Richard Tuttle - Web of Deceit

“What kind of message?” Rejji asked.

“Ghala was attacked by the Jiadin yesterday,” informed Yltar. “The town has been destroyed, but no villagers were killed. There were some injuries, but nothing serious. Mistake was concerned that you might run into the army on your return and wanted you to be careful.”

“Destroyed?” echoed Rejji. “I thought they might attack eventually, but not so soon. How could this happen so suddenly?”

“She believes there was a traitor in your midst,” continued Yltar. “The braces on the gates were sabotaged and Mistake is sure that the Jiadin knew of this before they attacked.”

“Be thankful that nobody perished in the attack,” comforted Marak. “The buildings are easily replaced, but the people are not. I had wanted to spend some time here, but I think we should return immediately to Ghala. My men can defend the town while it is rebuilt.”

“If the people can be convinced to rebuild it,” Rejji said sadly.

“The people I saw in Ghala were hardy and proud,” smiled Lord Marak. “You have accomplished more than just building a town, Rejji. You have instilled a spirit in your people. You will not have to convince them to rebuild. In fact, I am sure the rebuilding will have already started by the time we return. I don’t think you fully understand the impact you have people. Do not sell them short.”

“Let us have a decent meal before you leave,” suggested Dumo. “It will give us a chance to talk and provide you with the energy for your travels.”

The Qubari laid out a feast for their visitors and Lord Marak had a chance to learn more about the Qubari people. He bonded well with Dumo and Yltar, as he had with Mobi.

“Yltar,” asked Lord Marak, “you are the one who Mistake taught the Air Tunnel, correct?”

“Yes,” nodded the shaman, “it is a wonderful spell and a great gift from your people to ours.”

“Can you contact Fardale with it?” Marak queried.

“Oh yes,” Yltar replied. “I have spoken with one of your mages there. That was my final test. Mistake had to make the link the first time, as I have never been there, but I can do it alone now.”

“Wonderful,” smiled Marak. “I would appreciate it if you would deliver a message for me.”

“Certainly,” responded Yltar.

“I would like to have the mage Klora take all communications from Mistake until I return to Khadora,” Lord Marak said. “If you could deliver that message for me and then ask Mistake to check in with Klora several times a day, I would be very grateful.”

“I will send the message as soon as you leave,” promised Yltar.

The meal ended and everyone could see that Rejji was anxious to return to Ghala, so the party reassembled and set out for the hike to where the Khadoran squad was camped. Mobi picked up the pace and the group sped silently through the jungle until the sky darkened. Mobi selected a clear area to settle in for the night and woke everyone before sunrise. They continued the fast pace of the day before and reached the edge of the jungle around high sun.

“This is where I leave you,” Mobi said. “It was a great honor to walk with the Torak and the Astor and I wish you both to return.”

“I would like that as well,” smiled Lord Marak.

Rejji and the Khadorans exited the jungle and found Botal’s squad alert and waiting for them. Lord Marak informed the squad of the attack on Ghala and the need to return there quickly. He also warned them of the presence of a Jiadin army in the area. The campsite was cleaned in moments and the squad set out for Ghala. They traveled on into the night, until Botal signaled for a silent halt. Lord Marak and Rejji rode forward until they were alongside Botal. They gazed down into a small valley and saw the men sitting around the campfire. Three wagons sat nearby and Lord Marak peered to see what was inside the wagons.

“I know that group,” whispered Rejji as he leaned close to Lord Marak. “Those are the slavers that sold me to the Pikata clan.”

Lord Marak stared at Rejji for a moment and then nodded to him. He raised his hand high and signaled his men with a series of exaggerated gestures. Rejji watched as the men of Botal’s squad started disappearing in different directions. Botal, Lord Marak, and Rejji sat on their horses silently for an hour before Lord Marak spoke.

“Now we shall visit your former jailers,” Lord Marak stated bitterly. “Ride silently.”

Lord Marak took the lead and headed straight for the campfire. He rode slowly and as quietly as possible. Rejji followed him and Botal took the rear. They got within five hundred paces before the slavers heard anything. Lord Marak maintained his pace as the slavers jumped to their feet and grabbed their swords.

“Who approaches the camp?” one of the slavers called out.

“I am Marak and two riders are with me,” Marak shouted back.

“What do you want?” the slaver called back. “We have no food to share here.”

“We do not seek food,” Marak called as he halted one hundred paces away.

“Well what do you want?” snarled the slaver.

“I want you to drop your weapons and raise your hands over your head,” called Lord Marak. “Failure to do so will result in one of my men shooting you with an arrow. Your camp is surrounded.”

The slavers looked suspiciously around the camp and returned to stare at Lord Marak. One of the slavers dropped his sword as his hand reached behind him to snare a throwing dagger from his belt. Marak sat calmly on his horse as the slaver fell face forward to the ground with an arrow protruding from his back.

“Any more heroes in the campsite?” called Lord Marak. “Drop your weapons now before I exterminate the lot of you.”

The slavers looked nervously around and then threw their swords to the ground. Rejji leaned close to Lord Marak and whispered in his ear.

“Turn around and face the fire with your hands held high,” Lord Marak ordered.

As the slavers complied, Lord Marak, Botal, and Rejji dismounted and Botal gathered the reins and held the horses.

“Mulando,” called Marak, “step backwards ten paces. Do it slowly.”

“Do I know you?” called Mulando as he cautiously moved backwards.

Rejji and Marak closed on the head slaver quietly. Lord Marak drew the Sword of Torak and let the blade rest on Mulando’s shoulder. The head slaver twitched involuntarily as his eyes focused on the tip of the sinuous blade. Rejji stooped and reached cautiously around the slaver’s body and yanked the pouch from his belt.

“You do not know me,” Marak stated as Rejji retrieved a key from the slaver’s pouch. “Instruct your men on their behavior, Mulando, and you shall all live through this encounter. If I wanted you all dead, we would not be talking now.”

Mulando started to nod his head, but thought better about the excessive movement with the sword still resting on his shoulder. “Listen well to him men. Let them take what they want. I will make up your losses, I swear.”

Rejji took the key and walked to the closest wagon and peered in. Inside the cage were three old women and two men around ten years older than Rejji. He unlocked the door and let it swing open.

“Go to the side of the wagon and do not move,” ordered Rejji. “You will be freed shortly.”

The men helped the women out of the cage and led them to the side of the wagon. They nodded politely to Rejji as they passed, but they still appeared frightened for their lives. Rejji backed away from the wagon on nodded to Lord Marak.

“Mulando,” Marak stated loudly, “I want your men to enter the cage so my archers can relax their bowstrings. Have them do it now.”