Web of Deceit

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “What will happen to them?” asked the man as he pointed to the slavers.

  “They will become slaves,” explained Rejji, “just as they had planned to do to you. I know because I have ridden in that wagon before. It is fitting that they learn the fate of those they prey upon.”

  The man eagerly scooped up the pouches and beamed, “It will be a great pleasure to complete this task. You have my eternal thanks for rescuing us from this terrible fate.”

  “You have my thanks as well,” nodded Rejji. “If you decide to return, the town of Ghala to the east of here will welcome you.”

  “Rejji!” exclaimed one of the prisoners released by Botal. “I never thought I would see you again.”

  Rejji peered into the dark and scanned the faces that were lit only by the dancing flames. He located the voice as the man continued to call to him, but he could not make out the face.

  “It is me, Wyant,” called the man with the bruised face.

  Rejji tightened his grip on his staff. Lord Marak detected the unease in Rejji and snapped his fingers. Halman and Gunta moved swiftly through the crowd and seized Wyant by each of his arms. They dragged Wyant over to Lord Marak and Rejji as the man with the pouches faded away.

  “You know this man?” Marak asked Rejji.

  “Yes,” spat Rejji. “He used to lead the Zaldoni, but now he works for Grulak.”

  “That is a lie,” protested Wyant. “I would never bow to the Jiadin.”

  “No,” Rejji shook his head, “then where are the rest of the Zaldoni? You expect me to believe that they still ride separate from the Jiadin?”

  “No,” sighed Wyant. “They have joined with Grulak, but I did not lead them there. I would never work under such a tyrant.”

  “You are the Zaldoni,” Rejji hissed. “They would never go to Grulak unless you led them there. I should pack you in the cage going to Khadora. They kill you there for not telling the truth.”

  “I am telling the truth,” pleaded Wyant. “Klavin and Brakas led the Zaldoni to Grulak.”

  “Nice try, Wyant,” Rejji shook his head, “but I have seen Brakas recently and he explained your cowardly submission to the Jiadin. Your men would never choose Klavin or Brakas over you.”

  “Cowardly?” bristled Wyant. “You can call me many things, including that of being a trusting fool, but nobody has ever called me a coward. If you want to see an act of cowardice, look at my back.”

  Marak nodded and Gunta spun Wyant around and raised his tunic. Two large scars disfigured Wyant’s back.

  “What caused those?” asked Rejji.

  “Not what, but who,” Wyant spat as Gunta released the tunic and spun Wyant around to face Rejji again. “Brakas advocated joining the Jiadin. I told him that if he wanted to serve a lunatic then he should go, but the Zaldoni would stand against Grulak as a free tribe. The wounds are the result of Brakas and Klavin knifing me and leaving me for dead. I heard them explaining to the men that I had gone on ahead to join the Jiadin and they were to follow. I tried calling out to them, but nobody heard me. An old woman discovered me two days later or I would not be here now.”

  “But why would Brakas lie?” quizzed Rejji. “And why is he trying to get the free tribes to join against Grulak?”

  “He isn’t,” declared Wyant. “He is seeking the free tribes for Grulak. He located the Chadang before I did. Now they exist no longer. The Jiadin killed every last one of them.”

  “Before you did?” queried Rejji. “Why are you searching for them?”

  “I am no longer searching for them,” answered Wyant. I know where they are. Now I shadow Brakas so that I can warn the tribes when he gets close. Why do you think he has not been able to locate another of the tribes? When he gets close, I alert the tribe to move to another location.”

  “Release him,” order Rejji. “Sit Wyant. I need to know the truth of what is going on. How did you end up with the slavers?”

  Halman and Gunta looked to Marak who nodded and they released Wyant. Wyant sat next to the fire and looked at Rejji.

  “I followed Brakas to a new town called Ghala,” Wyant began. “There are rumors all over the east about this town and its abundant supply of food and adequate work for all. Still the town abuts the sea, so I dared not enter it for fear that Brakas would spot me. I hid outside the town and waited for Brakas to reappear. He came back out the next morning and I started following him again.”

  “So he was only there the one night?” interrupted Rejji.

  “Yes, one day and one night,” nodded Wyant. “He rode west all day and met up with a Jiadin army heading north. I think it is part of General Winus’s command, but I am not sure. Anyway, the Jiadin army changed their path to go due east, back towards Ghala. I continued following Brakas. He normally rode in the open and I would shadow him from the forests. He never was very good at observing things about him. That was when I stumbled upon these fellows. I was moving fairly fast through the woods and the next thing I knew, my horse had gone out from under me and I was sprawled face down in the dirt. I should have been more cautious, but I could not let Brakas get out of my sight. I made a mistake and now I am paying for it.”

  Rejji sat silently for some moments as he tried to determine the truth of what he was hearing. He had been leery of Brakas, but that alone did not validate Wyant’s story.

  “You said you got to the Chadang too late,” interrogated Rejji. “When did you start following Brakas?”

  “It was some time after that,” Wyant replied. “I was actually watching the movements of a Jiadin army near the South Fork when I first saw Brakas. I did not know what his mission was at that time. I was watching the army so I could warn the tribes of their movements. I was very tempted to kill Brakas and take my revenge, but I followed him instead. It turned out to be a wise move, because Brakas was the one doing the searching and he was to inform the army to strike.”

  “Was Diakles with this army when Brakas was there?” quizzed Rejji as he thought about his meeting with Brakas along the South Fork.

  “He was,” nodded Wyant with a puzzled look upon his face. “The little bloodthirsty brat got his the next day or so I heard.”

  “Okay,” continued Rejji, “where did Brakas go next?”

  “He went to a large village east of the Giaming Mountains,” Wyant said. “That is where I found out what his mission was. He asked everyone in the village if they knew where any of the free tribes were. He claimed to be trying to unite them as he told you, but I knew what his real goal was.”

  “And you have had a constant watch on him ever since?” probed Rejji.

  “No,” frowned Wyant. “I have lost track of him a few times. It is hard in places to track him without being seen. Sometimes I must take the chance of losing him and try to figure out where he is heading next. I have been successful though in keeping the tribes hidden.”

  “Have you ever seen him this far north before?” Rejji asked.

  “I have,” affirmed Wyant. “He spent several days camped near the Ghala headwaters one time. I almost lost him that time too. He had visitors one day and I tried moving around to get a better look at who they were. I ended up in a dead canyon and had to backtrack. I almost missed catching him leaving in the morning.”

  “Where did he go?” frowned Rejji as he remembered the day he had found Brakas waiting for him.

  “He rode all day to the peak of one of the Bone Mountains,” detailed Wyant. “General Winus had his troops camped out there. Why anyone would ever camp an army on a peak is beyond me. I though Winus was smarter than that. Anyway, Brakas did not stay long and headed south. I followed him all the way to the mouth of the Taggot River.”

  “Did the general’s army leave?” sighed Rejji, already knowing the answer.

  “They left before Brakas,” nodded Wyant. “It was as if they had been waiting for him. At first I feared Brakas had met someone who knew where the tribes were, but the army headed north, so I guess they were after something else.”
>
  “Why do the tribes trust you to know their location?” asked Marak.

  Wyant stared at the figure in black for a moment before answering. “They know I will not betray them to Grulak,” he answered. “The Zaldoni never were known for preying upon the other tribes, so they have little reason to fear me. They also know of Brakas’s betrayal and that I no longer command an army. I am no threat to them and I perform a service for them by tracking Brakas. Who are you and your men? I have seen most of the tribes in Fakara and your uniform is foreign to me.”

  “Would the free tribes unite against Grulak?” Rejji interrupted.

  “No,” frowned Wyant. “The tribes have been uprooted from their homes. They have no food to eat and they cannot afford to raid villages for fear of the Jiadin hearing about it. I fear eventually they will all succumb to Grulak. It is only a matter of time.”

  “Then why do you continue with your task?” asked Lord Marak.

  “I will continue until they kill me,” Wyant replied defiantly. “I will never willingly serve under such a butcher.”

  “Are there any of the tribes who would stand up to Grulak as free men if they had the food and weapons to do so?” inquired Rejji.

  “The tribes are on the verge of disbanding,” sighed Wyant. “They are no longer fighting forces. They are starving men. Many that I have spoken to have talked about checking out this new town of Ghala to settle down in. Their spirit is broken and they yearn for a new life. I can not blame them, but I fail to see how that will stop Grulak from dominating the whole of Fakara. The fact is, there is nowhere to hide from Grulak.”

  “Then don’t hide,” retorted Rejji. “Help me stand and fight.”

  “Stand and fight?” echoed Wyant. “Are you crazy? Grulak has tens of thousands of men. I thought you had more sense than that. What are you going to do, resurrect your tiny village?”

  “No,” declared Rejji. “I am going to rebuild Ghala and I could use your help. You and any of the free tribes that are willing to meet some basic conditions.”

  “Okay, wait a minute,” frowned Wyant. “You are going a little fast for me. What do you have to do with Ghala and why would it need to be rebuilt?”

  “The Jiadin army that Brakas talked to attacked it and burned it down,” replied Rejji. “I built Ghala with the help of many great people and I intend to rebuild it. I do not imagine the Jiadin will give us a lot of time to do it though. I can use help.”

  Wyant stared at Rejji as if seeing him for the first time. He turned and looked at the black clothed soldiers and his eyes landed on Marak. “Who are you and what do you have to do with all of this?” he asked Marak.

  “I am Lord Marak of the Torak clan of Khadora,” Marak answered. “I have trading contracts with Rejji. We have come to view Ghala and the surrounding areas. I am very impressed with what I have seen. I think you should listen to Rejji’s offer seriously. It may be the only hope for Fakara’s future.”

  Wyant nodded slowly and bit his lower lip in thought. “How many of your people survived the attack?” he asked Rejji.

  “All of them,” smiled Rejji. “We have developed defense plans to keep the people safe. We do not have much of a defensive force so we were not able to save the buildings. I can promise each man you bring will have abundant food. He will never know hunger and he can be a part of the rebuilding of Fakara. Isn’t it time for us to end the misery that we have come to call life here in Fakara?”

  “I sure would like to settle down in peace,” nodded Wyant. “What are the conditions that you will impose?”

  “Very few,” stated Rejji. “We want no lawlessness in our city. Ghala is not a tribal fortress. It is our stake at a new civilization. We expect all of our citizens to behave honorably. That means no fighting among the tribes. No stealing or intimidating the citizenry. And the tribes will have to acknowledge a higher authority.”

  “A higher authority?” questioned Wyant. “I suppose that means you? I don’t think the tribes will knuckle down for a man barely older than a lad.”

  “I can easily set up a city council composed of old men if that makes them feel any better,” chuckled Rejji. “Actually, I was hoping you would be that higher authority. I would, of course, expect you to maintain the kind of order I need to make this work.”

  “You finally believe me then?” queried Wyant.

  “Oh yes,” nodded Rejji. “You place Brakas in the right places at the right times. I was in that party near the headwaters of the Ghala River and I was the one that Killed Diakles the day after you saw him. Yes I believe you.”

  “You killed Diakles?” echoed Wyant. “That alone will raise you in the eyes of the tribes. How much food do you have in that city of yours?”

  “I can have as much as I need,” Rejji said. “Lord Marak has two ships on the way and he will send more when I ask for it. We have nice herds of Wasooki and clova and more watula then we can use. You supply the men and let me worry about the food.”

  “You realize that as soon as I start to gather the tribes, Grulak will attack in force?” frowned Wyant.

  “That depends on how many men you gather,” interjected Marak. “I understand that the main body of his forces are quite distant from here. If he sends only a portion of his army, you may well defeat it. If he brings his entire army, then you will need some clever strategy.”

  “Very clever strategy,” sighed Wyant. “He has more men than all of the free tribes put together.”

  “Yes and they will be weary from the travel,” stated Lord Marak. “Perhaps they will even be harried along the way. Just having a greater number of men does not guarantee success. You will have time to learn the terrain, which will be foreign to him. You will also have time to plan for a defense.”

  “Do you have armies that you are willing to offer to this solution?” Wyant asked Marak.

  “I have armies,” declared Marak. “This is not Khadora’s fight though. If Rejji requests assistance, I will send what I can, but I think you Fakarans can accomplish the goal.”

  “Your answer pleases me,” smiled Wyant. “At least I know that you are not encouraging this for selfish reasons. I may be crazy, but I think I am going to accept this position as your new general, Rejji.”

  “May I suggest you use a different term,” interjected Marak. “If the tribes already have generals, you will appear to be usurping their titles. In Khadora we use the term Marshal.”

  “Very well,” nodded Wyant. “Marshal it is. Start shipping food in, Lord Marak. We are going to need a lot of it. If I can borrow a horse, you will have thousands of men within the week. I just hope Brakas doesn’t catch wind of it before we are ready.”

  “Does Brakas know you are alive?” asked Lord Marak.

  “No,” answered Wyant. “I would prefer to keep it that way until I can find him again.”

  “Tell the men you send to Ghala not to mention your name until you arrive then,” suggested Marak. “If Brakas returns to the city, I think he can be used to supply false information to the Jiadin. It could prove to be vital to any plan you come up with.”

  “Do you think he will return?” questioned Wyant.

  “I do,” interjected Rejji. “It would seem that I am Brakas’s second mission. With me and the tribes in the same place, Brakas will show. When he does, he will find his ability to leave impaired until I see fit to allow it.”

  “Take one of the horses from these slavers,” offered Marak. “One word of caution before you go, Marshal. If any of these tribes intend on coming to Ghala to pillage it instead of joining in its defense, I will bring my armies from Khadora to extract retribution, and my armies are trained for battle against other armies, not raiding villages.”

  Wyant looked at the ring of arrows stuck in the ground and nodded. “If that happens, Lord Marak,” he said seriously, “I will be riding with you. The days of plunder are over for Fakara. Those who do not understand that are better off joining the Jiadin than us. My back is scarred and my face is bruised, bu
t I feel more hopeful today than I have felt in any other day of my life. We will make this work.”

  Rejji and Marak watched Wyant leave. “He will work out well for you,” smiled Lord Marak.

  “Yes he will,” nodded Rejji. “It is time to give the rest of these prisoners their choice of going free or joining Ghala. We could use the two empty wagons to transport them if they wish to join the city.”

  “If that is what you want to do,” offered Marak, “Halman and Gunta can accompany us to Ghala and I will leave Botal and his squad to escort them.”

  “Let us ask them what they want to do,” agreed Rejji.

  Chapter 31

  The Tribes

  “Rejji,” called Riktor, “I have been looking all over for you.”

  “How is the unloading going?” Rejji asked Riktor.

  “The first ship is empty and leaving the dock now,” Riktor replied. “There are two more anchored offshore. The warehouse is full and we are running out of room. Where am I supposed to put all of the cargo?”

  “It would appear that Lord Marak has high hopes for our Marshal,” smiled Rejji. “He said he would step up shipments when he got back home.”

  “Step them up?” echoed Riktor. “I have never seen so much food in my entire life. We could feed an army with what is in the warehouse now.”

  “We have many armies to feed, Riktor,” smiled Rejji as he waved Plesy over to the conversation. “The problem is that the city is not large enough for them. Six thousand men joined yesterday alone and I do not think we have seen the end of it. I was going to have a lot of supplies emptied out of the warehouse today for our new arrivals. Why don’t we have them take it directly off the ships? That will free your men up to help Plesy with the clearing and lumber hauling.”

  “We don’t need any more help,” Plesy interjected. “The new location for the wasooki and clova herds was cleared this morning. The animals are being moved as we speak.”

  “So we can start building in the old fields then?” queried Rejji.