The Staff of Sakatha

by Tom Liberman

  An hour and a half later the four made up their camp at the edge of the cliff face where a small stream flowed. Vipsanius sat by the stream, a small pole in one hand, with four trout already caught and on a line in an eddy of the stream. Jon busied himself with the fire while Sorus gathered wood and Odellius got out pots, pans, and various seasonings for the meal to come.

  “Boy,” he yelled loudly to no one in particularly but Sorus, fifty yards away, a bundle of limbs in his arms, knew immediately that he was the subject of the bellow, “find some of those bay boleta mushrooms if you can, good with trout they are.”

  “What do they look like?” shouted back Sorus as he bent over to pick up a fallen limb of good width.

  “Brown little things with white flesh, they turn blue if you cut them,” shouted back Odellius and looked to Jon with a shrug of his shoulders. “Kids today.”

  “I wouldn’t have known,” said Jon with a smile as the fire roared to life and he piled on kindling. “My father is always telling me to learn as much as I can about any region where I’m staying. He says little things can save your life. Where an animal burrows, what sort of berries are good to eat, how a predator stalks, all those things.”

  “True enough,” said Odellius with a nod of his head. “How many of those fish do you have, Vipsanius?” he bellowed out to the sky.

  The First Rider looked over his shoulder, “A little respect, Sir Odellius, I am the First Rider after all,” he concluded with a wry smile and a shake of his head.

  “Sorry about that,” shouted Odellius as he poured a little oil from a vial into one of his pans, put a wire grill over the fire, and the pan on it. “How many of those fish do you have, First Rider?”

  “That’s more like it,” said Vipsanius with a broad smile. “I’ve got four on the line and another one just about ready to take the hook. That means I’ve about enough for you but half as many as we need for all four.”

  “You see what I have to put up with,” said Odellius grinning broadly and shaking his head at Jon. “No respect at all and I’m the one cooking.”

  Jon smiled, “You might have made the first disrespectful comment,” he said as he lowered his chin and raised his eyebrows. “He is the First Rider after all.”

  Odellius gave off a long sigh, “I can see where this is headed. I’ll just start cooking while you stick your nose further up his rear end.”

  “I’m not exactly certain I can bend over that far,” said Jon as he looked over Vipsanius and his five feet six inch height. “He is a little fellow.”

  “Never underestimate a man because of his appearance, Jon,” said the First Rider. “I’ve killed a lot of men who did that.”

  “I believe you,” said Jon, just as Sorus returned with another armload of wood and dumped it by the fire.

  “That should be enough for tonight I’d think,” he said. “Come on Odellius, leave those pots long enough to show me what these mushrooms of yours look like. I’m sure Jon and the First Rider have things they want to discuss.”

  Odellius nodded his huge head and looked at the pan on the fire that had just began to pop and fizzle. “Watch that oil,” he said to both Jon and Vipsanius. “When it starts to sizzle throw one of the fish on there,” he finished and began to walk towards a small copse of trees with Sorus.

  “Not much time,” said Vipsanius to Jon with a glance at the pan. “Come on and help me fillet these fish or Odellius will have our hides.” With that the First Rider went back to the stream and pulled in the line of fish. He and Jon set out to clean each one using sharp little knives made for the purpose and provided by the huge knight earlier.

  “This is a lot easier with the right tool,” he said to the First Rider as they finished the first two and tossed them in the pan where the flesh immediately began to crackle and give off a delicious odor. “What sort of tool are you looking for here in Elekargul?” said Vipsanius to Jon as they continued to work at the fish that remained.

  “Like I said, First Rider,” started Jon but was interrupted immediately.

  “Call me Vipsanius if you will,” he said. “First Rider is more for ceremony and battle. Here in a camp I like to think I can be just a man, for a little while at least.”

  “My father talks about that,” said Jon, “about how responsibility can wear a man down. I can see how your system of changing rulers every year has its advantages. I’d think that consistency of rule is important as well. You know in Caparal they elect a new ruler every four years?”

  “I know something of Caparal,” said Vipsanius. “The Tales of Yumanar as written by Owondo are well known even this far south.”

  “Of course,” said Jon and slapped his forehead. “How could I forget those stories? My older brother used to read them to my sister and me when we were children. The great Yumanar, who left Caparal and saved the Republic. I don’t remember them being particularly political though, mostly high adventure as Yumanar, Owondo, and the others traveled the world.”

  “There are some that are more politically orientated than others; the less famous ones are more interesting from that point of view. When Owondo wrote of the different political systems they ran across he often compared it to the Republic of Caparal,” said the First Rider his hand in his chin. “As a boy they were less interesting to me, but as I’ve grown older, I find that they have their nuances on a level beyond adventure and excitement. Perhaps if the Black Horse allows me to grow older I’ll find another aspect to them as well. The stories claim Yumanar wandered for fifty years after he abdicated the throne and restored the republic. That is a long time and a lot of writing.”

  “You said earlier not to judge a man by his appearance,” said Jon. “You shouldn’t judge one by his age either. I know I’m only seventeen but my father taught me to lead and to rule from even before I can remember.”

  “I’m not judging you, Jon,” said the First Rider. “That being said, you are only seventeen and there is only one way to gain experience. It is good your father has sent you on this long journey, and if you survive I’m sure you will prove an able leader in Tanelorn. However, I am not particularly interested in your future as a leader. I am interested in my current rule and I think you are here for something besides making alliances. Tell me now.”

  “The Staff of Sakatha,” said Jon as he looked down at the First Rider.

  Vipsanius nodded his head, “You want to collect it for Tanelorn?”

  “That’s right,” said Jon, “but not to use it. My father wants to keep the most powerful items of the Old Empire out of the hands of those who would use them for their own ends.”

  “What if I wanted it?” said Vipsanius. “What if I promised to use it for good, to help both of our nations, to free people, to conquer the Dorians and make them a free nations, to conquer the orcs of Adas Jdar, to defeat the insect men, what if I promised all of those things?”

  Jon sat silently for a moment with the knife in one hand and a half-finished fish on the rock in front of him, “My father says that the relics cloud the mind and that no one, not even with the best intentions can use them for good. He thinks that the gods, well, he doesn’t think of them as gods, just powerful creatures left over from the Old Empire now posing as gods, he thinks they warp the minds of all people and that the only chance a freedom loving nation has is to remove their influence.”

  “What was that?” said Odellius as he suddenly appeared with Sorus in tow. They held a small cloth sacking bulging with round little mushrooms. “That the gods are really not gods at all?”

  “Odellius,” said the First Rider, “Jon and I are discussing matters of state.”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt First Rider,” said the huge man. “It’s just that what Jon says sounds like something Imprilius told me after you went to bed the other night.”

  “We can discuss that at another time,” said Vipsanius and looked up to the massive knight, “for now Jon and I need to talk about this Staff of Sakatha. You and Sorus work on dinner while we fi
nish our conversation.”

  “Yes, First Rider,” said Odellius, clenched his fist in a salute, and went over to the fire to examine the fish. He immediately pulled a spatula from a leather wrap which contained a number of utensils and flipped the little fish over with practiced ease. “Bring those mushrooms, boy, we want to sauté them in this little pan here.”

  “So your father plans to destroy the staff?” said Vipsanius, a small frown on his face. “I’m not sure I approve of that, but I can see where it might be best to destroy them entirely rather than let them do evil.”

  Jon paused for a moment and said nothing.

  “Go on,” said the First Rider and put his hand on Jon’s shoulder with a little pat.

  “My father,” started Jon, “you have to understand I don’t necessarily agree with everything he says, my father isn’t certain about the entire concept of good and evil. If you, as leader of Elekargul do something like destroy the insect men, or conquer Adas Jdar in the name of freedom, isn’t that evil from the point of view of those nations? Likewise, if the reptile men of Darag’dal were to obtain the Staff of Sakatha and wage a terrible war of conquest wouldn’t that be in their own best interests?”

  “What is good for me is evil for someone else,” said the First Rider with a nod of his head.

  “I suppose that’s the concept,” said Jon with a shrug. “I’m not sure I totally agree with it, and my brother Val and he fight all the time about just that. But, to answer your question, my father doesn’t plan to destroy the Staff of Sakatha or any other relic of the Old Empire. He thinks that’s as bad as using them for your own ends.”

  “What does he plan to do with it then?” said Vipsanius as his hand came to his chin. “It seems you either use it or destroy it and hope that your intentions are for the best.”

  “My father doesn’t think anyone’s intentions are for the best when it comes to those old relics. He thinks these creatures, gods as we call them, created the relics during the Old Empire and that they warp anyone who owns one of them to their will,” said Jon. “I’ve held some of them,” went on the boy and his eyes became distant and he clasped his hands and ran his thumb over his fingers. “I think there is something to that idea.”

  “You’ve held relics of the Old Empire,” asked the First Rider, and Odellius paused for a moment to listen closely to the conversation.

  Jon nodded his head, “My father means to hold them, keep them away from those who would use them and be manipulated by the ancient powers,” he said. “I’m not sure it’s possible but that is the plan.”

  “Wouldn’t the gods, or these creatures, however you want to describe them, simply manipulate their allies to come to Tanelorn and take them by force,” said the First Rider with a glance to Odellius and Sorus who immediately began to work on the food again.

  “That’s what my brother says,” said Jon with a shrug of his shoulders. “My father thinks … well, I’m not sure what my father thinks about that. He starts using big words and philosophy and I get a little lost. My father thinks it’s important to let people act on their own, with as little influence on their minds as possible, and removing the relics is the best, if not perfect, way to achieve this.”

  The First Rider nodded his head. “Does your father plan to kill the gods?”

  Odellius suddenly gave a start and Vipsanius looked over at him, “Yes, Odellius, I’ve spoken with Imprilius on this subject as well, don’t be so surprised.”

  Odellius laughed, “I’ll toss some of those poison mushrooms Sorus picked into your portion, not enough to kill you but you’ll have a bellyache in the morning and for a day or so.”

  The First Rider laughed, “Fair enough, Odellius; now Jon, does your father plan to kill the gods?”

  Jon shook his head, “I’m not really certain. He and my brother talk about things like that a lot, but I’m not always included in the conversation. I think my father wouldn’t mind if the gods just left or died or whatever but I don’t think he wants to participate actively in such a thing. I could be wrong about that.”

  “It sounds like your father just wants to sit back and do nothing and take no responsibility,” said Odellius suddenly standing up and coming over to the two. “I don’t mean to interrupt, First Rider, but dinner is ready and I’m beginning not to like your father so much.”

  Jon nodded his head yet again, “That’s what a lot of the younger knights say,” he said with a shrug. “They think we need to take a more active role in the world, not just sit back and wait for events to overtake us. You should hear him argue with the druids and the younger knights about invading the Rock Lord’s lands and destroying them once and for all.”

  “The Rock Lord?” said Odellius.

  “Enough,” said Vipsanius, “the smell of that sauce is enticing and these are matters that cannot be settled over a fireside conversation. Your father is the Gray Lord and I am the First Rider. You’ve been honest with me, Jon and when I come to a decision about what to do if we find the Staff of Sakatha and recover it I’ll be honest with you. In the meantime the food is getting cold,” he concluded with a smile, stood up, and walked over to the fire where plates of fish and mushrooms awaited.

  Chapter 23

  “Lord Whitebone,” said the ghoulish creature with a smile, as he looked at the great skeletal lord with his sharp teeth evident and his lips curled back in a huge grin, “in your weakened state the Great Queen of the Abyss suggests that I return to the darkling lands through your portal and proceed with the retrieval of the staff.”

  Whitebone sat on his throne, his sleeve empty, his red eyes glowing a wan and dull color. He waved the hand that remained at Thantos and his voice was weak and without power, “Do as you wish Thantos. I am no longer interested in the Staff of Sakatha. I have ordered my creatures to release their hold upon the green dragon, and I no longer require your services as to the identity of the men who slew Snowball. My portal is yours to use for the usual price. Now begone from my presence.”

  Thantos bowed deeply, “Your wish is my command oh great Lord Onearm,” he said and licked his lips with his huge tongue and turned his back on the throne. When the skeletal knight did not rise to the taunt he continued out and chuckled to himself as he left the room.

  Silence reigned in the chamber for a long while as Whitebone sat alone on the throne with only his own thoughts to occupy him. He noted the shadowy presence before it spoke but could not rouse himself to address the creature.

  “Lord Whitebone,” said Tenebrous as he emerged from the darkness and flowed forward in a liquid sort of way, “I apologize for my long absence. I offer no excuses nor do I bring false gifts to gain your support. I simply ask you to join me in an endeavor that benefits us both.”

  Whitebone looked up at the shadow creature and nodded his head wearily, “I am greatly exhausted by my recent ordeal and cannot offer you much in the way of assistance Tenebrous, before I can give you anything you must simply ask.”

  The shadowy creature moved so close to Whitebone that his black and insubstantial form seemed almost to envelop the white of the large warrior. “Lord Whitebone, the Staff of Sakatha is coveted by my mistress, you know this, but I do not want her to have it. As we both well know, I cannot disobey her orders.”

  “I am weary, Tenebrous,” said Whitebone and leaned over on the throne and feebly waved with the one hand, “what do you want?”

  “Allow me to use your portal to the darkling lands and follow Thantos,” said the shadowy form, its shape seeming to coalesce for a moment. “I cannot pay you the usual fee nor do I hold any hope to immediately relieve my debt for this service. There is some chance that if my plan comes to fruition I will return your good will, but that is unlikely and sometime in the distant future in any case.”

  “Your honesty is appreciated Tenebrous, and your brevity. You may use my portal for your own purposes to travel to the darkling lands near Elekargul, but I might be in a less pleasant mood by the time you desire to return. I w
ill not promise such access in the future,” said the great lord of the land.

  “I accept your terms, Lord Whitebone,” said the shadow and slowly oozed backward and away from the throne. “I hope your health improves and our alliance proves fruitful,” said Tenebrous. “I know the way to the portal and I thank you for your boon.”

  With that the shadowy creature slipped out of the room and left Whitebone alone to his thoughts once again.

  Chapter 24

  “High Priest Usharra, the fearsome knights patrol the region all around the hill,” said the smallish lizardman with orange and red scales along with a trio of horns, one to each side of his neck, and the last from the base of his skull. “We cannot penetrate their formation without being detected and all of our warriors are dead, the assault is impossible. We must retreat back to the ships and hope that Great Sakatha guides us home.”

  Usharra waved a dismissive hand at the young acolyte and said, “Force was never our objective, young one. The loss of the warriors is a blessing from Sakatha and not a hindrance. After the horsemen patrols move on we will find the path to the Staff of Sakatha clear. Chusarausea has revealed all to me in my dreams. The Toxic One is unfettered now and able to aid us completely. The staff shall be ours, we shall raise Great Sakatha, and he shall lead us.”

  “Yes, Master Usharra,” said the acolyte with a deep bow, “your wisdom is without peer and our people will owe you a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid. Great Sakatha shall reward you with eternal life in his golden reign. The Old Empire will rise; the humans and the Usurper reborn will feel our wrath. Praise Sakatha, praise Usharra.”

  The high priest nodded his head and again waved the acolyte away, “Go now, alert the other acolytes to keep close watch on the knights and prepare to cross into the mountains at a moment’s notice.”

  The acolyte bowed again and slowly backed out of the room as he whispered words of worship to the high priest.