(He's going to put it to a vote.) The Oversoul spoke in Luet's mind.
That much is obvious by now, said Luet. What is his plan?
(When Nafai opposes the decision to return to the city, it will be mutiny.)
Then he must not oppose.
(Then my work would be thwarted.)
Then control the vote.
(Whose vote should I change? Which of them would Elemak believe if he suddenly voted to go on?)
Then don't let the vote happen.
(I have no such influence with Elemak.)
Then tell Nafai not to oppose!
(He must oppose, or there will be no voyage to Earth.)
"No!" cried Luet.
Everyone looked at her. "No what?" asked Elemak.
"No vote," she said. "There will be no vote."
"Ah yes," said Elemak. "We have another freedom-lover here who realizes that she doesn't approve of democracy after all, when she thinks the vote will go against her."
"Who said anything about voting?" asked Dol, who was never terribly sharp about what was going on around her.
"I vote we go back to civilization," said Obring. "Otherwise we're slaves to marriage - and to Elemak, for that matter!"
"But I said nothing about putting things to a vote," said Elemak. "I said only that we must make a decision about where to go. A vote might be interesting, but I won't be bound by it. It's your counsel that I need, not your governance."
So they counseled him, eloquently - or tried to. But if anyone even began to advance an argument that someone else had already stated, Elemak would silence them at once. "I've already heard that. Anything new to add?" As a result, the discussion didn't last very long at all. Sooner than Luet would have thought possible, Elemak asked, "Anything else?" and no one answered.
He waited, looked around at them. The sun was coming over the tops of the distant mountains now, and his eyes and hair glowed with reflected light. This is his finest moment, thought Luet. This is what he has planned for - a whole community, including his father's wife, including his brother Nafai, including the waterseer and the raveler of Basilica, including his own bride, all waiting for the decision that will change their lives. Or end them.
"Thank you for your wise counsel," said Elemak gravely. "It seems to me that we don't have to choose one way or another. Those who want to return to civilization may, and soon enough those who want to go on into the desert on this errand for the Oversoul may do so as well. We can call it a rescue of my father or we can call it the beginning of a voyage to Earth - that's not at issue now. What matters is that all can be satisfied. We'll go south a little way and then come over the mountains and down into the Cities of the Plain. There we can leave those who can't bear to live under the harsh law of the desert, and I can take the stronger ones with me."
"Thanks so much!" said Mebbekew.
"I don't care what he calls me, as long as I have my freedom," said Kokor.
"Fools," said Nafai. "Don't you see that he's only pretend-
"What did you say?" said Elemak.
"He intended to take us back to civilization all along," said Nafai.
"Don't, Nafai," said Luet, for she knew what was coming next.
"Listen to your brideling, Brother," said Elemak. His voice was deceptively mild.
"I will listen to the Oversoul," said Nafai. "The only reason we're alive right now is because the Oversoul has been influencing a band of robbers to stay holed up in their cave not three hundred meters away. The Oversoul can lead us perfectly well across the desert, with or without Elemak and his stupid desert law. It's a game for boys that he's playing - who can make the boldest threats - "
"Not threats," said Elemak. "Laws that every desert traveler knows."
"If we trust in the Oversoul we will be perfectly safe on this journey. If we trust in Elemak we'll return to the Plain and be destroyed in the wars that are coming."
"Trust in the Oversoul," said Meb with a sneer. "What you mean is do whatever you say."
"Elemak knows that the Oversoul is real enough - he had a dream that led us back to the city to marry our wives, didn't he?"
Elemak only laughed. "Babble on, Nafai."
"It's as Elemak said. This isn't a matter for democracy. It's a matter for each of us to decide. Go on with the journey as the Oversoul has directed, and we'll take