Loi.odt

Tales of the Union:

The Six Spires of Egtor

© 2014 - Vanessa Ravencroft
(Inspired by SCI-FI stories picture)

(This story takes place in the Galactic Chronicles universe. The year is 5040 OTT. War against the Shiss has just started, but it is hardly registered by most of the Union. The Nul are now part of the Union and so are the Golden.

The place is a garden world about 3500 light years past the outermost fringes of Union space in the Spinward Sector.)

Chapter 1: The Spire of the Yellow Robes




The metallic gong of the fourth ball called the brothers of the cloister to assemble for the afternoon chants of praise and worship. Hygi, the acolyte of Brother Unti heard the sound and realized he had lost track of time. He had been pressing Matroo stem pulp ever since the second ball drop. Pressing the wet pulp between very heavy slabs of stone was hard work and produced after a several steps, the paper that was highly valued and brought much gold to the coffers of the Order.

He made it, entering the temple as the very last, trying to walk dignified and making haste was not very easy, he hoped no one noticed his hasty aproach to the center statue and his sloppy bow before the statue of the veiled goddess.





Hygi was very fortunate to be chosen as an acolyte to the Yellow Robes of Kastirin, but he missed his family, his brothers and his mother most of all.

Two cold seasons ago, the Yellow Robes came to the village, as they did every year. After they blessed the harvest and predicted the flooding of the plains, they sometimes picked one or two young males to go with them. The boys taken would become acolytes and perhaps eventually don the yellow robes and the frightening hoods and become brothers of the Order.

His father told him how fortunate he was. Being picked by the Yellow robes was  the best that could happen to him. It was better than starving to death when the floods didn’t come or working the Matroo fields day in and day out to fill the storage houses of the King.

No one really spoke of the Reki slavers that sometimes raided villages and took young men and women, never to be seen again.

The worst fate of course was being picked by the King’s recruiters and forced to fight the Reki.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Life for the valley people was harsh and hunger, death and misery were constant companions.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi sighed, of course his father was right, up here on the spire of the Order of the Yellow Goddess, there was always food. No slavers could come up here and the King did not press Yellow Robes to fight for his army.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Back when he was still with his family, there wasn’t always enough food and his father and mother struggled to keep him and his eight siblings fed, especially when the floods didn’t reach the small patches the peasants were allowed to have for their own sustenance. The food his family and all the others ate was always the same, boiled Matroo, sometimes with flood snails or slurry fishlings thrown in.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Up here the Yellow Robes had Matroo bread, Nagli-fish, roasted White Birds and White Bird eggs. There was wondrous white powder  called salt. It made Matroo taste completely different. And there was always enough of everything. He loved the sweet Nitri berries that the farmers of the upper valley brought as their tribute. Brother Unti, his master often gave him a handful of these red sweet tasting fruits when he was pleased with Reiki.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">No one was idle up here, and everyone had chores, but it was not the same as the backbreaking toil in the Matroo fields, every day from sunrise to sunset.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His duties and chores filled most of the day, but of there was also study and learning. He liked learning and hearing about things. The most amazing thing he learned was reading and writing. The strange marks and dots the kings collector's always put in soft clay when they came to tally the harvest were not magical and secret ways to banish demons, but simple reports of what was collected.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi could read them now, knew how the marks were added to make larger counts. He also knew of the texts that actually talked about demons and gods. These scrolls  were much more complex and never left the archives of the Order.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Today was the feast day of the Sixth Incarnation of the Yellow Goddess and the temple was closed for anyone but to those who worshipped the Sixth Incarnation. As he had been picked by Brother Unti who worshipped the First Incarnation, he too was exempt to participate in the celebrations. It would have been nice, the Sixth Incarnation represented food and harvest. There was always food and drink involved in any of the feast days of the Sixth Incarnation and perhaps the main reason, the Sixth Incarnation was the most popular and it had the most worshippers.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">There was always a sense of competition and rivalry among the Yellow Robes, as there were many Incarnations to the Goddess, and here on top of the spire, the Yellow Robes served three of the goddess aspects.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Two years had past and by the end of the cold season he would go into his third year.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was now that he understood his father and had to admit  he was better off than his brothers and sisters and pretty much everyone else he knew, but the spire was cold, always cold. He missed his mother most of all.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Because there was no temple service today,  Brother Unti his mentor had told him to scrub and polish the wooden stairs that led all the way to the roof hatch of the Temple of the Goddess, and the highest point of the monastery, perched high upon a spire of natural rock and stone. Reaching far beyond the forest canopy, almost reaching the very clouds of the sky.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He had climbed the stairs all the way to the top where he opened the hatch so he could enjoy the breathtaking view. On a clear day one could see all the way to the far distant river, or to the snow covered mountains that blocked the horizon, into the other direction. He was standing inside the open hatch, from here you could step onto the copper roof. Of course this would be would be suicide without a rope harness, as the slanted surface of the roof was slick. Falling from the spire would end over a thousand triple-steps below, smashing into the ground of the Gray Forest that surrounded the spire rock.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He did not envy the acolytes and brothers if the Third Aspect who had to come out here to repair and polish the copper roofs, but then the Third Aspect was that of the builders and makers,

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Even when he was little and still in the village, everyone knew about the spires occupied by the Robes, but he remembered how deeply impressed he was when he saw this spire for the first time. It was a rock formation rising past the canopies of the tallest trees, into dizzying heights.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Far on its distant top were a collection of temples and buildings built many hundred of seasons ago by the first Yellow Robes, after the Goddess demanded they seek out a tall location for her place of worship.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">While the spire cloister could be accessed with baskets suspended on ropes and winched up by a muscle powered hoist, every acolyte had to ascent it once. It represented the ascent and climb of the first Yellow Robes following the command of the Goddess.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Narrow planks of wood resting on iron spikes  and chains fastened to the rock for a hand hold wall serpentined all the way to the Old entrance. The Old entrance was, so they told him only halfway up, but it was still very far above the ground.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was a dangerous and terrifying ascent. He remembered his hands cramping around the rough chain as he inched his way across the moist and slippery planks. It had took him a long time, and he had not felt more exhausted all his life, as he dropped on the floor behind the Old entrance with shaking legs. Later he was told that not every acolyte made it all the way, either falling to their death or by giving up.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">No one was forced to become a Yellow Robe, he too could at any time climb down and walk back to the village. Something he promised his father not to do.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He was so caught up in his own musings, that he almost missed the strange shape that was descending  from the heavily overcast sky and the not so distant clouds.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Now the White Birds and the smaller black Snatchers were known to be caught by an updraft and carried all the way to the clouds once in awhile, but what he saw was not a bird.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He almost forgot to breathe.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was quite distant but it had the shape of a person. It descended without the aid of wings, much slower than something falling, then it was out of sight, as it disappeared past the roof edge.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Had he just dreamt, or did he really see a messenger from the gods?

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Chapter 2 : The Summon

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Waraki, priest of the First Incarnation; exalted wearer of the Golden Robe, received the messenger of the king in the Chamber of Community, a smaller building attached to the great temple, and perched at the very edge of the spire.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was not uncommon for the king to sent a messenger, usually two or three times a year. The reasons and messages usually involved the king’s wishes to be blessed for another war campaign, to ask for a Yellow Robe to travel to the palace and witness the birth of a royal child. Sometimes to bless the river and predict the floods during a dry season but in all these years Waraki  had never seen a messenger of the king in such an urgent state of agitation. This messenger used to be  a dignified and arrogant presence, but not today. Waraki adjusted the fur-lined hood so he could better see past the eyeholes of the embroidered fabric that concealed his face.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Honored Herald of the King, long shall be his reign, what has occurred that puts you in so much distress? Have the Rekies of the East declared war? Have the floodgates to the Eye broken?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Oh no, Exalted Wearer of the Golden Robe, none of this. It is a matter of religion and gods. The King has summoned the Exalted Wearers of all spires to the King’s spire.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Waraki expected anything but that. ”Matters of religion? Today is a minor feast day for the Incarnation - what other matters could there be and of such urgency?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It’s the gods, they have come!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Waraki wanted to brush aside such nonsense and educate the herald that gods were there to be worshipped; to the priests and brothers to interpret the signs and read their will out of the smoke of the sacred cauldrons; Gods did not actually appear. However he was a priest and could not hardly say that, besides the man’s fear and agitation appeared to be real.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Not to mention the summons of King Orkrom the Fourth. Also known as Orkrom the Merciless.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The latest king of this dynasty hadn’t been on the Throne of Winds for more than eight seasons, and already his heavy hand was felt to the furthest regions of the kingdom. Orkrom had conquered the Gloo-Rekies of the East and added the Amber Savannah to his empire, and now he itched for more glory and to expand to the West and crush the Bloo-Rekies and add the entire Silver coast to his realm.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">But since war was a costly business, the king squeezed even more than his predecessors out of the already starving peasants and farmers.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Now, truth be told, Waraki was not exactly known to be a defender of the weak, but the more the King took, the less they could give to the gods. Waraki liked bountiful offering tables.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He stared at the herald and said, “When does the King expect us to come?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Exalted wearer, I do not think you understand. The gods have come from the heavens and took residence  in the Black Spire.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The Black Spire is forbidden. How would the King know what is going on there?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Don’t waste time with questions. The King has summoned all the the Exalted Robes and we better make haste - it is a long way.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi knew his way around the spire. As fast as he could, he stormed down the steep steps, ran  down narrow passages and down more winding, worn-out flights of stairs.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Only as he reached the ring colonnade of the lower tier, he slow down, out of breath and hiding himself behind one of the thick stone columns.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He had not dreamed, just thirty meters from where he was hiding, a female shape stepped from the chest-high wall that separated the colonnade from the frightening abyss.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">She looked around, closed a yellow robe around her just like all the full brothers and priests wore, and before he could see her face, pulled a hood over her head and walked with swift steps away.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Women were not allowed up here, but of course the way she came, she was not a woman but a messenger of the Goddess. But then she could be an assassin of the Blue or even the Black robes who had climbed the spire. He had heard stories of fierce rivalries between the different Robes, but according to Brother Unti that happened very long ago. The way the being came could she be a demon summoned by the enemies of the Goddess? He knew there were forbidden texts describing in detail what demons could do.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He had not been allowed to read any of these scrolls yet, but his master had and often quoted them in class.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He shivered in fear and contemplated what to do. Should he report what he saw? Was it something forbidden for which he would be beaten or even pushed off the ledge at the Sinner’s Step?

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He was there when they pushed Kary off the ledge. He hardly knew the boy, as he was an acolyte of fifth aspect and from a village far from his own. No one told him what Kary had done, only that it was something forbidden.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">There were lots of forbidden things and lots of rules, of which some were forbidden to know.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">On some nights when the winds howled outside his bed chambers, he could still hear Kary’s scream as he fell out of sight and into the fogs that often shrouded the tree tops during the last days of the warm season.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The best advice he could give himself was to ignore it, forget it and let whatever it was take its course.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He didn’t follow his own advice as he realized he was already following that mysterious apparition.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He caught sight of the billowing yellow cape just before the being slipped past the doors to Brother Naruk’s chambers.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk’s Chambers

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What a Mickey forsaken place,” Chira swore as he entered the primitive room partially carved out the natural rock of this pillar like mountain.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Dr. Sibelius got up from the wooden table that served him as work surface and dinner table. And from the look of it, Chira was sure, Sibelius had mixed his work with several meals. The Saresii man who looked like a statuesque gorgeous woman took off her mask and hood and gestured towards the table and added, “Looks like you have well acclimated.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Dr. Sibelius, pushed his hands down the yellow robe he was wearing and then extended his right. “Nice to see you, too. You haven’t changed either. The same old grumpy schmuck, and still swearing.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I have a good reason to swear. Well actually I got a whole catalog of reasons. Management breathing down my neck wanting results. This rotten planet far outside Union space and this assignment, just for starters.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Chira walked to the open window. The view was nothing short of spectacular, an ocean of snow covered forests, a meandering river and flocks of white birds. However the view did not hold his attention for long. He had spent the last thirty years traveling and had seen many exotic worlds and sights. Without turning he said, “Have you completed your study of the local society yet? Anything we can use for leverage?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The anthropologist picked up wood-framed chalk board, similar to the ones commonly used by the brothers and tapped it with his finger, revealing it was way more than a primitive writing surface but a modern PDD. With a brush of his hands he summoned a data projection bubble; texts and images appeared floating between them.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Such studies take years and I am here for just over twenty months, but yes I have a preliminary summary ready for you.” He handed the visitor a small data chip.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Doc, they pay you good credits and they pay me good credits.The problem is our mutual employer is not the most patient one, especially since I think Enroe is here as well.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Sibelius sighed. “I think I noticed him, the blue robes have a new member, it might be him. Hard to tell though, they all wear these hooded masks.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Come on, these locals aren’t the Narth. You should be able to identify a Union citizen. Speaking of the locals, do you have an idea why they appear quite human?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The scientist nodded. “Yes, I am quite certain they are from Earth or at least part of the Human mystery.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You might know right after the ascent almost three thousand standard years ago; during that period of time historians call the Second Exodus lots of colonist’s arks left Earth and not all are accounted for.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Chira nodded. “Yes, I recall the lessons about it during Union school.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Sibelius sighed. “Not that the records of that time are very accurate in the first place but they could also be a forgotten Saran or Pan Saran colony, or even Seenian. Their DNA is only about 4% different. If you remember your Union school classes, you might also recall the lessons about the so called human mystery, right?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I did skip a few cerebral uploads, but yes I recall some of it. It’s the scientific improbability of humans developing on separate worlds, with only minute DNA differences, but isn’t the common consensus that it was the Seenians who somehow seeded human life across the Upward sector?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No, it’s just one of the many theories out there. The verdict is still out, especially since your people have been around as long as the Seenians. The Saresii First Age of Knowledge started around the same time the Seenians became a space-faring society.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ As I said, I skipped a few uploads. How about the other sentients you reported about?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ At first I thought the Rekies were the true natives of this world, but I had the chance to get a DNA sample last month. It doesn’t match the rest of the planet's biosphere. Looks like they are colonists too.” The man spread his arms. “Don’t ask me from where - these lizards match none of the species on file at the Ivory tower.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The female-looking agent of SII sat with a sweeping motion of her cape on a chair and crossed his legs. ”Shiss perhaps?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No, they don’t match the Shiss, nor our Saurons, not the Maggi and not the Dragons and all the other sauron lizard species. I told you no match to any known sentient or non-sentient life form. Their tech level is on the same level as the local humans.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Chira pulled off his gloves, but instantly regretted it. “Is it always this cold?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ This is still fall, in local terms, it is going to get a whole lot colder in winter. But even in their summers, it stays cold up here. Remember we are on top of a mountain that reaches 1,500 meters. I wish SII would send a geologist to look into these strange pillars, there are ten or twelve of them all across the main continent, and I wonder what geological process forms them.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I was under the impression there are only six of them.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Six that are occupied. Remember they are on Tech Level C, to built these mountain topping monasteries  takes about the same efforts as it took building the pyramids in Egypt.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What pyramids?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The ones on Earth.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Never been there and besides, there were geologists among the first SII survey group. They found this world has lots of copper, a very special kind. This is the reason you and I are here.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">SII wants this world before Union space moves this way.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What is so special about copper?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It’s what Takkians and their cousins the Takian eat. It is what the Lyrharm consider their favorite food. It is still used in many technical application and sells for good credits on the XChange, but that is not the main reason. The local copper has a higher percentage of iridium than any other copper ore found elsewhere. You do know that iridium is a major component of Arti Coils and ISAH drives right? Besides it is considered one of the trade currencies accepted by almost any space-faring society we know.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Copper and iridium, okay I get it. I am an anthropologist and I can name hundreds of societies accepting Iridium chips and coins, much safer than those rad-shielded Polonium coins still in use all over Freespace.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yeah you never know who rad shielded them and if the gold mantle is thick enough.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ But isn’t iridium much more abundant in asteroids? And every floating rock containing the most minute trace of it is mined. The Assembly declared iridium a strategic resource.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The scientist nodded. “Besides, this is a Garden World with lots of bioforms, in and of itself a treasure throve.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Chira put the gloves back on.”That neither of the local Sentients are native to this world is good news, in terms of Union law.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ That one of them are lost colonists is bad news. Very bad news indeed.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ If the Science Corps gets wind of this, we will see BoCA here faster than you can say oops and with the Bureau of Colonist Affairs rolling in, all chances of real profit are gone.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ SII has to negotiate fair mining contracts and compete with every other mining company. In other words, not much profit if profit can be made at all.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The undercover scientist opened a crude wooden trunk and a modern Serve Matic rose from it. “Care for some hot chocolate? I hear Saresii are addicted to it.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ My father is traditional Saresii, my mother, however, is from New Texas. I was raised the Saresii way as you can see, but I can’t stand Saresii tea or hot chocolate. It’s too frikkin’ cold for beer, but I’ll take coffee if you have any.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yeah the ‘Matic’ still has supplies for another 4000 cups. Did you bring me the Mol-cards for chicken soup? The locals use an animal called White Bird. It doesn’t even taste good in a soup.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes, I got you the whole Five Hundred Flavors set. So, how much longer do you think will you need?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi had climbed on the old stone cutter scaffold, so he could get close to the windows of Brother Naruk’s chambers.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The wood was centuries old and exposed to wind and weather. The narrow planks were slippery. His heart missed a beat as one of the planks made a cracking sound, but he kept putting one foot before the other, while his hands cramped around the the old rope, that was the only assurance against falling. Another cracking sound made him almost go back, the wind had picked up and tugged at his robe. But then he could hear the voices.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">A sharp knock on Naruk’s door made him spin around and spill some of the coffee. With quick haste he kicked the trunk and the Serve Matic lowered out of sight. The lid fell on it a second later.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Chira got up and activated his adaptive camouflage and dove out the small window. Just in time as the door swung open and the Exalted Wearer of the Golden Robe entered  the room.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Prepare to travel within the hour Brother Naruk,” the masked leader of the order said with a commanding tone.”I have need of your sharp intellect and great wisdom.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk bowed. “Of course, Exalted Wearer. I have little to pack.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ That is what I like about you, Brother Naruk; ever since you came to us, I seek your counsel and company in matters of importance.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am honored.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The Herald of the King has summoned me to the palace. He claims the gods have descended upon the Black spire and he seeks the counsel of all who wear the sacred robes.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Then let us make haste. If it is the gods who better than us to greet them, if it is not the gods who better than us to make this distinction?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Exalted Wearer sounded very pleased and relieved. “You never fail in giving sound advice. Meet me at the south winch before the third ball drops.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Waraki flared his nostrils underneath his hood. “Say what is this aroma? I have never smelled anything like it.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It’s a, uh, herbal remedy from the Tantyo mountains - the distant region I call home.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It does smell quite pleasant. You need to tell me more about it and those Tantyo mountains at another time.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">With those words the Exalted left.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi had heard most of it. The gods have come, but why did the Exalted One not speak to the heavenly visitor who had to be in the room?

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Now he noticed something floating outside the window, and less than  four or five steps ahead of him. Something shimmering, something not there and yet it was more than just air, more than smoke. A ghost!

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">This realization made him even more afraid and he wanted to run, a board cracked and this time the rotten wood gave away, and he shrieked in panic as he plunged away, holding to the rope dangling over the chasm; even the White Birds flying over the canopy of the forest far below looked like tiny white specks.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">With sheer terror he heard the groaning of the old rope, and could feel  the fibers separating. The last strand of fibers came apart, the rope snapped and he fell.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">This was it, this was the end.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He screamed and closed his eyes.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Something grabbed his arm and then he felt solid ground under his feet.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi opened his eyes and he found himself back where the scaffold started. He also saw the shimmering shape for a short moment, and was certain it had the shape of a woman.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ A boy? Out there?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Chira nodded. “Yes, he was out there on that ancient contraption of wood and ropes, whatever it is.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It’s a scaffold, used by workmen and stone cutters who built this bartizan-like rooms that are my chambers, but that was done centuries ago. It would be suicide to use it now.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Well it nearly was, he did fall. I caught him in the very last moment.” Chira sighed. “I guess I am not as callused as I should be for this business. I should have let him fall.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You just raised considerably in my opinion about you. I just wonder what he was doing out there.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ We spoke Standard, he would have not understood a single word.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ But what caused him to spy on me on the first place?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Maybe you should ask him. I am sure he is still where I dropped him.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Could he have seen you?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I can’t be sure, I only have adaptive camouflage, full cloak comes with battle suits only.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Alright, I’ll deal with him.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What are you making of this god business?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Enroe could be moving in or perhaps DeNoir. Who knows, maybe there is a Union observation post already here and someone got careless.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Well, I am going back to the ship and move to GalNet distance to deliver your and my report. Then I’ll come back and help you to find out who these gods are.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ How long?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Ten days one way. GalNet coverage is still far off this region.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Make sure no one sees you this time.”

Chapter 2: To the River
<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi got to his feet - his legs shaking uncontrollably. He was not certain if he had died after all, or if this was a terribly dream.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The door to Brother Naruk’s chambers opened and Naruk appeared coming straight at  him.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk was the tallest of the brothers and while he was one of the Yellow Robes of the First Aspect, Hygi had never really talked to him. Naruk did not have a pupil either. Even though Hygi was used to seeing the brothers with their masks, he still feared them.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He knelt and lowered his head. “Please don’t take me to the Sinner’s ledge.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk’s deep voice sounded angry. “I have a good mind doing that, but I am in need of an acolyte. So go and pack a few things. We are about to travel for quite a spell; I will talk to your master and let him know you are my pupil now.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi hesitated, not sure what it all meant.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk clapped his hands. “Make haste. It seems you are not only nosey but hard of hearing. If you are not by the South Winch before the third ball drops, I’ll push you off the ledge myself!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi got up and ran all the way to his chambers. Right behind the tattered curtains of coarse Sagrill fibers stood Legi, another acolyte of about his age and serving the Third Aspect. He and Legi shared this sparsely furnished chamber. Two crude wood-frame beds with broad strips of Sagrill fiber, a bag of hay and a blanket made of the spun hair of  Warku goats and two shelves. His shelf held a wooden bowl, a wooden spoon and six scrolls of chants, a gift of his master. On a peg next to it, hung his Feast day robe, made of yellow dyed Warku hair.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Legi smelled of food and that meant he had helped in the kitchen, perhaps the best chore as the cooks always handed out bread rolls or sometimes even a handful of Nitri berries. Legi held out his wooden bowl with a good helping of Hygi’s favorite food. “Here I got you some Nitris, Brother Orbix said these are the last ones for this season.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi brushed past his friend and tossed his bowl and spoon onto his bed blanket. Followed by his Feast robe.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Legi came closer. “What happened? You look as if you saw a ghost!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi near the end of his nerves almost screamed. “I have! I have seen a ghost! It saved my life too. Now I am to go with Brother Naruk, I think we are going to the Spire of the King.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Legi blinked and took a step back, clearly overwhelmed by the answer and the intensity Hygi gave it. ”Seven times kissing the seams of the Golden Robe! Nine praises to the goddess! A ghost up here? How does a ghost look like?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ How many balls have dropped?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I think the second ball dropped when I left the kitchen.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I have little time then, I am pushed off the ledge if I don’t make it to the South Winch by the time the third ball drops.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Nothing you say makes any sense. You saw a ghost, you go travel to the King and you are about to pushed off the Ledge of Sinners? The last time I saw you was when the first ball dropped; weren’t you to paint the stairs to the great temple cupola?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi rolled the blanket into a bundle and tied a strip of Sagrill around it.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Unti, his master, brushed the curtain aside. “Hygi, you are now Brother Naruk’s pupil, make haste! The Exalted One is already on his way to the winch.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi grabbed his bundle, gave friend a hurtful look of good- bye, then he dropped to his knees kissed the seam of Brother Unti’s robe, muttered a distraught “Thank you” and rushed past his former master, hoping he would make it in time.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The steam in the huge tank had built up enough pressure to push another heavy metal ball off the rack and it dropped onto to the enormous brass disc suspended by a thick rope in the tower of time. The loud chime could be heard almost everywhere. This was the third ball of the day. The brothers would gather for supper and then congregate in the great temple, and chant seven praises to each aspect of the Goddess.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi just made it, he stepped into the winch house, as the chime of the third ball echoed across the top of Kastirin, the monastery of the Yellow Robes.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk was there, and two high brothers, assistants to the Exalted Wearer - the highest priest was not among them.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk tapped with his foot, “That is cutting it very close. A few more moments and you would not have needed a winch basket to reach the ground.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">One of the High brothers, identified by the white fur around his hood and the face of the first aspect embroidered onto the fabric stepped before Hygi, who immediately dropped to his knees said. “You are to go with the Exalted and Brother Naruk to the Spire of the King, that means you are to step among those not chosen. You have been on the first step of your journey to become a Brother of the Yellow Order and a priest to the First Aspect. Brother Unti has always spoken of you with high praise. Receive therefore thy hood. You are no longer an acolyte but raised to be an apprentice.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The hooded priest handed him a folded piece of yellow fabric. “This is your hood, wear it if you are among the people. Brother Naruk will continue your education.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He was still kneeling. His head spun as he still had no idea what was happening. Normally it took five long seasons to be raised to become an apprentice, and it was usually done in a big ceremony in the great temple. Oh, he should have listened to his own advice. Everything had changed after he decided to follow that female ghost.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk waved. “Let’s go, the Exalted is already on his way down.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The thick ropes holding the basket creaked as he stepped inside. Even though these were new and well maintained ropes, after dangling on one that made very similar sounds before it snapped, he almost jumped out.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The trip down took six stages, as no rope could be made that was strong enough for the entire length. Besides it took twelve brothers to turn the crank, a longer rope would have added to the weight.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk said to him. “For someone climbing over dangerous and unsafe scaffolding, you seem quite afraid of heights.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Not of heights, master. I am afraid of falling.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The winch master reversed the ratchet lever, going down did not require all twelve brothers, but still there had to be four moving the big lever making the brass tongue slip over the notches of the big drum wheel. With each move of the lever, the basket dropped a triple step or so.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">They had to switch baskets on each tier until they reached the first entrance.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The whole descent had taken quite some time. He could hear the fourth ball drop, just as they climbed into the last basket that would carry them all the way down.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His new master hadn’t said much for most of the trip. But as the last basket swayed towards the ground where several fires burned before colorful tents of the detachment of soldiers that probably accompanied the herald; he said,  “Put your new hood on, you might as well get used to it, you only see half of the world out of those blasted things, but on the bright side it keeps the bugs out in the summer and your head warm in the winter. Oh, and the best part is you can stick your tongue out, or roll your eyes in annoyance. No one will notice.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi unfolded his hood and put it on,. At first he saw nothing and only smelt the fabric. He felt the hands of his new master tugging on it and his eyes lined up with the two holes.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk said, “That’s better. Seeing at least some of the world is quite helpful, especially since we are going through a forest with trees. Running into one is not as pleasant as you might think.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi relaxed a bit, and said, “Master have you ever stuck your tongue out?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Oh yes, many times, and making funny faces while some boring brother tries to remember the ninth chant and repeats it over and over again.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">A strange tingle in his throat built up to an amused chuckle which Hygi tried to suppress unsuccessfully.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Don’t worry, I won’t toss you over the sinner’s ledge or beat you for a giggle, but making faces only works if you don’t accompany it with matching sounds, so better get used to be dignified or at least appearing so to the outer world.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The basket finally touched down on the ground.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The soldiers were taking down the last tents and making ready to depart. Four boxy wagons on large wheels with twenty Roki slaves in pulling harnesses before each could be seen. Muscular men, with mostly bare upper bodies armed with long pointed sticks and whips were milling about between the chained reddish skinned beings.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi heard his master sigh. “I forgot there are no beasts of burden. Or at least nothing big enough that could be tamed for this purpose.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What are beasts of burden, master?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Animals providing muscle power instead of sentients.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi was thinking about that as they climbed out of the basket. “Do they use animals like that where you come from, Master?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His new master could not answer as the Exalted Wearer and the Herald of the King approached. Hygi went on his knees and lowered his head, while Brother Naruk bowed his head.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Waraki, the Exalted Wearer said, “While it is against all accepted wisdom to travel at night, the herald insists we make all haste. The second wagon is provided for you and your pupil.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The herald was still agitated. “I have an entire regiment of the Kings guard with me. We will travel two days to the river and take the barge. We will be at the palace spire by the sixth day.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi, who considered his austere chambers luxurious compared to how his family lived, was completely stunned by the luxurious interior of the wagon. There were soft blankets, pillows and furs, even a table and chairs. A metal barrel thing with a door, radiated wonderful heat. He could see the flickering flames inside through holes and slits. A heavy curtain separated part of the wagons interior and behind it were four beds. He only recognized them because of the pillows and the blankets. He could not grasp anyone sleeping in something that fine and luxurious.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Two men lifted a wooden trunk and a bundle of things into the wagon and closed the door. He heard the coarse commands, the cracks of whips and then felt a jolt almost making him fall as the wagon started moving. It rattled and the wood creaked and he could feel the motion of moving without lifting a foot. He almost forgot  that he was in the presence of his new master.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk pointed at one of the chairs. “Sit down, Hygi.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi did.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I know it was quite an eventful day for you, but before I let you sleep. I want to know why you climbed on that scaffold.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk removed his hood and revealed the bearded face of a pale skinned man. “You can take off that head sack of yours if you want. Drinking and eating is a whole lot easier without a piece of cloth before your mouth.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi almost whispered. “Master, I have seen a messenger descending from the heavens. I ran to the lower colonnade.” Hygi stopped as he recalled the events that happened just an afternoon ago. He lowered his head as far as possible and started to shiver. “I have seen her, she was a woman, but she was dressed in brother robes and then donned a hood. I followed her and …”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk was kneeling before his trunk, he turned .”And?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi doubted Brother Naruk could hear his voice over the rattling of the wagon and the rhythmic trod of the slave’s feet. ”She went into your chambers.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk turned around holding two clay cups. There was steam coming from them and a new smell reached Hygi’s nose. His new master handed him one of the cups. “Don’t put it on the table or you spill everything and wait till it’s cooled down, it’s hot.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi eyed the light brown liquid. It smelled like nothing he knew. “Is that the cup of the last sin? I have seen forbidden things right?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes you have, but if I wanted to kill or silence you. I didn’t have to take you along. No, this is not poison. It’s something my tribe makes. It’s called hot chocolate. Besides I made two cups, one for me.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk took a sip and cursed. “Damn, I still dialed it up too hot.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi carefully took a small sip. Just like the wonderful smell, there was nothing he ever tasted that could describe what just went over his tongue. Hastily he took a second sip. It was sweet, creamy but there was something else.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk grinned. “Seems agreeable, right?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ This is something the messenger from the heavens has given you, right? Nothing on Egtor can taste like this.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You haven’t seen anything of this world, how could you know what else there is? What you are drinking is not magic, just milk, sugar and the extract of a plant called cocoa.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi took all his courage and said. “But she was there wasn’t she?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Who can say what you saw. Does not the seventeenth stanza of the fourth chant not speak of the goddess appearing to some in visions and dreams? Don’t you remember the stories of the first Yellow robes who were told to seek out a high place? Who do you think it was telling them?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ But I fell! I fell and I was saved.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ If it really happened or if you dreamt it, I won’t say, but if you decide to tell any of this to anyone, your life will change forever. Either you will be called a liar and pushed off the ledge, or they believe you and make you a saint.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi was not sure what to make of this answer, but he was certain his new master spoke the truth about what would happen if he told.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk still smiled at him. “But no worry, the world might look different to you when you have grown up. I can almost guarantee that.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi only nodded. The long day and the steady sway of the wagon made him very sleepy.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk said. “Go find a bed and sleep. We have a long journey ahead.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Loud screams of panic and fighting woke him up from the most comfortable and warm rest he ever had. The sway of the wagon had stopped and he could smell fire. The screams and shouts of men fighting and dying were all around.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He jumped out of the bed and brushed past the heavy curtains. The back door of the wagon was wide open. Again his own mind gave him the advice to hide under the bed, but once more his curiosity was stronger and he crawled to the door. Sharp long-shafted things hammered with sharp knocking sounds into the thin walls of the wagon. Now he was able to take a peek and looked outside.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The wagon of the Exalted Wearer stood in flames and provided flickering light to a forest path littered with dead and dying men and Rekies hacked to pieces or pierced by these long sticks that kept appearing with sharp hissing sounds hacking into men and raised shields. He also saw his new master fighting like the soldiers with a very long curved knife. The fire created long wild dancing shadows, yet Hygi was certain his master was hit by a flying stick, but it broke into many pieces just before it was about to hit.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It happened at least three more times, when a Reki attacked Brother Naruk from behind with a powerful strike using one of these long knifes. It was as if he struck a rock, the blade shattered in a shower of sparks.The Reki surprised, fell a heartbeat later, Brother Naruk felled the vicious Reki with single stroke of his weapon, sometimes not even close enough to really hit his opponents.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was clear the King’s men now had the upper hand and he saw them using odd staffs with strings to release these flying sticks into the surrounding trees and bushes. Brother Naruk noticed him and yelled, “Get your head down -  there are still Reki Archers out there.” Hygi complied.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was over, the King’s men and the Herald stood in a circle around the now completely burned out wagon. The Herald was furious and kicked a dead Reki. Two soldiers carried a makeshift litter into the circle and on it the Exalted Wearer of the Golden Robe. Much of his magnificent robe was burned and torn. Hygi could see the terribly burned arm and could hear the pitiful groans.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk rushed to the litter and asked it to be brought into the wagon. The Herald commanded the men to set up camp and post guards so the wounded could be tended to.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi was completely ignored. He watched as the soldiers beheaded Reki slaves and killing those Reki warriors that were wounded.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He had never seen any fighting before, He was sick to the stomach and terribly afraid.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He didn’t want to go into the wagon, afraid he might see the Exalted in all his misery.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi started crying.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The first morning light caught wisps of fog between the trees and made them almost glow. Smoke from the still smoldering remains of the third wagon curled into the cold air. The coming light of day also revealed the extent of the carnage and gore.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi had spent the rest of the night crouched under the wagon, his arms wrapped around his knees, colder than he ever was. For the most part of the night, he had shivered but now the shaking has stopped and he felt strangely peaceful.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He heard his name - Brother Naruk was calling him. He tried to answer, but only after the second try could he manage to answer with a weak croak.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk bent down and looked at him, “Oh sweet lord, don’t tell me you have been there all night?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk took him in his arms and carried him inside the wagon and put him into one of the beds. In his weak state he was certain he was dreaming, because Naruk talked to someone and he could hear a female voice but he understood none of the words.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk’s face appeared over his head and the brother said. “You have a pretty severe case of hypothermia, but no worries. Everything will be fine. I never realized you were outside.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi whispered, “The Exalted?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ He will live.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk, who actually was Dr. Markus Sibelius, anthropologist and field researcher for Schwartz Intergalactic Industries had immersed himself in several primitive societies before, and observed many more. He had served the Union Science Corps for nearly forty-five years, before he retired. He spent a year at Triton University teaching, but that was not for him. He wanted to be out in the field. SII offered him a research position in their research department with an unlimited research budget and a generous salary.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">At first he could research whatever he wanted. SII did almost as much exploring as the explorer department of the Science Corps. Of course for different reasons.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The explorer division reached out past Union space into uncharted and unknown space simply to learn what was out there and applied the highest moral standards to their research. Especially in the field of anthropology or more precisely Xeno-anthropology as the research subjects were  human only in the rarest cases.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">SII did research too, but there was always the motivation of profit. In general there was nothing wrong with that. SII was the core reason the entire Attikan Commonwealth had joined the Union; but there was hardly anyone in the the entire Union who did not expect SII to do things - not always morally kosher. He knew that before he accepted his position.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">But he worked for them now for almost twenty years and everything was first class and he had more freedom to chose what he wanted to research. This was until eight years ago, when the resource development manager approached him and asked if he was interested in helping to create a species evaluation report, that could help SII develop business relations with a pre- industrial species outside of Union space. He agreed and it worked out better than expected. SII got the development contacts and exclusive mining rights long before the society became aware of the Union.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">SII was extremely grateful and increased his salary and benefits to a very comfortable level.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Truth be told, he loved to use his expertise in ways that went beyond scientific papers. So it was that SII resource development came to him with similar cases and of course this one. SII Searchers had discovered this garden world about four years ago. The region was called the 1a Outer Arm and in the spinward sector of the Milky Way galaxy.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was also about 3,500 light years from the closest  Union system.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The survey team found sentient life, two biologically incompatible species. Both species were on the same technological development level, where crude iron was the most advanced technology.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">One of the sentients were biologically quite human and the other an upright species of warm blooded lizard-like beings.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The survey team also found the world to be rich in natural resources, specifically large deposits of copper and iridium.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">These survey results combined with the biological treasures a garden world offered made it a very attractive target for SII.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">However, Union law prohibited exploitation and simply taking the resources. Also, an open contact to a primitive culture was frowned upon, but research was not.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His job was first and foremost to conduct said research and provide a detailed civilization assessment. SII would then use his research to decide how to proceed. This was the unethical part, as they usually infiltrated a local government. Once this was accomplished, they expanded that government’s control over the entire planet and prepared the locals for visitors from the stars. SII then staged an accidental open discovery and obtained exclusive trade and mining rights. This was a long process and could take centuries, but SII had millions of projects like this and for a company that existed for almost 3,000 years, projects of many decades meant little.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">However SII was not the only Mega corporation doing this, there were Enroe, DeNoir and a dozen others.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He was almost certain that Enroe was here. During the last festival celebrating the descent of the Goddess, the Blue Robes had a new, tall brother. In general, the local humans didn’t grow past 160 centimeters, mostly due to the lack of calcium in their diet. Sure, there were exceptions to everything and there were tall locals, but the new Blue Robe had almost the same story as how he came to the Blue brothers as his own.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He could be wrong of course, but Chira also suspected Enroe agents to be here. He forgot to ask him how he came to that conclusion.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Now this business of gods being seen at the Black Spire was more than peculiar. Both SII and Enroe were known to bend a few rules, but never really broke the law as far as he knew. Because ever since the corporate wars, CEO’s and entire boards could be held accountable for what the company did. While this was not Union space, the companies were Union based and when it came to the rights of sentient beings, Union courts and the Assembly drew a hard line.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Not for one second did he believe the sightings were real gods or anything supernatural, but caused by another corporation. Perhaps it was the Science Corps using the Black Spire as a hidden observation post.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The SC maintained many well-hidden and camouflaged observation posts on worlds with primitive civilizations. Not just for research but also to make sure the civilization was not disturbed in their development. Of course, if it was the SC, he was on thin ice and SII had to abandon their plans.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The world was called Egtor and had only two very large continents. As far as he knew there were no settlements of any kind on the other continent. The locals did not know it existed.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">They had not really explored their own continent, but there were caravans that brought goods and wares from distant lands.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He introduced himself as a monk serving the Goddess and being on a pilgrimage to find the high places of worship and was accepted by the Yellow Robes.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His ability to read and write was proof to the Yellow robes that he was indeed a religious man. This and the fact that he gifted the Exalted Wearer a considerable amount of gold. A tribute collected on his journey for the glory of the goddess of course made him rise rather fast in the hierarchy of the Order and received the fur-bordered hood with the the embroidered face of the goddess’ First Aspect. The Exalted Wearer became almost something like a friend and valued his advice in all sort of matters.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">This was why the Exalted had chosen him to come along to go to the festival last year and now for this trip to heed the King’s summons.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The last campaign of the King against the rust-colored lizards of the Amber Savannah had only ended, a season ago. Of course everyone was told it was a successful campaign, but perhaps it wasn’t so successful after all.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The attack last night had been carried out by the green skinned Reki that populated a large stretch of the Eastern coast. It was a general belief that the green Reki hated the red ones even more than they did the humans, and the many arrow-pierced Reki seemed to support that belief.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Unfortunately being on top of an inaccessible, pillar-like mountain as part of a religious group was not the best place to stay abreast of local politics, not that there was anything like a news network. News travelled by foot and by mouth of the merchants and wandering traders which was neither very fast nor very accurate.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He had the finest and latest SII manufactured Auto Doc unit in his trunk, and could have completely restored the badly burned Exalted. His wounds were so severe, he would have been a doomed man on this planet. However he could not restore the man as it would expose him, either as a saint or a wizard using black arts. The most difficult part was to stop the Auto Doc from doing too much.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He just put the Auto Doc away, as the Exalted stirred. He was still burned, but thanks to the Auto Doc, painfree. He opened his eyes and reached for Naruk’s robe. “They taught you well in that cloister you told me about. I feel much better.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You are far from healed, Exalted One. It will take many days before you are well again.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I know your skills in the arts of healing have saved my life. This is why you are now second to me only. I cannot continue this journey, but the King’s summons is still to be followed. Therefore I want you to take my place and speak as the Exalted. As soon as I can I will send a runner with a Golden Robe, as the one I had brought along has been consumed by the flames.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Exalted was probably halfway back at the Spire by now and Hygi felt much better. The wagon was rattling again as it rolled along the uneven path. This time pulled by soldiers. Everyone was nervously scanning the foliage and bushes to the left and the right of the path.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The heavy fabric that covered the windows were rolled up. It was still cold, but this time he was wearing his robe and a blanket around his shoulders.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk had his arms wrapped around his own chest and stared out the side window, one of those long knives on his lap. Since the windows were open they both wore their hoods.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi quietly said. “Master, can I disturb you with a question?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Of course you can. You are supposed to be my pupil now and that means you can ask questions.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Will they come back?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Well, hard to tell, but if they do they have to do it soon. After the midday break and perhaps before the second ball drops we will emerge from the forest. The Reki can’t really hide on the plains until we reach the river. Their bows have a much shorter range than the ones of the King’s men.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The magic flying sticks have a range?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It is not magic that makes the sticks fly. It is the tension of the bow. The sticks are called arrows by the way.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Will you teach me how to use a long knife like that?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk picked up the weapon. “Technically it is a falchion and using it in combat  takes a  lifetime of training and practice. I am not very good at it. Let’s hope events like last night won’t repeat too often in your future. However, once we are back on the spire, I show you what I learned.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk chuckled, “Would you believe if I tell you, that I questioned my teacher why we had to learn to fight with edged weapons?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You were a brother of the Red Robes before? They follow the aspect of blood and I heard they learn how to fight like soldiers.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No, where I come from, we don’t separate the aspects of the goddess.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ How is it where you came from. It is all the way across the Eye of Egtor, right?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes, in a way it is far across that big inland lake, that separates these lands from the distant west.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ How long did it take  you to walk from there?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Almost a lifetime. It is very far.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Are there any Rekis and do you have a king?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes we have many beings that look like the Rekis, but some are our friends and no we have no kings. All the people together decide the laws.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The people make the laws? But who collects the king’s tribute then and who tells the soldiers what to do?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The people do. At home the people decide how much tribute or taxes are to be collected and what the tribute is spent on, including soldiers.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi was thinking about that. “Does it really work?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes it does, surprisingly, and for quite some time now.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">At midday rest, three completely exhausted runners caught up and presented Brother Naruk with a golden robe and the fur-trimmed hood and the face of the goddess.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">After Brother Naruk had made another one of his hot chocolates for Hygi and gave him a fresh flatbread roll filled with Nagli fish and White bird egg, he changed into the golden robe.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi had lost some of his fear and shyness towards his new master. Brother Naruk was different than his old master. Now with the blessing of the Exalted Wearer, honored and raised to the second highest step and office of the order, Hygi should feel even more fear, he would have never simply asked such an important person anything. Common wisdom on top of the spire was to be as small and invisible as possible when a fur-hood or a golden hood was near - if they wanted something they said so.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Master,do you know why we wear hoods? I mean to the outside world?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk sat down, and turned the yet unworn hood in his hands to look at the mask. “I am not entirely sure what tradition it started, but the reasons are to invoke fear and appear not quite human.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I always feared the hoods. I still do, even after two cold seasons.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It is the fear of the unknown. Animals and many beings I know identify each other by smell, or touch. We humans do it by sight. If you talk to someone, almost half of the conversation is not done by words but by facial expressions. Right now you can see my face and you know I am not angry or annoyed. You know how to react and respond.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk put on the hood. “Now you only hear my voice and muffled at that. Your mind suddenly lost much of the usual references and so you don’t really know how to act. Now if you don’t know who is behind this mask; the insecurity becomes a feeling of fear. Fear of the unknown is the core of many religions and keeping fear and mystery alive keeps religion in business since time began.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk rolled the cover of the side window up.”It also provides a barrier for you, it distances you from the people.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi said. “I am not sure I understood everything, but it somehow makes sense.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Glad it did, but I suggest you do read the scrolls and texts and find the traditional reason too.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was as Brother Naruk said, they reached the end of the forest. There was a small village with pitiful mud brick huts, smoking fires and incredibly dirty people trying to hide. To Hygi it was nothing out of the ordinary. He had been here before when he and the Yellow brothers walked to the spire, two cold seasons ago. He then realized the path would lead them to his own village. The river was not far from it, and he had helped load tribute aboard the King’s barges. His heart was beating faster, maybe he would be able to see  his mother and brothers. The cart stopped rolling and the soldiers spread out with rough laughters and barking commands.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi watched in horror as the soldiers dragged men and women out, kicked them and used their whips. Laughing soldiers were breaking urns  and cages, took protesting White Birds and pulled goats on ropes out of their pens, One of the soldiers walked past the window of the cart.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Eminence we will eat good tonight and we found us some willing helpers to pull the wagon.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">A new emotion made him clench his fists,as he saw a young woman staring at him with fear and hopelessness as she was dragged by a soldier inside a hut.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk’s hand fell on his shoulder. “Sooner than expected you are learning one of the reason why there are hoods.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Master, we can’t let them do all this. They will starve without that food and without the men. I know!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk sighed and raised his voice. “Herald rein in your men. These are the King’s subjects and not the enemy.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Exalted one, my men....” The herald stopped and frowned, then he had his sergeant bellow orders and call the soldiers back.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi sighed. “Will I be able to see my family? The path we are taking goes right through my village.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I doubt we have time, besides you would frighten your family, but maybe we are not in such a hurry when on our way back,”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His village was exactly as he remembered it, nothing has changed. Yet it seemed strange and alien. The naked kids, the adults dressed in rags. The huts so small and everything was filthy.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The wagon rolled towards the river shore.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">This close to the cold season, there was nothing to do on the fields; but there was always work. He saw most of the villagers at the river bank, ankle deep in the cold mud searching for Slurry Fishlings. A basket full of fishlings could be traded for goat hair and hides from those who lived in the hills.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He was almost certain he saw his father and his two brothers, but they all stood there with their heads lowered,and made the sign of devotion to the goddess, by describing a circle with both hands.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Part of him wanted to run to them, rip the hood off his head and hug and kiss them all, but another part of him was glad he wore the hood so no one saw his tears. His family was only paces away and yet separated by deep chasm created by incompatible worlds. While he secretly and silently sobbed he followed his master onto the barge.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">No, he was never on one like this - this wasn’t one of the dirt-brown floaters with a big fabric for the wind to catch and rows of sacks and pots filled with the white grains of Matroo.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">On each side of the ship sat men and Reki chained to benches and holding long sticks.The rear of the barge was elevated and had a tent-like structure with braziers, carpets and soft cushions.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">A man with a short black beard was dressed just like the herald, in a jerkin covered with small brass plates and a white undercoat with golden seams. Both men wore deep red capes attached to the jerkin.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Unlike the  herald, this man did not wear boots, but calf-high tied sandals and he did not wear a brass helmet like the herald did.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The man bowed slightly before the herald and Brother Naruk. “We can cast of as soon as you give the word, Hundred-leader Hebris.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi learned then, that the herald had a name and a rank.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The herald, made a commanding gesture. “Then let us make haste, we are already late.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ We going downstream, the winds are good and I shall make the slaves sweat with double beat.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk had his hand on Hygi’s shoulder and gently pushed him up a short flight of wooden stairs to the tent. “The fate of slaves pains me too, my pupil. Their time of freedom is in the future but it will occur, I promise.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi sat down on a low stool, next to a brazier and stretched out his cold hands. “I have seen my father. I am certain.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Let us tend to the King's summons and deal with this matter of religion first. As I said, I am certain there is time on our way back where we can find a way for you to visit them.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi swallowed a sob and sighed. “Seeing them, I am not so sure I should. They might have forgotten me, they might look to me for help. I envision that meeting and I am afraid of it.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It is another unknown, Hygi. I think you should make that decision when it is to be made and not worry about ifs and maybes of the future.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Were you taken from your family too?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No, fortunately not, but my parents are very far away. Both in distance and time.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The man in charge of the barge issued commands and the vessel was untied and started to move with the flow of the water towards mid-stream; the big cloth, Brother Naruk called a sail, was unfurled and billowed in the stiff breeze. A drum was beat in a dull, steady rhythm and the slaves started to move the long sticks back and forth.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Men with whips passed back and forth in the middle aisle and occasionally let their leather strings snap over the bending backs.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The herald finished talking to the barge master and came up the stairs, for the first time smiling.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ We are making good speed and it appears we are going to be at the King’s spire in time after all.”

3. Blue Robe
<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The trip was uneventful so far, but Hygi wasn’t bored. The landscape to each side of the river kept him visually entertained.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The steady drum beat ebbed into the background.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The barge master now sat with them and two women served bread, roasted White Birds, fish and wine. A translucent curtain was dropped and separated the robe wearers from the rest, so they could take off their hoods and eat.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk shook his head as Hygi reached for the wine. “While you are my pupil, there won’t be any wine for you. Wine makes people careless and say stupid things.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi nodded. “I know, Brother Unti said the same thing after Brother Sakro fell of the rope bridge. Brother Sarko always loved to drink wine and a lot of it, but why would wine do his and water not?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Wine is made by man and contains a substance that influences one's mind. Water comes from nature and in good fresh drinking water, there is nothing that can harm you. When we are back, I will show you how wine is made.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You know everything about everything, no wonder the Exalted comes to you for advice.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No Hygi, I don’t know everything, but if you keep your eyes and ears open to the world and get to be as old as I am, you too will collect a fair amount of knowledge.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The barge master interrupted their quiet conversation and said through the veil. “We will reach Erine shortly, where we will stop for the night and take on the Blue Robes of Kerisiri.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">They arrived at the city of Erine. Hygi estimated it to be around the time the fourth ball dropped. The sky was clouded and fog was rolling over the river.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">This was not just a muddy river bank, but what Brother Naruk called a pier. Rock walls right at the river fortified the shore. Lanterns with flickering flames, diffused by the fog into dim orange halos provided only very little illumination.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi heard the herald argue with the barge master. “Why can’t we take on the Red and Blue robes and continue our journey?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Hundred-leader Hebris, no one travels on the river by night. There are rocks and bends and demons that lurk in the darkness. You lead your men on land but the river and this barge are my domain.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hebris grunted something and then moved before the veil. “It looks like we are indeed taking rest for the night here in Erine. I will secure quarters for you.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His master said. “Be careful and don’t wander off too far Hygi. Harbors and docks are dangerous the galax...I mean the world over.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes Master.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hebris the herald came back  with two men carrying torches and said, ”Exalted, please follow us, we have found a suitable inn.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi followed his master down the plank onto the stone-paved wharf. The fog made the fabric of his robe damp and transformed the King’s men into vague shapes.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">They did not have to go far and reached a two-story building, apparently made of the same rock as the wharf and the street. A sturdy wooden door and a dim lantern above it was all he could really see.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Behind the door was a low ceilinged room with a fireplace, several tables and benches. A man without hair on his head and a ghastly stained thing wrapped around his sizeable belly bowed.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What a blessing to receive such important guests. Chambers are prepared for you as we speak. Please find seats, the food will be ready soon.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The food consisted of a spicy stew and bread.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">It was not as easy as it looked to spoon the food underneath the hood, holding the seam with one hand, but he watched Naruk and soon got the hang of it.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">After the silent meal, the Innkeeper led them up a creaking staircase and to a chamber with two  sacks of straw covered with gray blankets. To Hygi it was very luxurious, but judging by the mumblings of his master, Brother Naruk was not impressed.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">After the Innkeeper received a blessing and a little brass effigy of the Goddess from Brother Naruk, the man left keeping his head bowed the entire time.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk produced a little metallic looking cylinder and produced a strange smelling mist, while moving it over the beds. He explained, “It’s a vapor my people make. It makes sure we don’t share our beds with little pests. From the looks of it, there would have been quite a few.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi watched several Prickers fall out of the sacks, quite obviously dead.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Your tribe has many wonderful things. I wish we had this mist in our hut when I was young. Luckily there aren’t any at the Spire.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes, that is a blessing. It’s too cold for them up there, but down here inside heated buildings they survive even the cold seasons.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Now go to bed, I have a feeling we will continue our journey at first light of day.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk, aka Markus Sibelius waited till his pupil was asleep. He started to like that boy. He was quite intelligent and willing to learn. Perhaps he would grow old enough to see this world change, once SII or the Union moved in openly.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">From under his robe and a little pouch he carried, he retrieved an SII Sci Scanner and activated it. If the Blue Robes were close and one of them was an Enroe man, he most likely had energy consuming equipment and that could be scanned for.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Now the scanner didn’t have a terribly good range, but it would pick up any artificial energy source within a klick’s radius. He was not really surprised  the scanner revealed results, but that there was a very strong one virtually next door, did.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He pocketed the scanner, made sure his shocker was charged and easy reachable strapped  to his right arm and left his chamber to knock at the other door down the very short corridor. Out of a hunch he said. “Union Science Corps, open the door please.” He did say it in Union standard.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The result was a crashing noise and a union standard hissed response. “Damn! Uh, one moment!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The door was opened by a tall Blue Robe saying ”I am conducting perfectly legal undercover research.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am sure of it. Can I come in?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The hooded man stepped aside and waved Markus inside. “Yes, of course.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Blue Robe closed the door and removed his hood.and said, “Ty Clogan, Enroe research.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Markus did the same revealing his face and held out his hand. “Markus Sibelius, SII resources and research,”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The other man didn’t look too different to Markus, he too had a full beard and blue eyes, however the man’s skin had a distinct Saran shade. The Enroe man first made an angry face but then smiled. “Slick, very slick. I even tripped over my trunk.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Well, it was a spur of the moment idea. I somehow expect SC to be here though. That Black Spire business could be them.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Ty pointed at a primitive stool. “Sorry, that’s all I got for guest comfort, but I wasn’t really expecting any...”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ That’s alright.” Markus did sit down and the Enroe man plopped on the bed. “I was thinking the same thing, either you guys or SC. I doubt any of the other Corps have come out this far Spinward.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Well, TriCorp might, but I agree. I just wanted to make sure who you are before we meet the king and the potential SC guys.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I had my suspicion one of the Yellow Robes was SII, but I had no idea, you are their head honcho.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am not, but yes I was made second in charge, but only very recently. How did you find me tonight?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I did an energy scan and from the looks of it you carry some serious firepower.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Firepower? All I got is a Needler from the Golden and a PDD.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Markus pulled his scanner and this time it only showed a very minute source consistent with the items the Enroe man said. “Well perhaps it was some glitch in the scanning software.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It must be so, I don’t even take my scanner along. The thing stopped working a month ago and my contact man is overdue for two months now. I think he has forgotten where I am.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Well if this whole thing is over, and we could convince SC that we are indeed only doing research, I’ll give you the spare one I keep at the spire.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Much appreciated. Well, it seems our respective employers might have to find a different planet, or wait till SC decides to send in BoCA.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ So you came to the same conclusion that the human part of the locals are from Earth,”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ That or they are Saran, this world is awfully far from Earth for the old style arks. Not impossible considering the Thaurans made it to Spinward.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ In any case the DNA evidence makes them ours so to speak and BoCA will certainly make contact.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Sy sighed.”No doubt. Are you in contact with a handler or someone like that?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes, he should be back in about 18 days.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Do you think I could hitch a ride, if SC isn’t accommodating?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am certain you can, I might do the same, SII won’t need my services if we confirm SC to be here.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Markus got up. “Well, see you tomorrow. It’s going to be a few days before we reach the King’s Spire.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ See you then and I guess you are the first SII man I glad to get to know.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi woke to a loud commotion and voices yelling. The Reki had returned, that was his very first thought. He saw his master getting up, someone knocked very hard and with great urgency on their door. “Exalted, quick. There has been an accident! Please come, the Blue Robe is hurt.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk put on his hood and rushed to the door. The fat innkeeper was there as well as the herald of the King. “Exalted, please come.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi dressed as quickly as he could and followed.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He didn’t have to go far. The men were gathered around a fourth who was lying in an awkward shape at the bottom of the stairs.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk bent over and examined the man. The other two spoke loudly and were very agitated. Hygi heard the word intruders, bandits and struggle.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Soldiers appeared dragging a limp man dressed in black between them. “We caught him behind the inn.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk got up and said, ”The Blue Robe is dead and sadly beyond anyone’s help.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The herald said. “I will have the city guard take him back to the Blue Spire. Daybreak is almost upon us, so let us go back to the barge.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;"> Naruk said, “Before we go, let’s dignify the death of a servant to the Goddess. Take him to his chambers so I may chant in solitude over the deceased.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Herald was not too happy about that. “How long will this take?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It will take as long as it must.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I have orders to take you to the King as quickly as possible; his Majesty expects us!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You also have orders to protect us and yet you failed twice, be certain Hundred-leader Hebris, the king will hear about that as well.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Go then, chant!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">They carried the dead man up the stairs into the other chamber and Naruk closed the door, but not before he said to Hygi. “Stay in the chamber and do not go anywhere.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Whatever Naruk did with the dead Blue Robe, did not take that long. His master emerged from the chamber and told the herald that he would be ready to travel now.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk waved at Hygi. “Get ready and come down for breakfast and then we need to go.” While Hygi had a bowl of boiled Matroo, he learned from Brother Naruk that brothers of the Red Robes had also arrived and would travel along. He also heard Hebris speak with his counterpart who had escorted the Blue Robe to town. Apparently the Blue Robe had travelled alone and was not accompanied by someone else of his order. Brother Naruk had spoken very little and despite his hood, Hygi was certain his master was angry at something.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The sun was up, but just barely, but the fog was almost gone and Hygi saw the city for the first time as they left the inn. He had never seen that many houses and buildings that centered around another spire with a monastery on its distant top. This spire seemed to be not as tall as Kastirin, but bigger around.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk said with a strange, flat voice. “That is Iskerin, the home of the Red Robes.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ It is not Kerisiri?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No, the Blue Robe travelled almost as far as we did and now he is on his way back.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">As they boarded the barge Hygi said, “Are you angry with me?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No, Hygi, but the death of the Blue Robe is affecting me. He was from the same distant place I came from.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What happened?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ They say group of  local thieves climbed through his window, after hearing we had taken board there. My friend struggled with them, fled and fell down the stairs tripping over his robe and that is when he broke his neck - at least that is what they say. They captured one of the thieves and he confirmed this.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi watched the Red Robes come up the plank. There were four of them. To his master he said. “Your friend was tall as you and if he was able to fight like you why did he run?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Hygi, I am thinking the same. There is something rotten about this.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Red Robes hoods were decorated with the likeness of the aspect of war which was a disturbing face of a demon-like being. Even in their loose fitting robes and hoods they managed to appear strong and powerful.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Their leader, also had fur around the seams of his hood said with an arrogant, somewhat amused voice. ”Ah the Yellow Robes have been summoned too. If the demon-worshipping night  ghoul Robes of the Black Spire are up to no good, the aspect of war is needed. Not the blessing of nature and predicting floods.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ And if we faced with messengers from the Goddess, the first aspect is certainly not to be amiss.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Exalted Wearer of the Ruby Robe, sat on one of the stools provided. “You do not sound like the Golden Robe I know, and even sitting down you fill that robe with quite some substance. You are not Exalted Waraki right?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The herald who had stepped up as well answered instead. ”The Exalted Golden Robe was terribly wounded in an unexpected ambush of Reki. He returned to the Spire and raised Brother Naruk to the highest rank and honor. He does speak with full authority of the Yellow clan.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The  other three Red  Robes settled down on pillows and the veil curtain was dropped. While the barge resumed its course, the Red Robes removed their hoods and reached for the provided wine.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The men had neatly trimmed beards and even the exalted wearer of the Ruby Robe did not appear older than perhaps 40 cold seasons. He had black hair that matched his short mouth-framing beard. He put down the goblet and said. “What a tragedy. The Blue Robe killed like that and only days after the Exalted of the Yellow robes almost burned to death. It almost seems the Goddess forgot to protect them.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk slowly took off his hood. “Or perhaps there were jealous spirits at work.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The eyes of the Red Robe squinted. “Perhaps.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">One of the other Red Robes said, “Exalted wearer of the Golden Robe, what do you make of this business about the Black Spire.The legends about the Black Robes are ages old and the Spire was declared forbidden ground by Harpur’s dynasty and the last king of the Harpur line died at least 100 cold seasons ago.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I know only what the Herald told me and that is next to nothing. I tend not to form opinions before I know all the facts.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">There was a moment of silence, Hygi had kept his hood on, he was not sure why but he did not like the Red Robes. No one had taken particular note of him.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Red Robe leader again tried to start a conversation. “I am Drakir. My companions are Sorom, Garher and Bistror. What names do you and that shy and silent associate go by?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am Naruk and this is my pupil and aide Hygi.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Drakir looked at Hygi. ”Every so often we too find a promising boy among the toilers. Promising pupils are hard to find.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The red robe introduced as Sorom said. “Hundred-Leader Hebris tells me that you are quite the warrior and I see you do keep a Reki blade close. You haven’t been wearing the Yellow Robe in your youth, right?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am wearing it now and any thief will find out I am keeping the Reki blade not only close but well honed.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Garher grinned coldly. ”Are you expecting more troubles?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Aren’t we summoned to the King because of troubles?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Red Robes got up and Drakir said, “We will take the Green Robes aboard tonight if I understood correctly, until then I intend to rest. There is not much else to do.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Red Robes put on their hoods and descended down a hatch Hygi had not really noticed before.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Only after they had been gone for a good while, did Naruk turn to Hygi. “How about some hot chocolate?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ That would be wonderful, Master. Is it true the Green robes are women?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I never actually met any Green Robe before, but yes I learned that the aspect of life and nature is indeed served by women and if I understand correctly the White Robes accept members of both genders. Our goddess is female after all.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His master produced a square wooden board from his trunk and said. “Let me teach you an old game that is played where I come from. It is called chess.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Time flew as Hygi began to understand the game. It was an amazing concept. Where little stones, each with a particular shape and name moved across a field of squares. Each shape could only move in certain ways. The opponent had the same number of shapes and the objective seemed very simple, to move the shapes in such a way the opponent’s king stone was unable to move.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi was praised by his master for understanding the rules so fast, but Hygi learned that the game was anything but simple.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk patted Hygi’s shoulder as he found his king stone yet again in a clever trap he did not anticipate. “The most brilliant minds of my tribe play this game. It is the only game the Narth love to play. Of course they used chess as the basis for what they call N-Chess.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Who are the Narth?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ They are a small group within our society, that is very secretive.They too wear hoods and robe like garments and no one really understands them because they are terribly smart.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Will you ever return and go back to your tribe?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Yes, I think I will.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Would you take me along?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What about the Yellow robes ? You are on your way to become a monk and priest and I can see a fur-trimmed hood in your future.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I was never really asked if I wanted to be a Yellow Robe. Father said I am the lucky one of our family and I know he is right, but I never felt at home on the Spire. Besides, everything you tell me about your land and your people sounds so different. And they do have hot chocolate.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk smiled deeply. “Well, maybe I could take you along. Yes, they do have hot chocolate and saying that my home is different is putting it mildly.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Will you tell me more about it?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ A little bit each time, but now go ahead and set up the board so I can show you what a gambit is, and what lesson you can learn from it,”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Shortly before nightfall the barge reached another town and another spire. Hygi was fascinated by the many barges and boats and the city behind the harbor. “Master, why isn’t there a city around our spire?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Before Naruk could answer, a Red Robe stepped up to the railing and said, “Because the Yellow Robes offer no protection and who would want to settle and live in the shadow of cowards?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;"> Naruk stepped up to the Red Robe and his size became very apparent now. “The goddess does not prohibit the first aspect from fighting. If you want to call us cowards,  do it now and you will  need that hood to carry your teeth all the way back to Iskerin. Let’s see who the coward really is!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Red Robe was wearing his hood so Hygi could not tell which one it was, but he clearly was not too keen  to accept the challenge, Brother Naruk towered over him. He turned to his friends. “Let’s teach this Yellow Robe why the Red Ones are feared.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk said. “You called me a coward and now you need reinforcement? I think you just showed who the real coward is.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The leader of the Red Robes said, “No, Bistror has insulted you and he alone will fight or prove your words to be correct.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Wearer of the Sacred Ruby Robe, you want me to fight?” The hood wearer identified as Bistror turned, looked up to Naruk and said with a voice that was no longer arrogant or amused, “Fight him?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Drakir hissed. “You fight him and prove that you are not a coward and indeed spoke for the Red Order or you kneel and ask for forgiveness. Should you decide to be a coward you will, of course, leave this barge and my sight forever. Now decide, cowards do not hesitate.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Bistror pulled a sharp dagger from under his voluminous robe and lunged forward. Not even the Red Robes could call this an open honest attack or test of strength, but Naruk had expected the man not to play fair and because of this neither attack nor the blade came as a surprise. He had not gone to the Fleet Academy, where they turned normal beings into skilled fighters, but the had spent years among pre-industrial civilizations and learned a few tricks and moves along the way. This and the fact that local gravitation was a little less and his father was from Hoffman’s world, made him physically quite strong.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He stepped to the side and hammered his fist on Bistror’s head. Not the most elegant move, but even Drakir felt sorry for his companion and was certain he heard something break.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Bistror collapsed like someone cut the strings of a puppet.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk pushed the sleeves of his robe back exposing thick underarms and he said. “Anyone else think I am a coward?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Drakir held up both hands. “We are all servants to the same goddess, Brother Bistror spoke out of line and insulted a sacred robe. I apologize.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk nodded. “Accepted.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi watched as two of the red robes picked up their groaning brother and Drakir spoke, “I just apologized. I do not like to apologize and the Goddess and I dislike cowards. “You will return to Iskerin. Should you arrive alive we might let you repent.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He made a gesture and the other two threw the man overboard! In shock Hygi watched the man struggle in the ice cold water with his robe that was getting heavy and pulled him below the water’s surface.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk pulled Hygi away and said.”Yes Hygi, if you want, I am taking you with me.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">This time the Herald did not question the layover and it appeared this was a planned stop. The slaves were herded off the barge and a sizeable detachment of soldiers waited on the pier.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">As he followed his master onto the pier, Hygi was still disturbed seeing a man drown. The brothers of the Red Robes climbed into small half-open boxes - naked human and Reki shouldered long sticks attached to the boxes, lifting them.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">A new soldier, older looking than the herald and wearing a dark green cape, bowed slightly. “Exalted Wearer of the Golden Robe, your sedan is ready.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi said, “Can I walk instead?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk nodded. ”Yes of course but stay close and don’t get lost.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The throngs started moving, many people lined the street, watching and bowing,

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The street changed into stairs and while the carriers of the sedans seemed to have great endurance, Hygi fell back, soldiers pushing past him.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">All the faces in the crowds, the shouts and praises of the people amazed Hygi. Mothers held their babies up to the litters and Naruk, as well as the Red Robes, bestowed blessings. Naruk handed out little effigies of the Goddess.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He was completely caught off guard when a woman held a squealing infant in front of him. “Bless my son, Holy Robe!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am not ordained yet.”  He made the sign of the circle anyway and the woman was satisfied.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He quickened his step and caught up with the last litter of the Red Robes.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He could not tell which companion of the Ruby Robe it was.The man appeared to pay much attention to the windows and roofs of the houses and buildings lining the path. Most windows were open and people waving red, yellow and blue pieces of fabric, but just as the Red Robe made an almost invisible move with his hand he saw a man inside a window, aiming a long stick of sorts.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He did not know what it was, but he was certain it was something akin to the bows and arrows. Something dangerous, a weapon.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He bolted forward and caught the arm of a soldier. “Quick, there is a man aiming a stick, up there!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The soldier was annoyed at first, but he did follow Hygi’s pointing finger and cursed, “Damnations!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He then yelled “Assassin!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The throng stopped.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Soldiers readied their bows and swords, the crowd started screaming and pushing in all directions. As if caught in the current of a strong river, Hygi was pushed and bounced further away from the throng and the litter of Brother Naruk.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Someone stepped on his toes.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Arrows hissed through the air.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He finally found shelter in a door frame. He took a labored breath and bent over to check his hurting foot, when an arrow hammered with a hard thud into the door behind him. Realizing that this arrow was meant for him, he almost fainted in fear.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The chaos only increased, when a heavy hand fell on his shoulder and pulled him inside the suddenly open door. The door was slammed shut and there was complete darkness for a moment. A candle flame appeared dancing before a rough cut face.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What do we have here, a Yellow Robe from the looks of it.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">A second face peered out of the dark hallway. “What do we do with him? Soldiers are now all over the place. The gold was good but I don’t fancy dangling for it.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I say we stick him and toss him in the river.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi crawled back. “I won’t say anything. Just let me go.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ We don’t care what you say, Yellow man. We got paid to make sure you don’t make it to the king.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">A third voice spoke with urgency. The soldiers are now searching the houses. We better go quickly!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The rough-cut face came closer. Strong hands grabbed him and dragged him away. Something sharp pricked his neck. “One scream out of you and I cut you deep.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Someone moved his hood and laughed. ”Handy things. No need for a blind fold.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi was out of his mind of fear as he was slung over someone’s shoulder and carried away.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The echo of their feet changed as if they were in very confined space. Whoever carried him stopped suddenly and a new voice, a female voice said, “Gentlemen. I don’t think the Goddess or the King will be too pleased by your actions  by handling a holy brother like a sack of Matroo grain.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ River Demons be damned, Green Sister we don’t know how you know about this passage but your are alone and we are three!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi heard a whistling sound and the completely calm female voice said, “I would do a recount, you are alone now. The Green Robes were here long before the city. Who do you think carved these passages out of the mountain?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi’s captor was breathing hard and his voice was now laced with fear. “Holy Sister, can we not come to an agreement? I have gold!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You only live because I want to know who  paid you.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I don’t know. Our guild master was paid and instructed us to make sure that none of the Robes return to the river.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ What guild are you associated with?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Carmel’s Blood”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Where do you meet?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I can’t tell you. I will be killed.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I doubt your immediate future holds any other outcome, I’m afraid.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Screw you Green Bitch!”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi was dropped rather hard on a rough stone floor. He tasted blood and saw painful flashes before his eyes. He still heard the quick shuffle of feet, a wet sounding noise and then the dull sound of a body dropping. For a long moment there was nothing, Then someone came close and he heard a soft voice. “Are you unharmed, Yellow Robe?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi tried to get up, “I think I am.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ If you want you can adjust that hood of yours so you can see.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He did and now could see a green shape kneeling next to him in a dimly lit room with a vaulted ceiling apparently chiseled out of solid rock. The light came from a torch that had dropped to the floor.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Let’s get to the spire. I am sure your companion is very worried about you.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Is he alright?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The last time I saw that big man in the Golden Robe, he was quite alright.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi managed to get to his feet and now noticed three dead men, and the sword the shadowy shape was still holding. It was very different from the blade Brother Naruk was using - thin, straight and longer.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Despite the dim light and the flowing garment of the person he was sure it was a woman.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">She took the torch. “Follow me. These old passages are a maze and one can get lost easily. Besides there are a few rather nasty surprises in the lower ones.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He followed her and despite the smoking torch and the musky smell, he could detect a hint of something flowery and sweet emanating from his mysterious savior.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">As they reached a narrow flight of rough hewn stairs, she said, “I am Sister Serea and I am the wearer of the Emerald Robe. You are Hygi if I understood your master correctly, right?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He nodded, realizing she could not see that and added quietly. “Yes I am.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ You are not a very talkative young man. We have a hard time to keep the young postulants quiet.“

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I am not sure how to address a Sister and the Exalted one. It was not a subject I have studied so far. Also I am beginning to realize our journey seems quite dangerous.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Once we reach the spire and we are among others, I am supposed to be addressed just like the other exalted wearers but right now you are a very young frightened boy in a very frightening situation and so I decided to forgo all the formalities and try to make things a little easier for you.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The stairs ended at a sturdy looking iron portcullis. Behind it a lantern-lit room and two dark green-robed figures armed with blade topped poles.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">His companion said, ”Raise the barrier, sisters. I have been successful in finding the Yellow Robe.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The iron bars opened as if by magic all on their own.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">He took a few steps back, almost tripping.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Careful, young Hygi. Falling down these stairs could end up very bad.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Your command moved the iron! Are you a goddess yourself?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ On no, it is simple water power. You will be amazed how we will reach the top of our spire. No one is turning the crank but water flowing over a wheel. It works a little like the time keeping device in your Spire.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Now in the lantern lit cavern, he could see her better. She did not wear a hood like he did but a cowl that surrounded her head and a green veil was obscuring her face. Her garments had a rich green shimmer.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">She showed him to an iron and wood contraption attached to several thick ropes that disappeared in a long chimney-like shaft. As soon as he was inside, one of the armed sisters pulled on a smaller rope and the contraption started to move and rise.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Save for her now almost spent torch, there was no light.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The thing rattled and groaned towards a distant square of light that became bigger by the moment.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">She said, “Our spire is not as tall as yours and we only need to switch baskets once.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">After they had switched baskets and reached the top, Hygi felt a wave of relief as he saw Brother Naruk standing there. He resisted the urge to run and sling his arms around the man he actually knew for only a few days.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Brother Naruk put his hand on Hygi’s shoulder and said to the woman. “Thank you Exalted Wearer for finding my pupil.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Tend to his needs and then join me in the community chambers so we can discuss these quite alarming events.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk took Hygi to a bed chamber that  had almost the same character as his own at Kastirin, Except it was not as cold and the fabric of the curtains and the blanket was of a much better quality.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk said. “Do not leave these chambers. This is a women’s spire and they do not want young men sneaking around. Do you understand?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi nodded.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk said. “The next time I ask you to stay close, I expect you to do just that. What made you decide to go after killers and assassins in the first place?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Hygi’s eyes filled with tears. “Master, I did not go after them. I was dragged by them against my will.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Would that happened if you stayed close?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No, but I saw them aiming things at you and then everything went wild.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk sounded less angry. ”Well I am glad they did find you. We have time later where you can tell me all about it. Now promise to stay put, no matter how much your curiosity urges you to investigate.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ I promise .”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The wearer of the Emerald Robe had invited them into a very comfortable room that was somewhere between study, library and salon. The warm light of brass lanterns and candles reflected in a luxurious shimmer of her green satin garment.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">While both Drakir and Naruk had their hoods removed, the Emerald Sister kept her veil in place.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Drakir’s companions were also not present.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The Sister served a tea-like beverage herself and then reclined on a chair in prominent position.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">She waved her slender hand and said, “Let us forgo the usual formalities and talk about the events that occurred.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Drakir nodded. “The Reki raid on the Exalted Wearer of the Golden Robe no longer seems an event of chance. The fate of the Blue Robe and now this coordinated attack that was clearly aimed at us Red Robes, it all appears that someone does not want us to reach the King and give him council.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk cleared his throat. “I was nearly hit by two arrows.What makes you think the attack was aimed at you?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ Do you see my companions? Both Brother Sorom and Garher were hit by poisonous darts, Sorom died an hour ago, Garher’s fate is in the hands of the Goddess and not even the Green sisters who know much about these things know if he will live. A poisonous dart missed me only by chance.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk changed his tone and said. “I apologize, I  was not aware of this. Let me go and see your companion. I am also well educated in the arts of healing and have good herbs from my distant home.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The High sister said. “Before you do that,what do you think is behind all this, the King perhaps?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ No,the King has no  real motive I can see and all he needs to do is tell his men to kill us. Instead of Heralds he simply would have sent men to kill us, but I agree someone does not want us to reach the Spire of the King.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Drakir said, “There are only two groups I can see who don’t want us there. Either the White Robes who are already with the King and are considered the Kings Robes, or the Black Robes are indeed active again and have reasons not wanting our involvement.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk said .”I have not been a Yellow Robe all my life and come from a land on the other side of the Eye of the World. I was only recently elevated to wear the Golden Robe. What do you know about the Black Robes?”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:138%;"> “ The Black robes served the aspect of death and were called to bury kings.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">The woman in the Emerald Robe got up walked to a shelf and after a few moments of looking retrieved a heavy looking parchment roll. With the roll she went to a table and  both Drakir and Naruk joined her.

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">She rolled to a certain section of the scroll and said, “This is a copy of a very old text and it reports about the time when the Goddess was still among the people. She divided those who worshipped her into six Aspects represented in six shades. White for wisdom, Green for life, Blue for knowledge, Red for war, Yellow for commerce and agriculture and Black to serve the dead. The black Robes never mingled with the others and as we all chose our respective spires, theirs were the one furthest to the North and the tallest. spire..”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Much of this text was copied from original sources and  most of the words and  text have either been copied incorrectly as they make no sense.”

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Naruk tried to stay in character, but he could read so

<p style="font-weight:normal">

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Yellow - Gold

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Blue - Sapphire

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Red -Ruby

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Green - Emerald

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">White - Silver

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Black - ?

<p style="margin-top:0.35cm;margin-bottom:0cm;font-weight:normal;line-height:138%;">Sorom, Garher and Bistror.