“The animals like the Toraks too,” interjected Bakhai. “They say this area was dying before the blond human came. Now they are happy. There are even large cats about that are more intelligent than any I have met, but it is as if they keep a secret from me. They laugh among themselves when I try to find out more about them, but they are very happy too. I like it here, but I will go where you go. I have never had human friends like you two.”
“They are nice,” nodded Mistake. “The people who used to be slaves are happy and devoted to making the clan better. I have not found one dissenter among the people. The mages even taught me a trick, but I still want to find my family and that means returning to Fakara.”
“What kind of trick?” Rejji asked.
“Something called an Air Tunnel,” answered Mistake. “It allows you to talk or hear over distances. Maybe it will help us find the Sage.”
“You really want to find him badly, Mistake,” Rejji smiled. “I cannot blame you for that. If that is what we are going to do though, we should not mislead Lord Marak and tell him we are going to be merchants. I will not take his gold under false pretenses. We can get to Fakara without his aid.”
“Why can’t we do both?” questioned Mistake. “It should not take forever to find the Sage and then we can try to find some place along the coast to do some trading.”
“There may not be a Sage,” Rejji stated as he bit his lower lip. “We may be looking for him for a long time before we have to admit that. Besides, I do not know if I can do what Lord Marak wants me to do. He doesn’t understand what Fakara is like. There is little we have that the rich Khadorans would want to buy. Even finding a spot to build a dock for his boats where the tribes won’t destroy it will be a problem. His gold would be wasted.”
“So let him waste his gold,” retorted Mistake. “It will get us back to Fakara. And with horses, we will be able to travel much faster.”
“He has been kind to us,” objected Rejji. “I will not take his gold falsely. If not for him, we would still be slaves. If we have his gold, I will use it to buy lumber and create his dock. What good that will do is beyond me though.”
“I think it is information that means more to Lord Marak,” Bakhai stated. “He worries about the tribes and what they may do to his country. I think that is why he wants us to go back; because we are Fakarans and know the country better than his people. I do not mind doing this for him. I have no love for the tribes. They are evil.”
“They are not evil,” responded Rejji. “They are warriors mostly. The Zaldoni were much like the soldiers of Khadora except the Toraks seem to be higher in spirits and more devoted to their leader.”
“The red ones are evil,” argued Bakhai. “The animals know this. The animals talk of death things walking the forests and killing everything in their path. They kill for the pleasure of killing.”
“True,” Rejji frowned as his mind flashed back to his village. “The Jiadin are evil.”
“And the Jiadin were trying to unite the tribes when we left,” added Mistake. “What will happen if they succeed?”
Rejji frowned and paced the clearing. Suddenly, he turned towards his friends. “Very well,” he declared, “we accept Lord Marak’s offer, but I will not deceive him. I will tell him that I do not think I am capable of doing what he asks, but we will try our best. If he accepts that condition, then we are bound for Fakara.”
“Good,” grinned Mistake. “I will ask them to make you some skins before we go. I want to get some arm and leg sheaths made anyway.”
“All right,” nodded Rejji. “Bakhai and I will go see Lord Marak. Join us when you get done.”
The three Fakarans headed back to the mansion and Bakhai followed Rejji to Lord Marak’s office. The door was open and they walked in to find Lord Marak staring out the window.
“Excuse me, Lord Marak,” Rejji began. “I was wondering if we could talk to you about returning to Fakara.”
“Certainly,” Lord Marak smiled as he turned and indicated that the Fakarans should sit. “I was wondering if you were beginning to tire of our hospitality.”
“Not at all,” responded Rejji. “Your welcome has been most gracious and we have all become very happy here. It is a place I think we could easily remain in, but Mistake seeks the Sage of the Mountain to determine where her family is. It is a quest she was on when we met and I pledged to help her on it. I will understand if you do not wish to sponsor us on this journey. You have already done more for us than we can ever repay. We are indebted to you.”
“An interesting woman Mistake is,” smiled Marak. “She almost seems familiar to me in some ways. There is no reason that her quest cannot coexist with what I ask of you. The trade deal we have spoken about is mutually beneficial to both of us, and our nations, but it can wait until you feel you are ready. The information on the tribes is important also, and that may well merge with your travels as you journey.”
“I am sure we will discover more of what the tribes are up to,” agreed Rejji, “but without the port, how will we get information to you?”
“I understand that our mages taught Mistake a trick that will solve that problem,” smiled Lord Marak. “The Air Tunnel will allow her to communicate with us.”
“From Fakara?” queried Rejji as he began to doubt Lord Marak’s knowledge of geography. “It is a great distance from here. I don’t see how that would be possible.”
“We have recently used it from deep in the Sakova,” nodded Lord Marak. “I am not sure how strong Mistake is with it, but it can be used over great distances. She will have to initiate it though, until you settle down in a permanent location. The mages tell me that you must know your destination before the link can be set up over great distances.”
Rejji’s eyebrows rose. “Does Mistake have magical talent?” he questioned.
“Some,” conceded Lord Marak. “That is how she moves so fast. I doubt she realizes it though. I asked our mages specifically to train Mistake for the Air Tunnel so we could communicate with you.”
“I wondered about her speed,” admitted Rejji. “I have never seen anyone move so quickly.”
“There is a caravan leaving tomorrow for Sintula,” offered the Lord of the Torak. “I will have the escort for the caravan take you as far as the Fortung Mountains. From there you will be on your own. Let Seneschal Pito know what you require for the trip. He will see that it is available for you. Bursar Kasa will have gold for you as well. If there is anything else you need, just let me know.”
“You are most gracious, Lord Marak,” nodded Rejji. “I only hope I can live up to your expectations.”
“Do not worry about my expectations,” smiled Lord Marak. “Improve the lot of your Fakaran people and you will have accomplished far more than anyone else has in hundreds of years.”
Lord Marak watched the Fakarans leave his office and Head Mage Klora enter. He shut the door. “What do you think?” he asked.
“Hard to tell how it will go,” frowned Klora. “That Mistake would probably take your gold and run, but she is devoted to Rejji. So is Bakhai. There must be something special about Rejji.”
“You feel it too?” the surprised Torak Lord asked.
“Feel what?” she quizzed. “What do you mean? I feel nothing special about him. I only meant that he has inspired loyalty in his two friends. Do you feel something?”
“I do,” nodded Lord Marak. “I have no idea what it means, but I feel as if we were destined to meet. I have felt that way since the day they arrived and the feeling has only gotten stronger over time. How will he handle things? Did you overhear anything that might indicate their plans?”
“Rejji is sincere,” Klora stated. “He feels he cannot fulfill what you wish, but he said he would be honest with you.”
“He was,” confirmed Marak. “If it was not for this feeling I have, I would not have completed the deal. He feels there is little chance of success. He lacks confidence in himself, yet I feel confidence in his abilities. Why is this?”