Free The Meat Tree by Gwyneth Lewis Page B

Wrecks
    Nona seems drowsy today. The result of oversleep, perhaps. I can hardly get a word out of her before we prepare to go into VR. Not like her to be this subdued. Things had started to warm up nicely between us. Still, she’s young. Who knows what’s going through her mind.
    She might have been sulking because I told her I wanted to take the Math part again, to continue to look for the Mastermind interface in his actions.
    She’s sullen when she agrees to take the Gwydion part. She normally likes him. I offered her Lleu but I caught an involuntary look of disgust come over her face. I could have made something of it, no doubt. An Inspector needs to do whatever’s required to come up with an answer, there’s no room for personal preference in this job. It’s just unprofessional. When I think of some of the terrible places I’ve been. Space vessels tacky with alien flesh after fires or explosions. Holds full of shit where animal cargoes had been abandoned to die… Faeces so thick you could walk on it, like a carpet. No, you can’t be fussy in this job. And this wreck is clean compared to many others, even if it’s proving to be intractable.
    I decided: what’s the point of a confrontation about roles if not strictly necessary? Math for me, Gwydion for Nona.

    Apprentice
    Concentrate. Gwydion. At least I’m not Lleu. That whited sepulchre. What does that mean? When I think of him, I think of a room…

    He
    I must admit, I’m glad not to play Lleu myself. It’s too painful to think of that empty space, even though he has a name and arms. I, Campion, have a name and the tools of my trade.
    Now, Lleu needs a wife. I wonder if Math and Gwydion could find a partner for me. That would be powerful magic indeed.

    *

    Joint Thought Channel 8 Feb 2210, 09:02

    Inspector of Wrecks
    Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday. You ready?

    Apprentice
    I suppose.

    Inspector of Wrecks
    Right, here are Math and Gwydion. I think we missed this part of the conversation yesterday.

    Apprentice
    If you say so.

    Inspector of Wrecks
    It’s obvious that some of the action takes place without us.
    Come on, girl! Be a little more alert, will you?

    Apprentice
    I’m complaining.

    Inspector of Wrecks
    Is that Gwydion or you?

    Apprentice
    Gwydion. I’m furious at Aranrhod. What kind of woman robs her own son of his rights?
    I will be his mother and father too.

    Inspector of Wrecks
    Math’s sympathetic. He’s used to taking in waifs and strays and wants everyone who is part of the family to have a place.

    Apprentice
    Does he mention the sons from the forest?

    Inspector of Wrecks
    No.

    Apprentice
    I know I’m Gwydion here, but I can’t help but see things from Aranrhod’s point of view. If what we think was right and Lleu is Gwydion’s child, then why should she stand by the offspring of incest?

    Inspector of Wrecks
    What are you saying? Can you blame the boy for how he was made? It’s not his fault.

    Apprentice
    I suppose you’re right. But I don’t like him.

    Inspector of Wrecks
    Nona! Wake up! You’re playing Gwydion. His father. You love the boy and will do anything to care for him. Keep in your character or this is a waste of time.

    Apprentice
    All right! All right!
    I’m at a loss what to do, and need Math’s help on this. Tricks with ships have been fine for securing a name and arms, but what’s required here is a different order of magic. Math’s clearly a more powerful magician than Gwydion, he was able to punish him.

    Inspector of Wrecks
    Aranrhod said what, exactly?

    Apprentice
    â€˜I will swear a destiny on the boy that he will never have a wife from the race that is on this earth at present.’

    Inspector of Wrecks
    Think, think. What other nations do they have on the Earth? Animals in their various clans. You mated as an animal, Gwydion. How satisfactory a wife do you think you would have