Enemy Papers

by Barry B. Longyear

  Tocchah looked again at the stars. “Yet we stand here to fight the Mavedah. Aakva, I ask your children of the night, how did the Irrvedah come to this pass?”

  The ruler of the Irrvedah listened to the laughter coming from the next mountain, and it lowered its head. How many would die in order that the living could proudly say that they went down fighting?

  And how would such serve the living if, in truth, what they fought was Aakva’s true law?

  Tocchah turned and looked around at the emptiness of the light cast by the fire. The ruler of the Irrvedah had dismissed its council of masters, no longer being able to stand the empty boasts of ignorant minds. Tocchah’s own staff had been given permission to join the celebrations of the warriors who had never warred, leaving only a few guards.

  “And do I leave myself thus exposed by design?” Tocchah addressed again the stars. “Do I invite my own removal from this play?”

  The sounds of hunter’s feet brushed the night air, and Tocchah felt its chest tighten. Unless the feet belonged to Mavedah, there was no need for skulking in the brush. And no clumsy farmer of the Irrvedah could walk so quietly.

  Tocchah faced the darkness. “Come out, Mavedah. I am ready for you.”

  Seven blackened figures emerged from the brush beyond the firelight. The feeling that many others remained in the brush was with Tocchah. One of the figures spoke to the ruler of the Irrvedah:

  “You are Tocchah?”

  “I am.”

  The blackened figure spread its hands, then let them fall to its sides. “I missed greeting you at the Darker Wood. I greet you now, Tocchah. I am Uhe, ruler of the Denvedah. I come to tell you of Aakva’s new Law of War, and to ask you to join me in fulfilling the desires of the God of the Day Light.”

  “You would have me hand over my people and their lands without a fight? What must you think of the Irrvedah?”

  “I think the Irrvedah to be growers and eaters of plants.” The dark figure swept its hand to indicate the terrain behind the fire. “With me there are over a thousand of my warriors facing the backs of your celebrants.” The figure pointed across the dark valley toward the Irrvedah’s fires. “Upon the face of the next mountain, and in the valley between, there are four denve; over thirty thousand Denvedah.”

  Tocchah feared even to think of the eleven thousand Irrvedah to the north, should the dark figure discover them. It was a caution without purpose.

  The blackened figure continued: “To the north, behind the eleven thousand Irrvedah you have facing us, I have placed my Tsien Denvedah; over fifteen thousand of my best warriors. I answer your question now, Tocchah. I think you and your people to be reasonable. I would have them join Aakva’s cause.”

  Tocchah studied the blackened figure. “As you said, we are farmers, not warriors.”

  “I know this, Tocchah. But they have the spirit to become warriors, and the Denvedah will make warriors of them.”

  Tocchah inhaled, and then let its breath escape slowly. “Uhe, how am I to know what to do?”

  “You may guess, you may take the advice of another, or you may consult that which you know to be true and act accordingly.”

  Tocchah nodded. “All three tell me to do as you say. But there is another choice: Aakva.”

  “Then ask Aakva.” The blackened figure remained as still as stone.

  “I have asked Aakva. And my words fall upon the God of the Day Light’s deaf ear.” Tocchah looked again at the stars. “If I do not agree, am I to die ?”

  The blackened figure answered: “It would simplify the destruction of the forces that now oppose Aakva’s new law. But I will not have you killed. You will be sent to the Madah.”

  “Murder has many names.” Tocchah looked at the ground between it and Uhe. “And if I join you, do my people then follow you?”

  “They will follow us.”

  “And do they then go east to take the lands of the Diruvedah?”

  “They will cover all of Sindie to make the peoples of Sindie one.” The blackened figure moved more closely to Tocchah. “I would have you at my side in this quest, Tocchah.”

  The ruler of the Irrvedah turned its back upon Uhe and pointed toward the fires beyond the valley. “This is not a decision that I can make for my tribe. I do not have that power. If I am free to go, I shall argue your offer before my clan masters.”

  Uhe motioned toward one of the other blackened figures. “Conseh, bring two of your warriors.” Uhe turned back to Tocchah. “You may go, and we will come with you. My first warmaster’s blade-swingers can entertain your people with a demonstration of arms.”

  Tocchah looked over its shoulder at Uhe. “And you will be there to cut off the head of the Irrvedah in case my people are reluctant to join your quest.”

  “It should add passion to your argument, Tocchah.” Uhe held out its hand toward the valley. “We will follow you.”

  As Tocchah walked toward the fires of its people, the footsteps of hunters close behind, there were profound questions.

  Why does Aakva inflict the blight and flood on the Irrvedah to show its hand?

  Why does not the God of the Day Light show itself with help when the threat is the most severe?

  Tocchah continued walking, but spoke to the darkness that followed it. “Have you ever noticed, Uhe, that you can never find a god when you need one?”

  “Yes, Tocchah. I have noticed.”

  The party continued in silence toward the fires.

  That night the Irrvedah became Denvedah. The new warriors were spread throughout the Denvedah, and three new denve were organized, becoming the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Denve. The Seventh was trained to become Tsien Denvedah, while the Eighth and Ninth were sent north to secure all of the lands of the Irrvedah for the Denvedah.

  Staaga was one of Conseh’s undermasters, and Staaga was made warmaster of the Seventh Denve. Two of Nuvvea’s undermasters, Chiya and Gidyada, were made warmasters of the Eighth and Ninth Denve, while Nuvvea was appointed overmaster to command the southern denve.

  Undermasters Motah and Dosteh were appointed the new warmasters of the First and Second Denve, while Conseh was appointed overmaster of the Northern Denvedah.

  Nuvvea and the Southern Denvedah were charged with raising two more denve, but to keep the majority of the Irrvedah at their farming, mining, and metalworking to supply all of the Denvedah.

  Daes’s Sixth Denve secured the Southern Akkujah, and Yaga’s Fifth maintained the route of supply from the mountains out into the lands of the Diruvedah where the three denve of the Tsien Denvedah, and the Third and Fourth Denve, brought the war to the north. All of the denve of the Denvedah spoke to each other at night with shielded fires, and in the day with polished butcher blades reflecting Aakva’s light.

  A line marking the lands brought under the control of the Denvedah spread out from the Southern Akkujah toward the east and the north, while sedenve attacked beyond the line at concentrations of Diruvedah hunters. The captured Diruvedah were given the same choice as had been given to the Irrvedah, and most chose to enlist in Aakva’s cause.

  Again the new warriors were spread among the old, and three new denve were formed: the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth. The warmaster of the Fifth Denve, Yaga, was made overmaster of the three new denve, and Shuri was appointed warmaster of the Fifth. Three of Yaga’s undermasters were promoted to become warmasters: Bataar to master the Tenth, Aturah, the Eleventh; and Lin, the Twelfth.

  Uhe called Yaga’s command the Western Denvedah, and had Yaga’s warriors patrol the captured lands of the Diruvedah and protect the farmers Nuvvea sent from the Akkujah to make the land rich with fruit and grain.

  Soon after, Nuvvea sent a message to Uhe that the Northern Denvedah had added two entire denve to its ranks, and that they would be the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Denve, mastered by Hogas and Zemlos. Nuvvea also reported that the Southern Denvedah awaited only orders to move east and enter the Kudah.

  It was two years since Uhe had led its tribe fr
om the Madah. The Diruvedah, under the rule of Mijii, had been driven until it was trapped in a corner formed by the Great Cut and the poison lands of the Melting Mountains. On the edge of the towering cliffs that formed the northern wall of the Great Cut, the land was thick with brush and trees. The Diruvedah hunters would hide in the trees, unleashing showers of poisoned darts down upon any Denvedah that dared enter the forest. Life was bought with life, and advance was slow. Uhe was in its tent, discussing the situation with Conseh and Tocchah.

  Uhe pointed at the map upon the ground. “Even with its two new denve, Nuvvea does not have the numbers necessary to invade the Kudah. The Kuvedah has had two years to prepare for us. Nuvvea must wait until we have dealt with Mijii and the Diruvedah. Then we can cross the Great Cut and attack from the north while Nuvvea attacks from the west.”

  Conseh rubbed its chin and looked at Uhe. “If Yaga’s Eastern Denvedah joined Nuvvea in the mountains, their chances would improve.”

  “True, but too many of the Diruvedah have slipped by us. Yaga is needed to keep the land we have captured in the north secure. We must end the resistance of the Diruvedah before moving into the Kudah.”

  Conseh waved its hand at the map. “Why do we not burn them from the forest? It is dry.”

  Uhe studied the map, then shook its head. “Unknown thousands of the Diruvedah are in the forest. There too are their children. I would avoid such slaughter if I can.” Uhe glanced up at Conseh. “Have my terms been sent to Mijii?”

  “Yes. It has sent no answer.”

  Uhe pushed itself to its feet, walked to the entrance to the tent, and looked toward the distant forest. “Why does not Mijii answer? It is not possible that it does not see its position as hopeless. Does Mijii bargain with the rulers of the Kuvedah for help?”

  Tocchah stood and joined Uhe at the tent’s entrance. “Mijii bargains with no one.” The former ruler of the Irrvedah thought as it studied the expanse of the forest. “Uhe, I believe Mijii feels something I once felt. It was a feeling that the Denvedah should be resisted. Resisted until breath and blood stops.”

  Uhe snorted and looked at Tocchah. “That is foolishness. What is served by such a gesture?”

  “I did not say, Uhe, that the feeling was in the best interests of either the Irrvedah or the Diruvedah. I say only that the feeling was there. I think it is stronger in Mijii than it was in me.”

  “Dah!” Uhe stepped outside its tent and looked around at the sea of prepared warriors. “Does Mijii think to buy itself a place next to Aakva’s side with such a performance? Must I spend the lives of valuable warriors to satisfy what Mijii’s feelings demand?” n the distance, a wisp of smoke rose from the forest. It was soon joined by another. Uhe looked in horror as a third began. “Conseh, your warriors are burning the forest!”

  Conseh rushed outside and looked at the spires of smoke, now five in number. “It is impossible, Uhe. I would not disobey you, and my warmasters would not disobey me.” Conseh studied the forest more closely. “Look, Uhe! The Diruvedah sets its own fires!”

  And it was true. The fires could be seen to begin deep within the forest, far beyond the limits of the Denvedah. The gentle winds blew south toward the Great Cut. The first tongues of flame became visible above the treetops.

  Uhe took a step forward, its fist in the air, and screamed, “Mijii! Mijii! You are insane!”

  Uhe turned to Conseh. “Have the order spread to the front lines that any of the Diruvedah trying to escape the flames are to be allowed to do so. Take them, and guard them, but let them through.”

  Conseh ran toward its staff of runners. Uhe looked back at the forest. The entire front was smoke and flame, obscuring the unburned trees behind. “This is a crime you do, Mijii! A crime against Aakva! A crime against the Sindie!”

  Tocchah came to a stop next to Uhe. “Watch those flames, ruler of the Denvedah. I would not—did not, could not—do the same. But you cannot imagine the pride I feel at this moment.”

  “Pride?” Uhe’s eyes were wide as they turned to stare at Tocchah. “Pride?”

  “They would rather die at their own hands than at yours or the Madah’s. They would rather burn themselves and their children than serve your cause. Yes. Pride.”

  Uhe grabbed Tocchah’s arm. “It is not my cause, Tocchah! It is Aakva’s!”

  Tocchah pulled its arm free and looked at the ruler of the Denvedah. “You say that there are worse things than war; worse things than eating one’s young! I tell you this, Uhe: there are worse things than dying in the manner of the Diruvedah!”

  Tocchah left, and Uhe stared at the burning forest. The ruler of the Denvedah stood for two days and nights watching the flames and smoke. Upon the morning of the third day, a runner approached Uhe bearing food. Uhe ignored the food, but told the runner: “Bring word to Nuvvea. The Northern Denvedah is to go down into the lands of the Kuvedah. Tell Nuvvea that Conseh will take the Northern Denvedah and will cross the Great Cut here. Conseh will be in the land of the Kuvedah within three days. Go.”

  The runner left, and Uhe was overheard to say: “And by the bones of my child, Leuno, if the Kuvedah prefers death to the Denvedah’s victory, then let them be quick about it. I would spend no more good warriors’ lives upon meaningless gestures. You disgust me, Mijii; and you corrupt the memory of a great people. If you refused me your service by dying with a blade in your hand, perhaps then you would be hero. But you are a coward and you have murdered your people.”

  The ruler of the Denvedah lowered its head and began walking toward the forest of ashes.

  In the burned forest, the trunks of trees standing like so many blackened teeth, the Denvedah searched for days. Charred flesh and bones, arranged in ceremonial rings, were found by the warriors. All were dead, the only sounds being the hiss and crack of the few remaining fires.

  It was Uhe who found the lone survivor. It was a baby, half-covered by the body of its parent. The baby’s legs were burned, and the ruler of the Denvedah had Daes send a healer to treat the child. When Uhe was certain that the child would live, it had the child sent back with the healer to the Sixth Denve to be reared as its own.

  Uhe named the child “of the world,” and it was forever after called Sindieah.

  The finish of the next year saw the surrender of the last of the Kuvedah and the Denvedah victorious across the face of Sindie. On the top of Butaan Mountain, a mighty hill of rock near the Akkujah, just north of the Great Cut, Uhe gathered its warmasters and overmasters. And Uhe spoke:

  “You have fulfilled Aakva’s new Law of War. Now I tell you that a new Law of Peace is the wish of the Parent of All. The servants of Aakva shall meet here in ten days. At that time, they shall choose from their number a chief of servants, who will then see to keeping the new law.

  “You will disband your warriors and make them hunters and farmers again, keeping only one sedenve of the Tsien Denvedah to do the bidding of the chief of servants in its quest to bring this world to peace and plenty. The rest shall return to raising children, hunting, living, and worshipping Aakva.”

  Conseh stood forth from the gathering. “Uhe, the servants must choose you as the chief of servants.”

  “No.” Uhe looked down at the rocks of Butaan Mountain. “You will go now and do my bidding.” Uhe motioned toward the old Mavedah chief of servants. “Iyjiia, you shall remain here.”

  The assembled warmasters walked slowly from the mountain. When they had gone, Iyjiia held out its hands and then let them fall to its sides. “What do you want of me, Uhe? Am I to be killed to clear the way for this new Sindie chief of servants?”

  Uhe pulled the hide-wrapped black metal knife from its sash and pointed it at the old servant. Uhe spoke: “Things must change, Iyjiia Those who obstruct the salvation of the Sindie must step aside. Laws that obstruct this same salvation must be put aside. Do you understand this?”

  Iyjiia bowed its head. “I understand.”

  Uhe removed the hide covering from the knife and let the skin fall to
the ground. ‘Iyjiia, I will end my life upon this mountain.”

  “No! You have brought us this far. You have unified the people. You must live to rule the Sindie.”

  Uhe knelt, looked up, and faced the God of the Day Light. “Iyjiia, what it takes to conquer a world is different than what is needed to rule a world.”

  “Perhaps this is fact, Uhe. But how do you know that you lack what it takes to rule a world?”

  “I know, Iyjiia I have lied; I have stolen; I have murdered. Never should the ages be able to describe a Sindie ruler in such terms.”

  Iyjiia knelt next to Uhe, and placed a hand upon Uhe’s shoulder. “These were the necessities of war, of survival, of the times. We are all tainted.”

  “The times have changed, Iyjiia There is no need for war now, and no need for a master of warmasters. I must step aside. The servants must search among the Sindie and find one who is neither thief, blasphemer, murderer, or coward. Choose that one for your chief.” Uhe looked at the old servant. “Iyjiia, will you hear my prayer?”

  Iyjiia removed its hand from Uhe’s shoulder. “I will hear it.”

  Uhe faced the God of the Day Light. “Aakva, your old Law of Peace was wrong, and I have set it right. This is my crime, and my claim to virtue. Aakva, make yourself known to the Sindie, your children; feed them, keep them warm, and keep them safe. Aakva, in the name of your children, become a more perfect god.”

  Uhe then lifted its blade and fell upon it. It took but a moment and Uhe was dead.

  It was Iyjiia who gathered the brush and sticks to burn Uhe’s body, allowing the pyre to carry Uhe’s life to the side of Aakva. Iyjiia remained upon Butaan Mountain for ten days and nights, praying as the servants gathered there. On the morning of the eleventh day, Iyjiia stood and addressed the servants:

  “I have spoken with the God of the Day Light.” Iyjiia pointed at the ashes of Uhe’s pyre. “Here we shall erect a tomb so that the ashes of Uhe the Conqueror may always be in peace. Around this tomb we shall construct a great temple that all may come and learn the story of Uhe. And around this temple the Sindie will settle and build a great city through which the people may learn, practice, and enjoy the lessons and blessings of Aakva.”