by Mark Harritt
The Contai people were upset. The situation was becoming more contentious with every lie that Joacar spread. They’d all lost friends and family. Althus’ people were especially taking it hard. After what they’d been through, they had an innate distrust of aliens, and whether the aliens were Emurecuns or the grey men that had captured them, had very little distinction to them. Their souls were dark, scarred from their time in the dungeon, watching their loved ones pulled from the cage and taken into that inner room from which none of them came back. Now, they wanted someone that they could blame. They wanted blood, and they didn’t care who it came from. It was righteous anger, but it was aimed at the wrong people.
Lies, all of it, spread by a vicious old man who was upset because he wasn’t in charge anymore. He’d lost his position and status among the men, and he would do anything to get it back. He blamed the Emurecuns for his loss of power and prestige. It didn’t matter that Emurecuns had lost people in the canyons as well. It didn’t matter that Mike and his teams had risked their lives to get the Contai slaves out of the Turinzoni compound. All that was lost in the mounting anger and frustration that the Contai felt.
Now, Matki stood out here among the trees, trying to control the chaos he felt so that he could figure out a solution. He did so by standing among the stillness and serenity of nature. He took in the cool air of the early morning. The mountains were peaceful, serene. It was cold this early in the morning, before sunrise, the sun still behind the mountains.
They weren’t as far north as they had been in the canyons, but they were high up above the dragon valley where Matki had first met the Emurecuns. Back then, they’d appeared to be demons or gods to Matki Awrani, he who touches thunder. He smiled, realizing how naïve he had been.
And now, he had to choose. Joacar’s lies had put him into a very precarious position. If he took the side of the Emurecuns, it could go badly for him. If the Contai turned against him, then his family was at risk. He didn’t feel that there was any way that he could side with the lies of Joacar, though. He had two choices, betray his friends, or put his family in danger.
As he stood in the gloom of night, listening to the wind in the swaying trees, he wasn’t quite sure who he was going to choose.
There was more to it than his tribe and the Emurecuns, though. Jendi, his son, had learned so much from all the Emurecuns, and from what Jendi told him, there was so much more to learn, things that would transform the world of the Contai. That was the future, however, and Matki had to worry about the here and now.
Beyond what the Emurecuns taught him, Jendi worshipped the team. He loved them like they were his uncles, his family. Those feelings were reciprocated by the team, and the other Emurecuns, also. Mike treated Jendi like he was a little brother. There was no doubt in Matki’s mind that Mike and the team loved Jendi like family, always watching out for him. There was no doubt in Matki’s mind that, if he was gone, the team would take care of his family. In fact, other than Caul, and maybe Geonti or Rieci, there was nobody else he trusted his family with, certainly not with Joacar.
The only one left from the team was Everett, though. Mike had gone out in the shuttle, and it was doubtful that he’d survived the crash. Gods knew where Mickey and Tom were. They’d never come back after the last trip back to the canyons. He could only think that the shuttle had been destroyed by the green men.
If the Contai left Everett and the others behind, there was no way that Everett could survive with one good leg. Matki had to considered the women, also. Even now Joan and Michelle were delivering their first children. When Michelle came to help Joan, she’d overexerted herself and her water broke also. Right now, Joel had his hands full trying to deliver two babies, Everett’s and Roberto’s. Even with Latricia, Tracy, and the other women helping, things had gotten very complicated, very quickly.
Matki knew that if things were different, the Emurecuns would take care of his family. With Everett almost dead, his wife and child vulnerable, as well as Roberto’s wife and child, Matki knew that he couldn’t just abandon them. He knew that the Contai warriors from his village were reliable. They’d fought shoulder to shoulder with Mike’s team, spent months being trained by the them, and that they respected the Emurecuns. They had very little respect for Joacar, though. They had long memories and remembered Joacar’s pettiness as the village elder.
Matki knew the bravery of his men, and he was sure he could count on them. The problem was the people from Althus’ village. Many of Matki’s Contai warriors had volunteered for combat in the canyons, rushing to the aid of the Emurecuns as they fought off the waves of hunter/killer and Titan robots. Many died in the canyons. Others died with Mike. Now, the warriors from Althus’ village outnumbered the men from Matki’s village. While he trusted his men, they had families they had to worry about. His men had to put the safety of their families’ first, so Matki had to include the families in his strategy as well.
Matki took solace in the darkness, the coolness of the night air, and the scent of the trees around him, and it helped him focus on a solution to his problem. His tribe always talked about following the ‘old ways’ as if that was a good thing. Mostly, he knew it was, though his people needed to focus on progress as well. Right now, though, he planned on using their cherished ‘old ways’ against them and he hoped they would be hide bound enough to follow right along with what he had in mind.
If they weren’t, he was sunk. He crossed his arms, sighing, all the pieces fitting together as he thought about them. He wondered if would it truly work, though. There was only one way to find out. He would have to risk everything to gain everything. He checked the stars in the sky. He had delayed long enough. He’d made his decision. He just hoped he’d made the right one.
He knew that the Emurecuns were the future for his people. He been fairly dealt with by the Emurecuns, and his people had been as well. He wasn’t afraid for his family, at least no more than usual. His wife, Balia, was a skilled midwife, and when she heard that a man was delivering babies, she tsked, and then she was off to help. Matki sent his children with her, to ensure they were out of the way. So, for the moment, they were safe. At least most were. Jendi would have to play a part in what was about to happen. There was no avoiding that.
The trail was easy for him to follow. He still limped from the bullet that he’d taken. He followed the trail, and while he knew the fires had been banked for the night, he could still smell the food that was slowly cooking, set close to the banked coals. Everyone would eat well in the morning.
Matki slowed his walk, knowing that there were sentries posted. There were very few people that could see Matki in the forest if he didn’t want them to and now was a time he didn’t want them to. He had to send the message that no one could stop him if he desired it. He stopped next to a tree, the bulk lending him concealment from the sentries. He listened for them, and one by one, the sentries gave themselves away. He knew where they were, and in his mind’s eye, he plotted where they were relative to each other. Once he did that, the trail he needed to take was as clear as brook water.
He started slow, walking so that his toes went to the ground first and then his heel. Right now, perception was everything. If he wanted his people to follow the old ways, he needed to look the part. He was wearing his old leathers instead of the clothing that the Emurecuns had given him. The only thing he carried was the new knife that the team had given him. It was a marvel. It was completely black except for the edge. The edge was incredibly sharp, Matki had seen to that. Matki could shave with it if he wanted to.
It was easy to dodge the sentries. None heard him as he walked back into the camp. Now, he had to find Joacar. The man was definitely still sleeping this early in the morning. He walked to the area where Joacar had put his shelter. Matki suddenly felt a chill from the night air, so he walked over and squatted next to the banked coals to warm himself. As he squatted, the darkness of night slowly transitioned into the twilight of morning.
Hunger pa
ngs nibbled away at his stomach, so he picked at the edges of the fire, pulling the pans back to see what was cooking inside. He frowned at a few of the dishes, put them back, and then moved to others that he picked small bits of food from.
He moved to a water skin, and took a deep drink from it. Then he waited next to the fire. Around him, people were beginning to stir. Men and women rolled out of their tents to go make water in the woods. This was an area rife with the Althus villagers, so some stared at him as he squatted next to the fire. Matki waved and smiled. Some waved back with puzzled looks on their faces, glancing at the tent that Joacar lived in.
Finally, the flap of the tent opened and Junna, Joacar’s wife, stepped out. A look of surprise crossed her face, quickly displaced by a sneer, “What do you want here, Matki.”
Matki grinned, “Why, I want to taste your good food of course.” He motioned toward the pots.
Junna glanced at the pots with a worried look on her face.
Matki’s grin widened, “Oh, don’t worry, I only took a little bit. I didn’t want to leave you starving first thing in the morning.”
Junna had a desperate look on her face. She wanted to check on the food, but she needed to empty her bladder as well.
Matki pointed to the woods, “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t eat another bite.”
Junna still had the worried look on her face as she left Matki next to the coals. Matki could hear someone stirring in the tent, and soon, Joacar came out. He’d heard the exchange between Matki and Junna, so he was fully dressed. He had the trade knife that Mike had given him when they’d first met scabbarded at his waist.
Joacar’s eyes narrowed as he studied Matki, “What the hell do you want, Matki? What are you doing skulking around?
Matki stood up slowly, until Joacar had to look up at Matki. He frowned as he realized that Matki was looking down at him. Sitting in the old council chambers, that wasn’t an issue. Here though, man to man, it seemed to give Matki an advantage, which stoked Joacar’s ire.
Matki looked around, making sure that there were plenty of people about to witness what he was doing. Then, he chose his words carefully, speaking in a loud voice, knowing what kind of chaos he was about to create, “Joacar, I came here to tell you to your face that you are a liar. Furthermore, you are a coward.”
The color in Joacar’s face disappeared, and his features were ashen. He gasped at the implication in Matki’s words. Matki wanted a duel, and, unless Joacar admitted the truth in Matki’s words, it was a duel to the death.
Joacar’s mouth was dry, and his voice ragged as he raised a hand and pointed at Matki, “You . . . you would choose the Emurecuns over your own people?”
Matki shook his head, and spoke in the same loud voice, “You are not my people. You are an evil man. You care not about the people. You only care about your own power. You want choice of the wealth available to the tribe. Your petty crimes against our tribe are going to be remedied today.”
Junna came stumbling out of the woods, her morning business finished. “You can’t do this! He’s ten years older than you!”
Matki slapped his leg, “And I still limp from the fight with the grey men. I think that makes things even.”
Joacar didn’t say anything, his face still ashen. Junna spoke for him, “No! The people will decide. They will say whether you can challenge Joacar.”
Matki spread his hands, “Then we should go to the circle, so the people can decide.”
Their mouths opened to argue with Matki, but Matki was finished. He turned his back on them, and then limped away to the big open area where the hunters butchered the game and separated the meat for the families. Matki had put Joacar into a corner. If he showed up for the duel, he was finished. If he didn’t, he was finished. Joacar wasn’t the one he was worried about, though. Walleg was the planner, the master manipulator. Matki knew that things weren’t going to be simple, and had planned accordingly.
Several of his soldiers were present, so he pulled one of them aside and told him, “Go find Durzai. He is supposed to be in camp today.”
Another soldier was squatting next to the fire. Matki nodded his head at the man, “Can I have some of that?”
The man tossed a piece of cooked meat to Matki and he caught it in the air, and tore into it, famished. He was still eating when Durzai showed up. Matki pulled him to the side, “Durzai, well met. Did it work?”
Durzai nodded, speaking quietly, “Yes. Joacar believes me to be his man. He thinks I’ll side with him over you.”
Matki didn’t let any emotion play over his face, knowing that there were Contai who sympathized with Joacar present, “What about the men?”
Durzai thought for a moment, and then he nodded, “I think we can count on them. They’re worried about their families, though.” Durzai looked at Matki with concern, “Why do you ask?”
Matki told him, “I’ve challenged Joacar’s honor.”
A look of concern painted Durzai’s face, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
A slight grin curled the ends of Matki’s mouth, “Yes. I believe the light of day will show the truth to Joacar’s lies.”
Durzai’s face became resolute, “Then how do you want to play this?
Matki pulled him close and told him, “You have to betray me.” And then Matki told him how.
A large crowd of people started gathering in the clearing. The word was out. Everybody had heard that Matki had challenged Joacar. Some of them looked at him and nodded when he greeted them. Many more turned their heads away and pretended they didn’t hear him. It wasn’t a surprise to him and he didn’t take it personally.
When most of the villagers were present, he limped over to the water skin, and took a big drink, and then walked back over to Durzai. They didn’t have to wait much longer until Joacar walked into the clearing with his entourage, Walleg, Gegit, and some of the leaders among the Althus villagers. One of those men, Cadwai, was a big man, lean, muscular. He moved like a cat, balanced, nimble, lithe. Althus’ people had started looking toward him as one of their leaders. He was Joacar’s constant companion.
As Joacar walked into the clearing, Matki watched his face. Joacar noticed Durzai standing next to Matki, and shock showed on his face. Then a sly smile replaced the shocked expression, and he turned his head to hide it.
Walleg started the meeting, and spoke for Joacar, “We have a challenge among our people.” He pointed at Matki, “Matki Awrani has impugned Joacar’s character and honor. Matki Awrani, I call you a liar! You’ve led us to this!” Walleg motioned around the clearing “Our families have been stolen from us. They’ve been murdered.” He pointed at Matki again, “You brought the Emurecuns to us! You brought the other aliens as well!”
Matki yawned, and Walleg blinked. Matki watched Walleg. Walleg was waiting for Matki to speak, so Matki didn’t.
“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?” Walleg asked, incredulous.
Matki still didn’t speak. Walleg dropped his arm and turned to speak to Joacar.
That was the moment that Matki was waiting for, “Spawn.”
Walleg turned back around, surprised, the initiative stolen from him, “What?”
Matki limped forward, “I am Matki Awrani, he who touches thunder. I’ve been in the cave of the demon queen. When I went in to count her eggs, she had fifty-six eggs, all of them about to hatch.”
Walleg tried to take the initiative back, “What does this have to do . . . “
Matki spoke over Walleg, “Those spawn would have ravaged our village, even if we retreated to the higher rooms in the cliff. The Emurecuns killed them all. And, they killed the demon queen. And many, many more monsters are dead because the Emurecuns killed them.”
“So you say, Matki! Where is your proof?” Gegit yelled.
Matki motioned toward the cliff that he’d climbed with the team, “It lies at the bottom of those cliffs. You can see the bleaching bones of the monsters at the foot, on the other side of the c
ompound.”
Matki paced back and forth, his limp pronounced as he did so, “I watched the Emurecuns kill more than a hundred and fifty of the spawn as they attacked the compound. And not only did they kill the spawn, they killed three more of the giant dragons.”
He pointed at the crowd, “Can you Imagine what that many spawn could do to us?”
He pointed at Walleg, “I can tell you, these Emurecuns have done everything they could to help us. They’ve given us more metal wealth than we would have seen in five or ten lifetimes. If our people lived to see that many lifetimes, because, I can tell you right now, it is doubtful that our people would live to see that many generations. In fact, I doubt that our people will see our children grow up.” He spread his arms to include the camp, “Not like this.”
Matki slammed one fist into another, “We have enemies that are unimaginable, that we didn’t even know existed! The Dostori Rev wants to enslave us, all of us, or kill us. It doesn’t really matter which. She’s decided to destroy us. And she will stop at nothing to ensure that happens.”
Joacar had enough of Matki’s speech, and he stepped forward, “So you say, Matki Awrani. Where is your proof?”
Matki spread his hands, “I have no proof to give you except for my word, the word of a man that has guarded his people for twenty years from the demons below.”
Joacar curled his fingers into a fist and shook it at Matki, “See, he even admits that he lies!”
“Prove me a liar, Joacar. Meet me with that fancy blade that the Team gifted you with,” Matki snarled.
Walleg stepped forward and pointed at Durzai, “Is he your man, Matki?”
Matki glared at Walleg, and gave a short, curt nod, pretending he didn’t see the smile on Joacar’s face, “He is.”
Walleg let his arm drop, “And, you will accept the conditions that we agree on?”
Matki nodded, “As tradition dictates to us all.”
“Then he and I will talk, and we will give you a decision,” Walleg announced.
