Shadow World by A. C. Crispin, Jannean Elliot Page B
Authors: A. C. Crispin, Jannean Elliot
Ads: Link
it from the Elpind's. "Eight years ago a Heeyoon scout ship suffered life-support failure and made an emergency landing on Elseemar," Eerin said.
"The WirElspind, our governing body, decided to welcome the Heeyoon ...
and in the ensuing years, they and the other CLS representatives have since opened the portals to the universe for hin's people."
Hin is so poised! Mark thought. The realization brought back to him something he'd almost overlooked in getting to know the Elpind; that Eerin was a visiting head of state, accustomed to sitting on the Council and helping to make decisions affecting an entire planet.
"I know that you weren't born at the time of the first encounter, but can you describe the mood of your people at that time?" Cara asked.
74
"Hin has heard the Tellings from that time," Eerin said, then went on to explain that at first the strange beings with their magical-seeming tools had seemed godlike, but that the Heeyoon and subsequent CLS visitors had been careful to dispel any such notions. "It was a shock for us to realize that we were not the only ones," Eerin said. "Hin's people experienced both fear and wonder."
"Some CLS members have criticized the Heeyoon crew for not leaving your world as soon as they realized it was inhabited by intelligent beings, since by their continued presence they ran the risk of bringing unwelcome change--some have gone so far as to call it contamination--to your world.
What is your opinion on that, Eerin?"
"Hin's opinion is one with the WirElspind--the Great Council--in thinking that the CLS contact is a good thing for our people. Someday it may be possible to trade with other worlds. At the moment, Elspind value the cultural interchange between our world and the CLS representatives. We are
learning a great deal." Eerin regarded the journalist unblinkingly. "Hin values the opportunity to learn, Cara."
The journalist nodded. "What about the other Elspind? How do they currently feel about the CLS contact?"
"The Elspind--our name means 'People of Life'--support the government in its decision," Eerin said, obviously choosing hin's words with great care.
"But there was trouble on Elseemar recently," Cara pointed out. 'Trouble from a group of Elspind, correct?"
"Not correct," Eerin said firmly. "Those who caused the trouble were not the Elspind, but the Wospind--the People of Death. Outwardly they appear like us, but inwardly their minds and hearts are in conflict with the People of Life."
"How do the two groups differ?" Cara asked. She was leaning forward intently, obviously relieved that Eerin was willing to discuss such a potentially touchy subject.
"The Wospind fear that our old ways will be totally destroyed by the contacts with the off-worlders. They do not believe that contact with the CLS can prove beneficial."
"They claimed responsibility for the destruction of one of the main laboratory buildings near your village, didn't they?"
"Yes." Eerin shifted restlessly.
75
"Can you explain where they come from, and what their position is to my viewers?"
For the first time, the Elpind seemed reluctant. "The Wospind rose as a separate group only after the CLS representatives came to our world. From the first they argued against off-world contact. The dissenting families began to move away from our villages and towns in large groups, going higher into the mountains or even near the edges of The Long Desert, isolated places.
There they promised they would cling to our traditional life-style. Their protests grew ever louder."
"And what is their goal?"
Eerin hesitated. "Before hin can explain their demands, hin must first give a brief"--the Elpind's mouth turned down as hin considered--"a brief Telling.
The word does not translate well. History ... legend ... myth ... all those words combined, and more, that is a Telling."
Cara nodded. "I think I understand. Go on, please."
"Long, long ago, our Tellings say, the people lived much longer than they do now. Long enough
"The WirElspind, our governing body, decided to welcome the Heeyoon ...
and in the ensuing years, they and the other CLS representatives have since opened the portals to the universe for hin's people."
Hin is so poised! Mark thought. The realization brought back to him something he'd almost overlooked in getting to know the Elpind; that Eerin was a visiting head of state, accustomed to sitting on the Council and helping to make decisions affecting an entire planet.
"I know that you weren't born at the time of the first encounter, but can you describe the mood of your people at that time?" Cara asked.
74
"Hin has heard the Tellings from that time," Eerin said, then went on to explain that at first the strange beings with their magical-seeming tools had seemed godlike, but that the Heeyoon and subsequent CLS visitors had been careful to dispel any such notions. "It was a shock for us to realize that we were not the only ones," Eerin said. "Hin's people experienced both fear and wonder."
"Some CLS members have criticized the Heeyoon crew for not leaving your world as soon as they realized it was inhabited by intelligent beings, since by their continued presence they ran the risk of bringing unwelcome change--some have gone so far as to call it contamination--to your world.
What is your opinion on that, Eerin?"
"Hin's opinion is one with the WirElspind--the Great Council--in thinking that the CLS contact is a good thing for our people. Someday it may be possible to trade with other worlds. At the moment, Elspind value the cultural interchange between our world and the CLS representatives. We are
learning a great deal." Eerin regarded the journalist unblinkingly. "Hin values the opportunity to learn, Cara."
The journalist nodded. "What about the other Elspind? How do they currently feel about the CLS contact?"
"The Elspind--our name means 'People of Life'--support the government in its decision," Eerin said, obviously choosing hin's words with great care.
"But there was trouble on Elseemar recently," Cara pointed out. 'Trouble from a group of Elspind, correct?"
"Not correct," Eerin said firmly. "Those who caused the trouble were not the Elspind, but the Wospind--the People of Death. Outwardly they appear like us, but inwardly their minds and hearts are in conflict with the People of Life."
"How do the two groups differ?" Cara asked. She was leaning forward intently, obviously relieved that Eerin was willing to discuss such a potentially touchy subject.
"The Wospind fear that our old ways will be totally destroyed by the contacts with the off-worlders. They do not believe that contact with the CLS can prove beneficial."
"They claimed responsibility for the destruction of one of the main laboratory buildings near your village, didn't they?"
"Yes." Eerin shifted restlessly.
75
"Can you explain where they come from, and what their position is to my viewers?"
For the first time, the Elpind seemed reluctant. "The Wospind rose as a separate group only after the CLS representatives came to our world. From the first they argued against off-world contact. The dissenting families began to move away from our villages and towns in large groups, going higher into the mountains or even near the edges of The Long Desert, isolated places.
There they promised they would cling to our traditional life-style. Their protests grew ever louder."
"And what is their goal?"
Eerin hesitated. "Before hin can explain their demands, hin must first give a brief"--the Elpind's mouth turned down as hin considered--"a brief Telling.
The word does not translate well. History ... legend ... myth ... all those words combined, and more, that is a Telling."
Cara nodded. "I think I understand. Go on, please."
"Long, long ago, our Tellings say, the people lived much longer than they do now. Long enough
Similar Books
