“That is from a field just outside the walls of the city,” smiled the Chula shaman.
“Already?” smiled Lyra as she picked up the stalk and admired it.
“Ukaro has taught my students the magic necessary to rejuvenate the fields,” nodded Temiker. “It is quite interesting.”
“That is wonderful,” remarked Lyra. “We will need to send some mages to Duran and Zaramilden. I promised them that we would restore their fields.”
“I will ask for volunteers,” replied Temiker. “This is something that your mages should learn as well. You will need this knowledge for the western provinces.”
“I will be heading to Fortaka and Gatong next,” stated Lyra. “I will take one of your students with me as far as StarCity. She can teach the rest of my people.”
“She?” chuckled Temiker. “It would seem that you have a particular student in mind. Which one of my students is truly Sakovan?”
“Several of them,” laughed Lyra. “It is much like it has been in the past. We must be well versed in Omungan magic in case it is used against us.”
“I suspected as much,” smiled Temiker, “but I did not recognize any of the new faces from my stay in StarCity.”
“Where is StormSong?” asked Lyra.
“She is outside practicing her fighting,” replied LifeTender. “She is not thrilled that she has had to remain in Alamar for you, but she would not return to the Sakova without you. Shall I get her?”
“Let her practice,” Lyra shook her head. “I want to talk to General Manitow before I leave Alamar. He must be informed about Duran and Zaramilden. I suspect that Okata will send troops here when they find out that two of their cities have defected. I hope they do not try to reclaim those cities. The citizens there do not need any more worries. They were starving when I arrived. It will take some time before they regain their health.”
“I would like to travel with you to StarCity,” Ukaro said as Lyra rose to leave. “My work here in Alamar is done. Would that be permissible?”
“The head shaman of the Zatong tribe is welcome in StarCity,” smiled Lyra. “I would be pleased if you would return with me. I will have LifeTender request another choka.”
“While I look forward to riding your chokas,” grinned Ukaro, “I already have a mount waiting for me outside the city. He will enjoy hunting in the fargi forest.”
“A tiger?” asked Lyra.
“The chokas will not be alarmed, will they?” asked Ukaro.
“Tigers do not prey upon chokas,” answered LifeTender. “Fortunately, chokas will not attack your tiger either. He will be safe.”
Lyra chuckled at Ukaro’s expression as she walked out of the room. She exited the schoolhouse and saw groups of people heading for the center of the city. The citizens bowed low when they recognized her. Lyra shook her head in puzzlement and then saw the sailor, Chargo, a block away. Instead of heading for the Imperial Guard headquarters, she turned and headed towards the sailor. He smiled broadly when he saw her approaching.
“What are you doing, Chargo?” asked the Star of Sakova. “Are you inciting a riot?”
“A riot?” Chargo echoed with feigned offense. “I am merely speaking to the citizens on my city. Don’t you think they have the right to know what has transpired in Duran and Zaramilden?”
“Of course they have a right to know,” replied Lyra, “but I had hoped that they would learn it from General Manitow. I am on my way to tell him about those two cities. If he is besieged by a riotous crowd, he may react unfavorably to my news.”
“I understand that you must maintain the bargain that you struck with the Imperial Guards,” retorted Chargo, “but you must understand that this is my city. These citizens are my brothers and sisters. The word has already spread that your mages are bringing our fields back to life. That means that your caravans will not be needed soon. According to the terms of your agreement, If the caravans are not needed, General Manitow is free to allow Imperial Guards from Okata into Alamar. He will have no need to protect Sakovans who no longer deliver food. He will have kept his side of the bargain.”
“And those troops from Okata will invade the Sakova from the east,” Lyra frowned. “We will be fighting on two fronts again.”
“Worse,” replied Chargo. “Okata will have a new supply of food. They will send great caravans here and strip our fields. Once again our people will starve. Only the Sakovans will not be in a position to come to our aid because they will be defending their homeland. That is not the situation I wish to see the citizens of Alamar subjected to.”
Lyra stared at the ground for several moments as she let Chargo’s words drift through her mind. Her face clouded with concern as she raised her eyes and faced the sailor.
“What are you telling the citizens to do?” she asked.
“I have asked nothing of them,” answered Chargo. “I merely told them what has transpired and what is to come unless things change here. They do not need my instructions as to what to do.”
“But you are creating a riot,” protested Lyra. “These people are going to clash with the Imperial Guards. They will die. You must stop it.”
“They will either fight the imperial Guards now or later,” replied Chargo. “These people are not afraid to fight. If it must come to that, let it be now when many of the Imperial Guards will come over to our side. We will need their help to defend against the hordes from Okata.”
“And what will it accomplish to have the citizens of Alamar dead?” retorted the Star of Sakova. “I want to avoid this bloodshed. It must be stopped. Will you help me?”
“I am helping you more than you know,” replied Chargo. “The only hope to avoid bloodshed rests with General Manitow. You must convince him that Alamar is a Sakovan city.”
“But it isn’t,” frowned Lyra. “I gave my word.”
“You gave your word to continue food deliveries as long as your people were protected,” corrected Chargo. “You have kept your word. Now the people of Alamar have decided that they are Sakovans. We are your people now. You must make General Manitow stand by his word and not harm us. In fact, he must protect us from Okata.”
Lyra stood speechless for a moment. Chargo stepped back a pace and bowed low to the Star of Sakova. He rose and smiled at Lyra.
“Go speak to General Manitow,” the sailor said. “I know that once you are there, your Kaltara will guide your words.”
Lyra nodded numbly as she turned and headed for the center of the city. She looked back once and saw Chargo calling more citizens to him. She shook her head and turned the corner.
Lyra’s mind reeled as she tried to figure out how to diffuse the situation. She wondered if Mayor Reaker could help to quiet things down. As she turned another corner, she saw the crowd gathering in front of the headquarters of the Imperial Guard. Mayor Reaker and General Manitow stood on the top step talking to each other. The crowd murmured with talk among themselves, but there was not yet any anger or demands being shouted. Lyra reached the rear of the gathering crowd and started to work her way through the people. A large woman noticed that it was Lyra trying to get up front.
“Make a path,” shouted the woman. “The Star of Sakova is coming through.”
The crowd instantly parted for Lyra. Some citizens cheered while others tried to bow in the small space afforded them. In moments Lyra was mounting the steps of the building. The crowd fell silent as she stopped in front of the general and the mayor.
“Is this your doing?” General Manitow asked brusquely.
“Not exactly,” shrugged Lyra, “but it does concern me. Can we talk?”
“We will talk right here,” declared the general with obvious mistrust in his voice. “I will not discuss things in private with you and then leave the interpretation open to others.”
“Very well then,” retorted Lyra as she stiffened. “I have kept my side of the bargain, General. The Sakovans continue to transport food into this city even as your fields are being restored. Have you given any thought as to what will happen next?”