The Dark Lady

Republic, antagonized too many of their neighboring races, and they had been forced to fall back and regroup— but the Republic had nonetheless lasted for two millennia. They had begun the era of the Democracy as one race among many, but before long they had achieved primacy once again— and the Democracy had lasted for almost three millennia. Now there was the Oligarchy, a council of seven that ruled the vast, sprawling galaxy as completely as it could be ruled, and in the four centuries of its existence no non-human had ever sat upon an Oligarch's chair.
    Could a Bjornn have filled such a chair, I wondered— or would she have crushed it with the weight of her ethical baggage? Had the Mother of All Things studied Her handiwork and decided that pragmatism was the missing element? Did the Dark Lady cherish all that was best in Man, or did she call to the grave all that was worst in him?
    It was an interesting thought, that last. Was there a meeting ground somewhere between the two races, a point of proper balance between the Yin and the Yang? Was she moving Man closer to that point by eliminating those men who most typified the extreme? And if so, was I also part of that plan, a prototype of the new Bjornn race, a thief and fugitive who dared speak directly to his deity?
    Or had I merely learned to rationalize, to blame my sins and my shortcomings on a mysterious woman who neither knew nor cared about the Bjornns or Vladimir Kobrynski, who might be tens of thousands of light-years away at this very minute, or might never become flesh again?
    I sat morosely, with such thoughts occupying my mind, for the better part of two hours. Then the hatch opened, and Heath, a large package tucked firmly under one arm, entered the ship.
    “Did you find her?” I asked eagerly.
    He shook his head. “I didn't even find him — but at least I know where he is now.”
    “Where?”
    “An uninhabited little world called Solitaire. It's the only planet circling Beta Sybaris.” He paused. “Evidently plasma painting is even more dangerous than we thought. I gather it can wipe out an entire planetary population if they don't take the proper precautions— and the government of Saltmarsh couldn't see any reason why they should go to the trouble and expense of protecting their citizens from Kobrynski's latest hobby. So,” he concluded, “they invited him to leave, and now Friend Vladimir is off creating masterpieces on Solitaire, where he can't kill anyone except himself.”
    “How far away is it?” I asked.
    “We can make it in just under two days,” replied Heath. He placed the box down on a counter. “By the way, I've got a little present for you.” He watched me for my reaction. “It's from your Pattern Mother.”
    “It cannot be,” I said morosely. “She does not know I am here.”
    “Tai Chong must have told her, because she sent it to the local Claiborne branch, and they turned it over to Customs on the assumption that we'd show up sooner or later. I just hope she didn't tell anyone else.” He paused. “Stop looking so suspicious, Leonardo. The Benitarus system is only a week away from Saltmarsh. She had plenty of time to send it and still have it arrive ahead of us.”
    “That is true,” I admitted, allowing hope to rise within me. “She did have time.”
    “See?” said Heath with satisfaction. “I told you she wouldn't forget your Acceptance Day.”
    “I must confess that I had feared she would never contact me again, Friend Valentine,” I said, beginning to unwrap the package. “Especially when I was told that she knew I was being sought by the Far London police.” My fingers tugged awkwardly at the tapes and sealers. “If I have been denied only the Celebration of the First Mother, there is still a possibility that I may someday be allowed to return to my Family.”
    “You look very excited,” remarked Heath. “You're practically glowing.”
    “I am excited, Friend Valentine,” I replied, finally working my way through the wrapping material and opening the box. “This is more than I had dared to hope for, and— ”
    Suddenly I stopped speaking, and simply stared into the box.
    “What is it?” demanded Heath. “What's wrong?”
    “I asked the Dark Lady for a sign,” I said dully. “She has given me one.”
    I reached in and withdrew a small, dead rodent, holding it up by its tail.
    “I have been cast out for all eternity,” I continued. “All Bjornns will be instructed to shun me