in the ground which he swept smooth with his hand. With quick, practised
strokes, he outlined the southern part of the continent and formed the north
-south mountain range.
‘The story begins here, in what once was the kingdom of Ilsig, east of the
Queen’s Mountains.’
‘… which the Rankans call the World’s End Mountains …’ supplied an urchin.
‘… and the Mountain Men call Gunderpah …’ contributed another.
Hakiem leaned back on his haunches and scratched absently.
‘Perhaps,’ he said, ‘the young gentlemen would like to tell the story while
Hakiem listens.’ .’• •
‘No they wouldn’t,’ insisted Ran-tu. ‘Shut up, everyone. It’s my story! Let
Hakiem tell it.’
Hakiem waited until silence was restored, then nodded loftily to Ran-tu and
continued.
‘Afraid of invasion from the then young Rankan Empire across the mountains, they
formed an alliance with the Mountain Tribes to guard the only known pass through
the mountains.’
He paused to draw a line on his map indicating the pass.
‘Lo, it came to pass that their fears were realized. The Rankans turned their
armies towards Ilsig, and they were forced to send their own troops into the
pass to aid the Mountain Men in the kingdom’s defence.’
He looked up hopefully and extended a palm as a merchant paused to listen, but
the man shook his head and moved on.
‘While the armies were gone,’ he continued, scowling, ‘there was an uprising of
slaves in Ilsig. Body-servants, galley slaves, gladiators, all- united in an
effort to throw off the shackles of bondage. Alas …’