women—as Jestak did. It gives them more freedom. They are living outside the walls, farming, trading, traveling. They no longer feel bound by the rule of the law of Aven as we know it.
“We are feeling the early restiveness here. It is only since last Buckmonth that Awkem, as you know, left his wife and family, after a serious dispute, and went west. The guardsmen found him at a Shumai farm over a hundred ayas from here, but when they tried to command his return, they were resisted by the Shumai. There he remains.
“We must ask what effect on the men this new infusion of technology will have. I am afraid that I agree with the Northcounsel and disagree with Plaat. If the men are to be kept to the order of Pell, then we had better continue as much as possible as we have and avoid any more disruptive cultural elements. Now that we know more of the time of fire, I think we may see in the rolls of Pell that the rule of men, in ancient times, was largely responsible for the great disaster that overcame the whole world. That must not happen again.”
“One contrary word, Protector?”
“Contrary? Very well, Ayfor.” The Protector extended her staff.
“The views of both the Northcounsel and the Westcounsel are serious ones, and of course, as a minister of Aven, I deeply appreciate them. But I too have thought long and deeply on this subject. It seems to me if the truths of Aven depend on one physical mode of life, or organization of society, and will be destroyed by another mode of life, equally moral, ethical, gentle, pious, then the word of Aven is weak. I do not believe it to be weak. I believe that if it is to prevail and bring order to all of Urstadge, as I hope it will someday, then it has to be flexible enough to meet the new conditions which will inevitably be coming.
“I have heard from Northwall that the effect of the presence of the Shumai and Sentani has not been to weaken the worship of Aven but to promote discussion, to include the outside peoples. Surely, then, this is a new challenge that our truth is valid enough to handle. I see no purpose in hedging in Aven as if the Governor of the Universe needed the walls of Pelbarigan to survive.” Smoothing down her robe, Ayfor resumed her seat.
The Protector called for another prayer. Until high-sun recess, the debate continued in orderly and measured speech, though no substantially new views were added. At high sun the Protector called for a break of a full quarter of the afternoon, and when the group resumed much more agitation was evident. Plainly the people of similar views had been talking and saw an impasse developing. Seldom had the city been so divided. The Jestana was clearly worried, though her calm and occasional calls for silence kept the discussion in reasonable order.
As the sun was setting, the Southcounsel asked for the floor and said, “Council members, I believe we are not making much progress at the moment. Would it please you to call Tor, the Shumai? I would like to hear his views on the matter. After all, he found and brought the girl.”
Protests arose as well as support. The Protector used her right of command to ask for the presence of the axeman, to glean his views both of Celeste and of the dome. “We must ascertain, without really asking,” said the Protector, “what possible effect any action we take will have on the Shumai. They are now involved.”
Tor arrived, his axe sheath empty, accompanied by two guardsmen, as the last red sunset streamed in the west windows and Eol lit the lamps. He stood bathed in orange light, his slim height far above anyone else in the room. He looked a little intimidated by the presence of the ranked rows of council members, all in their maroon tunics and overrobes, sitting formally, but soon his usual amusement returned.
Asked to state his views, he first held his hands out level sideways, in the Shumai gesture of unsureness. “Only two views permit themselves, I feel,” he began. “Celeste is a little girl and must be protected in her innocence from any interference with her happiness. That is axiomatic. If you will not do it, then I will take her and do what I can. I brought her, perhaps troubling you overly, and I am willing to take her away. You must realize that any interference with her freedom is something I will resist. And if you take that lightly, I mean by ‘I’ all of the Shumai. They would regard harm done her as a matter of dishonor. I have been reading the rolls of Aven, though, and I know well that Pelbar principles, if adhered to, will not permit any such thing.
“However, there is another side. Clearly Celeste was fleeing from the dome. I know you understand this well. I am not sure we should try to make contact with, or aid, whatever it was that frightened her.
“And yet, as I am sure the right-minded among you have pointed out, if there are people in there who need help, and if we all withhold it, then we are loathsome and unworthy of consideration.”
“You can say that, Axeman, because if things work out poorly, you can just leave.” This interruption came from the north quadrant.
The guards rapped their sword handles, but Tor simply held up his hand. “I understand your concern. I have of course mused about all that. I am a wanderer. You are fixed in your city. Whatever happens, you are stuck with it, not I. That is the way it must look to you, but I would like to invite you to consider a contrary view, one which has prevented me in part from simply calling you a gang of hypocrites for not immediately helping the dome people. You see, I understand what it is to have one’s way of life destroyed.
“I am an axeman. That may not seem much to you, but to me it does. Before the peace, we had a vital function. We followed the herds first. We constituted the main military arm of our people, an extra force to come in whenever and wherever needed. We also lived the most idyllic and adventurous life one can imagine. T
hat is the life I know. Yet it is draining away. I have not found a new life. I could surely never accede to stay in a city ruled by women. I would find it hard to take up a farm as so many of my people have. That would mean an end of free running, of sharp danger, constant readiness, the peace of the lonely plains, leisure for contemplation and play. I am a man without a function, though I am looking to find one again.
“The opening of the dome may put you in a similar position. I see it as difficult, because I have experienced it. But adjustments must be made to new conditions. To hold to the old ways, which no longer are truly viable, is foolishness, and anyone so doing is already living in a dream.
“But I would like to stress that though you seem to feel that you have the only right to decide the fate of Celeste herself, you do not have that right. I forbid it. If you harm her in any way, I will die in her defense, and if I do, then I assure you that the peace will either end or be damaged. I am not asking anything but justice for a little girl. I am not threatening. Some voices among you are threatening. I would prefer to live, but I am not afraid to die for her. If you want that, you are of course free to choose it, but if you do, it will be the vicious among you who do, and if the vicious prevail, then the society is that much the loser. You know that as well as I.
“Why don’t you accept your destiny and do the obvious good? Save the dome people if they can be saved. You may think that is a Shumai answer, and that we, the barbarians, rush in against logic, without even Sentani considerations, surely without Pelbar prudence. But we are a populous people, and we have not wholly lost out by our attitudes.”
“You are also an orator,” the Protector said, smiling. “However, we have to weigh many things in deciding this matter.”
“Yet one thing you are not free to weigh, and that is the safety of Celeste.”
“Will you allow a barbarian to threaten us in our own council chamber?” This voice came as a shout from the northern quadrant. “Take him. Take him and either eject him or shackle him!” Most of the council stood. Shouting was general, but over it and behind it the steady and loud pounding of the sword handles of the guardsmen slowly restored order. Neither Tor nor the Protector had moved. The Shumai stood, hands clasped in front of him, looking at the floor.
The Dome in the Forest Page 11