BECAUSE I AM NOT NUKURREN THE VALIANT. I DO NOT KNOW THAT NUKURREN. THAT IS SOME OTHER NUKURREN, THE NUKURREN OF YOUR FANTASIES.
Each cohort would be led by a . . .
I AM THE REAL NUKURREN.
No. We must use an Enagulishuc term.
I AM NUKURREN THE CRUEL. NUKURREN THE MERCILESS.
She motioned toward Dzhenushkunutushen. The young demon trotted toward her.
NUKURREN THE VILE.
“What is the Enagulishuc term for cohort leader?”
The demon’s face crunched. “I don’t know, Nukurren.”
I AM THE SHITTIEST GUKUY WHO EVER WALKED THE MEAT OF THE CLAM.
“Find out. Discuss it with Yosephadekunula. And with Inudiratoledo, if necessary. We must have clear ranks and structure.”
“Yes, Nuk—shutuppen.”
YOU WILL LEARN. OH, YES—YOU WILL LEARN.
As Dzhenushkunutushen moved away, Nukurren eyed him fondly.
YOU WILL LEARN TO HATE ME. AND THAT IS GOOD.
He has been a good friend.
BUT YOU WILL LEARN SOMETHING WHICH IS MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
And he will become a truly great warrior, if I can beat some sense into him.
YOU WILL LEARN TO FEAR ME.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Aktako. The Kiktu veteran looked at her, and made a small gesture of amusement.
YOU WILL TREMBLE WHEN I FART.
Aktako will be a great help. And, I think, also a friend.
YOU WILL TURN SCARLET WHEN I COME NEAR.
For a moment, Nukurren pondered this strange new thing which had come into her life, this friendship. This wonderful new thing. But her attention was almost immediately diverted.
YOU—I MEAN YOU, SNAIL! WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
Although the Pilgrims, as a rule, were showing themselves more willing to accept Nukurren’s commands than the tribespeople, still there were some—it was important to treat all gukuy equally, after all.
WHAT IS YOUR NAME? YOU ARE OFFENDED? YOU DARE TO TURN BLUE? AKTAKO—THE FLAILS!
She concentrated a bit on the task while she thrashed the unlucky Pilgrim, but not much.
ARE THERE ANY MORE WORMS WHO DREAM OF BEING SNAILS?
Comfortably back and forth, only half her mind on what she was doing. Routine requires little concentration.
ANY?
To her mild surprise, there was one. A young Opoktu. Quite good, too, Nukurren thought. After the Opoktu dragged herself back into the ranks, Nukurren told Aktako to find out her name. In a few eightdays, if she proved to be as intelligent as she was skillful, they would promote her.
ANY MORE?
She resumed her consideration of the army’s structure. It was Anshac practice to divide the cohorts into eight groups of eighty warriors, but Nukurren had long thought such groups were awkward. Too large to be flexible; too small to have much impact.
ANY TWO? ANY THREE?
She decided she would adopt the ummun apalatunush as the first sub-division of the cohort. She had been impressed by their performance in the battle.
ANY FOUR? ANY FIVE?
The formations had been large enough to operate independently, yet Ludumilaroshokavashiki and Takashimidudzhugodzhi had been able to control their maneuvers with no difficulty.
ANY SIX?
The apalatunush numbered eighty and six-eight, approximately—
NO? NO? SUCH A PITY.
What is the ummun way of counting that?
I WAS ENJOYING THE EXERCISE.
A “unnunduredh,” I think.
PERHAPS AT A LATER TIME. WHEN YOU HAVE LEARNED TO CRAWL.
I will have to speak to Ushulubang about this. We must decide if we will adopt the ummun way of numbering as well as their language.
NOW. LET ME EXPLAIN THE TRUTH—NAKED; STRIPPED OF ITS SHELL.
Her thoughts hesitated, stumbling for a moment.
YOU ARE NO LONGER KIKTU OR PILGRIM OR OPOKTU OR UTUKU.
Yes, and I must listen to what she has to say about the Way. And Dhowifa. I must listen to him more carefully, from now on.
YOU ARE SIMPLY NUKURREN’S SHIT.
I must put all bitterness behind me. I am no longer Nukurren the mercenary. I can no longer think like Nukurren the outcast. I am the—
YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY, WHEN I SAY, WHERE I SAY IT, HOW I SAY IT. AT ONCE. NO—SOONER THAN THAT!
Shutuppen. Nukurren rolled the name in her mind’s arms, examining it from every side.
Do you understand?
It is a good name, she decided.