Fire, bloodshed, death…!
“I am killed!”
“No…you are not.”
Gasping, N’Sisi cast about wide-eyed to get her bearings. Her eyes then fell upon her Spirit-Sister kneeling beside her cushioned bedroll. The late morning sun streamed in through gauze covered windows to warm the terra cotta walls of the room which she rested. The wispy curtains moved gracefully a cool salt tinged breeze flowed in to cool her brow.
“Meru…how am I not dead? That Dark Warrior beheaded me! Did you bring me back with witchcraft?”
Laughter sharply issued from her Spirit-Sister and echoed off the walls loud enough to cause a pair of guards and women-in-attendance to burst into the room.
“Lady Meru! Is everything all right?” snapped one of the women as her obsidian dagger came into view.
Reflexively, N’Sisi leaped to her feet and into a defensive stance to protect her charge. She wished she hadn’t.
“Everyone stop! All is well! I am fine. I was just laughing. Please, stand down!”
N’Sisi’s neck and shoulders felt as if a tree had fallen on them. The sudden pain made her fall to her knees and her Spirit-Sister and the attendants came to her aid. The guards made their apologies and Meru thanked them for their vigilance. Once the attendants left after putting a roll of oiled medicinal herbs on her injury, N’Sisi settled down.
As Meru adjusted the cloth pillow propping her up N’Sisi remarked, “You don’t have to do that…‘Lady Meru’.”
She placed a calloused hand upon the new golden bracelet encircling her Spirit-Sister’s wrist.
“So the Royal Family is dead then? Your father now stands as Regent and you are the Royal Heir?”
Dropping her head Meru replied, “I never wanted any of this! Ba’ba has already sent messengers out to Island City for help against the invaders.”
Readjusting her position on the pillow, N’Sisi reflected on the news. The King of Palm had been a fair ruler and the Royal Family were decent people of which any of them were fit to inherit the throne. They had been slaughtered by the Tenaree and now her beloved Spirit-Sister was now thrust onto the front lines of politics due to simple circumstance.
“The price of any aid given by the Islanders will be a marriage Meru.”
“I know.”
A long silence fell upon them and then N’Sisi snapped, “Why am I not dead?”
Meru covered her mouth with both hands this time to hold in her outburst.
“You laugh, but I am serious! I saw the death stroke fall….”
Better composed, Meru explained.
“My sister, you are not dead because the Warrior did not kill you! At the last instant he stayed his hand. I saw you fall and thought you dead so great was the blow. Instead, he placed us upon his beast and brought Ba’ba and everyone else to Sea City.”
Looking confused N’Sisi barked, “What made him bring us here?”
Meru poked her Spirit-Sister sharply.
“Ow!”
“I told him to bring us here and he did so!”
Rubbing her new injury N’Sisi queried, “How did you manage that? Did you put a spell upon him?”
Exasperated Meru rolled her eyes at her Spirit-Sister.
“No! When I held you in my arms, he seemed to...change. He and the Tenaree man gathered up all the red metal weapons and led us here. A pair of times on the way, we heard the invaders beating the bush for survivors hiding in the forest.
The Warrior bid us wait while he went ahead. Not long after, he returned with more survivors and red metal weapons to load down his new servant with! By the time we reached the gates of Sea City, there were dozens more people with us than when we started!”
N’Sisi grabbed Meru’s arm, this time more intense.
“Meru, where is the Warrior? What is his name? Where did he come from? He shattered the spear of my fathers and....bested me in combat!”
Yanking her hand away, Meru snapped at N’Sisi.
“I know you are NOT thinking about challenging the Warrior again are you? I know not why he stayed his hand the first time. There is no guarantee he will do so a second!”
With difficulty, N’Sisi rose from the pillow onto her elbow.
“I am Champion of Palm! I have brought down fell beasts, great warriors and taken the heads of both witches and warlocks! You believe I cannot win against this man?”
Gently placing N’Sisi’s strong hand in hers upon her lap, Meru soberly looked her Spirit-Sister in the eyes.
“Sister. You saw the Warrior burst from a doorway that appeared from thin air. You saw our enemies cut down before him like the harvest in the fields. You fought him and he did what none of the men, beasts spell-casters were able to do.
You live at his behest. Be glad you do not wear the mark of the defeated as does the Tenaree now at his command!”
With a drawn out sigh, N’Sisi collapsed back upon the pillow and bedroll.
“Stop it.”
“I’m not doing anything Meru.”
“Yes you are. You’re thinking about how you can get your revenge.”
“I am a Champion. I cannot let this go!”
“True, you are a champion my sister. But you are no longer Palm City’s champion for it has fallen. You are now my champion and I need you to keep your wits and not run off to do something stupid that will get you killed.”
N’Sisi turned her head towards her Spirit-Sister and looked down at the golden bracelet on her wrist. Giving the longest of sighs, she capitulated.
“Yes Lady Meru. It will take time to get used to saying that my sister.”
With a wry smile Meru replied, “It will take some getting used to hearing it. But, I think I will get used to you being at my beck and call….”
N’Sisi groaned and then chuckled.
“My lady, you never did answer my question. Where is the Warrior?”
“The last time I saw him, he was with my father and the new Minster….”
****
The Valley Knight looked over the earthwork walls of Sea City. Sand and stone berms bristled with palm tree stakes of varying length all surrounded by a moat filled with sea water. Looking over the side of the high wall made of fire-hardened palm tree trunks, the Knight watched as sharks patrolled the moat’s crescent moon shaped perimeter.
By following the current, the deadly fish passed beneath a well-engineered suspension bridge linking the small city with the villages on shore. The view would have been pleasant if not for the multitude of villagers and refugees from the attack on Palm City crowding to make their way across the bridge.
Towards the middle of the bridge something caught the Knight’s eye. Signaling to his new Tenaree servant the Knight pointed to the area on the bridge and after the man located the point of interest, he nodded his head.
Standing by the Knight was Agozi the new Regent of the Palm Nation and Namba, the new Minister of Sea City. Behind them stood Sea City’s Champion M’Bezi who watched the Knight’s back with hawk-like eyes.
The Regent still worn out from the night’s ordeal leaned upon the wall heavily. After his intervention on the behalf of himself and the people of Palm City, Agozi appointed the Knight Champion of the Palm Nation!
The decision was met with vehement disapproval from the Regent’s new court in Sea City. No one knew this man who according to Agozi and his daughter had not only slaughtered an advanced troop of the desert invaders, but also handily defeated the warrior N’Sisi, the nation’s former champion!
When pressed for his name, where he came from or why he was helping them in this time of great crisis, the black and white clad warrior only gave the name ‘Montsho Banga’. The name did not translate into any words those present knew, but the Tenaree who now served him made the sign of the strange weapon the Knight wore at his hip.
Agozi made the connection for he’d seen the man and his strange beast burst forth from a flash of light and descend upon the enemy like fire upon dry grassland! In the warrior’s hand was a black weapon so terrible, it cut down the formidable Tenaree warriors and their weapons made of red metal. So when after a night of running for his life, his savior and new champion wanted to see the city’s defenses, he now stood beside him atop the wall instead of heeding the call of his bed!
All noticed the Knight and his attendant’s attention was focused upon the bridge as fearful villagers and refugees clambered to get across to the safety of the walled city. With a swiftness of motion which surprised those present, the Knight stood with a powerful looking black bow in hand. None had seen him produce the unique weapon, draw or release an arrow, but certainly heard the harsh ‘Thrumm!’ of the missile being released!
Just as fast, the screams of women rang out as two men on the bridge fell to the wooden planks pinned head-to-head by a single black arrow! As the bodies flopped about, a sudden panic erupted on the bridge and the mobs ran hell bent to reach the gates.
“The God’s sake man! What have you done?” screamed the Minister as he watched the crush of people succumb to mayhem.
The Knight said nothing as he notched another arrow. An instant later, he found what he was looking for. ‘Thrumm!’ was the sound as the second arrow left the Black Horn Bow. It quickly found its target in the back of the skull of a man attempting to climb over the side of the bridge.
The arrow struck with such force, the unfortunate man was torn from his handholds on the bridge to pinwheel down into the moat. Dead before he hit the water, the victim was spared the knowledge of being devoured as sharks instantly descended upon the bloody corpse.
As the Minster continued to rail against the Knight’s actions, he let fly a third arrow this time striking a man fully through the meat of the thigh. The Minister and his attendant watched as the man desperately hobbled his way into the crowd on shore to disappear among the surging throng.
The Knight put away the bow and continued to watch as the warriors of Sea City worked to calm the mobs upon the bridge. One managed to push his way through to the bodies of the first two men. A moment later, the warrior shouted towards the gates as he held up a copper shortsword.
“Mazi Montsho Banga, you let that man live. Was it as before?”
The Knight regarded the man he now knew as Sadiki and the large scabbed over ‘X’ cut into his forehead. The mark was that of one who had been defeated in battle and in exchange for their life surrendered their service to the victor.
The Knight spared him the night before as he saw him as no more than a common soldier doing nothing more than what he was told. Already Sadiki proved useful with information about the army surging across this land and confirming the Knight’s suspicions about the men on the bridge.
Still looking out towards the shore, the Knight addressed the Regent.
“Kimoni my King, as you can see the Tenaree have sent infiltrators to Sea City. They attempted to mix into the crowds. The one I let live looked to be dedicated to completing his task until he got shot. He’ll relay the message to his masters we are vigilant.”
As Regent Agozi gasped at the thought of Tenaree within the city, Minister Namba choked as he struggled to contain his outburst towards the chaos caused by the stranger. It was obvious to him as well the Knight’s actions no doubt thwarted the Tenaree’s plans at least momentarily.
It was the deep-voiced warrior M’Bezi who posed the question on everyone’s mind.
“Mazi Montsho Banga, how did you know those men were Tenaree?”
M’Bezi found himself suddenly uncomfortable as the black cloth masked stranger turned fearsome eyes toward him as he responded.
“Mazi M’Bezi, only they among all the people trying to gain entrance sought to conceal themselves covered in plainspun cloth. It is a clear morning and the sun has not yet reached the center of the sky. Why cover yourself under such pleasant conditions unless you don’t want to be revealed?”
Sea City’s champion had to think hard to find flaw with the Knight’s logic. He’d seen the fourth man shot covered in plainspun rags and the third who was shot off the bridge. Even now as he looked over into the moat, the remnant of bloody plainspun cloth floated by as it was picked at by fish.
Having gained his composure but still not convinced of the Knight’s trustworthiness, Minister Namba queried, “So…Mazi Montsho Banga, what do we do now?”
The Valley Knight saw all eyes were upon him including the nearby wall sentries. It was a valid question and it was obvious these people were prepared to keep people out of the city in a direct attack. However, from what he’d seen so far, they were ill prepared to deal with an enemy capable of subterfuge.
“Minister Namba for now, we post more warriors at the front of the bridge and make them wary of anyone trying to disguise their appearance. Double the guards at the gates and have them question at random those entering the city. Make certain they detain suspicious persons for questioning.”
Turning to the Regent the Knight bowed his head slightly and said, “Kimoni, I suggest you get some rest and leave the preparations to your vassals. When you are rested, we will await your inspection.”
The suggestion he leave the wall and take to his bed was music to the new Regent. He had only been ruler of the Palm Nation for a few hours, but already the task was wearing on him body and mind. Agozi placed a hand on the Knight’s powerful shoulder and looked into those fierce eyes.
“Mazi, I know not where you come from or why you have chosen to help us. Know that we already owe you a debt for saving my life, my daughter’s and dozens of Palm City's people. We implore you to help us defend this city and then push these invaders from our land. Do this and the hand of my daughter in marriage is yours!”
Minister Namba felt his throat tighten at the announcement. In an instant, an unknown warrior had come within reach of the Regency of the Palm Nation! Sea City and Island City would become his to rule. Should the invaders be repelled, Palm City too would be his. He had known the Regent as Minister to Palm City for many years and he’d been competent and fair in judgement for the great city. But now in his elder years amid this crisis, he threatened to give away the nation!
“Yes, Regent Agozi please take your rest. Leave the details for the city’s defense to us. As for you Mazi Montsho Banga, please let us know what you need.”
All bowed as the Regent and his guards left the wall. Upon the Regent's exit, the Valley Knight pointed to the Minister’s champion.
“I’ll take Mazi M’Bezi. I’ll need his knowledge of the warriors of this city and their capabilities.”
Namba frowned at the prospect at not having the city’s champion constantly by his side, but he had to keep up appearances of complying with the new Regent’s wishes. Reluctantly he replied, “Very well. Is there anything else?”
“Yes, Minister. Please use your influence to have those coming into the city properly housed and fed within the day and night. If hungry and unsheltered people are left unattended too long, thievery and worse will occur within the walls. Also, make a decree that any merchants or traders caught gouging prices of goods or services will have their hands cut off.”
Minister Namba veins nearly burst within his neck at the suggestions.
“Are you mad? Feed everyone? House everyone? Cut off the hands of merchants and traders? I will do no such thing!”
Those fierce eyes bored directly into his as the foreigner replied, “Have it your way Minister Namba. But when the enemy holds the shore and you need the spirit and cooperation of the people within the walls up and ready, it won’t be.
Hungry, desperate people who have no shelter at the mercy of merchants and traders who make it impossible for them to get the basics will throw open the gates if the enemy promises succor.
Of course, the Tenaree will take the opportunity to create chaos within the city and then destroy it along with everyone inside with very little effort on their part. But, you are the Minister and know best the Regent’s wishes….”
With his best smile Minister Namba nodded to the Knight and said, “I shall see to these preparations Mazi.”
As the Minister and his attendants descended the ladders, M’Bezi queried, “Mazi Montsho Banga what do you want of me?”
“You’re with me. I need to set up something first and you’ll need to be there for it.”
“What about me Mazi?”
“Sadiki, find the Champion N’Sisi and bring her to me. She’ll need to be a part of this as well.”
The Tenaree ran off to comply and M’Bezi wondered, “Mazi, is it safe to allow that man to run loose within the walls?”
Headed towards the ladders the Valley Knight replied, “He gave his blood oath to serve the man who spared his life. I take blood oaths deadly serious. I trust his desire to continue living.”
To be concluded.....
© 2016 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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