"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."
Chapter, the Sixty-Sixth:
WINTER HAS BEEN ARRANGED;
TIME HAS RUN OUT
Cabot crouched down within the ramparts, a robe clutched about him, shuddering with cold. He could not even hold the bow, nor finger arrows from the quiver, so stiff and useless were his fingers.
Wind tore about the ramparts, and blinding snow.
Lord Grendel brushed snow from his face and eyes, and examined the wintry terrain extending to the habitats.
"The weather may be localized,” said Lord Grendel. “I have given permission for the humans to withdraw."
* * * *
"Sharpen blades, and form lines,” had said a Kur. “We will begin the cutting of throats."
"And the last alive may then drive the knife into his own breast,” said another.
"May I speak?” had begged Cabot, and Lord Grendel had bidden the others listen.
"I do not understand the ways of Kur,” had said Cabot. “I do not understand how my friends, my compatriots, and brothers, can contemplate the ruination of a cause for which we have long and well fought. Are we really to abandon our war and accept a defeat which we may ascribe only to ourselves? This seems to me not only an error, a dreadful mistake, but a lapse into abject madness. Further, it is clear to me, as well, that Lord Arcesilaus would not wish this monstrous act, this self slaughtering, to take place, and, indeed, that he would forbid it, and categorically, had he the opportunity to do so. All this, I take it, is clear."
There was general assent to his remarks, but little evidence that his peers were to be dissuaded from their woeful intention.
"Let us suppose,” said Cabot, “that the way of Kur is not to be changed."
"It will not be changed,” said a Kur.
"Why should it not be changed?” asked Lord Grendel.
"It will not be changed!” said more than one Kur.
"Very well,” said Cabot. “Let us suppose the way of Kur is not changed, that this lethal pact, so peculiar and incomprehensible to mere humans, is to be brought to effectuation."
"As it must be,” said a Kur.
"But when?” asked Cabot. “Is there anything in the way of Kur which insists upon a particular hour, or day, or moment?"
"No,” said a Kur.
"The mariners, after their defeat,” said Cabot, “did not all immediately hang themselves or rush to the knife. Days, weeks, passed, before they went to the place of gathering."
"They have still not submitted to the noose or knife,” said a Kur.
"Nor will they,” said Cabot.
"They have changed the way of Kur,” said Lord Grendel.
"This is different,” said a Kur. “Another life is at stake, that of the leader, Lord Arcesilaus."
"Yes,” said Lord Grendel, “it is different. But, I take it, the point of our friend Cabot is that we need not act on this precipitately."
"Why should we wait?” asked a Kur.
"Let us be done with it,” said another.
"Let us wait,” pleaded Cabot. “Must we instantly gratify Lord Agamemnon? I, for one, would not care to do so. And what will Lord Agamemnon do, if we wait? His forces are doubtless as anxious as ours to bring our conflict to a favorable resolution. May they not eventually swarm forth as irrationally as many of you seem to propose to do, and might not they then, rather than us, be cut down in the intervening fields?"
"Waiting would disconcert Agamemnon, at least,” said Lord Grendel. “And certainly it will put pressure on his commanders, as their forces grow ever more restless."
"He may kill Lord Arcesilaus,” said a Kur.
"If he does so,” said Lord Grendel, “then he is no longer in a position to bargain with his life."
"Let us wait,” said a Kur.
"Agamemnon will be angry,” said a Kur.
"Excellent,” had said Lord Grendel.
When the Kurii had filed away, Lord Grendel turned to Cabot. “Thank you, friend,” he said.
"We have bought a bit of time,” said Cabot.
"Do you think it will be enough?” had asked Lord Grendel.
"No,” had said Cabot. “I do not think so."
* * * *
It was four days after the return of the delegation that the weather changed.
It began with the wind, and then the temperature.
"You should withdraw, friend,” said Lord Grendel to Cabot.
"I will stay,” said Cabot.
"And others?” asked Lord Grendel.
"Some,” said Cabot.
Wind tore at the cloak of Peisistratus, whipping it about his shoulders. He shut his eyes against the fierce sting of flighted ice.
Archon struggled to breathe, turning away from the wind.
"You are useless here,” said Lord Grendel. “In these temperatures only Kurii might live."
"No,” said Cabot. “We will clothe ourselves against the cold, build fires."
"It may be warmer elsewhere, perhaps in the vicinity of Lake Fear,” said Lord Grendel. “I have ordered several of our humans to withdraw, searching for warmth."
"And what of the slaves?” asked Cabot.
"They will herd the slaves before them."
"Good,” said Cabot.
It is a common practice of humans to care for their domestic animals, taking, say, bosk, kaiila, verr, and such to better pastures, more temperate climes, and such.
"What of the Lady Bina?” asked Cabot.
"We have bundled her well,” said Lord Grendel. “And I have had a litter prepared, which will be dragged by the women of Cestiphon. They, too, are now well bundled, and their feet wrapped."
"The women of Cestiphon?"
"It would amuse you to see them,” said Peisistratus. “They are miserable with cold, and the very rope on their neck is stiff and frozen."
"But they hate the Lady Bina,” said Cabot.
"They are now terrified of her,” said Lord Grendel, “for they have now been taught the difference between free women and slaves, and that they are slaves."