Each family was quickly loyal to point out that it was only the administrators over agriculture and commerce they were frustrated with, but it didn’t work. The more Mahrree realized how controlling the Administrators had become, the fewer ways she could find around it. The only option she had was to be excessively sweet and fully in control of her emotions—not exactly her strengths as of late.
“You see, Captain Shin,” Mahrree said politely during the debate, “the concern was that Edge’s ranchers and farmers lost their ability to choose what they should grow. They feel their experience has been—unintentionally, of course—ignored.”
Interestingly, Captain Shin was also reserved in his observations, using such excessive diplomacy that he must have been borrowing some of the village’s supply.
“Understandable,” he said civilly, “and I’m sure they have a wealth of experience to share, which undoubtedly has made the markets here so thoroughly stocked, for which I commend Edge.”
“We thank you, sir,” she smiled kindly, “but we never had a problem with keeping the markets stocked. Perhaps other villages have struggled, and therefore welcomed the Administrators’ intrus—suggested mandates. But I’m afraid the question remains: why must Edge continue to conform when initially we were doing quite well?”
He nodded once. “Oh, I’m sure the Administrators haven’t meant to cause anyone in Edge to feel disrespect—”
“And I thank you for that assurance,” she nodded back.
“You’re welcome. You see, the Administrators have only the best interests—”
“Oh, COME ON!” interrupted a loud voice from the audience. “I’m actually sitting and LISTENING to this?! Thank you! You’re welcome! It’s more entertaining to treat my cows for teat infection!” And the young milkman began to act out the task with great exaggeration.
Yes, Mahrree thought as the audience howled with laughter, the captain had used up the village’s supply of tact.
Captain Shin’s ears turned red.
“Come ON, now!” the milkman called. “Less acting and MORE ACTION!”
The chant was immediately picked up by the rest of the audience. “Less ACTING! More ACTION!”
Mahrree guffawed at the rowdiness of the villagers. She glanced over at the captain whose eyebrows were furrowed in surprise. Obviously Idumea had never dealt with heckling, but in Edge it was a proudly honed skill. And tonight, every last Edger was getting in some practice.
It was too much to continue the debate, and when Rector Densal held up his hands to call an end to the shouting, Mahrree was secretly relieved. The fake smile she kept on her face was causing her cheeks to cramp, and she didn’t know how much longer she could stand looking at the captain. When she saw none of his ugliness, he was quite . . . tolerable.
By the time their fourth debate came around a few evenings later, Mahrree was ready. Her success at the last outing gave her the confidence she needed to take on the captain. Plus, she would have fun defending her position, and she was going to turn the table on him.
She also considered that maybe she’d pushed him too far at the second debate. He was there to defend and represent the Administrators, and she accused them—and him, by association—as being as abhorrent as the kings. She could never get away with such naked incriminations in Idumea. It was only because the villagers knew her so well that the chief of enforcement hadn’t sent any of his men to arrest her for subversion, or sent a report to the Administrator of Loyalty.
At least, she assumed no reports had been sent, because no one in a red jacket had arrived in Edge.
She was just Mahrree Peto, spouting off yet again. Edge was used to her. Captain Shin, on the other hand, still had no idea who he was up against at the second debate, resulting in his violent outbursts. But his restrained demeanor at the third debate demonstrated that he was learning.
The setting sun on the evening of their fourth debate caused the sky to appear a pale green with bright yellow clouds near the horizon, and darker blue-gray clouds behind. But Mahrree’s focus allowed her to notice it only briefly when she strode to the amphitheater. She headed to the platform, first dropping off a large covered basket by Teeria and Sareen who flinched when they saw they would be guarding it. Hitty abandoned her friends and moved several rows back to sit with her parents.
Mahrree didn’t even realize that nearly two thousand people—nearly half of Edge—had come to watch the argument, because nothing could ruffle her that night. Not the captain, nor even the fact that she would likely lose, unless the captain proved to be a complete idiot. And if he did prove to be such an idiot, well, that would just make the evening that much more enjoyable.