Richard Tuttle - Web of Deceit

“Your words are sad but true, my friend,” nodded Rejji. “My name is Rejji. What are you called?”

The boy smiled at finding someone who understood things as he did. “My name is Bakhai,” he grinned. “You are not like the others. You understand the evil of man.”

“I have seen more of it than I care to,” agreed Rejji, “but there are many people who are kind and generous too. I guess you have not run into many of them though. Where are you from?”

“I lived in the Giaming Mountains mostly,” Bakhai said. “There are many animals there and it is peaceful. I should have stayed there instead of trying to become accepted by those who look like me.”

“You mean you live with the animals?” asked Rejji. “What of your parents?”

“I do not have parents,” Bakhai answered. “The animals are my family. It has always been so.”

“Then who taught you to speak?” inquired Rejji.

“I spent time in many villages,” Bakhai frowned. “I was trying to find others like myself. At first the people were friendly and took me in. They taught me their ways and language, but always they ended up chasing me away. They did not like me talking to the other animals. They said I was possessed, a spawn of evil. Then they would chase me with their weapons or their farm implements. Whatever they could find to hit me with. I do not like people.”

“This happened more than once?” questioned Rejji.

“Many villages I went to,” nodded Bakhai. “All were the same. I was going home when these people caged me.”

“Is that what you did with the horses?” Rejji asked. “You spoke to them? Did they understand you?”

“Of course they understand,” Bakhai stated. “Why would I talk to them if they did not understand me? Can you not talk to the animals?”

“No,” Rejji replied. “I wish I could, but I wouldn’t know how to begin.”

“You would really want to?” Bakhai grinned. “You do not think I am possessed?”

“Possessed?” Rejji asked. “Of course not. You have a rare talent and should be proud of it. We should all use the talents we were given to make things better for everyone. At least you know what your talent is. I have yet to find mine.”

“You are unlike any human I have met,” smiled Bakhai. “I like you. When we get out of this cage, I would like to come visit your village.”

Sadness fell over Rejji’s face as he thought of his village. He wondered if perhaps Bakhai had the truth of it after all. What other creature besides man would destroy a village for no reason?

“I have no village,” declared Rejji, “but I would love to see your home when we get free. Mistake and I were headed for the Giaming Mountains when we were captured. She seeks the Sage of the Mountain. Have you heard of him?”

“I have never heard of such a person,” answered Bakhai, “but you will like my home. The girl can come too. Why does she have such a strange name?”

“I guess because she has had experiences like yours,” sighed Rejji. “You speak truth about people being cruel. They really are not all like that though and finding a good one is worth the effort.”

“Well,” grinned Bakhai, “I found you and it makes me very happy. Animals are always friends, but they do not think much. There is not much to talk about with them.”

Rejji saw Mistake waken and motioned her over. He introduced his two friends to each other and they sat talking most of the night.

***

“As you had anticipated, My Lord,” smiled Veltar as he stood with Grulak and Diakles on the platform at the peak of the pyramid. “Most of the tribes have kept the majority of their men around the lake.”

“Of course,” stated Grulak, “they are not fools. I am sure they know why I have summoned them all here. The trick is to get them all to unite under me without too many losses.”

“Why do we even need them, Father,” asked Diakles. “We have more than enough men to overrun Khadora now. None of these tribes will dare stand against us here in Fakara.”

“You underestimate both Khadora and these tribes, Diakles,” scolded Grulak. “Look down there. Over a hundred tribes are assembled. None of them can come close to our strength, but together they could cause us to abort our attack on Khadora and end up defending our position here.”

“The Khadorans are a like problem, Diakles,” smiled Veltar. “They are broken into clans that hate each other and constantly fight amongst themselves, but if they were united, it would be a potent army.”

“You are too cautious, Veltar,” sneered Diakles. “I think you make my father appear weak before the tribes. We should not be asking them to join us. We should be demanding their obedience. If we brought out our reserves on the peninsula and surrounded them, they would fold in a minute, begging to serve my father.”

Veltar seethed as his jaw tightened and his veins grew large and visible. Grulak saw this and knew his advisor and his son were going to come to odds.

“Diakles,” Grulak commanded, “go down and make sure all of the tribe leaders are assembled. Tell them that I will speak to them within the hour. Go.”

“Maybe the boy has a point,” Grulak stated after his son had entered the temple. “I do not mean about the weakness of the tribes or Khadorans, but about a show of strength to the tribes. It appears to them now that we are of equal size to the largest of them, when in fact we have most of our men hidden.”

“The boy has much to learn yet,” Veltar said as he tried to calm himself. “While none of the tribes can match your strength, there are overly proud men who lead them. Some may be feared into obedience, but many will bolt if they feel threatened. I have such a demonstration planned for them, but one that will display our power in such a way as to not make them feel immediately threatened. It will be a show of power that will cause them to dwell upon the ill fortunes of opposing you, but not an immediate threat that they must counter or die.”

“And you are saving this as a surprise to me?” asked Grulak. “Why shouldn’t I know your plan?”

“It is something you will appreciate,” laughed Veltar. “Come I will tell you about it on the way down.”

The leader of the Jiadin and his advisor wound their way down the inside of the massive Vandegar Temple. The temple was filled with Jiadin troops so that they would be hidden from view of the gathering tribes. Another large detachment of Jiadin troops were hidden on a peninsula to the north of the temple and would only be used in the event that fighting broke out, which was not expected.

“Impressive,” grinned Grulak as they exited the temple and stood looking down the steps at the assembled leaders. “I wondered what all those carts arriving during the night were for. I meant to ask you about them. Will it really work?”

“Of course,” smirked Veltar. “After they are fully prepared to think about the lake lesson, we will have the men in the temple start marching out in an orderly and non-aggressive fashion. I have figured that it will take a full four hours for all of the men to get out. So while the leaders are thinking about my demonstration, they will be watching a show of your real might. Only a fool would choose to oppose you then. It is important that no aggression be shown them before that time though or they will bolt.”

“Your plan is excellent, Veltar,” nodded Grulak. “I approve of it. I think we should get this started right away. Where is Diakles? I want him to see the mastery of his father at work.”

“I am sure he is watching,” offered Veltar. “Nothing this big has ever happened in centuries. Nobody would want to miss it.”

Veltar moved away from Grulak as the Jiadin leader began his speech from the top of the stairs. He reentered the temple and climbed several stories to a balcony that overlooked the lake and the assembled leaders and yet offered a place to keep him out of sight while still allowing him to hear what was going on. He watched the faces of the most important leaders for signs of whether they would join or not.