“It’s not the matter of distance! Tiraje is one of our ships and they live by the Saviour Rules. And you do know that since the war, Harlan won’t easily let our people in,” Hurmaz replies. Tirad knows that Hurmaz refers to the war between Oxan and Harlan twenty years ago, the war in which many soldiers and missionaries of Harlan Island were killed by the Saviour followers. The Saviour Ship had warned Harlan many times to stop their missionaries from advertising the pre-rain religions on the Oxan ships. Many of the marginalised ships had converted and many more were at the threshold of denouncing the Saviour. After the defeat of Harlan, they only allow those who have converted to enter their land.

“You do also know that Atlan has taken up this trait. But for now, as long as they trade with us, all is well,” Hurmaz continues. He narrows his eyes and straightens his back and looks at each face, even Tirad and Mart, making them listen carefully to what he is about to say.

“No one must know of our problem, neither Harlan nor Atlan or any other island. Be careful about this. The Saviour Rules are at stake here. The residents of Tiraje had asked for our permission to kill the giant fish that attacked their fishing boats over a year ago. But we did not allow them to do so… This problem falls back on us too,” he says. Tirad bends forward to calm his soaring stomach with the pressure of his hand. He has to eat something. But this meeting doesn’t seem to end any time soon. It is not a simple matter and he can’t think of anything. The more he tries to concentrate on the issue at hand, the less he is able to put his mind around it. He wishes he were at the Spawn-Scorching ceremony instead of this meeting, to gaze at the dancing flames of the fire and feel the burning spawns on his shoulder. That is the only thing that could calm him right now. He would put scorched spawns on his heels as well to purify himself from the snake’s death. His thoughts are drawn to the little serpent and the girl’s uncertain look. He suddenly breaks the silence that has once again taken over the cabin and without being certain of his permission to speak or even lingering on the thought that has just come to his mind, utters his question.

“Can’t we just allow them to kill the giant fish as a defence? Only if they attack them and for the sole reason of saving their own lives?” Tirad asks, as he lowers his voice and fades the last words that come out of his mouth. His voice trebles and stretches like he is whining as he finishes his sentence. The men of the Circle start talking two by two and whisper to one another. Tirad knows now that he has spoken out of his place and throws down his head in shame wishing in his heart that Hurmaz reacts to him with mercy. But Hurmaz doesn’t say anything. Khunas starts talking instead and by hearing him speak, Tirad feels a sharp pain in his heart. It was always like this with Tirad since he was only a boy. Anytime he was punished for something or he was frightened, his heart would start to prick and he would feel pain in his chest. And Khunas would never open his mouth to talk unless he wanted to yell at someone or quarrel. He was Tirad’s teacher years ago; the unrelenting teacher of the Saviour Ship and the strictest member of the Circle. He had punished Tirad and other students many times. One time, he had thrown Tirad out of the ship and had ordered him to sleep outside under the pouring rain, and if it wasn’t for Hurmaz’s meddling, Tirad would have probably died alone outside out of cold. Tirad feels the pouring rain once again, as his whole body starts to sweat out of shame and once again, he awaits Hurmaz’s rescue after Khunas finishes his sentence.