Part 11 (2/2)

'Thank you, Rankar,' Kratine said, for granting me this audience. Thanks, also, for honoring me with the presence of your companion. We of Asure have heard many a tale of the wonder and beauty of Chaneen. It is indeed a joy to find that those tales fell short in glorifying her.' Kratine bowed again. Chaneen chose to remain silent. Kratine added, glancing out of the corners of his yes, 'Would it be possible, if only for a night, to forget the tragedies we both suffered in the past? I would have these two brave warriors stand at ease.'

'As you wish.' Rankar nodded. 'Put down your swords Janier and Tier. This is a season of peace. We will listen to the words of our visitor with open hearts. Tell us of your mind, Kratine.'

'The plight of Asure is grave,' Kratine said. 'Our land grows cold, our waters dry. The light dims. With each pa.s.sing cycle, my people, once proud and strong, weaken. Many more cycles and we will perish altogether. I tell you this now, as I should have in the past, so that you will understand why we fought to claim your Garden for our own. I hope that you will be able to find the compa.s.sion in your heart to forgive us. We were desperate then, we are desperate now. But in those days, I felt if we were to survive, then we would need your land, all of your land. This was a personal decision on my part, not a decision of my people. I was King then as lam now. lam to blame for the wrongs that were committed in the past.'

I know of your people's plight,' Rankar said. 'What do you now propose? How may I help you?'

I beg you to allow us to live peacefully beyond your mountains,' Kratine said. 'Far from your Garden, but still within the confines of your land.' He paused. 'If you deny us this request, Rankar, then you condemn a great race to death.'

'I feel your concern for your people to be genuine,' Rankar replied. 'The Asurians cannot last long without their waters. Even with your efforts to conserve, I know your rivers grow shallower with each pa.s.sing cycle. But I am reminded of a time when you entered my lands and were not content with the desert beyond the mountains, but tried to enter our Garden and have it for your own. How can I be rea.s.sured you would not try to do the same thing again?'

'There is nothing I can say,' Kratine replied, 'that can erase the evils I inflicted on your people. But that is the problem I have thought long and hard about. What could I do to show we are sincere? At length the basis of the distrust became clear to me, and the way to get rid of it. Our people, Rankar, are much alike.'

'We are nothing like you, 'Janier hissed.

Kratine glanced Janier's way and a smile broke on his face.

'Be still, child,' Rankar said. 'Please continue, Kratine.'

'Yes, my Lord,' Kratine said, although his gaze lingered upon Janier. She attempted to meet his stare but had to break away and look at the floor. Kratine went on, 'As I was saying, we are much alike. At present you fear and dislike us because we seem, outwardly, to be so alien. But if you knew us, the way we live and labor, you would understand that we possess your same love for life, your same desire for beauty and joy. I have asked you to allow us to inhabit the lands on the other side of your great mountains. But I believe that in time there would come a mingling of our people, in a peaceful and beneficial manner.'

'But you are of a separate origin,' Rankar said. 'Would it not be a violation of the natural order for us to mingle in the way you describe?'

'That is a misunderstanding,' Kratine said. 'One I have come to your Garden to correct. The natural order is progressive. It can always be improved.'

'You speak of ways of life, 'Janier said. I have heard stories of your Asurian ways. They disgust me.'

Again Kratine turned his attention to Janier. 'Stories, my child ? What are stories? Would you deny us a chance to prove ourselves as worthy of life as the Sastra?' Kratine smiled. 'Are you afraid to see the truth?'

I am afraid of nothing, 'Janier said.

'How do you propose to demonstrate this truth?' Rankar asked.

'Very easily, my Lord,' Kratine said. 'Allow an exchange of our people, two of your race for two of mine. A male and a female would be ideal. With your people living in Asure, and mine living here, a deep appreciation for each other's culture will naturally spring up. Then the differences and hostilities between us will dissolve, and be shown for the illusions they are.'

'Would you be one of those who will remain in our Garden?' Rankar asked.

I would not allow it,' Tier said quickly.

'No,' Kratine said. 'The two who wait at the edge of your fair Garden have traveled with me with the hope that they may have the privilege.'

'Why a man and a woman?' Rankar asked.

'It is of no particular importance,' Kratine said. 'But I feel that a male and female of your race would give my people a more complete understanding of the Sastra. I'm sure my Lord can see the wisdom of what I say.'

'This is all you wish at present?' Rankar asked. 'This exchange of people?'

'Yes,' Kratine said. 'We have no desire to enter any portion of your lands without first rea.s.suring your people that we come in peace.'

'What if after a cycle of this exchange I do not feel rea.s.sured?' Rankar asked. 'What if the couple I choose to send to your land still feels that you are a threat, even after living with you?'

'I pray that will not be the case,' Kratine said. 'But should it be so, what can we do? We do not have the strength we did ages ago. As you well know, we cannot defeat the Sastra in battle,' Kratine added. 'Not with your powers supporting them.'

Chaneen sensed that he was downplaying the Asurians' might. Nevertheless, she was confused, for Kratine's offer seemed reasonable.

'Who would arrange for the transportation of my two people?' Rankar asked.

I will personally accompany them to my home,' Kraline said. 'My bridge is waiting at the edge of your deserts.'

'Do you have any preference who I send?' Rankar asked. 'Besides that they be a male and a female?'

'No, my Lord,' Kratine said. 'But two of your strongest might be best. My people admire strength, and such a couple could demonstrate to my people how worthy the Sastra are of respect.' He appraised Tier and Janier. 'Perhaps these two warriors would be a good choice. Their spirit appears good.'

I have your word they would not be harmed?' Rankar asked. 'You swear on the name of Asure?'

Kratine nodded.

'Do you?' Rankar insisted.

Kratine bowed. 'Yes, my Lord. Nothing will be done to arouse your wrath. And I feel at ease with those I leave behind, knowing that above all else you would take no action that would harm your own children.'

Chaneen felt both truth and deceit in his words. Rankar must be equally aware, she thought. She watched as her husband sat back in his throne after a thoughtful pause.

I will consider your request and meet with you tomorrow, Kratine,' Rankar said. 'Tonight you may stay in our palace, and enjoy its comforts.'

I appreciate the invitation to stay,' Kratine said. 'But I must decline. No Asurian will stay in your Garden until your final decision has been made. But I am anxious to return tomorrow to see what that decision may be. Already I sense your consent, am I not correct, Lord Rankar?'

'Your goal to remove hostilities between our peoples is n.o.ble,' Rankar said. 'Still, I must confer with those I might choose to send. Tomorrow, Kratine, come when the sun stands at its peak.'

'Very well,' Kratine said. 'However, if the time is not important, I will visit your palace a bit later, after the sun has set. If my Lord permits?'

'Fine,' Rankar said. 'My warriors waiting at the front of the palace will escort you to the edge of the Garden.'

'Until tomorrow, Rankar,' Kratine said. He bowed and left. Chaneen felt a great heaviness depart from the room. Tier and her sister approached the throne.

I will go, Rankar,' Tier said. I will go and seek for signs of deceit in the Asurians.'

'We already know of their deceits, 'Janier told her husband. 'Everything changes through time,' Rankar said. 'Would you go, Janier, should I ask?'

Janier nodded slowly, 'Should my Lord ask.' 'But,' Chaneen whispered.

'Yes, Chaneen?' Rankar said.

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