The Son of the King

From the archive of Hain. Transcript of Ansible

Document 01-13765-377-2-Gethen: To the Stabile

On Ollul: Report from Genly Ai, First Mobile on

Gethen/Thanern, Hanish Cycle 93, Ekumenical

Year 1490-97

               You have enquired at to the status of my mission. Unfortunately, I have no good news to report from Ehrenrang. I was brought into the audience of the king, having been counselled earlier against it at the better advice of his prime minister, Lord Estraven, who advised me, albeit cryptically, as to the infirmity of the king's mind and his adamant opposition to the proposition I bring from the Ekumenical Council. Their warnings wear ill on my mind. It seems strange that this king, who has shown me so much hospitality and kindness during my visit to this planet should lead me around so happily by the nose, while all the time having checkmated me.

               The king became defensive when I presented my offer to him from the Council, and enraged at the mention of Lord Estraven, of whom I had heard, only seconds before my presentation to his majesty, had been stripped of rank and title and sent into remote exile. He had been replaced by the king's cousin: Lord Pemmer Har rem ir Tibe.

               I wondered briefly if I had been the cause of his grief. He had frankly informed me that if I pursued my course of action he would no longer support my cause before the king, and so perhaps even having had the slightest alignment with my cause – I should say speculative cause, since I had yet to announce the purpose of my visit heretofore – may have compromised his position.

               Estraven had laid the onus entirely on his own shoulders, and yet, I feel that I had just as much to do with it as anything else. I believe that these Gethenians, for all their backwardness, have their own form of chivalry and gentlemanliness of which I have foolishly paid no heed.

               Yet, I think up until now I have been much too hard of myself. I assume that my mission here has led to Estraven's demotion and humiliation; however, neglect to recall that this may all, indeed, be his fault as he had once assured me. The king may be insane, but I find Estraven to be the most contrary of all people that I have met on this frozen, wasted excuse of a planet.

               I will report back in detail shortly after more enquiry into the matters at hand.

End: Document 01-13765-377-2-Gethen