Richard Tuttle - Web of Deceit

Rejji stood watching as Karlo dipped a section of netting into the pot and then held it over the pot to let the excess metal drip off. Karlo then attached the netting to a string and hung it from a line strung between two poles that he had erected in the sand.

“How long does it take to dry?” Rejji asked.

“Not very long,” Karlo answered. “The shine of the metal disappears rather quickly. When the finish is an even dull black, it is dry.”

Rejji stood silently watching Karlo for a time as he thought about what needed to be done before Lord Marak arrived the next day. The corral had been built for the horses that would be coming in and an area for the squad to occupy while they were here had been set aside. He mentally noted that he wanted to have a special meal prepared for them as a welcome from the people of Ghala.

“This one is dry, Rejji,” beamed Karlo. “Would you care to inspect it?”

“Very much so,” nodded Rejji as Karlo handed him the screen.

Rejji marveled at the lightness of the screen. He bent it and twisted it and probed the metal covering with his fingernail. His mind raced with uses for the metal covering.

“May I borrow this?” asked Rejji.

“It would be an honor if you would use it on the window of your hut,” beamed Karlo. “Please take it.”

“Thank you, Karlo,” smiled Rejji. “I am very glad you decided to join us here in Ghala.”

Rejji rolled the screen up and headed for his hut. He saw Mistake along the way and waved for her to join him. As she came running, Rejji saw a belt around her waist that held a large number of knives in sheaths.

“What is that?” Rejji asked as he pointed at her belt.

“It is for carrying knives,” grinned Mistake. “It can hold at least twenty sheaths. Do you like it?”

“Isn’t that a bit heavy?” chuckled Rejji. “When will you ever use twenty knives?”

“It is heavy,” frowned Mistake, “but I will only wear it when I need it. You can never have too many knives in a battle.”

“Well I hope you never need it,” Rejji retorted as he handed her the netting. “I want you to look at something. This netting is covered by a metal that protects it. I want to see how strong it really is. Can you hang it on the wall of our hut and try throwing daggers at it?”

“Sure,” frowned Mistake, “but what is the purpose of it?”

“I am thinking about coating our tyrik armor with it,” grinned Rejji. “If it is as strong as I think it is, we could have armor that is light and yet almost indestructible.”

“Where did this netting come from?” queried Mistake.

“A man named Karlo is on the beach coating netting to use over windows to keep the birds out of the new building,” replied Rejji. “He discovered it.”

“If it works,” stated Mistake, “we should keep it secret. Maybe we should move Karlo to a better location than on the beach.”

“I agree,” Rejji responded. “We will need for him to mine some more of the metal as well. I would like you to handle Karlo and the coating process. I have a few more things to get ready for Lord Marak’s arrival. Oh,” Rejji added, “I also ran into Brakas today. I sent him to help with the stockade.”

“Interesting,” frowned Mistake. “There is something about Brakas that rubs me the wrong way. He is always showing up, but never really helping.”

“Yes,” agreed Rejji. “I found myself being cautious when speaking to him also, although I wasn’t sure why. He was interested in being the one to lead the defenses, but he has been unsuccessful in finding the free tribes. Do you think his stories are false?”

“I don’t know,” admitted Mistake. “I just will not share much with him.”

“Like the location of our gold?” chuckled Rejji.

“Definitely not that,” laughed Mistake. “I did not lug that sack around the country to let someone else’s fingers get into it. Are you going to get more when you take Lord Marak to Angragar?”

“I don’t think we can spend what you already took,” Rejji shook his head. “Besides, can you think of a safer place for it to be?”

“Yes,” laughed Mistake. “It could be in a room guarded by a door that only opens to my touch.”

“Where is Bakhai at?” queried Rejji.

“He is tending to the wasooki,” replied Mistake. “We are about to have our first calf born.

“That should please everyone,” Rejji said. “The way the people are eager to build Ghala into a city is very warming. I did not think it would go this well. Are you going to give another talk about escape procedures in case of attack tonight?”

“I gave it this morning,” answered Mistake. “You were meeting with Plesy and Riktor at the time. It went very well. The newcomers were very attentive and even suggested a practice run. I think it is a good idea.”

“Then schedule it,” stated Rejji. “We are well ahead of schedule on most things, so a day off for the practice is a great idea.”

“I will set it up,” chirped Mistake as she pranced off.

Rejji spent the rest of the day checking out the progress of each of the projects that was going on. At each stop he saw new faces and was introduced to those who had joined the effort recently. The rate of people coming to Ghala surprised him. He had thought the idea of a city would be hard to sell to the Fakaran people, but the reverse was true. The people came not just for the abundant food, but also to be a part of building something for the future. By nightfall, Rejji was exhausted and fell asleep before Mistake and Bakhai returned to the small hut.

It was still dark out when Rejji awoke and he strolled down to the beach. He sat in the dark for some time, lost in thought about the construction activities and the trip to the jungle. As the sky began to lighten, Rejji saw a ship anchored off the coast and excitement rippled through his body. He ran back to the hut and woke Mistake and Bakhai and the trio raced to the dock. Others had started to awaken in Ghala and headed for their tasks full of eagerness to greet the new day.

The ship noticed the activity and hoisted its anchor. As the ship navigated slowly into the mouth of the river, seamen tossed lines to the trio and they secured the ship to the dock. No sooner than the ship was secured, Halman and Gunta jumped to the dock. Lord Marak was only seconds behind them.

“Greetings, old friends,” smiled Lord Marak.

“Welcome to Ghala,” greeted Rejji. “I am looking forward to showing you around Fakara’s largest town.”

“And I am anxious to see it,” smiled Lord Marak.

Ghalans had already started to crowd around the dock to see Lord Marak and his Torak soldiers, who were dressed in black and silver uniforms. Lord Marak’s cape fluttered in the wind as Rejji led him off the dock. Lord Marak touched Rejji’s sleeve and indicated that he wanted to wait while his men exited the ship. Riktor led some men forward carrying a long ramp and positioned it so the horses could walk off the ship. The people murmured with glee as the Torak soldiers exited the ship, each with a beautiful horse in hand. Bakhai showed the soldiers the way to the corral, which was unnecessary, as the path was lined with workers anxious to see the arriving Khadorans. The soldiers came back and escorted another horse each before they were done. When they returned the second time, they stood in formation awaiting orders.

“I was concerned that my men might upset the people of Ghala,” Lord Marak stated loudly. “It is a warm welcome indeed that Ghala has extended to their Khadoran friends. I thank you for this welcome. Squad Leader, you may dismiss the men.”

Botal dismissed the squad and people immediately crowded around them with all sorts of questions about Khadora and battles and uniforms. Lord Marak smiled and put his arm around Rejji.