'They made an invaluable contribution,' Aquer agreed. 'However, there were others who had been here long before them. People have been in Jarri since the beginning time. We honour them as the Founders.'
He turned to the man who sat at his right hand. 'This is Lord Caithor.
He is able to trace his direct line back through twenty-five generations.'
'Then it is only right that you should honour him.' Taita bowed
towards the silver'bearded oligarch. 'But I know that others have joined you since the time of your grandfather.'
'You are referring to Colonel That Ankut and his legion. Of course, you are already acquainted with him.'
'Indeed, the good colonel rescued me and my party from the Basmara savages at Tamafupa,' Taita agreed.
'That Ankut's men and their women have made a welcome addition to our community. Our land is large and we are few. We need them here.
They are of our blood, so they have assimilated smoothly into our society.
Many of their young people have married ours.'
'Of course, they worship the same panoply of gods,' Taita said delicately, 'headed by the holy trinity of Osiris, Isis and Horus.'
He watched Aquer's aura flare angrily, then saw him bring his temper under control. When he spoke his response was mild: 'The subject of our religion is one we will cover in more depth later. At this stage, suffice it to say that new countries are protected by new gods, or even by a single god.'
'A single god?' Taita feigned surprise.
Aquer did not rise to the lure. Instead he reverted to the previous subject: 'Apart from Colonel That Ankut's legion, there have been many thousands of immigrants from far across the earth who, over the centuries, have made their way over great distances to Jarri. All, without exception, have been men and women of worth. We have been able to welcome sages and surgeons, alchemists and engineers, geologists and miners, botanists and farmers, architects and stone-masons, shipbuilders and others with special skills.'
'Your nation seems to have been built on firm foundations,' Taita said.
Aquer paused for a moment, then seemed to change tack. 'Your companion, Meren Cambyses. It seems to us that you have a great affection for him.'
'He has been with me since he was a stripling,' Taita replied. 'He is more than a son to me.'
'His damaged eye has been troubling him sorely, has it not?' Aquer went on.
'It has not healed as cleanly as I had wished,' Taita agreed.
'I am sure that, with your skills, you are aware that your protege is dying,' Aquer said. 'The eye is mortifying. In time it will kill him .. .
unless it is treated.'
Taita was taken aback. He had not divined this impending disaster from Meren's aura, but somehow he could not doubt what Aquer had
said. Perhaps he himself had known it all along but had shunned such an unpalatable truth. Yet, how could Aquer have known something that he did not? He saw from his aura that the man had no special skills or insights. He was neither sage, seer nor shaman. Of course, he left the chamber, but not to confer with the other oligarchs. He has been with another, Taita thought. He gathered himself and replied, 'No, my lord.
1 have some little skill as a surgeon but 1 did not suspect the injury was so grave.'
'We of the Supreme Council have agreed to accord to you and your protege a special privilege. This boon is not granted to many, not even to worthy and eminent members of our own nobility. We do this as a mark of our deep respect and goodwill towards you. It will also be a demonstration to you of the advanced state of our society, our science and learning. Perhaps it might persuade you to remain with us in Jarri.
Meren Cambyses will be taken to the sanatorium in the Cloud Gardens.
This may take a little time to arrange because the medications to treat his condition must be prepared. When this has been done, you, Magus, may accompany him to observe his treatment. When you return from the sanatorium we will be pleased to meet you again and discuss your views.'
A soon as they returned to Mutangi, Taita examined Meren's eye and his general condition. The conclusions were troubling.
.There seemed to be a deep-seated infection in the wound cavity, which would account for the repeated pain, bleeding and suppuration.
When Taita pressed firmly on the area round the wound, Meren bore it stoically, but the pain caused his aura to flicker like a flame in the wind.
Taita told him that the oligarchs were planning to treat him.
'You care for me and my injuries. I do not trust these renegade Egyptians, traitors to our land and Pharaoh. If anybody is to cure me, it will be you,' Meren declared. As much as Taita tried to persuade him, he remained determined.
Bilto and the other villagers were hospitable and friendly, and Taita's party found themselves drawn into the daily life of the community. The children seemed fascinated by Fenn, and soon she had made three friends with whom she seemed happy. At first she spent much time with them, hunting for mushrooms in the forest, or learning their songs, dances and games. They could teach her nothing about bao, and she was soon the village champion. When she was not with the children, she was often at the stables grooming and training Whirlwind. Hilto was instructing her in archery and had carved her a bow of her own. One afternoon, after she had spent an hour chatting and laughing with Imbali, she came to Taita and asked, 'Imbali says that all men have a dangling thing between their legs, which, like a kitten or a puppy, has a life of its own. If it likes you, it changes shape and size.
Why don't you have one, Taita?'
