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hungry.
We re all hungry. Looking around, the swordsman located the black litah. The big cat was scratching
itself against an obliging tree and purring like an old waterwheel. Hoy, kitty! What say me and thee go
and kill something worth chewing?
Before Ahlitah could reply, Hunkapa Aub was standing in front of Simna and waving his arms excitedly.
No kill, no hunt!
By Gomepoth, why not? Maybe you re not hungry, fur face, but me and my friends are starving. All
that walking and fighting that cold has left us as empty as a triplet of grog buckets on a forty-year-old s
first wedding night.
No need. Taking the protesting swordsman by the arm, their guide dragged him forward. Though the
muscular, well-conditioned Simna did his best to resist, it was like trying to brake a runaway mountain.
Hunkapa halted at the edge of an unseen, unsuspected overlook. Once he was exposed to the splendid
panorama that was spread out before him, Simna stopped struggling. They were quickly joined by
Ehomba and Ahlitah.
Below and beyond the last foothills of the northern Hrugars, lush farmland dotted with numerous towns
and small rivers spread out before them. The revealed countryside resembled a landlocked river delta.
Hundreds of canals linked the natural waterways, from which the setting sun skipped layers of pink and
gold and purple. Several larger communities were big enough to qualify as small cities.
In the far distance, just visible as a sparkling thread of silver below the sky, was the majestic main river
into which every canal and stream and waterway between the Hrugars and the horizon flowed. Hunkapa
Aub pointed and gesticulated exuberantly.
See, see! Great river Eynharrowk. His trunk of an arm shifted slightly to the west. Cannot see from
here, but over there, that way, on the great river, is Hamacassar.
At last. Utterly worn out, Simna sank to the ground as his legs gave way beneath him.
We are not there yet. Tired as he was, Ehomba chose to remain standing, perhaps the better to drink
in the view that was as full of promise as it was of beauty. And do not forget that Hamacassar is only a
possible waypoint, a place for us to look for a ship with captain and crew brave enough to dare a
crossing of the Semordria.
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A pleading expression on his grime-flocked face, Simna ibn Sind looked up at his companion. Please,
Etjole can t we delight in even one moment of pleasure at having lived through this past week? Will you
never allow yourself to relax, not even for an instant?
When I am again home with my family, friend Simna, then I will relax. He smiled. Until then, I anoint
you in my stead. You are hereby authorized to relax for me.
Nodding understandingly, the swordsman spread both arms wide and fell back flat on the ground. I
accept the responsibility.
Still smiling, Ehomba moved to stand next to the quietly jubilant Hunkapa Aub. You do not want us to
go hunting because you think we can get food more easily in the towns down below.
Their hulking guide nodded vigorously. Many places, much food. Not see myself, but come here often
and spy on flatland people. Hear them talking, learn about flatlands. He eyed the tall southerner
questioningly. We go down now?
Ehomba considered the sky. Away from the snow and cold, they might have a chance to reach a
community before dark. He was not so concerned for himself, but Simna would clearly benefit from a
night spent in civilized settings.
Yes, Hunkapa. Go down now. He put a hand on one massive, shaggy arm. And Hunkapa thank
you. We could not have made it through these mountains without your guidance.
It was impossible to tell whether the beast was blushing beneath all that thick hair, but Hunkapa Aub
turned away so that Ehomba could not see his face.
You save me, I help you. Thanks not needed.
Ehomba turned to Simna. Come on, my friend. We will go down into civilization and find you a bed.
The swordsman groaned piteously. That means I have to walk again? On these poor feet?
Their guide immediately moved toward him. Hunkapa carry.
No, no, that s not necessary, friend! The speed with which Simna ascended to his supposedly
untenable feet was something to behold.
Together, the four travelers commenced their departure from the lower reaches of the inhospitable
Hrugars. As they descended, Ehomba thought to inquire of Hunkapa as to the name of the country they
were entering.
Hunkapa listen to flatlanders talk. He gestured expansively with an imposing arm. This place all one,
called Lifongo. No, he corrected himself quickly, his brows knotting. Not that. His expression
brightened. Laconda. That it. This place, Laconda.
It was Simna s turn to frown. Funny. Seems to me I ve heard that name mentioned somewhere before,
but I can t quite place He broke off, staring at Ehomba. The herdsman had stopped in his tracks and
was staring, his lips slightly parted, straight ahead. Hoy, bruther, you all right? You owe someone money
here?
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No, friend Simna. You are correct. You have heard that name before. Turning his head, he met the
curious eyes of his companion. You heard it from me. Laconda is the home of Tarin Beckwith, the noble
warrior who died in my arms on the beach below my village. He returned his gaze to the magnificent
vista extending before them.
He cannot ever come home but now, if fate is willing, perhaps I can return the honor of his memory to
his people.
XX
Long before they reached the outskirts of the first town they found themselves in among vast orchards of
mango and guava. Planted in even rows and trimmed as neatly as any garden of roses, the trees were
heavy with fruit. Eventually the travelers encountered growers and their assistants. Initial cheerful
greetings were tempered by fear when the Lacondans caught sight of Hunkapa Aub and the black litah
striding along behind the two men, but Ehomba and Simna were quick to reassure the locals that their
unusual, and unusually large, friends would do them no harm.
Awed and wide-eyed, the orchardists provided the visitors with instructions on the best way to pass
through their country to Laconda North, for it was from there and not Laconda proper that Tarin
Beckwith had hailed. Questioning revealed that despite their apparently contented demeanor the people
still lived in a permanent state of mourning. Everyone knew the tale of how the perfidious warlock
Hymneth the Possessed had come from a far country to steal away the joy of Laconda, the Visioness
Themaryl. Of how the finest and most well-born soldiers of both Laconda and Laconda North had
sought to effect her return by every means at their disposal, only to return dispirited and defeated, or not
to return at all. The warlock Hymneth had taken his prize and vanished, some said across the Semordria
itself. A few brave souls from both countries were reputed to have chased him that far. None had ever
returned.
Aren t we going to tell them what you re here for? Simna kept pace with the tall southerner as they
strode along the secondary road of commerce that connected Laconda with its sister state to the north.
People on foot, on horse- or antelope-back, or in wagons goggled at the sight of the two men leading the
great cat and the hulking beast.
There is no need. Ehomba kept his attention on the road ahead. It was dusty, but wide and smooth.
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