Scout’s Progress – Chapter 26

In which Samiv tel’Izak is introduced to the Tree.

The Tree disapproves of Samiv tel’Izak, and is not shy of making its disapproval known. What the basis of its disapproval might be is less easy to see. It’s unlikely to be merely that marrying her would make Daav unhappy; the happiness of its fellow creatures has not always been the Tree’s primary concern, and Daav was making some progress toward a comfortable union before the Tree itself stomped on his efforts.

One suspects that it disapproves of Pilot tel’Izak because she is not Aelliana Caylon and the Tree has realised, as Daav has not yet, that Aelliana Caylon is an available possibility. Presumably it’s aware of Aelliana second-hand, through Daav — though one does wonder what other sources of information it might have, remembering that it was a suggestion from the Tree which put Daav in Pilot Caylon’s path in the first place…

3 thoughts on “Scout’s Progress – Chapter 26

  1. daeclu

    The reason for the tree’s actions are apparent from the story itshelf and the later chapters. What is odd is that the next chapter begins with a description of when another person was afraid of the tree. This seemed to have been during the migration. But: Why? There was no reason at that time for any tree-action.

  2. Paul A. Post author

    There’s no apparent reason, but perhaps we don’t see it because the Tree effectively forestalled what would have happened. Perhaps Councillor pel’Kazik would have been inclined, through malice or ignorance or otherwise, to do something detrimental if she’d been able to hang around in the piloting chamber.

    Or perhaps the Tree didn’t do anything all except exist, and Councillor pel’Kazik had enough of a gift to gain some inkling of what the Tree was and what it was capable of, and to be afraid of what it might do even if it was showing no signs of doing it.

  3. Ed8r

    The signs of the Tree’s disapproval are so strong, that I expected Daav to start looking for a way to break the contract immediately! However, when the Tree wouldn’t give him any further information, I can understand that he would hold steady, not just because it would be expensive to withdraw, but because he had seen real progress in Samiv’s ability and willingness to actually communicate with him.

    Meanwhile, I had forgotten this scene (but not the nightmares, for some reason) so I was glad to be reminded that of course they each bring their betrothed to meet the Tree. Do we suppose that sometimes the Tree in noncommittal? Or if it approves, does it always grant pods? In the case of Daav’s father, it would have been just a bit late if the Tree disapproved Chi’s choice!

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