A False Security
The Obliterator entered the village in disguise. The Emperor promoted a false sense of security amongst the villagers, so they’d be unprepared for what is about to happen…
Warriors of Transcendence, Part 5
“This time, our separation will be prolonged,” said Ulu. “The Warriors know that something new is coming. The Emperors seem to be restless. The Tower Inviewers are beginning to appear in many places and they may have plans to begin an invasion of the villages.”
“But why? Why were you chosen?” her voice faltered
“I am not the only one, my beloved,” said Ulu, “The Master of Transcendence has called for my participation. I must be there”.She was silent. There? She did not ask Ulu to explain as she knew the answer would not be forthcoming.
“Are there many warriors serving the Master of Transcendence and fighting his wars?” she inquired, still yearning for understanding.
Ulu was quiet for some time.
“It is difficult to say,” he finally replied. “The Master of Transcendence has men scattered in many places, fulfilling various tasks. Usually they are concealed, as I am. He alone knows our identities and our missions. The Master of Transcendence is served by many men, but the vast multitudes are ignorant of his existence.”
She remained silent.
Ulu took this opportunity to inquire about the children’s strange game.
“In some unclear way, things are being revealed to them”, she began explaining.
“A stranger has visited the village recently. Maybe he is responsible for their new activities.”
The dog arose from his resting place, shivered, and began wandering around the room restlessly.
“A stranger?” inquired Ulu. “Who is he? What can you tell me about him? Was there something odd in his behavior?”
“I do not know. Most of us assumed he was one of the toy merchants who visit the village each year.”
“And you, what do you think?”
She caressed her face, as if trying to erase something. She closed her eyes for a moment, in an attempt to concentrate her thoughts, and said, “Although he wore light blue garb, I sensed that this was not his usual attire. He was tall. He walked slowly, his face was gaunt and his speech was impaired. He conversed mostly with the children. No one questioned his identity or presence, and after just one day he vanished.”
* * *
Ulu was quiet, and his wife became embarrassed by his silence. Intuitively, he gazed towards the children’s room. Is he worried about Sage? she wondered. The girls were too young to be drawn into a stranger’s conversation, but Sage, already twelve, may have spoken with the stranger.
“Please explain to me,” she said, changing the subject, “What prevents the Descendents of the Emperors from over-running all of the villages?”
“What a terrible loss of our beloved land that would be!” he replied.
“You must be joking!” she exclaimed. “Surely you do not believe that this is what interests them!”
“Yes, I do,” Ulu insisted. “They are not interested in the beauty of our land, but only in its agricultural potential. They lack fertile land and want our blessed earth to serve their needs for food, provisions for the impure tower.”
“If the villages fall into their hands, they will become the masters of our bountiful land!”
“Yes,” answered Ulu, “but they also desire the workforce, the thousands of villagers adept at agriculture and fishing, to continue working and sending the produce to the Tower. It is so simple…”
“What is so simple about it?” she said, infuriated. “Who would want to relinquish their freedom and work for them?“
“At the moment,” he answered sadly, “very few. But as obliterations increase, and desire to belong to the tower becomes a strong force in the hearts of many, a dynasty will be created. Why waste resources and weapons in order to conquer bodies, when it is simpler to conquer minds?”
Her face turned pale.
“Are you saying that they plan to turn us all into their slaves?”
Ulu nodded.
* * *
“Then how do you explain the rumors that are whispered around the village, about the Emperors’ fear of the Master of Transcendence?”
“This story has been purposely created by the Obliterators and their adherents,” said Ulu in anguish. “The Master of Transcendence can appear in any place, not only in the villages. Their objective is to promote a false sense of safety and security amongst the villagers, so they have promoted this ridiculous idea that the Emperors’ are afraid to enter the villages. The same is true in reference to the Obliterator. In truth, were they to appear, the villagers would be defenseless. A gradual and covert conquest is more efficient for the Emperors. A military conquest would create a bitter, antagonistic situation leading to rebellion. Rebellious warriors would arise, capable of executing daring missions. The Descendents of the Emperors want to avoid this just as they want to avoid encounters with the Storm Dancers from the Northern Forests. A military conquest would certainly seem to take less time but the Descendants of the Emperors are very patient. They are in no hurry. Tomorrow, I shall talk with Sage,” he returned to the original topic, as his wife lowered her head.
The following day, after lunch, Ulu and his son went out together. On wide paths, bordered by smooth stones, they strolled toward the shore. A cluster of boulders protruded from the sea close to the shore. Father and son carefully made their way past the sharp rocks that held many hidden tide- pools. Beyond the area of the boulders the water became deeper and darker, but the weather was comfortable, and they swam out into the sea. Sage displayed his strength, showing off his diving skills to his father.
“I hope you don’t spend time here without me”, said Ulu.
It was common knowledge that this spot was dangerous, and many young villagers had lost their lives in daring deep- sea swimming competitions and by diving into the narrow underwater tunnels, formed by the boulders.
“Of course not, Father, you know I don’t belong to Tzalaii’s gang”.
Tzalaii was a young man of nineteen, handsome and witty,. But he had been adversely affected by his childhood as an orphan. Although the village chief himself had taken him into his home, along with his sister Sihara, Tzalaii had a restless spirit. He became the head of a gang, comprised of boys his age and younger, who were attracted to the boulders and the stunts that could be performed there. Ulu became uneasy upon hearing Tzalaii’s name. Sage wrongly guessed that his father’s unease was related to the feats of courage the boys performed in this dangerous spot. But that was not the only reason for Ulu’s anxiety. Each time Ulu saw the gang leader, he feared in his heart for Tzalaii’s fate, foreseeing an ominous future event.
To be continued.
***
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