Richard Tuttle - Island of Darkness

“Where did the others go?” she asked. “I have a path cleared to the table.”

“Only I need to go there,” Lyra smiled in reply. “Thank you very much for your help.”

Everyone stood on their toes in an attempt to see the Sakovan moving through the crowd. People between Lyra and FalconEye jostled their neighbors to create a corridor for the Sakovan. Lyra scooted through the openings as quickly as she could. No one complained about the temporary discomfort, and FalconEye extended his hand to Lyra to help her onto the table.

“The mayor and the general are here,” FalconEye whispered.

“Don’t point, but tell me where they are,” replied Lyra as she hugged FalconEye.

“Better than that,” FalconEye whispered back as he turned slightly as he hugged Lyra back. “You are looking right at them. They are in the front row.”

“I see them,” Lyra said as she broke the embrace.

Lyra separated herself from FalconEye and gazed out at the huge crowd. She felt tremors of anxiety ripple through her body. She took a deep breath and held one arm high above her head. The crowd fell into silence.

“People of Alamar,” Lyra began. “I want to thank you for saving FalconEye. I heard that he was near death, and that citizens of this great city nursed him back to health. I want to thank you for that.”

“Are you Sakovan?” shouted a man near the front.

“I am Sakovan,” answered Lyra. “In fact, I am Lyra, the Star of Sakova. I am the leader of my people as the Katana is yours.”

While Lyra spoke she kept an eye on the general and the mayor without appearing to. She saw the general stiffen when she announced who she was. Her nervousness increased.

“I know the people of Alamar have had a rough time recently,” she continued after the murmurs of awe died down. “I am happy that my people have been able to share our food with you. I would like to continue doing so.”

Thousands of people started cheering. The noise was deafening. Lyra smiled broadly and turned slowly to gaze at all of the people. It took several minutes for the noise to die down, even after Lyra raised her hand for silence.

“I do not, however, want to sacrifice my people to deliver it,” she continued. “I know that you all heard of the ambush that killed five of my people. I also know that many hearts in Alamar went out to those victims of senseless slaughter. I heard about the flowers and jewelry that some of you left with their bodies. I am very touched by your generosity and warmth.”

Lyra paused as she noticed tears on some of the faces in the audience. She felt her own eyes moisten as she continued her speech.

“The Sakovans who traveled far to bring the food to Alamar spoke highly of the people of here,” the Star of Sakova continued. “SpringThaw was especially thrilled to meet so many new and loving people.”

Quite a few citizens were openly crying now. Lyra saw the general making gestures to some his men.

“Let me get to the reason for speaking to you today,” Lyra said quickly as she knew that the time before confrontation with the Imperial Guards was running out. “The Sakovan people sincerely want to continue supplying food to Alamar, but as a leader, I cannot consign my people to death by forcing them to deliver it.”

“I will go get it,” shouted a man. Others chimed in and agreed to help.

“I appreciate that offer,” smiled Lyra, “but the Katana has thousands of men in the Sakova at this very moment searching for our homes. I would not be surprised if the Imperial Guards tortured those of you who did travel to the Sakova. They want desperately to find StarCity.”

Lyra saw Imperial Guards trying to push through the crowd to get to the table she was standing on. The citizens were shoving back. Lyra knew that the situation could turn ugly in a heartbeat.

“There is a way we can work together,” Lyra shouted over the commotion as she turned to face the general. “General Manitow, would you come up here please?”

The general’s face turned beet red. Lyra could not tell if it was from embarrassment or anger. He stood glaring at Lyra while nearby citizens urged him to get up on the large table. Finally, he nodded and leaped onto the table. He walked right up to the Star and faced her.

“I do not know what you are trying to do,” the general whispered, “but I will not have these people rioting in my streets. You are arousing their tempers, and I cannot let you continue to do so. Leave now, and you will be permitted to leave safely.”

“I am offering life and good health to your citizens, general,” Lyra replied. “The group has been extremely well behaved for a starving population. The commotion is only because they know that you ordered your soldiers to make me stop talking. Command your soldiers to halt, and the crowd will behave. Are my mere words so threatening to you?”

“It is not your words that I fear,” retorted the general. “What I fear is what my troops may have to do to restore order after you incite the people to riot.”

“Then I will not incite them to riot,” declared Lyra. “I have no desire for bloodshed whatsoever. Will you halt the advance of your soldiers?”

“No desire for bloodshed?” echoed the general, as the crowd grew impatient to hear Lyra speak. “What would your people do with the twelve soldiers that I have sitting in cells if I released them? Tell me that you would not have them torn apart.”

“I would hope that you would not release them,” replied the Star of Sakova. “They should be imprisoned until an investigation is completed. If they are found guilty of crimes, the government should punish them. If they are not guilty, they should be given a safe escort away from here.”

“That is what you really believe?” the general asked with disbelief evident in his voice. “You would let the murders of SpringThaw escape?”

“It is how I feel,” nodded Lyra. “I happen to believe that those soldiers took it upon themselves to murder innocent wagon drivers. I do not believe that they were working under any such orders, especially not yours.”

“Especially not mine?” questioned General Manitow. “What would you know about my orders?”

“Nothing,” admitted Lyra, “but I have heard that you care deeply for these people. You know that they are alive only through the intervention of the Sakovans. I could not imagine you being so cold and cruel as to punish these people just to kill five Sakovans. Am I wrong?”

“You are right,” sighed the general, “but things are not as easy as that. I warned your people to flee. Ask FalconEye. He was there.”

“I already know that is the truth,” conceded Lyra. “I believe you to be a good man in a hard situation, General. Please halt the advance of your men.”

The general turned with annoyance on his face. He waved his hand and signaled his men to halt. He turned back to face Lyra.

“There is an army approaching Alamar as we speak,” the general sighed with frustration. “Within the week, my men will be outnumbered ten to one. I cannot help you even if I wanted to. Take your people and go home.”

“I wish it were that simple, General,” Lyra responded. “I was serious when I said that thousands of Omungan troops were in the Sakova. The Sakovans have tried to avoid conflict with the Omungans for many generations. It seems that your people have a hard time finding true leaders.”

“I will not stand here and listen to you disparage our Katana,” scowled the general. “While I am grateful for your food and feel sorry about the coming hostilities, this country searched hard and long to select this Katana. He is a good man.”

“Did you ever speak with Larst, General?” asked Lyra.

“I have never had the pleasure of meeting the Katana,” retorted General Manitow. “What does that have to do with anything?”