Aakuta: the Dark Mage by Richard S. Tuttle

Author:Richard S. Tuttle
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Publisher: KBS
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Marketplace

“Mistake!” called a voice in the marketplace of Khadoratung.

The small Fakaran twirled around, her eyes searching the hundreds of faces around her. Eventually, her eyes rested on the old man wearing the white and blue colors of the Pikata clan. The man was hurrying towards her. A cold shiver ran down Mistake’s spine as she remembered her short period of slavery at the Pikata estate.

“It is you!” he smiled. “How are you? Is Rejji with you?”

“Bursar Wicado,” Mistake greeted coldly. “Rejji is back in Fakara.”

“Fakara?” the bursar echoed happily. “I am so glad to hear that.”

“Are you?” countered Mistake. “Why would you be happy if Khadora had one less slave?”

An old man dressed in the brown and yellow of the Kamaril clan passed between the bursar and Mistake. He stepped up to a stall and proceeded to inspect the merchant’s merchandise. The merchant noticed the Kamaril pin on the man that denoted a member of the lord’s family. He smiled in anticipation of a profitable sale.

“You misunderstand me,” frowned Bursar Wicado. “I never wanted anything but the best for Rejji. And you and Bakhai,” he added. “It was not I who enslaved you. I did my best to treat Rejji well and teach him what I knew. I also arranged for the three of you to stay together. Please do not burden me with your hatred of slavery.”

Mistake’s scowl slowly faded as she realized that the bursar had been kind to them. “I am sorry,” apologized Mistake. “You bring back memories that are best forgotten.”

“Does that mean that Rejji was successful in gaining your freedom?” asked the bursar. “Or did he run away and make it home to Fakara?”

“We did not run away,” answered Mistake. “All three of us are free people now. We work for the future of Fakara.”

“The future of Fakara?” questioned Wicado. “That is high sounding, but I fear that Fakara has little future.”

“Sure it does,” scowled Mistake. “How can you say such a thing? Rejji has united the free tribes and built a grand city. For the first time in a long time, Fakara’s future is bright.”

“Rejji united the free tribes?” Wicado said with shock evident upon his face. “I had heard that there were great battles in Fakara, and that some man had brought the tribes together, but I never imagined Rejji as a warrior.”

“He is much more than a warrior,” asserted Mistake. “He is more like a king. The people of Fakara worship him. He is building two more cities right now. Pretty soon, Fakara will be the equal of Khadora. You will be famous in Khadora for having known him in the early days.”

“I am happy to hear your tales, Mistake,” frowned the bursar, “but I cannot help but sense a little exaggeration in your tale. Fakara will never amount to anything without food for its people. The Fakarans are starving.”

“They are not,” Mistake retorted adamantly. “Rejji has supplied food for everyone.”

“Then why are the Fakarans fleeing?” shrugged the bursar. “I am sorry, Mistake, but it will take more than wishful thinking to restore Fakara.

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