"I think that's been tried on Ibyabek but I don't remember why it wasn't more widely adopted."

"Usually men don't want to let women work because if they have another way to support themselves they won't be as cooperative about being given a husband and obliged to have sex with him."

"That wouldn't be the reason, though, since everyone is supported already."

"Are women in fact allowed to say they don't want to get married and will instead contribute to the People by directing shipping."

"I think not everyone gets married but I wouldn't expect to see a woman directing shipping."

"Then even if they're technically not being threatened with starvation I bet the general state obtains where women don't have good alternatives to getting married and the people in power, who are men, do not want them to have good alternatives to getting married. Except prostitution, that is the traditional allowed alternative because it also involves being sexually available to men...I admittedly don't know how that one would work without money, maybe you haven't got it."

"I'm not actually sure how it works but there's the Morale Corps. They get married eventually though."

"The ...morale corps?"

"Girls who - I don't actually know, I've seen them a few times but they left me alone, but it sounded like what you were saying."

Nod. "Anyway, you're right that that can't be what the Osirians object to."

"Yeah. Thus wishing Sarham could explain. I think he - wanted to."

"But you'd be in trouble if you knew?"

"The access to the skylace was detected pretty quickly. There wasn't time."

"I'm sorry."

"He looked happy, in the scry."

Her expression changes, slightly, and looks vaguely knowing. "Well, that's good."

"Yeah."

"I wish Good people could ever explain themselves."

"They seem bad at it."

"KInd of want to ask the Osirian cleric to explain himself but I bet he won't talk to me. Maybe if enough other people were also in the room."

"Do you want me to ask?"

"Sure. If you don't mind. ...I hope they don't decide to listen to him about my guests. Guess it doesn't matter for very long."

"He seemed worried you'd get hurt."

"They're going to kill me!"

"I can't explain it, I'm just relaying."