The twenty female slaves, who had been loaded on the merchant’s wagon before the Fakarans, were all jabbering excitedly. Some wanted to run away with Mistake and others feared the almost certain death that was delivered to runaway slaves. The campsite was in chaos.
“Stop,” shouted Rejji. “Everyone stop and listen to me.”
Silence erupted throughout the campsite as everyone turned to Rejji, everyone except Bakhai, who appeared to be having a conversation with a bird on his upraised arm.
“You shouldn’t shout,” admonished Mistake. “He might have heard you.”
“Look,” Rejji sighed, “doesn’t it appear a little strange to you that this merchant, who is by himself, would unshackle all of us and then simply walk away? Do none of you recognize a trap when you see one?”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the women captives, but Mistake remained defiant. “He is probably just careless,” Mistake offered. “Or perhaps he believes his boy will watch us for him. I, for one, do not wish to be a slave.”
Mistake’s rebuke stung Rejji as he realized he was the only one who had not been shackled, but he still felt that this was a test of some kind and that there really was little chance of escape.
“This man is no fool,” Rejji stated. “He is testing us to see if we will attempt escape. I am sure he must have confederates in these woods. We should do as he asked and prepare the campsite and the evening meal.”
“How could he have arranged to have men waiting for him at this particular spot when he could not have known when he was leaving the estate?” argued one of the female slaves.
Rejji stared at Bakhai, who stood with his empty arm raised above him, as he answered, “It is clear that the merchant knows this site. I think his men could just wait for him to show up here whenever he came.”
“You are just wasting our time with guesses,” scowled Mistake. “We should leave before he returns.”
“He does not need a lot of men to trap us,” declared Bakhai, who had the same bird as before, now perched on his arm. “We are in a canyon with only one exit. To flee we would have to leave the way we came in.”
Mistake whirled to look at Bakhai and frowned when she saw the bird. “There are still twenty-three of us,” she proclaimed. “How can he stop us all?”
“Bakhai,” called Rejji, “see to the horses. Some of you women who would like the chance to prepare a meal, please start one now. If nobody wants to cook, then let me know and I shall do it. I am not running away.”
***
Sebastian completed the wire across the trail and hid the telltale signs as best he could. He retrieved the bow and arrows from the small cave and took a position where he could see the trail for a long distance. He did not like playing these games with the mage slaves, but he needed to know about the Fakarans. In fact, he needed to know the truth about them before he reached his destination. Too much was at stake to be careless with security.
Movement in the distance alerted his keen eyes and he swept the forest for any sign of the runners. He detected the movement again and caught a glimpse of a brown streak between two trees deep in the forest. He focused on the spot with all of his concentration and identified Mistake as she sped to another tree.
Sebastian blinked his eyes as he tried to keep track of Mistake, but the speed of the young girl was amazing. Sebastian had never seen anyone move with such speed. One minute she appeared to be in one place, and in a moment she was somewhere else. Sebastian only had a sense of having seen a brown blur in between the two points. If he had not been purposely watching, he would never have spotted her. He frowned at the realization that she had chosen to run. It made his purchase a foolish one. Now he would have to figure out what to do with his Fakarans. He could not take them where he had planned to.
Sebastian did not want to kill the young girl, so he planned to send an arrow streaking into a tree near her to get her to surrender. As he prepared to let his arrow fly, he saw a blur of brown as Mistake dove from behind the tree and landed in the center of the road. She stood defiantly in the open and called his name.
“Sebastian,” called Mistake. “I know you are here. I have been sent to tell you that the food is ready. Better hurry if you want your meal hot.”
Sebastian’s eyebrows rose in surprise, but he did not move. He had seen better deceptions in his time than this feeble attempt.
“At least acknowledge me,” called Mistake, “so I can eat my food before it cools.”
Sebastian remained silent and waited for her to start running out of the canyon.
“Have it your way,” she called. “I promised I would not seek you outside the canyon so this is as far as I can go. I will try to keep something warm for you.”
Mistake turned and started walking back towards the campsite. Sebastian shook his head and watched her until she was out of sight. He rose and secured his bow and arrow in the small cave and trotted back to the camp. When he arrived he saw all twenty-three slaves sitting and talking and devouring a meal. The campsite came to silence as his approach was noticed.
“Ah I see the meal is ready,” Sebastian grinned. “It is good to see people who know how to work together.”
Mistake rose and filled a bowl and then handed it to Sebastian. “Are you setting us free?” she asked sarcastically.
Sebastian took the bowl and stared at the young woman. “No,” Sebastian responded. “It is not my place to do that.”
Mistake’s eyes widened at his response. “You mean someone else is setting us free?” she quizzed. “Is that really going to happen?”
“Why didn’t you run when you had the chance?” inquired the merchant.
“It was not much of a chance you offered,” frowned Mistake.
“We know we are in a dead canyon,” interjected Rejji. “You set us up to make us try to escape. Why?”
“So the thought of escaping did enter your minds,” commented Sebastian. “The opportunity was just not to your liking?”
“If you were being held a captive against your will for no fault of your own,” Rejji asked, “wouldn’t you contemplate escape? Of course the thought entered our minds. Why shouldn’t it? We are held captive only by fear of the harsh punishment that awaits our recapture. Perhaps you should try being the slave for a day and then you would appreciate what goes through our minds.”
“I think I know,” Sebastian nodded sadly as he rose and headed for the stream.
Rejji followed after Sebastian. “If you truly know,” continued Rejji, “then why do you play these heartbreaking games with us? It is better that you keep us in chains so we are not tortured with indecision.”
“I am sorry,” Sebastian frowned. “There is more to this than my desire to toy with you. For the twenty mage slaves, my moves are not necessary. They are used to their enslavement and the resolution of their bondage will please them well. You and your friends are different. I am not sure I can explain it in a way that you will find satisfactory.”
“Try me,” offered Rejji. “I know that our purchase was not an accident. I know that you were observing me in Khadoratung, and you pointedly avoided speaking to me on the long journey back to the Pikata estate. Why are you interested in me?”
“A number of reasons.” Sebastian conceded, “but it is hard to explain. You are putting me in the position of judging you and that is not my position. I am seeking a person from Fakara for a client. I know his needs and I think you suit his purpose, but he is the one to make that decision.”
“Yet he is not the one choosing the proper slave to purchase,” pushed Rejji. “You are, in fact, judging me by choosing to present me to this man. This trap you laid today was to judge me. Why not ask me if I will do what it is he wants done? I have little incentive to lie to you.”
“You have a great deal of incentive to lie to me,” retorted Sebastian. “I need to know your character well before the proposition is put to you. Otherwise I will not know the lie when I hear it.”
“You have taken a chance on me by wasting your days spying on me,” reasoned Rejji. “You have taken a chance on me by purchasing me and my friends. You have taken a chance on me by assuming I would not lead a revolt today and attempt to overrun you in our escape. Take another chance on me. I have never lied to you and will not now. Tell me why I am important to your client and what it means for me.”
Sebastian sat silently for a time and then nodded his head slightly.
“All right,” the merchant sighed. “My client is concerned about Fakara. We have heard rumors of the Jiadin calling together the tribes. Clearly, there is not much in Fakara for them to pillage should they unite. Instead of the tribes fighting one another, we fear a hundred thousand tribesmen crossing the Fortung Mountains and waging war on Khadora. I happened to be at the estate the day you were sold into slavery. Your handling of the situation to remain with your friends was intelligent and showed a certain amount of shrewdness. These are qualities we need.”
Rejji’s mouth hung open in awe as Sebastian continued. “In Khadoratung, I was early for the return to the Pikata estate. I recognized you and decided to learn more about you. You showed a certain adaptability to a foreign experience and did not attempt to flee, but rather learned to adjust. Lastly, your saving of Mistake at the estate not only showed ingenuity, but extreme loyalty to your friends. The loyalty is quite admirable, but could also be a failing to my client’s needs. That is why I designed today’s test. The question was whether you would do what is in your friends’ best interests or would you do what your friends desired.”
“And how would you expect me to know what is in their best interests?” replied Rejji. “I still do not know what lies ahead. What can I do about Fakara and the Jiadin?”
“I expected you to know a trap when you saw one. Answer me three questions and I will decide if I should explain more,” offered Sebastian.
Rejji nodded and Sebastian continued, “How did you know you were in a dead canyon?”
Rejji measured the merchant only momentarily before answering. “Bakhai is an animal talker. The birds told him we were trapped.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened, but he asked, “How does Mistake move so swiftly? Is it magic?”
Rejji frowned and was silent for a moment. “I really don’t know,” he answered. “I had not even thought it might be magical, but I know nothing of magic. I have often wondered myself how she does it.”
“A fair and honest answer,” nodded Sebastian. “If you were free to do whatever you wanted in life, what would you do?”
Rejji took some time to dwell on this question. It was a question he had asked himself many times over the past few weeks.
“At one time,” began Rejji, “I would have said that I wanted to avenge the deaths of my fellow villagers by destroying the Jiadin. I think I have come to realize that I am not capable of doing that. I think if you set us free right now, I would take my friends back to Fakara and attempt to become a merchant.”
“What would you do with your new found wealth?” inquired Sebastian.
Rejji knew that was the fourth question, but he reasoned it was a fair one. “I am not sure,” he answered. “If I amassed great wealth, I imagine I would try to improve the quality of life in Fakara. There is too much misery in my country and, after being exposed to the wealth of Khadora, I know that things can be much better for them. The people of Fakara work much harder than even the slaves of Khadora. I think given a chance, they could create a nation of wealth that would end the misery.”
“If the tribes did not plunder the wealth,” reasoned Sebastian. “Your answers are more than I had hoped for. I think my client may indeed help you achieve your goal.”
“Do you mean he would set us free?” asked Rejji. “I mean the three of us because I cannot envision getting on with my life without Bakhai and Mistake.”
“More than that,” nodded Sebastian. “I think your life is going to take a turn for the better.”
“I have heard that slaves are never set free,” Rejji retorted skeptically. “Who is this client that would break Khadoran custom, and why would he help me?”
“That must remain a secret,” smiled the merchant, “even after you have met him. He does break custom and nobody should know of it. Let us get some sleep and an early start in the morning. I am anxious to present you to him. I will guard the entrance to the canyon tonight. If you hear any noise, shackle all of the prisoners quickly and then don a garment from the bag you so cleverly browsed this afternoon. You are to be my partner, so act the part of a merchant.”
Sebastian rose and headed downstream. Rejji watched him disappear into the woods. Exhilaration raced through Rejji’s veins as he headed back to the campsite. He did not reveal his conversation with Sebastian, but ordered everyone to clean up the campsite and get to sleep. He endured Mistake’s pleas for information with silence, but eventually told her that life was going to be wonderful soon. While nobody understood what had transpired, Rejji’s elation had a soothing effect and the camp settled down to sleep.
The night passed without incident and they left early in the morning. Excitement buzzed through the slaves when they were told they could ride without the shackles, but they must put them on themselves if someone approached the wagon. Rejji rode up front again and Sebastian questioned him all day about life in Fakara. He seemed particularly interested in Rejji’s time with the Zaldoni.
On the afternoon of the third day, they entered an estate and the wagon halted outside a modest mansion. The slaves were told to exit the wagon. Several people approached the wagon and Sebastian disappeared into the mansion.
“Welcome to Fardale, home of the Torak clan,” the woman said to the gathering of slaves, “my name is Kasa and I am the Bursar here. I know your journey has been long and tiring and we have arranged to make you more comfortable. We have baths set up for you and clean clothes. After you are refreshed, we will have a feast in your honor attended by Lord Marak.”
The slaves shook their heads and puzzled frowns adorned many a face, but Kasa continued, “We had not expected any male visitors, but I am sure we can arrange to accommodate you as well. I know you all have questions and I can assure you the questions will be answered at the feast. Relax and enjoy the Torak hospitality. There is nothing for you to fear here.”
Kasa started leading the female slaves into the mansion. Mistake tried to stay with Rejji and Bakhai, but Rejji just smiled and shooed her to go with the other women. Rejji gazed around the compound and noted that while it was not as fancy as the Pikata estate, everyone he saw carried a smile, especially the ones who had noted the arrival of the merchant’s wagon.
A soldier, dressed in black and silver appeared and walked over to Rejji and Bakhai.
“I am Zorkil,” greeted the soldier. “I can take you to a private bath and I will get you some clothes while you remove the trail dirt.”
Rejji and Bakhai followed Zorkil into the mansion. Everyone who passed greeted them and Rejji began to like the Torak estate very much. At the Pikata estate, everyone passed while pretending not to notice you, while here he found the greetings to be pleasant and sincere. Zorkil was kind and helpful and the bathing was accomplished quickly. When they were dressed, Zorkil led them downstairs to a dining hall where the women were already seated and half a dozen people scurried about bringing food to the table. Rejji inhaled the aroma of fresh roasted meat and promptly sat in the first available chair. Bakhai sat next to him and they greedily sampled everything on the table.
A fair number of slaves over indulged and laughs were commonplace when the door opened and a young blond man entered in the black and silver uniform that Zorkil had worn. He walked to the head of the table and smiled as his eyes swept the newcomers. An elderly woman entered and stood by his side.
“Greetings and welcome to Fardale,” smiled the man. “I am Lord Marak of the Torak clan. I will not take up a lot of your time as I am sure you are tired from your journey, but there are few things I must say before you settle down here in Fardale. Most of you are mages, although I understand we have a few who are not. This woman at my side is Klora, our head mage here at Fardale. She will be addressing the mages after I speak.”
“The most important thing I have to say to you today,” Marak continued, “is that you are no longer slaves. Our Seneschal is drawing up papers as we speak which will formalize your freedom.”
Murmurs broke out around the room and Marak merely smiled and waited for the noise level to subside.
“I do require vows of service,” Marak stated. “That is from those of you who will be staying with us. I think after Klora speaks, you will find that life will be exciting here. For our other three travelers, I ask you to join me in the meeting room when you have had your fill of food.”
Marak smiled warmly and left the room. Rejji rose immediately to follow Lord Marak and Bakhai and Mistake hurried to catch up. The three Fakarans caught up to Lord Marak as he was entering the meeting room. He ushered them in and closed the door.
“Are we really free?” Mistake blurted out. “Or do these vows you want tie us to you as solidly as chains?”
“Sit,” Marak grinned, “and I shall discuss it with you.”
“First off,” Marak began after everyone was seated, “I do not ask any of you to give the Vows of Service. That is unless you desire to stay here in Fardale. I understood that you were keen on getting back to Fakara.”
“That has been our goal,” conceded Rejji. “I will admit that everyone seems very happy here. Why do you purchase us and then give us our freedom? Surely you want something in return.”
“There is something I would like you to do,” admitted Marak, “but you are not obligated to do it. From what I have heard, you wish to make your nation prosper. I would like to see that as well.”
“Why should you care about Fakara or us?” quizzed Mistake. “If we are indeed free now, why can’t we just return to Fakara and be done with you.”
“You can,” sighed Marak. “I will not try to stop you from doing just that, but I can make it a lot easier for you.”
“What do you wish us to do?” questioned Rejji. “I think we should hear your desires before we start running off,” he added with a frown at Mistake.
“I want several things,” Marak said. “I want information on Fakara. From people who know the country. I would also like to see a prosperous neighbor that would not seek to invade Khadora. I understand that you wish to be a merchant in Fakara and desire to better the country for your fellow Fakarans. I have a proposition for you. I will provide you with horses, gold, and an escort to the Fortung Mountains. Furthermore, if you are able to establish a trading port in Fakara, I am prepared to have ships stop there and provide transportation for your goods to Khadoran markets. In addition, the same ships will provide goods that you need to build Fakara and make it prosperous.”
“Do you really think I can do that?” asked an astonished Rejji. “I am barely old enough to join the tribes.”
“I don’t know if you can,” admitted Marak. “As for your age, you are not much younger than I am. What the merchant has told me is promising. You appear to have a natural knack for trading and you appear sincere in your desires.”
“Why trade by boat?” questioned Mistake who was feeling left out of the conversation.
“The tribes mostly,” Marak said. “I don’t think your caravans would make the trip out of Fakara unmolested. In fact, your trading port if you manage to establish one, would be a prime target for the Jiadin.”
“And you are going to give all of this to us for nothing,” questioned a skeptical Rejji.
“No,” conceded Marak. “The initial gold and horses will be my gift to you for any information you can provide that will help me better understand the tribes and your country. After that, we shall negotiate a trading agreement that is fair to both parties. You will pay for supplies we ship into Fakara, and I will pay for goods you ship to Khadora. We can provide most types of food and seeds, wool and clothing, lumber, and even the tools you will require to build.”
“All we need to do is find something to export,” frowned Rejji. “Where do you want this port?”
“Anywhere east of the Giaming Mountains would be best,” answered Lord Marak. “That would be the farthest away from the Jiadin as you could get and is close enough to Raven’s Point where my ships are based.”
“You ask a great deal of me, Lord Marak,” Rejji said. “I like your plan and thank you for even thinking I could do it, but I think if it was possible, someone would have already done it.”
“Like selling midday meals to the merchants in Khadoratung?” Marak grinned. “I don’t know if this plan is workable. I am willing to forfeit the gold to give it a try because the benefits far outweigh the risk. It is your decision to make, Rejji. While you ponder it, you are welcome as a guest of the Torak clan. You will find us a friendly people, so feel free to ask questions of anyone. If you need assistance of any kind, someone will see that you get it.”
“It is a most gracious offer, Lord Marak,” smiled Rejji. “I will think about it.”
Rejji rose to leave and the other Fakarans followed his lead. Marak sat in silent contemplation after they left. Almost silently, the door opened and closed and Marak looked up.
“Fisher,” smiled Marak, “sit down.”
“Did you make your offer?” the gaudily dressed merchant asked.
“I did,” nodded Marak. “The lad is hesitant and that speaks well of him. If he were planning to take my gold and run, he would have jumped at the chance. I believe the pointy-eared girl wanted to. I have to ask Klora if she can test the girl for magic skill without her knowing it.”
“You have a need for her magic?” inquired Fisher.
“If she has some, yes,” smiled Marak. “She feels left out of this whole process. I think if I can bring her into the plan, Rejji will follow with both feet. I like the lad. You judged him well and are to be congratulated once again.”
“Thank you,” nodded Fisher. “It will be interesting to see how the three of them react to freedom. It has been the center of their attention since coming to Khadora. Now we shall see what is truly on their minds.”