Alone and using soft words to keep unwanted ears from hearing, Alex met Allahandra’s level gaze. “Before we meet this Zawat I must show you something.”
“What would that be?”
“Firstly I must have your word that what I’m about to teach you will only be passed to any heirs you may have or whoever will succeed your throne. This can only be known to those of a royal bloodline.”
She nodded with complete seriousness. “You have my word, only my successor will ever know what will be taught.”
He smiled. “Okay, as you know Jugo has been a kingdom within Ra’van’s southern territories for many centuries. Several generations ago my ancestors combined the kingdoms and both relied upon each other with mutual respect. To always know the rightful heirs between the two provinces a secretive custom had been established.” He then raised and stretched out both hands. “As a sign of good health and friendship you take your left hand and firmly grasp your right wrist.” And he grabbed his fang engraved bracer at the wrist. She followed his example without question, grasping the golden bracelet of her own wrist. “And using your free right hand you grasp the other person’s left forearm, signifying that our words will be solid, true and unbreakable.” Alex then stepped forward and grabbed her bent left forearm and felt a solid object. “Actually it would be best to hide your dagger somewhere else.” She sighed, but knew he would be there should anything happen and she need protection. She slipped off the ornate dagger and sat it beside a pillow she’d sit upon when negotiations began. “Now go ahead and grab my left forearm.” She did. “Now this is a secret for if word spread and someone approached either an heir of Ra’van or High priest and King of Jugo and not be of royal lineage the long standing truce between my homeland would go to war and a great many would die. As a friend I’m trusting you to not ignite a war that claimed more lives over the centuries than the war currently facing us.”
“If you don’t mind me asking…”
“Why were the two kingdoms warring?” He asked when she couldn’t properly articulate a nagging question. She nodded. “Because the northern continent of Ra’van is lush and fertile while much of Jugo is arid and desert, but their land is rich in iron ore and rare precious stones, especially crystal and jade. Their people sought better land to live on, but they didn’t seek compromise because of twisted beliefs. They are even more twisted with Yosh ruling now, but he knows well enough that his people would be wiped from existence should he challenge Runkamon openly. Only in the past few generations has Jugo become peaceful instead of an overzealous land with unfounded beliefs. Gerieg told me of many troubling stories his grandfather had dealt with in Jugo. When a new, humble High Priest became king, about three hundred years ago, the secret pact I just showed you was formed. From what I have been told Zawat is a peaceful practitioner of Juguan. His priests are strictly vegetarian and will not result to killing under any circumstance. If he is in fact the man my grandfather spoke fondly of during his youth then we will meet a powerful ally. Do not be frightened of his customs, for I can attest from stories they are odd, but they will never mean us harm in any way, shape or form.”
After she felt positive she understood they alone stepped outside the tent. Alex then met Lily’s tired and hungry eyes. He felt much the same if not more so. Marlin mirrored them both. Despite their physical ailments and rumbling stomachs, important work needed to be done. Allahandra sent five, fiend mounted, men over to the Juguan camp and told them that only five may accompany them, any more would be seen as a threat and would be dealt with accordingly.
All eyes watched the other camp come alive when the ten warriors of five men and fiend approached and spoke with the red robed priests and sash covered acolytes. Words were impossible to decipher in the distance, but no hostilities grew. The whole camp seemed amenable and four fully red robed priests approached, carrying one priest in the simplest white robe on a palate, almost like a king’s bearers. It seemed strange that humble priests would raise the high priest above all others until revealing him to be an elderly man who would be passing on to the next world within the next few short years and could no longer walk without assistance.
Alex positioned himself close to Allahandra, but stood tall as a warrior prince beside the regal queen.
The fifteen came to a complete stop and one of the officers ordered “All items and weapons must be handed over before going any further.”
Resentment flared within the four robed priests, but before they could voice their outrage Alex ordered “They are allowed to keep their sacrificial daggers. That is the one thing we cannot take from them.” The officer turned wide eyed to the prince and rent red faced, but before he could shout Alex raised a hand and explained coolly. “They will relinquish their items without problems, but their curved daggers are not easily taken. When these men chose to enter priesthood they were presented with the dagger and will keep it till they are buried with it plunged within their hearts to symbolize they willingly accept their fate and in doing so emulate the true sacrifice the Ancients did for us. These peaceful priests keep that knife and will only use it for certain rituals. They cannot use it on another or risk displeasing those they hope to meet when they pass into the beyond. Believe me, the knives are no more deadly than a brittle stick against another person. Allahandra and I will be safe enough. And if they are here under false pretences, Shade is quite hungry.”
“You know much of our ways.” The white robed priest said in a rich timbre that remained strong despite his advanced age and failing body. His wits remained clear and sharp as ever. That remained certain as their eyes connected. Brown weathered skin colored his features as it did for the other red robes. Alex knew he certainly remained tan, but these bald priests of the sand were bred to live in direct sunlight more powerful than he accustomed himself to.
“My Grandfather taught me much. Are you Zawat?”
“I am. And if not for your eyes and black hair I would swear an old friend stood before me. Alex, how is Gerieg fairing?”
“So it is true, you truly are Zawat.” The bald elderly man nodded with a smile upon the wooden chair. “The last time we spoke I knew he remained well of mind and body.”
“And what of Elo and Sheer?”
“They too are well.”
“We have much to discuss, may we begin soon? I am tired, but not as much as you are apparently. War has taxed you greatly.” He turned to his fellow priests and looked specifically at his son. “Remove your items so we may finish our task, my sons.” And to show good faith he pulled a box out from under the chair and shakily handed it over to a nearby Freelan officer, but made it clear he’d keep a hold of his eight inch dagger by laying it across his robed lap. Even after many decades the blade remained in absolute perfection.
The four other priests removed their items, but kept their daggers secure on the sash wrapped around their waist, easily seen at all times by anxious warriors. The priest closest to the old man took off level one specialty boots of russet color.
“We are ready your majesties.” Zawat said to Alex and Allahandra.
“Then have your men bring you in.” Allahandra spoke pleasantly and curtsied before turning into the tent. Alex and Lily followed. As his wife it would be fair to give her access to this matter and her skills with her blade eased the worry of some of the men knowing the queen had even more protection. Zawat entered, with the help of the priests, but as he was placed upon the ground only his true son remained at his side. The other three stepped out to guard the tent with the rest of Freelan.
Before anyone sat down Shade sniffed the old priest and Zawat didn’t show any hesitation and patted his cold, wet nose gently in meeting. Shade blinked and gently wagged his tail before settling down in the back. Ava flew to her leather perch and cocked her head in jerking motions seeing the man in her own way.
Without a word Alex knew custom dictated he go first and initiate the greeting. He clasped his right wrist and Zawat’s eyes opened in pleasant surprise
before a chuckle passed his lips. He mirrored Alex as a gnarled hand firmly grasped the wing engraved protector of his forearm with surprising strength. Allahandra also did the secretive greeting, but the priest became upset as Lily followed. Alex calmed him by introducing her as his wife. Of course Lily learned much from her love and didn’t wish to appear ignorant before another of high standing. The High Priest formally apologized for being rude and wished her and Alex well in their future together.
“I would like to introduce my son, Calosh.” Zawat presented and the red robe priest at his side bowed respectfully to those before him.
“It is an honor.” Calosh openly voiced.
Allahandra took a seat on the cushion and gestured for the others to do likewise. “Please forgive me for being blunt, Zawat, but I must say your timing couldn’t come at a worse time. Many of my people have come to despise the Juguan religion, but with the city behind us currently being secured from days of siege and hardship of leaving our home my people are on the breaking point. Please state your reasons for coming here at this time so that I may assure them you truly come in peace before they turn upon you all.”
Zawat nodded from his seat and opened a hand to Calosh sitting beside the chair. The red robe priest removed a letter from a fold and offered it to his elderly father. Zawat smiled, even making the wrinkles on his bald head stand even more prominent. “I like people with candor and despise fork-tongued speakers and I can see we will get much done in a short time. I can see the smoke and much battle debris even in this darkness, but we cannot be blamed for our timing and arrival because a moment I’ve been waiting for, for nearly the past forty years has finally come. Although Ra’van has been usurped for less than half this time, the religion we follow has been slowly twisted into a hideous beast and now there is a chance, just a chance I will admit, to straighten out the conceptions of our true home and people. In this letter I have detailed the best way of dethroning Yosh from his seat of power and thereby saving many of your people should you wish to keep Runkamon from finding another source of strength. As you are well aware, the people of Jugo are exceptionally resilient and difficult to stop when committed.”
He offered the letter and Allahandra openly admitted “It is true, I was planning to stop all trade and reinforcements garnered from the lower lands of Ra’van’s vast territory. I cannot simply take your word that this letter will be plausible until I council with my advisors. Until they know any and all risks I won’t be able to say one way or the other to accept or reject the plan.”
As she unrolled the letter he said “I wouldn’t expect anything less, but much of my life has been spent on this and I will not have the people of home I love fall victim to one man’s ideas and warping a fundamental aspect of something I’ve dedicated most of my life on.” The old man’s dark eyes shifted to Alex. “You of all people should understand my position better than anyone else, even if our belief system is different.” Alex saw in the old man’s eyes an iron will equal to his own, to find a glimmer of hope in the future by dethroning a tyrant and an unjust and corrupt leader who’s beliefs only serve to harm and take all for themselves.
“Is this written in Blood?” Allahandra exclaimed in startlement.
“It is.” Zawat admitted.
“Why?”
“Because” Lily clarified. “as a High Priest, matters deemed of upmost importance are written in blood to accent the seriousness of the written words. If I’m guessing right then what you are reading had been done so in Zawat’s very own blood to show you just how devoted the words to him actually are.”
“Very good, princess.” The old man smiled. “I see you will hold your station up well when the false king is dethroned.”
“I have an excellent teacher.” She said and rested a palm on Alex’s thigh.
“Only because my grandfather wouldn’t allow any of his lessons be forgotten.” Alex joked.
Calosh further explained “In my father’s current condition my brothers and I were uncertain if he would be capable of making the journey and had me carry the letter in his stead should the worst happen. I am glad he made it for if not for him I would guarantee our whole order would have been killed.”
All eyes settled on Alex and Shade. They didn’t apologize for how they reacted for they didn’t kill anyone yet and if the Juguan proved hostile he wouldn’t be caught ill prepared for a deadly fight.
Wetness gently nudged his cheek as Alex turned and saw Shade’s expression. He then altered his voice to relate the situation. Shade, Breaker and Ava listened, but Breaker multitasked as he read the letter over his partner’s shoulder. The letter must have been long and detailed because Alex finished translating what the current situation meant.
Shade then smiled. “I believe he’s telling the truth. He also holds no fear against me when I captured his scent and he greeted me.”
Zawat smiled back.
Lily caught the exchange and asked in disbelief “Can you understand what they are saying?” Allahandra paused in the reading to hear this for herself.
The elderly man shook his head. “I cannot, but I believe Shade is quite impressed by me otherwise he wouldn’t have smiled. I’ve lived quite a long time and have met my share of fiends and been on the receiving end of their rage more times than I care to remember. Although Shade is quite docile and content with me I know if I made any challenging attempts anyone in the room he would be as fierce as any of the truly wild fiends I’ve seen in my day. I can tell the difference between a smile and a warning.”
Allahandra returned to reading while only Alex growled with Shade and Ava. Lily remained still and silent, keeping an eye on the other daggers within reach of the priests and every subtle move they made while keeping one hand on the pommel of her swords. Then suddenly the queen gasped and choked up for a moment, but it quickly put the others on edge.
“What is it?” Alex asked casually, but flicked his thumb to make sure his sword could easily come free without effort.
The queen grasped a waterskin from a pack and took a long draught to cease coughing. She tapped the paper and offered it to Alex. “Read the last segment at the bottom.”
He and Lily both did and what they read made their jaw drop. She became the first to speak. “Zawat, is this true?”
He nodded only once and the conviction within his serious expression left little doubt it could be done. “In exchange for helping me and my fellow followers remove Yosh from his ill gained position I will personally halt the approaching Royal Guard coming from the north. One of my priests has seen the future and has said that if nothing changes they will arrive in three day’s time. He has also foreseen that if they arrive as scheduled there is a good chance that Freelan will crumble with all the recent battles and lack of serious rest. In return for me eliminating such a huge burden I seek my homeland returned to peace once again.”
“My seers had come to a serious conclusion as what you speak, but can it be done? How can it be done? If what Alex say’s is true, you cannot harm them in any way and I see no alternative on how such a thing could be possible.” Allahandra admitted while trying to find her composed state again. As Angie foretold, this is a monumental encounter.
“All I’m willing to divulge at the moment is that none will be harmed in the slightest and I will not persuade them to leave or alter them in any way. Until I get approval and your word that you will ally with us and free my homeland and see to it one of the peaceful priests take control, my son Calosh would be an ideal candidate to set matters right.”
“Am I to assume you will not take control?”
Zawat nodded. Alex noticed the way Calosh shifted uneasily on the pillow beside the chair while Zawat’s determination showed something else behind the words. The problem confirmed itself as the elderly man glanced at Alex and shook his head so subtly that the others didn’t notice. He understood then that Zawat’s time drew near and he would do something with it before the eternal abyss claimed him, but Alex knew that with his
own two close encounters with death the High Priest wouldn’t be coming back. Alex nodded and he saw the priests give a small sigh knowing how astute and observant a Furion could be and understood he wouldn’t tell anyone about what is to come.
“Your fellow priests,” Allahandra spoke again. “what is their purpose?”
“They are here to give aid and spread word to any who will listen. All but two dozen are great healers and will aid your own and ease their burden. As you already read in my proposal, less than a dozen will be needed to overthrow Yosh. Great numbers will only make matters worse and only slow you down. And knowing a bit about Furions, Alex will be the only one I must insist on going there. He will give the outlined plan the best chance at success. Especially since only he can get anywhere near close enough.”
The tent grew quiet till Alex’s stomach rumbled loudly enough to break the tension. They then began chuckling, but Allahandra walked around Zawat’s chair, stuck her head outside the flap and ordered a hearty meal brought for everyone in the tent. She then returned to her seat and further gained clarification on what the priest wanted and what they offered in return. She knew that another battle like what they did this day would severely harm them and Zawat’s very presence gave her hope that another large battle could be avoided without further bloodshed. The queen loved her people and all peoples, and would make sure they could return to their families. As many as she could manage to return that is. She knew she would accept his generous offer even if her council all said it wasn’t worth it.
To her it would be.
Nearly a half hour passed before the sound of a drawn cart approached. Soon after, four burly men entered the tent, after stating they were bringing in food and wine, and they came in carrying two layered plates of hot food each. Each received a plate while one man slung out a roasted beef hindquarter for Shade who rumbled his thanks.
Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy) Page 23