Malina was baffled by this. ‘But why? Why wouldn’t he and the others listen?’
Theuli’s mien was a mixture of angry affection and helpless frustration as she replied, ‘Pran, my husband, is just like the others in this; he is proud, and stubborn, and thinks that by taking such risk upon himself that he is somehow shielding us from danger. And because he loves us so much that he blinds himself to his own limitations, inadvertently placing all of us in greater danger. As well, he is blinded by his feelings of responsibility for us, and consequently thinks that it is he, not the Earth Mother, who must strive to protect us.’
At this portrayal of Pran, Malina had to smile. ‘When you say it like that, he sounds like my Rowf in many ways.’
Theuli, too, had to smile. ‘In some ways, perhaps. But your Ralph would no doubt listen to you in this matter.’
Malina gave her a look. ‘I think not!’