Wars of the Aoten
Chapter LIV
The Koinoni had moored their vessels upstream, for a twofold purpose. First, they hoped to serve as early warning, as the Aoten no doubt would again march upon the village from the north. The Koinoni conceived to set out a signal as soon as they spotted the giants’ approach. Then, second, as the battle took shape and the armies drew the Aoten within the archers’ range, the trading clan was charged with closing in upon the giants’ rear flank with their slings.
Yarrow stood on deck with others, all spinning in turn even though they knew which direction to watch. Within the shadows of his heavy robes Kylie hung from his Raspar belt, and he contemplated what he had failed to attain.
“How have we managed to perfect misjudging the value of things, Gessel?” he asked the one nearest him. “Always have we coveted Rufoux weapons, and yet from the black sand we gave the bumbling smithy they produce a mightier blade than ever imagined. We surely draw no closer to the better thing than on the day Zdjaman required it of us.”
“If it can be bought or sold, you will recognize it, Yarrow,” Gessel replied.
“I fear all other ways are wasted upon the Koinoni. But at last we have reached the Bedoua, and the Raspars. New clans for trade will open new roads to explore. Perhaps one day we will also understand the Melics, and will find this better way, and find a homeland. For now, we would do well to befriend the new Raspar regent, before our minds turn completely to warfare. Let us pole our ship back to the village.”
Within the stockade walls, Rhodan watched Krait walk away from the encamped Raspars and toward the tents of his own clan. Only then did he stand and slowly work his way through the tightly packed Raspar archers. Stepping over shoulders and gingerly placing his feet between bodies, he made a winding trail that led eventually to Vespus.
“Lo, what do ye speak with the Bedoua?” he demanded.
“Nay, nothing meant for ye to hear. Ye shall not listen to private talks,” Vespus replied, his voice rising in indignation.
“Aye, but ye no longer reside in the Eternal City of the Raspars, and neither do I. We bow to the rule of the Rufoux first, and Mercedi second, while we dwell within Rufoux borders. That is why I hear ye speak with the Bedoua.”
Vespus scoffed but calmed down. “Lo, it is of no matter at any rate. The Bedoua speaks only of his own clan, and they hold no importance for the Raspars. He has his own ideas for defeating the Aoten, and the Rufoux as well.”
“Lo, defeat the Rufoux? Why does he wish this?”
“Aye, he wishes this greatly. His hatred for the Rufoux boils over, and he desires their lands for the Bedoua. He promises lands for the Raspars as well.”
“Nay, but the Raspars do not desire new lands. Has Mercedi wished for new lands?”
“Nay, not that I know,” said Vespus. “Mercedi does not counsel with me, though I seek only to serve her. Aye, indeed, she only humiliates me. Yet Krait promises that new lands will be home to new Raspar cities, bigger cities to protect many Raspars. Mercedi surely would see wisdom in that.”
“Lo, but what of Sylva? Did he reveal designs against Sylva?” Rhodan’s tone betrayed his anxiety.
“Lo, he will eliminate her. He will kill Dungo, and the daughter as well. Their doings have no meaning for us — it is a Bedoua matter.”
Rhodan stood up and looked about in distress. “Nay, but we must stop him. We must save Sylva, and Dungo!” Around him Raspars neither heard nor cared.
“Lo, why should the Raspars care, or risk our safety?”
“Aye, we must care, for the safety of many lies in the balance. Why does Krait conspire to kill his vizier? What plan has he hatched?”
“Lo, to take over his clan. Then he will withhold Bedoua lancers, and I will withhold Raspar archers, and the giants will wipe out the Rufoux and all others …”
“Lo, ye?! Ye plan to withhold Raspar archers? And how do ye suppose to accomplish this?”
“Aye, I will forbid the archers to fire,” replied Vespus, becoming confused.
“Lo, and what of Mercedi when she orders them to fire?”
Vespus did not answer; he clearly had given the matter no thought.
Rhodan grabbed his shirt by the shoulder and pulled him to his feet. As he dragged Vespus out of the crowd he cried, “Lo, we must find Mercedi! Fool — do ye understand nothing? How can ye overrule Mercedi as long as she lives? Krait expects ye to kill her! He will command ye to kill the regent after ye have no choice left!”
Vespus stared at him dumb-founded. “Nay! Never! I have no loyalty to any, except the Raspars, and the regent!” he insisted.
“Aye! Then we must run, we must find Mercedi, and warn her! We must save Sylva!”
They struggled out of the tangle of sitting men and ran around the perimeter, finally finding Mercedi at the edge of the cluster of Raspars. She faced a Koinoni, probably Yarrow, deep in conversation, with five others spinning around them.
Vespus reached her first and dropped to both knees. “Lo, my regent! My fair queen! Have mercy upon me, for I understood not!”
“Lo, what do ye talk about?” she replied. “Ye talk like Linus.”
“Aye, my lady,” began Rhodan, as Vespus bowed panting. “Treachery abounds against ye, and death awaits. Another clan plots your destruction.”
“Nay, nay, ye drive me to confusion. What is this?”
“Lo, speak, Vespus!” commanded Rhodan.
“Aye, lady regent, I know of a scheme that would lead to your slaying.”
“Lo, am I to join in on such a plan? What do ye talk about?” Mercedi asked toughly.
“Lo, regent, the Bedoua man Krait dreams a plan to defeat the giants and kill off the Rufoux. He plans to kill his vizier. Forgive me, regent, I beg ye!”
“Nay, Dungo? Treachery indeed, but why do ye require mercy?”
“Lo, regent Mercedi, the Bedoua man Krait expects to take command of the Bedoua, and refuse their lances in the battle against the giants. He drew me in as well, to refuse also Raspar archers! I did not see, regent! I beg ye to believe me, I did not see! He expects me to kill ye, regent, and so to command the archers. But I refuse, regent Mercedi! Now I see, and I swear I will not! Please be merciful, Mercedi Zardracon, I have no loyalty to any but the Raspars, and to ye!”
Vespus fell to weeping with his one eye, and Mercedi looked upon him coldly. “Lo, we sojourn outside the Raspar walls, so I will not deal with ye in Raspar fashion, until that time when we return. What know ye of this?” she asked Rhodan.
“Aye, regent, I heard this man Krait say he would kill Sylva. Then he will kill Dungo, and take over as vizier to the Bedoua, Vespus says, and betray the Rufoux to the giants. He bargained for Raspar aid, and Vespus was too thick to see through his plan.”
“Lo, regent,” offered Vespus, seeking favor. “Krait hopes the giants will destroy the Rufoux, and the Melics and Koinoni as well, and then the Bedoua and Raspars might overcome those that still survive. He wishes to take ownership of the land, so the Bedoua can live in prosperity. He promises land for Raspar cities. But first he requires me to acquire sharp weapons from the Rufoux metal smith.”
“Nay, when do Raspars rely on promises of others?” said Mercedi. “The wages of deceit are nights too frightful for sleep, Vespus; if Krait designs to betray three clans of Medialia, what will stop his betraying the fourth? Ye fool!”
“Aye, regent,” said Vespus, still bent over his knees.
“Lo, we must deal with this Krait,” said Mercedi.
“Aye, but what will ye do?” said Rhodan. “We can do nothing to threaten the alliance — ye and I, we have worked too hard,”
“Nay, we can not. To inform Dungo would do no good, for he will see no evil.”
“Nay, Krait serves as his highest minister. Dungo would never believe our report, and Krait would certainly deny it. Only bad blood could arise from such talk.”
“Lo, perhaps I can make the traitor change his mind,” said Mercedi, and her eyelids drooped slightly. “I have been kn
own to make men change their minds.”
“You will get no agreement from this Bedoua man,” Yarrow broke in.
“Lo, what do ye say?”
“This man Krait is double-minded; he is not to be trusted. The Koinoni have turned down already his bribes to deliver up all you other clansmen.”
“Aye? He has tried this with ye?”
“After the clans’ first meeting, before we gathered to seek out you Raspars. Dungo too was absent, and Krait claimed to speak for the Bedoua. The vile brute cursed the Koinoni, cursed us to our faces, and before the other clans! Then not a degree in the sun’s journey later, he slinked around again to make bargain with us.”
“Lo, and what did he want from ye?”
“He promised us Rufoux territory for a homeland if we drew the Melics into the village and made them all to take of his poison. Then we would travel back to the Bedoua camp as though bringing news, and he would overthrow Dungo. He is a crazy man, crazed by his manipulations!”
“Aye! So ye did not consider joining him?”
“Of course not. We sought what he had for trade, and he had nothing. Koinoni need more than the air of promises to sell our service. Crazy man!”
Mercedi gazed hard at the robed figure — so benign in manner, so indifferent to any higher calling — for just a moment. “Lo, Yarrow, I must apologize, but also I must ask you to withdraw at this moment.”
Once the six Koinoni had left, she turned back again to Rhodan.
“Lo, the man Krait is surely bent upon this action. He has only himself in his heart, and what we prevent him from doing this time he will replace with yet worse villainy to come.”
“Aye, Mercedi. What will ye do?”
“Lo, I have not already grown weary of this endeavor, and I will show my faithfulness. The Raspars will give proof of our commitment. Krait we must stop; Dungo, and the alliance, we must preserve. Sadly, the duty falls to us — fetch Severus to me.”