Cheilin Saga ~ 06

 Cheilin Saga ~ 06 Sanctuary 1

By Len Morgan

At the start of the fifth week, they returned once again into the mountains climbing higher than before.  Three days on they entered a narrow gully high up in the snow line, it was barely wide enough for a wagon to pass.   The path was actually the shallow bed of a stream and they waded knee-deep through its snow melt waters.   The air was cold and sparse and for Aldor breathing was difficult, other members of the band, all of whom had been born in this place, did not seem bothered by it.   The gully opened out two hundred yards further on and the tightness in his chest passed to be replaced by a sense of exhilaration, it seemed as though they were at the top of the world.   If he didn't turn around, everything was below him; he shook his head in disbelief.   The gully had been formed over millions of years, cut by the swift and constant watercourse through which they had waded just moments before.   They had come out onto a vast plateau, and a vast fertile plain, totally invisible from the other side of what had seemed a rather uninviting gully.   Immediately, he glimpsed the village known to his fellow carnivores as 'Sanctuary', they were home.   Looking back he could see that the rock strata of the mountain range had folded back on itself forming variegated layers of rock.   The largest layer was composed of chalk-like rock which suggested the area had once been underwater.   It was this soft porous rock that had been eaten away to form the gully entrance to what must be a hidden fortress.   It was remote and would be easily defended by a few men against a vastly superior numerical force, a general’s nightmare.   The attacking force would initially have to negotiate two hundred yards of swiftly running water probably one at a time.   The defenders would pick them off from high up, on the cliffs on either side, the bodies would sink beneath the water and create hidden hazards for those following behind, until finally, they would create a barricade with their own bodies before even sighting the defenders.   The picture was so vivid in his mind, he had to shake himself to rid his mind of the vision.   The 'carnivores' visibly relaxed as they came out of the gully and for the first time, since encountering them, he was able to access and scan deeper memories in the minds of a few of his companions.   He learned then, for the first time, of their hard upbringing & training, their lifestyle, and their unique position within the Cheilin Empire.   It was almost as if they thought nothing could harm them here in Sanctuary.   They were a remarkable group of self-contained individuals.   Their ability to survive under any conditions was legendary, not just within the Cheilin Empire, Aldor had heard stories about the Tylywoch as far north as Pylodor.    It seemed that the farther away they were the more near to miraculous their exploits became.   Having lived with them, he was more surprised than ever, knowing they themselves believed they could do everything ascribed to them and more.   They believed they could accomplish anything, they believed with a simple certainty that was totally unwavering, they were the Tylywoch their conviction was unshakeable and would sustain them through any trial the world could throw at them.

   Just a hundred and sixty years earlier, Emperor Daidan I created the Tylywoch from a group of his own fanatical supporters, he also recruited hand-picked agents from all walks of life, he even raided the prisons and cheated the gallows.   If somebody possessed a talent he could make use of they were conscripted, most were not even members of a Clan.   But, he always seemed able to inspire them.   He called them his 13^th Clan and the name stuck.   He died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 91 and was succeeded by his son who lived to be 103 before dying from natural causes and placing the dynasty into the hands of Daidan III.

   The Tylywoch were and always would be the Emperor's men.   To them, his interests were always paramount.   The finest warriors they could train were sent to the Emerald palace to provide the Emperor's bodyguard.   They owed their existence to him and would willingly give their lives to ensure his safety.   Their leader, the GOIS (General of Internal Security), General Sanko was one of the highest-ranked Officers in the land and when he spoke all others listened, heeding his commands, and the safety of the Empire was assured.   Sanko was in his fifties, physically and mentally in his prime; highly respected by the council of elders, of which he was an influential member.   A meeting was convened upon their return to Sanctuary.   Aldor was taken to the Carnivores Kebu house, whilst they and Lomax were summoned to the council meeting, in the roundhouse situated near the center of the village.   Aldor was treated hospitably and requested to await the summons of the council; it came the following day.   The others had returned without Lomax, and would not speak of it, his whereabouts would be supplied only on a need-to-know basis.   Evidently, Aldor did not need to know.   He sat in the roundhouse, steadfastly refusing to talk until he knew the whereabouts of Lomax.

"Lomax is being detained, under sentence of death for acting in his own interests rather than the interests of the Emperor," Said Sanko.

"Rubbish!" Aldor chided, "he is not capable of such an act."

Sanko was not a big man in stature, but few would look him straight in the eye and answer as Aldor had done, much less question his decision on anything.

"In the enlightened Kurdik states, a man is given an opportunity to explain his actions, and have others speak on his behalf," said Aldor.

"There is nothing he could say to excuse his actions, he broke our law of non-interference," Sanko answered angrily.

Aldor continued, unperturbed, "have you considered the possibility of conflicting interests?"

"The rules were made for good reasons and they have stood us in good stead for as long as we have existed," said Sanko.

"Rigid blind adherence to outdated rules has sounded the death knell of many a civilization.   It is frequently the sign of stagnation in a culture.   Consider the value of the man you are condemning, does he not deserve the right to explain his actions?"

A huge mountain of a man stood up, and up, his face black with fury.   "You are a filthy Gaijin!   How dare you breathe the same air as our esteemed leader, let alone speak thus to him.   If you were Tylywoch I would declare your life forfeit and squash you like a louse." He yelled.

"What do they call you big-man," he answered with a confidence borne of bravado.

"I am Torek!"

"Well big-man, were I Tylywoch, I would probably be as rigid and inflexible as you, so this situation would not arise.   But, I am not, and if you are foolish enough to challenge me, your life will be considerably shortened," his burning eyes gazed unwaveringly into Torek's as he brought the full force of his mind to bear, concentrated through the jewel, embedded in his forehead.   Even so, it took half a minute for Torek to avert his gaze.

"Do not posture and threaten," said Sanko, "tell us where, in your opinion, our thinking is flawed.   If you can convince this gathering, then Lomax will go free."

"You ask the obvious, I do not believe there are any contingency plans for the unthinkable situation, where sometime in the future an Emperor might be assassinated?"

A collective gasp of horror encircled him.  

 "An unnatural or violent death would put you to the sword, Men women, and children all.   What had you planned, to hold up here forever?   You cannot do that and survive.   Your defenses here are impressive but one epidemic, one poor crop, and you would be finished.   They would start with an all-out assault which would be modified to an extended siege; they will be patient because it will mean eradicating a hated enemy.  Unless you have a secret way out of these mountains you will be dead, in a year, ten years, a hundred, they will carry out the Imperial mandate.   You will be dead; their numerical superiority is overwhelming; and you know the Clans will rally in this cause, like no other, to eradicate the Tylywoch.   Oh I know you are good you could defeat odds of ten, maybe twenty, to one in open combat but one by one you would fall and they would win" said Aldor.

"So, what would you have us do," said Sanko "defy the Emperor and fraternize with the masses?"

"You need to improve the odds.   Turn the numbers in your favour."

"How can that be done?"

"You make the 13th Clan a reality by recruiting and training the inhabitants of the Fringes.   Until you have as big a force as they do; but better trained and motivated man for man and with superior leadership.   The Tylywoch would still remain apart, as an elite, but part of the 13^th, and would use the force for the benefit of and in defense of the Emperor and his Empire," Aldor enthused.

"What would be in it for them, the masses?"  Torek asked.

"Stability, self-determination, a sense of pride and purpose by belonging to a respected group a national unit" Aldor said.   "And, if they respect and are respected by their commanders they will carry out orders without question, performing deeds of heroism that will make them legends through the ages to come."

"How do you propose we accomplish this," Sanko asked.

"I have spoken on it at length with Lomax, and I am not in the habit of repeating myself." Aldor replied.

"So, Kill Lomax, and the great vision will die with him?"   Sanko smiled.   "Lomax!   You can come in now, your presence is required, he is everything you said and more…"

Aldor smiled, "I know you are not a fool General" he said, looking directly at Torek.

 Lomax entered the chamber, a broad uncharacteristic grin on his face.   "He’s clever, resourceful, courageous, and committed to the task at hand.   Oh, did I leave out modest?"   He slapped Aldor playfully on the shoulder.

"He will do!   Go easy on my ears, please" said Sanko.

"Just one moment," said Aldor "I would appreciate being included in this conversation."

"You are a little old for a trainee, but you seem to have the required temperament and the attributes to become a Generalist.   I anticipate it will take you about a year to reach an acceptable level of proficiency in the core disciplines" said Lomax.   "You will be unique, the one and only fourteenth warrior in the 'carnivores' Kebu.   In fact, there has never been a Kebu with fourteen members."

The council applauded, to signify their approval. 

"I appreciate the offer but, I am a controller.   I came here only to start the process, there are other places to visit, and other projects to get underway…" he paused as if thinking.

‘You are not seriously refusing them?’    Orden said.

‘Ah, you are still alive Orden. It has been so long...’

‘Nobody from the outside has ever been admitted to their ranks in living memory.   It is a unique opportunity.’ Said Orden.

‘But…’

‘There are, no more important projects, you must accept the honour.   You must stay and broaden your base by turning this backward and inward-looking Empire, into a vital and significant ally of our cause.   He plans for you to replace him as the most important man in the Cheilin Empire, and what is more, you are probably his only possible successor.’

(To be Continued) 

Copyright Len Morgan