Soon, Mother of Demons, thought Ushulubang. Soon. Soon you will find the courage to break your soul.
Chapter 22
A scout arrived at the village, out of breath despite her excellent physical condition. She had run all the way from the big canyon with the news.
Two armies had been spotted approaching the Chiton. Each with thousands of warriors.
A few minutes later, “the Pentagon” was packed with all the members of the council, as well as the scout and Jens Knudsen. They were standing around the three-dimensional clay model of the Chiton which Julius had made.
“It’s a good thing Joseph insisted on expanding this hut,” muttered Julius. “We’d never have fit in the old one.”
Indira forebore comment. She had opposed Joseph’s plan to tear down the old hut and build a much bigger one in its place, around the clay model. It had been one of the many, minor clashes between she and Joseph over the past two years. And, as was usually the case, Joseph’s will had prevailed.
And, as usual, thought Indira, the boy was right.
A rueful little smile came to her face.
Stop thinking of him as a “boy,” Indira. Old fool. The youngsters have matured rapidly in this new world—just as they did in the ancient days on earth.
None more so than Joseph. How old was Alexander when he defeated the Persians at Issus?
She looked across the table at Joseph, who was staring down at the map. There was a frown on the Captain’s face. Not a frown of worry, however. Simply the frown of calm, collected thought.
God, he’s impressive. In my entire life, I’ve never met anyone who exudes so much—sureness.
Except Ushulubang.
The last thought brought a sudden decision.
“Someone go get Ushulubang,” she said.
Joseph raised his eyes and stared at her. For a moment, Indira thought there would be an argument. Joseph’s thoughts were obvious: Why Ushulubang? She’s a sage, not a warrior. But then, within seconds, Joseph looked at Jens and nodded. Jens raced out of the hut.
Joseph looked back at Indira.
“I just have a . . . feeling, Joseph,” she replied to his unspoken question. “Founders of new religions have to be great politicians, in addition to everything else. And the Way is not a pacifist creed.”
Sooner than she expected, Jens returned with Ushulubang. The former legion commander Ghodha was with her, as well as another Pilgrim whom Indira had never seen before. As soon as the sage entered the hut, Indira rapidly sketched the situation for her.
Ushulubang made the gesture of recognition (the one which indicated “recognition of current reality”; there was a different gesture for personal recognition).
“I suspected something of the sort was occurring, from the sudden activity.”
Ushulubang gestured toward the gukuy at her side, the one Indira did not know.
“For that reason, I took the liberty of bringing Rottu with me, as well as Ghodha. She is—my other eyes.” A humorous whistle. “Not, perhaps, the most subtle of philosophers. But very aware of the world, and uncommonly shrewd.”
Indira stared at Rottu. The gukuy was slightly larger than average. And much older than most of the Pilgrims, although not as old as Ushulubang. Like Ushulubang, she bore the cowl-carvings of a high-ranked member of the Ansha. Rottu’s carvings, however, had not been scoured clean. Other than the bright pigments in the carvings, there was not a trace of any color on her mantle.
Her shoroku is perfect, thought Indira. Which is what you’d expect—of a spymaster. Spymistress, rather.
Joseph looked at Rottu. “Can you tell us anything?”
“Describe the appearance of the armies.” Indira was not surprised that Rottu’s Enagulishuc, though heavily accented, was excellent.
The scout—Jauna Horenstein—quickly presented what details of the two armies had been observed.
Rottu extended her palp and pointed to the little wooden piece which represented the army approaching directly from the south.
“These are Utuku. From your estimate of their numbers, it is one of their ogghoxt. Such is the name of the major divisions of their army.”
“You are certain?” asked Joseph.
“Absolutely. Only the Utuku, of all the peoples known to me in the world, equip and organize their armies in that manner. A few other peoples use shields instead of forks, but none of them could muster such a great force. And those peoples are far to the southeast, in any event. Beyond Ansha.”