Other Worlds Than These

[Aikanáro]

'It is not the sort of protection that is of any use against wolves or dogs,' replied Ashkaio with a frown. He was going to have to tell her, and tell her in a blunt manner to be sure that she understood. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he picked up his waterskin and drank deeply from it. Then he told her.

'Your land and mine are at war, sera. It seems to me now that it is a war shrouded in secrecy, for you do not know so much as the name of the city your king wishes to destroy, but so it is. He has sent his soldiers, those who are alike to men but not, sharp-toothed and merciless. He has sent them with Yagluk who calls himself the Mighty to command them, to attack my Tathera.'

Ashkaio shook his head, trying to maintain neutrality in both face and voice. If he spoke too disparagingly of the ruler she admired, then she would not help him. 'We fought,' he went on to say. 'The Ensi of our city is a good man, and my kinsman. I am of the ruling House Kazhrun. I was there at the deliberations. We decided to fight, to hold the city, and we did - until your people attacked us from within our very walls, through the doors of light.'

He sighed. The less that he said about that, the better. 'That does not matter to you now,' he said. 'What matters is that we wish this war ended. I am here to speak with your king and learn the conditions under which we may negotiate peace. Until I am able to do so, sera, there are those who would call me your enemy. I hope now that you are not among them.'