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Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Prince of Roum


In Robert Silverberg’s story “Nightwings,” three people travel toward Roum.  Often, they must make way for floaters, rollerwagons, and chariots, the latter of which are sealed to hide their Masters’ proud features, and are drawn by harnessed, expressionless neuters. The trio pass ancient relics such as isolated columns, fragments of an aqueduct, portals of vanished temples, and newer detritus such as defunct power drains, abandoned peasant huts, and the shells of airships.  The Flier Avluela can hardly wait to get there, for she has seen the city from high above.  Thousands crowd its boulevards, shop in its markets, work in its factories, or frequent its attractions.  The old Watcher, who has spent his life traveling, also yearns to see this wonder of his world.  Only Gorman, the Changeling, seems reticent to reach their destination.  He warns them that the Watcher should not expect to find welcome there, and that the city is ruled by a hard, cold, and cruel man.

Certainly the Sentinel who guards its gates shows them no mercy.  A fat man with a pockmarked face and jowls, he snorts in disgust at the Watcher, insists on patting-down Avluela unnecessarily, and views Gorman as a monster who should be neutered.  He puts on his thinking cap, and mentally transmits their request to the brains that have been liberated from the dead and placed in the city’s memory tanks.  He is disappointed when he receives no justification for denying them entry.

Nor is the Sentinel alone in offering them cruelty and callousness.  At the Watcher’s Inn, he learns that the Inn is full.  According to new regulations, they are not obligated to house or feed newcomers.  As the Guild expects its members to travel, the old man is aghast to discover that, after his long journey, he must throw himself upon the mercy of the Prince of Roum.

The castoffs of society crowd the palace plaza.  Their miserable plight so disturbs the old Watcher that he offers precious coins to one pitiful wretch.  When the three travelers are told to come back in four days, Gorman bribes an official to be allowed inside to request a special audience, which the officials inside expect to be denied.  Upon leaving the palace, the Watcher realizes that his duty-hour has arrived.  He sets up his instruments in the street, and begins scanning nearby solar systems.  

When the Watcher emerges from his trance, he hurries to pack away his equipment as a grand procession approaches.  Before a Master’s palanquin (carried by a phalanx of neuters) walk four masked men in elegant costumes, and three Changelings modified so that they bellow like bullfrogs.  As the procession bears down on him, Gorman tries to help him (even though this is not allowed), and neuters rush forward bearing whips.  Just in time, the Prince emerges from the palanquin and calls off the attack.  He asks about the foretold invaders; the Watcher reports that he detected no sign of them.  The Prince then ushers Avluela into his palanquin.  When she emerges, she is exhausted, dazed, and distraught.  As the procession resumes, the Watcher and Gorman learn that the Prince has agreed to house them in the royal hostelry.  

Although the Prince demands the pleasures of the Flier’s body in return for housing them, his power seems unlimited.  Surely he could take her if he wished and give them nothing in return.  Perhaps he spares the Watcher only because he fears the prophesied invaders and wants to make sure of his position.  We cannot know his thoughts.  He may win no awards for compassion or kindness, but this hardly makes him a villain.  He rules a historic and cultural hub that brings inspiration, employment, and enjoyment to many.  Yet, content with managing his city, he ignores those who cannot care for themselves: those who have fallen through the structured order of his society.  

As we go about our lives, intent upon fulfilling our duties and achieving our goals, we may not always notice how our actions affect others.  Productivity and efficiency come at a price.  Just because we do not see the bill does not mean that others are not forced to pay it.  Our individual choices and actions impact the overall structure of our society, and are eventually reflected in the way that government agencies, businesses, and charities address the needs of the poor and downtrodden.  

It’s easy to excuse my own insensitivity when others point out how I have hurt them.  It’s even easier to suggest that those I have unwittingly hurt or excluded work harder to fit into my grand schemes.  It is infinitely more difficult to remain focused upon my goals, while ensuring that I never grow blind to how my words and actions affect those around me.


If you can figure out how to make an omelet without breaking any eggs, please let me know.

Related Dragon Cache entries

Robert Silverberg's award-winning story "Nightwings" can be found in Phases of the Moon.  In the novel-length version of Nightwings, the original story is lent additional meaning with two additional stories: "Among the Rememberers" and "The Road to Jorslem."

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