“Am I daft?” retorted StarWind. “It is not my people who are continually ruled by madmen. You no sooner got rid of Alazar, and you choose another madman to lead you into a senseless war.”
“You did not feel this way about Larst when he saved your people from arrest in Okata,” countered the mayor. “All of a sudden he is a madman because he seeks a war that all Katanas have sought over the centuries.”
“Larst was an honest and decent man,” responded StarWind. “Were he still alive, we would not be having this war.”
“What do you mean?” asked Mayor Ferde. “Larst is alive. He is the Katana. Surely your spies could not miss such a thing?”
“Our spies miss nothing,” StarWind smiled thinly. “In fact, we know more about what is happening in Omunga than most mayors do.”
“Explain yourself,” demanded Mayor Ferde.
“First Councilor Larst and the Star of Sakova held many secret meetings over the past few months,” explained StarWind. “They agreed in principle to an everlasting peace between our two nations. Plans were made to jointly build roads through the Sakova to unite the remote areas of Omunga. Our food shipments to Omungan cities were a direct result of those negotiations. The last meeting between Lyra and Larst was on the day before he was chosen as the Katana. What changed during the course of one day to make the new Katana declare war as almost his first order of business?”
“I had heard rumors of such meetings,” Ferde admitted, “but I know nothing of any agreements. Regardless of what Lyra thought was promised, the Katana has decided on war. All of Omunga will follow his lead.”
“Why?” questioned StarWind. “Why will all of Omunga go to war on the word of an imposter?”
“What a foolish question,” countered Mayor Ferde with confusion on his face. “And what do you mean imposter?”
“I mean that some mage has taken over Larst’s body,” declared StarWind. “Isn’t his sudden turnaround disturbing to you?”
Mayor Ferde stared silently at the Sakovan spy. She could detect the doubt in his face, but she held her tongue.
“What proof do you have of this?” the mayor finally asked.
“I have none,” admitted StarWind. “Even if I did, Omungans have already shown that they would not take any corrective actions against the Katana. Besides, it is too late for such an effort. I mention it because you have a right to know. You will have weighty decisions thrust upon you in the coming days, Mayor Ferde. You have the right to know what is truly happening in Omunga before you are forced to make those decisions.”
“And I am to believe that this is not just an attempt to weaken Omungan resolve?” retorted the mayor. “Have you spread these rumors to other Omungan cities?”
“You are the only Omungan official that I would show myself to,” replied StarWind. “I realize that you are skeptical of what I have told you. I can appreciate that skepticism, but I feel that you know that I would never lie to you. You have the ability to speak to the members of the Katana’s Council. Ask them when Larst suddenly changed. There is no way that they could not have noticed.”
“I shall do so,” declared the mayor, “but that would change nothing. Our countries are at war now, and all Omungan cities will act accordingly. The end of the Sakova is upon you. The best thing I could do for you now is to have you arrested here in Campanil. At least you will not be tortured as you would be if you were caught in Okata.”
“Okata really does keep you in the dark,” StarWind shook her head sadly. “If you think that Omunga is going to survive this war, you are sadly mistaken. I came here in an attempt to have your people spared from the destruction. If your troops remained in the city, they would still be alive when the war is over.”
“What preposterous nonsense,” scowled the mayor. “I doubt the Sakovans are capable of capturing a single Omungan city, never mind conquering the whole country. Do you take me for a fool because I helped you at one time?”
“No, Mayor Ferde,” sighed StarWind, “I took you as a leader who would do whatever was necessary to safeguard his people. As for your estimation regarding the capabilities of the Sakovans, all I can say is that I expected more from you. You, of all people, should appreciate what the Sakovans are capable of. You know that every Sakovan will die before he surrenders. The same cannot be said about Omungans.”
“What are you hinting at?” Mayor Ferde asked questioningly. “Is there news that I have not learned of yet?”
“There is,” StarWind smiled thinly. “Omunga is half the country that it used to be. Zaramilden, Duran, and Alamar are now Sakovan cities.”
“What?” gasped the mayor. “What an outlandish thing to say. I cannot believe this.”
“So they haven’t told you yet?” smiled StarWind. “I am not surprised. Why would the Katana boast about his defeats?”
“I had heard that General Romero’s army had returned from Alamar,” admitted the mayor, “but that was because of the disease that inundated the region. The starvation of those people probably brought it about. They were hit long before we were.”
“Actually,” responded StarWind, “the people of the east are well fed. There is no disease there. We supplied their cities with food as we had been doing for Campanil before the Imperial Guards made it impossible to continue. Our mages have also had a hand in ridding their crops of the disease. The fields around Alamar are healthy and bountiful now.”
“All of which I cannot verify,” frowned the mayor. “I suppose that I am to take your word for all of this?”
“You could,” smiled StarWind, “but I suspect that you will not. Send a man to Alamar to see for himself.”
“A single man?” questioned the mayor. “Just one man could be captured and worked on by your mages. I could not believe his report when he returned.”
“Then send two,” shrugged StarWind, “but I would be cautious about sending more. We are in a state of war. A large patrol would be destroyed or captured.”
“I have ways of getting to the truth,” Mayor Ferde said confidently. “Even if what you said is true, it makes little difference to me. Campanil is not equivalent to Duran.”
“No, it isn’t,” conceded the Sakovan spy, “but it must cause you to think about your actions before you jeopardize the lives of the people who depend upon you for their safety.”
“What exactly do you wish me to do?” Mayor Ferde asked with annoyance.
“I want to avoid having your people killed,” answered StarWind. “In a short time, Campanil will be a Sakovan city. The people here will be as precious to us as the people in Alamar are. I am prepared to promise that Campanil will not be attacked if your Imperial Guards do not attack Sakovans.”
“You are asking me to keep my troops out of the war?” inquired the mayor. “How can I justify such a thing?”
“Your troops are meant to protect your people,” explained StarWind. “Use them for that purpose. It is not as if your troops will make a great difference in the coming battles. Use your thousand men to safeguard Campanil from the Sakovans. Let the large armies of Okata battle the Sakovans. Can anyone fault you for such a decision?”
“Actually they are two thousand strong,” replied Mayor Ferde, “but I am beginning to understand where you are coming from. Still, if Okata is attacked, the call for troops from Campanil will be strong. I do not know if I can refuse such a request.”
“At least you are honest about it,” StarWind said. “Do what you must, Mayor Ferde, but I encourage you to rethink the old philosophies of Omunga. The system of Katanas has failed you too many times. Your people and my people can live in peace, but not when you continually choose leaders who are bent on war between us. This war will end in a Sakovan victory. Think about how that affects the people who depend upon you.”
“You are bold to make such a statement so early in the war,” countered the mayor. “Granted you have faith in your fellow countrymen, but the outcome of this war is far from certain.”
StarWind trie
d to gauge the position of the mayor before continuing. He had appeared to soften somewhat during the meeting, and StarWind felt sure that he would no longer try to arrest her, but keeping Campanil out of the war was pivotal. She decided to push the mayor further in an attempt to guarantee his cooperation.
“We have dealt honestly with each other since we met,” offered StarWind. “Can I trust you with a confidence?”
The mayor’s brow creased as he stared at the Sakovan spy. “You wish me not to repeat what you are about to say?” he asked.
“Not to anyone,” nodded StarWind. “I should not be mentioning it to you, but I respect you and understand that you are trying to do what is best for your people.”
The mayor sat silently for a moment before answering. Finally, he nodded his head in agreement.
“I will keep in confidence what you are about to say,” he promised, “but I will also view it skeptically without the ability to confirm it.”
“Understandable,” replied StarWind. “You are free to attempt to confirm it if you wish. You are only forbidden to declare it as fact or that you heard it from a Sakovan spy.”
“Agreed,” accepted the mayor.
“The Star of Sakova has made many friends since we last met,” StarWind revealed. “If the war goes poorly for the Sakovans, I believe that the Khadorans will certainly come to our aid. I am sure that you are aware that the Khadorans have a new emperor. I have visited with Emperor Marak and accompanied him to Khadoratung. He is strongly allied with the Sakovans. I believe that he already has offered to send armies to assist us, but Lyra has refused. She feels that the Sakovans should solve their own problems, but I can guarantee that she will not rule over the destruction of the Sakova. If the worst comes, she will have to call upon the Khadorans to aid us.”
“Mercy!” gasped the mayor. “I heard rumors of a new emperor up there, but the thought of Khadorans invading Omunga is disturbing. Nothing would arouse the Omungans more than a foreign invasion. Do you realize what the people would do if they learned of this?”
“That is precisely why I demanded your confidence,” nodded StarWind. “I hope it does not come to that, but you now know the source of my confidence on the outcome of this war. Keep your troops at home, Mayor Ferde. The Sakovans will start sending you food as soon as it is safe for us to do so.”
“I can still not make any promises,” the mayor shook his head. “What you have told me must be confirmed somehow.”
“I understand,” StarWind said as she rose. “I will return in a fortnight for another talk. Hopefully, you will have found the confirmation that you need.”
The mayor rose reflexively and stared at StarWind. A worried frown clouded his features.
“Use the name Samantha when you return,” suggested the mayor. “I will leave orders to have you sent up.”
StarWind smiled and nodded as she left the room.
Chapter 21
Chula Sakovan
The hawk soared over the tall fargi forest. Its keen eyes focused on the intermittent glimpses of ground as it sped over the ancient trees. When it reached a certain point, the hawk banked naturally to its left, swinging into an arc as if some invisible leash tethered it. As it continued its patrol, the hawk suddenly broke out of its flying pattern and circled tightly. Its eyes detected the movement below, and the hawk pulled in its wings. It dove downward until it was under the canopy and then spread its wings wide again. Sighting the source of the movement, the hawk settled on a high branch and watched the strange procession. A tall woman rode a choka, and a man rode a tiger. The hawk watched with interest as the pair passed below it.
With a sudden burst of power, the hawk launched itself off the branch, its wings flapping strongly as it rose above the canopy. The hawk no longer paid any attention to the floor of the forest. It flew swiftly in a straight line to the center of its imaginary circle. When it reached the center, it dove powerfully through the canopy. Only then did the hawk’s eyes focus once again on the ground. It scanned the large group of assembled people below until it found the tall Sakovan who had raised it. The hawk let out a screech as it dived downward, flaring its wings only at the last moment to land squarely on HawkShadow’s shoulder.
“We have company coming,” HawkShadow announced to the rest of the group. “Leaders see to your people. Goral, SkyDancer, come with me.”
HawkShadow flicked the hawk off his shoulder as SkyDancer and the giant gathered around HawkShadow. The Sakovan assassin watched the group leaders instruct their people before he turned to follow the hawk. Goral and SkyDancer flanked HawkShadow without the need of instruction. The trio moved swiftly into the forest for several hundred paces before HawkShadow signaled for a halt. SkyDancer immediately faded to the left while Goral moved to the right. HawkShadow selected a large fargi tree in the center and waited. Sakovan stars filled his hands.
They waited in silence for several minutes before HawkShadow heard the telltale sounds of a choka. The sounds were soft, but to HawkShadow they were unmistakable. He raised a hand and signaled silently to his two partners. Another sound accompanied the choka, and HawkShadow closed his eyes as he strained his ears to identify it. After a few moments, HawkShadow opened his eyes and shook his head. He thought he had identified the sound, but it made no sense to him. The group approaching was too close to dwell on it further. HawkShadow silently signaled his partners again and prepared to meet the intruders.
“I recognized your hawk,” a voice called softly. “Do not attack us, HawkShadow. I travel with a Chula shaman.”
HawkShadow recognized StormSong’s voice and stepped around the tree. He gazed at StormSong and the man next to her, who was riding on a tiger.
“I thought it was a large cat,” announced HawkShadow, “but I could not imagine one accompanying a choka. Have you come to join the party?”
“We have,” replied StormSong as she halted her choka and slid off. “HawkShadow, this is Ukaro. He has Lyra’s blessing to join in the fun.”
The Sakovan assassin watched as the shaman slid off the tiger. Ukaro approached HawkShadow and extended his arms in greeting.
“I am honored to be allowed to join you,” declared Ukaro. “Are there only the three of you?”
HawkShadow was dumbstruck for a moment, as Goral and SkyDancer had not yet revealed themselves. Suddenly his face broke into a broad grin as he extended his own arms and welcomed the Chula.
“You must tell me how you knew,” smiled HawkShadow. “Perhaps there are some tricks we can use to remain more invisible next time.”
“There are a few tricks that I can share with you,” grinned Ukaro, “but your people are well trained. Even most Chula shaman would not have noticed them.”
“Ukaro is the head shaman of the Zatong tribe,” announced StormSong. “Lyra has a great deal of faith in him.”
“Then we shall as well,” nodded HawkShadow. “Goral, SkyDancer, come meet our new friend.”
Ukaro’s eyes widened as he watched the giant approach. HawkShadow chuckled under his breath.
“So you didn’t actually see them?” questioned HawkShadow.
“No, I didn’t,” admitted the Shaman. “I sensed them, but even that did not forewarn me of the stature of Goral. You grow them large down here.”
“Goral is unique,” laughed HawkShadow. “Come and let me introduce you to the rest of the group. We have over a hundred Sakovan warriors assembled. The fun will start tonight when the Omungans camp, but the real battle will be in the morning. I need to know what skills you possess. I am sure that we can make use of them.”
As the group began walking back to the campsite, SkyDancer approached StormSong.
“Where is Lyra?” SkyDancer asked. “I thought you were assigned to guard her.”
“I was,” scowled the female warrior, “but our Star has other ideas. She has already left for Gatong without an escort. She has forbidden anyone to accompany her.”
“That sounds dangerous,” frowned SkyDancer. “I do no
t like it when she goes off on her own.”
“Nor do I,” agreed StormSong. “She said I would be more useful here.”
“You will certainly be useful here,” nodded SkyDancer, “but she could have allowed someone else to guard her.”
Ukaro heard the conversation behind him. He stopped and turned to face the two female Sakovans.
“Your love for your Star has not gone unnoticed,” he said to StormSong, “but you worry needlessly. Lyra is quite capable of protecting herself. In fact, traveling alone will have advantages for her. Put your mind at rest regarding her welfare. Your skills will be much needed here.”
“I think I know her better than you do,” snapped StormSong. “My place is at her side.”
“There is little doubt that you know her better than I do,” conceded Ukaro, “but I know the prophecies better than you do. Lyra will not fall to an Omungan. Her real test will be against the forces of evil.”
“Lyra has given her orders,” interjected HawkShadow. “There is little that you and I can do about it. We may not like the way she does things, but we are bound to obey her. You must trust that Kaltara will guide her to her destination and safely home again. To do otherwise is to trouble your mind during the battle to come. You know better than that. I am glad that she sent you here, StormSong. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the battles that you have trained so hard for. Your skills will be sorely needed.”
“You will have my full attention,” promised StormSong. “I cannot help wondering if I have offended our Star in some way, but I have trained to put such matters out of my mind when battle is called for. I will succeed at whatever you assign to me.”
“I know you will,” smiled HawkShadow. “I also know that you are incapable of offending Lyra, so put it out of your mind completely.”
StormSong nodded silently, and HawkShadow turned to lead the group back to the campsite. Within minutes they arrived. The campsite was empty, but as HawkShadow gave a signal, the Sakovans started entering the campsite from their hiding places. They all looked curiously at the Chula shaman and his tiger. As HawkShadow started the introductions, Ukaro petted his tiger and sent him away. The tiger disappeared silently into the forest.
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