Kur of Gor

Chapter, the Sixty-Fifth: THE DELEGATION RETURNS

"You have heard the proclamation,” said Lord Grendel.

"Who could not?” said Cabot, angrily. “The world rings with it."

The proclamation had been repeated several times, in both Kur and Gorean.

"Surely,” said Statius, “he does not have Lord Arcesilaus."

"He may,” said Cabot. “Lord Grendel and I found the cave by Lake Fear empty."

"Lord Arcesilaus would surely not have us comply with the proclamation,” said Archon.

"No, he would not,” said Lord Grendel, “but he cannot change the ways of Kur."

"It is not clear he is in the power of Agamemnon,” said a Kur.

"That would have to be determined,” said another Kur.

"What would it matter?” asked Archon.

"You are human,” said a Kur. “You do not understand."

"Perhaps one might die for a cause,” said Cabot, “but surely not for a leader."

"Surely humans have died for leaders, as well as causes,” said Lord Grendel.

"Not in this way,” said Cabot.

"No,” said Lord Grendel, “I suppose not in this way."

"Have humans not chosen to die for friends, for brothers, even for slaves?” asked a Kur.

"Not in this fashion, surely, or seldom so,” said Cabot.

"The proclamation is clear,” said a Kur. “It is our lives or that of Lord Arcesilaus. He will be put to death if we do not slay ourselves. Our only way to save him is to slay ourselves."

"Surely he would not wish that,” said Cabot.

"His wishes in this matter are not decisive,” said Lord Grendel.

"This is utter madness,” said Cabot. “Our Kurii cannot be serious."

"They are quite serious,” said Lord Grendel.

"Do not fear,” said a Kur. “Humans are not involved in this."

"They would be hunted down, and killed later,” said another Kur.

"Our Kurii will die, that Arcesilaus may live?” said Cabot. “The war teeters on some bizarre irrationality?"

"It is not bizarre to us,” said a Kur.

"It is the way,” said another.

"To die for a leader is to betray the cause,” said Cabot.

"The cause is the leader,” said a Kur. “The leader is the cause."

"That is madness,” said Cabot.

"You are not Kur,” said a Kur.

"It is alien to you,” said Lord Grendel, “but it is not alien to us."

"We are not as you, nor are you as we,” said a Kur.

"Surely we have rationality in common,” said Cabot.

"We are rational,” said a Kur. “It is you who are not rational. It is rational to die for the leader, to whom one is pledged. What could be more rational? It would be irrational, an act of insanity, not to do so."

"Life is first,” said Cabot.

"No,” said a Kur. “The way is first."

"Surely, Lord Grendel,” said Cabot, “you will not betray humans, and the Lady Bina amongst them, to the vengeance of the minions of Lord Agamemnon."

"I can die with them,” said Lord Grendel.

"Humans will continue to resist,” said Cabot.

"The winter can be brought,” said Lord Grendel, “and humans will be immobilized, perhaps frozen, in temperatures which, to Kurii, are merely severe."

"Suppose,” said Cabot, “many, or most, of our Kurii kill themselves. What, then, is to prevent Lord Agamemnon from killing Lord Arcesilaus?"

"Nothing,” said a Kur.

"One supposes he would do so,” said another.

"Recall,” said Lord Grendel, “the mariners awaited the noose or knife, in dismal, patient resignation, as befitting their degradation."

"That, too, was madness,” said Cabot.

"No,” said a Kur. “It is the way of Kur."

"Without the way of Kur,” said Lord Grendel, “we are not Kur."

"I suspect,” said Statius, “Agamemnon does not have Lord Arcesilaus."

"I have sent a delegation, lifting above their heads the broken spear,” said Lord Grendel, “that they may be permitted through the enemy lines and conveyed to the palace, that a determination may be made in the matter. I expected their return by now."

"Doubtless they have been slain."

"I think not,” said Lord Grendel, gazing beyond the rampart, to the field betwixt the habitats and the lines of the insurrectionists.

Small figures could be seen in the distance. Some small groups of cattle humans moved slowly from their path.

"It is the delegation,” said Statius.

Several Ehn later some four Kurii were admitted to the insurrectionists’ lines.

"Well?” said Lord Grendel.

The leader of the delegation cast aside the broken spear.

"Well?” said Lord Grendel.

"Lord Agamemnon, Eleventh face of the Nameless One, Theocrat of the World,” said their leader, “has Lord Arcesilaus in his power."