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supported by force, Mura could only see a dismal future for her daughter. No matter that the<br />
Worlds' governmental structure had brought <strong>An</strong>gians <strong>from</strong> near extinction to an expanding and<br />
prosperous family of Worlds. There was still far too much potential for corruption and violence.<br />
That was unacceptable to Mura.<br />
She prayed and consulted Akla's Writings. She consulted with Verta. She ran it by Morna and<br />
Rednaxela. Then, she made her decision.<br />
~~~<br />
<strong>An</strong>glana welcomed Mura and Verta. Verta went off with Morna and Rednaxela and Mura spent an<br />
hour or so in abstract communion until <strong>An</strong>glana requested Mura reveal the purpose of her visit.<br />
“<strong>An</strong>glana, I've spent years serving the Worlds as a Council member and I've seen some<br />
improvement in conditions. Some improvement but not enough. I feel I should relinquish my<br />
membership and travel the Worlds to teach Akla's Cause.”<br />
“Dear Mura, this is a joyous decision but you would need to select your replacement.”<br />
“I have no idea who should replace me.”<br />
“Would you consider a recommendation <strong>from</strong> me?”<br />
“Certainly, <strong>An</strong>glana.”<br />
“Alunur Cessin.”<br />
“He's a known Independent sympathizer!”<br />
“This is true. What is also true is that he has a mind that is always searching and that has led<br />
him to becoming immune to blindly accepting another's opinion.”<br />
“Then, how could he sympathize with the Independents?”<br />
“He's still relatively young, twenty and four years, and he has spent those years acquiring a vast<br />
reservoir of Worlds' knowledge. His involvement with the Independents began last year and he is<br />
already a thorn in their side. His parents were rich enough to have left him a sizable fortune and<br />
he still feels a sense of entitlement—a longing to maintain his independence without paying any<br />
dues to the culture that surrounds him. He will, eventually, leave the Independents. He will tire of<br />
their ways.”<br />
“Isn't there someone else, with no connection to the Independents?”<br />
“Yes, but Akla has given me a plan.”<br />
“Please, do tell me what use Akla would have for an Independent.”<br />
“It is not primarily as a sympathizer of the Independents that he is valuable, though his being a<br />
Council Member and a known sympathizer do have their benefits. One is that it will embolden the<br />
Independents to take more severe action. This will do two things. One is to hasten their downfall.<br />
<strong>An</strong>other is to give Alunur a harsh lesson in the Oneness of all <strong>An</strong>gians.”<br />
“I can accept whatever Akla wants but I need more information to help me understand.”<br />
“If Alunur can withstand the lessons of being a Worlds' Council member while sympathizing<br />
with the Independents, and he does have the potential to do that, he can become a worthy mate<br />
for your daughter.”<br />
“What?! She's only twelve!”<br />
“It should only take, at most, four years for Alunur to learn his lessons and help to throw a<br />
glaring light on the ultimate intentions of the Independents. He will then be twenty and seven<br />
years and Verta will be sixteen.”<br />
“Certainly, Akla doesn't demand this marriage?”<br />
“Mura, your mothering emotions are clouding your knowledge of Akla's Writings. The man and<br />
woman must first make their own free-will choice of mate. That is then dependent on the living<br />
parents' consent.”<br />
“Yes... But how will they ever meet if Verta and I are always traveling and Alunur is bound by<br />
his Council duties?”<br />
“Alunur will seek her out.”<br />
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