Laugh of Destruction (Book 3 of the Death Incarnate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  Ren took a measured step forward. “And I will make certain that my men understand that if any of our people intend to do harm, will be arrested. You won’t need to have blood on your hands if I can avoid it.”

  Elder Metak smiled broadly again, showing he lost few teeth over his long life. “Then we will be honored to make a temporary alliance between our tribes. You have our consent as elders.” The six elder women also nodded in agreement.

  “As Priestess, I too accept.” Brooke said clearly.

  “And as chieftain,” Cage smirked while getting caught up in this unorthodox agreement. “I allow my people to open a temporary alliance. By next year, if all goes well, we can make it more permanent.”

  As he finished the statement the tribe shook off their impassive expressions and gave a cheer. The excitement helped Kote’s inhabitants relax and realize these people weren’t cruel.

  Cillian dropped to his knees and yelled “Come here you two scoundrels!” Rena and Sean let go of Meeka’s hands and ran around the elders to stop right near him and spoke animatedly at the same time. “Hold it, one at a time.” He listened to his eager grandchildren telling him many different things. Rena spoke the most as Sean hadn’t fully lost his mistrusting nature yet.

  “Awe, Mother… your dress.” Meeka said in a hurt way as she approached.

  Tiffa looked down at the soft blue dress and grimaced, now realizing what she had done. The dress wasn’t cheap and was made specifically for her. A dress she had waited months to get made for special events. “And I bought it for the harvest too.” Tiffa mumbled before glaring at the elder. “You owe me a new dress for making me rip it needlessly!”

  Her snap made the six older women laugh joyously. Metak smiled. “I will be sure to see our matter rectified.”

  “I’m sorry he scared you, Mother.” Meeka then brought her into an embrace while giving a kiss on the cheek. “It is good to see you again.”

  Tiffa smiled in a motherly way as she pulled back and touched her own cheek. “I don’t think I’ll ever want to get used to having my daughter kiss me. Welcome home, Meeka. I missed talking to you like this. That black ball isn’t the same.”

  “I know. Hopefully we can see more of each other now that our people have settled in on the island.”

  “I would like that greatly. I miss not having you around.”

  “Me too, but now I don’t need to keep hearing you and Father making love all the time.”

  “Hey now!” Tiffa finally laughed, holding a hand over her breast. “Besides, we don’t hide in our bedroom anymore. After you left we are like we first were before you and Nolan came around.”

  Meeka plugged her ears. “I really didn’t need to hear that.”

  Tiffa chuckled, liking her daughter’s reaction a little too much and sat a hand on her shoulder. “Come now, we are both grown women who enjoy sex. You are clearly not a little girl anymore.”

  “No she is not.” Brooke said with pride. “Greetings, Tiffa. You are looking very lovely this day. Your breasts look especially attractive.”

  Tiffa tucked streams of loose hair caught by the breeze and laid it behind her back with the rest of her golden mane. “Hello Brooke. And I see you are also radiant. I was actually hoping to speak to you.”

  Brooke smiled. “We have five days to speak. That should be plenty of time to talk, especially since you’ve offered my people to set camp behind your home…”

  “Where are these goods you promised me, Cillian?!” Jom nearly yelled and much of the crowd silenced. Cillian and several warriors watched as Sean and Rena put a hand on their knives and backed away from the man standing behind their grandfather. The tribe didn’t draw weapons, but they were a heartbeat from doing so till the children were safely away and stood with their mothers and grandmother. Cillian saw neither child showed a reaction for fear, even in retreat and he’d never seen such a thing. He stood and brushed grass from his knee to face the flushed store owner. Before he could speak Jom jabbed the center of Cillian’s solid chest with a stiff finger. “You promised and I’ve wasted my time! These people are carrying little more than the scant amount of cloth on their bodies. And just how are you possibly going to reimburse me for this waste?”

  “Remove your hand before I break it.” The mayor calmly replied. The cold threat was enough for the proprietor to huff loudly and comply.

  Cage came over and looked down on the short man. “Think about it, Jom.” Cage said and waved a hand over the bulk of his people. “Do you think it would be logistically possible to carry enough supplies through the forest, using a nearly impassable river and still bring enough trade without an established road from the beach a good day’s ride from here?”

  Jom hesitated. “So what are you saying? Are the supplies coming from Miot? That’s by the ocean… then why the gods are there wagons here?”

  Cage simply shook his head and turned around.

  “Don’t you walk away from me you filthy mage. Answer me!”

  Gasps came all around him and in Jom’s rage he couldn’t think straight. Some drew knives, but didn’t move when Cage simply laughed it off and childishly said “Stick and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Then the mass of people watched as he began to actually walk upon the water. He flung his arms out to bring forth the sight mirror’s image of the six laden boats. Blackness appeared over the water and with a pop that could barely be heard, it vanished and in its place were the boats floating upon the water. Cage was glad he hid the boats and they weren’t bothered by scavengers thanks to a crystal he discretely pocketed from one of the boats. Cage then grabbed the six ropes and drug the boats to those watching in awe. Several of his people approached and took the ropes to pull the weighty vessels safely on shore. “Jom, those two boats at the end hold the goods my people created for trade. The four others hold food.”

  “I’m sorry my temper got the better of me.”

  Cage grinned. “Not to worry, it takes a lot more than words to make me mad. But when dealing with my people will not go well if you can’t show a little patience.”

  “Chief, why must we deal with a stupid man who dishonored you so openly.” One of his people said and Jom flinched as if the words were blows.

  “Simple.” He responded. “Jom, might be a greedy little bastard, but he is a good man at heart. His shop makes a great deal of money so he has a bit more than most of the shops willing to trade. But he knows now that dealing with us needs to be fair and without deception for not only will he have to deal with you, but also Cillian. And if he tries to rip us off he’ll answer to me.”

  That seemed to fully satisfy his people and frighten the man enough to realize exactly what he’ll be dealing with.

  Cage pointed to the boats. “Load up the carts with the food when the ceremony is through. Cillian and I already settled on a price determined if he finds the food good. Elders, come with me so Jom can view what we have to trade. Those looking to buy our boats will need to wait till after all is said and done.”

  Cillian and a few of the men went to walk towards the boats till a hand gripped his arm and he followed it up to his new daughter’s kind face. “Stay here, Cillian. All of you must not interfere. It is tradition during trade of the tribal peoples that those offering must bring over what they offer. We will come to you.”

  “But I’m capable of sampling and helping to carry bags.”

  Brooke shook her head. “It will dishonor us. We came, not you.”

  “Stay here, Cillian Grandfather! I’ll bring you the food.” Rena said and flashed by.

  “Hard to say no to her, isn’t it?” Cillian said and received a smile from the obviously proud mother. He looked at the others and sighed. “Alright boys, you heard the lady. We must sit on our thumbs a little while longer.”

  The men laughed.

  “Brothers, sisters, children, come greet our village neighbors.” Brooke said to those who hadn’t went to the boats.

  Reluctantly the trib
e moved forward, but parents kept their children close at all times. Cillian watched, as most others did, as Daku proudly moved towards his partner, content to watch the first interaction in silence. The tribe parted as if they didn’t care he didn’t change course in his direct path. They moved around him. Cillian spoke to his daughters and grandson while secretly watching as much around him as he could. Daku’s magnificence drew the awe of the townsfolk, but none had the fortitude to approach him. The griffin had certainly been the talk of the town for weeks, but none really knew it could change size on command. His feathers and fur was truly a beauty to behold and also danger instinctively held many still. Cillian knew at a glance that Familiar wasn’t one to be trifled with.

  His attention turned to the interactions of his people with the many Utala. Some stayed with the horses, but the others spoke with plenty of personal space. The home guard, Ren included dealt mostly with the curious people. Three even drew their swords for the adults and children to hold. Several women of Kote got up the nerve to get close to some of the fierce yet beautiful women. Every man present had noticed that only a handful of them wore pants and a leather shirt like his daughters. Most though wore a thick strap of leather to hold their breasts along with what looked like leather undergarments. Some wore leather shoes, but every man wore only pants, displaying their broad chests layered in muscle, tattoos and scars. Nearly all carried a knife. Women strapped theirs to a thigh while men carried it on a forearm. Quite a few has bows strapped over their chest while those with orange beads carried a simple, but deadly spear. Meeka once told him most warriors carry one while hunters use a bow. Those with both were to truly be feared. Then Cillian and several of the men about choked as when a group of Utala women were speaking to one of the locals, one suddenly took off her leather top and held it out to the startled woman. Bare breasts drew almost every male eye.

  Brooke noticed a drop in conversation to quickly say “Jada, put it back on.” The young mother looked over at the priestess with an honestly curious expression. “We are no longer on our lands, Sister. Our breasts and flower must be covered at all times outside.”

  “But she wants to trade her dress for my clothes. She said she finds them pretty and will be a surprise for her husband before she mounts his lance.” Jada said, still holding out the strap.

  “I didn’t mean right this moment.” The woman said meekly with a bright red face. “I thought you and I could exchange when you visit my home.”

  “My mistake then.” Jada then put it back on without the slightest bit of embarrassment before a sister-mate returned her baby.

  An older man asked “Where is your woman’s modesty?”

  Brooke didn’t sense any hostility in the question from a man sitting on a wagon, but it seemed this was the most fun he’s had in a long time. “My people only wear clothes for winter. Any other time we do not find clothing necessary. But all we are wearing is what remains of a wyvern attack. We need leather and clothes or our people will freeze to death this coming winter. So forgive Jada for forgetting we are not on our land. She, and most of my people have never willingly come onto another’s land and mistakes are bound to happen.”

  The man waved it off. “How could a man be mad at a bunch of beautiful naked women? Even those elders aren’t bad to look at. Just be careful that you don’t give a few men the wrong idea…”

  “SORRY! I didn’t mean any harm!” Heads jerked to see a young man, the one Cillian warned earlier, with the point of a knife at his throat. The owner of the blade stared coldly at the person who almost tried to openly grope her breasts. She was a young woman of seventeen, like the boy, but her look was as deadly as the knife she wielded. In the silence she could be heard saying “If you wish to have me as a mate, challenge me properly as a man. Should you make me submit, you may be worthy to give me a strong baby. But you will need to know, I will go for the kill for your blatant mistake. Leave me alone or challenge me.”

  The boy turned around in terror and fled.

  The young woman sheathed her blade, smiled and went right back to talking.

  “Forget what I just said.” The old man crowed to Brooke as many of her sisters laughed. “You women are quite capable. Now tell me this story about the wyvern. I’d like to hear it in great detail.”

  “It is no story.” Came a deep resonating voice and many heads turned to Daku. “It happened and he tasted quite delicious. I didn’t need to eat for months.”

  When it became clear Daku had no more to say Brooke moved closer to the man, being followed by a few interested townsfolk and several Utala warriors she said “After Cage and Meeka came to our tribe, we were warned of the Laqura Empire’s plan to enslave or kill my people and others from the Tribal Plains. We gathered all we could and burned the rest to escape their dishonorable intentions. We fled…” she began the story, holding the attention of all those around her.

  “Here, Cillian Grandfather.” Rena approached with a great platter of fruits, vegetables and some smoked fish.

  “Where did you come by oranges so early in the season? And are those bananas?!” Cillian asked dumbfounded at all his new granddaughter displayed.

  “Father,” Meeka placed a warm hand on his shoulder. “Cage grew all these on the island for the past few days. My people could barely pick them as fast as he could grow them.”

  “I had heard stories of mages able to grow food, but this…” Cillian shook his head, seeing the great quantities stuffed in bags. “I thought they were simply tales to tell children. So it’s true then that you live in an actual tree?”

  “Why don’t you come one day, Cillian Grandfather?” Sean said.

  “I think I might do just that.”

  Tiffa nodded with a bright smile. She so wanted to go. “Can we?” she asked her daughter.

  Meeka nodded. “I know how to make Cage and Brooke allow it, even if they won’t.” her parents chuckled, being old enough to know exactly what their devious daughter would do.

  Cillian reached down to the loaded plate, going for the banana, but paused when Rena slapped his hand. “No, Cillian Grandfather, that is not how our offering is done.”

  “Oh?” Cillian raised an eyebrow, trying his best not to laugh at the endearing child. “Then enlighten me.”

  “Sit down with me.” He followed her instructions as she did likewise and sat the platter between them. “On the plains, we had many wars. Some were deceptive and done during trading. As I am a training priestess, Mother told me how in the past one tribe really hurt ours because we were bigger and stronger. They called trade, but our ancestors didn’t know they tainted the gift of food. Many died from the poison and for their treachery we killed them all. From then on, all tribes agreed that all offerings be done as I’m doing now. Because children are protected by adults and are irreplaceable, each tribe’s priestess in training” Rena touched her chest meaningfully. “must be present during food trades. This is actually my first because my tribe had become so strong, we made all the food we needed.” She admitted with excitement to do her part she had been taught to do. “So, Cillian Grandfather, the trades using dishonor and poison ended soon for tribes couldn’t risk the lives of their children. Trades became very honorable because of what happened to the tribe’s ancestors.” She picked up the banana he was going for earlier, peeled it and took a hearty bite. Cillian realized immediately why this meant so much for the honor of the Utala. If the food was contaminated he’d watch his own grandchild die. Rena then extended an arm with the peeled fruit. “Here.”

  Cillian took the banana with the bite already taken and said “Thank you. I haven’t had one of these in years. They only grow in the Empire’s tropical lands and rarely do these reach us down here.” He took an expectant bite and his eyes grew wide. Foregoing manners, with a full mouth he said “Tiffa, try this!”

  The healer shook her head, but did as he asked. “So sweet!”

  Meeka said “Cage’s magic has that effect on all the food he’s grown.” Her nose
wrinkled. “Be thankful you didn’t have to eat his failed attempts. I swear, for a while there I thought I’d never get the taste out of my mouth. It took quite awhile, but he figured out how best to grow all the food we eat back home.”

  Rena peeled the orange Cillian eyed, using the end of the knife to get the skin started before peeling the citrusy exterior. The smell was so potent some turned to their small group with envy. Rena ate two slices before passing it off to an excited Cillian who tasted and shared.

  Everything edible on the plate soon vanished. Only fish bones and peels remained. Rena smiled and pat her full belly. “Cillian Grandfather, do we have the honor to trade?”

  “Of course!” The mayor chuckled. “Bananas alone would nearly empty the town’s coffers. If the price your father and I agreed on is still the same we do.”

  Rena jumped up to many villagers waiting on her to say “He accepts!” and the tribe quickly began to transfer the heavy bags off the boats to the wagons. Brooke paused the story only momentarily to get everyone out of the way and let the task be done. She resumed it to the point where they left Lord Doyle’s estate.

  All the while this was happening Cage, the elders and Jom were over by the last two boats. The larger bags held hand crafted bows and arrows along with spears with prongs designed for fishing with intricate carvings by master knife wielders. Weeks ago Cage showed the advantage of pronged spears over single blade spears. Other bags held necklaces with carvings made mostly of bone with detailed markings. No two were ever identical. And though Jom had learned the art of keeping a straight face, Cage clearly saw the man almost salivate over everything showed. The man saw great value in his future as all his anger from earlier, vanished. The tribe did their best to make as many objects in the short time they had and now it was up to the elders and chief to reach an agreement.

  “And the last we have are what I made with magic.” Cage said and reached for a bag. Jom’s expression faltered for just a moment, but it was clearly unexpected. Then the man’s face soured when he saw what came out. “Don’t be so quick to judge. This is a toothbrush and this wooden jar holds toothpaste. I won’t tell you how to make it or even how the toothbrush works, but I got the approval from the Third Council of Twilight to sell these. I had to abide by certain strict rules which they will likely check out.”