kerravonsen | A Matter of Balance (Reply)

Today I finished reading "Balance of Trade" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, the latest Liaden Universe novel, just out in hardback.

Those who are already Liaden fans (or fanatics) may find the opening few chapters familiar, because they are essentially the same (with some revision and introduction of more of the supporting characters) as the story of the same title in the 5th "Adventures in the Liaden Universe" chapbook, "Trading in Futures". This, however, is not a dissappointment, because while that story told us how Jethri Gobelyn, Terran, ended up being apprenticed to the Liaden Master Trader Norn ven'Deelin, the rest of the book tells us what happened next, and what complications ensued, both expected and unexpected.

I liked this. It had the feel of a good old Andre Norton novel, though more subtle and aimed for a more intelligent audience. (Note I didn't say "an older audience" or "a more mature audience" because that would imply that there were things of an "adult" (ie erotic) nature in it, and there weren't, bar a blush or two. Thank goodness. They say that sex sells, but it doesn't sell to me.) I am beginning to realize that not only do I have a soft spot for stories with psi in them, but I'm rather fond of space-trader stories too. There's something fascinating about a canny bargainer. Excitement without bloodshed, perhaps? A battle of the minds? Yet a battle where both sides can be winners, which is even better. Cool! But it isn't only trading here; we have full-blown Liaden manners, the almost-obligatory cat, a guest-showing by a dramliza, and, something new for the Liaden universe, the mystery of Ancient Technology.

(Aside: I wonder why they introduced that, though it doesn't really contradict the other novels, because this one is obviously set much earlier (though how much earlier, we can't tell). One could speculate, indeed, one could make many speculations. I shall not do so here, for fear of spoilers, but my brain is ticking over at a great rate...)

Other strange thoughts have percolated through my brain too. I suddenly wondered -- how could someone explain Christianity to a Liaden? They don't appear to have any kind of religion (unless one considers the Code to be a religion) and some things about Christianity would appear completely insane to them. Though some parables would probably help.

There once was a Delm, who was reckoning his accounts. And when he had begun to reckon, there was one brought to him who owed him a hundred thousand cantra. And as he could not pay, the Delm commanded that he be indentured for life, with his wife, and children, and all that he had be sold, and payment to be made.
The man fell on his knees, imploring him, saying "Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything." Then the Delm was moved with compassion, and freed him, and forgave him the debt.
But the same man went out, and found one of his fellows, who owed him a hundred dex, and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, "pay me what you owe."
And his fellow fell down at his feet and pleaded with him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything."
But he would not, and went and cast him into prison, until he should pay the debt.
When his fellows saw what he had done, they were greatly distressed, and reported to the Delm what had happened.
Then the Delm, after he had called the man to him, said "Oh, you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me to do so. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?"
And the Delm was wrothful, and delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay what was due to him.

(paraphrase of Matthew 18:23-35)

Or perhaps something like this...

There was once a great leader of men, whose people were fleeing from a great enemy. And they were hiding in the hills, and their supplies were limited. Yet one day, his second-in-command came to him, saying, "Someone has been stealing food from our supplies."
And the leader was angry, because the supplies had to do for everyone, and there were women and children and all needed to be cared for. And he gathered the people together and said, "Someone is stealing food. If they do it again, they will be caught, and they will be flogged."
And for a few days all was silent, even as a few picked men kept watch on the supplies.
And then, they caught the thief, and behold, it was the Leader's old mother.
What was he going to do? For if she was flogged, she was so frail that she would surely die, and that was not Balance. Yet, if she was not punished when he had said before all that the thief would be flogged, that would not be Balance either.
And then he hit upon the answer. He came forth and had himself flogged, in his mother's place.

Those who have ears to hear, let him hear.

Think you this: we are of the House of Yahweh, adopted into that House, and therefore it behooves us to honour the Delm. Yahweh has a matter of Balance against all mankind, and there are two ways to pay the debt; to accept the Balance paid against Christ, by becoming his kin, or to submit to the wrath of Yahweh at the time of judgement.

Consider also this: that an insult to a member of the House is an insult to the House, and the Delm of the House has decreed that all matters of Balance against the House shall be dealt with by Him, either sooner, or later. ("Vengeance is mine," saith the Lord)
It renders all interdenominational squabbles and crusades and inquisitions as things of madness -- yet they always were things of madness.