It was Dors who identified the newcomer first, perhaps because it was she who expected him.
"Hummin," she said, "thank goodness you found us. I got in touch with you the moment I realized I was not going to deflect¹ Hari from"--she held up her hands in a wide gesture "this."
Hummins smile was a small one that did not alter the natural gravity of his face. There was a subtle weariness about him.
"My dear," he said, "I was engaged in other things. I cannot always pull away at a moments notice. And when I got here, I had, like you two, to supply myself with a kirtle and sash, to say nothing of a skincap, and make my way out here. Had I been here earlier, I might have stopped this, but I believe Im not too late."
Sunmaster Fourteen had recovered from what had seemed to be a painful shock. He said in a voice that lacked its customary severe depth, "How did you get in here, Tribesman Hummin?"
"It was not easy, High Elder, but as Tribeswoman Venabili likes to say, I am a very persuasive² person. Some of the citizens here remember who I was and what I have done for Mycogen in the past, that I am even an honorary Brother. Have you forgotten, Sunmaster Fourteen?"
The Elder replied, "I have not forgotten, but even the most favorable memory can not survive certain actions. A tribesman here and a tribeswoman. There is no greater crime. All you have done is not great enough to balance that. My people are not unmindful. We will make it up to you some other way. But these two must die or be handed over to the Emperor."
"I am also here," said Hummin calmly. "Is that not a crime as well?"
"For you," said Sunmaster Fourteen, "for you personally, as a kind of honorary Brother, I can ... overlook it ... once. Not these two."
"Because you expect a reward from the Emperor? Some favor? Some concession³? Have you already been in touch with him or with his Chief of Staff, Eto Demerzel, more likely?"
"That is not a subject for discussion."
"Which is itself an admission. Come on, I dont ask what the Emperor promised, but it cannot be much. He does not have much to give in these degenerate⁴ days. Let me make you an offer. Have these two told you they are scholars?"
"They have."

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