Slava was an Outlander, a shame about that, Axia had said. What could she have meant … except that Outlanders weren’t candidates for clan-marriage.

Naime closed her eyes, as if sinking into the cybernetic reverie that carried her to the Great Yard. Viewed from orbit, yes, if Slava weren’t an Outlander, if one considered only the qualities of character and mind, yes, Slava would be a brilliant candidate. They fit together, working as one, in the manner praised in great alliances: complementary skills, with a considerable overlap of interest and talent, all turned to the same task.

For the glory and honor of great-clan Astok–no, for glory and honor in themselves. For the glory of the Ship-to-be, for the honor of the thing done well.

Considered from orbit, where mountain-ranges shrank to wrinkles and great storms to a froth of the atmosphere, yes, she could well imagine it, and not regret that she’d never considered such an alliance with anyone else.

***

In which Naime the Shipwright compares her political situation to that of her namesake. From Camp NaNoWriMo project Shipwright, Captain, Figurehead, short stories in the Ship’s Heart universe.

Weekend Writing Warriors offers a selection of eight-sentence excerpts from many different writers. For the full selection, see here.