Ekrem Saracoglu III

The People Of The Wind, XII.

(vi) On Esperance, Fleurville celebrates victory and peace. Saracoglu addresses Luisa:

"'Your father should be home soon. His work is done.' He sighed, trusting it wasn't too theatrically. 'Mine, of course, will get rougher.'" (p. 578)

"...trusting it wasn't too theatrically...'" Always an act with Saracoglu.

(vii) Luisa remarks coolly that he will become important. He agrees, adding that he does not want to be false or falsely modest with her. She continues that he will probably be elevated and knighted and become a Lord Adviser. He responds:

"'One is permitted to daydream.'" (p. 579)

Really? I think that a better man would just get on with the job. Luisa makes her accusation:

"'You promoted this war, Governor.'" (ibid.)

Saracoglu's immediate inner reflections are:

that Luisa either cannot see or does not care that the has dismissed his two mistresses on her account;

that he can probably get them back or find replacements;

that he was probably being unrealistic;

that he knows how to cope with disappointment.

But Luisa was talking about the war! Addressing this issue, he replies that he promoted necessary action and that:

"'The Ythrians are no martyred saints.'" (ibid.)

Of course they are not martyrs or saints, but that is a red herring.

Luisa persists, that he must have known what this would do for his career. He acknowledges this but claims that:

"'...it vastly complicated things for me...'" (p. 580)

Why? Just do what is for the best whatever it does for your career. He continues:

"'I thought I thought this border rectification would be for the best.'" (ibid.)

Surely you know what you think? After saying that he thinks that he is the best man for the job, he concludes:

"'Ought I to lay down this work in order that my conscience may feel smug?'..." (ibid.)

(No. Just do what you think is for the best, whichever decision that is. People who make different decisions are smug but you are not?)

"'...Am I wrong to enjoy the work?'..." (ibid.)

(What has that to do with it?)

"'Perhaps the answer to those questions is yes... How can a mortal man be sure?'" (ibid.)

(No one has to be a hundred percent sure. This appeal to our universal mortality covers up that self-promotion was part of his motivation.)

When Luisa steps toward him, in fact, it turns out, to apologise:

"...he remembered to maintain his rueful half-smile.'" (ibid.)

Always an act with Saracoglu.