The Gate to Women's Country: Chapters 12-13

The play seems to be both important to adult Stavia, and her views on Dawid, along with young Stavia. Even at 13, Stavia knew alot about the impact of war on the women.

Morgot always seems calm and composed,  which she reveals to Stavia that is necessary when one is in a position of power. Much like the phrase fake it until you make it, Morgot points out it is more important to seem calm than do something frantically.

The explanation for a seemingly inexplicable war between Susantown and  Marthatown from Morgot is that as there are more food shortages, people as a whole become edgy, and eventually war breaks out.

The ordinances seem to regulate every part of life. Especially when it comes to war, and the interaction between warriors and the women.  Warriors are unable to be attended on by doctors while in battle, yet doctors treat the men if they get diseases from the gypsies, since Morgot says “they choose battle”. It seems to have parallels to the play in that the women are separated in order to not be harmed by the aftermath of any war. The warriors are required to fight at close range in order to see the blood and gore of battle, in order to make the choice of staying a warrior without a lot of responsibilities.
Barten's death came as a real shock. He no longer performed an important function with Myra, as she had already carried his baby. However, the fact that he was speared from the back, which Stavia calmly observes only occurs in two cases 1) Barten was fleeing the battle (making him a coward, or 2) Barten was so unpopular with his own garrison, that he was stabbed from behind.
Donal is the new servitor, who seems to have the function of revealing the inner workings of Women's country. While servitors are not part of the council, servitors can form fraternities which can give the council opinions.
Joshua seems to be using his long-feel more and more, at least more openly around Stavia. He senses the tensions between Chernon and Stavia, and gets Stavia to manipulate Chernon into giving the book back. Also, it is revealed that Habby chose/will choose to go to Women's country in Tabithatown.