Sacrifice

Chapter 23 - The Treasure

After a week of visits with Raphiel, Kalli was used to their routine, so she was surprised to see him already on the roof when she arrived.

"My dear girl," he said as soon as she came into sight. "Do come up; it's been far too long."

Kalli smiled, thrilled at the familiar welcome that he gave her. "It's been a mere two days."

"Yes, but in those two days the Council of Elders has meet five times," Raphiel said.

Kalli couldn't help but tease. "Oh, the horrors."

"Just wait until you end up on a committee," Raphiel warned with a wag of his finger. "I've been absolutely starved for intelligent discourse since the last time I saw you. So, I implore you, set up your telescope as quickly as possible so that we may commence the important part of the evening. I want at least two good topics of discussion tonight; I won't be satisfied with anything less."

Kalli obliged him, and soon they were both served at the table.

"Now," Raphiel instructed, "challenge me."

"Explain to me why the Cirts are so, zealous, about their segregation from the Imkan Empire," Kalli said.

"Yes, yes, that is a complex topic," Raphiel said. "It first began during the expansion years. I'm sure that at some point or another you've studied the period of one hundred years where the Imkan Empire went about conquering most of the known world."

Kalli nodded in the affirmative.

"Well my people at that time didn't have a large army, and we were neighbours to the Imkan Empire. When they turned to our settlements, our Elders brokered a treaty in order to prevent our people from being destroyed and annexed like other countries that were conquered. In return for our partial autonomy, the Cirts would continue to collaborate with the Imkan Empire on scientific and technological advancement and research. For a number of generations after that we held ourselves apart to make sure that we would not lose either our autonomy or our culture."

"So, the separation isn't because you dislike outsiders?" Kalli asked.

Raphiel sighed. "I wish that were so. After the environmental disaster that our planet faced, both sides became suspicious and untrusting. Each side pulled away, which made things even worse. Until a couple of generations ago, there was still interaction between our peoples. Some Cirts and Imkanians even intermarried. Then the Cirt Elders of the time decided that this was a threat to our people and did their best to prevent even that."

Raphiel looked worn out.

"I've tried to get the Council of Elders to see sense and overturn our predecessors' policies, but they refuse."

Kalli wished that she could do something for Raphiel. "I'm sorry," she said.

Raphiel gave her a faint smile. "Thank you, but enough of sorrowful talk; let us move on to your second subject of discussion for the night."

Kalli had picked a subject she hoped would please him. "What's your favourite piece of art?" she asked.

This had him straightening in his chair. "Ah! Art, the spark that ignites the flame of passion! How does one chose? The most significant historically? The one that shows the best mastery of colour? Or the play that makes you laugh until you cry? What does one choose as favourite?"

"How about the one that moves you the most?" she suggested. "The one that you could look at from morning until night, without ever tiring of it or losing the meaning."

Raphiel thought silently for a moment and then said with certainty, "the Domus de Solla et de Stella. Translated that means – "

"The Home of Sun and Stars. You've been there?" Kalli asked with delight.