As the warm afternoon breeze blew in, it brought the fragrance of wildflowers with it. Nahuja Duja took a deep breath, and smiled. "Smells just like Lasati," he told himself.
He stared at his image in the mirror, trying to remember how looked in his young age. He was not a bad-looking man in his youth, but too much of indulgence had made him lose whatever beauty he had. His fair skin was now filled with dark spots, his head was balding in patches, and his flat stomach had given way to a paunch. However, he was oblivious to things that tended to lower his self-esteem. In his mind, he was still the handsome legend who made women swoon, and men fall in line.
Looking at the mirror, he turned slightly to the left, then slightly to the right, and felt happy that he could hide his bald patches so perfectly.
"The warlords are here, Chief Father," his guard announced.
"Send them in," Nahuja Duja spoke in his deep baritone, which he had acquired after considerable practice in order to sound intimidating.
A group of young warlords walked in and bowed before Nahuja Duja. "Long live the Chief Father," they greeted him.
"Speak up," the Chief Father commanded.
"The troops are ready, Chief Father," said one of the warlords, apparently their leader. "Lord Oga Soka is waiting for our arrival at the port. Once we reach there, we will set sail."
"Be victorious!" smiled Nahuja Duja. "Make me proud."
The warlords glanced at each other.
"What is it?" Nahuja Duja asked, getting impatient.
"We have some surprising information from our spies," the warlord said. "They say that the Jivavarta army is carrying a large number of women and children."
"Women and children!" Nahuja Duja exclaimed. This sounded amusing to him. Lasati women never participated in battles -- they only cooked, cleaned, and gave birth to Lasati children. "Are they going to fight?"
"No, Chief Father, they are accompanying the army. They seem to be on a pilgrimage."
"Huh!" Nahuja Duja chuckled. "Pilgrimage and battle together. This is a new one."
"Lord Yetaal wants your advice. Should we attack, or stand down?"
"What kind of question is that?" Nahuja Duja was losing his patience. "What is there to advise? Of course we should attack."
The warlord was getting very afraid, but he had to ask.
"Chief Father, what should we do with these women and children during the attack? They are unarmed, and Lord Yetaal thinks that it will be unethical to attack unarmed women and children."
Nahuja Duja smirked. He did not have time for such drivel.
"I do not care what is good or bad, we should do whatever is necessary for our advancement. Tell Yetaal, we must win this battle."
The warlord understood, bowed to the Chief Father in respect, and started backing away.
"Wait!" said Nahuja Duja. He pondered for a short while, then wrote something and handed it to the warlord.
"Give this note to Yetaal, and tell him that musk fetches more price than the whole deer."
"I don't understand, Chief Father," the warlord sounded confused.
"You don't have to," Nahuja Duja smiled. "Just convey this message to Yetaal, he will understand."
"I will convey, Chief Father," said the warlord, and bowed again. The group stepped back, and left in a hurry.
Nahuja Duja was pleased with his plan. He was confident that Yetaal will not fail him.
No comments:
Post a Comment