Richard Tuttle - Winged Warrior

“I will send word back to Angragar well before we return,” Rejji continued, ignoring the mood of the tribesmen. “If I allow the Jiadin to enter Angragar, they are to be treated as long lost brothers. Their desire to rejoin the brotherhood of the tribes is the only reason that would force me to allow them to come here. Has not our goal been to eventually bring the Jiadin back into the fold?”

“But that could be a ploy,” balked Adger. “We should watch them closely. I doubt that the Jiadin can ever be trusted enough to rejoin the free tirbes.”

“I will determine their true intent,” assured Rejji. “If they arrive in Angragar, you will treat them as brothers. It is that agreed to?”

“I have faith in Rejji,” Yojji sighed in submission. “For better or worse, I bow before the Astor. The Jiadin will be treated as brothers.”

“And the past will be forgotten?” frowned Blaka. “Do we just forget the slaughter of our brothers by the Jiadin scum?”

“The tribes have quite a history of warfare,” replied Rejji. “The latest wars were the free tribes against the Jiadin, but each and every one of you can remember wars with other tribes. Those differences are well behind us now. It is time to put the Jiadin wars behind us as well.”

“If they are truly repentant,” nodded Adger.

“Agreed,” nodded Rejji. “They must be ready to accept our new way of life in Fakara, but that is the requirement that I have for them being allowed to enter Angragar. I will determine the truth of it.”

The tribal leaders all nodded in agreement, and Rejji adjourned the meeting. The leaders filed out of the room, leaving Yltar and Bakhai alone with the Astor.

“How will you determine their true intent?” asked Bakhai.

“I was hoping that Yltar might have an answer to that question,” sighed Rejji. “He is the head shaman.”

“I cannot tell for certain if the Jiadin will lie,” replied Yltar, “but there is an ancient spell that can accomplish such a thing.”

“Then get the shaman who is capable of the spell,” directed Rejji. “We will take him with us.”

“There is no such shaman,” Yltar reported as he glanced at Bakhai, “but there may be a candidate to learn the spell. How much time do we have before we must leave?”

“We must leave in the morning at the latest,” answered Rejji. “Wyant and the Jiadin were seen heading for the pass in the mountains. Tomorrow they will pass through it. I would prefer to leave today, if possible, but if you can supply someone with the magical ability to determine if the Jiadin speak the truth, I will wait.”

“I cannot guarantee success,” shrugged Yltar. “No Qubari shaman has mastered the spell in generations.”

“And what makes you think that one of your shaman can now learn it?” frowned the Astor. “This is no time to take chances with new magic.”

“I disagree,” replied Yltar. “It is the perfect time for it. Much rides on the words of the Jiadin coming here. Your decision to let them enter Angragar will either result in a terrible act of treachery, or it will herald a new beginning for Fakara. If the Jiadin are sincere in their vows to you, we may actually have a chance against the forces of Vand.”

Rejji paced the room in silence for some moments before stopping and turning to face Yltar.

“Have your shaman try to learn the spell,” Rejji decided, “but we leave in the morning whether he is successful or not. I will order four horses to be ready for us.”

“We will only need three horses,” smiled Yltar, “and your permission for Bakhai to enter training to become a Qubari shaman.”

“Bakhai?” questioned the Astor. “You think he will be able to learn this spell?”

“He is the most promising student that I have ever encountered,” nodded Yltar. “His power and range are extraordinary.”

Rejji looked at his brother with a questioning gaze. Bakhai smiled and shrugged.

“Then let him begin his studies immediately,” replied Rejji.

Yltar bowed and hurriedly ushered Bakhai out of the room. Within minutes they were seated in the library of the temple, and Yltar unrolled an ancient scroll and handed it to Bakhai.

“Read it over first,” instructed Yltar, “and then I will explain what it is talking about. This is not the type of spell that I would prefer to start your training with, but we have little choice in the matter.”

A few moments later, Bakhai shook his head and handed the scroll back to Yltar. “It makes no sense at all to me,” Bakhai confessed. “I do not even understand what the writer is trying to say.”

“That is understandable,” smiled Yltar. “The scroll assumes a great deal of prior knowledge. That is why I said that it was not appropriate for a beginning student, but I can explain it to you. It will just take a fair amount of time. Push all thoughts from your mind. Nothing exists outside this room, and that must remain so for the duration of today’s lesson. Can you do that?”

“I can,” nodded Bakhai. “Many times I do that when I must make a decision about something. Do you think you can really explain this spell to me?”

“Over time,” sighed Yltar, “I am sure that you would learn to understand what is being said in the scroll, but even that understanding would not mean that you are capable of casting the spell. Truthfully, I have little hope that you can learn it by morning, but we will try regardless. My words to Rejji were truthful; his decision regarding the Jiadin is of the utmost importance. Let us begin.”

Yltar and Bakhai worked through the day and into the night. Both of them became thoroughly frustrated in Bakhai’s inability to discern a lie when Yltar spoke. Fatigued by exhaustion and hunger, Yltar called a halt to the lesson.

“I am sorry, Yltar,” sighed Bakhai. “I was trying. Truly, I was.”

“I know, Bakhai,” Yltar nodded with a taut smile. “Do not blame yourself. There is no Qubari shaman alive who can successfully cast this spell. I was wrong to expect you to be able to.”

“But it is so important,” frowned Bakhai. “I feel as though I have let the Astor down.”

“Do not feel that way,” Yltar replied distractedly as Mobi appeared in the doorway with a plate of food. “Perhaps some food will allow us to continue. Or should we quit and get a few hours sleep before the dawn arrives?”

“We shall continue,” Bakhai declared stubbornly.

“Not without a bite to eat,” smiled Mobi as he slid the tray onto the table in front of Bakhai.

The tray was piled with dry sticks of meat and assorted fruits. Yltar reached over and snared a banana as Bakhai bit into a piece of meat.

“Bringing food was very thoughtful of you, Mobi,” smiled Yltar. “Thank you.”

“I just happened to be roaming the halls and thought you would like a bite to eat,” Mobi shrugged modestly.

Bakhai dropped his meat and stared at the warrior. His face creased heavily, and his eyes narrowed in confusion. Yltar noticed the reaction and slowly removed the banana from his mouth.

“What is the matter, Bakhai?” the shaman asked with concern. “Does the meat not agree with you?”

“Why did you really bring the food?” Bakhai asked Mobi.

Mobi blinked and shook his head. “What do you mean?”

“Why did you really bring us food?” repeated Bakhai. “Do not lie.”

Mobi clearly did not understand what was going on. His eyes bounced from Yltar to Bakhai, and he shook his head.

“Rejji asked me to check in on you until you were done,” explained Mobi. “You have been in here a long time, and I figured that you would be hungry. Did I do something wrong?”

“So you didn’t just happen to be roaming the halls?” Yltar asked with a grin. “That is what you said, wasn’t it?”