Web of Deceit

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “A number of reasons.” Sebastian conceded, “but it is hard to explain. You are putting me in the position of judging you and that is not my position. I am seeking a person from Fakara for a client. I know his needs and I think you suit his purpose, but he is the one to make that decision.”

  “Yet he is not the one choosing the proper slave to purchase,” pushed Rejji. “You are, in fact, judging me by choosing to present me to this man. This trap you laid today was to judge me. Why not ask me if I will do what it is he wants done? I have little incentive to lie to you.”

  “You have a great deal of incentive to lie to me,” retorted Sebastian. “I need to know your character well before the proposition is put to you. Otherwise I will not know the lie when I hear it.”

  “You have taken a chance on me by wasting your days spying on me,” reasoned Rejji. “You have taken a chance on me by purchasing me and my friends. You have taken a chance on me by assuming I would not lead a revolt today and attempt to overrun you in our escape. Take another chance on me. I have never lied to you and will not now. Tell me why I am important to your client and what it means for me.”

  Sebastian sat silently for a time and then nodded his head slightly.

  “All right,” the merchant sighed. “My client is concerned about Fakara. We have heard rumors of the Jiadin calling together the tribes. Clearly, there is not much in Fakara for them to pillage should they unite. Instead of the tribes fighting one another, we fear a hundred thousand tribesmen crossing the Fortung Mountains and waging war on Khadora. I happened to be at the estate the day you were sold into slavery. Your handling of the situation to remain with your friends was intelligent and showed a certain amount of shrewdness. These are qualities we need.”

  Rejji’s mouth hung open in awe as Sebastian continued. “In Khadoratung, I was early for the return to the Pikata estate. I recognized you and decided to learn more about you. You showed a certain adaptability to a foreign experience and did not attempt to flee, but rather learned to adjust. Lastly, your saving of Mistake at the estate not only showed ingenuity, but extreme loyalty to your friends. The loyalty is quite admirable, but could also be a failing to my client’s needs. That is why I designed today’s test. The question was whether you would do what is in your friends’ best interests or would you do what your friends desired.”

  “And how would you expect me to know what is in their best interests?” replied Rejji. “I still do not know what lies ahead. What can I do about Fakara and the Jiadin?”

  “I expected you to know a trap when you saw one. Answer me three questions and I will decide if I should explain more,” offered Sebastian.

  Rejji nodded and Sebastian continued, “How did you know you were in a dead canyon?”

  Rejji measured the merchant only momentarily before answering. “Bakhai is an animal talker. The birds told him we were trapped.”

  Sebastian’s eyes widened, but he asked, “How does Mistake move so swiftly? Is it magic?”

  Rejji frowned and was silent for a moment. “I really don’t know,” he answered. “I had not even thought it might be magical, but I know nothing of magic. I have often wondered myself how she does it.”

  “A fair and honest answer,” nodded Sebastian. “If you were free to do whatever you wanted in life, what would you do?”

  Rejji took some time to dwell on this question. It was a question he had asked himself many times over the past few weeks.

  “At one time,” began Rejji, “I would have said that I wanted to avenge the deaths of my fellow villagers by destroying the Jiadin. I think I have come to realize that I am not capable of doing that. I think if you set us free right now, I would take my friends back to Fakara and attempt to become a merchant.”

  “What would you do with your new found wealth?” inquired Sebastian.

  Rejji knew that was the fourth question, but he reasoned it was a fair one. “I am not sure,” he answered. “If I amassed great wealth, I imagine I would try to improve the quality of life in Fakara. There is too much misery in my country and, after being exposed to the wealth of Khadora, I know that things can be much better for them. The people of Fakara work much harder than even the slaves of Khadora. I think given a chance, they could create a nation of wealth that would end the misery.”

  “If the tribes did not plunder the wealth,” reasoned Sebastian. “Your answers are more than I had hoped for. I think my client may indeed help you achieve your goal.”

  “Do you mean he would set us free?” asked Rejji. “I mean the three of us because I cannot envision getting on with my life without Bakhai and Mistake.”

  “More than that,” nodded Sebastian. “I think your life is going to take a turn for the better.”

  “I have heard that slaves are never set free,” Rejji retorted skeptically. “Who is this client that would break Khadoran custom, and why would he help me?”

  “That must remain a secret,” smiled the merchant, “even after you have met him. He does break custom and nobody should know of it. Let us get some sleep and an early start in the morning. I am anxious to present you to him. I will guard the entrance to the canyon tonight. If you hear any noise, shackle all of the prisoners quickly and then don a garment from the bag you so cleverly browsed this afternoon. You are to be my partner, so act the part of a merchant.”

  Sebastian rose and headed downstream. Rejji watched him disappear into the woods. Exhilaration raced through Rejji’s veins as he headed back to the campsite. He did not reveal his conversation with Sebastian, but ordered everyone to clean up the campsite and get to sleep. He endured Mistake’s pleas for information with silence, but eventually told her that life was going to be wonderful soon. While nobody understood what had transpired, Rejji’s elation had a soothing effect and the camp settled down to sleep.

  The night passed without incident and they left early in the morning. Excitement buzzed through the slaves when they were told they could ride without the shackles, but they must put them on themselves if someone approached the wagon. Rejji rode up front again and Sebastian questioned him all day about life in Fakara. He seemed particularly interested in Rejji’s time with the Zaldoni.

  On the afternoon of the third day, they entered an estate and the wagon halted outside a modest mansion. The slaves were told to exit the wagon. Several people approached the wagon and Sebastian disappeared into the mansion.

  “Welcome to Fardale, home of the Torak clan,” the woman said to the gathering of slaves, “my name is Kasa and I am the Bursar here. I know your journey has been long and tiring and we have arranged to make you more comfortable. We have baths set up for you and clean clothes. After you are refreshed, we will have a feast in your honor attended by Lord Marak.”

  The slaves shook their heads and puzzled frowns adorned many a face, but Kasa continued, “We had not expected any male visitors, but I am sure we can arrange to accommodate you as well. I know you all have questions and I can assure you the questions will be answered at the feast. Relax and enjoy the Torak hospitality. There is nothing for you to fear here.”

  Kasa started leading the female slaves into the mansion. Mistake tried to stay with Rejji and Bakhai, but Rejji just smiled and shooed her to go with the other women. Rejji gazed around the compound and noted that while it was not as fancy as the Pikata estate, everyone he saw carried a smile, especially the ones who had noted the arrival of the merchant’s wagon.

  A soldier, dressed in black and silver appeared and walked over to Rejji and Bakhai.

  “I am Zorkil,” greeted the soldier. “I can take you to a private bath and I will get you some clothes while you remove the trail dirt.”

  Rejji and Bakhai followed Zorkil into the mansion. Everyone who passed greeted them and Rejji began to like the Torak estate very much. At the Pikata estate, everyone passed while pretending not to notice you, while here he found the greetings to be pleasant and sincere. Zorkil was kind and helpful and the bathing was accomplished quickly. When they were
dressed, Zorkil led them downstairs to a dining hall where the women were already seated and half a dozen people scurried about bringing food to the table. Rejji inhaled the aroma of fresh roasted meat and promptly sat in the first available chair. Bakhai sat next to him and they greedily sampled everything on the table.

  A fair number of slaves over indulged and laughs were commonplace when the door opened and a young blond man entered in the black and silver uniform that Zorkil had worn. He walked to the head of the table and smiled as his eyes swept the newcomers. An elderly woman entered and stood by his side.

  “Greetings and welcome to Fardale,” smiled the man. “I am Lord Marak of the Torak clan. I will not take up a lot of your time as I am sure you are tired from your journey, but there are few things I must say before you settle down here in Fardale. Most of you are mages, although I understand we have a few who are not. This woman at my side is Klora, our head mage here at Fardale. She will be addressing the mages after I speak.”

  “The most important thing I have to say to you today,” Marak continued, “is that you are no longer slaves. Our Seneschal is drawing up papers as we speak which will formalize your freedom.”

  Murmurs broke out around the room and Marak merely smiled and waited for the noise level to subside.

  “I do require vows of service,” Marak stated. “That is from those of you who will be staying with us. I think after Klora speaks, you will find that life will be exciting here. For our other three travelers, I ask you to join me in the meeting room when you have had your fill of food.”

  Marak smiled warmly and left the room. Rejji rose immediately to follow Lord Marak and Bakhai and Mistake hurried to catch up. The three Fakarans caught up to Lord Marak as he was entering the meeting room. He ushered them in and closed the door.

  “Are we really free?” Mistake blurted out. “Or do these vows you want tie us to you as solidly as chains?”

  “Sit,” Marak grinned, “and I shall discuss it with you.”

  “First off,” Marak began after everyone was seated, “I do not ask any of you to give the Vows of Service. That is unless you desire to stay here in Fardale. I understood that you were keen on getting back to Fakara.”

  “That has been our goal,” conceded Rejji. “I will admit that everyone seems very happy here. Why do you purchase us and then give us our freedom? Surely you want something in return.”

  “There is something I would like you to do,” admitted Marak, “but you are not obligated to do it. From what I have heard, you wish to make your nation prosper. I would like to see that as well.”

  “Why should you care about Fakara or us?” quizzed Mistake. “If we are indeed free now, why can’t we just return to Fakara and be done with you.”

  “You can,” sighed Marak. “I will not try to stop you from doing just that, but I can make it a lot easier for you.”

  “What do you wish us to do?” questioned Rejji. “I think we should hear your desires before we start running off,” he added with a frown at Mistake.

  “I want several things,” Marak said. “I want information on Fakara. From people who know the country. I would also like to see a prosperous neighbor that would not seek to invade Khadora. I understand that you wish to be a merchant in Fakara and desire to better the country for your fellow Fakarans. I have a proposition for you. I will provide you with horses, gold, and an escort to the Fortung Mountains. Furthermore, if you are able to establish a trading port in Fakara, I am prepared to have ships stop there and provide transportation for your goods to Khadoran markets. In addition, the same ships will provide goods that you need to build Fakara and make it prosperous.”

  “Do you really think I can do that?” asked an astonished Rejji. “I am barely old enough to join the tribes.”

  “I don’t know if you can,” admitted Marak. “As for your age, you are not much younger than I am. What the merchant has told me is promising. You appear to have a natural knack for trading and you appear sincere in your desires.”

  “Why trade by boat?” questioned Mistake who was feeling left out of the conversation.

  “The tribes mostly,” Marak said. “I don’t think your caravans would make the trip out of Fakara unmolested. In fact, your trading port if you manage to establish one, would be a prime target for the Jiadin.”

  “And you are going to give all of this to us for nothing,” questioned a skeptical Rejji.

  “No,” conceded Marak. “The initial gold and horses will be my gift to you for any information you can provide that will help me better understand the tribes and your country. After that, we shall negotiate a trading agreement that is fair to both parties. You will pay for supplies we ship into Fakara, and I will pay for goods you ship to Khadora. We can provide most types of food and seeds, wool and clothing, lumber, and even the tools you will require to build.”

  “All we need to do is find something to export,” frowned Rejji. “Where do you want this port?”

  “Anywhere east of the Giaming Mountains would be best,” answered Lord Marak. “That would be the farthest away from the Jiadin as you could get and is close enough to Raven’s Point where my ships are based.”

  “You ask a great deal of me, Lord Marak,” Rejji said. “I like your plan and thank you for even thinking I could do it, but I think if it was possible, someone would have already done it.”

  “Like selling midday meals to the merchants in Khadoratung?” Marak grinned. “I don’t know if this plan is workable. I am willing to forfeit the gold to give it a try because the benefits far outweigh the risk. It is your decision to make, Rejji. While you ponder it, you are welcome as a guest of the Torak clan. You will find us a friendly people, so feel free to ask questions of anyone. If you need assistance of any kind, someone will see that you get it.”

  “It is a most gracious offer, Lord Marak,” smiled Rejji. “I will think about it.”

  Rejji rose to leave and the other Fakarans followed his lead. Marak sat in silent contemplation after they left. Almost silently, the door opened and closed and Marak looked up.

  “Fisher,” smiled Marak, “sit down.”

  “Did you make your offer?” the gaudily dressed merchant asked.

  “I did,” nodded Marak. “The lad is hesitant and that speaks well of him. If he were planning to take my gold and run, he would have jumped at the chance. I believe the pointy-eared girl wanted to. I have to ask Klora if she can test the girl for magic skill without her knowing it.”

  “You have a need for her magic?” inquired Fisher.

  “If she has some, yes,” smiled Marak. “She feels left out of this whole process. I think if I can bring her into the plan, Rejji will follow with both feet. I like the lad. You judged him well and are to be congratulated once again.”

  “Thank you,” nodded Fisher. “It will be interesting to see how the three of them react to freedom. It has been the center of their attention since coming to Khadora. Now we shall see what is truly on their minds.”

  Chapter 13

  Torak Clan

  “Here she comes,” declared Bakhai as Mistake strode into the small cove near the stream.

  Rejji watched Mistake approach and smiled when he saw the grin on her face. “Looks good,” he commented on her new animal skin attire.

  “Thanks,” she beamed. “It fits much better than the clothes I lost at the Pikata estate. Thanks for arranging it, Bakhai.”

  “I like mine too,” Bakhai agreed. “They do nice work here.”

  “You would look good in skins, Rejji,” commented Mistake. “

  “And you wouldn’t smell like a clova to the animals,” added Bakhai.

  Rejji looked at his two friends and shook his head. “I will think about it,” he said, “but clothing is not the reason we are meeting here. We have been here several weeks now and it is time we decide what we are going to do. Lord Marak has been subtly pushing for an answer to his proposition. He seems willing to let us stay here and integrate into the clan, but he re
ally wants us to return to Fakara.”

  “I thought that was our plan all along,” frowned Mistake. “I still want to find the Sage of the Mountain.”

  “It has been our plan,” agreed Rejji, “but the last few weeks have been good here. They have let me train with the army and accepted me as one of their own. The soldiers here have the greatest pride in Lord Marak and themselves and they are well trained. They have taught me much. I think I could get used to living here.”

  “The animals like the Toraks too,” interjected Bakhai. “They say this area was dying before the blond human came. Now they are happy. There are even large cats about that are more intelligent than any I have met, but it is as if they keep a secret from me. They laugh among themselves when I try to find out more about them, but they are very happy too. I like it here, but I will go where you go. I have never had human friends like you two.”

  “They are nice,” nodded Mistake. “The people who used to be slaves are happy and devoted to making the clan better. I have not found one dissenter among the people. The mages even taught me a trick, but I still want to find my family and that means returning to Fakara.”

  “What kind of trick?” Rejji asked.

  “Something called an Air Tunnel,” answered Mistake. “It allows you to talk or hear over distances. Maybe it will help us find the Sage.”

  “You really want to find him badly, Mistake,” Rejji smiled. “I cannot blame you for that. If that is what we are going to do though, we should not mislead Lord Marak and tell him we are going to be merchants. I will not take his gold under false pretenses. We can get to Fakara without his aid.”

  “Why can’t we do both?” questioned Mistake. “It should not take forever to find the Sage and then we can try to find some place along the coast to do some trading.”

  “There may not be a Sage,” Rejji stated as he bit his lower lip. “We may be looking for him for a long time before we have to admit that. Besides, I do not know if I can do what Lord Marak wants me to do. He doesn’t understand what Fakara is like. There is little we have that the rich Khadorans would want to buy. Even finding a spot to build a dock for his boats where the tribes won’t destroy it will be a problem. His gold would be wasted.”