Island of Darkness (14 page)

Temiker noted the lack of a title for Emperor Marak. He had heard stories of the Chula, but he had never met one. His eyes clinically studied the features of the cat-man while he digested the shaman’s words.

“Emperor Marak is known to me,” Temiker declared. “I am pleased that he would send someone to aid in our investigation, but I am surprised that a Chula would come at the behest of a Khadoran.”

“Marak is our Torak,” Ukaro stated. “Much like Lyra is the Star of Sakova, Kaltara has chosen Marak to lead our people.”

“I am Omungan,” Temiker replied swiftly. “Why do you mention Sakovans to me?”

“You are Lyra’s uncle,” purred Ukaro as his lips split in a wide grin. “I know that my sudden appearance here may be unsettling for you, but I spoke with Lyra when she visited Khadora recently. I know of your relation to her, as well as your support for the Sakovan people. I also know that you are Omungan by birth. Frankly, Omungans to me are as much flatlanders as the Khadorans, but in this situation we must work together. I see your relationship to the Sakovans as an unconscious attempt to be aligned with the forces of good.”

“Just what is it that you want me to do?” asked Temiker.

“I am not familiar with the land or the people down here,” Ukaro said. “You are. You stare at my face wondering if I am planning to eat you. How far do you think I would get investigating the crops of farmers who do not understand why I am here?”

“Not very far,” conceded Temiker. “You would be hunted as soon as you were reported.”

“And hundreds of Omungans would die needlessly,” grinned Ukaro. “That is not a solution to the problem.”

Temiker tilted his head and gazed at the shaman after his display of self-confidence. He began to wonder about the magics of the Chula.

“Can you transform into a cat?” asked Temiker.

“That was me,” confirmed Ukaro. “It is the only way that I could approach you without being seen. I am pleased that you are so considerate of cats. I appreciated the scratch.”

“I am sure that you did,” chuckled Temiker as he warmed to his visitor. “I am happy that Marak was able to convince you to come here and help. Do you think that you can discover what is affecting the crops?”

“I can only try,” shrugged Ukaro. “I will say that the Chula know a great deal about plants and growth, as well as the animal kingdom. I am willing to stay as long as it is necessary to find a cure for the Omungan problem. Will you help me?”

“Of course,” Temiker nodded. “I am well known in these parts, and I have had my students investigating the mysterious disease. The local farmers would not think anything of me stomping through their fields, even if I did have a hooded friend along. When would you like to start?”

“Today,” replied the shaman. “I would like to see a field that you consider the worst hit. The greater the devastation to the crops, the better for my study.”

“Then you are in luck,” frowned Temiker. “Alamar was the first region to be hit by this disease. It all started here and has since spread around the country. This region has all of the worst fields. You can have your pick.”

“Then let us get started,” Ukaro said as he rose.

“Before we leave,” interjected Temiker. “Were you serious in your boast about killing Omungans?”

“It was not a boast,” answered the shaman. “I did not come here seeking to kill flatlanders, but I am very capable of defending myself. I hope to avoid such confrontations.”

“I will help you avoid trouble,” offered Temiker, “but I am curious about your Chula magic. Perhaps you can teach me some of it?”

Ukaro’s eyes narrowed as he gazed at the flatlander. Chula magic was a closely guarded secret, but he also knew that Marak had already taken steps to change that tradition.

“Perhaps,” Ukaro eventually replied.

“Come in, StarWind,” Lyra said. “There is worry in your eyes, StarWind. Sit and tell me what is wrong this morning.”

“It is what I was expecting,” sighed StarWind. “I just did not expect it so soon.”

“A message from SunChaser?” Lyra asked.

“Yes,” nodded StarWind. “Imperial Guards have been leaving Okata all week. They have not been marching out of the city in large armies, which is why SunChaser did not pick up on it sooner, but the effect is the same. She invited General Kapla for dinner last night. He confirmed that the troops are filtering out of the city and regrouping.”

“Was she able to discover the destination of these armies?” inquired the Star of Sakova.

“We are the destination,” reported StarWind. “The Katana has instructed the army to find StarCity and destroy it. They plan on entering the Sakova over a broad front in great numbers.”

“So it begins,” Lyra frowned.

“Yes,” agreed StarWind, “but it gets worse. Our food shipments to the Omungan cities must be stopped immediately. The Omungans plan to follow any Sakovan caravans directly back here.”

“So we must let the Omungans starve in order to maintain our security?” questioned Lyra. “Surely there must be another way?”

“I cannot think of one,” replied StarWind. “There were caravans due to go out this morning for Campanil and Tanzaba. I ordered them to wait until you authorized them to proceed.”

“What of the other caravans?” asked Lyra.

“The caravans to Fortaka and Gatong should already be on their way back here,” answered StarWind. “The one to Alamar is probably just arriving there.”

“Are those caravans likely to be followed?” asked Lyra.

“We can’t know for sure,” admitted StarWind. “All three cities are far from Okata, but the troops have had a week to move about. I would feel safer if we ordered them to abandon the wagons and race back here.”

Lyra sat silently for some moments staring at the large wall map. The Sakova was a very large area and the Imperial Guards would not find StarCity easily, but their plan to follow the caravans held great risk to the secrecy of the location of the Sakovan stronghold.

“What has been the general feeling toward Sakovans in the cities?” she asked the Sakovan spymaster.

“The food shipments have greatly impressed the people of the Omungan cities,” answered StarWind. “In Alamar and Fortaka crowds gather and cheer when the caravans arrive. Campanil and Tanzaba are more subdued, but the appreciation is still great. I cannot imagine what the Omungan people will think when we stop the deliveries, but we must.”

“Larst has put us in the position of starting the war,” fumed Lyra. “We will be seen as shutting off the food deliveries just when the Omungan people have become dependent upon them.”

“And when we attack the Imperial Guards entering the Sakova,” added StarWind, “Larst will parade the casualties for all to see. It will be seen as an unprovoked attack by the savages.”

“Exactly,” nodded Lyra. “How do we thwart his plan?”

“We developed a defense plan in the meeting you called last week,” declared StarWind. “I thought the issue was settled.”

“For the defense of StarCity, it is,” replied Lyra, “but that is not what we are facing right now.”

StarWind nodded absently as she chewed on her lower lip and pondered the question. She rose from her chair and walked to the wall map. Lyra also rose and joined the spymaster.

“What are you thinking?” Lyra asked.

“Two thoughts come to mind,” StarWind replied distractedly. “Both are very risky.”

“Explain your thoughts,” Lyra said. “We will discuss the risks after.”

“Alright,” StarWind said. “Larst expects great casualties to his troops entering the Sakova. What if he did not get his wish?”

“Do you mean to just let the Imperial Guards run rampant through the Sakova?” questioned Lyra. “The secrecy of StarCity would never withstand such scrutiny.”

“That is not exactly what I had in mind,” StarWind replied with a weak smile. “We have made the Sakova seem a nightmare for generations. Suppose we reinforced those thoughts on the Imperial Guards?”

“Those tales were told to frighten children,” frowned Lyra. “Do not expect soldiers to react the same way.”

“Those soldiers were children not too long ago,” smiled StarWind. “They still remember those nightmarish tales. While they will not easily show their fear to those around them, I am willing to wager that the fears still exist.”

“Even if we try to frighten the Imperial Guard out of the Sakova,” Lyra shook her head, “Larst will still have the bodies to show the people. That accomplishes little.”

“Bodies?” grinned StarWind. “There will be no bodies. I am talking about frightening the soldiers without leaving any bodies. Think in terms of scouts disappearing, food supplies vanishing, strange sounds in the night so soldiers cannot sleep, and small items taken off the sleeping bodies of soldiers.”

“Can that be done?” Lyra asked as she remembered her own first visit to the Sakova. MistyTrail had terrorized her and her friends.

“You know that it can be,” smiled StarWind. “HawkShadow is an expert at such things. SkyDancer is also fairly adept, although I wish MistyTrail was still here.”

“Still,” Lyra shook her head, “two people against the hordes that will be invading us? I am not sure anything will be gained.”

“Nothing will be lost if they don’t get caught,” retorted StarWind. “We lose nothing from our defense plan by letting them try.”

“Agreed,” decided the Star of Sakova. “You mentioned two ideas. What is the second?”

“The Katana wants us to cut off our food deliveries so that the Omungans hate us,” explained StarWind. “Suppose we do the opposite? Suppose we inform the Omungans of what their Katana is trying to do to them?”

“And then continue to send them food anyway?” Lyra asked with a puzzled frown. “Our people will be killed. I will have sacrificed them to make a point.”

“I said the plans were risky,” countered StarWind. “I think we could lower the risks by sending caravans to selected cities at selected times. Say that we saw an opportunity to send food to Fortaka while the Imperial Guard was elsewhere. The Omungans would move their troops to make sure that we didn’t do it again.”

“But we would send our caravans in the opposite direction,” nodded Lyra. “This plan has merit, but we will need good intelligence on the movements of the Imperial Guard. What about the individual city garrisons? Won’t they interdict the shipments without the help of the Okata armies?”

“I am not sure,” admitted StarWind. “While the city garrisons are Imperial Guards, they are mostly men from that city. They have families that are starving inside the walls. I think a lot will depend upon how favorably the people of the city look upon us.”

“You said that Fortaka and Alamar were the most welcoming of the Omungan cities,” schemed Lyra. “I want to take both of the caravans scheduled to leave today and redirect them to one of those cities.”

“For what purpose?” questioned the Sakovan spymaster. “Both cities have just received shipments.”

“Because those are our strongholds in the Omungan population,” replied Lyra. “We will boost food supplies of one of those cities before the Imperial Guard disrupts our deliveries.”

“I will see to it,” nodded StarWind. “I will actually feel better with caravans going to only one city at a time. It lessens the chance of interdiction. I will send both caravans to Alamar. The approach to that city is safer than Fortaka.”

“Good,” smiled Lyra. “I will be traveling with the caravans.”

“What?” gasped StarWind. “You will do no such thing. While our people are willing to risk their lives to feed the Omungans, we are not willing to risk our Star.”

“Then guard me well,” Lyra said firmly. “I plan to speak to the people of Alamar. Larst has to be seen for what he is, whatever that is.”

“Oh,” frowned StarWind, “I almost forgot. I spoke to Lord Marak about your question of someone taking over another’s body. He said it recently happened in Khadora. He does not know how it was accomplished, but he is certain that Zygor inhabited the body of a Khadoran lord.”

“That explains much,” frowned Lyra. “I thought Larst had turned dramatically. Now it makes sense. So once again they have a false Katana. Omunga needs a better method of leadership.”

“Do not even think of deposing another one,” warned StarWind. “I am sure that the army generals would seize control of the country.”

“That is a problem for the future,” nodded Lyra. “At least I understand now that I did not misjudge the man. Ready my caravans for Alamar. The sooner we get there, the less chance that the Imperial Guards from Okata will have to arrive before we do.”

* * *

Temiker led the gray-hooded Ukaro through the streets of Alamar towards the western gate. They were heading to the fields outside the walls when they were forced to pause at the main road leading through the city. Three wagons loaded with Sakovan food proceeded along the street. Citizens poured from the buildings and cheered as the wagons passed. A huge crowd flowed into the street and joyfully followed the caravan. People waved to the Sakovans and called them by name. It was a carnival atmosphere that pervaded the city. Farther down the street, the local Imperial Guards cheered and cleared a path to the marketplace.

On the steps of the Imperial Guard headquarters, a captain from Okata watched the display as his squad led their horses towards the stables behind the building. He shook his head in disgust and entered the building. He walked across the floor to the counter and demanded to speak with General Manitow. The Imperial Guard behind the counter gave him directions, and the captain strode off purposely. He passed along a corridor and entered a large office. He saluted as the general looked up.

“I am Captain Gachiral,” he declared. “I have been sent from Okata with directives concerning the Sakovans.”

“What are the directives?” asked General Manitow.

“The Katana has declared that the Sakova must be conquered,” stated the captain. “Already the armies are positioning for a push into the Sakovan heartland. You are instructed to secure the city of Alamar, and await the arrival of the army of General Romero. He will be here within the week.”

“Is the Katana aware that the Sakovans are supplying us with food?” asked General Manitow.