'Well, you're a skinny bunch,' he said, spreading his hands and smiling, 'but Du's goodness and the sweet things of the earth will soon have you looking as fat and sleek as these.' He waved his hand at a group of freed slaves from his forces who had been filling themselves for a long time on the things that were natural Drinker food.
'There is one here who is not skinny,' a voice called out.
'Step forward,' Duwan said.
A tall figure in dark, all-covering clothing stepped forward. It was a male, and he walked toward Duwan and fell to his knees.
'Master,' he said.
Duwan pushed back the Drinker's hood and the fat one looked up, smiling, tears in his eyes.
'I knew you would come, Master,' said Tambol, as Duwan pulled him to his feet and clasped arms with him and Jai ran to his side to join in the greeting.
Duwan sent scout parties, under the command of the more agile valley Drinkers, to the south, to try to capture or kill any who had escaped, for he still feared that word of the uprising would be carried south to Kooh, and then to Arutan. He called a conference of his Drinker leaders and sat Tambol at his side.
'This is the Drinker,' he said, his hand on Tambol's shoulder, 'who has been preparing the way for us. Tell us, Tambol, of the things you have done and the things you have learned and seen.'
'Master, since you traveled to the north I have walked this land, and I have told of you in almost every village, every city.'
'With some very inventive embellishments,' Duwan said, with a smile.
'I have told only the truth as I have seen it and heard it,' Tambol protested. 'I have told them that you came from the earth, as it was foretold, and that you are mighty and have the blessings of the one Du.'
'So be it,' Jai said.
'I have made others believe,' Tambol said, 'and now they, too, spread the joyful news. There is not a pongpen in this land that does not have one who believes in you, Master, who constantly reminds all that you are to return, that freedom will be theirs, and plenty, and peace in the end.'
'I'm sure this news has reached the ears of the Devourers,' Duwan said.
'Without doubt, master,' Tambol said. 'But they, in their arrogance, do not believe. They look on the stories as the vain hopes of the pongs and laugh.' He raised his stern face to the sky. 'By Du,' he said, 'soon they will not be laughing.'
'No signs of preparation?' Duwan asked.
'None, Master,' Tambol said. 'There has been no increase in the strength of the royal guards. Males are conscripted only to guard far-flung settlements, such as these that you have destroyed, and that not against any possible enemy, but merely to assure that there is an adequate guard force to prevent escape from the pens.'
'So,' Jai said, 'if we now attack Kooh, they will not be expecting us?'
'Unless some escaped to carry the word they will be feeling snug and safe behind the walls of the city,' Tambol said. 'The new High Mistress is more concerned with her own pleasures than with any possible dangers.'
'High Mistress?' Duwan asked.
'Yes, Master, the old High Master, Farko, is dead. His daughter, Elnice of Arutan, rules in his place, with the guards captain you once dueled at her side.'
'This should make our task easier,' Dagner said, 'if this country is ruled by a female.'
'Don't underestimate this one,' Duwan said, 'or she will feast on your bud.'
'Du's face,' Duwan the Elder said. 'You jest.'
'No,' Duwan said. He turned to Tambol. 'You have traveled much, and you seem to have access to the pens.'
'Indeed, Master. I go disguised as a priest of the minor du, Tseeb, he of the clear skies, the du of hope for the pongs.'
