"You are foolish, my friend. And it is the duty of the Temple to see
that Laurr does not suffer for your foolishness. The Maldia is a
fearful thing, Telis, a creation of senseless hate. Why do you hate
the Tellurians? You have never even seen one. They are but men like
ourselves, and they bring gifts of great promise to Laurr. It is not
fit that such as you should be joined with a renegade like Prince
Brand ... a craven and a lying usurper ... and for the purpose of
attacking those who have come across to seek knowledge and friendship!"
Telis pondered. What Gorla said about Brand was largely true. The
man was untrustworthy and underhanded, a blind seeker of power. But
prejudices of caste and upbringing were too much to combat. And to
renege now would be to mark himself a coward in a world that lived by
the sword. It was unthinkable!
"You, Gorla," Telis said pointedly, "should limit yourself to
scientific and theological matters and leave matters of state and
policy to those better equipped to handle them."
Gorla shook his head sadly. "Foolish friend!" Then his voice took on
the unmistakable tone of command. "In the name of, and by the authority
of the Temple, I demand that you abandon your projected attack on the
Tellurian camp."
Telis threw back his head and laughed. "Demand, is it? I know of no
plan to attack the foreigners, friend Priest, now or in the future! Now
kindly step aside. I cannot make the Laurr of Laurr wait on me while I
argue senseless points with you...."