Richard Tuttle - Island of Darkness

The market was already overflowing with people queued up to get their food. Lyra heard runners in every direction announcing that the mayor would speak to the people. People were streaming into the marketplace from every direction, and hundreds of Imperial Guards lined the perimeter.

The citizens nearest the table were jabbering in hushed tones. Lyra tried to listen as a way of taking her mind off of things. She soon discovered that citizens were identifying her as the Star of Sakova, and Lyra realized that Shel must be somewhere in the crowd. No on else would have been able to identify her. She scanned the faces looking for the kind woman who had tried to feed her, but she could not locate her. What she did notice bothered her greatly.

Many of the citizens that were pouring into the marketplace were carrying things. Some were carrying tools, and others pieces of wood or rocks. Nothing was so obvious as to be deemed a weapon, but the coincidence of so many people carrying things that could be used to harm people was disturbing. Lyra contemplated erecting her blue cylinder, but first she decided to weave an air tunnel to see if she could detect a plot to harm her.

The Star of Sakova let the air tunnel meander over the crowd, catching bits and pieces of many conversations. The longer she listened the more she realized that someone had indeed organized the citizens to be ready to attack if they did not like what was going to happen. She felt a cold shiver stretch up her spine. She continued to scan the audience and suddenly heard a voice she recognized. It was the voice of the kind woman, and Lyra suddenly realized who was orchestrating the potential rebellion. She listened to Shel giving instructions for several moments before giving in to the urge to speak. She swiftly stabilized the air pressure in the tunnel so that it would pass speech in both directions.

“There will be no need for that, Shel,” smiled Lyra. “Things have taken an unexpected turn for the good.”

Lyra watched as Shel nearly jumped off the ground. The woman spun to face the center of the marketplace and locked eyes with the Star of Sakova.

“Are you sure, Lyra?” asked Shel. “I am not one to trust authorities. Aren’t they planning to publicly execute you?”

“No,” Lyra replied as the general hopped up on the stage and held up his hands for silence. “Listen.”

Lyra broke the air tunnel as the crowd grew silent. The general dropped his hands and addressed the audience.

“Citizens of Gatong,” shouted the general, “Mayor Robit has some important words to deliver to you today. Before he speaks, I want to impress upon you the large numbers of Imperial Guards around the market. Many of you may not like what is about to be announced, but the mayor and I have agreed that we must make a decision concerning the welfare of the people of Gatong. It is a radical change that will be made, but I assure that it is for the better. I expect you to listen with an open mind. I also expect you to obey the law. I will not have riots in this city.”

Many a glare was directed at the general, but no one spoke. The mayor hesitated before speaking. He inhaled deeply and clenched his fists several times as if that would release some of his nervousness.

“Citizens of Gatong,” the mayor said loudly, “all of you know that Omunga is currently at war with the Sakova. Unlike other attempts at war with the inhabitants of the interior, this war will be fought until one side claims complete victory over the other. The city of Gatong is now embroiled in that war. This woman beside me is Lyra, the Star of Sakova. She is the leader of the Sakovan nation. Some of you may have heard that we arrested her earlier today. Others may have heard that the ship that arrived full of food was directed to come here by her. Both statements are true.”

The mayor hesitated as he tried to gauge the people’s reaction, but the crowd was stone-faced. He swallowed hard and continued.

“General Papper and I have spent some time today discussing the future of Gatong and what course of action is best for the citizens of this fine city,” continued the mayor. “The Star of Sakova has asked that we defect and become Sakovans. She promises to restore our fields and provide free food in the meantime. It is a generous offer, but it entails a degree of risk to Gatong. Were we to defect, the Katana will most assuredly seek to punish us.”

“Let him try,” shouted a citizen.

“Yeah,” shouted another. “He will find an army of citizens in addition to our troops.”

“Let the Katana stay in Okata with his food,” shouted a third citizen. “If he comes here we will dig a hole for his body.”

All of the people started shouting threats to the Katana as Mayor Robit turned and stared at the general with disbelief. General Papper’s eyebrows rose in surprise as he listened to the crowd.

“This is going to be easier than I thought,” the general commented softly. “Hurry up and tell them the news.”

The mayor nodded and raised his hands for silence. It took several minutes before the crowd quieted. Mayor Robit grinned widely as he waited.

“Your voices speak loudly of what you want,” declared the mayor. “Let it be so. From this day forward, Gatong is a city of the Sakova.”

The mayor stepped a pace and bowed low to Lyra. The general followed the mayor’s lead as the crowd cheered wildly. Suddenly, citizens in the marketplace began to bow. It began with those closest to the table that Lyra was standing on and spread out like the ripple from a pebble thrown into a still pond until every citizen and Imperial Guard was bowed before the Star of Sakova.

Mistake crawled into the dark cave and bumped into someone’s leg.

“Sorry,” Mistake said softly. “I really can’t see in here.”

“You didn’t hurt me,” chuckled Eltor. “What did you see out there?”

“Nothing,” answered Mistake. “Absolutely nothing. There are no campfires visible, and I saw no army patrols. Is it possible that they gave up looking for us?”

“I doubt it,” replied Eltor. “I would suspect that the patrols would be fewer at night, but I am willing to wager that there are some out there.”

“Well this is the best report we’ve had in days,” said MistyTrail. “I say we attempt to escape tonight. Our food is running low and won’t last much longer. How do you feel, Caldal?”

“I feel great,” replied Caldal. “Certainly better than I have in a long time. I am with MistyTrail. If we are going to try to escape, tonight sounds like a decent chance.”

“There will still be kruls out,” warned Eltor. “They do not return to the cities at the end of the day.”

“Where do they live?” asked Mistake.

“I am not sure,” answered Eltor. “They do congregate. I supposed there might be krul cities in the forest, but I really don’t know.”

“I would guess that they eat and sleep close to where they are assigned to work,” offered Caldal. “The kruls don’t mix well with people. They would tend to avoid the cities.”

“There might be a group we have to get past then,” frowned Mistake. “Kruls were clearing the forest between the jungle and this mountain when MistyTrail and I arrived.”

“We will have to chance it,” asserted MistyTrail. “We cannot stay here until the whole forest is cleared. I vote we leave now.”

After a moment’s hesitation, the group agreed. The four elves crawled out of the cave and began the descent. The moon was half full as Mistake led the way down the side of the mountain. She handed one of her knives to Eltor. MistyTrail, who was at the rear of the procession, saw the gesture and handed one of hers to Caldal.