human
Well, Mattern said, flinging himself into a chair,
gpt
Lyddy seems to be disposed of satisfactorily. He gave a rueful laugh.
human
I take it you had a hand in the arrangements. That was only fair--she's your creation. He waved his smokestick at the xhind.
gpt
However, I'm warning you, I won't let myself be manipulated any more. You're through pushing me around.
human
Manipulated, nonsense! We merely deluded you a little, in the same manner you were wont to delude yourself, but more purposefully. In truth, what else could we do? We needed you, and in order to induce you to accept our terms, we had to establish some goal, some ideal for you to aim at.
gpt
And the resources of your mind were so pitifully meager at that time that this woman was the best we could dredge up. Later, when your horizons had broadened and your perceptions deepened, we attempted to alter your goal to a more worthy one, but the woman had already become an obsession....
human
You're not the kqyres, Mattern interrupted.
gpt
You have a different voice.
human
Not the _same_ kqyres, the voice corrected.
gpt
Truly, it was unfair to make Lord Njeri go through a thing like this twice in one lifetime. Moreover, as he grew old, he grew careless.
human
You were never intended to attain Lyddy, merely to keep her image before you like the star a mariner follows but can never reach. And then the kqyres laughed.
gpt
Except, of course, that today he can reach his star.
human
A carrot and a donkey might be a more suitable simile, Mattern said.
gpt
Pity you couldn't have provided a better carrot.
human
Lord Njeri was transferred. He has asked me to say that he looks forward to the pleasure of renewing your friendship when you come again to Ferr. Meanwhile, I have taken his place. After some hesitation, the new kqyres added,
gpt
I hope we shall be good friends, also.
human
I know who you are, Mattern said.
gpt
I recognize your voice. You're the mbretersha herself, aren't you?
human
Yes, I am the mbretersha. I came to realize that the post of kqyres was more difficult than that of queen. Therefore, I was the only one who should rightfully undertake it. As I told you, in our universe a ruler cannot afford pride. She lives only for the good of her people.
gpt
She's got to, Mattern said bluntly,
human
Oh, that was a mere pleasantry! she said.
gpt
I knew you would not give up the hyperspace trade. What else would you have left?
human
Who's ruling Ferr?
gpt
Lord Njeri, your former kqyres, serves as my regent. He is my father, so he is fitted by birth; his system is also attuned to the planet's, although not as sensitively as mine, since he is a male. Perhaps that would make him a better ruler; he will suffer less. And I see no reason otherwise why a male should be deemed incapable of ruling, providing he is under careful supervision.
human
No reason at all,
gpt
Moreover, she continued,
human
I have organized the whole government of my planet so that it runs itself. And, of course, from time to time, when we make our trips, I shall be able to check into what's going on.
gpt
But we're not going to make any more trips,