“The tribes are on the verge of disbanding,” sighed Wyant. “They are no longer fighting forces. They are starving men. Many that I have spoken to have talked about checking out this new town of Ghala to settle down in. Their spirit is broken and they yearn for a new life. I can not blame them, but I fail to see how that will stop Grulak from dominating the whole of Fakara. The fact is, there is nowhere to hide from Grulak.”
“Then don’t hide,” retorted Rejji. “Help me stand and fight.”
“Stand and fight?” echoed Wyant. “Are you crazy? Grulak has tens of thousands of men. I thought you had more sense than that. What are you going to do, resurrect your tiny village?”
“No,” declared Rejji. “I am going to rebuild Ghala and I could use your help. You and any of the free tribes that are willing to meet some basic conditions.”
“Okay, wait a minute,” frowned Wyant. “You are going a little fast for me. What do you have to do with Ghala and why would it need to be rebuilt?”
“The Jiadin army that Brakas talked to attacked it and burned it down,” replied Rejji. “I built Ghala with the help of many great people and I intend to rebuild it. I do not imagine the Jiadin will give us a lot of time to do it though. I can use help.”
Wyant stared at Rejji as if seeing him for the first time. He turned and looked at the black clothed soldiers and his eyes landed on Marak. “Who are you and what do you have to do with all of this?” he asked Marak.
“I am Lord Marak of the Torak clan of Khadora,” Marak answered. “I have trading contracts with Rejji. We have come to view Ghala and the surrounding areas. I am very impressed with what I have seen. I think you should listen to Rejji’s offer seriously. It may be the only hope for Fakara’s future.”
Wyant nodded slowly and bit his lower lip in thought. “How many of your people survived the attack?” he asked Rejji.
“All of them,” smiled Rejji. “We have developed defense plans to keep the people safe. We do not have much of a defensive force so we were not able to save the buildings. I can promise each man you bring will have abundant food. He will never know hunger and he can be a part of the rebuilding of Fakara. Isn’t it time for us to end the misery that we have come to call life here in Fakara?”
“I sure would like to settle down in peace,” nodded Wyant. “What are the conditions that you will impose?”
“Very few,” stated Rejji. “We want no lawlessness in our city. Ghala is not a tribal fortress. It is our stake at a new civilization. We expect all of our citizens to behave honorably. That means no fighting among the tribes. No stealing or intimidating the citizenry. And the tribes will have to acknowledge a higher authority.”
“A higher authority?” questioned Wyant. “I suppose that means you? I don’t think the tribes will knuckle down for a man barely older than a lad.”
“I can easily set up a city council composed of old men if that makes them feel any better,” chuckled Rejji. “Actually, I was hoping you would be that higher authority. I would, of course, expect you to maintain the kind of order I need to make this work.”
“You finally believe me then?” queried Wyant.
“Oh yes,” nodded Rejji. “You place Brakas in the right places at the right times. I was in that party near the headwaters of the Ghala River and I was the one that Killed Diakles the day after you saw him. Yes I believe you.”
“You killed Diakles?” echoed Wyant. “That alone will raise you in the eyes of the tribes. How much food do you have in that city of yours?”
“I can have as much as I need,” Rejji said. “Lord Marak has two ships on the way and he will send more when I ask for it. We have nice herds of Wasooki and clova and more watula then we can use. You supply the men and let me worry about the food.”
“You realize that as soon as I start to gather the tribes, Grulak will attack in force?” frowned Wyant.
“That depends on how many men you gather,” interjected Marak. “I understand that the main body of his forces are quite distant from here. If he sends only a portion of his army, you may well defeat it. If he brings his entire army, then you will need some clever strategy.”
“Very clever strategy,” sighed Wyant. “He has more men than all of the free tribes put together.”
“Yes and they will be weary from the travel,” stated Lord Marak. “Perhaps they will even be harried along the way. Just having a greater number of men does not guarantee success. You will have time to learn the terrain, which will be foreign to him. You will also have time to plan for a defense.”
“Do you have armies that you are willing to offer to this solution?” Wyant asked Marak.
“I have armies,” declared Marak. “This is not Khadora’s fight though. If Rejji requests assistance, I will send what I can, but I think you Fakarans can accomplish the goal.”
“Your answer pleases me,” smiled Wyant. “At least I know that you are not encouraging this for selfish reasons. I may be crazy, but I think I am going to accept this position as your new general, Rejji.”
“May I suggest you use a different term,” interjected Marak. “If the tribes already have generals, you will appear to be usurping their titles. In Khadora we use the term Marshal.”
“Very well,” nodded Wyant. “Marshal it is. Start shipping food in, Lord Marak. We are going to need a lot of it. If I can borrow a horse, you will have thousands of men within the week. I just hope Brakas doesn’t catch wind of it before we are ready.”
“Does Brakas know you are alive?” asked Lord Marak.
“No,” answered Wyant. “I would prefer to keep it that way until I can find him again.”
“Tell the men you send to Ghala not to mention your name until you arrive then,” suggested Marak. “If Brakas returns to the city, I think he can be used to supply false information to the Jiadin. It could prove to be vital to any plan you come up with.”
“Do you think he will return?” questioned Wyant.
“I do,” interjected Rejji. “It would seem that I am Brakas’s second mission. With me and the tribes in the same place, Brakas will show. When he does, he will find his ability to leave impaired until I see fit to allow it.”
“Take one of the horses from these slavers,” offered Marak. “One word of caution before you go, Marshal. If any of these tribes intend on coming to Ghala to pillage it instead of joining in its defense, I will bring my armies from Khadora to extract retribution, and my armies are trained for battle against other armies, not raiding villages.”
Wyant looked at the ring of arrows stuck in the ground and nodded. “If that happens, Lord Marak,” he said seriously, “I will be riding with you. The days of plunder are over for Fakara. Those who do not understand that are better off joining the Jiadin than us. My back is scarred and my face is bruised, but I feel more hopeful today than I have felt in any other day of my life. We will make this work.”
Rejji and Marak watched Wyant leave. “He will work out well for you,” smiled Lord Marak.
“Yes he will,” nodded Rejji. “It is time to give the rest of these prisoners their choice of going free or joining Ghala. We could use the two empty wagons to transport them if they wish to join the city.”
“If that is what you want to do,” offered Marak, “Halman and Gunta can accompany us to Ghala and I will leave Botal and his squad to escort them.”
“Let us ask them what they want to do,” agreed Rejji.
Chapter 31
The Tribes
“Rejji,” called Riktor, “I have been looking all over for you.”
“How is the unloading going?” Rejji asked Riktor.
“The first ship is empty and leaving the dock now,” Riktor replied. “There are two more anchored offshore. The warehouse is full and we are running out of room. Where am I supposed to put all of the cargo?”
“It would appear that Lord Marak has high hopes for our Marshal,” smiled Rejji. “He said he would step up shipments when he got back home.”