The Labors of Ki'shto'ba Huge-Head: Volume Three: The Valley of Thorns

By Lorinda J Taylor

Ki’shto’ba Huge-Head and its Companions are summoned back to Marcher lands where the High Commander Zhu’zi’a’ro’a and its Warriors have been engaged in a war with the Southern Nasutes over possession of the land to the south of Pol’ki’shtot (the Valley of Thorns). Having little luck keeping the treacherous Sta’ein’zei at bay, Zhu’zi’a’ro’a has decided to take A’zhu’lo’s advice and attempt to negotiate peace, with Ki’shto’ba’s help. Now, however, the Sta’ein’zei are advancing on the new fortress of Wei’loi’bao’cha, which lies immediately south of the Valley of Thorns. Ki’shto’ba decides it will cast its lot with the Marchers and fight alongside A’zhu’lo to protect Wei’loi’bao’cha.
However, the defense of the fortress does not go well. The Marchers decide they must abandon Wei’loi’bao’cha, taking its Mother with them inside one of the trickster Za’dut’s wheeled conveyances. The Marchers withdraw through the Valley of Thorns, granted sworn assurances of safe passage by Pai’it’zei and Lin’tuk’ko (the Commander and the High Priest of the Sta’ein’zei). Ki’shto’ba is assigned to lead the vanguard that escorts the Mother while Zhu’zi’a’ro’a, A’zhu’lo, and Lug’tei’a command the rear, intending to use the lightning horn to summon aid from Ki’shto’ba’s forces should there be any treachery.
And indeed treachery is fated to be the order of the day ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lorinda J Taylor
• Release date: Nov 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310167027

Lorinda J Taylor

A former catalogue librarian, Lorinda J. Taylor was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and worked in several different academic libraries before returning to the place of her birth, where she now lives. She has written fantasy and science fiction for years but has only recently begun to publish. Her main goal is to write entertaining and compelling fiction that leaves her readers with something to think about at the end of each story.

Book preview

THE LABORS OF KI’SHTO’BA HUGE-HEAD

Volume III

THE VALLEY OF THORNS

by

Lorinda J. Taylor

This is a work of fiction. All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Similarities to certain works of literature are intentional.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return toSmashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The person responsible for the existence of this book in the 21st century wishes to acknowledge her debt to three sources:

First, to Robert Graves and his impressive compilation entitled The Greek Myths. The points of view and the comprehensive information contained therein helped to make this series possible.

Second, to Dr. Timothy G. Myles, whose amazing website taught me most of what I know about termites.

Third, to several versions of Le Chanson de Roland available on line, including the Old French version at the Bibliotheca Augustana http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/augustana.html. For an English version I relied on the Isabel Butler prose translation in Medieval Literature in Translation, edited by Charles W. Jones (New York, Longmans, Green [c1950]).

L. J. T.

Cover illustration (Lug’tei’a the Warrior-Priest fights the Demon Warrior) drawn by Lorinda J. Taylor.

Copyright © 2013 by Lorinda J. Taylor

Dedication

To the memory of

Lorinda C. Games

the finest friend any two people

could ever have,

whose name my mother made mine

Note to the Smashwords Edition

The print edition of this tale includes a map of the beginning of the quest. Partly because the small e-reader format would most likely render this map illegible, the 21st-century presenter has omitted it here. It can be found online at http://termitespeaker.blogspot.com and the reader is welcome to print it or download it from that source.

Because of difficulties in linking the footnotes in both directions, the presenter decided to distribute them throughout the text rather than placing them at the end of the book. A double dagger [‡] marks each note, which is then placed at the end of the paragraph. This seems to be the lesser of several evils, ensuring that readers have an opportunity to view the note without overly disrupting the flow of the reading.

L.J.T.

Synopsis of The Storm-Wing

(v. 2 of the Series)

The Champion Ki’shto’ba Huge-Head and its Companions are on a quest to reach the southern sea. Along the way they encounter the Shrin’ok Kei’akh, also known as the Marchers because they inhabit a buffer zone between the Northern Nasutes and the Southern Nasute people known as the Sta’ein’zei (People of the Cave). The Marchers and the Sta’ein’zei are ancient enemies; they covet each other’s lands, but more potently, they each consider the other to be infidels. The Marchers worship the Sky-Mother just as the Northern Nasutes and the plains Shshi do, but the Sta’ein’zei worship a Mother who lives underground. These differing perceptions seem to be irreconcilable.

When the questers first encounter the Marchers, the High Commander Zhu’zi’a’ro’a is losing a fight with a giant lightning-shooting reptile. Ki’shto’ba’s twin A’zhu’lo impetuously jumps to its rescue, while Ki’shto’ba kills the reptile and takes its lightning-producing horn, which was the prize Zhu’zi’a’ro’a was seeking. The horn has the power to strengthen and project the sendings of a Shi antenna. Thus it is a great tool to help a field commander communicate with its troops during a battle. Ki’shto’ba graciously turns the horn over to Zhu’zi’a’ro’a even as Di’fa’kro’mi recalls an ominous prophecy: When the horn breaks, there will be no more words.

Zhu’zi’a’ro’a and A’zhu’lo form an unlikely friendship. Zhu’zi’a’ro’a invites A’zhu’lo to leave the quest and remain with the Marchers as the High Commander’s Horn-Bearer. A’zhu’lo refuses, however, until an unexpected prophecy is spoken by the Intercaste Seer and Warrior-Priest Lug’tei’a: One of the Twelve will bring about the death of the Champion. Since Zhu’zi’a’ro’a and Ki’shto’ba are both Champions and since each of them has twelve Companions, this prophecy is ambiguous. However, A’zhu’lo, ever doubtful about its own capabilities, is immediately convinced it will be the one who is responsible for Ki’shto’ba’s death, so A’zhu’lo changes its mind and stays to fight with the Marchers in their impending war with the Southern Nasutes. The Worker Za’dut, who had become devoted to A’zhu’lo, stays behind also, to serve as the twin’s Aide.

Ki’shto’ba and the other Companions, joined by Is’a’pai’a and its Worker helper Krai’zei, outcasts from the coastal regions of the South, set off for their long-delayed visit with the Northern Nasutes. After many adventures in that land, messengers come from Zhu’zi’a’ro’a. The newly battle-seasoned A’zhu’lo has convinced the High Commander to seek peace with the Sta’ein’zei. Ki’shto’ba had promised to return and fight alongside the Marchers if peace ever became their goal. So now Ki’shto’ba, to whom the Northern Nasutes have accorded the surname of Champion of Peace, sets forth with its six Companions, to be reunited with A’zhu’lo and Za’dut and to join the cause of the Marchers.

Contents

Note to the Smashwords Edition

Facsimile of 30th-Century Title Page

Synopsis of The Storm-Wing

List of Characters

Translator’s Foreword

Chapter 1: The Marchers Muster before the Hot Gate

Chapter 2: The Hosts March South

Chapter 3: The Battle of Wei’loi’bao’cha

Chapter 4: The Aftermath of the Battle

Chapter 5: Peace Negotiations

Chapter 6: The Return of the Envoy

Chapter 7: The Evacuation of Wei’loi’bao’cha

Chapter 8: The Bite of the Tooth

Chapter 9: The Horn Is Broken

Chapter 10: Mourning

Chapter 11: The Shshi of the Dry Waste

Chapter 12: Preparing for Vengeance

Chapter 13: The Madness of Ki’shto’ba Monster Slayer

Chapter 14: Into the Desert

Chapter 15: Za’dut Tells a Tale

Chapter 16: The People of the Salt

Chapter 17: The Quest Endures

Chapter 18: Di’fa’kro’mi Rests

Glossary of Shshi Words

Facsimile

of 30th-Century

Title Page

The Labors of Ki’shto’ba Huge-Head

A Series

Volume Three

The Valley of Thorns

By

Di’fa’kro’mi the Remembrancer

Translated by

Prf. Kaitrin Oliva

Published through

the InterQuad DataBase

1 April 243 (old cal. 2998)

Planet Earth

List of Characters

The Members of the Quest:

Ki’shto’ba Huge-Head, of To’wak, a Warrior, our hero

Di’fa’kro’mi the Remembrancer, of Lo’ro’ra, an Alate, the First Companion

Wei’tu, of Lo’ro’ra, a Worker of the Builder Subcaste, the Second Companion

Twa’sei, of Lo’ro’ra, a Worker of the Grower Subcaste, the Third Companion

A’zhu’lo, of To’wak, a Warrior, Ki’shto’ba’s twin, the Fourth Companion

Za’dut, of Kwai’kwai’za, an outcast Worker of the Builder Subcaste, the Fifth Companion

Ra’fa’kat’wei, of No’bu’cha, a Healer Alate, the Sixth Companion

Is’a’pai’a, of the southern Gwai’sho’zei, an outcast neophyte Warrior, the Seventh Companion

Krai’zei, of Zan’tet, a Yo’sho’zei Worker and Is’a’pai’a’s helper, the Eighth Companion

Shkei’akh’zei (The Marchers):

Zhu’zi’a’ro’a Yak Na’vrun, High Commander of Prai’na’mi’cha and Overlord of all the Marcher fortresses

Venerable Lug’tei’a, an Intercaste, Holy Warrior-Priest of the Sky Mother

Wei’li’ta, Worker, aide to Zhu’zi’a’ro’a

Su’akh, Worker, aide to Lug’tei’a

Wei’two’a’tav’a, Warrior, Commander of Vu’rak’vit’cha and designated successor to Zhu’zi’a’ro’a

Gri’a’ein’zei’a, Warrior, Commander of the fortress of Ni’shbu’uto’cha

Ma’deik’lo, male Alate, an Eye-Sentry

Na’tu’ta’im, Mother in the fortress of Wei’loi’bao’cha

Ma’mo’sa’hai, King in the fortress of Wei’loi’bao’cha

Pan’to’a’tof’a, Warrior, Commander in Wei’loi’bao’cha

Ra’hai’zei, female Alate, Keeper of the Holy Chamber in Wei’loi’bao’cha

Min’ra, a Builder Worker who helps manage the Mother’s movable dwelling

Kwi’a’wak’zei’a, Warrior, Chief of the Prai’na’mi’cha Cohort

Zim’a’dai’it’a, Warrior, a Lieutenant and a scout

Bal’a’to’zi’a, Warrior, Chief of Min’ao’gwai’cha’s Reserve Cohort

Dit’oin’a’toi’a, Warrior, Governor of Min’ao’gwai’cha, Joint High Commander with Gri’a’ein’zei’a during the Vengeance War

Bar’a’seip’seip’a, Warrior, Governor of Ro’na’tho’cha, who commanded the false siege on Vu’rak’vit’cha

Names of the Shfa’tav (Zhu’zi’a’ro’a’s Twelve Companions):

Ban’a’um’pai’a, one of the Shfa’tav, envoy to the Sta’ein’zei (deceased)

Vaig’a’fei’zi’a, one of the Shfa’tav, envoy to the Sta’ein’zei (deceased)

A’thiv’a’toi’a of Prai’na’mi’cha, Lieutenant of Shfa’tav phalanx

Prai’mo’im’zei’a of Vu’rak’vit’cha

Vrun’a’lo’pai’a of Oz’za’kwai’cha

Bar’a’bao’zei’a of Ro’na’tho’cha

Ul’a’veith’zi’a of Min’ao’gwai’cha

Pai’a’uro’shum’a of Vu’gwai’grin’cha

Oin’zei’a’shtoi’a of Mik’bal’shpai’cha

Ju’soi’a’toi’a of Ul’gwai’sti’cha

Tum’a’lo’nua’a of Seip’seip’zan’cha

La’a’thel’shpai’a of Ni’shbu’uto’cha

Kri’oi’chu’tri’a of Yus’lo’a’cha, replacement for the murdered Ban’a’um’pai’a

Pak’a’ut’gan’a of Won’ka’a’cha, replacement for the murdered Vaig’a’fei’zi’a

Sta’ein’zei (People of the Cave):

Pai’it’zei Bal’zei (Valiant One), Warrior, General of the Sta’ein’zei forces

Lin’tuk’ko, male Alate, Priest, Elder of Jik’arg’u

Akh’it’zei, Warrior, first hatchmate of Pai’it’zei

Gwaf’it’zei, Warrior, second hatchmate of Pai’it’zei

Fra’toil’zei, Warrior, War Leader of Ka’rim’u

Thu’dal’ba Hard-Stone, Warrior

Tav’ei’weio, Warrior, War Chief of Jik’arg’u

Var’zei’weil, Warrior, War Chief of Min’seip’u

Kri’wak’zei, Warrior, another War Chief

Wei’thel’om, Warrior, War Chief of Bu’vist’u

Sho’choi’jik’a, The Demon-Warrior, Sorcerer and Priest, of unknown lineage

Mu’it’zei, Warrior, third hatchmate of Pai’it’zei

Wei’gwai’mi Shshi (People of the Desert):

Ska’um’a, Warrior, a Lieutenant leading a patrol

Gwai’hom’a, Warrior, Commander in Gol Pri’zon’mi

Twi’shtuk’kha, female Alate, Holy Seer of Gol Pri’zon’mi

Weio’a’an’ga, male Intercaste Warrior

Shko’zim’zei (People of the Salt):

Fa’akht’shat, male Alate, Holy Seer of Hwai’mi’o’we’dai

Miscellaneous characters:

Chi’mo’a’tu, male Alate, citizen of Lo’ro’ra, Di’fa’kro’mi’s scribe

Ga’ti’vei’zei, male Alate, Chief Healer in Lo’ro’ra during the later years of Di’fa’kro’mi

Hak’tuk, the Storm-Wing, a sinister protoavian who haunts the path of the Quest

Vai’zei’a’parn, male Yo’sho’zei Alate, mentor and teacher of Is’a’pai’a

Ti’ma’ga’ni, male Alate, a character from Za’dut’s nymphhood

Pai’a’to’fu’a, name in later lore of the Commander Pan’to’a’tof’a

Nam’a’shlo’hi’a, name in later Marcher lore for A’zhu’lo

No’dai’oin’zei’a, name in later Marcher lore for Ki’shto’ba

Translator’s Foreword

In the first volume of Di’fa’kro’mi the Remembrancer’s narrative (The War of the Stolen Mother), we were introduced to two species of Shshi and given a tantalizing glimpse of a third. In the second volume (The Storm-Wing), we learned about the Shrin’ok Kei’akh (the Marcher Nasutes) and the Shrin’ok Da’vra (the Northern Nasutes). In this third volume we will get better acquainted with other species that we learned of only by rumor in The Storm-Wing.

I have worked diligently to publish The Valley of Thorns as speedily as possible because The Storm-Wing ended with the words To be continued … and I know some readers get impatient when the subsequent volume isn’t forthcoming. Di’fa’kro’mi did not provide a preliminary chapter for The Valley of Thorns since he originally composed v. 2 and v. 3 as one piece. This editor divided the tale into two volumes in order to manage the length. Consequently, The Valley of Thorns opens exactly where v. 2 left off. I have supplied a Synopsis of The Storm-Wing to refresh the memories of those who read the earlier volume when it first appeared. I have also added a Glossary of Shshi Words. For additional background information, I refer the reader to the Forewords in the earlier volumes.

And now here it is – the tale of the Valley of Thorns and its aftermath. Di’fa’kro’mi would want you to relish it!

Prf. Kaitrin Oliva (Prof. Spec. Xenoanth. & Ling.)

Shiras-Peders University of Xenological Studies

1 April 243 (old cal. 2998)

Chapter 1

The Marchers Muster before the Hot Gate

As travel-weary as they were, the Marcher Commander Gri’a’ein’zei’a disdained to rest its company long, saying that the situation demanded speed. The following day we spoke our final farewells to our good friend Sa’ti’a’i’a, girded on our gear, and regretfully allowed No’sta’pan’cha to slip into our past. When we came to the Ya’ur’akh’on, I looked down the valley toward the land where that river had another name. My home fortress of Lo’ro’ra lay somewhere out there, past the distant haze that eternally hung upon the swamp Nu’wiv’mi, down the river called Rim’pol’bu, between the volcanoes, beyond Za’dut’s home fortress of Kwai’kwai’za. I would not come even that close to the place of my hatching again in many season-cycles … so many …

Sa’ti’a’i’a’s people had repaired the bridge, making the river crossing easy. We settled into a steady pace in quite different company from when we had arrived – six Shkei’akh’zei Warriors and their tough little Worker aides. Ki’shto’ba strode along with a spring in its step – head up, antenna waving, cerci cocked. A huge weight had just been cleared from its gut. A’zhu’lo was alive and soon they would touch each other again. And perhaps its ni’a’zei| would change its mind and rejoin the quest when the journey to the Great Water resumed. There was not one of us who was not eager for that outcome.

As we hiked along, Gri’a’ein’zei’a related what had been happening in Marcher lands and what had prompted Zhu’zi’a’ro’a to send an envoy to fetch us back.

"Fortune did not speak kindly to us, I fear, after you departed. You knew we intended to renew the siege on those Sta’ein’zei fortresses that lie in the valley of the Sho’gwai’grin river. We did that, and the shwei’na’vrun’zei|‡ responded with a bitter counterattack. It was during the Wet Time, when that valley is always filled with mist. When the da’sask| effusions of the Southerners’ nasi mix with that thick kind of air-moisture, the effect is lethal. We lost a third of our troops and were forced to abandon the sieges and fall back to the fortresses we had captured three years before.

***

‡[Infidels]

***

"But the Cave Spawn were not satisfied with that concession. During shra’nol|‡, they mounted an all-out assault on those fortresses, re-took the southernmost, which is called Bu’vist’uch, then laid a siege on Min’seip’uch and Tei’kail’uch … "

***

‡[The six seasons of the year recognized by the Shshi are gwai’nol|, the Wet Time; shra’nol|, the Time of Flowers; su’eish’nol|, the Time of Drying; weio’nol|, the Dead Time; chi’nol|, the Cold Time; la’nol|, the Time of Waiting]

***

(What? No, no, no, Chi’mo’a’tu – that final part of the name is the Southern Nasute word for fortress. No, no, I do not want you to leave a blank, or to write cha|, either – I want to distinguish the Sta’ein’zei place names from the Marcher. … I know I have never done that before – combined an alien word with some of our own – but it is my whim to do it here! … Do not lecture me! I am perfectly aware of what ucho| means in our language! When you write Min’seip’uch, it will not mean Green Tree Clean but Green Tree Fortress. You do not understand? I tell you what, if you find it so bizarre, write u| instead of uch|. … tha’sask|>|| Of course – taken literally Green Tree And makes even less sense! Perhaps you could pretend that u| is a meaningless placeholder like a|. Does that make it tolerable?

You can be very exasperating, Chi’mo’a’tu – do you know that? Now, now, I realize you are only a scribe, and young to boot, and have never met anyone whose speech is not like your own. Perhaps it is my fault. Perhaps I have done a poor job of making you understand that the same word can mean something entirely different in another language. I apologize for my short temper!)

Where in the world was I? Oh, yes, Gri’a’ein’zei’a’s tale …

The Sta’ein’zei retook Bu’vist’u … (Yes, it will be "Bu’vist’u from now on!) … then laid a siege on Min’seip’u and Tei’kail’u, which are set near each other not far from the headwaters of the South Ul’gwai’sti. They gradually surrounded these fortresses and began to strangle them as surely as if they had whipped a mighty rope-snare around them! Zhu’zi’a’ro’a came personally to the field and mounted an assault on their positions. It was here that the Horn-Bearer A’zhu’lo did some of its best fighting in the defense of our Overlord … "

Tell me more of that! interrupted Ki’shto’ba eagerly.

"Well, I think I should allow the Horn-Bearer itself the pleasure of telling you about its deeds! Suffice it to say that, although it never seeks out Challenges, it has prevailed in every attack made upon it.

"In that battle Zhu’zi’a’ro’a first used the Lightning Horn – a great benefit in drawing reinforcements to places of need. Our troops broke through and relieved the fortresses, but then another stalemate developed, full of sorties and pitched battles. We ate each others’ Cohorts like hungry Foresters gnawing dead trees! Our Mothers were finding it difficult to fill the demand for Warriors, and surely the same situation must have existed among the Cave Spawn. The seasons were wearing – it was now weio’nol| and the snow was not far off. In the mountains no army can stay in the field through the winter. The infidels finally gave up and withdrew – we true believers outlasted them, praise to the Nameless!

"But this victory was not secure. The captive fortresses were ill-fed and poorly maintained, because foraging had been well-nigh impossible during the siege and the Sta’ein’zei Workers lacked motivation to assist occupying forces – not surprisingly! So we were able to maintain only small companies in those places. It was certain that, come la’nol|, the enemy would be back and would likely overrun both fortresses before we could supply them and reinforce the garrisons.

"It is our nature as Marchers to equate compromise with defeat, yet by the end of chi’nol|, as the time of the Great Gathering approached, the High Commander had made up its mind to negotiate with the enemy. The Horn-Bearer A’zhu’lo had persuaded Zhu’zi’a’ro’a that the best course was to attempt a truce – at the very least, a temporary one.

"But even as the War Councilors were assembling, the Sta’ein’zei made their own move. Commander Wei’two’a’tav’a arrived in Prai’na’mi’cha reluctantly escorting envoys from the infidels. They had appeared at Min’seip’u under the fit’el’sei| branch … "

I asked, "What is that, Commander?

"There is a certain tree whose branches we display as a sign of peaceful intent or neutral approach. Its leaves emit a distinctive smell so that its purpose is announced even if no Alate is watching.‡ So these envoys arrived under that sign, with only a paltry guard, asking for safe passage into Marcher lands through the Valley of Thorns.

***

‡[ fit’el’sei| means sign-of-peace tree.]

***

"They informed us of the death of their War Leader and the installation of a Warrior named Pai’it’zei to replace it. We know that individual – it has been one of the fiercest Chiefs on the field for more than one year. I fought it once and was lucky to escape with my life.

"But the envoys brought additional news that dumbfounded us! They said General Pai’it’zei was ready to capitulate – that a sudden revelation of faith had overwhelmed it and it was eager to affirm its conversion to the True Way of the Sky-Mother. If Zhu’zi’a’ro’a would agree not to take the field in the Waiting Time, they would no longer contest for Min’seip’u and Tei’kail’u, and the General itself would meet Zhu’zi’a’ro’a and Lug’tei’a at our new fortress Wei’loi’bao’cha, where it would grovel and profess its conversion. It asked only that Min’seip’u and Tei’kail’u be returned to Southern control, because it was cruel to keep the Sta’ein’zei Mothers imprisoned and pining for their own kind. The Southerners would agree to accept those fortresses as liege holdings, and pay a tribute once a year of their exotic foodstuffs (some of which they brought with them as a goodwill gift), and renounce all claim to Wei’loi’bao’cha, the Valley of Thorns, and the Hot Gate.

But first it asked for ambassadors – trusted War Councilors or members of the Shfa’tav‡ – to come into Sta’ein’zei lands and negotiate the details. Some of their own envoys volunteered to remain in Prai’na’mi’cha as hostages against these ambassadors’ safe return.

***

‡[ Zhu’zi’a’ro’a’s Twelve Warrior Companions (comparable to Peers or Paladins)]

***

The news of this conversion caused a babble of skeptical remarks to break out among us Companions and Ki’shto’ba said, I find it difficult to believe that any of you would put much stock in such a proposal.

Well, at first no one did. Wei’two’a’tav’a in particular was adamantly opposed to even considering it. But A’zhu’lo argued that the best course … What is it, honored Huge-Head?

"Nothing. I simply have trouble imagining my ni’a’zei| sitting in Council with the leaders of the Shkei’akh’zei and putting forth a vigorous opinion."

Gri’a’ein’zei’a bobbed its head. "Well, when A’zhu’lo speaks, it is always with a certain diffidence. If Zhu’zi’a’ro’a did not set such value on its opinions, it might indeed be disregarded. But it has earned its place – the Shfa’tav hold it in high regard and have accepted it almost as a thirteenth member. Zhu’zi’a’ro’a does not select small-guts as its adjutants.

"As I was saying, A’zhu’lo felt the best course would be to send the envoys, investigate the sincerity of Pai’it’zei’s conversion, and negotiate the Sta’ein’zei’s terms. It was preferable to have neutral, or possibly even friendly, neighbors near Wei’loi’bao’cha instead of having to constantly drain resources to hold the territory under hostile conditions. It said it had always felt uncomfortable with the way we treated the Mothers of another people – that it could understand how our enemies would do almost anything to regain control of their progenitors and their offspring. It reminded us of the commitment to honor all Mothers that we have always avowed and it asked us if that commitment in fact applied only to our own. Did we not believe that the Highest-Mother-Who-Has-No-Name had created the Mothers of all Shshi peoples? If they did not all belong to her, to what force did they belong? In short, A’zhu’lo pricked our consciences and made us think a bit differently about our attitudes.

"Then A’zhu’lo volunteered to lead the delegation. Do not smell so alarmed, all of you! Zhu’zi’a’ro’a forbade it to go. Besides, Wei’two’a’tav’a and several of the other Commanders felt that, if there had to be a negotiation, an outlander should not represent the Marchers. They felt that a Fa’tav or perhaps a pair of them, should go, since they are known to have the antennae of the Overlord.

So it was done. Ban’a’um’pai’a and Vaig’a’fei’zi’a were selected to accompany the envoys back to the principal fortress of the Sta’ein’zei, which is called Jik’arg’u. Did you know those two Shfa’tav?

Ki’shto’ba said, I trained with Ban’a’um’pai’a – it was most helpful in teaching me how to fight against a rope-flinger. A few times Vaig’a’fei’zi’a accompanied it to the Exercise Hall and we sparred two on one. We had some stimulating matches. Those two are close friends, I believe.

"Regrettably, I must correct you – they were close friends. The da’sask| sta’toil’zi|‡ murdered them. It seems the whole thing was a ruse."

***

‡[Accursed cave vomit]

***

We all sizzled and minced about in shock, and Ki’shto’ba cursed with uncharacteristic vigor.

A’zhu’lo was no less disturbed than you, my friends, said Gri’a’ein’zei’a. "Ban’a’um’pai’a and Vaig’a’fei’zi’a went off with enthusiastic hope for ending the war or at least gaining a respite, and the next thing we knew their heads, all gruesomely garlanded in the flowers of shra’nol|, were discovered thrown before the gates of Min’seip’u. The message was clear – this is what we think of your gullibility and your way of life! The decapitated bodies were never returned – an additional affront! Zhu’zi’a’ro’a went into a rage and ordered the instant execution of our three hostages. The heads were dumped in the marches of Bu’vist’u, the Sta’ein’zei fortress that the enemy had retaken earlier in the year, and the dismembered bodies were taken into the mountains and left for the scavengers.

Then Zhu’zi’a’ro’a and A’zhu’lo had a long, private conversation. I believe it was quite stormy – gossip held that word vibrations penetrated even through the stone blocking the entrance to the Overlord’s quarters. At the next session of the Council, Zhu’zi’a’ro’a said A’zhu’lo had convinced it that by responding in kind to the brutality of the Sta’ein’zei, we had made ourselves no better than they were – that it might have been more productive to send the envoys back alive bearing some mild message, perhaps with some kind of covert implication, in an attempt to confuse the enemy. Did you want to say something, Holy Di’fa’kro’mi?

Only that the last part of that advice smacks of Za’dut more than of A’zhu’lo.

Perhaps you are right! There are rumors that its influence in all of this is greater than one might think. But it is only a Worker – what can it really understand about the proper conduct of war?

I wanted to say, Were you not present when I told the tale of the Stolen Mother? – but I held myself wordless.

"A’zhu’lo’s counsel met with much derision; after all, it was the one whose trusting nature had led to the loss of two fine Shfa’tav. The Commanders denounced A’zhu’lo for being a credulous fool; Wei’two’a’tav’a was especially blatant in belittling its good sense, its courage, and the ardor of its faith. I sensed they would have liked to transfer some of that censure to Zhu’zi’a’ro’a, but their harangue so incensed the cha’pri’zei| that they did not dare. It never seems to lose faith in your sibling’s virtue, Huge-Head.

"And so Zhu’zi’a’ro’a averred that in spite of the outrage committed against us – and in the face of the natural tendency of true Warriors to crave vengeance above all else – it thought we ought to make one more effort to achieve peace. A’zhu’lo had recommended they should send for you, and it concurred. It said, ‘This outland Warrior is something rare, I believe – a Champion of unquestionable valor who is able to regard the world from the vantage point of a peacemaker.’

"As you might imagine, my friends, none of this roused much enthusiasm. How could anyone conceive of making peace with such vermin as these miserable Sta’ein’zei, who were liars and murderers as well as infidels? A’zhu’lo begged them at least to wait until you, Ki’shto’ba, arrived and to take your counsel before acting. Zhu’zi’a’ro’a directed that a significant army be assembled to stand by in case nothing would work but war. And we are doing that, massing our troops around the mouth of the Valley of Thorns near Vu’rak’vit’cha.

I was selected for the mission to bring you back because my fortress is the smallest and the one farthest from the potential battle site and will contribute little to the war force, since its prime responsibility is guarding the ford. Furthermore, its location has led me to have frequent dealings with the flatlanders and so perhaps I am more comfortable speaking with your kind. So I set off and here we are. I have no idea what we will find at Prai’na’mi’cha when we arrive. I am chafing to know.

I had only one question as Gri’a’ein’zei’a concluded. Where did Venerable Lug’tei’a stand in all this?

Lug’tei’a is always keen to fight in the cause of the Creatrix of Warriors, but he has seemed rather subdued of late. He supported A’zhu’lo’s suggestion that we ought to test the sincerity of the infidel General’s conversion, since his prime motivation is ever the desire to bring these Southerners to walk the Right Path. But I have never found it easy to predict what the Warrior-Priest will do. I think his private path is governed by visions of which most of us know nothing.

Then Gri’a’ein’zei’a turned to Ki’shto’ba. And what do you think, honored Champion? Our High Commander seems to be in thrall to the lifeview of you and your twin. Will you counsel peace or war?

Ki’shto’ba was wordless a moment and then said, What the Sta’ein’zei did to your envoys was heinous, but A’zhu’lo is right – may I say this to you, Governor, without your taking it as a personal affront? – the Shkei’akh’zei are not without guilt in this war, both in their treatment of the outland Mothers and in their vengefulness. After we arrive in Marcher land and I learn how things stand, then I will speak my mind. There is no constraint on any of you, however, to follow my advice.

If the war is renewed, will you fight for us?

Again, Ki’shto’ba hesitated. I cannot say yet what I will do. Again, I say only that I will decide on my course after I have assessed what I find at the end of this journey.

*****

During the first sleep-time of the trek, we Companions had much to discuss. Ki’shto’ba was full of pride that A’zhu’lo had lived up to its principals. It may be true, Ki’shto’ba said, that this may have been just what A’zhu’lo needed – to get away from my protection – to be forced to stand up on its own for what it believes in and to make its own mistakes and take the consequences. Life cannot have been easy for it in that place, with so many people there mistrusting and harassing it, but it has not faltered.

And it fought well, too, said Is’a’pai’a. That will stiffen its confidence, will it not, my Chief?

It will, said Ki’shto’ba. But will I even know it when I confront it? It has grown.

Not in any way, I said, that will make it a stranger, my friend. Was it not the one who convinced Zhu’zi’a’ro’a to send for you?

I hope it will decide to rejoin the quest, said Ra’fa’kat’wei. I mean, I have enjoyed this year, but I have always felt something was missing.

And Za’dut, said Wei’tu. I am eager to talk to Za’dut. It will give us that cynical objective viewpoint that a Warrior cannot possibly have.

I cannot wait to tell both of them about my adventure! said Twa’sei sleepily from beside Ki’shto’ba.

Be patient, little one, said the Huge-Head, nudging Twa’sei fondly. You will have much opportunity!

Ki’shto’ba, I said, what do you truly think will happen?

I cannot say, Di’fa’kro’mi. If peace seems at all possible, I will work for it. But – if there is war …

Are you weakening?

Perhaps. My friends, if it becomes absolutely necessary – and A’zhu’lo wants me to fight in the cause of the Marchers – that may very well be the course I will take.

And Is’a’pai’a responded, Then that will be my course, too, esteemed Chief. If the Marchers will have me, I will follow your lead. I am your Cohort of one, and I fight at your side until death.

*****

I will not dwell on the grueling