“Already?” smiled Lyra as she picked up the stalk and admired it.
“Ukaro has taught my students the magic necessary to rejuvenate the fields,” nodded Temiker. “It is quite interesting.”
“That is wonderful,” remarked Lyra. “We will need to send some mages to Duran and Zaramilden. I promised them that we would restore their fields.”
“I will ask for volunteers,” replied Temiker. “This is something that your mages should learn as well. You will need this knowledge for the western provinces.”
“I will be heading to Fortaka and Gatong next,” stated Lyra. “I will take one of your students with me as far as StarCity. She can teach the rest of my people.”
“She?” chuckled Temiker. “It would seem that you have a particular student in mind. Which one of my students is truly Sakovan?”
“Several of them,” laughed Lyra. “It is much like it has been in the past. We must be well versed in Omungan magic in case it is used against us.”
“I suspected as much,” smiled Temiker, “but I did not recognize any of the new faces from my stay in StarCity.”
“Where is StormSong?” asked Lyra.
“She is outside practicing her fighting,” replied LifeTender. “She is not thrilled that she has had to remain in Alamar for you, but she would not return to the Sakova without you. Shall I get her?”
“Let her practice,” Lyra shook her head. “I want to talk to General Manitow before I leave Alamar. He must be informed about Duran and Zaramilden. I suspect that Okata will send troops here when they find out that two of their cities have defected. I hope they do not try to reclaim those cities. The citizens there do not need any more worries. They were starving when I arrived. It will take some time before they regain their health.”
“I would like to travel with you to StarCity,” Ukaro said as Lyra rose to leave. “My work here in Alamar is done. Would that be permissible?”
“The head shaman of the Zatong tribe is welcome in StarCity,” smiled Lyra. “I would be pleased if you would return with me. I will have LifeTender request another choka.”
“While I look forward to riding your chokas,” grinned Ukaro, “I already have a mount waiting for me outside the city. He will enjoy hunting in the fargi forest.”
“A tiger?” asked Lyra.
“The chokas will not be alarmed, will they?” asked Ukaro.
“Tigers do not prey upon chokas,” answered LifeTender. “Fortunately, chokas will not attack your tiger either. He will be safe.”
Lyra chuckled at Ukaro’s expression as she walked out of the room. She exited the schoolhouse and saw groups of people heading for the center of the city. The citizens bowed low when they recognized her. Lyra shook her head in puzzlement and then saw the sailor, Chargo, a block away. Instead of heading for the Imperial Guard headquarters, she turned and headed towards the sailor. He smiled broadly when he saw her approaching.
“What are you doing, Chargo?” asked the Star of Sakova. “Are you inciting a riot?”
“A riot?” Chargo echoed with feigned offense. “I am merely speaking to the citizens on my city. Don’t you think they have the right to know what has transpired in Duran and Zaramilden?”
“Of course they have a right to know,” replied Lyra, “but I had hoped that they would learn it from General Manitow. I am on my way to tell him about those two cities. If he is besieged by a riotous crowd, he may react unfavorably to my news.”
“I understand that you must maintain the bargain that you struck with the Imperial Guards,” retorted Chargo, “but you must understand that this is my city. These citizens are my brothers and sisters. The word has already spread that your mages are bringing our fields back to life. That means that your caravans will not be needed soon. According to the terms of your agreement, If the caravans are not needed, General Manitow is free to allow Imperial Guards from Okata into Alamar. He will have no need to protect Sakovans who no longer deliver food. He will have kept his side of the bargain.”
“And those troops from Okata will invade the Sakova from the east,” Lyra frowned. “We will be fighting on two fronts again.”
“Worse,” replied Chargo. “Okata will have a new supply of food. They will send great caravans here and strip our fields. Once again our people will starve. Only the Sakovans will not be in a position to come to our aid because they will be defending their homeland. That is not the situation I wish to see the citizens of Alamar subjected to.”
Lyra stared at the ground for several moments as she let Chargo’s words drift through her mind. Her face clouded with concern as she raised her eyes and faced the sailor.
“What are you telling the citizens to do?” she asked.
“I have asked nothing of them,” answered Chargo. “I merely told them what has transpired and what is to come unless things change here. They do not need my instructions as to what to do.”
“But you are creating a riot,” protested Lyra. “These people are going to clash with the Imperial Guards. They will die. You must stop it.”
“They will either fight the imperial Guards now or later,” replied Chargo. “These people are not afraid to fight. If it must come to that, let it be now when many of the Imperial Guards will come over to our side. We will need their help to defend against the hordes from Okata.”
“And what will it accomplish to have the citizens of Alamar dead?” retorted the Star of Sakova. “I want to avoid this bloodshed. It must be stopped. Will you help me?”
“I am helping you more than you know,” replied Chargo. “The only hope to avoid bloodshed rests with General Manitow. You must convince him that Alamar is a Sakovan city.”
“But it isn’t,” frowned Lyra. “I gave my word.”
“You gave your word to continue food deliveries as long as your people were protected,” corrected Chargo. “You have kept your word. Now the people of Alamar have decided that they are Sakovans. We are your people now. You must make General Manitow stand by his word and not harm us. In fact, he must protect us from Okata.”
Lyra stood speechless for a moment. Chargo stepped back a pace and bowed low to the Star of Sakova. He rose and smiled at Lyra.
“Go speak to General Manitow,” the sailor said. “I know that once you are there, your Kaltara will guide your words.”
Lyra nodded numbly as she turned and headed for the center of the city. She looked back once and saw Chargo calling more citizens to him. She shook her head and turned the corner.
Lyra’s mind reeled as she tried to figure out how to diffuse the situation. She wondered if Mayor Reaker could help to quiet things down. As she turned another corner, she saw the crowd gathering in front of the headquarters of the Imperial Guard. Mayor Reaker and General Manitow stood on the top step talking to each other. The crowd murmured with talk among themselves, but there was not yet any anger or demands being shouted. Lyra reached the rear of the gathering crowd and started to work her way through the people. A large woman noticed that it was Lyra trying to get up front.
“Make a path,” shouted the woman. “The Star of Sakova is coming through.”
The crowd instantly parted for Lyra. Some citizens cheered while others tried to bow in the small space afforded them. In moments Lyra was mounting the steps of the building. The crowd fell silent as she stopped in front of the general and the mayor.
“Is this your doing?” General Manitow asked brusquely.
“Not exactly,” shrugged Lyra, “but it does concern me. Can we talk?”
“We will talk right here,” declared the general with obvious mistrust in his voice. “I will not discuss things in private with you and then leave the interpretation open to others.”
“Very well then,” retorted Lyra as she stiffened. “I have kept my side of the bargain, General. The Sakovans continue to transport food into this city even as your fields are being restored. Have you given any thought as to what will happen next?”
“Next?” asked the general. “What
do you mean?”
“I mean Alamar will soon be a city flush with food in a country that is starving,” explained Lyra. “What will the Katana do when he finds out that Alamar has food?”
“He must not find out,” Mayor Reaker interjected nervously. “He would strip this province clean.”
“The Imperial Guards from Okata are afraid to visit this area,” declared General Manitow. “How will he ever find out?”
“News other than your food can bring his armies back here,” replied Lyra. “Even though they do not yet know about your food, you must plan for the day when they do learn about it.”
“You know something that you are not sharing,” replied the general as his eyes narrowed. “What has brought all of the citizens into the streets today?”
“Duran and Zaramilden have become Sakovan cities,” declared Lyra. “It is only a matter of time before the Katana learns of this.”
“He will send his armies to crush those cities,” gasped the mayor. “He will want ships from Alamar to transport his troops. We are doomed. When they see our food and no diseases, they will forget about Duran and ravage our city.”
General Manitow stared at Lyra for a long time. He turned and gazed at the quiet crowd of citizens waiting for something to happen. The people were streaming in from every part of the city, but none of them were saying anything. They stared intently at Lyra and the general.
“Why is the crowd here?” the general finally asked. “Have you stirred them up to revolt against me?”
“I have not incited them,” replied Lyra. “They do know about Duran and Zaramilden, though. The defections were not something that could be hidden from the crew of the ship that I traveled on. I could be wrong, but I think they are here to express their views about it. You should ask them.”
“I have no need to ask them,” retorted the general. “You have used food to buy their allegiance. Now you will buy their deaths. Is this how Sakovans think friendly neighbors should act?”
“This is not her idea,” declared Chargo as he mounted the steps and halted a few paces away. “The Star of Sakova begged me to cancel this gathering. She is very much afraid of what your soldiers might do to us, but we are not afraid. This city is alive because of the kind acts of the Sakovans. Omunga has done absolutely nothing for us, and I do not mean just during this famine. Omunga has never done anything for us except collect our taxes. We would rather be part of the Sakova.”
“Are you mad?” shouted the general. “Do you have any idea what you are saying? You are guilty of treason. I could have you hung just for what you have already said.”
The crowd shouted threats and surged forward. The Imperial Guards on each side of the steps drew their swords and prepared to defend the general. Chargo held both hands high over his head to stall the attack.
“You could not hang me and keep your word to the Star of Sakova,” Chargo stated loudly. “I have declared myself as a Sakovan, as have the people behind me. You have given your word to protect the Sakovans. That now includes us.”
“You can not do that,” the general replied while frowning and shaking his head. “You cannot just declare yourself Sakovans.”
“Why can’t we?” countered Chargo. “I saw the cities of Duran and Zaramilden when the Star visited them. The people were literally dropping dead from lack of food. Omunga has not sent a single stalk of grain to either city. What do those people get for their taxes? Why should they belong to Omunga? Worst of all, what is the difference between them and Alamar? I say that there is no difference. Omunga is a country with only western provinces. The east has never mattered to them, and it still does not.”
“And what would you have me do?” spat the general. “Do you expect my thousand men to hold off the entire Omungan nation? Do you have any conception of the death and slaughter that will be rained down upon Alamar? You are a fool.”
“We may be fools,” retorted Chargo, “but we will be loyal fools. This city is now Sakovan, General. Your men may stay and join us, or they may leave and dine in Okata. We will not supply food to Omungans who are intent on destroying us. I trust that you will let each soldier choose for himself?”
General Manitow surveyed the crowd again. People were no longer joining the crowd, but the reason was not one of lack of support. The streets were full as far as the general could see. If any more citizens were trying to reach the area, they would not be able to. There was no room.
“I need time to think about your proposal,” the general said loudly. “Disperse now and go to your homes. I will instruct my men not to take any actions based upon the words spoken here today. You may leave peacefully.”
“We are not leaving,” shouted Chargo. “This city does not belong to you, General. It belongs to the citizens. Your purpose here is to protect us. We are giving you leave to desert your post without violence. If you cannot understand that Omunga has no use for Alamar other than taxes, then you need to find your reality somewhere else. We are staying right here until you decide.”
The general turned and stormed into the building. The mayor started to follow him when Chargo shouted his name. He turned and faced the sailor.
“Are you with us or against us, Mayor Reaker?” shouted Chargo.
The mayor stared at the crowd briefly before answering. “I want what is best for the people of Alamar,” the mayor said loudly. “If you truly want to be part of Sakova, then I will stand with you, but I warn you that it is a dangerous path that we are embarking upon.”
Cheers erupted from the crowd as the mayor turned and entered the building. Lyra followed him in. A hundred Imperial Guards were gathered inside the doors. They were awaiting orders to quell the disturbance. None of them looked very happy at the thought of beating their friends and neighbors.
Lyra followed Mayor Reaker to the general’s office. More than one Imperial Guard bowed his head slightly as she walked by. She smiled at each of them. When they entered the general’s office, Lyra half expected to find the general throwing something against the wall. Instead she found him sitting calmly in his chair behind the desk. The mayor silently ushered Lyra into one of the chairs before the desk and then sat in the other one.
“I really did not want this to happen,” Lyra said, breaking the silence. “While I would love to have Alamar on my side in this war, I would prefer that there was no war at all. I asked Duran and Zaramilden to defect precisely because they are so remote that the Katana would not waste his armies conquering those cities. Alamar is different.”
“That is what bothers me,” sighed the general. “The sailor is right in everything that he said. Omunga does nothing for Alamar. It never has. We are Omungan because we have always been Omungan. There has never been a choice. You, Lyra, have brought that choice to us. Were it a decision that could be made in peace, it would be easy to decide, but that is not the case. The Katana cannot stand idle with half the country defecting. He will forget about conquering the Sakova and concentrate on punishing those who have deserted. That is what the sailor does not understand.”
“I think he does understand,” replied Lyra. “I mentioned as much to him, but it fell on deaf ears. I think seeing how Omunga treated the remote cities is what got him worked up. I know that I was devastated walking through those streets. I would not let an enemy suffer as those people have.”
“You bought those cities with food, didn’t you?” asked the general.
“That was my plan,” nodded the Star of Sakova, “but I could not go through with it. I ordered the food shipped in before I even talked to them. I could not stand to see them suffer. You must understand me, General. I am Omungan, or at least that is how I was raised. I grew up north of Gatong in my father’s academy. I knew nothing about the Sakovans until Kaltara chose me to lead them, but I know their hearts well now. None of my people would want to see anyone starve to death. If we had not enough food for ourselves, we would give half of it to others who were less fortunate. I cannot stand to use food as a weapon.”
“Your generosity is well known here,” smiled the general. “I cannot begrudge the people of Alamar for wanting to be part of a society that truly cares about them. It is my inability to see a way that they can survive in the face of what is to surely come next that bothers me. My men are from this city. If I gave the order to leave, most of them would stubbornly defy me and stay behind to defend Alamar. I cannot order my troops to crush the rebellion for the same reason.”
“Would you really order that?” asked Lyra. “You do not seem to be a cruel man.”
“I would not,” admitted the general. “I want what the people want, but I am wise enough to see the folly of such an action. A thousand men cannot stand against the armies of the Katana. There is no way.”
“I think there is,” countered Lyra. “If you are sincere in your desires, we can make this work.”
“How?” asked the general. “What do you know that I do not?”
“I know that the citizens will work hard to help you,” explained Lyra. “That means that you are no longer a force of just a thousand men. I also know a way to keep the Katana’s siege engines from bearing down on your walls. Inside these walls, General, your people can remain safe and well fed.”
“We will not remain well fed if we have to stay inside the walls,” argued the general.
“But you will,” smiled Lyra. “I will arrange for food to be delivered by ship if any army is approaching. You can even afford to burn the fields outside the city if that need be done.”
“If you can supply us by ship,” brightened the general, “and stop siege engines from reaching us, I can hold this city for a long time. I can exhaust their troops until they turn tail and head back to Okata. Can you really do that?”
“I can,” nodded Lyra. “I will guarantee it.”
The general stared at the Star of Sakova a long time before speaking. His first thought was to argue about her ability to guarantee such a thing, but as he thought back on all that had transpired, he realized that Lyra would not guarantee something that she cold not deliver. Slowly, he realized that Alamar could actually be defended against the armies of the Katana.
Island of Darkness fl-5 Page 25
