Richard Tuttle - Web of Deceit

“This will clean up quickly,” observed Mistake. “Should we get started?”

“I want to look at the water first,” Rejji said. “I want to get an idea of how long the dock will take to build before you contact Lord Marak, and this time when the villagers are busy is a good time to do it.”

Rejji led the group down to the water’s edge. He gazed out at the sea for some moments in silence and then walked to where the river flowed into the sea. Again he stood silent for some time.

“Something is bothering you,” Mistake said softly. “What is it?”

Rejji sighed and turned to look at Mistake. “I wonder if we are attempting more than we can finish,” Rejji finally said. “We are going to change the life of these people by our actions. The changes may be good or they may be bad, but they will be changed by what we are about to do. This village will either become a large city or it will be burned to the ground by the Jiadin.”

“Or both,” interjected Bakhai. “Surely if the Jiadin find out about it, they will attack it and destroy it. It will be too tempting a target.”

“Even more so if they know I am here,” frowned Rejji.

“But you are trying to make the villagers’ lives better,” protested Mistake. “How can that be a bad thing?”

“Our desires for these people are not bad,” continued Rejji, “but putting them in danger of attack is. There is no tribe that bothers these people now, yet we almost certainly will attract some. Our trying to help may get these people killed.”

“Rejji,” sighed Mistake, “the Jiadin will come here no matter what. They plan to rule the whole of Fakara. Sooner or later, this village will fall to them. If we turn and run because we fear what the Jiadin might do, then we have empowered the Jiadin to rule. Measure that against your desire to gather the tribes and make a stand.”

“We can train these villager to survive,” interrupted Bakhai. “Have some of the workers make boats. If the village is attacked, all of the villagers that are not trained to defend can get in the boats and ride into the sea. They only have to go out far enough to take them out of bow range. If the defenders cannot hold back the invaders, then they can also board boats. The worst the Jiadin can do is burn an empty village. We can always rebuild it.”

“That makes good sense, little brother,” brightened Rejji. “That will slow down the amount of people building the dock and warehouse though.”

“So what?” quizzed Mistake. “We do not have to hurry.”

“We do,” insisted Rejji. “The villagers are voting now to take a chance on our plan. We are asking them to give us their labors now in return for food later. In the meantime, they are not fishing for food. There is also the potential that their attitude will change if we run into problems or it takes too long. We need to get Lord Marak to send a small shipment before the dock is complete.”

“I am sure he would be willing to do that,” replied Mistake. “We have gold to pay him.”

“Plenty of gold,” chuckled Bakhai. “How will we offload the cargo without the dock though?”

“That is why I wanted to look at the river,” answered Rejji. “I think we should build a smaller dock here first. It will be easier to build than one that extends into the sea.”

“What about people like Riktor who think the boats foul the river?” asked Bakhai. “Won’t this plan make them upset?”

“No,” Rejji shook his head. “Lord Marak’s boats will never be pulled out of the water, so they will not stir the bottom of the river. It will be fine.”

“If they accept your plan,” said Mistake.

“They will accept it,” smiled Rejji. “It will be our job to make sure they stay happy after accepting it. Contact Lord Marak tonight. Bring him up to date on our travels and ask him to send a ship with food and tools for building as soon as possible.”

“The meeting has broken up,” Bakhai said.

“Let’s go hear their reply to our proposition,” stated Rejji as he turned and walked towards the center of the village.

“Rejji,” greeted Plesy, “we have a question to ask. There are some in the village who have friends and family who live outside the village. The villagers want me to ask you if those people can also work on the project and get paid with food.”

“We will welcome anyone who wants to help,” nodded Rejji. “The offer will stand for all. They can camp here while the construction is going on, or come to the village each day. Whatever they want is acceptable to me.”

“If news of this offer should spread,” warned Plesy, “you may have more workers than you can use.”

“We can never have too many workers,” smiled Rejji. “I invite the villagers to spread the word near and far to anyone they want to. My offer is good to all and I will honor my offer.”

“Then as spokesman for the village of Ghala,” beamed Plesy, “we accept your offer. When do we start?”

“Tomorrow is soon enough,” Rejji stated. “The first thing we are going to need is lumber. I would like to build a small dock on the river as our first project. It will allow us to get supplies while we build the larger dock and warehouse. If you have runners you wish to send out to family and friends, you should do that as well. Let us go sit down and we can draw up a list of tools that you think we will need.”

Plesy led Rejji to the benches that the old men had been sitting on when they met. Bakhai and Mistake joined them and soon the villagers began to crowd around as well. Enthusiasm was high among the villagers and suggestions flew back and forth. Within an hour, Rejji had a long list of tools and supplies that villagers thought they would need. Mistake excused herself when the talk turned to far-flung friends and relatives who should be notified of the opportunity.

Women of the village brought food to the center of the village and the whole planning meeting acquired a festive atmosphere. Rejji smiled as he saw the happy faces of the villagers. After the sun had faded away, Mistake returned and pulled Rejji away from the group.

“Lord Marak wants to see the mural,” Mistake said softly. “He is planning on coming here.”

“When?” questioned Rejji.

“He cannot make the first ship,” Mistake explained. “He will try to make the second one. He wants to know if he needs to bring a squad of Torak soldiers with him, or just the two he normally travels with.”

“I hesitate to have the villagers see armed soldiers getting off the ship,” frowned Rejji. “It might spook them.”

“I think it may reassure them that we have friends we can call upon,” Mistake said. “Plus the Jiadin army may still be hanging around.”

Rejji nodded and stared at the ground for a moment before answering, “Have him bring the squad, but advise him of my concerns and tell him that the squad may not be allowed to enter the jungle with him. Also warn him as explicitly as possible about the dangers he will face in Angragar. I do not want him surprised by the hellsouls.”

“Are you really willing to go back there?” asked Mistake

“Yes,” declared Rejji. “Lord Marak has a right to see it and only I can open the gates. You and Bakhai can remain here and keep the building project going.”

“Why not take the squad with you?” quizzed Mistake. “it would be safer and I am sure the Qubari would not deny you the right to bring them along.”

“You are right about the Qubari,” nodded Rejji, “but I feel that the less people exposed to the jungle the better. Dumo will allow me anything, but I will still respect his desire for secrecy. I also do not want a large group that will attract more attention inside the ancient city. I will allow Lord Marak his two guards. That will expose only four us to danger.”