Aakuta: the Dark Mage

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “The armies of the members of the Lords’ Council are impressive,” remarked Lord Marak. “If we were to combine our forces, those rebellious lords would have to listen. We could demand that the Jiadin be sent back to Fakara.”

  “Our armies may indeed be together on a battlefield one day, Lord Marak,” quipped Lord Mirakotto, “but I doubt they will be on the same side.”

  “Your patriotism is overwhelming, Lord Mirakotto,” retorted Lord Marak. “Our country is facing a crisis, and all you can think of is your own agenda.”

  “I do not have to take such insolence from you, boy lord,” snapped Lord Mirakotto as he stood up. “I was member of the Lords’ Council when you were still a squad leader for some obscure minor lord on the frontier. Do not presume to lecture me on what is good for Khadora. Your presence here makes a mockery of the Lords’ Council.”

  Lord Mirakotto turned and stormed out of the chamber. There was silence in the room for several minutes as nobody knew what to say.

  “We cannot continue a meeting of the Lords’ Council with a member missing,” Lord Kiamesh finally declared. “The only exception is when a lord is away for an extended period of time and cannot possibly return in a reasonable period timeframe. I have no choice but to adjourn this meeting.”

  “Well done, Lord Marak,” sniped Lord Garic as he rose and left the chamber.

  “When will this meeting be rescheduled?” asked Lord Marak.

  “Rescheduled?” echoed Lord Kiamesh as his eyebrow rose. “For what purpose, Lord Marak? There are some among us who do not recognize that there is a problem yet. If there is no problem, there can be no solution.”

  “So the Lords’ Council is to stand by and do nothing while the Jiadin march across our country?” countered Lord Marak. “All of the eastern frontier clans are small, Lord Kiamesh, and most of them hold only single estates. The Jiadin will continue to gobble them up while we do nothing. With every clan they take over, they gain more warriors. By the time we act, we will not be facing twenty thousand warriors. We will be facing a hundred thousand. Who then will stand against them?”

  “There have been no violations of law,” sighed Lord Quilo. “The Lords’ Council cannot arbitrarily take action against a clan. There must be a dispute or a violation of law first.”

  Lord Marak rose and left the chamber. He marched directly to the Emperor’s office and asked for admission. He was immediately shown in.

  “I heard that the Lords’ Council adjourned without a resolution of the problem,” greeted Emperor Bagora.

  “Lord Mirakotto stormed out,” nodded Lord Marak. “I cannot understand how anything gets done here.”

  “Welcome to politics,” shrugged the Emperor. “What will you do now?”

  “What can I do?” replied Lord Marak. “I am tempted to amass my armies and go after the Jiadin on my own. The problem is that I would leave my people defenseless, and there are other heartless scavengers in Khadora besides the Jiadin.”

  “The Torak army is hardly capable of facing such great odds,” frowned the Emperor. “There may be a way that you can help, though.”

  “Oh?” brightened Lord Marak. “And how is that?”

  “You could form an alliance with one of the clans on the eastern frontier,” suggested the Emperor. “Lord Oktar of the Balomar clan is in Khadoratung. He came to see me today about these very problems. It seems that his estate is in the path of the Glamaraldi, and he expects to be the next to be attacked. He wants help from the government and it saddened me that I had to refuse.”

  “An alliance?” pondered Lord Marak. “Normally an alliance is not invoked until after an attack. By then it would be too late.”

  “True,” shrugged the Emperor. “Still it might lead to a solution. Why don’t you talk to him?”

  “Where is he?” asked Lord Marak.

  “I thought you would never ask,” grinned the Emperor as he rang a bell. An Imperial soldier opened the door and stuck his head in. “Send in Katzu and Lord Oktar,” ordered the Emperor.

  Within moments the two men entered the Emperor’s office. Katzu introduced Lord Oktar to Lord Marak.

  “I trust the Emperor has explained my problem?” inquired Lord Oktar. “The Glamaraldi are sure to strike me next. There is nothing I can do to defend myself.”

  Lord Marak frowned for a moment and then looked at the mediator. “I don’t suppose that you have any ideas regarding a solution to this, do you Katzu?”

  “I am sure that you have a solution, Lord Marak,” grinned the mediator, “but for some reason, it fails to come to my lips.”

  Lord Marak grinned as Katzu chuckled and Lord Oktar shook his head in confusion. The Emperor merely sat and watched everyone else.

  “That might work,” Lord Marak finally said, “but that would depend upon Lord Oktar. Perhaps we should go someplace quiet and discuss it?”

  “There is no place more deserving for this conversation than right here,” Katzu said as he nodded towards the Emperor.

  Lord Marak frowned. It was obvious what Katzu was suggesting, but he also was saying that the Emperor should be aware of the agreement. He did not understand Katzu’s motivation.

  “Why?” Lord Marak asked Katzu.

  “Lord Oktar does not know you well,” Katzu replied. “I doubt he would see the wisdom of your suggestion without the blessing of the Emperor.”

  Lord Marak nodded and pondered whether he wanted to let anyone else know how he had been gaining power. It was not that he distrusted the Emperor, but rather his desire to minimize the number of people who knew the details of his other arrangements. In the end, the welfare of Khadora won the battle within Lord Marak.

  “Very well,” nodded Lord Marak. “There is one solution that I can see to save your clan, Lord Oktar.”

  “I suddenly feel that there will be a heavy price to pay for your help, Lord Marak,” Lord Oktar said skeptically. “What must I give up?”

  “Your slaves for one,” answered Lord Marak.

  “Done,” Lord Oktar immediately replied.

  “Let me finish,” continued Lord Marak. “What I propose, Lord Oktar, is for you to swear Vows of Service to me. You will continue as the clan lord of the Balomar, and make decisions as you do now, but I will be the ultimate authority over you.”

  “You ask a great deal, Lord Marak,” frowned Lord Oktar. “I can lose my estate to the Glamaraldi, or I can give it away to you. That is hardly a reprieve.”

  “It is not as bad as you think, Lord Oktar,” countered Lord Marak. “May I have your vow of silence on this matter before going further?”

  “I will not speak of it,” agreed the Balomar lord, “but I am not agreeing to your solution either.”

  “Emperor?” prompted Lord Marak as he looked at Bagora.

  “If you are about to reveal the answers to questions I have long sought,” grinned the Emperor, “you have my vow of silence.”

  “Very well,” Lord Marak said. “Lord Oktar, I already have this arrangement with a number of clans in Khadora. I have never suggested it to anyone who had not attacked me before, but I am looking for a way to help you. Not only you, but all of Khadora.”

  “What other clans would vow away their rights?” asked Lord Oktar.

  “At first it was the Sorgan and Litari,” answered Lord Marak as he watched the faces of both the Emperor and Lord Oktar. “Then the Ragatha joined and then the Situ. Most recently, the Nordon have executed the Vows of Service.”

  “The Nordon?” echoed Lord Oktar. “Are you saying that Lord Patel has given Vows of Service to you?”

  “He has as have all of his people,” nodded Lord Marak.

  “But he is a member of the Lords’ Council,” protested Lord Oktar. “How can that be?”

  “I do not absorb other clans if I can help it,” explained Lord Marak. “I believe each Khadoran clan has a rich heritage of its own. I think they should continue as independent clans.”

  “Independent?” questioned Lord Oktar. “How
can you be independent and owe allegiance to another?”

  “Do you have allegiance to the Lords’ Council?” asked Lord Marak.

  “Of course,” nodded Lord Oktar.

  “And to the Emperor?” pushed Lord Marak.

  “As all clans must,” agreed Lord Oktar.

  “Then what is the difference?” prompted Lord Marak. “Your clan will still be distinct. Think of me as another level of the government, except that I will send troops to protect you.”

  “The Torak clan is small,” pondered Lord Oktar. “How many troops can you really spare, and will they be enough to matter?”

  “Both are good questions,” replied Lord Marak. “I will draw forces from all of the clans sworn to me. I will not draw so many that the defense of any other estate is threatened, but I think I can put together a rather potent force. Will it be enough? I am not sure. It will certainly be enough to prevent a quick demise of your estate. It will be enough to allow you to call upon the Lords’ Council for a mediator, but I cannot promise to destroy all of the Jiadin. The Glamaraldi are only one clan who is using these foreigners to steal land. If the other clans join with the Glamaraldi, we will be in trouble.”

  “Your answer is not sweetened, Lord Marak,” sighed Lord Oktar. “I appreciate such candidness, but give me an estimate of the number of troops you are willing to commit.”

  “If I pull two cortes off each estate,” Lord Marak mentally calculated, “I could bring three thousand men.”

  Lord Oktar was silent for a long time before he finally nodded. “You have yourself a deal, Lord Marak,” he said. “My people will swear Vows of Service to you in return for your protection. Katzu was correct, by the way, of holding this talk here. Had we spoken anywhere outside the Emperor’s presence, I would be refusing your offer. I know Bagora well, and if he has faith in you, then so do I. Please do not let me down, Lord Marak.”

  “I will not let you down,” promised Lord Marak. “I will make arrangement today for the troops to start assembling. When are you leaving Khadoratung?”

  “I will leave in the morning,” answered Lord Oktar.

  “I will ride with you,” stated Lord Marak. “I will receive the vows from your people and be present on your estate until the armies arrive. If you are attacked prematurely, I will suffer your fate as well.”

  “I can ask no more of a commitment from a man than to put his life in danger for me,” smiled Lord Oktar. “You have courage, Lord Marak.” The Balomar lord stood silent for a moment and then nodded to himself. “I have things to attend to while I am in the capital. I shall talk to you later about our journey tomorrow.”

  Lord Oktar bowed deeply to the Emperor and left the room. Emperor Bagora chuckled after the door was closed.

  “You are indeed a clever man, Lord Marak,” he said. “No, more than clever. Your use of the Vows of Service are ingenious, but the truth of your character lies in how you have managed your clans after the vows have been given. I know about the support you received from the clans who swore to you. They stood up for you when everyone else ostracized you. That, Lord Marak, speaks volumes about you. I wish I had that kind of loyalty from my followers. You are the type of Khadoran that inspires ballads.”

  * * *

  Werner led the small group of Jiadin along the base of the Fortung Mountains in Fakara. The sun was high, and the heat simmered off of the parched earth beneath the horses. Werner was a little glad that the heat was unbearable. The Jiadin had grumbled unmercifully until their throats were parched. Now they only opened their mouths to sip water. They were all quiet except the large one. He appeared to be too stupid to conserve his throat.

  “Just where is this paradise?” Klavin bellowed. “Are we to ride all day?”

  “Not much farther,” Werner replied softly.

  “Not much farther?” echoed Klavin. “Did you hear that Gregnic? Not much farther he said. Do you see any paradise? I think he is lying to us.”

  “At least you don’t think he is a spy,” Gregnic croaked weakly. “Be quiet and drink some water.”

  Werner saw the rock shaped like a ram and turned abruptly. “We are almost there,” he announced.

  The group perked up as their eyes scanned the horizon. Suddenly, one of the riders shouted when they saw the tall trees. Everyone started murmuring as Werner led them through the entrance to the valley. Even Werner was amazed at the improvements since his last visit.

  Tall pine trees heralded the entrance to the valley. A bubbling spring fed a creek that flowed into the valley. The group sighed as they gained the coolness of the forest. Werner led them through the trees to an area that was rich in farmland. Mature fields spread away towards the horizon. Herds of wasooki and clova dotted the landscape, and a large stone castle sat in the middle of it all.

  Jiadin were everywhere in the valley. They were tending the fields and the herds, cutting down trees, building corrals and buildings. Werner led the group towards the castle as members of the group shouted to Jiadin that they recognized. Waves were exchanged and the spirits of the group soared. The valley was indeed a paradise.

  When they arrived at the stone castle, Aakuta was waiting for them. Werner introduced the newest arrivals, and ordered the group to dismount. Werner gathered the horses and tied them to a rail and returned to listen.

  “What is this place?” asked Gregnic. “How come we have never heard of it?”

  “This is my valley,” declared Aakuta. “You are welcome to a piece of it if you agree to my terms. I expect that Werner has explained everything to you?”

  “One year of service for a piece of paradise,” nodded Gregnic as his eyes continued to take in the sights of the valley.

  “What do we have to do?” asked Klavin.

  “Whatever I tell you to do,” replied Aakuta. “You obey my orders and you get a permanent home in this valley with enough land to be happy for the rest of your days. If you disobey an order, you will die.”

  “And who is going to kill us?” quipped Klavin. “You do not look like much of a fighter. We could just take this whole valley for ourselves.”

  Aakuta pointed a finger at Klavin. The giant flew backwards and slammed to the ground. He groaned loudly as he struggled to get to his feet.

  “Do not even think of betraying me,” snarled Aakuta. “I have no tolerance for fools.”

  Gregnic hurried over to Klavin and quickly examined him for injuries. Klavin grumbled loudly, but he refused to meet Aakuta’s gaze. He kept his eyes glued to the ground as he made his way back to the group.

  “You are pretty scrawny for a warrior,” scowled Aakuta as he pointed at Gregnic.

  “I am a healer,” Gregnic declared.

  “A healer? Echoed Aakuta. “Do you know magic?”

  “No,” Gregnic shook his head. “I bandage wounds and tend to ills as best I can.”

  “What good is that to me?” snarled Aakuta. “I want an army, not scrawny people.”

  Gregnic gazed at the fertile valley and knew that he wanted to live there. He had spent too much time wandering Fakara and wondering where his next meal was going to come from. He was determined to make sure that he was not rejected.

  “For one thing,” Gregnic responded, “I can gather Jiadin much better than Werner.”

  “What is wrong with Werner?” asked the dark mage.

  “He is Khadoran,” shrugged Gregnic. “The Jiadin have no use for Khadorans.”

  “How did you know he was Khadoran?” inquired Aakuta.

  “Everything about him is Khadoran,” answered Gregnic. “He rides a horse like a Khadoran. He walks and talks like a Khadoran. Even the way he stands erect tells everyone where he is from. Jiadin will avoid him when they see him, unless they think he is easy prey for an ambush.”

  Aakuta gazed at Werner and nodded. The Khadoran’s posture was decidedly different. Werner stood erect as if he was standing before his lord. Aakuta slowly nodded.

  “Then you will recruit Jiadin for me, Gregnic,” decided Aa
kuta. “Get them settled, Werner, and return to me.”

  A pall of worry fell over Werner’s face as he led the new arrivals to the work hall. He showed them where they could bunk for the night and then introduced them to someone who would get them settled. He worried about losing his job as he returned to the castle. As he climbed the stone steps to Aakuta’s study, he wondered how he could discredit Gregnic.

  “Come in, Werner,” Aakuta called before Werner’s hand even touched the door.

  It always unnerved Werner when Aakuta did that. He opened the door and stepped into Aakuta’s study. Aakuta was gazing out the window and did not turn as Werner crossed the floor and sat down.

  “Finding Gregnic was excellent,” Aakuta said as he turned his head to face Werner. “I have a different task for which you are better suited.”

  “What is it?” asked Werner.

  “I want an estate in Khadora,” Aakuta declared.

  “You have a lot of gold,” frowned Werner, “but not near enough to buy an estate.”

  “I did not say that I wanted to buy one,” snickered Aakuta. “I said that I wanted one. You are to return to Khadora and find one for me. It must be large enough to host our Jiadin friends that you have been bringing here.”

  “How many of them?” asked Werner.

  “Thousands of them,” replied the mage. “I don’t care what I have to do to obtain the estate, Werner. Just find me one that suits my purpose. You will recognize it when you see it.”

  Chapter 24

  Eastern Frontier

  The cornfields were trampled as the soldiers ran through the rows and dove into the long earthen trenches. Some of the soldiers landed on their feet in the trenches, but others tumbled head over heel.

  “No, no, no,” shouted Cortain Tagoro. “Everybody up and out of the trenches. We will do this over and over until you get it right.”

  The soldiers grumbled and climbed out of the trenches. Their uniforms presented a rainbow of colors. From the orange and yellow of the Balomar clan to the green and white of the Nordon clan, all of the uniforms were covered in mud. Cortain Tagoro in the black and silver of the Torak clan was the only soldier not dirty.