Ydna and Kcokaep escorted Ydna’s offspring, Matthews, to her shuttle.
“I still don’t understand why I have to leave,” Matthews protested.
“You will be safer on Herse until this war is over,” Ydna explained.
“But I don’t want to go. I should be with the fleet fighting the Zistreotoveans.”
“You are not old enough to join the fleet. Look what happened to Trebor.”
“Exactly. I should avenge her death. And why isn’t Xocliw coming?”
“Your co-beggotton will stay here, Ttam will look after her.”
“If she can stay, then why can’t I stay?”
“If anything happens to your begetter, you are next in line for the Presidency. We need to keep you safe.”
“By sending me to exile outside the Republic on Herse?”
“Exactly.”
“You should listen to your co-begetter,” said Kcokaep.
“Why? So there is no-one
