第31节

an ageing

bull.

Why? That is the question you must ask yourselves and which I attempt

to answer!

'Why does he choose this moment to accuse me of treachery? Why does he

attack the honour of the She-Kargo at a time when the Plainfolk have

come together in peace and fellowship? Are his words as pure and clear

as a mountain stream or do they mask some dark ambition of the D'Troit

which they have yet to reveal?"

'Heyy-yaahhh..." The She-Kargo and M'Waukee wordsmiths and their

supporters massed beyond the bull-ring voiced a sombre chorus of

approval.

'And you must also ask yourself how he knows these things. Who else is

aware of the events of which he speaks?"

The question, aimed at those around him, met with no response.

'Reflect on what he has told us. He speaks of Mutes who are not Mutes,

of secret journeys through the clouds and across the seas to the

Eastern Lands! Of battles between Mute and Iron Masters in which the

noble lords of Ne-Issan perished in their hundreds! Of wheel-boats

sunk by red-eyed nightbirds!

'Are these inventions of a fevered mind? Dreams inspired by envy of

his betters? If they are not, how does he know - in such detail - what

took place far beyond the Great River, beyond the Running Red Buffalo

Hills? I He does not speak, like you or I who only a short while ago

listened to our brother Carnegie but as someone with foreknowledge of

these events! He has never met The Chosen yet he speaks of their great

battle at the Heron Pool and the death of Domain-Lord Yama-Shita as if

he had been there!

'How can he know of such things! There can only be one answer! These

words through which he seeks to bring disgrace upon me and the

She-Kargo were put into his mouth by the dead-faces - an alien race

that would make slaves of us all!" 'Heyy-YAHHH!" This time it was a

full-throated cheer. And it came from all sides of the ring.

Mr Snow raised his voice. 'Well, they will not make slaves of the

She-Kargo! The weapons they provide are not given to us. They are

exchanged for goods we gather through sweat and blood and our most

priceless possession - our Clan-brothers and sisters! Think back to

when this all began. Have you forgotten how they killed those who

refused their offerings?! And yet this man stands before us and says

we must show gratitude? For what?! We trade with the dead-faces not

by choice but by necessity! But there is one thing we will never trade

- our freedom!" This ringing declaration was greeted by a tumultuous

cheer.

Mr Snow pointed to Prime-Cut. 'He charges me with treachery! He tries

to tell you that The Chosen are agents of the Federation because they

were born to the bloodline of the She-Kargo! What will his hatred and

envy lead him to do next?! Deny the power of Talisman?

'The Chosen do not belong to the Clan M'Call or the She-Kargo or the

D'Troit! They are of the Plainfolk! The first of the Lost Ones to

return from the Eastern Lands - as it was prophesied - to herald the

coming of the Thrice-Gifted One! Under his banner we shall become a

mighty nation! We shall crush the dark cities and drive the dead-faces

back into the sea 'This should be a time of rejoicing, not anger! Are

we not all brothers under the sun?"

The ground shook as ten thousand voices chanted their response.

'Heyy-YAHHH! Heyy-YAHHH! HEYYYAAHHH!!" Mr Snow pointed to

Prime-Cut.

'Then beware of those who seek to divide us, for it is they who are the

real enemy!" The wordsmiths leapt to their feet to avoid being

trampled down by the excited crowd pressing in around them.

Those from the D'Troit camp looked sullen and frustrated but everyone

else, including many of the C'Natti were cheering and raising their

fists in a gesture of solidarity.

Prime-Cut gave it one last try. 'You ask us to believe in The Chosen,

but they are not here! Are they frightened to appear before us in case

their so-called feats of bravery on behalf of the Plainfolk are