Chapter 14
Moonlit Fire
Night had fallen. Among a great feast all did share stories both old and of new. But the gathering of Elders was soon to come, and so beneath the moon a fire was lit and the Council would listen to what Kimchiku would have to say. But the task set before Lioness Somichi’s son would not be easy. Among the gathering, much anger and confusion as to how to defeat the Creed, held the hearts and minds of many whom opposed him. Professor Clayton, it seemed, would have to choose his moment carefully if he was to succeed in convincing to Men of Lion to act. However, Captain Frances wasn’t so sure that his plan would work?
‘I hope that you’re right about this, Professor,’ he said, ‘if these crazy cats realise what we’re real up to, there is no telling what will happen?’
‘Put your mind at ease, Captain. I have spoken to Queen Lioness Somichi and told her of my intentions and as to why,’ he replied, ‘she has agreed to help us, though her son’s council must come first. Naturally, it is of importance to us that he succeeds. We cannot infiltrate the Creed alone. So whatever happens, do try to remember to go along with it, if at least for the moment.’
‘But if Lioness Somichi is Queen,’ said Zack, ‘why then does her son need permission to defend her people?’
‘Her title is an honouree one,’ replied Professor Clayton, ‘long ago the bloodline of kings was severed. After the Great War many tribes were born, each with different ideals of how to survive, grow and prosper. Queen Lioness Somichi holds rightful heir to the throne, but there are some whom claim differently. They believe that it was her Kingship’s line that ended all by trying to defeat the Creed in the time of their Father’s haunting. Since then, there has been as much trouble with the Creed as there has been with her own peoples. In answer to such turbulence a Council was devised. Consisting of Elders from each tribe, they sought to keep peace by agreeing what should be decided for all by way of independent rule.’
‘Everything went smooth until the Ribbon Dunes started to dry,’ said Captain Frances, ‘those blasted Sand Raiders would grow more daring, taking slaves whenever they could. The last time they fought was when Kimchiku found me and the Professor here. Many where taken... some never made it back at all.’
‘Haunted by his Father’s past,’ added Professor Clayton, ‘and wanting revenge for those whom have fallen, Kimchiku has vowed to restore his Kingship and destroy the Creed. However, he must seek out the will of the Council and win the support of his people to have rightful claim. An act of war by his hand alone would have devastating consequences, if least to mention further endangering all tribes by acts of reprisal from the Creed. That is why we must tread carefully and remember to remain respectful at all times.’
‘It’s luck for us Kid that we just happen to be caught up in this fiasco,’ said Captain Frances, though not entirely pleased with such a thought, ‘otherwise we would never be able to rescue Suzan, let alone return home.’
‘But what happens if this doesn’t work?’ asked Zack as Kimchiku prepared to take to the floor, ‘what then; How do we help Suzie?’
Both Professor Clayton and Captain Frances eyed each other awkwardly. Somehow, Zack felt that it was best not to know.
‘Listen to what Kimchiku has to offer,’ pleaded Lioness Somichi, ‘listen, if only to cast doubt from your hearts!’
‘It is true that the power of rock is great,’ said Kimchiku, ‘but long have the Creed troubled our people, none greater than the last setting of the moon before. All know of what happen upon the dunes of such cast when we did find the grey–haired man of reason. Many braves, brothers and sons, were lost to the Creed; some taken to be enslaved or worse like many peoples of this earth. But I can no longer standby with unrest in my heart, not as long as those of rock grow more daring with the passing of time.’ Kimchiku eyed the Council now with pride in his heart, ‘from times of old they did come and we did learn to hear of their spirits. We did learn to sight their paths and know of their nature – As too, did we did use our skill to remain hidden. And the rocks and the shadows became our shelter; but still they would find us; still they would hunt us. And so our wits became our tip of spear and the waters our shield. But the haunting of our fathers’ was not to destroy the Creed in the spirit of the great battle long ago.’ He raised his voice, his courage burning deeply now in his heart, ‘too long have we taken refuge. Too long have many chosen not the fight. The time has come my brothers...we must act now!’
‘I wish not for all that as happened as do many,’ said one brave, ‘but how can I take my wood of spear against crush of rock?’ he asked.
‘Wasikiy speaks truth,’ said another, ‘Kimchiku’s word would have us turn our wood to scorch of metal and rock to dust, if he was to lead us into battle. But not so will it be should we stand by his side so foolishly, as was it with his Father’s spirits!’
‘I am friend of Kimchiku,’ began the next, ‘his word is of honour and I will have none say never so. Where ever he stands, so too will you find me. And those who side against him with such ill heart as yours,’ he warned, ‘I say to all... choose your fate carefully for he is of my blood. And by his side – in this world or the next – I stand with a ready guard.’
‘You dare to bring shame upon my honour?!’ replied Wasikiy with anger, ‘it is true that the Creed will come and I will meet with them as will you. But the sons of our people must live on. It is madness to give the spirit of their fathers’ to the stars so easily. Who will teach them of our ways when we are gone?’ he asked, ‘who will teach them how to build new homes? And who will teach them how to survive if such dark an hour should fall?’
‘When the dunes dry you will have to seek new refuge,’ said Kimchiku, ‘and when old and grey will you teach your kin to run and hide, passing on the haunting of yours to them forevermore. Is this the dream of freedom you would give to your sons?’ he asked, ‘No, I say we stand our ground. It ends with our bloodline, for such should it be ours to bear and bear we must. If you cannot find it in your heart to rise against your haunting now, then never will you. If you are no longer willing to give your courage to the memory of your sons, then I say you are coward and no longer brother of my people!’
A great roar echoed throughout the night’s air. Those loyal to Queen Lioness Somichi were proud to have kimchiku speak for all. But Wasikiy and his braves would not take kind to her son’s tone. And though he claimed them as coward among his people, still they would not give tip of spear nor quiver of arrow to his call. And in the fall of unbalance, the Council of Elders felt it wise now to cast its ruling. Considering all that he had heard, the Chief of the Council rose to his feet, calling now for all quarrels to end... ‘It must not be so easy to make such decisions of war,’ he said, ‘calm of mind and fiery hearts that would tempt our will must we be. Kimchiku speaks of great deeds that much none can deny. True is it that our peoples and way of life must be protected. But Council would ask; is it such wise a way to make war upon those you truly cannot defeat? Wise a man would think not, for careful must all battles be waged least of wit before heart.’ The Chief of Council did pause for a moment, allowing all before him to reflect upon such words. ‘But Council would also ask; is it less the honour to choose preservation before vengeance, if none can truly find peace in the haunting of ill battles long ago? Wiser a man yet again would think not, for what are ones dreams should they not be given a chance to dream at all?’ The Chief of Council looked now upon both Kimchiku and Wasikiy, ‘both sides of the spirit–world have truth if seen by such wise a man? The spirits say too that it is within such truth a decision of war can only be made. Our fathers’ were of peaceful living, believing all was the creation of Mother Earth; we as one with the beings of now and of the spirit–world. Before the Great War it was to be shared, loved and protected for those to come long after our journey to walk in the light of the stars. Upon the earth they hunted only to feed hunger of family. Though skilled in ways of ancient braves, it was only to defend... n
ever more.’ He shook his head with sadness for those who had fallen, ‘it is with a heavy heart that I must go not with Kimchiku, son of Queen Lioness Somichi. Such would our sons be dreamless should we make war upon those whom cannot be truly defeated.’ He raised an arrow above the warmth of the fire, ‘take this arrow Kimchiku – it is a symbol of foe that I give to you – though it may bend greatly, I cannot break it if none can show me a way to weaken its straight...?’
Sadly Kimchiku could not tell of an answer, nor could any whom stood by his side. It seemed now that he had truly lost his call for arms.
‘Perhaps I may be able to show you a way,’ said Professor Clayton, giving Zack and Captain Frances a wink of his eye before he took to the floor.
‘Do not listen to this old man of reason,’ said Wasikiy, ‘his mind knows not of our people and ways. He is not Lion Kin. He is not of our brothers and his words fall on deaf ears for such bloodless an oath alone.’
However, Lioness Somichi would give honour to his council. And so by Kimchiku’s side, the Council of Elders did grant Professor Clayton the right to speak freely among all.
‘Kimchicku wishes to set free those whom have been taken by wrongful deed, putting an end to the Creed once and for all,’ he began, ‘if the council wishes to break the arrow, then it must set differences aside and unite the tribes. Allow Kimchicku to infiltrate the Creed and set free a vast army of slaves within. Rid your people of this ill from the inside out. Then use your fleet and make the sky rain of fire. Drive the Creed out from their Kingdome. Drive them out from the safety of sand and meet with them upon the water’s edge; the vast lay of ribbon dunes that has been your shield for far too long a time. Only there you will turn rock to mud and arrow to water. Only there will you find an even battleground in which victory can truly be yours. Give strength to your people, and together as one you will not only break the arrow... but crush it forevermore.’
‘Not easy will it be to lure the Creed to such fate,’ said the Chief of Council, ‘to such beings the waters are a great weakness and long have my fathers’ tried and failed to do as you ask. Why now, Council would ask... should it be any different?’
‘The difference is now you will use your shield no longer as a place of retreat and refuge, but as a fool’s lure,’ replied Professor Clayton, ‘Within the Ribbon Dunes they of the Creed are no longer rock but frail and sluggish. They will become a foul existence of mere mud to be washed away at will from your tip of arrow and might of spear.’ He moved closer as Kimchiku and his braves – together with Lioness Somichi – hoped now for a favourable outcome, ‘unite the tribe and send forth your ships. Too long have they lay waste to darkness. Raze the sails of your Fathers’ spirits once more, and let them seek vengeance from the sky above. In the confusion and destruction of their Kingdome the Creed will follow. Let their anger be their undoing and your people will have victory, with many days long and prosperous thereafter.’
‘Break the arrow,’ said Captain Frances, ‘and I will aid Kimchiku in his call. I will sail ship and crew and see to it that the Creed have no Kingdome to ever return to. I will see to it that they must follow the path to the water’s edge in honuor of your Fathers’.’
‘Yes,’ said Lioness Somichi, ‘Raging Buttercup is man of his word, and I will go with him and give blessing and honour to his call. And like a cunning bird of prey we will wait in the shadows of the sun. And when the cry of free soar throughout the air, we will lay siege upon the Creed like nothing that they have ever seen before...unite the tribe great Council. Unite the tribe and see your children dream of a tomorrow!’
And the Chief of Council did reflect in thought for a long time, ‘It is true that the sails of our Fathers’ spirits have seen many a lifetime of darkness... perhaps it is time that they awaken?’ Finally he looked upon Kimchiku and asked, ‘do you take oath with Raging Buttercup and the white haired man of reason?’
‘I give my oath freely,’ he replied proudly, ‘I give him my blood and bravery before all and let none say never so.’
And the Chief of Council did look now upon Wasikiy, asking, ’do you except paths with your brother Kimchiku and kin of all before you? Do you willingly bind your arrow with his?’
Wasikiy eyed Kimchiku and Queen Lioness Somichi before turning his sight upon Professor Clayton and Captain Frances. Like Kimchiku, he too wished to rid his people of their father’s haunting; he too had kin taken from him. But it was long since he had found courage in his heart to act against those whom he could not defeat. Time had taken his strength. Time, it seemed, had weakened him. Perhaps the man of reason was right; perhaps the arrow could be broken? Only one question remained for Wasikiy; could he now renew the courage in his heart; could he re–forge the bloodline of kingship?
‘It is true that the one they call Raging Buttercup, and that of the white haired man of reason have earned their name this night,’ he said, ‘I was wrong to look upon such braves unequally, for they would respectively give call to our people even when insult has been cast.’ He approached the Council, standing now by Kimchiku’s side, ‘if such an arrow is to break, two strengths will it need.’ He ran his finger alone the length of the arrow, finding its end, ‘I will wait here – at the water’s edge,’ he began, drawing his finger to its tip, ‘if Kimchiku will drive forth the Creed to meet with me as one on the battlefield.’ Grasping the arrow now at both ends, he finished, ‘let us hide no longer. Let us run no further. Together let us unite the bloodline; let us defeat the Creed forevermore!’
Professor Clayton smiled. Within the moonlit fire Wasikiy broke the arrow. One way or another, a new kingship would rise with the coming of dawn.