The next day went very well, as far as Djaisiuk was concerned. He was left to work as he pleased with no hindrances. His meals were served regularly, and there was no emotional stress put on him through half-veiled or open threats. In fact, Kandryl did not come into the room at all. Kiacyl was there to “help” if possible, and Djaisiuk was able to find some small tasks to put to him that were not overly difficult. This seemed a waste of time to Djaisiuk, for, being used to working alone, he could have accomplished the tasks in less time than it took to give them to Kiacyl and to look over them once the latter had finished. Nevertheless, he did so. The longing for his instrument was still there, but it was considerably lessened with the absence of extraneous stressful circumstances. The work itself was consuming enough to make his piano desirable, and Djaisiuk knew that this would only grow once he began the dangerous work of preparing his program of escape. At that time, he might require his instrument, he realized. But that too was an unknown, and it played no part in his current activities, therefore he continued to work without devoting undue thought or worry to it.
In the afternoon, as Kiacyl and Djaisiuk were working, the door to the workroom opened to admit a young orderly. Kiacyl looked up immediately to see who it was. Seeing the orderly, he then glanced at Djaisiuk, assuming that whatever message the orderly might be bringing must certainly be for him, but Djaisiuk paid no heed to the young man's entrance. The orderly came to attention just inside the door and began to speak as soon as Kiacyl looked at him a second time.
“I come bearing a message to the one called Jysuke,” he said. “It is sent by those who name themselves ‘his Komislavian friends.’”
Kiacyl -- making a mental note of Djaisiuk's improperly pronounced name, seeing that this was the first time that he had heard it -- turned to look at Djaisiuk again, but the latter still did not look up from his work.
“He’ll be with you shortly,” said Kiacyl, turning back to the messenger.
The messenger frowned and curled his lip in distaste. “I’m not here to wait on the convenience of a Komislavian,” he said haughtily. “I’ve a message to deliver, and if he won’t hear it, then that’s no fault of mine.”
“You’ll do as you’re told,” Kiacyl responded in low voice. “And I'm telling you to wait.”
The orderly narrowed his eyes and looked at Kiacyl scornfully, a look which Kiacyl returned with one of warning. Neither said anything more, however, because Djaisiuk turned around just then, having reached a good stopping place in his work. The orderly looked from one to the other for a very quick moment, then lifted his chin and delivered his message.
“Jysuke’s Komislavian friends wish to extend their thanks to him for allowing them to speak with him last night,” he almost snapped in a tone of voice that did not in any way correspond with the sentiments expressed by the words themselves. “They also desire to inform him that they wish very much to be allowed to spend more time with him in the near future. To this end, they are desirous of informing him that they meet every evening for dinner in the main eating room of the second floor of the Detu section between the fifth and seventh hours of the evening, and that they would be most honored if he would deign to join them either tonight or on any and every other night of his convenience.”
Djaisiuk was silent for a moment, looking at the messenger expressionlessly as if waiting to see whether the latter had finished. When it was apparent that he had, Djaisiuk turned without a word and resumed his work.
The orderly looked impatient. “Will there be any reply?” he asked sharply.
Kiacyl looked at Djaisiuk then back at the messenger. “No,” he said. “There is no reply.”
"You speak for him then?" sneered the orderly, raising an eyebrow.
"You've delivered your message," replied Kiacyl acidly. "You may leave."
The orderly again curled his lip in disdain then turned and left the room. Kiacyl glared after him angrily before returning to his own work. Kiacyl had never killed a person, but he felt sure that if he ever decided to do so, he would begin with an orderly.
Kiacyl was not of the intelligence level that was generally required for workers in his position. It was only his connection with a rather important official among the Vukasovians that allowed him to continue to work at all. He knew that that was why he had now been the one assigned to work with Djaisiuk. No Vukasovian with higher intelligence would have acceded to such a position willingly, and Kandryl had needed someone who would add no stress to the workload of this Komislavian. True, Kandryl might himself attempt to cajole Djaisiuk through whatever means he chose; the denial of food to him for two days was ample evidence of that. But none other than Kandryl was permitted to treat any of these Komislavians as anything less than Vukasovian intelligent workers.
The other intelligent workers of the facility who were his age knew that KiacylDjaisiuk, Kiacyl had been ashamed, knowing that he had been placed here only because no one better would have done it. When he had realized the unbelievable intelligence of Djaisiuk coupled with the latter's behavior: so like a Vukasovian (despite his Komislavian looks), he had found relief. He knew that this Komislavian would soon be considered very valuable. If Kiacyl could prove himself a willing and able helper to him, then that would be of great worth in and of itself. When Djaisiuk had given him his first task, Kiacyl had quickly seen that he would never be useful to this young man. He was able to help a little now and then, he knew, but he also knew that, if asked, Djaisiuk would doubtless say that he was just as well off without Kiacyl as with.
Kiacyl knew that he might one day be deemed unworthy of continuing to work; the official for whom he was kept might fall out of favor with the government or might himself be killed or die of natural causes; Kiacyl might himself grow too old to be worth the expense of keeping him alive, considering the little use that he was in actuality. He would be sixteen in less than three years, and he must prove himself valuable before then, or at least prove that he could become valuable before his eighteenth birthday. The message about 'Djaisiuk's Komislavian friends' seemed to provide him with the perfect opportunity.
On Vukosava, the position of ambassador to Londar was considered the lowest possible post. The occupant of that position was usually someone of less than desirable intelligence, simply because no one else would be willing to accept such a situation. Even Kiacyl would prefer to be put away than to lower himself to such a disgraceful position. But there were no ambassadors to Komislava. There never had been, as far as Kiacyl knew. The Vukasovians would treat with other races only when the race was powerful enough that the Vukasovians could benefit from the alliance or weak enough that the other race would fully acknowledge the superiority of the Vukasovian race. Hence, until what time as the Vukasovians could somehow subjugate the Komislavian race, even somewhat, there would be no ambassador to their race.
Kiacyl understood the experiment that was now underway. He knew that if it succeeded (and he had no doubt that it would), there would eventually need to be someone who understood the Komislavian mind well enough to be able to treat with them on their own level. True, Kandryl seemed perfectly capable of this at the present time, but the great leader was aging; even now, he was approaching forty -- a considerable age for a Vukasovian -- and Kiacyl knew that he would not last forever. Also, no other Vukasovian seemed interested in learning more of the Komislavian race. They would work with these few geniuses because they had no choice, but they would not have chosen these positions. If Kiacyl could himself learn of these Komislavians and perhaps even gain their trust, surely his people would consider him worth saving for a time.
Yes, Kiacyl decided. There was everything to be gained and little or nothing to be lost by meeting with the other Komislavian boys, should Djaisiuk allow him to do so.
“I was unaware that your friends had visited you,” said Kiacyl aloud, glancing at Djaisiuk. "Do you intend to return the favor?"
Djaisiuk did not reply. He had not reacted in any way to the message, and his work after it had been delivered had been no different than before.
“Are they much like you?” asked Kiacyl, considering that, if so, he might have a very difficult time getting to know any of them. “I’ve never heard that Komislavians were especially quiet people, but then I’d never met one before I met you. Do you usually talk more when you’re with your friends?”
“No,” Djaisiuk responded.
Kiacyl looked at him in surprise, having hoped for an answer but not really expecting one. Djaisiuk still did not look at him.
“Would you allow me to come with you tonight to see your friends?” Kiacyl continued slowly, seeing that Djaisiuk apparently had no intention of commenting further. “As I said, I’ve never met any Komislavians besides you, and you certainly don’t fit the stereotype that I’ve always heard described. I'm interested in learning more about your race.”
Djaisiuk didn’t answer.
“Do you intend to go?” asked Kiacyl.
Djaisiuk still made no reply.
“If you don’t intend to go, would you object if I went instead of you?” Kiacyl persisted, turning again to his work.
“No,” replied Djaisiuk.
“So you don’t intend to go?” asked Kiacyl, looking at Djaisiuk again and trying to avoid looking hopeful. Going without Djaisiuk would be much better than going with him, Kiacyl decided. He waited only a moment, but no reply came. “Would you even be allowed to go?” he continued. “Come to think of it, you receive your supper at the fourth hour, don’t you? I know that you are on a different time schedule than most of the rest of the facility. And I hadn’t thought about it earlier, but I’ve never been told whether you’re even allowed to leave these rooms. Are you?”
Djaisiuk made no answer.
“Very well then,” said Kiacyl, “I’ll go without you, if that’s what you want. I’m sure that your friends will wonder at your absence. I can at least tell them that you are well, although I don’t know if I can tell them that you are normal. Is this normal for you?”
Djaisiuk still made no reply, and Kiacyl made no further inquiries. He would wait. Tonight would tell much.
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