“He did and they are acceptable,” nodded Adger as he gazed at the stockade. “This may be a fool’s mission to stand up to the Jiadin, but the Mutang will do so. You will have no trouble from my men. I would like to see some fortifications stronger than what you have here though.”
“We were just discussing a stone wall,” responded Rejji. “Do your men have skills with stone work?”
“Many do,” nodded Adger. “The Mutang are one of the few tribes to inhabit the mountains and build stone fortresses. Another is the Extala and they are behind us. They should be here within the hour. Between the two of us, we will build your stonewall. Where should my men go?”
“There is little room within the stockade right now,” answered Rejji. “The wall we speak of will be built behind you, where the forest thickens. Perhaps you should camp near the river for now. As soon as you are settled, bring your people inside. I will have food prepared and you can eat while we discuss your permanent location.”
“We will get camped,” nodded Adger. “Then we will wait for Blaka and his Extala to arrive before coming in. We will be working together on the fortifications so we should discuss it together.”
“That is wise,” responded Rejji. “How many people does Blaka have, so I may make sure enough food is prepared?”
“The Extala are a little larger than the Mutang,” replied Adger. “I would guess around nine thousand mouths in all. Marshal said you had plenty of food. Is that a problem?”
“Only the manpower to prepare it,” Rejji stated. “Let me get it started so that you do not have to wait for a hot meal. Later today, we will deliver sacks of grain to your people so you may prepare your own meals, but it is our custom to prepare the meal at your arrival.”
“Our women would be honored to help with the preparation of the food,” Adger stated. “I am not naive about the problems of preparing for so many new arrivals. We will not be a burden on the other people already here. Where should they go?”
“That is very understanding of you,” smiled Rejji. “There is a large field between the houses and the river. It is lined with tables. The fire pits are there.”
Adger signaled to his men, who had been listening to the greeting, and they began to move towards the river to set up camp. Adger stared at Rejji for a few moments before speaking.
“I was hesitant to come here,” admitted Adger, “because Ghala is led by one so young and inexperienced. I would not be honest to say otherwise, but Marshal has great confidence in you and my people are starving. Yet you have shown a flexibility normally reserved for those with more years under their belt. Is it true that you killed Diakles?”
“It is,” nodded Rejji. “It was not a great feat. I was only defending myself. As far as Ghala goes, we welcome your input and everyone else’s. We need to all stand together to defeat the Jiadin.”
“Do you really think we can stand against his armies?” frowned Adger. “Look at my people. Their muscle wastes away, and with it, their will to fight. I think Ghala will become a graveyard for many, but the Mutang are committed to making it a valiant stand.”
“It is because of leaders like you,” smiled Rejji, “that we will succeed. You are here because you care for your people more than your pride. Ghala is more than just a last stand for the free tribes. It is a new start for Fakara. It is not only the place that Grulak will see his death, but a place where the tribes will learn that life is more than just pillaging. This used to be a great country and it will be once again.”
“You have optimism and courage,” grinned Adger. “Those are the makings of a fine leader. We shall see where your dreams lead though. Allow this old man to carry your pessimism. I will point out the failings in your plans as I find them.”
“Then we shall work well together,” chuckled Rejji. “I will show you the plans for the city after you have eaten.”
Adger nodded and followed his men while the trio returned through the gates. Rejji stopped inside the gates and let his eye rove over the city that was springing up before his eyes.
“Another nine thousand people,” Rejji shook his head. “It is like all of Fakara will end up in one spot. Are we doing Grulak’s work for him by gathering the tribes together?”
“Brakas would think so,” answered Mistake. “He is so anxious to get out of Ghala and report to Grulak.”
“Where is he?” quizzed Rejji.
“At the healers again,” chuckled Mistake as she looked at Bakhai. “Seems his horse keeps throwing him whenever he gets on.”
“Make sure he doesn’t get too hurt,” cautioned Rejji. “At some point we will want him to escape. How is Karlo making out with the tyrik armor?”
“Great!” exclaimed Mistake. “Once the armor is coated, it is really hard to penetrate and still quite flexible. I haven’t been able to find a dye that adheres to it though, so it is all black like the carganite. I have him playing with designs for headgear so the head is protected in battle. Right now it looks like a sack on your head, but I think he can improve on that.”
“I don’t care much how it looks,” commented Rejji, “as long as it protects. It shouldn’t block your vision either. That could be dangerous. When we get a good pattern, let me know and I will have some made out of tyrik silk.”
“If anyone can design it, it will be Karlo,” added Mistake. “It is scary how his mind works. He just doesn’t think like most people.”
“That is what makes him so valuable,” responded Rejji. “There is something sticking in the back of my mind, but I can’t get it to come out. Something that Adger said. I feel like it is key to defeating Grulak.”
“You probably have too much on your mind,” reasoned Mistake. “It will come to you when you relax.”
“I guess so,” sighed Rejji. “How many ships are we expecting from Lord Marak?”
“He has every ship he owns on its way to us,” answered Mistake. “He has even started building new ships, but they will not help us much. It takes too long to build them.”
“I wonder if Khadora even has enough food to feed all of the people coming to Ghala,” frowned Rejji. “We must owe Lord Marak a fortune already.”
“Not really,” responded Mistake. “I gave him most of our gold and he is very interested in the armor we are making. He is willing to pay a great deal for it if we are willing to export it. As for the amount of food Khadora has, I wouldn’t worry about it. Just counting the fields at Fardale, they probably have more watula than the whole country of Fakara.”
“That’s it!” exclaimed Rejji. “Food. Where is Grulak getting the food to feed his huge army?”
“He is raiding all of the villages in western Fakara,” responded Bakhai.
“Yes, but he is also destroying the villages,” replied Rejji. “He can only destroy a village once and I am willing to wager that he is running out of villages.”
“So his army is starving as well?” questioned Mistake.
“Of course,” nodded Rejji. “According to his plan, he should already be attacking Khadora and food would not be a problem for him.”
“But the tribes didn’t join with him,” added Mistake. “He has wasted a lot of time trying to track them down.”
“That means he will definitely need to conquer Ghala,” frowned Bakhai. “The food here is as important to him as conquering the tribes. Why does this excite you? I should think it would make you more depressed.”
“Because it is the first weakness we have discovered,” answered Rejji. “He can’t afford to lay siege to us because we have food and he doesn’t. Plus all of the eastern villages between the mountains and us have been abandoned. Everyone has come here so he can’t feed off them while he tries to conquer us.”
“I don’t imagine with the size of his army, that he will have much trouble overpowering us,” responded Bakhai. “I still don’t see how any of this helps.”
“It is a long and hungry march from Vandegar Temple to Ghala,” explained Rejji, “especially if something slows you down along the way. Bakhai, I have a mission for you.”