Dio’sh drew a shuddering breath. “Then the Crenna Designate died, cutting off our direct link with the Mage-Imperator. Even the small comfort of thism was then weakened. How could we endure? With each death, panic increased, our numbers dwindled, the thism frayed further. Soon, we were well below the critical number for a splinter.

“Those of us who were healthy locked ourselves in the few remaining homes, but even then we made mistakes, and the plague got inside. We burned the victims, hoping that the fire would at least symbolically return the light.”

He looked directly at Vao’sh, as if begging the master historian to rewrite the tale. “We didn’t know what to do! We were paralyzed, and the plague continued to spread.”

Vao’sh touched his comrade’s wrist. “That is enough for now, Dio’sh.”

He swallowed hard, his thoughts spinning. He knew the Crenna plague and the abandonment of an entire colony must become a vital part of the Saga, yet Vao’sh hesitated to include too many horrific details, fearing that it might cause a panic.

“Perhaps you should accompany me in a little while,” he suggested. “We will tell a happy story, the Tale of Bobri’s and the Silver Ball. The children enjoy that one, and I love to entertain children. You will find it refreshing, as well.”

Dio’sh looked hesitant, intimidated. “I prefer to be quiet, close to people, but not interacting with them. I would not be a good entertainer now. Perhaps I can serve a better purpose as a scholar.”

Vao’sh frowned, and his disapproval cast stern colorings on his fleshy flaps. “Other kiths cannot recall every detail as we do. The Saga is written down, but as rememberers, Dio’sh, our true purpose is to spin tales and to educate. To bring the legends and history alive. Do not forget it. All Ildirans can hear the songs and imagine the tales, but we must be the presenters. It is who we are.”

Dio’sh’s shoulders slumped. “It is who we are, though sometimes it is a difficult thing.”

39: DAVLIN LOTZE

39DAVLIN LOTZE

The Ildirans had turned tail and fled from Crenna, leaving their colony up for grabs. The Hansa had paid a substantial fee to the Mage-Imperator for clear title and the unchallenged right to settle there, within the accepted boundaries of the Ildiran Empire. The Hanseatic League considered the already tamed planet a remarkable prize; the Mage-Imperator considered the unexpectedly large payment a boon.

Clearly, neither race understood the other.

After medical researchers and microbiologists had tested the Ildiran blindness plague and declared that humans were immune to the scourge, Terran transport ships landed on the world. Volunteers had filled out their applications long ago, prepared to dash off to a new home as soon as another planet became available.