Enemy Papers

by Barry B. Longyear

  The Fifth’s main task was to supply the other five Denve, and Yaga was made master of the Fifth.

  Kessu and Birula were wise, sturdy, and respected. And Conseh made Kessu master of the Fourth, and made Birula master of the Third.

  Conseh itself would master the First Denve.

  The First and Second Denve made up the Tsien Denvedah; the front fighters. The Tsien would always be the first to meet the enemy, and the first to take the enemy’s wrath.

  Conseh knew itself to be a good hunter, and able to take action when such was needed. But the warmaster knew that the Tsien Denvedah needed something more in spirit than Conseh itself could provide.

  It was during its search for the master of the Second Denve that Conseh happened upon some hunters. The hunters were practicing the accuracy of their spear throwing. The hunters aimed their spears at each other to see and feel the meaning of having Sindie at the ends of spearpoints.

  The old food preparer Nuvvea also watched the hunters practice with their spears. Nuvvea had once been chief of the hunt, and as it watched the practice, Nuvvea shook its wrinkled head. Conseh saw this.

  “What displeases you, Nuvvea?”

  “Warmaster Conseh, I have studied the young hunters with their spears. Although they think otherwise, they still act as though they are on the hunt for darghat. On the hunt, if you throw and miss, the darghat will bolt and run.

  A hunter of the Diruvedah still has a spear to throw back. And in close the spear is no use, so the hunter attacks the darghat with its stone knife. The darghat can only bellow and try to strike you with its tail. A hunter of the Diruvedah also has a knife.”

  Conseh looked at the hunters at their practice. “Your eyes see much, Nuvvea. They are still hunters rather than warriors. What should they do?”

  Nuvvea looked down and thought for a long time. “The hunter must keep its spear until it can be certain of both a kill and retrieving the spear. To ward off the enemy weapons until such certainty presents itself, the hunter must be shielded.”

  “Nuvvea, what is your answer to the problem you have made?”

  The old food preparer held out its hands, then dropped them to its sides. “There is an answer. I do not know it yet.” Nuvvea faced Conseh. “But there is an answer to the in-fighting when the spear is useless.” Nuvvea pulled the food preparer’s ax from its waist and handed it to Conseh.

  “A butcher ax?” Conseh studied the hammered, black-metal blade. “Are we to go after the Diruvedah as butchers?”

  Nuvvea took back its butcher ax and faced Conseh. “Pull your knife, warmaster.”

  Conseh studied the old food preparer for a moment, then the warmaster crouched and extended its knife at arm’s length, its point aimed at Nuvvea’s middle. Before the warmaster could react, Nuvvea whipped down its ax upon the knife blade, knocking the knife from Conseh’s hand. When Conseh looked at the ground, it saw the knife, its stone blade shattered.

  Nuvvea laughed at the warmaster. “Your face tells me that my suggestion is a good one. Conseh, we are no longer hunters. We are to become warriors, and a warrior is one who hunts its own kind for the purpose of killing it.” Nuvvea held up its ax. “We will be butchers, Conseh, if we are to defeat our enemies.”

  “Nuvvea, how many of your blades can you make in the next twenty days?”

  “Of all the clans, there must be many. In a land without meat, there is little need for a butcher’s ax. In the lands that we shall see, the meat will fight back. The metal workers can make more, perhaps twenty a day if we can supply them with food. Their work is hard.”

  Conseh thanked the food preparer and returned to watching the hunters at their throwing.

  The first warmaster thought upon the things that it had seen and heard, and Conseh made Nuvvea master of the Second Denve.

  On the thirty-ninth day of Uhe’s rule of the Mavedah, the six Denve were prepared to cross the mountains and strike into the Irrvedah, a third of the Tsien Denvedah armed with the black metal axes. Uhe was forward counseling its warmasters in the morning shadow of the Akkujah Mountains when Iyjiia approached, followed by the old masters of the Mavedah.

  Uhe was speaking to the warmasters of the need to obtain the heights of the first mountain crest before Aakva’s light blinded them, and then waiting until Aakva was at their backs before striking into the valley.

  Iyjiia interrupted. “Uhe, the masters of the Mavedah would talk with you.”

  Uhe turned and studied Iyjiia. “I see that you approach me after working up some great resolve, Iyjiia. What is it that you want?”

  “The masters of the Mavedah have come to challenge your vision.”

  Before Uhe could answer, Daes, the warmaster of the Sixth Denve, walked forward and shoved Iyjiia to the ground. “I am a master, Iyjiia, and I do not challenge the Law of War!”

  Iyjiia stood and backed away from Daes. “Daes, you are either fool or blasphemer. Uhe has colored your eyes.”

  Uhe restrained Daes and indicated that Daes should resume its place with the other warmasters. Then Uhe faced Iyjiia and the old masters. “It is important that the attack is begun at the proper time, Iyjiia. State your business quickly.”

  Iyjiia brushed the dust from its skins, looked at its followers, and then faced Uhe. “While we kept starvation from us by eating the bodies of our loved ones, you kept us at the foot of the Akkujah for thirty-nine days. You could have spared us this by attacking thirty-nine days ago. It cost us many lives.”

  “Iyjiia, it was necessary to take the time to turn hunters into warriors. Had we attacked without the proper preparation, it would have cost us many more lives.”

  Iyjiia paused, and then continued. “By forming this new council of masters to rule your Denve, you have destroyed the identity of each clan within the Mavedah.”

  “It was necessary to do this to turn a collection of clans into an army.” Uhe folded its arms and held back its head. “Is that all?”

  “I have more.” Iyjiia gestured with its hand toward Conseh and the warmasters. “This new council of masters you have made. Each has selected those who would follow it, while Aakva’s Law says that each clan must choose its own master by vote, ordeal, and challenge. By taking away the powers of the masters, you betray the Mavedah and the laws of Aakva.”

  Uhe’s eyes closed. “Now I see the lay of this hunt.” Uhe opened its eyes and glared at the chief of Aakva’s servants. “Do you think the salvation of the Mavedah less important than your possession of power?” Uhe turned back to face its masters of war. “You have said enough, Iyjiia.”

  “No!” Iyjiia moved forward until it stood only a breath from the ruler of the Mavedah. “I challenge your vision of the Law of War. I say it is false! And even if a murderer’s spear takes me now, I say it is your law, Uhe, and not from the God of the Day Light.”

  Uhe turned, brows raised, and faced Iyjiia. “You surprise me. The removal of your power has found you your courage at last, Iyjiia. And I would stand the stones with you, except that there is an attack to supervise.”

  Iyjiia pointed at Uhe and screamed. “I have challenged your vision! Before all else, you must suffer ordeal, unless you have changed that law as well!”

  Uhe looked around and saw that the warriors within hearing had gathered in a circle to observe the confrontation. The ruler of the Mavedah looked back at Iyjiia. “That law has not changed.” Some say that Uhe shed tears as it said, “Iyjiia, I say that your challenge is against the new law of Aakva, and that we shall let the stones decide who is right.”

  Uhe looked among the warriors. “Eighteen of you; each place aside your weapons and choose three killing-stones.” Uhe pointed to the ground at its feet. “We will stand the ordeal here.”

  Nuvvea, master of the Second Denve, walked away from the other warmasters and stopped in front of Iyjiia and Uhe. Nuvvea stabbed its scarred fingers against its broad chest and said to all: “l, Nuvvea, say that Uhe’s vision of the Law of War is true. And I, Nuvvea, shall stand the ordea
l in Uhe’s place.”

  Uhe began to protest, but Conseh walked forward, saying in a loud voice: “Iyjiia is weak with age, while Uhe is younger and stronger. Having them both suffer the same stones would not be fair.” Conseh faced Uhe. “Let old Nuvvea stand in your place.”

  “Conseh, Nuvvea is needed in the attack,” protested Uhe.

  The warmaster of the First Denve nodded. “You are needed, as well. But if either of you falls, Uhe, the vision of the Law of War is false. If such is the case, there will be no attack.”

  Conseh looked around at the warriors, now armed with killing-stones, and then looked back at Uhe. “Neither of you will fall, for the vision is Aakva’s true word. As they go into battle, our fighters must have no doubts. We must settle this now the way it should have been settled before Bantumeh’s fire.”

  Before Uhe could answer, Nuvvea placed its arm around Iyjiia’s shoulders and began walking away from the warriors to give them throwing room. “Come, Iyjiia. Let us go play with the pebbles.”

  Uhe was left alone with Conseh as everyone moved to either participate in the ordeal or witness it. Once all was set, the warriors began throwing their stones. At the first throw, Iyjiia was down, covering its head, while Nuvvea stood laughing at the warriors, Those stones that Nuvvea had not danced away from it had swatted aside with its leathery hands.

  Conseh nodded toward Nuvvea and spoke quietly to Uhe. “Nuvvea has been studying the problem of the warrior who, having thrown its spear, has enemy spears to face. My second warmaster looks to the sky to see the approaching objects that seem not to move. Those are the ones that will strike unless Nuvvea steps aside or diverts their path with a slap of its hand. Nuvvea has practiced this many times, and has taught the method to the Tsien Denvedah.”

  Uhe watched the second throw. After the stones had landed, Iyjiia was still while Nuvvea remained standing and hooting insults at the warriors.

  Uhe looked at the warriors preparing for their third throw and spoke to Conseh. “Nuvvea is served well by the method it has invented. The same method will serve the Denvedah in the times to come.” Uhe pointed at the warriors as anger touched its voice. “But the success of the method would not have anything to do with the fact that all of those warriors are Tsien Denvedah, would it, Conseh?”

  Conseh stared with eyes of death at the spectacle before them. “It is Aakva’s own law that all cannot be left to the God of the Day Light’s attention. Aakva favors those who prepare well.” Conseh placed a hand upon Uhe’s arm and spoke in a whisper. “Ease your mind. These warriors know how to throw, and Iyjiia will not be killed. However Iyjiia will learn a lesson.”

  The stones of the third throw were loosed, and when their journeys were done Nuvvea stood shouting foul obscenities at the warriors, while Iyjiia remained on the ground, still and quiet. Despite its first warmaster’s comments, Uhe had to acknowledge that most of the stones had been thrown at Nuvvea, and many of the warriors who threw them were aiming for strikes.

  Uhe spoke to Conseh: “Have one of Daes’s healers come and see to Iyjiia.”

  Uhe stepped forward and shouted at the assembly. “The law of Aakva has been satisfied. The Law of War is the law of the Mavedah. Report to your Denve. We attack immediately!”

  As many feet threw up the dust in haste, Uhe walked to Iyjiia’s still form. Uhe squatted and turned over the old master’s body. Iyjiia moaned.

  “Iyjiia? Iyjiia, can you hear me?”

  Iyjiia’s mouth worked at meaningless croaks that became words as the old master’s eyes opened. “It is true! The vision of Uhe is true!”

  “Iyjiia?”

  The old master turned its head and forced its eyes to focus upon Uhe’s face. “Can you find it in you to forgive me, Uhe?”

  Uhe closed its eyes. “There is nothing to forgive, Iyjiia You did what you had to do. I will have one of Daes’s healers attend you.”

  “I doubted Aakva’s new law, Uhe. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.”

  Uhe turned its head and watched as the Denve began marching up the darghat trails into the Akkujah. “Aakva knows that the Law of War is not forever. Someday there will be a new Law of Peace. You will be needed to serve that new law when the time comes, Iyjiia”

  The old master looked away, then let its pained gaze fall upon the red clouds above the mountains. “l am the chief of Aakva’s servants. Why did not the God of the Day Light choose me to receive its new Law of War?”

  Uhe stood and looked down at Iyjiia “The Law of War tastes foul to Aakva’s mouth, Iyjiia The god would choose a less worthy servant to receive the law.”

  The chief of Aakva’s servants again became quiet, and Uhe remained at the old master’s side until Daes’s healer reported and began to treat Iyjiia Uhe turned toward the Akkujah Mountains to assume command of the Denvedah.

  As Uhe walked, it looked at the sky and addressed the light of the red clouds. “Aakva, if you exist, and if you are a God, and if you truly love us, why do you play with your creatures so?”

  As Uhe came among its warriors, all cheered the demonstration of the truth of Uhe’s vision of the Law of War. It was then that Uhe asked the metal workers to fashion for it a long knife of black metal.

  With the last of their strength, the warriors of the Mavedah climbed to the crest of the Akkujah. Once there, though, the sight of an immense valley, fat and green, could be seen between the peaks. Herds of darghat moved through the gentle foothills, stopping to drink at the ponds and streams. In the sky flew game birds, and in the valley below were fields of white grain and melons. And between the warriors and the fat of this valley there was only a hastily gathered army of farmers.

  To ease its conscience somewhat, Uhe thought upon talking to the masters of the Irrvedah, begging them to allow the Mavedah to share their prosperity. There would be many who would object and who would be bitter at the encroachment, but there would be no more murders to add to Uhe’s debt.

  In the valley below, though, the clan masters and the servants of Aakva were enraged at the violation of the most sacred tabu of the God of the Day Light.

  “The Mavedah has violated the tabus.”

  “Aakva is with us!”

  “Drive the invaders from the Irrvedah!”

  “In the name of Aakva!”

  “Kill the Mavedah!”

  The Irrvedah attacked first, and their effort involved little more than bellows and cries. Conseh and Nuvvea waited until the farmers were close, and then drove through them, the Irrvedah melting before the Tsien Denvedah. Conseh’s Denve moved forward and hacked into the astonished farmers until their arms ached. As the First rested, Nuvvea moved the Second Denve through. Before the day was done, the Irrvedah in the valley who were not dead or wounded had surrendered.

  Tocchah ruled the Irrvedah When runners brought the news of the invasion to Tocchah’s fire, the masters of the Irrvedah bellowed their rage. Runners were sent to all of the clans, from the Yellow Sea to the Great Cut, with messages to meet the invaders and throw them back into the Madah. Tocchah and its clan began that night to move west, knowing they fought in the name of Aakva. Before they reached the valley before the Akkujah, though, Tocchah and its clan met Conseh and the First Denve of the Tsien Denvedah on the Sunset Road at the edge of Darker Wood.

  Conseh sent forward to Tocchah two captured Irrvedah, Liku and Ahli. They were brought before Tocchah. “Great Tocchah,” began Liku, “I come from the First Warmaster of the Mavedah. Conseh asks that you surrender the clans you have assembled here. If you do not surrender, Conseh says that you will be destroyed.”

  Ahli stood next to Liku and said, “The Mavedah have fierce warriors, terrible weapons, and new ways of fighting.” It gestured toward Liku. “Aakva has given a new Law of War to Uhe, chief of the Mavedah. Our clans were annihilated in not much more time than it takes to tell the tale, Great Tocchah. We beg you to acknowledge the new law and surrender.”

  The chief of the Irrvedah studied the two messengers and then nodded to
ward the master of its household. “Call a meeting of the clan masters. We will attack now while this Uhe expects us to discuss this blasphemy.” Tocchah faced the messengers. “Before you do that, behead and burn these two traitors.”

  Once the household guards removed the messengers, Tocchah looked upon its chief of servants. “Yatim, the messengers said that a new Law of War has come from the God of the Day Light. When Aakva speaks to you does the god talk of this new law?”

  Yatim held its hands before its face. “Great Tocchah, for more generations than our oldest has the mind to recall, the Irrvedah has followed Aakva’s laws. As consequence the Irrvedah has had peace and plenty. Now comes this plunderer and murderer, Uhe, who comes to take from us what Aakva has denied the Madah for their wrongs. There is no new Law of War, Tocchah. There is only the will of this predator, Uhe. Aakva will protect the Irrvedah as we destroy those who have broken the god’s Law of Peace.”

  Tocchah, then, stood and held its hands out toward the masters of the Irrvedah. “Go to your clans and have them arm themselves. We shall meet three days hence at the crossing of the Western Road with the Great Cut Road on the Plain of the Gods. From there we will march west until we meet this Uhe and its band of robbers. There we will remove this blight on the Law of Peace.”

  On the evening of the third day, as the scouts reported the approach of Tocchah’s army, the workers of metal presented Uhe with its black knife. Uhe took the knife, tested its edge, and proclaimed it adequate. Juka Li, the chief of the metal workers, said, “Uhe, I pray that all your enemies will fall before your new knife.”

  Uhe studied the blade, wrapped the knife with hide, and thrust it behind its sash. “I have no doubt, Juka Li, that I will find it useful.” Uhe dismissed the metal workers, then joined Conseh deep within the Darker Wood to wait for the attack. Long after Aakva hid its face behind the western mountains, they looked through the trees and saw Tocchah’s army approaching on the Western Road. “Our murders mount, Uhe,” said the first warmaster.

  The chief of the Mavedah said, “Then, Conseh, have your denve close on Tocchah and take its clans down. Perhaps if we spill enough blood this night, the ones we challenge in the future will be less eager to throw themselves into harm. Leave only enough of them alive to bring the story of the horror to the rest of the Irrvedah and to the Diruvedah. Make certain they understand that Tocchah was first offered the opportunity to surrender, that the blood that will soak the Western Road is not my price but Tocchah’s.”