Richard Tuttle - Web of Deceit

“Voltak is fine,” responded Mobi. “The timing was close, but adequate for his recovery. I will show you the way to Angragar as you wish. I will also accompany you into the city unless you expressly forbid it. I do not do this to show my bravery or courage. I do it to protect the Astor and because I consider it an honor.”

“Mobi speaks wisely,” smiled Marak, sensing that the Qubari was feeling as if Rejji thought the Khadorans were better than the jungle warriors. “As Astor, you are important to your people. It took me a while to accept Halman and Gunta as my shadows, but I have never regretted it. There can be no finer warrior in the jungle than one who lives here.”

“You are both correct,” nodded Rejji. “I fear the loss of any Qubari, but this struggle is as much theirs as anyone’s. I welcome you to this expedition, Mobi, and I am glad that you made me see the faults of my thinking. Let’s go to Angragar.”

Mobi grinned as he spun and led the way down the narrow trail. Mobi stepped up the pace gradually as he sought the optimum speed for the Khadorans in their fancy outfits. He thought he would feel more distaste for the foreigners, but the sight of the warrior, who he had seen in the mural, and his understanding words, pleased Mobi. The pace he was able to maintain also pleased him. Well after the sun had set, Mobi called a halt and indicated they would spend the night in the clearing just off the trail.

“We are not far from Angragar,” announced Mobi. “We will be able to enter as the sun rises.”

Mobi prepared a meal and Lord Marak peppered him with questions about the jungle and the Qubari people. Mobi appeared pleased with the interest Marak showed and began asking questions about life in Khadora. Mobi’s eyes landed on Marak’s sword as the Khadoran lord removed his black cape.

“Is that the snake sword in the mural?” Mobi asked.

“I have not seen the mural yet,” reminded Marak as he drew the sword and handed it to Mobi. “Did it look like this?”

Mobi nodded his head and held the Sword of Torak up to examine it. “What is so special about this sword?”

“I really do not know,” frowned Marak. “It was a gift from the Chula people to me, yet I have been told not to say that it is a gift. It has great significance to the Chula. They call it the Sword of Torak, which is also the name I chose for my clan.”

“It feels lighter than I would expect from just looking at it,” admired Mobi. “So you are considered the Torak as Rejji is considered the Astor?”

“Yes,” nodded Lord Marak, “but I do not know the meaning of it. The Chula say in time I shall know. That is one of the reasons I wish to see this mural.”

“I understand,” stated Mobi. “I know much confuses Rejji as well. I guess it is for God to tell you what it means when the time comes. We only know that the coming of the Astor has been foretold for centuries. The Qubari are excited.”

“Maybe the mysteries can be solved in Angragar,” posed Marak as he took the sword back from Mobi. Mistake mentioned a large library there.”

“Yes but we did not have time to really examine it,” interjected Rejji. “Do you think books that old would reveal anything?”

“The mural is just as old,” reminded Marak. “If the Astor and the Torak can be pictured in a mural, then perhaps the books hold clues as well.”

“It is dangerous to remain there for a long time,” warned Rejji. “While the hellsouls did not enter the temple last time, there is nothing to say that they won’t become less fearful this time.”

“Then we shall strike fear into their hearts,” promised Marak. “Instead of fleeing from them, perhaps we should engage them. The four of us can use our skills to slay them, and you can use your staff to ensure they do not return.”

“There are hundreds of them,” warned Mobi. “We could be overwhelmed quickly.”

“Then we run,” chuckled Lord Marak. “What I am saying that we should try to do,” added Marak as he turned serious, “is to attack them straight on, so that they have cause for fear instead of us. I do not expect that we can kill them all, but fear can be a powerful weapon too.”

“I understand,” nodded Mobi. “Fear has gripped the hearts of many who have entered the jungle. The plan might buy us enough time to accomplish what we want to. Let us rest long this night then, so we are fresh in the morning.”

The group finished their meal and retired for the night. Rejji awoke before the lightening of the sky and saw that he was the last to awaken. Halman and Gunta sat around a small fire and ate the morning meal, while Marak and Mobi talked softly in the bushes a few paces away. Rejji helped himself to some food and wandered over to the conversation.

“If they could be delivered to an enemy,” Marak was saying, “then they could tip the balance of a battle.”

“As long as the enemy did not know of the aftereffects,” nodded Mobi.

“Would if be possible for me to take a lygrim plant with me to Khadora?” Lord Marak asked.

“I will ask Dumo when we return to the village,” stated Mobi. “I do not foresee any problem with your request though. It may not survive well in Khadora, but I am sure you have already thought about that.”

“I am sure my mages can come up with something to keep it healthy,” replied Marak.

“How could the lygrim be a weapon?” asked Rejji.

“Because of the long sleep that follows when you stop,” responded Mobi. “If the enemy thought that there was no price to pay for the extra energy and had their troops eat it, the army would sleep soundly after they got to where they are going.”

“So the army would be very vulnerable,” nodded Rejji. “That is a great idea if you could get the enemy to buy it.”

“It is just something to keep in the back of your mind,” declared Marak. “Now that the Astor has arisen, we should begin our trek to Angragar.”

Halman and Gunta were already extinguishing the fire as Rejji returned to the campsite. Everyone gathered their belongings and Mobi led the group onto the trail as the first rays of the sun started to filter through the jungle canopy. It was less than hour to Angragar and Mobi led the group at a steady, but not punishing pace. As they arrived at the large gates, the Khadorans drew their swords and Rejji touched the gate to open it.

“Protect the Astor well, my friend,” Gunta said softly to Mobi. “He is the key to our survival.”

“Nothing shall touch him,” nodded Mobi as Rejji closed the gate.

“Does this street lead to the temple?” queried Lord Marak.

“Yes,” Rejji responded. “It is quite a ways up it though.”

“Then allow me to lead,” suggested Lord Marak as he signaled Gunta to the right and Halman to the left. “If Mobi will cover our rear, I think we can keep you in the middle of us safely. Touch each hellsoul that you can reach safely, but leave those that would require you to leave our circle.”

Rejji had seen enough of the skill of the Torak soldiers to agree to Marak’s plan and he nodded. Marak led the group along the broad avenue with Rejji protected in the center of the human diamond. They walked silently and their eyes never stopped scanning the streets and buildings. They progressed three blocks before Halman made a hand signal indicating trouble ahead. As they approached the next intersection, Rejji felt his staff warm his hand. Halman halted short of the corner and let the rest of the party continue. As they entered the intersection, three hellsouls appeared to their left on the cross street.

Lord Marak stepped towards them and swung his long sinuous sword. He swiftly decapitated the first hellsoul. The body disappeared in smoke and Marak converged on the second. Halman stepped out of his hidden position and attacked the last hellsoul, which had not seen him. The small battle was over in seconds as Marak moved back into position at the head of the group. Rejji touched the body of the hellsoul that Halman had killed with his staff and the body dissipated instantly. There were no bodies from the two that Lord Marak had killed.