by D. D. Chant
“I concur that we must tread warily,” agreed Headman Daksha, stroking the length of his red beard. “As you say, the Tula will not have presented us as a reasonable nation and foolish, ill thought out actions will only aid the Tula in poisoning the Free Nation’s mind against us.”
There was a small disturbance as the Apprentice Headman seated behind Headman Sen rose to his feet and bowed to the assembled company.
“If I might speak before the Headmen?”
Elder Headman Amajit looked to Headman Sen and received a nod of assent.
“Very well, Kai Uel Ne Sen, you may speak.”
“Thank you, Elder Headman Amajit.” Kai bowed deeply again. “The Senator from the Free Nation was very pointed in his address that the Free Nation was only interested in an alliance of peace with the Tula. It seemed to me that his words were meant as a warning that the Tula High Council should not expect any assistance in their ongoing war with us.”
Elder Headman Amajit considered his words in silence for a moment.
“Your observation is correct, Kai Uel Ne Sen, but it is possible that the Free Nation’s greed for Tula, and indeed Una, technology could alter that stand.”
“I defer before your greater wisdom, Elder Headman Amajit,” bowed Kai, returning to his seat.
“That having been said,” Elder Headman Amajit continued, “as Kai Uel Ne Sen has pointed out it does seem that the Free Nation has no wish to embroil themselves in more fighting. It is, therefore, even more important that we take no action that will force them to reconsider that stance.”
“But we must do something!” interjected Headman Bose.
Elder Headman Amajit fixed him with a repressive stare.
“Indeed we must: we should consider this situation carefully knowing that the lives of the Una people rest in our hands.”
Headman Bose flushed and lowered his eyes.
“Sometimes to wait is to lose the advantage.”
In the uncomfortable pause that followed, Elder Headman Amajit regarded Headman Bose with undisguised irritation.
“There is an old saying that goes: ‘Never rush your fences’. It means that you should take time to consider a situation, not blindly throw yourself at it. Another says that ‘patience is a virtue’. You will find, Headman Bose, that patience is something that must be exerted frequently if you do not wish to find the threads of your life so tangled as to make it not worth the living.”
Headman Bose bowed his head and said no more.
“Then what do you suggest, Elder Headman?” enquired Headman Kapur.
“That there is nothing to be done until we have more information. Any attempt made in the meantime would be highly unwise.” Elder Headman Amajit turned to survey the room. “Are we all in agreement?”
Headman Sen stood and bowed.
“Headman Hyun Jae Uel Ne Sen agrees on behalf of the people of New Paris.”
There was the rustle of clothing as another man rose and bowed.
“Headman Park Uel Ne Nadu abstains on behalf of the people of New Madrid.”
“Headman Domijou Uel Ne Sengupta agrees on behalf of the people of New Moscow.”
“Headman Arata Uel Ne Rui agrees on behalf of the people of New Amsterdam.”
“Headman Namkyu Uel Ne Khan abstains on behalf of the people of New Berlin.”
“Headman P’ter Uel Ne Ramgan agrees on behalf of the people of New Brussels.”
“Headman Matu Uel Ne Tambe agrees on behalf of the people of Tallinn and Riga.”
“Headman Dan’l Uel Ne Yadav abstains on behalf of the people of New London.”
“Headman Daiki Uel Ne Kadam agrees on behalf of the people of New Roma.”
“Headman Hiro Uel Ne Nair agrees on behalf of the people of New Vienna.”
“Headman Kang Uel Ne Sarin abstains on behalf of the people of New Africa.”
“Headman Hyo Uel Ne Malik abstains on behalf of the people of New Beijing.”
“Headman Rem Uel Ne Singh agrees on behalf of the people of New Athens.”
“Headman Akira Uel Ne Dutta agrees on behalf of the people of New Seoul.”
“Headman Juon Uel Ne Verma abstains on behalf of the people of New Tokyo.”
“Headman Tang Uel Ne Satish agrees on behalf of the people of New Lisbon.”
“Headman Kim Uel Ne Chopra abstains on behalf of the people of New Bagdad.”
“Headman Choi Uel Ne Bose abstains on behalf of the people of New Budapest.”
“Headman Ling Uel Ne Kapur agrees on behalf of the people of New Delhi.”
“Headman Yul Uel Ne Daksha agrees on behalf of the people of New Tehran.”
“Headman Jon Uel Ne Shama agrees on behalf of the people of New Jerusalem.”
“And I, Elder Headman Di Ye Uel Ne Amajit agree on behalf of the people of Una City and New Copenhagen.”
The scribe that had been writing down the name of each Headman as he rose and made his bow, folded his documents and sealed them before handing them to Elder Headman Amajit.
“Eight choose to abstain in dissent, fourteen are in agreement, the motion has been passed,” intoned the scribe.
“Then this gathering has come to its end.”
Quietly the Headmen rose, the Apprentice Headman behind them, and approached the centre of the table where Elder Headman Amajit was seated. First they placed their hand upon the sealed document and then bow deeply in respect. As Headman Sen bowed along with his son, Elder Headman Amajit raised a hand.
“I would speak with you, Kai Uel Ne Sen, Apprentice Headman to the people of New Paris.”
Kai bowed deeply and knelt before the table to wait as everyone took their leave. It was only when the last person had left that Elder Headman Amajit turned his attention back to Kai. He eyed Kai thoughtfully as he removed the headpiece proclaiming to all his status as Elder Headman.
“How long has it been, Kai?”
The ambiguity of the statement did not embolden Aprentice Headman Sen to pretend to have misunderstood it.
“It is almost sixteen years, Elderman Di Ye.”
“Rem does not take the reminder well.”
“Such a stain is difficult to bear.”
Elder Headman Amajit gazed pensively at the dark head bent before him.
“My Grandmother was particularly fond of two sayings: ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ and ‘looks can be deceiving’.”
“A woman of great wisdom, Elderman Di Ye,” returned Kai.
“Yes she was, quite incredible in fact,” responded Elder Headman Amajit. “But we digress; do you know what these phrases mean?”
Kai was momentarily thoughtful.
“That there is ‘more than meets the eye’?” bowed Kai with a slight smile.
Elder Headman Amajit laughed.
“You learn too fast for this old man to keep up with.”
Kai looked up to meet the faded blue eyes of the man who had been, from his youngest years, a beacon of truth and right. They were eyes that had seen much, perhaps too much.
“No, Elderman Di Ye; I seek to absorb your wisdom as parched ground absorbs the rain.”
Elder Headman Amajit smiled at the sincerity he could hear in the young man’s voice. He had known Kai Uel Ne Sen since the latter had made his first appearance in the world. As the only child and son to Hyun Jae Uel Ne Sen, it was his destiny to become Headman to one of the most powerful of the Una Head Families.
And that was the problem that threatened to destroy the Una long before the Tula would ever manage to breach their defences.
When the Head Families had first been given power over the Una people they had been equal but over time there had been a shift in power and several had emerged as more influential than their neighbours. They were the Houses of Sen, Khan, Tambe, Verma, Kapur, Dutta, Chopra and Satish.
Ever since then the ‘Sequence of Marriage’, marriage alliances that connected all the families together, had been the only thing holding off unrest.
Elder Hea
dman Amajit knew if the sons of these powerful families were not trained well, even the ‘Sequence of Marriage’ would breakdown and the Una people would cease to exist. Hence he had a profound interest in the new generation. He had made it his life’s work to see that those who would guide the Una Nation in the future would lead their people in truth and right, without selfishness.
Yet of all his students Kai had interested him the most, not only because of his circumstances but also for himself, the person that he was. He had great strength of character and respect for those who had lived longer than he. Yet there was also an unbending courage to stand up for what he believed to be right that Elder Headman Amajit valued more than all else.
“You must tell Rem that he bears no shame.”
Kai's dark eyes met the old man’s briefly before he bowed.
“I will do as you say, Elderman Di Ye, though the words will stick in my throat.”
“Why; do you not believe them?” asked Elder Headman Amajit as he observed Kai’s hands clench in to fists.
Kai lifted his face and Elder Headman Amajit saw the rage that simmered just below the cool façade that he was always shrouded with.
“I do not,” he replied shortly. “It is a shameful thing that will blight us eternally.”
Elder Headman Amajit was silent for some time, wondering over the ill fortune that had ruined so much.
He faltered as he attempted to rise and felt Kai’s steadying hand at his elbow. As he stood he turned to the young man thoughtfully.
“If that is how you feel then you still have much to learn from me, Kai Uel Ne Sen.”
Chapter Four
Kai returned home looking for Rem only to find that he had not yet arrived. Before he could go in search of his wayward charge, his mother’s cheery voice hailed him from the gallery above the hall.
Rae Uel Ne Sen was surprisingly young. Rich brown curls clustered riotously around her shoulders in a silken tangle that no amount of combing could tame. Freckles dusted her nose and dimples adorned smooth pink cheeks adding to her aura of youthfulness.
Kai stilled and waited as his mother descended the stairs, two at a time, her dress hitched up alarmingly over one arm.
“What happened?” she asked, finally gaining the stone floor of the hallway and letting her crushed skirts go.
Kai straightened from his bow at her words.
“What do you mean, Mother?”
Lady Sen heaved an impatient sigh.
“You’re as bad as your father. What happened at the Headmen’s gathering? Hyun Jae returned home and shut himself in his study. Rather rude when you consider he banned me from ever entering, on the grounds that I was too distracting, years ago. Rem was supposed to be here for lunch but I haven't seen him. You know how unlike him it is to miss a meal, though goodness only knows where he puts all that food.” Rae blew a curl out of her eyes. “So what’s going on?”
Kai shook his head doubtfully.
“Perhaps you should ask father?”
Rae Uel Ne Sen looked unimpressed and, reaching up, caught her son by the ear.
“I will suffer your father keeping me in the dark, Kai, but you are greatly mistaken if you think I will allow my son to censor the information I receive. The servants know the latest gossip long before I do most of the time!”
“It was only that another transmission was received from the Tula Strongholds today.”
Rae Uel Ne Sen released him, her face taking on a troubled expression of worry.
“I thought that might be the case. Poor Rem, so that's why he hasn’t returned.”
Even though she spoke of Rem her eyes were on Kai, sympathy bleeding from their depths. It wasn’t only Rem that was hurt by those transmissions, but Kai foolishly refused to admit to his hurt and would not accept sympathy.
Rae sighed; now she knew why Hyun Jae had retired into his study on his return home after absently kissing her in greeting. The transmissions hurt him too. He hated having no power to protect Kai and Rem from the unpleasantness they unleashed within the Head Familes.
“Your father wishes to see you in his study.” Rae attempted to smile cheerfully and patted her son's arm lightly before turning and crossing the hall.
Kai watched as she listlessly wandered out of the French doors that led into the garden. His mother’s expression had taken on an unfocused glaze and her gait was uncharacteristically slow. He shook his head wondering if perhaps he shouldn’t have told her after all.
He paused briefly to knock on the study door before entering the hallowed realm. To him the room symbolised the power and dignity of the House of Sen; their strength and their duty. He had always found that the weight of his responsibility hung at its heaviest when confined within its walls.
“Father?”
Hyun Jae Uel Ne Sen looked up from the open book he’d been pretending to read for at least half an hour.
His son closed the door and moved further into the room, sitting down in the chair across from him, wearing an expression of unrelenting calm. Hyun Jae turned the page of his book and tried to read the first few lines but the words blurred before his eyes.
“You wished to see me, Father?”
Hyun Jae laid the book aside, finally giving up the pretence of interest.
“Yes; you spoke with Elderman Di Ye?”
Kai nodded.
“Yes, Father.”
“You must listen to his words, Kai. Allow his wisdom to guide you and you will never be sorry.”
Kai was silent for a moment.
“He possesses much forgiveness but as much as I respect it, I do not know if I can emulate him.”
Hyun Jae’s face took on an inflection of understanding.
“He has the ability to see past the hamperings of pride, hate and prejudice. Few are the men that can achieve such an objective view of life.”
“Has he always been like that, Father?”
Hyun Jae tilted his head to one side, thoughtfully looking back over the many years he had known Elder Headman Amajit.
“As a young man he was well thought of by all the Headman, although he was not in line to become a Headman himself.”
Kai’s face registered a flicker of shock.
“Elder Headman Amajit had an older brother?”
His father nodded absently, his eyes glazing over with a far off look.
“Jae Shin was three years older than Elderman Di Ye, but he was sickly and often suffered bouts of ill health.”
Kai assimilated this new information with interest.
“What was he like?”
“Jae Shin?” Hyun Jae scratched his head thoughtfully. “He had a strong moral compass and was gentle, but his temper could be fearsome when presented with injustice. He and Elderman Di Ye spent most of their time together, Jae Shin was ill so often that they became each other’s only companions. Children kept away from their garden and feared the brothers, mostly because of Jae Shin’s sickness.”
“But you didn’t?” asked Kai.
Hyun Jae smiled a little.
“I was as scared of them as the others, and even more scared of their grandmother.”
“You knew Elderman Di Ye’s grandmother?”
“And a terrifying old lady she was; brisk and no nonsense. It was only because of her care of him that Jae Shin lived as long as he did.”
“How did you come to know them, Father?”
“I fell out of a tree into their garden.”
Kai raised his eyebrows.
“My kite was tangled up in the tree and I fell when I tried to get it free. Jae Shin was strolling past at the time and he took me back to the house so that his grandmother could see to my cuts. He even sent Elderman Di Ye to recover my kite.”
Kai was momentarily diverted trying to picture Elder Headman Amajit climbing a tree but his imagination faltered before such an impossible task.
“Jae Shin was incredibly kind; he believed that the Tula were not our enemies and that, despite our differences, it w
as possible for us to live together peacefully.”
“He sounds very much like Elderman Di Ye,” observed Kai.
“No; he was very much like the person that Elderman Di Ye became,” returned his father.
Kai considered this cryptic statement for some time.
“What happened?”
Headman Sen broke eye contact with his son and began to straighten his already tidy desk. Kai saw a fleeting expression of pain cross the older man’s features.
“A chest infection; his illness had already weakened him and could not fight the contagion off.”
“How old was he?” asked Kai softly.
“Twenty-eight.” A suspicious roughness broke the even tone of Hyun Jae Uel Ne Sen’s voice.
For a moment both men were silent.
“Why did you never tell me of this before, Father? Why does Elderman Di Ye never speak of his brother?”
Hyun Jae rose from his chair and moved to stand before the window.
“It was such a bitter blow for him; to lose the brother that he looked up to so much, to have to fill the position that Jae Shin was to have occupied. He finds it too painful to talk about, I think. Imagine how you would feel if you lost Rem or Shin.”
Kai flinched from the idea, not even wanting to think about such a thing.
Rem!
Kai stood abruptly, bowing respectfully to his father.
“Excuse me, Father, but I must find Rem.”
Hyun Jae made a gesture of dismissal.
“Certainly, Kai, it is in these moments that he needs you most.”
Chapter Five
The Tula
Ben adjusted his tie in the mirror and watched as the door slid open to admit Astra Uel Ne Toban. She stepped over the threshold and, placing her hand over her heart, bowed.
“The Tula High Council requests your presence for the greeting meal, Senator Burton.”
Philip Burton stood and thanked her.
“Ben stop grooming; it’s time to go.”
Ben smiled. His father had decided to treat him with an offhand disregard in the hope that it would encourage Councillor Ladron to disregard him also. Ben wasn’t convinced that such a strategy would work. Councillor Ladron struck him as far too sharp to be taken in by such a ruse. However Ben intended to help as much as he could by displaying a far too cavalier temperament. If he could convince Councillor Ladron that he was interested in something a little more tangible than politics, he might be given the space he needed to discover the true state of Tula affairs.
