# II explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters