The Wandering Variables by Louis Trimble

Author:Louis Trimble [Trimble, Louis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781440553325
Publisher: Prologue Books
Published: 1972-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

X

“The ultimate weapon,” Jano said. “It is very powerful looking, General.”

Sitting on its cumbersome cart was a massive catapult. Someone had designed it well so that by tipping the cart bed the trajectory of whatever the catapult threw could be guided. And it could throw something very large indeed, if there was any meaning to the size of the missile holder and the thickness of the ropes used to pull down the green tree trunk used as a spring.

General Chin indicated a cartload of various sized rocks, some that must have weighed better than a hundred kilos. “The large ones we use to batter down walls. By filling the cup with many of the small, sharp rocks, we can decimate an entire troop of ku riders.”

He smiled at Jano’s apparently awestruck silence. “So you see, here is the answer to your questions. There is no need for you to make further judgment for your gods. The Valley of the People can be only under one rule — mine.”

“It was not the question of who is to rule that I came to answer,” Jano said, “but the question of what is best for all people here.”

“I have also answered that question.” Chin pointed to the catapult.

“Let us consider it over a meal,” Jano said. He nodded in the direction of the sun. “Soon darkness will come — and the storm. It is more pleasant to eat in the open.”

Chin stared at him and then jerked a signal to Chu. “We will return.”

Tandy whispered to Jano as they strolled through the trees toward the central camp, “I don’t understand it but you seem to make him do what you want.”

“That’s because he isn’t as sure of his arrogance as I am of mine,” Jano said. “But hold your breath. The next move can be tricky.”

They ate to the music of a steady flow of boasting from General Chin, with occasional chimed accompaniment from Lieutenant Chu. As night closed down, torches were brought to aid the light from the fires. The food was excellent and plentiful. Whatever might be said of the Warlord, a poor table was not one of his faults.

Now and then the General or his Lieutenant would glance up at the sky — first at the stars and then at the moons as they ducked and bobbed their way toward setting. Behind them the distant moon plodded along.

Jano paid no attention. If they were looking for the storm, they had a while yet to wait. He sat, nibbling now, and sipping bitter but fragrant tea. The ache in his bone was becoming more pronounced and focusing itself. In the past years he had learned to read that ache as if it was a clock.

When he felt a sharp twinge, he glanced at the sky. The nearer moons would be setting within an hour. “Shortly after the moons set, I will bring the storm,” he said, “so let us prepare to seek shelter soon.”

“And then you will make your judgment?” General Chin said.

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