Short Fiction · Chapter
II explained
Yandro is introduced to the Council of Dondromogon, learns about the history of the Fifteen, the population limit of seven hundred, and the war against the Newcomers.
What happens
Yandro is introduced to the Council of Dondromogon, learns about the history of the Fifteen, the population limit of seven hundred, and the war against the Newcomers. He witnesses a televised battle where a scout is sent to his death for his viewing, leading him to question the Council's ruthlessness.
Themes in this chapter
Evil and Moral Corruption
The Council's willingness to sacrifice a scout for a demonstration reveals a devaluation of life and moral decay.
Isolation and Otherness
Yandro feels alienated from the Council's customs and values, highlighting his otherness in Dondromogon.
Characters to notice
- Yandro
The protagonist and prophesied leader, newly arrived with no memory, questioning the customs of Dondromogon.
- Gederr
Senior member of the Council, greedy-faced, explains the population control and war.
- Elonie
Tall red-haired Council member who narrates the history of Dondromogon and the Newcomers.
- Sporr
Old, wise Council member who operates the televiso screen.
- Doriza
Present at the Council, sits near Yandro, not like the others.
Key passages
“We eliminate the least useful. Sometimes we eliminate the child itself. More often, an older and worn-out individual.”
To maintain the population at seven hundred, they kill the least useful member, which could be a newborn or an elderly person.
Elonie explains the brutal population control to Yandro.
“You sent him to his death? So that I could see a show? You value life very cheaply, Elonie.”
Yandro accuses Elonie of sacrificing a scout's life merely to provide him with a demonstration of warfare.
Yandro's outrage at the Council's casual disregard for life.