Necropolis (Book One of Book One), Penn Fawn [e book reader android .TXT] 📗

“’Tis a matter of wanting to exercise caution, Daniel. That’s all. The more I know about these characters, the better. I figure the best way to learn as much as I can about them is not from hearsay, but from meeting and talking to the more authoritative figures here.”

Daniel listened.

“Like Djembe said, stories spread or travel like wildfire. In time, I’m sure some of our men may become distressed after hearing what happened. Families of the afflicted may by degrees become even more distressed. Who’s to say many haven’t already thought we’ve overstayed our visit if you’re following me?”

“I believe I am,” Daniel replied. “To some, we’re probably now seen as those foreigners who brought death to their people, or so I think you mean.”

“Precisely,” said Ali.

“And, you call that being safe?” Daniel asked. “By midnight, they may have us in a boiling pot while they dance around a fire.”

“We need to have a meeting tonight,” Ali, who was growing with apprehension, said. “We ought to air this all out in the open and decide on what is the best course of action to take.”

Daniel shook his head in an upward and downward manner. “Well, let’s get to it then,” he said. “While we still can.”

“Don’t further alarm me, Daniel. We don’t know for sure what’s on anyone’s mind.”

He was right in more ways than one. While they had no certain knowledge of what their peers or the villagers were thinking, word did reach camp about what transpired. Certain members of the contingent did become concerned and could only wonder what may happen next.

Some, like Daniel, joked about the possibility of being the chief ingredients later on for a soup, if not a roast.

Some took this talk as humor. With others, the joke fell flat, and they wondered just where might Daniel and Ali be at that hour. That is, if they hadn’t already been taken captive by some of the cooks there.

Ali’s attention was diverted by the presence of three men who appeared at the entrance to the door. They were Penal, Asfar, and Sodom.

The latter, a known rapist back in his land, was the first to offer his services when he learned their king demanded an expedition be sent to find and acquire gold and whatever other material wealth and riches were allegedly within Sanctuary and/or the distant lands.

The reward for his participation, provided the mission was successful, was a pardon for his crimes. He was promised a share of the spoils or riches and a reinstatement of his status to not merely a free but honorary citizen.

Those were the general terms that applied not only to him but to the entire expedition, most of whom were convicts.

Ali was an exception. Presently the three exchanged stares with him.

“Come in,” he said.

They did so.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” he added.

“As you can imagine, we heard about what happened,” Penal, who preferred to stay on his feet, said.

“Okay,” Ali said.

“The men are concerned, Ali,” Penal returned.

“Accidents happen, Penal. What do you expect me to say?”

“They do happen,” Penal added.

“Doesn’t make us look good though,” a concerned Asfar said. “We’ve been here for some time now, but we’re still foreigners or strangers to many. Not all are happy to have us, and now this.”

“Again, accidents happen. I can’t control all that goes on here.”

“No,” Penal said. “Not all. But you could have avoided what happened today.”

“Is that so?” Ali replied. “How may I ask?”

“Well, for starters, I’d say why do you persist in pursuing frivolous nonsense, like acquiring tusks, skins of exotic beasts, and all such foolery, and instead stick to the real business of our travel?” Penal asked.

“Frivolous nonsense, you say. The king would reward me as handsomely for acquiring a pair of tusks as he would for a pot of gold. Now as to the Necropolis, well, that is a different matter entirely.”

“I’ll be forthright,” Penal said. “What amazes me is how quick you are to bend your knee at the beck and call of vain, vile, and foolish men.”

“What do you know about me?” Ali replied. “I didn’t know you, nor did you know me until we were brought together under this assignment. What amazes me is how recalcitrant an individual you are, Penal.

“Lest you forget, I am the head of this exhibition, and our assignment was granted from none other than our king!”

“Indeed,” Penal returned. “You needn’t remind me, although I might mention, titles more often than not say little about the quality of a man.”

“There you go,” Ali returned. “As obstinate as a mule.”

“I am only being honest,” Penal replied. “And, if the truth be told, when dealing with most men, honesty is the worst policy. Men prefer deceit, lies, and dishonesty.”

“I’ll have you know that the irony of such words coming from a petty thief and convict is not lost on me,” Ali replied.

“Nor did I think they would be,” Penal returned, “because mine are not cloaked in an air of pretentiousness. That is your style.”

At this point, the rest of the party was as silent as could be.

“Enough of this! State your case then!” Ali said.

“Why risk life and limb of our men or others pursuing mindless trophies for soulless men is what I am asking. Why put us in such jeopardy? Either from beasts or from the scorn or wrath of the community? What does the king know or care about what we have to endure here? And, for what other than pursuing tokens of his greed and vanity.”

“I was entrusted with an assignment here,” Ali replied. “And, unlike you, I do have some respect for authority.”

“I don’t see how it would be disrespectful to solely concentrate one’s efforts on pursuing that which is of the highest value or currency. And that, as you know, is not ivory.”

Ali thought it was best to let him continue having his say.

“I don’t know about you, Ali, but I didn’t come all the way here to appeal to anyone’s conceit or vanity. A nobleman I could never pretend