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By MC Gianni
© January 1997
Being a summary of the events which took place in SE Atrilia during the 2nd month of Shemu in the 1st year of Lalibêa's reign (2nd Shemu, 1 L).
THE RED COAST
Mercenary leader Maummar located the 'Hump' commando which had kidnapped Djyi,
a prominent Gyptian merchant.
A battle ensued between Maummar's Meshuesh unit and the Xola rebels (see
previous issue). The rebels were beaten by a bold manoeuvre, and fled. Using
their superior knowledge of the area, they managed to leave the Meshuesh behind.
During their search in the labyrinthine gorges of the area, the mercenaries
found the rebels' abandoned camp. Djyi's corpse lay there, his throat slit, and
still warm.
SOUTHERN PUNT
After their dispute about the treatment of the alleged Pheacian spy, a 'silly
war' broke out between the Coastal Xolas and the Hammonite Meshuesh. The latter
claim it is all due to some strange madness that has come over Abú. The Hammonite
Meshuesh fear it may be some sort of Pheacian sorcery. They claim that they will
not yield to Abú's "pathetic blackmail" (we're quoting) and that it is a
judgement on him for his betrayal of his own faith. The Hammonite Meshuesh said
they would try to contact other Xola groups who may be hostile to Abú Djâfar.
On the 13th of 2nd Shemu, briefly after dawn, on a calm blue sea, a Xola ship sailing north from Southern Punt and Meshuesh galleys sailing south from the Dioscuride Islands spotted each other.
The Xola ship promptly turned and, taking advantage of its better rigging and lighter hull, sped away. She seemed to have lost her pursuers when a sudden, as if magical, wind suddenly propelled the Meshuesh galleys toward their prey.
As the three Meshuesh galleys neared their prey, a storm of insects suddenly appeared amongst the Xola sailors, stinging them and preventing them from manoeuvring out of the Meshuesh vessels' range.
That's when the Xola ship desperately approached one of the Meshuesh galleys in order to board it, but a barrier of blades appeared out of nothingness, preventing them from assaulting. A group of courageous Xolas hence leapt into the waters and started climbing aboard the Meshuesh vessel -- they were promptly flame stricken by a magician on the Meshuesh galley and fell screaming into the water.
By this time, one of the two other Meshuesh galleys had gotten near the two battling ships and boarded the Xola ship.
Surprisingly, the Xolas were a good match to the Meshuesh and were on the brink of defeating them, when the blade barrier disappeared, enabling the sailors from the first Meshuesh galley to board the Xola ship. At this time, the Xolas had no choice but to surrender.
The captured ship and the prisoners were then escorted to Búr Hammon.
When news of the naval defeat reached Abú Djâfar, he took several decrees.
1. People were asked to store food for protection, and were required to fortify
all their houses and cities.
2. A body of volunteers was to be set up in order to "stop Meshuesh
exploitation" because "it was time to strike back". (we're quoting)
3. Pilgrims to Imám Suheil's shrine were also asked to form a body of fighters
amongst them.
4. A magic school was to be founded, and magic-users to be hired from foreign
countries.
NORTHERN SERENDÍB
The revolt in Qart 'Attíq has been put to rest by Al-Khardun's soldiers, but the
city is now in ruins, all of its wooden buildings and fortifications having been
burnt down by the fire set up by some die-hard rebels.
Only the governor's palace, a brick building, and the major stone temples are still standing.
The citizens of Qart 'Attíq are now homeless refugees. Most of them will try and settle further south on Serendíb; some of them want to found a new town on the coast of Dogobar or to get back to mainland Pheacia.
ÚMBOLE
Shm'é has decided to create, in the very heart of the Mbole land, a sanctuary
dedicated to the worship and the knowledge of the Mbole gods, which is to be
called: the sanctuary of Dran'Ba.
This vast land (2500 km2) will be bordered with some gods carvings. Some shrines will be erected in several places, where the Mbole should come to ask for some great favour.
Shm'é will then select 50 great warriors, 50 skilled craftmen, 10 scribes among the people who came to the Ntemi's Return Festival (see below).
Beeing chosen by the Ntemi is the greatest honour a man could achieve in Mbole society.
Shwa'Nga (Golden man), a Mbole diviner from the Dôgu college, is to create and lead the new Úmbole sanctuary. Shm'é has chosen him because of his uprightness, willpower and charisma. He will leave Dôgu as soon as possible.
Shm'é (currently residing in Dôgu at Lalibêa's court) informed Lalibêa that during 3rd Shemu, 1 L, he planned to move back to Úmbole in order to support his people.
Moreover, he ordered a great Return Festival be organised in Úmbole for his return there.
All the Mbole chieftains shall attend it.
During 3rd Akhet, 2 L, most of the Mbole diviners shall move back to Úmbole, since contacts with spirits are easier and stronger there than in Dôgu.
Shm'é also decreed that hospitality should prevail among the Bambole.
War is strictly forbidden for the common men, the only caste allowed to wage war are the Wa (royal warriors), who settle claims between rival tribes.
This kind of warfare is ritual, and seldom leads to death.
Embassies are allowed only if the Ntemi is in Dran'Ba, most often during the dry season, otherwise strangers are not allowed to enter the sacred forests of the Bambole, but in the border tribes hospitality should prevail until the council of spirits (M'Danga Do) gives or does not give a permission.
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