Chapter Forty Four – Divisions

It was disarmingly strange, living their simple life on the farm, while around them they knew that minds were thinking about them and making decisions that would so much affect them, decisions on their behalf, as though they were children, as though they were puppets in a play.

Weeks went by and the solstice drew near. While this question was in the air there was no possibility of them being married, of even making plans. If he was to be recognized their wedding would become an affair of importance to the whole country, so until the Gathering completed their deliberations, nothing could be done and they lived in a kind of limbo

Pazu still was not comfortable in her bed. Throughout all these long weeks of waiting they lived like brother and sister, abstaining from all but holding and kissing, and showing no affection in public beyond holding hands. The abstinence was hard, they were both grown adults and some nights the temptations were almost too much to bear, they both wanted more. But they had spoken at length about this, they wanted their future to be decided before they committed themselves to both marriage and the acts of marriage.

But in her heart Sheeta fretted. She wondered what would come of all this, where it was heading. She didn't want another Muska to arise, another misguided man or group of men to get an understanding of the levitation technology and discover another castle. The fact that the Gathering now knew about Muska's book bothered her. She hoped his body would never be found, or if it was, that his book would have been destroyed by the sea water. The scenario of finding the notebook was so bleak it threw her into whole days of gloomy depression.

But some days were wonderful. When it was bright and sunny she took them out on Immy and they rode miles along the valley and over the hills. He became familiar with the countryside of northern Gondoa.

Sheeta used this time wisely. She made sure that during their rides Pazu became known in her village and in the surrounding settlements. They visited frequently and Pazu offered to do work for people, particularly on farm machinery, wind and water pumps. She had been right, his natural friendliness, openness and honesty made him many friends and he began to relax into this community and began to be accepted.

She began to teach him to ride. As in other things he was a good learner, he fell often but he was brave and wise enough to know that it was best to get right back in the saddle. Immy was a rather excitable horse for a beginner, however and while he was busy she visited horse dealers. She knew the perfect wedding present for him.

One afternoon returning from a ride beside the river, they entered the farm. A young woman was waiting.

"Paztsu, Councillor Kamaesa requests an interview."

Sharing a look, they both walked up the lane to the Councillors hut.

The old woman was inside, doing some cooking. Or it might have been her laundry, Sheeta wasn't sure what the grey mess in the pot over the fire contained. The two young people nodded in greeting, the Councillor bowed slightly and held her palms together in welcome.

"Please, be seated."

There was nothing to sit on. They sank down cross legged on the earth floor. A minute passed while the old woman stirred the contents of the pot.

"There is a problem, Paetsu."
"I had guessed as much, Councillor."
"Please, by all means drop the formalities in here. We trust that we speak as friends here."

Pazu and Sheeta shared a look.

"Alright. Thank you."
"If you are Paetsu, the true Prince, come home again."
"Yes?"
"We foresee trouble."
"I had thought so too."
"No. We mean a great deal of trouble."
"What kind of trouble?"
"Fighting."
"What? Why?"
"Men's hearts, Paetsu. Men's hearts. They fear what they do not understand. There are some within the Gathering who are scared of you. Very scared. They feel as though Gondoa's stability is threatened by what you may usher in should you become prince."
"That's crazy. I've no plans at all. Well. Sheeta and I want to be married. We are very much in love. We want to live here."
"We know. It's written across your faces as broad as a yaoko's arse, it falls from you to the earth at every step you take. It flows from your mouths when you breathe. We know how you feel toward each other."

She smiled kindly at the couple.

"Well," Pazu was a little embarrassed by her words, "thank you, but I just want to learn about your society, learn your language, know your songs, read your books. I am an engineer however, I want to build flying machines."
"Exactly. In our society the whole idea of flight has taken on an aura, a mystique. It represents something. Men might fly from town to town delivering messages or passengers and doing no more, but to some men it represents a return to what we once had. They fear it for that alone."
"They are stupid."
"No, Paetsu, they are just men, ordinary men with ordinary fears. You have to remember our history, our background. But some are not prepared to let such things happen. They would take up the sword to stop it."
"And if I don't build flying machines? If I don't encourage others to?"
"They will still fear you, if you become prince. Once a group of men think about taking up the sword those that oppose their views must do also in order to defend themselves. You know where this leads don't you?"

Pazu stared at the grey bubbling pot.

"Yes. But. This is insane. Men fear the flying islands, the castles, the weapons they carry, and yet... they are prepared to destroy each other… in order to stop them destroying each other. It's madness."
"They don't see it that way, they don't think into the future. They cannot see beyond the points of their own arrows."
"How likely is it to come to fighting?"

Kamaesa merely shrugged her shoulders.

"And if men take sides," he asked, "they know Sheeta's views don't they? Those who represent the Soil will try and influence you to become their figurehead."
"I won't let that happen," she said
"You might have no choice, Sheeta. Councillor, what should I do?"
"We can't instruct you Paetsu, the decision is yours, we can only advise you what might happen."
"If we get married, will that influence the situation?"
"We cannot say, probably it will have some effect but it might not even be a good effect."

Pazu sat, dumbfounded. This couldn't be happening. Men weren't this mad were they? He looked at Sheeta, she stared at the floor.

"Has the stone done this Sheeta? Did it find me in order to set this chain of events in motion? Or did it just choose me one night because I was the best person for you? Does it care about us or about Gondoa?"

She looked at him.

"Paetsu, I don't know. I don't think I understand anything anymore. All I know is I love you and want to be with you. Living simply on the farm. I'm not asking for much am I?"
"Sheeta, you're not asking for anything at all."

He drew in a deep breath.

"Somehow we will get through this. I don't know how but we will. Councillor, is there any news yet from Penraeth on the Gathering's decision?"
"We expect they will deliver their decision after the Solstice. It is less than two weeks away and it would be politically inappropriate to deliver a contentious decision right before the years main celebration."
"You know," Sheeta spoke quietly, "I did have these silly thoughts, of maybe marrying you on Solstice dawn Paetsu."
"There is nothing I would like more Sheeta, nothing would make me happier, but I think it's out of the question."
"I hate men. That stupid Muska, all this is his fault."
"He wasn't all stupid you know. Without him we wouldn't have met."

She put out her hand and held his. Everything was going wrong. He was all she had. And she didn't know how long she would have him. She held on tightly.

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11 April 2007

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