That
explanation sufficed at the time, but I later found that Wagner had
taken control of the council himself, and that it had no real power: it
never met for more than ceremonial matters, the Khedive Kibitzer,
Wagner, controlling the rest. But I get ahead of myself.
One of the others then interjected, "Our purpose now, Jehu, is not so
much to make decisions as to inform you of the decisions we have already
made, not that we mean to exclude you from our counsels, but we've been
preparing for this moment, your arrival, for many years, since it was
foretold long ago."
"Decisions with what end?" I asked of them.
"The reestablishing of an efficient and healthy climate, both naturally
and philosophically, one in which tradition, history, and experience
reign supreme," Wagner said in such a way that I couldn't help but think
that it had served as an idiom of his for many years.
"A termination of the Zardovian conflict, then?"
"Essentially, but not wholly, as there are other, more complicated ends
in view, less integrated with the format of a completely ideological
conflict."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that we wish to return to our original forms," Wagner said.
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