The Blood-stained Belt

by Brian H Jones

  ‘Zabrazal sees and knows everything.’

  'Even the thoughts and words of lovers? What an inquisitive being he is. Then I guess he deserves what he sees and hears.' Dana laughed, took my hand, and asked, ‘Shall we walk for a while?’

  We strolled hand in hand. Then Dana said, ‘I don’t know about Zabrazal being jealous but I do know someone who you have to watch out for.’

  ‘Who’s that?’

  Dana gave me a swift sidelong look and said simply, ‘Vaxili.’

  ‘Tell me more.’

  Dana pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. ‘Maybe I’m wrong, but – I don’t really know for sure –‘

  ‘Come on, Dana, tell me what you know.’

  Dana stopped walking, looked me in the eye, and said, ‘Vaxili is angry with Mecolo.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. Mecolo made a mistake. She should have honoured her father first.’

  Dana gave a short laugh, saying, ‘There wasn’t much to celebrate, was there?’

  ‘Nevertheless --.’ I shrugged.

  Dana pulled a wry face and said softly, ‘Yes! Nevertheless, Vaxili is her father, and he is the king. Mecolo should have been more prudent.' She said in a low voice, 'Sharma should be careful – and maybe so should you.’

  I took her hand and kissed it. ‘Thank you. I’ll be careful.’

  Dana said, ‘Mecolo still wants to meet Sharma.’

  ‘Oh, really? It sounds like she'd do better to lie low for a while.’

  Dana wrinkled her nose sceptically, saying, ‘Tell that to Mecolo!’

  ‘Damn it, Dana, tell Mecolo to cool it! Tell her to put her head down and to keep it there for a few months.’

  Dana gave a short laugh. ‘You don’t know Mecolo like I know her.’

  ‘Meaning --?’

  ‘She’s stubborn. She’s just about the most stubborn person that I’ve ever met.’

  By Zabrazal, I didn’t like this business involving Sharma and Mecolo. In fact, the more I thought about it the more risky and foolhardy it appeared to be. When I said that to Dana, she replied truculently, ‘I can’t tell Mecolo that. She won’t take “no” for an answer.’

  I felt that I was being tossed this way and that like a leaf in a blustery wind. Also, like a fallen leaf, I didn’t have any place to which I could anchor myself. After a few minutes of this mental buffeting, I said, ‘All right, let’s look at it this way -- it’s for Mecolo and Sharma to decide. It's their business, not ours.’

  Dana replied in a relieved tone, ‘Of course! What else?’

  Reluctantly, I agreed to keep my promise by arranging a meeting between Mecolo and Sharma.

  In the meanwhile, the army had to be rebuilt and it had to happen quickly. Jainar took control of the task. Speaking at a parade that was held about one week after the battle of Gandonda, he admitted with unusual frankness that the high command was responsible for the defeat. He also admitted that the army had been completely unprepared for the superiority that the Dornites enjoyed in experience, weapons and equipment. Jainar's speech didn't bring back our dead and captured comrades and it didn't turn defeat into victory but at least it boosted morale by giving the troops the impression that the same mistakes wouldn't be repeated.

  The fact that Vaxili didn't attend the parade didn’t improve his reputation in the eyes of the men. The general opinion was that Vaxili had sent Jainar to do his work for him because he lacked the courage to face the army himself.

  Nervously and apprehensively, everyone waited for the Dornites to press home the advantage that they gained after the battle. However, they didn’t do so. It seemed that the death of Drunuk really had given Keirine a breathing space. Jainar and his commanders used the time well, buying new armour and equipment and enrolling and training new recruits. In the face of the fresh-faced ignorance of these newcomers, Sharma and I felt like veterans. We had survived basic training, we had lived through our first battle and, most importantly, we had come away with honour and fame. In spite of my inclination to lie low in the face of Zabrazal’s censorious scrutiny, I allowed myself a hint of a swagger when we passed a squad of new recruits. God, they looked young and green to someone like me, who had been through the storm and had emerged as a hero. I even tried my swagger on my brother, Abozi, who was one of the newcomers. However, he just laughed at me, imitated my mannerisms satirically, and said that one corn cake didn't make a meal. He also said, in his characteristically sardonic manner, 'My dear brother Jina, you're only as good as your next performance. You'd better start thinking about how you're going to live up to your giant-killing reputation. After all, you don’t want to disappoint your admirers.' Abozi was young -- in fact, he was under-age for a recruit -- but he had a sober head on his shoulders. It was good to know that he was around and in fact, although I wouldn’t have admitted it, it was even good to be brought down to earth by him from time to time.

  About three days after my conversation with Dana, the meeting between Sharma and Mecolo took place. They decided to meet at the stables because Dana and Mecolo often went there. They had become enthusiastic riders during the last few months, ever since Vaxili acquired horses from Kitilat. As women, they caused a stir not only by riding but also by doing so in men’s leather breeches that fitted tightly at the waist, flared out over the hips – the modestly moral flare, as Dana called it – and then tightened from the knees down to the ankles.

  Dana met Sharma and me behind the stables and took us inside where Mecolo was tending to her horse. After making a show of introducing me to Mecolo, Dana casually introduced Sharma to her. Sharma took Mecolo’s hand, bowed over it, and said, ‘My lady Mecolo, I have heard a lot about you.’

  ‘All of it good, I hope?’

  ‘All of it excellent, my lady. But no one has ever done justice to your beauty. Perhaps no one could ever find the right words.’

  I cringed inwardly. I never could abide flattery. However, Sharma had no compunction in laying it on like plaster on a brick wall when a woman was involved and when he judged that he would profit by it. To me, it was so blatant that it embarrassed me just to see or hear it. However, instead of being repulsed by Sharma's flattery, most women rose to the bait like fish to a garish lure. In spite of her position, Mecolo wasn’t any different. Looking at him from under lowered eye-lashes, she said, ‘They say that beauty is only skin deep.’

  Still holding her hand, Sharma gave another little bow and said, ‘Perhaps it is with ordinary mortals. But in your case, my lady, I can see that it goes much deeper than that, like a lamp glass reflecting its flame.’

  Mecolo’s eyes flickered with pleasure and amusement. She released her hand, stood back, and said lightly, ‘You’re the same Sharma as carried the head of Drunuk on a lance, not so?’

  Sharma’s eyes gleamed with pleasure but he replied straight-faced, ‘I had no idea that you knew about it, my lady.’

  ‘Oh, it just happened to come to my attention. But, you know, I’ve had something on my mind ever since the army arrived back in town. Do you mind if I ask you a question?’

  Sharma took her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it, looked her in the eye, and said, ‘I am helpless before your beauty, my lady. Ask whatever you will.’ By God, he could lay it on thick when he wanted to! Didn’t he realise that he sounded like a simpering fop? Apparently not! Or maybe he didn’t care when a woman was concerned.

  Mecolo liked having it laid on her. That was plain to see – in fact, she liked it a lot. She asked, ‘Tell me, how did you overcome such a famous Dornite warrior?’

  With a straight face, Sharma replied, ‘In spite of his accomplishments, it seems that Drunuk was inclined to lose his head rather easily.’

  ‘That’s true. One would expect more of a Dornite general. But perhaps you shouldn’t have been lurking about outside his tent.’

  ‘Lurking, my lady? It seems that you’ve been misinformed.’

  ‘Oh, really? You weren’t lurking?’

  ‘My lady, I can assure you tha
t there were Dornite soldiers all around us. In the middle of a Dornite camp, there’s no time for lurking.’

  Mecolo laughed. ‘I’m glad to hear it. I would hate to think that you were the type to lurk.’

  Dana plucked at my sleeve and whispered, ‘We’ve done what we came here to do.’

  Outside, I said, ‘I’ll never get used to the way that Sharma makes up to women. Never!’

  Dana laughed admiringly and replied, ‘He’s a smooth operator, isn’t he? In fact, he’s charming.’

  ‘Charming? You think so?’

  ‘Of course! He likes women, he shows it, and he pays attention to them. That's all part of his charm.’ Dana looked at me, laughed, and took my hand, saying, ‘Oh, Jina, don’t be jealous!’

  ‘Jealous? Me? Ha!’

  ‘Well, by the look on your face, either you’re jealous or you’ve got a stomach ache.’

  Jealous? Me? I grabbed Dana by the waist and lifted her onto the railing of the horse pen. As I released my hold, she began to topple forward. I grabbed her again while she laughed uncertainly and steadied herself, gripping the top rail and tucking her feet under the lower rail. I took hold of her ankles and asked, ‘Do you still think I’m jealous?’

  ‘Jina! Careful! I’ll fall off!’

  I tightened my grip and asked, ‘Jealous, am I?’

  Dana wriggled, trying to get a firmer seat. She replied, half in amusement and half in alarm, ‘No, maybe not jealous.’ She reached for my shoulders but I leaned back, still holding her ankles.

  ‘What, then?’

  ‘Jina, if you make me fall, I’ll -' She grabbed hold of the railing again.

  ‘What, then?’

  ‘I would say that you’re concerned.’ She said the words with a mixture of amusement and desperation.

  ‘Concerned, am I? Concerned about what?’

  ‘You’re concerned about me.’

  I grasped her under her arms and pulled her forward. Holding her against me, I lowered her to the ground. I said, ‘Yes, that’s right. Don’t forget it.’

  Dana pulled my head forward, kissed me, and murmured, ‘You know what? You’re charming in your own way.’

  That evening, I asked Sharma how he had enjoyed meeting Mecolo. He merely replied, ‘I’ll be seeing Mecolo again tomorrow.’ His voice was half-smug and half-defiant.

  It was the answer that I expected but hoped not to hear. I replied, ‘I wouldn’t advise it.’

  'You wouldn't, eh? Why not?’

  ‘Damn it, Sharma, don’t pretend to be naïve! She’s Vaxili’s daughter!’

  ‘She’s also beautiful and intelligent.’

  ‘And she has a slender neck, deep dark eyes, a graceful walk, dimples on her toes, a little round belly button, and–‘

  Sharma growled, ‘Are you mocking me, Jina?’

  I stood my ground. ‘No. Any man would find Mecolo attractive.'

  'You too, Jina? You also find her attractive?'

  'Yes. Of course I do. But that’s not the point.’

  ‘What is the point?’

  ‘Sharma, are you stupid, or obstinate, or what?’

  ‘None of those!’

  ‘Well, then, you’d better listen to me and listen well, before you get into this thing so deep that the water’s way above your head. Mecolo is Vaxili’s daughter and he’s not going to be pleased if you start something with her.’

  ‘You mean that he thinks that I’m not good enough for her?’

  I sighed inwardly. God, Sharma could be pig-headed and blinder than the blind when he set his sights on a woman. I replied, ‘Sharma, let’s stop beating about the bush. To put it plainly, in the eyes of the king, I’m not good enough for Mecolo, you’re not good enough for Mecolo, and just about every man in the whole damn army, not to mention every man in the rest of Keirine, isn't good enough for Mecolo. Don’t take it personally. It’s just the way it is.'

  Sharma’s eyes narrowed. He put his chin forward and said, ‘Mecolo seems to think I’m good enough.’

  ‘Oh, congratulations, Sharma! You’ve charmed the king’s daughter and you think that means that you’ll charm the king as well.’

  ‘You’re just jealous!’

  One accusation in a day was enough, twice was too much. I felt like beating something with sheer frustration. Sharma, the brick wall, the ground under my feet – just about anything would do. I got a hold of myself and said, ‘Look, Sharma, I happen to know that Vaxili might not be pleased with us.’

  Sharma gave a short laugh. ‘Already? What have we done?’

  ‘You remember when Mecolo joined the procession?’ Sharma nodded. I continued, ‘Well, you’ll also remember that she wasn’t exactly forward in greeting Vaxili, not so?’

  Sharma shrugged dismissively. ‘So what? Vaxili had a lot on his mind. Like I said, he wouldn't even have noticed us.’

  ‘What – not notice us? He spoke to us and asked our names, or have you forgotten? Then we marched into Koraina waving Drunuk's head on a spear with his daughter dancing before us singing our praises. And you still think Vaxili hasn't noticed us? Man, Sharma, come down to earth!’

  Sharma's eyes narrowed and he said sullenly, ‘Huh! I guess that Dana’s been speaking to you.’

  ‘So what if she has? Do you think she doesn't know what's going on just because she isn't a king's daughter?’

  The conversation ended without conclusion. I knew Sharma well enough to see that he wasn’t going to take my advice on this matter, no matter how hard I pressed him. Sharma and women! How could someone as cool-headed and resourceful as Sharma become so short-sighted and pig-headed when he set his sights on a woman? In all the years that I have known Sharma, I have never found a satisfactory answer to that question. Now I never will – not that it will matter, anyway.

  Later, I asked myself if Sharma was playing a deeper game than the ancient one that men and women always play. Did Sharma think that he could kill two birds with one stone: land the fish safely and net Vaxili’s goodwill as well? Did he think that he could play for big stakes against heavy odds and win the grand prize? Yes, it looked like he did. But how did he think he was going to do it? I shook my head and tried to stop worrying about the matter. After all, it was Sharma’s business and his alone. He would suffer the consequences or reap the rewards, not me. At least, that is what I told myself.

  Five days later, Dana told me that she would be going away for about a week. Vaxili’s mother would be celebrating her sixtieth birthday and Vaxili was sending Mecolo and his two younger sons to attend the occasion while Dana had been selected accompany Mecolo as her personal attendant.

  I said, ‘I didn't know that you were one of Mecolo’s attendants.’

  Dana said with affected nonchalance, ‘I'm not one of Mecolo's official attendants but she's selected me for this occasion.’ She couldn't hide the note of self--satisfaction in her voice.

  ‘Selected for services rendered?’

  Dana’s eyes flashed. She put up a finger and said, ‘Watch your words, Jina! You think I’m not suitable to be an attendant, don’t you?’ Dana put her hands on her hips and thrust the words at me. ‘You think just because my father is a cook –‘

  ‘That’s not what I meant.’

  ‘What did you mean, then?’

  I took Dana's hand and said, ‘I don’t want you to go. I’m going to miss you, Dana.’

  Dana softened. She said, ‘I’ll miss you too. But this is a big opportunity for me. It could result in a permanent appointment.’

  ‘I know that, Dana. I’m happy for you. But I’m not happy for myself.’

  ‘It'll only be for a week, Jina.’ She kissed me on my cheek and whispered, 'I'll make up for lost time when I get back – you'll see.'

  The party left early next morning. Because their destination was near the Great River, at a place where the river was at the apex of its wide sweep westwards, the journey would only take them a day. It would be a long day but they should reach their destination before nightfall.


  As fate would have it, they didn’t reach their destination at all. The first that we knew about it was when Vaxili's adjutant woke us just after midnight. He shook us urgently, shouting, ‘Sharma and Jina! Out of bed! Get dressed!’

  We fumbled around for flints and candles amidst yawns and complaints from all around us. The adjutant roared at our companions, ‘Shut your mouths or I'll put the whole lot of you on a charge for disrespect.' To Sharma and me, he said, 'I want the two of you on the parade ground in less than ten minutes. Take light packs and your swords. Get moving!’

  About thirty men from various units assembled, stamping and shivering in the chilly night air. The adjutant called us to attention, counted us, stood us at ease, and said, ‘You’ve been selected for a special assignment. An Usserdite raiding party captured Princess Mecolo, her brothers, and the rest of the party. You will rescue them.’

  Sharma and I looked at each other. We could hardly make out each other's faces in the dim light but each knew what the other was thinking.

  Someone asked, ‘Where did this happen, commander?’

  ‘West of Erlata, on the road to the Great River. Any more questions?’

  ‘Won't they be over the river in Usserdite territory by now, commander?’

  ‘Perhaps they will be, perhaps they won’t be. Probably not, because they'll be slowed down by captives and baggage. But wherever they are, this side of the river or on the other side, you will find them and you will bring our people back safely. You will also bring back as many prisoners as possible. Is that clear?’

  ‘Commander –‘

  ‘No more questions!’ The adjutant peered at the squad and asked, ‘Where is Sharma?’

  ‘Here, commander.’ Sharma stepped forward.

  ‘Good! You will command the unit. Do you understand?’

  ‘Yes, commander.’

  ‘Do you understand what you have to do?’

  ‘Yes, commander.’

  ‘Any questions?’

  ‘No, commander.’

  The adjutant peered at us again and barked, ‘Where is Jina?’

  ‘Here, commander.’

  ‘You will act as deputy commander of the expedition. Is that clear?’