“If he can be taught, then he is to be distrusted. He may have been sent here to be taught, to learn our ways, insights, secrets.
“See if he can be taught,” said Zove’s wife Rossa.
The Master’s eldest son Metock spoke: “If he can be taught, then he is to be distrusted. He may have been sent here to be taught, to learn our ways, insights, secrets. The cat brought up by the kindly mice.”
“I am not a kindly mouse, my son,” the Master said.
“Then you think him a Shing?”
“Or their tool.”
“We’re all tools of the Shing. What would you do with him?”
“Kill him before he wakes.”
