Shadow World

by A. C. Crispin

  As they finished Mark realized that several of the Wospind, drawn by the sound of the kareen, had come to watch. He recognized Hilnar. The leader beckoned to him. "Hin is ready to talk," Hilnar said. "Mark Kenner will please bring heen's companions."

  As Eerin and Mark walked back together to fetch Hrrakk', the human hesitated, then blurted, "Eerin, I don't mean to tell you what you should or shouldn't do, but Reenor--heen's a Wopind!"

  "Han knows that," Eerin replied, her golden eyes bright. "But Mark must understand ... the fire of the rizel burns, and there is no denying it. The fire within han awoke the moment han saw Reenor, and it burns even now."

  Suddenly Eerin was reciting. "The hunger before Enelwo is first one of preparation, then of strong need, and, finally, a craving that beats like a pulse through the body. The hunger that rises after Enelwo is many times more a craving: deeper than the bone, swifter rushing than the fevered blood, and sweet, very sweet."

  The Elpind gazed at Mark. "The Telling continues to describe rizel, the act of mating. Rizel is the next great adventure, and han is eager for it." Eerin's golden gaze deepened, as han searched Mark's eyes. "Mark did not understand the Mortenwol until heen danced it. This feeling is one that Mark can perhaps never completely share, but han asks Mark to accept."

  The human remembered how the blood had rushed through his body,

  remembered that shining moment when he'd felt able to love all the worlds and beings in the universe. He smiled at his friend and nodded.

  Eerin skipped happily. "Mark Kenner is a great interrelator," han said, repeating her favorite declaration.

  Mark took a deep breath and squared his shoulders as he looked up the hill at the Wospind leaders who awaited them. "Well, I'm going to do my best,"

  he said softly.

  The travelers gathered with Hilnar and the other Wopind

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  leaders (including, Mark was interested to note, Reenor) beneath several large trees in one corner of the meadow. Armed Wospind stood guard outside the perimeter of their small circle, as they all sat on the ground.

  "Hin received a messenger bird this morning," the Wopind leader began as soon as they were all settled. "The group hin sent to reach the ship has arrived there. They will depart tonight with the survivors of the crash to begin the journey into the mountains." The Wopind gazed around the circle. "Hin has given orders that the prisoners are to be well treated, and that they must not be harmed."

  Mark gazed straight at hin. "And what are your plans for the off-worlders, once you have them all within your grasp, RiEl Hilnar?"

  The Wopind leader hesitated. "At first, hin was planning to follow the example of Orim, and insist that the CLS take them and never return to Elseemar."

  "But that plan has changed? How?" Mark prompted.

  "Now hin is not sure. Hin has seen that at least one offworlder truly understands our world, our ways. If there is one, there could be others who respect our culture."

  "I assure you that the CLS prides itself on respecting the cultures of worlds it contacts," Mark said. "I come from a school where students spend at least five years learning to respect and preserve the cultures of other peoples."

  The Wopind glanced up, startled. To hin, five years is a third of hin's life, Mark thought sadly.

  Hilnar indicated the others in the circle. "Do these friends of Mark Kenner's also speak Elspindlor?"

  "No, they do not," Mark said. "If you wish to address them, I will translate."

  "Reenor speaks the language known as Mizari," Hilnar warned. "Hin will be told if Mark Kenner does not translate accurately."

  "I understand," Mark said.

  "First, tell hin their names."

  Mark hesitated. Oh, shit! The moment he had been dreading worst of all was here. "This is Eerin, as you may already have discovered," he said quietly, indicating the han who sat at his side. (Reenor, not surprisingly, sat on Eerin's other side, as if

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  basking in her glow.) "Han and I have been friends for many days now.

  Han was with me at the school I told you of."

  Quickly Hilnar turned to the Elpind and asked Eerin to describe han's impression of StarBridge. Mark listened as she told the Wopind leader of all the things she had learned.

  "And this one?" Hilnar turned next to Cara.

  Mark introduced the journalist, who smiled and greeted the Wopind leader in excellent Mizari, exhibiting admirable coolness.

  All the while that Mark translated automatically for Cara, his mind was racing toward panic. What the hell am I going to do? he wondered. Any second Hilnar's going to ask me to--

  "And who is this?" the Wopind leader asked, indicating Hrrakk'. Mark took a deep breath, then said to the Simiu, "Hin wants to know your name."

  The violet eyes were grim. "We had this conversation once before, human. Tell Hilnar that I am Hrrakk', of the Harkk'ett clan!"

  The student bit his lip, then said: "This is Honored Hrrakk', of the Harkk'ett clan, from the world called Hurrreeah."

  For a moment he thought he was going to get away with it, then Reenor said urgently to Hilnar, "This is one of the scientists, Ri-El Hilnar! Heen heard this one's name spoken by the off-worlders in the nahah when they communicated with their leaders. They did not realize that heen understood their tongue. They worried about the fate of the scientist, Hrrakk', who was traveling to Shassiszss, to show some of the accursed Elhanin to other scientists. It is almost certain that been has brought Elhanin into this camp!"

  Hilnar drew hinself up, glaring at the Simiu. "Is this true?" hin demanded, then ordered Mark to translate. Miserably the human did so. Hrrakk' stared straight at the Wopind leader, then deliberately nodded. "It is true," he said.

  The human glanced back at Hilnar, who was glaring furiously at the Simiu.

  "How dare this one bring that substance into our presence?" demanded the Wopind leader. "Been is one of those who wishes to subvert our entire way of life!"

  "Ri-El Hilnar," Mark began, "can you tell me exactly what your position is, regarding the Elhanin, and what you would like to see done about it? I have had some experience"--he repressed

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  a sigh as he remembered Orim--"in negotiation. Perhaps I can help your people resolve their problems. I would like to help, because I like and respect your people. I respect you as a strong but rational leader."

  For the next half hour, Hilnar and Reenor between them summarized the Wospind's position, already familiar to Mark from his time with Orim. The human paid close attention to everything they said, searching for ways to establish common ground, trying to think of possible compromises between the WirElspind and the Wospind position.

  Thank God that Hilnar is a reasonable person, he thought as he listened.

  Hin's no Orim. Hin takes hin's traditions very seriously indeed, but hin is not a fanatic ...

  "Let me restate what I understand of what you have told me," Mark said when the Wospind finished, "so that you may correct me if I err. You believe that the WirElspind was wrong to request help from off-worlders in changing the Elpind lifecycle. You acknowledge that CLS contact may be a good thing for the people of Elseemar in some ways, but that the benefits are outweighed by the threat this research presents. Am I correct so far?"

  Hilnar nodded. "The splendor of El is found in the willingness to seek joy and adventure in every moment up to and including Wo. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with that willingness! We do not wish to become as Reenor has told me the off-worlders are: afraid of Wo, fearing it more than anything."

  Mark took a deep breath, then glanced up at the sky, remembering the flight of the Elseewas. "Hilnar, you feel concern that the off-worlders will change you," he began. "I don't believe that will come to pass. Your feelings about the Mortenwol are too deep, too profound, too true, to be easily overturned.

  You are underestimating the power of your own culture, your own truths.

  "I tell you this, because, when I first came here to
Elseemar, I was so afraid of Wo, and of El, too, that I was going to give up the work I had trained for at StarBridge. I was going to quit, run away, because of my fear."

  Mark's hazel eyes held the leader's green ones. "But your planet, your people, your beliefs, have changed me. Yesterday, you saw me dance the Mortenwol. I have come to

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  understand how your people feel about El and Wo, and I am attempting to adopt those ways of looking at the universe. Your world changed me, an offworlder, not the other way around. And if I am permitted to live, and leave Elseemar, I will go back to StarBridge to complete my training. I will live El to the fullest, as your people have taught me."

  "But Mark Kenner is only one of many," Hilnar pointed out. "And Mark must leave Elseemar, heen has said so."

  "If you permit us to leave, yes, I will someday leave this world," the human said. "But if you wish, I would stay as long as necessary to convey your convictions, your wishes, to the CLS and the WirElspind. I could negotiate on your behalf."

  "Does Mark believe that heen could convince the WirElspind and the CLS to stop the research on Elhanin?"

  Mark hesitated. "I would not be honest if I told you that I believed that that was within my ability. But one thing I am certain of--he fixed the leader with a steady gaze--"I am certain that I will be able to gain both the WirElspind's and the CLS's pledge that Wospind, if they do not wish to take Elhanin, will never have to do so. No one will give Elhanin to your children, or coerce them into taking it. This is a promise I am certain I can gain for you," he declared, knowing that he spoke truth.

  All along, Eerin had told him that the life-extending drug would only be offered to those who chose to take it.

  "Mark Kenner does not know the WirElspind," Hilnar said. "They will not make such a pledge, ever."

  "Give me the chance to try," Mark pleaded. "I know that I can gain that pledge. If not, the CLS research will be suspended, because the CLS does not support tyrannical actions on the parts of planetary governments." He took a deep breath. "Hilnar ... give me the chance to try. I can do it!"

  The Wopind leader's green eyes remained unconvinced. "Hin can see that Mark is in earnest, but hin recalls that the WirElspind hates our views, our beliefs. They will not even allow the Wospind a seat on the Great Council."

  "They will now," Eerin said suddenly.

  The Wopind leader looked at her in surprise. "What?"

  "Before han changed, han was a member of the WirElspind," Eerin told hin.

  "Now it is time for han to choose han's successor

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  to take han's seat." Eerin gazed at Hilnar. "Lalcipind wil need a new representative. Is that not the home-place of Hilnar, as it was for hin's sibling, Orim?"

  "That is true," Hilnar replied.

  Eerin fixed the Wopind with a steady gaze. "Ri-El Hilnar," the Elpind's voice rang out dramatically, "Ri-El Eerin of the WirElspind names hin to take han's seat on the WirElspind!" Han pointed directly at the Wopind.

  The leader was plainly taken aback.

  "And when han relates to the WirElspind the foolishness of Alanor, when hin spoke to Orim, threatening hin, goading hin into further violence," Eerin added solemnly, "there will be yet another seat available. Han will do everything in han's power to make sure that seat, too, goes to one of your group. Surely at least one Wospind was born in Caselmar!"

  Mark dived back into the fray. "Hilnar," he said, "even if you do not wish a longer lifespan, think what you are doing in saying that no one should have that choice! You are doing exactly what you are afraid will happen to you. Do you wish to impose your beliefs on all the people of Elseemar? Isn't that something that could be left to each individual, that choice?"

  "But if the longer lifespan is offered, our people wil lose al dignity, al nobility, in the fear of Wo," Reenor said.

  Eerin shook her head. "There will be many who will not choose the Elhanin.

  Before we left the Asimov, Hrrakk' offered han the drug, and han refused.

  Han does not believe that han is greater or more courageous than other Elspind. Hilnar, there will be a choice for our people. Hin can educate hin's children as hin wishes and sees fit."

  "Drug!" Reenor echoed. "An unnatural substance, created from off-world chemicals--poisoning the bodies of Elspind, as well as their minds! Such a substance cannot be tolerated!"

  Eerin shook her head. "Han spoke badly just now. Elhanin is not an offworld chemical. Hrrakk' told han it is made from wild sestel."

  "Is this true?" Reenor turned to the Simiu and hastily translated Eerin's speech into Mizari.

  "Yes. Elhanin is extracted and concentrated from the wild sestel," the Simiu said. Automatically, Mark translated each of the big alien's sentences. "Long ago, your legends say, the

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  Elspind lived longer. That was because, in those days, they foraged for their sestel.

  "As time went by, the Elspind began to transplant sestel to grow as a crop.

  As generation upon generation passed, the Elspind depended more and more heavily upon cultivated sestel ... sestel that gradually lost some of its properties as it evolved into a domesticated plant. As the sestel grew larger, more tender, juicier, more flavorful, the substance within the plant that extends the Elpind lifespan grew less and less. Now it hardly exists at all in the sestel grown by your people."

  Mark turned to Hilnar. "Your people wish to return to the old ways, isn't that so?"

  The Wopind nodded slowly.

  "Well, if the Wospind stay up here in these remote mountains, foraging for most of their food, eating wild sestel, your people will be increasing your lifespan--slowly but surely! Almost as if you were taking Elhanin! Am I right, Honored Hrrakk'?" he demanded, and hastily translated.

  The Simiu nodded. "Of course, the Elhanin is such a concentrated form of the chemo-influencer found in wild sestel that the Wospind would not notice a change for perhaps ten or more generations. But such an alteration would occur, I believe."

  Turning back to the Wopind leader, and translating rapidly, Mark watched the impact of the Simiu's revelation. Hilnar was definitely shaken.

  "Ri-El Hilnar," the human said, pressing this new advantage, "we have spoken together today in peace. We have been able to discuss your beliefs and wishes like reasonable people. I believe that we have both learned a great deal. I know that you have given me much to consider, and I hope that the same is true for you."

  Slowly, deliberately, Mark made the Mizari bow of respect to the Wopind.

  "That gesture is a mark of highest respect within the CLS-member worlds. I give it to you because I have learned today that Hilnar is truly a great leader for hin's people."

  He took a deep breath. Now go for it. "Ri-El Hilnar, are you now convinced that Eerin and I earnestly wish to help your people? All that we ask is an end to the violence Orim began, and the chance for the Asimov's survivors to be sent safely home.

  "In return for your promise that this will be so, Eerin has

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  promised you a seat on the WirElspind, and han's support in gaining other seats. You have my solemn word of honor that I will negotiate a pledge for your people from both the WirElspind and the CLS--a pledge that the Wospind will never have to be exposed to or take Elhanin unless they choose to. Your beliefs and wishes will be forever

  respected."

  Hilnar stared at him, hin's green eyes thoughtful. "Hin will agree to cease the violence. Hin was never one to love the hurting of others, as Orim was, so that is not a difficult vow to make. Also, hin will agree to release the survivors of the Asimov to the CLS ... with one exception."

  Hin pointed to the Simiu. "The scientist who has profaned our camp by bringing Elhanin into it must not be allowed to carry on heen's work.

  Hin will give Hrrakk' a choice. Remain here with us forever, or die.

  Either way, heen will no longer be a threat to us."

  Mark's breath caught in his throat. "No, Hilnar, that is not acceptable
.

  Hrrakk' must be allowed to go free, too."

  "The scientist profanes our camp with what heen carries," Hilnar maintained stubbornly, green eyes shining with a cold glint that suddenly reminded Mark of Orim. The human felt a chill at the back of his neck. "Heen is an enemy to our people. Heen wishes only to study us, not to help us."

  "You have observed that I have come to love Terris," Mark said, patting the sleeping child beneath his shirt. "And that observation was what led you to agree to talk with me, is that not correct?"

  Hilnar indicated assent.

  "You are wrong about the Simiu, and I will tell you why I know that," the human said steadily. "There was another baby, named Misir, who also survived the crash. But unlike Terris, who was unharmed, poor Misir had injuries within hinsi's body. Despite the best of care, hinsi died, which made us all grieve."

  Mark paused for effect. "The person who gave Misir the best of care was Honored Hrrakk', Hilnar! He carried and cared for little Misir every bit as conscientiously as I cared for Terris. He grieved when Misir died, we could all see it. Hrrakk' does care about the people of Elseemar!"

  Hilnar glanced questioningly at Eerin, who quickly verified the human's account, adding to it a few details she had

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  observed. Reenor gazed levelly at the Simiu, then addressed him in Mizari.

  'Tell us of this Misir," he said.

  Hrrakk' looked stubborn, but Cara touched his arm, the unbandaged one.

  "Please, Honored Hrrakk'--tell them. Or I will."

  The big Simiu sighed deeply. "There was a Wopind infant named Misir," he began. "I could see that the child had serious internal injuries, but the human, there"--he jerked his head at Mark--"convinced me to try and save hinsi. I did my best, but the child died." Hrrakk' paused, then said in low voice, "I still miss hinsi."

  Reenor and Hilnar hastily conferred softly as heen translated the Simiu's words. Then the Wopind leader turned to Hrrakk' and Reenor translated as hin spoke: "We will let you go free, but only if you relinquish the Elhanin to us, so we may see it destroyed."

  Hrrakk's muzzle wrinkled slightly, scornfully, and he growled, "I refuse. What you demand would not be honorable. You have no right to deprive me of my freedom, and therefore it would be dishonorable of me to buy my freedom from you!" His crest stood straight up, in challenge mode. "Instead I demand that you execute me immediately. Waste no more time trying to coerce me into dishonoring myself!"