Both Davidson and Selver act violently towards the other's race. The Athsheans, in an attempt to free themselves from their enslavement, kill the Terrans who enslaved them, along with all the other Terrans in the camp. After doing this, Davidson destroys dozens of Athshean communities. The Athsheans respond by further destroying Terran land and killing people. Davidson, however, is spared from the mass killing and forced to live alone on the barren wasteland he created. Violence then becomes a more common part of the Athshean life, because they now understand murder after Selver explained. Selver and his people, unlike the Terrans, hesitate to kill another being they perceive to be sentient. Even while planning their attack, the Athsheans worried about harming others, but decided in favor in order to protect themselves. Davidson, on the other hand, has no fears about harming other sentient creatures, and only attacks the Athsheans to save his pride. Selver and Davidson's animosity towards each other stemmed from an act of violence, as well: Davidson raped Selver's wife, killing her in the process.
