Story: The Glove, V [Obsoleted]

(Part I , IV , VI)

"The early history of our colony here on Ganymede was a strange one. We were possessed of a fierce Scotch cultural identity but separated by the differing calls on our natures. By turns artistic and ruthlessly curious our scientists got on badly with the artists and vice-versa. The intoxicating new plant forms here did not make the situation any easier. Deciding that it would be better to diversify our power base and maximise our chances of surviving a catastrophic event we founded two major settlements in a coincidentally helpful way."

Steffan listened as Octavius continued to work through the traditional speech to new members of the Order of Pipers. Tradition would be endured as it itself endured the rigours of time.

"Here in Burgh we concentrated our efforts in fostering the creative and artistic aspects of culture, while in Edin they focussed on all things technical and scientific. Thanks to the wonders of later generations and our communications technology we could never become totally disentangled from one another and it was thought exchange of the talented and youthful could only lead to greater integration in the future. For three centuries this has been for the most part true."

"As a Master Piper our tasks were many fold but chief amongst them was to act as covert couriers between the governing bodies of our two fair cities, to be ambassadors at large, and to investigate the strange occurrences and frictions that arise from time to time under the pretence of seeking out lore and legend. As an initiate you knew little of these other duties, and even as a journeyman you would not have been told even a fraction of the secret duties of the Pipers. We are an important and humble part of society, the glue that holds all together."

This confirmation of the information he had gotten in the scroll was unnerving. It sounded as if he had secretly enrolled in spy school instead of musical college.

"Over the last thirty years the natural exchange of students has slowed to a trickle. In the last academic session we sent only twenty-two new youths to study in Edin and received but nine such in return. Unrest is building amongst the populace, our pipers out in the world, traversing the surface ways and lodging everywhere between here and Edin, pick up reports of strife and anger most unseemly. It as if a dark presence were encroaching and pushing between our two peoples. In the last twelve months alone we have seen the disappearance of fifteen pipers, all highly regarded and treated as honoured members of society. And they had all reported progress in determining the sources of this unrest."

"You, Master Steffan, in addition to being top of your class for three consecutive years, have proven to be reliable, trustworthy and of the highest intellectual and emotional ability. In line with outstanding musical ability you have been awarded the title and duties of Master of Pipers. Should you accept this honour, you will be immediately dispatched to Edin to act as a senior field agent and liaison to local authorities, responsible for finding and identifying the problems that plague us. You will be equal to all of us in rank if not position. Should you refuse the honour it may not be offered to you again until you have proven yourself a second time in the course of your normal duties and you will be forbidden to mention any of what you have heard amongst us today. You must decide now."

Steffan stood up, sighed ruefully and said what he had known he going to say since reading the scroll. "Master Octavius, I must refuse the honour."

Octavius goggled at him.


To be continued...