pointing a finger at the second urchin. ‘But it took time. Oh’ my, yes, lots of
time. As the slaves exhausted the land to the north, they moved south, until
they reached the point where the town stands today. Here they met a group of
native fishermen, and between fishing and farming managed to survive in peace
and tranquillity.’
‘That didn’t last long,’ snorted Ran-tu, momentarily forgetting himself.
‘No,’ agreed Hakiem. ‘The gods did not will it so. Rumours of a discovery of
gold and silver reached the kingdom of Ilsig and brought intruders into our
tranquility. First adventurers, and finally a fleet from the kingdom itself to
capture the town and again bring it under the kingdom’s control. The only fly in
the kingdom’s victory wine that day was that most of the fishing fleet was out
when they arrived, and, realizing the fate of the town, took refuge on
Scavengers’ Island to form the nucleus of the Cape Pirates, who harass ships to
this day.’
A fisherman’s wife passed by and, glancing down, recognized the map in the dust,
smiled, and tossed two copper coins to Hakiem. He caught them neatly, elbowing
an urchin who tried to intercept them, and secreted them in his sash.
‘Blessings on your house, mistress,’ he called after his benefactor.
‘What about the empire?’ Ran-tu prompted, afraid of losing his story.
;•
‘What? Oh, yes. It seems that one of the adventurers pushed north seeking the
mythical gold, found a pass through the Civa, and eventually joined the Rankan
Empire. Later, his grandson, now a general in the empire, found his ancestor’s