And so things went on in this way for quite some time. I began to accept more and more of the Deshilva doctrine, and quickly adopted belief in a real political reform. The three of us studied together every day, and kept abreast of developments abroad by way of Sirlay’s old friends and word of mouth.
Sirlay’s murder had set in motion a series of events that eventually led to Bishop Irat’s own murder, and the overthrow of the old religious structure in all of Yafia. I was, of course, opposed to the murder as a matter of principle, but there was no doubt that good came from it. The Yiffens swore off all allegiance to the old religious regime, and established a new reformed church from Grontinion, while permitting religious freedom for all of its citizens. At the Council of Hillea, to which the governments of Yafia, Colof and Hihaythea all sent representatives, our government found itself under serious pressure. The other two nations had recently experienced revolutions leading to the establishment of very liberal, forward-thinking republican governments, and they began pressing Hihaythea for change. Our delegates to Hillea resisted, of course, but this pressure soon began to show itself in our people, and finally some citizens of Ilepya began to awaken and call for change.
But for the Poniubiresh brothers, things remained the same. We were scholars, not warriors, and we had no business attempting to overthrow a government. We cheered the others, of course, and offered private congratulations when underground rebels managed to embarrass the government or organize an anti-government tarbhasht, or strike. But aside from these words, we took very little part in these events.
Events might have continued along on this path, with us allowing a revolution to be carried out around us, had Yhako not brought home news one day that irrevocably changed it all. He had no idea, of course. None of us did. When he brought home word that one of his old friends had started a cabal of revolutionaries called the Ilepyan Brotherhood, he told of it innocently enough. He planned to offer them some modest financial support; a gesture to show our support for the revolution, but nothing large enough to be traced back to us.
Ansidrion and I supported the idea, of course. Our household had accumulated a substantial amount of money and the three of us had very little use for it. We settled the matter with very little discussion and then, as I was feeling slightly ill of the stomach, I excused myself and retired to bed early.
When I awoke the next morning, my condition had improved, and I went to the study to join my brothers as usual. To my surprise, however, neither of them was present. I checked their bedchambers but they were not therewithin either, so I assumed they had left on some errand and would return shortly. I thought very little of it, and so found myself a hunk of bread and sat down at my desk.
About an hour later, Yhako entered the home alone. “You are here, brother,” I smiled at him. “But now what have you done with Ansidrion?”
“That man,” he said, shaking his head. I could not say if he was upset, although I sensed conflict in him. “That man shall go his own way.”
“What way is this? Where is he?”
“I have taken him to see an old acquaintance of mine: Edoro Beinsar, the cobbler. He is, I suppose, at Beinsar’s house at present, deciding what to do with the rest of his life.”
“Do not tell me Ansidrion has chosen to forsake us for shoes!” I still could not read Yhako’s emotions, so I attempted to keep the mood light.
“He has decided to join the Ilepyan Brotherhood. Or, perhaps he has decided not to. Who is to say? But the idea so enchanted him that he could speak of nothing more than it last night, and refused even to sleep, pestering me as I took up the as’shelik books. He so wore me down that I had no choice but to agree to take him to see Beinsar this morning, to discuss membership in the group.”
This was quite a surprise to me, of course. I had known Ansidrion to believe very strongly in revolutionary activity, of course. And that he had made the decision and then immediately acted on it did not surprise me; Ansidrion had not a moment’s patience in him, and as soon as he set his mind to something he could not be led astray. But to join the Brotherhood? Yes, he had helped to consult on the tarbhasht a few months ago, and even offered his imposing physical presence as a means of protection for the workers in the tarbhasht. But these were small, uncoordinated activities, and as such, they brought very little attention to him. To participate in a revolutionary organization was uncharted territory for any member of our family, and it frightened me that we might become so deeply involved.
Yhako continued speaking, however. “Between you and me, and I suppose between him and me as well, I hope he decides against it. He is far too lacking in caution to be putting his life at risk so.”
I agreed. When placed in a dangerous situation, he was likely to press forward. Besides, not only did it bring great risks upon him, but it also endangered our family. If he were caught, what was to prevent those in power from coming after me or Yhako?
Of course, there was no putting Ansidrion off, and I knew it. When he returned home that afternoon, Yhako and I were sitting in the study, having pretended to labor all day. I, of course, thought of nothing but Ansidrion and the great risk he was taking. I knew Yhako well enough to know that he could not study in this state either, and I hoped that he had spent the time thinking on how to trick Ansidrion out of joining the Brotherhood. I knew that was our only chance; he could not be dissuaded directly, but Yhako, in all of his wisdom, might be able to fool him away.
So I sat back in expectation, hoping that every word in the conversation to come was part of a great game Yhako had planned. “And what will you have decided?” He asked casually.
“The Brotherhood meets one night each week. I shall attend my first meeting two nights hence,” he smiled, appearing very pleased with himself.
“Then you have decided to join them?”
“It is so. The Brotherhood will be the only way anything is accomplished in this city. With my membership and your financial support, we might actually manage a revolution.” Then he looked at me. “You might consider coming with me, Federan.”
Me? Why not Yhako? I was still new to this movement, far too innocent of it all to be taking such action. I still had studying to do, knowledge to acquire before becoming so involved. The idea seemed abrupt, and it terrified me.
But I needed not offer a response, because Yhako spoke first. “And your sleep? How will you rest on those nights, if you are to attend meetings?”
“These are exciting times, Yhako! A man does not need sleep; fighting for revolution is restive enough!”
Yhako frowned for a moment, and then merely shrugged. “I suppose it is so.”
Ansidrion glanced at both of us for a moment, but I avoided his gaze, wary that he might suggest my membership again. Then he left the room, allowing me a chance to interrogate Yhako.
“Will you do nothing about this? He puts himself, he puts us in danger!”
“Of course he does, Federan. But he cannot be put off. You cannot understand how deeply he is drawn to this.”
I hear a bit of desperate exhaustion in Yhako’s voice, but I would not give in so easily. “And what if he convinces me to attend meetings with him? Would you simply allow me to join the Ilepyan Brotherhood as well?”
“No, Federan. It is not for you, and you know it. I shall not have to convince you not to join because you will have already convinced yourself.”
“But for Ansidrion?”
“Ansidrion throws himself down paths, hastening toward an end. Once he has an end in mind one can only delay him, but there is no dissuasion.”
“Then delay him! Give him obstacles, prevent him from attending even if but for a week or two. Perhaps it will give him enough time between now and then to change his mind.”
“No, he wants this more than anything else. I saw in his eyes last night, this morning, this afternoon. He is already seeing himself in the Ilepyan Brotherhood, taking revolutionary action. There is no point in delaying it.”
I wanted to argue more, but I saw in Yhako what he saw in Ansidrion. He was an immovable force, unwilling to alter events from the motion into which they had now been set.
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