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. "Father . . . you mean I've already left Sisu?"
Krausa had turned. He stopped. "Better so, Son. Good-byes are not comfort; only remembrance is a comfort. Besides, It has to be this way."
Thorby swallowed. "Yes, sir."
"Let's go."
They walked quickly toward the guarded gate. They were almost there when Thorby stopped. "Father . . . I don't want to go!"
Krausa looked at him without expression. "You don't have to."
"I thought you said I did have to?"
"No, The injunction laid on me was to deliver you and to pass on the message Baslim sent to me. But there my duty ends, my debt is paid. I won't order you to leave the Family. The rest was Baslim's idea . . . conceived, I am sure, with the best of intentions for your welfare. But whether or not you are obligated to carry out his wishes is something between you and Baslim. I can't decide it for you. Whatever debt you may or may not owe Baslim, it is separate from the debt the People owed to him."
Krausa waited while Thorby stood mute, trying to think. What had Pop expected of him? What had he told him to do? "Can I depend on you? You won't goof off and forget it?" Yes, but what, Pop? "Don't burn any offerings . . . just deliver a message, and then one thing more: do whatever this man suggests" Yes, Pop, but the man won't tell me!
Krausa said urgently, "We haven't much time. I have to get back. But, Son, whatever you decide, it's final
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