Shadows of Golstar Read Free Page B

Sharné’s independent
judgment and actions.  I know my daughter quite well, and I trust her
implicitly. She is intelligent and has many of my superior traits and few of my
bad ones. She has lived with me from the moment of her birth and I understand
her better than I could anyone else on Berralton.  Indeed, she has all the
qualifications, with the added, and I believe most important qualification,
since  I…” he paused then corrected, “…since we can be absolutely
sure of her loyalties.”
    He smiled, “You cannot discount the unique value of
her specialized education and training as a Keeper of the Way. You, of all,
must acknowledge that no other candidate could match her knowledge of our
politics, religion and history. This will be vital for the indoctrination of
the one chosen.”    
    The Guardian of the Way kept his face emotionless,
screening his disapproval of the Grand Patriarch’s plan. Even with the Grand
Patriarch’s earnest arguments, the Guardian of the Way could not understand his
leader’s stubborn willingness to put Sharné, his only child, at such risk. Nor,
frankly, was he convinced the crisis was as dire as the Grand patriarch
believed, or that it truly merited the ‘crisis’ designation. He was convinced
their scientists would find a solution; a solution not requiring the
help of anyone outside of Golstar, especially anyone from Confederated Planets.
    He braced himself and in his most conciliatory tone,
he tried again to appeal to the Great Leader’s reason. “By our custom and
tradition, she is destined to be the next Grand Matriarch, your successor. If
she is tainted, in fact, or simply by perception, as a result of associating
with the outsider... her reputation and standing could be jeopardized. Her
position could be seriously diminished, affecting her ability to fulfill her
manifest destiny. Respectfully, Sharné’s importance to our people should not be
underestimated. I confess that I fear the consequences of such risk-taking. I
ask you once more, can you not reconsider your decision to include her in such
a role?”  
    “I, of all people, do not underestimate her
importance. Once more, you question what I have already answered.” Hearing this
oft repeated objection, the Grand Patriarch lost his usual iron-control. His
voice rose in anger, “I will not again justify my position to you! My final
word, there will be no further discussion on this!”  
    His voice then lost some of its stridence, but its
edge remained sharp. “Our fate as a people, our very civilization is at risk.
The future is beginning to dim and in the growing darkness, the People are
beginning to lose their path to the Light of the Way. Talin, I have shared with
you the facts, the importance of the plan’s success and Sharné’s role in it. Do
not dare to think that I underestimate the importance of my daughter nor the
potential risk that the role I have envisioned for her entails. However, as the
Grand Patriarch, I must weigh her fate against that of our entire
civilization.”  
    The Guardian of the Way paled at the sudden fury of
the Grand Patriarch’s thundered response. It was all he could do to keep
himself from stepping back from the raging storm of his leader’s ire. He knew
he had overreached his position, and now he could only steel himself for what
was sure to follow. He remained rigidly erect, waiting for his leader to
declare the appropriate punishment for his transgression.  
     The Grand Patriarch stopped his tirade abruptly
and appeared startled by his own outburst. He quickly regained his composure
and looked searchingly into his loyal advisor’s eyes. The Guardian of the Way
was surprised to see not anger but only a great sadness. The Grand Patriarch
allowed the silence to grow. After a time, he took a deliberate breath and in a
much cooler and more measured tone said, “Sharné can serve her people in a no
more vital way than to perform this… sacred duty. I know this to