Summary

In Chapter 18, Jia continues to call for peace. The Brotherhood cited the wealth that was accumulated in some temples. Ven agrees that some Medj had become rotten and greedy. Georg and Ven have discussions about beliefs. Ven worries he might talk in his sleep and give himself away. Temple formally condemns the people of Maze, including Vien, but nothing actually happens. Ven notes that “The kakuy it seems do not respond to Temple paperwork” (112). That summer the “Temple stood silent” as Antti officially opened a lignite mine. One morning, Ven wakes to find the lower floor flooded. When the water recedes two days later, the cleanup begins. Hunger prompts many into eating bad food. Flies swarm, and disease spreads. Antti announces a new fleet of emergency vehicles with combustion engines. Some celebrate even though it will be more than a year before the...