“I am really worried. We have been discussing the matter of Tiraje Ship for over a year now. Perhaps Khunas is right to an extent. We can’t have exemptions. If we allow one exemption now, we will have to exempt more and more in the future and we won’t be able to control them. All the Saviour Rules will get out of our hands… but I’m worried about something else…and that’s why I need you to go with Mart…” he says, drinking water from his glass. Tirad can easily see the worried look that lies under the full-white brows of Hurmaz’s face. He will have to stay silent for now and let Hurmaz finish his word.

“The Circle is allowing Mart to get rid of the refugees any way he can. If he can’t get them out of Oxan through negotiations, he is allowed to use any effective means! Can you imagine? Any means?” Hurmaz continues.

“And you have agreed to that?” Tirad asks. Hurmaz sighs and shakes his head meaning that he never agreed.

“All six of them were unanimous on the matter. What could I do? I would never sign off on such permits. I have already said no to that and have made them think it through and come up with an acceptable solution… I’m afraid that they might want to resolve the situation by using force and violence… But you already know that if all six of them sign the permit, my opinion is overruled,” Hurmaz explains. Tirad feels dizzy as if the bookshelves in Hurmaz’s dimmed-light room are circling around him. He tries to focus and say something, but he can’t find the right words. It seems very strange to him that the Circle had signed off on something against Hurmaz’s will. If Tirad was in the Circle, he would never vote against him. Hurmaz stands up and puts his hands on Tirad’s lean shoulders. Then he goes towards the drawers near the cabin door and takes out a handful of blank papers, puts them before Tirad and smiles.

“I have increased your share of papers… I thought you might need them for your journey to Oxan. Write down or draw whatever you see and send them to me. Keep eyes on Mart. I will express my opinion again in the Circle meeting tomorrow… But I’m afraid…” Hurmaz says. Tirad thanks him for the papers and watches him walk towards his chair. He takes slow and weighty steps trying to show that he is calm as always but his hands move anxiously in the air. He sits and continues his words:

“If any of you and Mart solve the refugee problem, he will immediately enter the Circle since it is a very serious and important matter. And if you solve it together, you will both get in… But…” he pauses. Tirad already knows that he will go for the latter, even though Mart and he have always had their childish disputes. He is willing to let it all go for the better and he already knows that Mart will resist and will try to do anything to stop Tirad from getting into the Circle. He encourages Hurmaz to finish his sentence and tell him, but what? Hurmaz lowers his head and seems unsure whether he should say his words out. After a short pause, he finally raises his head and continues: