"There is no message, Guildmaster," said Edvin. "This Atavist has clearly taken leave of his senses. You've seen the sort."
Ka Vail came closer. "You," he said to his men. "Let him go." He stepped closer, his head slightly forward, eyes narrowed. "An Atavist, hey? And why would an Atavist be bearing a message for Roge Men Darnak?"
"Send him on his way with a well-placed foot, Guildmaster," said Edvin from the side.
Ka Vail whirled. "You shut up." He turned back looking at Sandon suspiciously. "I may be old, but I'm no fool, Atavist. I've seen one too many of your people recently. And none of it has led to any good. Now, what are you doing here?"
"I come with a message for Roge from Principal Men Darnak."
"Who?"
"Leannis Men Darnak."
Ka Vail seemed to consider this for a moment. At the same time, the other man stepped forward. Karryl Ky Menin! What in the name of the First Families was the Head of the Guild of Technologists doing here at the Ka Vail residence? There could only be one reason. There was about to be some sort of action within the Principate.
"Leannis Men Darnak. Speaking of old fools," said Ky Menin. "Well, Roge, or should I say, Principal Men Darnak is no longer here. He has left."
Sandon gave a growl of frustration. "By the Prophet," he muttered.
Ky Menin peered at him suspiciously. "You're a very strange Atavist. And why would Men Darnak have an Atavist running messages for him?" He continued looking suspiciously. Sandon felt suddenly very uncomfortable.
"I was sent with the message by the Principal. I am called Tchardo. And as the Prophet willed it, I was taken on by Witness Kovaar to the Principal's party."
Ka Vail turned to his fellow Guildmaster. "Men Darnak has been known to do stranger things, Karryl. And that Kovaar's a strange enough bird. I see no real reason to doubt it, but it leaves us with a slight problem."
"Well, perhaps," said Ky Menin. "So what is this message?"
Sandon looked at Ky Menin and back at Ka Vail, knowing that he had no choice. Slowly he recounted the tale of the Men Darnak party's ejection from Karin's estates and the disrespect with which she had treated the old man.
"And so," he finished. "The Principal has sent me to inform Roge that he will be traveling to his holdings and to make ready. That man over there," he said, pointing to Edvin, "can confirm everything I have told you."
Ky Menin turned to Ka Vail. "It rings true. The old fool doesn't know when he's done. But then you would never expect him to."
Sandon felt the seed of anger start to grow within him. "And you would do well to show some respect for your Principal."
"He's not my Principal any more, Atavist," Ky Menin said quietly and calmly. "And you should learn your place."
"And you know yours?" Sandon hissed.
"That's enough," said Ky Menin. "You will speak when I ask you to or not at all."
"What gives you the right?" said Sandon. "The Prophet will see to proper order."
"I have more right than you will ever know," countered Ky Menin with a slight sneer.
Ky Menin's attitude, Edvin, the whole thing suddenly became too much. Sandon barely restrained the urge to reach out a hand, ready to wipe the sneering smile from Ky Menin's face. He had to remember who he was supposed to be, to retain control. The Guildmaster stepped quickly back, noting the tension, and gestured to the Ka Vail staff. "Hold him." No sooner had he said it, than Sandon was grabbed firmly again from either side.
"No!" Sandon said through gritted teeth. He struggled, trying to break their grip.
Ky Menin watched him with a slightly amused expression. "So, Aron," he said. "It appears we have another problem. I suggest we lock him in one of your garages until I work out what we're going to do with him. Let him sit and be intimate with all of the technology he despises so much. He might learn a lesson or two in there."
"We simply can't do that," said Ka Vail.
"Of course we can," said Ky Menin. "Who's going to stop us?"
"But we risk offending Men Darnak, and in the current circumstance..."
"And so what?" Ky Menin's voice had become firm. "Leannis Men Darnak is the past. What do we care if we offend him? Go," he said to the other men. "Take him. Lock him up. Let him think upon his blessed Prophet and what he truly believes."
