She smiled serenely, subtly mocking Tharlos.
He snarled: " I'm warning you! Do not try to hide behind your fancy gold and postures! The church shall soon be forced to contribute to our war effort -"
Tharlos stopped, afraid that he had revealed too much. He had already lost self-control, and looked around for unwanted observers. Tharlos calmed himself, and faced a very stern gaze from Monrosa.
"Your Holiness," he resumed, lowering his voice, "pardon my outburst. But these are trying times for us all. We need to stand united before the threat of... of a dangerous demagogue like Darc. If he is allowed to continue his foul work, the Church as well as the cities may be threatened by The Ones Whose Very Name Brings Disease . Is it not obvious, that Darc is rallying them into another uprising?"
Monrosa's eyes opened wide for a second; the very mentioning of the Lepers shook her. The primal fear of the unknown great wilderness showed in her features, and she swayed where she stood. Tharlos smiled; he had found her weak spot.
"Maybe an official ban is not necessary after all, Your Holiness," he proposed in a forced benign tone. "A generous donation to our war chest is a much more practical way to defend the people against you-know-what."
Reluctantly, the high-priestess nodded.
A purring sound, amplified by the vast cathedral, caught their attention. It was the sleeping Lord Migam, snoring in the front aisle.
Chapter 47
The fifth broadcast began with Darc and his band performing the ancient number "I'm All Shook Up" .
The speech he held afterward was calmer, less rebellious than his previous one, yet it reverberated with conviction. He thought of Shara and Eye-Leg as he spoke.
"This is the Voice of Liberty. I have talked about the liberty of all peoples before, and I know that my words have confused, even frightened many of you. This can be difficult to hear - for rich, poor, nobles, and Lepers. This time I wish to talk about how all people must be considered equal in order to be free.
"In my time, in the Golden Age, there was a saying: 'All humans are created equal under God.' And all good people respected and lived by that saying. You may be confused by those words. I think I hear you say: 'How can all humans be created equal? Some are born men, some are born women, some are born gifted, or dumb. Some are born into rich families, some into poverty. And some are born Lepers.'
"So how, you may think, can all people be born equal? Well, when I say 'equal' I do not mean 'exactly alike', or of equal intelligence, or equal lot in life. I mean equal worth. Where is this maxim written down? It was written down on a document more than one thousand years ago - and was then sadly forgotten, even in my time. But it is also written into the book of Nature. We are all created from the same stuff - the same atoms. The laws that govern Nature are the same for all, regardless of class. We all must live brief lives, and then we must face what might lie beyond death - so must I. This is the universal human condition.
"Since we share the same universe, we are equal. But we are free to live in different ways, within those laws of Nature. We are free to treat each other in different ways as long as we do not aspire to be above nature. Indeed, if a nobleman robs a poor woman of her bread, he is not struck by lightning. Nature does not send Plague upon us because of our sins. How unfair, you may say! Why do not the gods interfere, and correct our ways? Because we are free! If the gods governed our every step, we would be nothing but puppets - but we are not, unless we choose to be. Likewise, we choose not to let our appetites govern us. If we let greed, anger and lust control our selves, we quickly become as unfree, as helpless as children.
"If the gods and the appetites are not to control our actions, then who will? All of us will. It is our born responsibility to respect the equal worth of all humans, regardless of creed, birth, and gender. This is the only way for humanity to survive and thrive. Say, if you saw a thief beat up a weaker man and walk away with his possessions - would it be wise of you to just watch it happen, and say 'It is none of my concern?' The thief would then become bold enough to go after you.
"So: Each time a human is in need of help, or suffers injustice, it means the whole of humanity is threatened. Eventually, the sins of one man will affect the wellbeing of another because they share the same world. That is why we must live by the maxim: All humans are created equal.
"Does this include the Lepers too? Yes. These unfortunate millions who live in poverty in the Wastelands, are worth just as much as those living in the wealth of the closed cities. And we must work to cure the Lepers from the Plague, if we are to be truthful to the one maxim: All humans are created equal. My allies and I are steadily working to find that cure, and soon I shall reveal more about our work. "This is the voice of Darc . This is The Voice of Liberty ."
Darc gestured to Mechao, who switched off the transmitter. Another futile cry into open air, Darc thought as he rested his sore throat. Speaking and singing was beginning to put a strain on his vocal cords. How long will I have to keep on doing this? Is it already too late? What the hell is Bor Damon going to do when he hears this? Are the noble-noses already arming up to attack us? Sometimes I wish I had the guts to just give up.
Shara ran up to him and hugged him forcefully. She nearly burst into tears as she said: "Did you mean it? Every word?"
He held her tight, pulling her into his lap. "Yes. It was a good thing you did for Eye-Leg. I love you, Shara."
Her face seemed radiant with joy. They soon walked off to look after Eye-Leg together.
After having heard that fifth broadcast speech, Dohan was acting restless and anxious to speak. Meijji was the first to notice.
She stood in the way of the pacing young warrior and faced him: "What's on your mind?"
He looked at her, his face taut with concentration.
"The things Darc said... about being truthful to the maxim. That all humans are created equal. Damn me! Now I understand what's been happening to me since he appeared." Meijji scrutinized him for a clue - she had heard Darc and Dohan recount their adventures, and found them fascinating. However, Dohan's current behavior mystified her.
Dohan noticed her puzzled face and explained rapidly, gesturing with clenched fists. "All the time, I suspected him to be the reincarnated Singing King! Until he talked me out of it, or almost did, in Amrica that night. But all that's happened... it makes sense after this last speech. He has taught me... taught us... how to live by the maxim of human equality. And I haven't got it until now!
"I was brought up to be a member of the self-professed elite, the chosen ones, who would defend our inferiors from even lesser inferiors! I don't deserve to call myself a knight! You were right - I am a dumb brute."
Meijji shook her head, and stroked Dohan's coarse cheek with her palm.
"You are a great man, Dohan. Don't let a single mistake bring you down. And you're wrong. If you weren't a knight before, you surely are one now. What's on your mind? What are you going to do next?"
He softened at her touch, but his inspiration would not falter.
"First, I shall organize a proper defense of this island. Instead of taking over my father's army, I'll settle for this island's. Darc's work, and the islanders of course, must be protected at all costs."
"I see. And then?"
"If we live through this, I will work to create a world-spanning brotherhood of knights ... that will protect all Lepers, while they are being cured from the Plague! Yes - that would be the noblest cause."
"And then?"
Her gaze dropped to the floor, and her hand moved away from his face.
"And then..." Dohan stopped, and stared at Meijji for a moment. Then he grabbed her slim, brown body and lifted it above his head. She shrieked.
"But first of all, I'll marry you! " he shouted. And they both began to laugh.
A sister of Meijji was eavesdropping on Dohan when he uttered his promise. She immediately ran to her mother and told her.
"And it's about time, too," was Amada's laconic reaction to
the news. "Let us get to work."
CHAPTER 48
In the beginning of the month of Oktam, Tharlos gathered noblemen from all Castilia for a diplomatic conference in Pasko City.
Lord Azuch Fache sent a lowly robot representative, but refused to fly there in person. Tharlos Pasko surprised his guests by also inviting nobles from outside the Madrivalo province. The perceived threat of Darc's radio campaign must have been great, to convince them to risk such a long jet flight.
Laser messages arrived from other parts of Juro, even from the north of Awrica, to confirm the sudden widespread interest in Tharlos's initiative. After all, it was Tharlos Pasko who had first attacked Damon City - where Darc's career had began. Tharlos was not late to stress this fact.
After a modest but adequate welcoming ceremony, the visitors were ushered into a sealed hall in the castle. Tharlos took his seat and asked his murmuring guests for silence.
"My dear peers and guests - the good Lord Migam Pasko wishes you welcome to our house." He gestured at the empty high seat, where his father used to sit. "I regret to say that my father the city lord is gravely ill. He has granted me full authority over state affairs though, and I will serve as his representative."
The dozen or so guests - robots excluded - nodded their approval. Lord Fache's robot messenger raised a skeletal metal hand.
"Yes?"
"My master wishes to know if Lord Migam Pasko has appointed a successor to his title, Sir Tharlos."
Sir Tharlos. Tharlos was certain that Lord Fache had programmed his ambassador to only use that derogatory title, no matter what Tharlos called himself.
With an effort, he checked his fury and continued: "An heir has not yet been appointed. But the outcome is fairly clear, when you consider the fact that my only brother Andon Pasko is married away in another city... a marriage which I, in hindsight, deeply regret."
Tharlos made his best to feign a flash of sorrow; several guests appeared to buy his act. In reality, Tharlos was only relieved to have his weak brother out of the way, so that he could pursue his plans undistracted. The robot ambassador made a polite nod, and was still.
"Good. As you all know, the safety of our civilization is hanging by a thread. An impostor and demagogue known as Darc is stirring up the lower classes, not to mention The Ones Whose Very Name Brings Disease , against us..."
He looked across the table for a response; there were several.
"I share your concern," the slight Lord Yota said solemnly, and his son Ue nodded in silent agreement.
"Indeed," thundered Lord Orbes, slamming his hand against the table, "he is a threat not only to Castilia, but to the world! Imagine what would happen if we let him continue his campaign!"
A representative from Seguda City, the port town otherwise known as Kibralta, added to their self-righteous anger.
"Yes, the filthy Wastelanders would storm our grand old cities and destroy them forever! The Goddess knows we have fought them back before... but that was before one of our own class betrayed us and turned to their help!"
A younger nobleman from Western Castilia asked him: "Sir, are you referring to Lord Damon, or his renegade son, or Sir Darc?"
Tharlos raised his hands and gave the guests a suave smile. "My good friends, let us not bicker about details. The crucial matter is that we unite now, before it is too late! We must attack this tumor called Darc , before it spreads to healthy parts of our society!"
Lord Orbes asked: "But where can he be ? Even Lord Damon does not know where Darc and his wayward son might be hiding."
Tharlos raised an index finger. "Darc may be a clever fiend, but he is no cleverer than our united might. I have just learned how these 'radio' devices work. To track down and fix his position, we must build our own sets of radio receivers. Together we can use those to pin down the source of the radio waves.
"Our next step would be to organize a strike fleet. Because I already suspect that Darc is located somewhere across the sea. This fleet would be bigger than anything seen in centuries. It badly needs an experienced commander who has met the enemy before..."
His charisma and boldness worked like a charm on the desperate noblemen. Before the end of the day, Tharlos had convinced the guests - robots not included - that he was their man.
An agreement was signed, and a new military alliance was formed - perhaps the mightiest alliance in the known world...
The month Oktam passed, and Eye-Leg's replacement body was approaching ripeness.
Rumors grew about the Leper Girl in Mechao's household, and the islanders were afflicted by a sense of impending misfortune. Many began to mutter curses over the strange guests who had upset their long peace. The presence of the newcomers had also stirred desires.
As the pressure in the hot air rose and sank in the stormy days, a confrontation became inevitable...
Dohan was instructing several hundred islanders on the beach, one cloudy day. He had already organized a 24-hour network of watchtowers and lookouts across the islands.
Rows of natives in camouflage clothes - only a handful of them men, mostly old - learned to mimic his moves with sword, bayoneted rifle, and shield.
Several of his students wore helmets and shields of wood; their metal arsenal was still being made. Dohan had no previous experience as a combat instructor. Whatever he could recall of his lifelong training, plus a few more tricks he had learned during his adventures with Darc, he used.
Toward the afternoon, Dohan showed his students a flat, polished aluminum shield.
"Mist, rain, glass, mirrors and smoke," he stated, "are often enough to weaken or deflect a laser-beam. Plasma beams, that appear similar to lasers, will burn through all such mediums. The best protection is always a blank, curved metal surface - aluminum, silver, or gold. If you fire at another man's... shield..."
Dohan stopped; his concentration faltered. Some members of the female audience were crossing and uncrossing their legs in a seductive fashion, and cast telling looks into his eyes.
He cleared his throat, and went on: "If you fire at another shield, the beam can bounce back at you. You must watch the angle - the way the shield is being held. A flat shield can bounce the beam directly back at you. A curved shield will bounce the beam in another direction, and it might hit someone next to you. Watch this! "
Dohan took the flat shield, and placed it upright in the sand a few meters away from himself. He put on a helmet, shut the facial visor, stepped back and kneeled behind another, curved shield.
Next to his position stood a man-sized boulder. He ambled closer to it, then aimed at the flat shield and fired one pulse.
The snap of the laser was heard, and simultaneously came a sharp crack when the reflected pulse hit the boulder next to Dohan. A tiny piece of the impact hole exploded, sending out a puff of smoke.
Dohan took off his helmet and grinned at his stunned audience.
"See? The ricochet hit close to me. It happens very often in battle. Remember the shield-wall tactic we trained earlier?" With a stick, Dohan drew a large sketch in the sand to show the group. "If the chain of shields breaks up at one point, the whole line of soldiers is vulnerable to laser ricochets. If one man, uh, soldier in the line falls, you must close the gap -"
Dohan was interrupted. A young messenger woman came running down a path, wearing a short skirt and running-sandals with studded heels.
"Aircraft! Aircraft flying in from the coast!" she yelled.
The crowd of natives, and a handful of onlookers, scrambled into cover behind rocks, camouflaged sheds, palm-trees, and ruins.
Dohan grabbed the shields and followed suit. The messenger girl ran after him, and accompanied him into cover.
"Where is it, girl?" She pointed up east, at a cloud. He saw no sign of aircraft. "I can't see it. Did it pass beyond the hills?" She nodded eagerly. Dohan hesitated a second, then said: "Take me to your lookout point."
He commanded the others to stay in hiding until he had returned, and ordered another messen
ger to alert Mechao and the village council.
The first messenger girl dashed off across the sand, Dohan breathing heavily as he ran after.
After a few minutes, they both reached a small green ledge above the beach. From there, the view was excellent in all directions. They huddled down in the undergrowth, and Dohan scanned the sky.
It still seemed as if the only aircraft in the vicinity was his own, concealed one.
He turned to the girl. "Are you certain you -"
Again she interrupted him - by embracing him and kissing his face. At first, Dohan was too confused to react; the next instant, he felt the girl's hand groping at his crotch. He tossed her aside furiously. The young woman stared back at Dohan with wild, brown eyes full of excitement. He was speechless.
"What's wrong?" she asked, sounding accusing and hurt, as if they were familiar with each other.
Now Dohan recognized her face: well shaped, with thin lips painted dark red, and her hair set up behind her head into a tail specked with glass beads. She was leaner and her limbs more wiry than Meijji's, but she resembled Meijji in shape and age. It was the younger sister Alchaia, who often kept herself in the vicinity of Dohan.
"There was no aircraft?" he asked, sending her an angry glare.
Alchaia rolled up her eyes and replied: " Of course! How else could I get us any privacy? In a boat?"
"That was a stupid prank, girl," he said as he started to walk away. "If I ever catch you with a false alarm again -"
"What? You wouldn't hurt someone who loves you, no? It's not fair that only she gets to bear your children! This is my island too!"
Only a lifelong training in courteousness prevented Dohan from slapping her.
"Enough of this," he muttered and treaded downhill, back toward the beach.
He wished his father - or Darc - had taught him what to do when courtesy failed. Running away from any challenge embarrassed him.
Yngve, AR - Darc Ages Page 32