Read Online The Call of Earth: 2 (Homecoming) by Orson Scott Card - Free Book Online Page B

of the drug years ago, which was why he had no qualms about taking a mouthful of ale from the same flagon. He was also sure that Plod had no idea that Moozh was immune, and more than once he had suspected that Plod had given him some of the drug, whereupon Moozh always made a point of sharing a few harmless but indiscreet-sounding revelations— usually just his personal opinion of a few other officers. Never anything incriminating. Just enough to let Plod think the drug had worked its will on him.
    “Oh, you know what I mean,” said Moozh. “Nothing against the women, but they can’t help their own biology, can they? It’s the way they are—when the violence begins, they must rush to a male to find protection, or they’re lost, wouldn’t you say?”
    Smelost smiled wanly. “You don’t know the women of Basilica, then.”
    “Oh, but I do,” said Moozh. “I know
all
women, and the women I don’t know, Plod knows—isn’t that right, Plod?”
    “Oh, yes,” said Plod, smiling.
    Smelost glowered a little but said nothing.
    “The women of Basilica are frightened right now, aren’t they? Frightened and acting hastily. They don’t like these soldiers running the streets. They fear what will happen if no strong man is there to control them— but they fear just as much what will happen if a strong man
does
come. Who knows how things will turn out, once the violence starts? There’s blood on the street of Basilica. A man’s head has drunk the dust of the street through both halves of his neck, as we say in Gollod. There’s fear in every womanly heart in Basilica, yes, there is, and you know it.”
    Smelost shrugged. “Of course they’re afraid. Who wouldn’t be?”
    “A
man
wouldn’t be,” said Moozh. “A
man
would smell the opportunity. A man would say, When others are afraid then anyone who speaks boldly has a chance to lead. Anyone who makes decisions, anyone who
acts
can become the focus of authority, the hope of the desperate, the strength of the weak, the soul of the spiritless. A
man
would
act.
”
    “Act,” Smelost echoed.
    “Act
boldly,”
said Plod.
    “And yet. . . you have come to us with a letter from a
woman
pleading for protection.” Moozh smiled and shrugged.
    Smelost immediately tried to defend himself. “Was I supposed to stand trial for having done what I knew was right?”
    “Of course not. What—to be tried by women?” Moozh looked at Plod and laughed; Plod took the cue and joined in. “For acting as a man must act, boldly, with courage—no, you shouldn’t stand trial for
that.”
    “So I came here,” said Smelost.
    “For protection. So
you
could be safe, while your city is in fear.”
    Smelost rose to his feet. “I didn’t come here to be insulted.”
    In an instant Plod’s blade was poised at Smelost’s throat. “When the General of the Imperator is seated, all men sit or they are treated as assassins.”
    Smelost gingerly lowered himself back into his chair.
    “Forgive my dearest friend Plod,” said Moozh. “I know you meant no harm. After all, you came to
us
to be
safe,
not to start a war!” Moozh laughed, staring in Smelost’s eyes all the time, until Smelost also forced himself to laugh.
    Smelost clearly hated it, to be forced to laugh at himself for seeking protection instead of acting like a man.
    “But perhaps I’ve misunderstood you,” said Moozh. “Perhaps you didn’t come, as this letter says, just for yourself. Perhaps you have a plan in mind, some way that you can help your city, some strategem whereby you can ease the fears of the women of Basilica and keep them safe from the chaos that threatens them.”
    “I have no plan,” said Smelost.
    “Ah,” said Moozh. “Or perhaps you don’t yet trust us enough to tell it to us.” Moozh looked sad. “I understand. We’re strangers, and this is your city at stake, a city that you love more than life itself. Besides, what you would need to ask of us is far greater than a common soldier would