*  *  *  *

At the sound of the chanting, Benjamin started.  "Does that Chant mean
they are about to sacrifice another Man?  Should we not come to his
Aid?"

On saying this, Benjamin gets very worked up and is anxious to act
quickly and decisively, leaving it to Charles to work out a strategy
to rescue the man, but itching to play his part in it.

"I think it would be a bad idea if we were to interrupt their ritual,"
Shaw replied, "and I don't see any point in rescuing someone who will
be alive again anyhow. If we are going to approach them I suggest we
do so in the morning. We could take a look at who is on the other side
of the river until then."

Benjamin's face darkened for a second, then brightened to a cheery
countenance.  "Incredible!  Yes, Shaw, of course you're right, I was
foolish to not have seen it."

"We can see what inhabitants are like on the other side," Ehrich
agreed, "and if we should return to here later, the sacrifice will be
over, and the inhabitants will likely be less hostile when disturbed."

Charles shook his head. "I think it is best that we move along to the
next grail on this side of the river.  If we move across the river,
we will surely run into Shaka and his people, and we are not to meet
them for another 4 days.  "Let us learn all that we can of the nearby
areas, before we stop to investigate too closely."

Josephine's eyes caught the motion first and she pointed toward the
grailstone. The group of chanters, perhaps a dozen in all, had been
joined by another half-dozen, who carried a struggling figure, pulling
him roughly toward the woman dancing in the middle of the circle.  A
new sound rose over the chanting; the figure's masculine voice
screaming in some sort of accented English. "Get the bloody f*ck off
of me, you bloody bastards!"

			      *  *  *  *

Mandragola watched Shaka restlessly, wishing he could add his superior
diplomatic skills to the situation, but finding no opportunity.

Louis relaxed slightly at the Zulu conversing with Shaka. They might
be deferring to him, he thought, better not to interfere. He turned to
the other two.

"It appears for the moment," Louis whispered to Mandragola and
Mishima, "that Shaka has this under his power as leader of the Zulus,
as he has stated.  Let him summon us before we reveal ourselves.  Who
knows if the color of our skin shall prove offensive...."

Fire blazed in Shaka's eyes as he stood before the group's leader and
spoke proudly.

"If it is a rain-making you want, it is a rain-making you will
receive, for I am Shaka, your rightful king." He moved to the fire and
gestured to the other villagers to make it brighter. He looked at the
dark sky.

"I will begin the magic making," he continued, "and you will have rain
before the sun rises again.  This is the way, and I am your leader.
Once this is done, let there be no doubt any longer."

Shaka pointed to the bushes and spoke words in both Zulu and English.

"There are my companions." he proclaimed. "They shall stand by my side
as I perform the rite, and none shall hinder them, though they are
strange to behold.  They are named Louis, the dubious, and Mandragola,
the newcomer.  They speak none of our tongue, but they shall serve me
as I perform the magic."

Louis and Mandragola stepped quickly from the bushes before the
villagers could approach and discover Mishima, who remained hidden.
The village leader gave Shaka a sly look and spoke again. Shaka
explained that his name was Pala and translated his words for the
others.

"It is known to us that it rains each night in this demon-world." Pala
said. "Wait with us as guests until the morning and then perform your
magic by the light of day. Bring rain and we are yours forever; fail
and learn what true Zulu do to false kings."

			      *  *  *  *