Pretty in Pink

I was harsh tonight. I was harsh for a reason. I can not imagine anything more devastating than to get an idea started that women in the heart of this Harigga are in any danger. It goes against everything that I believe in .. fight for ... and bleed for. To let it be thought for a moment that my men would ever allow a threat within the area of the main fires. Did I not say that if I failed my people ever again that I would step away from the gray furs forever?

I was defensive. I was defensive of an idea. I was an egotist. A man saying that women are not capable of being stupid because men think ahead for them. That it really did not matter what a woman did .. front line was held by men. By warriors. I was a chauvinist .. assuming that women are and will be stupid by nature and are not allowed to make those mistakes.

I did not give an inch on this. I did not allow it to be questioned. I have a feeling that I upset some. That softer kinder feelings .. beliefs ... the caring for a woman even .. were most likely offended. I understand this. I do not regret what I said or did. I do not regret the hard position I took. I took it for a reason. That reason is Tribe .. the strength and unity. The honor of my men. Pride.

I am not Ubar to earn friends and make people feel good. I am Ubar to protect. To ensure the lives of this Tribe. I will offend people to do that. I will appear the bad guy.

I was not there. I did not see what Sakmeta did. I did not see if she endangered herself by putting herself in the vicinity of a stranger .. a dweller male. But I place my life in the hands of those men and the men that are always around the First Fires and I will not believe for a moment that Sakmeta had a chance .. was given a choice .. to endanger herself.