“You made more of an impression than I thought possible,” announced the serious Imperial Guard as he ushered StarWind through the gates. “This man will guide you to Mayor Ferde.”
“Thank you,” StarWind replied with a weak smile as she followed the runner towards the building.
The runner led her through the corridors of the large building and up a flight of stairs. He stopped at a tall ornate wooden door and knocked loudly before cracking it open and peering inside. Satisfied that the mayor was not in the middle of a meeting, the runner opened the door wide and waved StarWind through it. StarWind immediately locked eyes with the mayor of Campanil as she entered the room. The mayor stood behind his desk and stared at the Sakovan spy as she entered the room. He did not speak until the runner exited the room and closed the door.
“You are incredible,” frowned the mayor as he waved StarWind to a chair in front of his desk. “You walk into this building when our countries are in a state of war. Do you think so little of the Imperial Guards that you truly expect to get away with this?”
“I have no tendency to think ill of the Imperial Guards,” StarWind replied as she sat in the offered chair. “I do, however, think highly of you as a man of honor. I realize that you may have me arrested and executed as a Sakovan spy, but I was willing to wager that you would talk to me first. Neither of us wishes to be the enemy of the other.”
“What we wish in that regard is of little significance,” retorted the mayor as he sat in his chair. “The fact is that we are enemies. This is not determined by our wishes, but by the directives of those who lead our countries. You have offered your life to bring me a message. I wish you had not. I can only imagine that it is important. Use this time wisely to convey what has brought you to Campanil.”
StarWind swallowed hard as she realized that Mayor Ferde planned to arrest her at the conclusion of the meeting. She nodded inwardly as she realized that he had to. In a state of war, he could hardly allow a Sakovan spy to move around freely.
“There is importance to this meeting,” StarWind began. “This war is going to result in many deaths. Neither you nor I can stop it at this point. Already the armies of the Katana have invaded the Sakova. The senseless slaughter will begin now.”
The mayor cocked his head and looked at StarWind with curiosity. “Are you here to defect?” inquired the mayor. “Is that the reason that you came here?”
“No,” StarWind shook her head. “I came here in an attempt to minimize the number of people that must die. You are wise enough to know that the Sakovans hold no malice towards the Omungans. You helped to avert the last war between our nations because you truly care for your people. I admire you for that. I want you to safeguard your people from this war.”
“I intend to do exactly that,” countered the mayor, “but I have the feeling that we are talking about two different things. What exactly is your purpose in coming here?”
“To warn you,” replied StarWind. “Up until now, the Star of Sakova has forbidden the Sakovans to attack the Imperial Guards. That is soon to change, if it has not already.”
“I need no such warning,” frowned Mayor Ferde. “The troops of Campanil have been ready for Sakovan attacks since the war was declared. I am surprised that it has not happened yet.”
“I am not talking about any attack against Campanil,” responded the Sakovan spymaster. “We have no desire to inflict harm on the Omungan people. If your troops remain inside this city, they will survive this war intact.”
“You are asking me to keep the Campanil troops out of the war?” gasped the mayor. “I cannot believe what I am hearing. You are sadly mistaken about me if you think I would abandon my country in a time of war.”
“Your country?” echoed StarWind. “Had you said that you would not abandon your people, I would have believed you, but Omunga is no more your country than Khadora is.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” scowled the mayor. “Campanil is a founding city of Omunga. Every Omungan city will fight the Sakovans, not just Okata. Are you daft?”
“Am I daft?” retorted StarWind. “It is not my people who are continually ruled by madmen. You no sooner got rid of Alazar, and you choose another madman to lead you into a senseless war.”
“You did not feel this way about Larst when he saved your people from arrest in Okata,” countered the mayor. “All of a sudden he is a madman because he seeks a war that all Katanas have sought over the centuries.”
“Larst was an honest and decent man,” responded StarWind. “Were he still alive, we would not be having this war.”
“What do you mean?” asked Mayor Ferde. “Larst is alive. He is the Katana. Surely your spies could not miss such a thing?”
“Our spies miss nothing,” StarWind smiled thinly. “In fact, we know more about what is happening in Omunga than most mayors do.”
“Explain yourself,” demanded Mayor Ferde.
“First Councilor Larst and the Star of Sakova held many secret meetings over the past few months,” explained StarWind. “They agreed in principle to an everlasting peace between our two nations. Plans were made to jointly build roads through the Sakova to unite the remote areas of Omunga. Our food shipments to Omungan cities were a direct result of those negotiations. The last meeting between Lyra and Larst was on the day before he was chosen as the Katana. What changed during the course of one day to make the new Katana declare war as almost his first order of business?”
“I had heard rumors of such meetings,” Ferde admitted, “but I know nothing of any agreements. Regardless of what Lyra thought was promised, the Katana has decided on war. All of Omunga will follow his lead.”
“Why?” questioned StarWind. “Why will all of Omunga go to war on the word of an imposter?”
“What a foolish question,” countered Mayor Ferde with confusion on his face. “And what do you mean imposter?”
“I mean that some mage has taken over Larst’s body,” declared StarWind. “Isn’t his sudden turnaround disturbing to you?”
Mayor Ferde stared silently at the Sakovan spy. She could detect the doubt in his face, but she held her tongue.
“What proof do you have of this?” the mayor finally asked.
“I have none,” admitted StarWind. “Even if I did, Omungans have already shown that they would not take any corrective actions against the Katana. Besides, it is too late for such an effort. I mention it because you have a right to know. You will have weighty decisions thrust upon you in the coming days, Mayor Ferde. You have the right to know what is truly happening in Omunga before you are forced to make those decisions.”
“And I am to believe that this is not just an attempt to weaken Omungan resolve?” retorted the mayor. “Have you spread these rumors to other Omungan cities?”
“You are the only Omungan official that I would show myself to,” replied StarWind. “I realize that you are skeptical of what I have told you. I can appreciate that skepticism, but I feel that you know that I would never lie to you. You have the ability to speak to the members of the Katana’s Council. Ask them when Larst suddenly changed. There is no way that they could not have noticed.”
“I shall do so,” declared the mayor, “but that would change nothing. Our countries are at war now, and all Omungan cities will act accordingly. The end of the Sakova is upon you. The best thing I could do for you now is to have you arrested here in Campanil. At least you will not be tortured as you would be if you were caught in Okata.”