Putkwz, Ch.4, Head of State

4



Head of State



A half an hour later, the servant returned for me. “Za Malcolm, the Sacacon will see you now.” I put the magazines aside and followed the servant into a spacious office in which Mawgri and a richly dressed yellow-and-green-scaled Putkur sat at a table of dark, polished wood. The walls of the office were covered with books and a bank of blank television screens sat in the middle of one wall. I surmised that since the televisions were not on, they were a relatively new technology with few channels and only intermittent viewing times for Saca; the constant sound and kinetic movement of the screen had not yet become part of the Putkeen consciousness.

The servant announced, “Your Majesty, Za Malcolm, the traveler from another system.” I bowed and approached, unsure what I should do. Sacacon was a large Putkur, as the leader of warrior tribes had to be, strong and erect and confident. He seemed also to be in good physical condition, as someone who didn’t indulge in intoxicants and exercised his body.

Sacacon eased my uncertainty. He gestured for me to come to him. “Sit next to me, Za Malcolm, let me sense you.”

I sat at the table next to Sacacon, imperial in satiny red smur and brilliant, luminescent purple and blue feathers of the aubligado bird. His tongue licked my forehead very quickly—not a sloppy, wet lick—but a dry touch as if fingers had wiped my brow.

He said, “Tell us about the place you come from.” I looked at his face, which held such an open expression, and his eyes seemed so inquisitive that they launched my treatise.

Therefore, I explained where in the universe Earth was, how we were a federated system much as existed on Stuwkrik, how our technology was similar to that of the Stuwkreen, although perhaps a little more advanced. How our planet had suffered periods of war and tension much like Putkwyz was going through, and I sympathized with him.

He surprised me by saying, “Malcolm, let me ask you a question. Did you once have kingdoms and empires on your home planet?”

“Yes, for centuries”

“Why did they disappear?”

“Eventually democracy took over, gradually supplanting all autocratic systems—especially as literacy became almost universal.”

“Mawgri tells me that things happened in such a way on Stuwkrik, also.”

Mawgri nodded his assent.

“Then I think I should promote democratic reforms in Saca, although I don’t necessarily want to give up the throne that my ancestors established hundreds of years ago. What should I do?”

“You could set up a constitutional monarchy, with yourself as head of state, but laws made by consent of a legislature. Your family would remain wealthy and powerful, and if you invest your money wisely, you could have wide influence with your capital.”

“I see. I’ve already mandated eight levels of schooling for all citizens. In ten years, I want to have democratic towns and parishes. After that will come a parliament of nobles and representatives of each parish. What do you think?”

“That’s very wise, Your Majesty. You will be a hero to your people.”

“Then I will retire to a life of study and writing except when called to state functions.”

“How did Kunwyz become democratic?”

“Just as you said. Kunwyz was made up of small tribal polities whose leaders had always been chosen by the tribal members. It’s a mountainous country, so each tribe had its own valley. The tribes had some early wars among one another, but eventually established a peace that all the tribes signed. At first a king was named to oversee the continent. Each tribe took pride in educating its people, so they have always had a high rate of literacy. For trading purposes, they built a road system connecting all the valleys. They have a wealth of hydroelectric power and became industrialized before other regions of the planet. Now, they have a federation and are the wealthiest people on the planet per capita.”

“They are threatened by Radimeer, aren’t they?”

“Yes, but Kunwyz and Saca have just signed a mutual defense treaty. We hope that together we can stem the forces of darkness.”

“I saw in a magazine that Radimeer outguns you in almost every area.”

“Yes, its numbers are impressive. However, we have an edge in technology that we hope will be a vital difference. Of course, those are state secrets that I cannot reveal even to an impartial stranger. By the way, all soldiers must be taught to read and write.”

“Not impartial. I will be pulling for your side.”

“I’m glad to hear that because war is looming more inevitably as each week passes. Mawgri tells me that you have an interest in our religion, Kandizam.”

“Yes, I do. I would like to look at the unreadable book of Kandi. I may be able to interpret some of it. And I would also like to go up Mt. Zaput.”

“I will let you look at the book under one condition.”

“What is that?”

“That you tell me truly what you find.”

“I promise.”

“Then you may see it tomorrow if you wish.”

“I do.”

“I’ll send a pass allowing it.”

“Going up the mountain is more difficult as the religion allows no one except me to go up the mountain, which I have never done except once when I was much younger. I found nothing of interest but wild beasts and a cave, most of which was blocked by fallen rocks. However, there is another way to reach the top than by climbing.”

“What is that?”

“One device that the military has developed is a parachute, by which soldiers can be dropped behind enemy lines and pilots can avoid death. If you went up in an airplane and jumped out with a parachute, no one could stop you. On the way down the mountain, you can say you were blown astray by winds and landed by accident. I can have a representative waiting to escort you safely away.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. To repay you, let me design the parachute I will use. It’s a more advanced design and will allow your soldiers to guide their chutes to specified landings. You keep the design as yours.”

Sacacon slapped the top of the desk to show pleasure. “Mawgri, I like your friend and am glad he landed in the Za System. This conversation has been very pleasant for me, and I am surer than ever that Saca is on the right track. However, state business beckons, so I must leave you now.” He rose.

We rose and bowed and said “Our honor, Your Majesty,” and he left the room.

The servant returned and showed us the way out into the dark, cold night. At the foot of the slope, Luvark waited with his yellow car.

I asked Luvark if he had learned to read because I had never seen him reading.

“Yes, Za Malcolm. I am a soldier of Sacacon. We all learn to read.”

Back at Mawgri’s villa, Mawgri and I got ready for bed, but he paused in the cleaning room and said, “Malcolm, you did very well tonight, but I have a suggestion. Tomorrow you are going to read the book, aren’t you?”

“Yes, if I can.”

“When will you go up the mountain?”

“As soon as I can arrange it.”

“Do you have a diagram of the parachute you will make?”

“No, but it won’t take long to draw. It’s a simple structure, but the fabric must be impermeable.”

“If you have the drawing ready in the morning, I can drop it off and have it made for you in two days.”

“Then I’ll do it before I come to bed.”

“Good, and I have a change I want to make in your plans. After you’ve finished on the mountain, let me fetch you from the mountain in one of my ships; then you won’t have to worry about getting past the ecclesiastic guards on the mountains.”

“That’s fine with me. But will Sacacon be offended?”

“I don’t think so since I’ll be carrying papers for him to Kunwyz. I’ll get you off the mountain and we’ll go directly to Kunwyz.”

“So that was the business you had with him?”

“That and other things.”

“He seemed to like me.”

Mawgri put his strong hands on my waist. “Yes, but not as much as I do.”

“That’s different.” I kissed him. He rolled his tongue over my forehead.

He said, “Now, go make your drawing; then come to bed. In the big desk are paper and pens you can use. There is also a book of measurements for all our planets.”

I found the implements, drew carefully, showing the dimensions in Putkur measurements.
Pleased with my work, I returned to Mawgri’s bed to enjoy his company and showed him the drawing.

“Ah, a clever device for atmospheric planets! But tell me the words and I will write them in Putkeen. Then we can erase the English words; they would give away your knowledge of the book.”

“That’s right, they would. Thanks.” We both went to the desk. I told him the words and he wrote the Putkur words and erased the English words.

Then we went happily to our warm bed.

At this point, I should inform the reader, who might be conservative enough to become apprehensive at the prospect of men sleeping together, that we were not lovers in the physical sense of the word. We were platonic, but very affectionate toward each other. The emotional connection was real enough and strong enough, and we did kiss and hug and snuggle, but the true sex act was never performed. After all, we were not only not of the opposite sex, but also not of the same species.

End of Chapter 3
 
Below are items related to this blog.