“For starters, a request like that could never be granted,” Dugath stated calmly. “Under the Frybar’s Darfass, no one below the social station of Ryuuk can borrow a Menyu. Didn’t you know that?”
Lafiel bit her lip and shook her head.
It was hard enough to grasp the basic regulations of the Frybar, let alone the fringe clauses!
“Then, how should we settle it?” Dugath shook his head. “Although you didn’t know the usual customs, you probably would have understood it if you thought about it a little. The Frybar and Semei Sos protect the territorial citizens. Thus, the territorial citizens are not even directly connected to the Frybar. Knowing that, why would we ever loan them a Menyu?”
“It was thoughtless, Feia,” concluded Lamronyu.
Flustered, Lafiel didn’t know what to do. She certainly hadn’t made any promises, except to discuss it. It made her angry that the elders considered this unreasonable. She had given consideration to the weight of Fasanzoerl words — after all, when she was in Lyumusko Febdak, the Gosuk definitely misinterpreted her words.
Then, there was a loud, rolling laugh. It was Nisoth Dusem of Lartei Barker, who until that moment had been completely silent.
“Nisoth,” Dusem implored. “As Nisoth Dugath said, it’s cruel to condemn someone whose wings haven’t yet sprouted feathers! And regardless, this Lartnei didn’t tell a cowardly lie — she just told the truth.”
Secretly, Lafiel thanked the helping hand from the unexpected source.
“I still say that’s insufficient, Nisoth. Those Sos will doubtless claim great deception from an Abliar. And that’s a problem,” declared Dugoth.
“Then why don’t we lend them a Menyu?” suggested Dusem cheerfully.
“Really, Nisoth. Must I repeat the words of Nisoth Durad? No one — “
“Those Sos saved a Fryum Frybaral,” Dusem butted in. “That merits a promotions to Ryuuk status in my book. And if they’re conferred as Ryuuk, we can go ahead and loan them a Menyu.”
“Sos promoted to Ryuuk?” Dularz’ eyes bulged out of his head. “There’s no precedent!”
Dusem shrugged.
“Just a minute, Nisoth,” interjected Her Grace Lamorz (Nisoth Lamdorl) of Lartei Ilik. “According to the written report, these people advocate secession and independence from the Frybar. Do you honestly think they’ll happily become Imperial Ryuuk?”
“They’re free to refuse, but then we simply cannot loan them a Menyu.” He smiled mischievously. “There’s a Byr Wakeil in Loebhynu Sufagnaum right now, so we should be able to find them. We’ll announce that we’re conferring them as Ryuuk in front of ten thousand people. If they agree, we can loan them a ship. If not, we could give them a medal of courage or something.”
“The Labule isn’t really set up for that kind of operation,” pointed out Lamorz.
“If the Labule can’t handle it, we could use the Gal Skas.”
This is getting ridiculous. Lafiel paled.
In accordance with its name, the Imperial Crest Medal Institution (Gal Skas) was set up to award Sif and Ryuuk medals, and to be the government office that supervised genealogy. Currently, however, the Gal Skas primarily concerned itself with secret investigations of territories and Aith, acting as a kind of Abh secret police.
“I thought we were looking for a way to thank them,” Dularz said.
“Of course we are. I’ll never be called an ingrate!” Dusem waved his arms around wildly, causing the sleeves of his vestment (Feksei) to flap. “Let’s hold the investiture ceremony on Planet Clasbul, and invite the radicals to be our guests.”
Seven of the eight Faniiga turned inquisitive looks to Dusem.
“I’ve looked into it; those who advocate secession from the Frybar often feel they aren’t oppressed enough-“
“Is Nisoth suggesting we oppress them, in order to make them happy?”
“Certainly not. If we did something like that, it would cause too many problems for the Labule and Gal Skas, who already have their hands full. I don’t know about you,” Dusem’s smile became even more gruesome, “but I don’t mind being hated as long as I’m not despised. I just want the Sos to realize that the Frybar is capable of oppressing them, but we choose not to. I want them to realize that, if we felt like it, we could track down everyone in opposition to the Frybar.”
Lamyuunyu smiled pleasantly. “Spoor, for some time now, I’ve known that the Fiith of Lartei Barker isn’t Abliar. You have such tricky ideas.”
Unable to contain herself, Lafiel cracked. “I must say, Nisoth. I am grateful to those people — I even liked them. Their circumstances are different from ours, but they are still people with their own kind of pride. Please, Nisoth, do not take your anger out on them.”
Dusem spread out his arms. “It’s not unreasonable to accept some misunderstandings, when we ourselves are misunderstood by our own kind. Seriously, Feia, I wish to thank them.”
Lamorz grumbled.
“But, Nisoth, we don’t have the power to decide that kind of thing,” noted Dularz.
“We can still recommend it to Ramaj Erumita. It won’t take long. Hold on, please.”
Instantly, Dusem’s hologram vanished.
The remaining holograms of the Faniiga froze, perhaps to discuss something out of reach of Lafiel’s famous ears.
Eventually, Dusem returned, and the other holograms reanimated.
Ramaj’s disembodied voice echoed through the Hall, “Nisoth Dusem has filled me in on the situation. I have been racking my brains for an appropriate way to thank those Sos, and I appreciate Nisoth’s advice. I will arrange it at once, in the name of the Spunej.”
“Then this is decided,” concluded Dusem.
Grumpily, Dugath nodded. “Then there is no fear of damage to the honor of the Abliars.”
It didn’t sit right with Dularz. “It is not the role of the Luzei Fanigalak to patch up the Bene Lodair’s failures.”
“Who else but old birds can teach the chicks to fly?” shot back Dusem.
“At any rate, we must come to a conclusion. We have no more questions for Feia Lafiel,” stated Dusuum. “Let’s hear Nisoth’s opinions.”
“I acknowledge Feia Lafiel has the aptitude for a Lodairl.” With that, Lamyuunyu put her hand to her shoulder, and her hologram disappeared.
“I have no objections.” Hand on his shoulder, Lamorz blipped away.
“This is an aberrant departure from custom.” Dularz shook his head and put a hand to his shoulder. “I suppose it couldn’t be avoided.”
“Yes, I enjoyed that it distracts them from my dishonorable past.” Lamronyu winked and vanished.
“For some reason, I feel as if I’m looking upon my own daughter when she was small,” said Nisoth Lameimar, Lafiel’s great-grandmother, who had not spoken throughout the whole proceeding. “Please, come to visit before you settle into your new post.”
“Yeah, you really do resemble Ramaj Erumita. Maybe someday, you can stab my son in the back!” Dusem joked before dematerializing.
“We will meet again, young chick. I certainly hope it’s a more straightforward review next time,” said Dusuum.
“Congratulations, Fektodai Abliar.” Dugath made a half salute and poofed away.