The Earl Of Anatolia

The People Of Wind, III.

Fleet Admiral Juan de Jesus Cajal y Palomares has come from Nuevo Mexico to Esperance in Sector Pacis of the Terran Empire in order to lead an attack on the Domain of Ythri. Because he is a widower, Cajal is accompanied by his daughter, Luisa, who will play the role of hostess in his rented house in Fleurville. Ekrem Saracoglu, Earl of Anatolia, Imperial Governor of Sector Pacis and notorious womanizer, has hinted for a while that he would like to meet Luisa. Although the admiral likes and trusts the governor, the meeting is delayed by work commitments on both sides. The text notes at this point that Luisa's upbringing was strict, honorable and proud.

At last, Luisa plays hostess to Saracoglu while Cajal is yet again delayed by work:

"'Thus you, Donna, have been told to keep me happy in the teeth of a postponed meal,' Saracoglu purred over the hand he kissed. 'I assure you, that will not be in the least difficult.'" (p. 471)

Pleased when Luisa encourages him to talk about himself, he confesses that, although his peerage is minor, Imperial nobles are expected to serve the Imperium, in his case as a career bureaucrat although he prefers to "'...dabble in oils and clays - maybe you'd care to see....'" (p. 472) He would prefer to have been "'...born in a decadent era!'" (ibid.) He wryly remarks, "'Alas, you know how such things go.'" (ibid.) The emphasis is not on the current emergency but on himself, seeking this attractive young woman's sympathy for a man reluctantly but dutifully responding to the Empire's call.

Saracoglu is amused by his own performance. This unprepossessing, middle-aged man who keeps two expensive mistresses in his palace plays the part of a boy playing the part of a man of the world! I ask: why can't he just speak naturally and honestly? His own reflections inform us that he enjoys such role-playing just as he enjoys "...gaudy clothes and jewels..." (ibid.) because such appearances are relaxations from his usual "...wry realism..." (ibid.)

Saracoglu's problem is that, after her polite inquiries about him, Luisa begins to talk seriously. She is distressed by the prospect of war and asks searching questions like, "'Who stalled [negotiations]?'" (ibid.) and how genuine was the Empire's effort to reach an accommodation? (p. 473) She can see that the Empire has been preparing for hostilities. When she mentions human-Ythrian cooperation on Avalon, he sees:

"'...a chance to divert the conversation back into easier channels." (p. 475)

Her concern is to address the issues; his is to divert her from them. She refuses a grape that he offers her, the sun, Pax, recedes and shadows grow. Saracoglu displays his ignorance of human Avalonians by suggesting that they will be glad to join the Empire.

"He'd not spoil the occasion, which was still salvageable, by telling her that weeks had passed since a courier ship brought what he had requested: an Imperial rescript declaring war on Ythri, to be made public whenever governor and admiral felt ready to act." (p. 477)

Saracoglu had requested war. What is still salvageable? Subsequent chapters make this clearer but that is enough for tonight.