Conference At Castle Beynac

Orion Shall Rise, CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR.

An angry conference meets at Castle Beynac because a conflict has escalated. Skyholm staff have refused to obey certain kinds of orders so the usurper, Jovain, has replaced them with foreign mercenaries - strike breakers, "scabs" - and this has provoked massive opposition at every level in Domain society.

"Sessions began early each day and ran until well after sundown. The matter dealt with was as grave as any in the history of the Domain, or more so. Everybody demanded to be heard, repeatedly and at length." (p. 422)

This is perhaps the greatest single difference between human beings and the Ythrians in Poul Anderson's Technic History. The Ythrians are intelligent flying carnivores, which is a major physical and biological difference from humanity. However, in their "Khruaths," decision-making bodies, in time of war:

the only speakers are those who have something specific either to report or to propose;

 

each speaks once and briefly.

Thus, every free adult in each territory across the planet Avalon is able to attend and vote in a regional Khruath, part of the Great Khruath.

 

Advances in education, culture and communications technology should empower other intelligent species to progress toward a Khruath system.

Addendum: I forgot to mention that many Avalonian human beings have joined Ythrian choths and therefore participate in Khruaths instead of in the Parliament of Man.