Riverworld, Day 46, Night * * * * Louis ran to Benjamin and clasped his hands firmly, shaking them warmly. "I am so glad to see you! Come, let us walk." "Louis!" Benjamin exclaimed in reply. "You are well! We had heard nothing of you, we knew not if you were even still alive! You must tell me all that has happened to you when we have some time to talk. And I will tell you what has happened to us." Louis embraced Josephine and Shaw. "It is good to see you again!" he said happily, and, smiling, guided the three downRiver, his arm firmly about Benjamin's shoulder. The other villagers watched the meeting expectantly from a distance. "What of the rest of the party?" Louis began. "Do you know that this is an iron mine? I was just to begin working in it. However, there are two factions at work...which makes for potential violent conflict. We have Celts, I assume, on one side, and what I thought was Shaka's loyal lieutenant on the other. However, he is on a mission of his own. I do not think he sees Shaka as a fit ruler. But I have learned their language to some degree, and was attempting to infiltrate them fully." Louis stopped and took a breath. He laughed lightly, surprised at how glad he was to see members of his old party. "We are sent ahead by Charles as Ambassadors," Benjamin explained, "in hopes that we can arrange friendly relations with those who keep this Mine and be able to share its Wealth and Industry with all who may benefit from it. Shaka believes the only way for us to proceed is by gathering an Army and attempting to take the Mine by force, but the rest of us are not so convinced. Shaka speaks of Pala as a Madman, but I fear that even if he is right, Shaka himself... He did not mention the Celts here to us, at least not to my Recollection. I wonder why not." Benjamin cleared his throat. "Other than Shaka, the rest of us hope for a peaceful Agreement in which we can share in the Work and in the Profit of this operation, and establish Trade Relations with others as well. We are sent here to strive for such an Agreement before Shaka drives us to a fruitless Invasion and unnecessary Loss of Life. They are deadly serious about this, Louis, and it is incumbent on us -- on you -- to do our best to make such an Agreement work, to save Lives on both sides. I am sure we can all Profit from such an Agreement. Amongst our numbers we have many who can bring Knowledge and Skill and Expertise in the ways of Mining and of Processing the Metal and of Using it for Industry; and we have many who are strong and can work and will work." Louis thought for a moment. "Friendly relations...hmm, I am not convinced this is possible. Aside from Pala casting Shaka into a makeshift prison, I do not think that Pala has demonstrated himself to be anything other than someone who envisions himself a leader. I have not discussed this with him, as I am still but learning the language. However, from watching him lead his tribe, he has simply fallen into the role of chief." Louis frowned. "As to the Celts, well. I have been playing a little conversation game with them as they wish me to divulge secrets of the Zulu so that they may attack decisively and I have been attempting to wheedle intelligence from them. Alas, it has not gone well, as the chief's woman or priestess perhaps is too simple for my ruse. Do not underestimate them, mind you. I think they could be quite formidable. But I do not want it to come to warfare!" He paused a moment to collect his thoughts. "Diplomacy might be successful, yet. But I do not know enough from either side to be able to state the direction it may go. I think Pala is a personal issue with Shaka. He may think himself immortal after being ressurected twice, once from death at my hands." "I don't see much chance of this being settled without war," Shaw agreed. "Too many different groups want the same thing, and I for one would rather have it in the hands of civilized people, like those of our time" he says with a half smile. Benjamin coughed politely, turning with a smile to Shaw, that changed into a private scowl when he was certain only Shaw was watching him. Returning to Louis, he favored him with the practiced smile and easy manner of a diplomat. "My Friend is a Pessimist, forever seeing the Thorn and not the Blossom. While I do not agree with his Assessment that War is largely inevitable, it is true that Charles and Shaka are deadly serious and quite prepared, as is Shaw, to go to War. Louis, I hope you can take these Words to those who have the Authority to make peaceable Agreement and share the Resources so that it need not come to the armed and deadly Force that awaits." "I do not understand this place," Louis said. "I have wanted to quit this accursed River, but here, as in life on earth, we find ourselves in the midst of a great struggle. A petty one...perhaps the way of the universe." He sighed deeply. Smiling politely, Josephine pulled Shaw aside, her back to the other men. She spoke quietly to Shaw. "Perhaps if we find out exactly what each group wants, we can work out a compromise between all groups concerned? If this woman is a priestess, it may be as simple as an altar or relocation and promise of protection for her people." Benjamin looked at Louis. "Can you speak for those who control this mine, Louis? Are you their Ambassador -- or can you become appointed as such?" "Benjamin, I cannot speak for anyone but myself. Pala and the Celtic chieftain cooperate, but I feel they are quite loosely knit. Appealing to their sense of efficiency may or may not work. They both may think shortsightedly. But I can also second guess the outcome ad infinitum. I can act as translator and perhaps more. I have become adept in the Zulu fighting art. Perhaps this has earned me some respect. Come, let us find out." "Louis, what happened to you?" Shaw asked, as he and Josephine rejoined the others. "Shaka wouldn't speak of your fate, only kept going on about how he was betrayed by one Pala." Josephine watched Benjamin and Shaw with a faint look of amusement on her face, and then spoke. "I wish to see this priestess. Perhaps she can be a 'backdoor', of sorts, to a compromise?" Louis nodded to Benjamin and Josephine, ignoring Shaw's question. He walked back with them to the encampment. * * * * "I suggest first that we spy on the stone, and see the size of their forces and their weaknesses," Ehrich whispered. "I'm not a fighting man, and have never been trained in war. However, I am very athletic and have many uses. I can climb any number of trees you wish, and swim for great distances. If you would like me to scout ahead, I would be happy to do so." Charles looked over at Shaka, who nodded back. Charles divided the force into 2 groups. One-third he assigned to the catapult, motioning them to move to an inland position and to fire at the enemy leader when he waved his grail over his head. He signaled the remaining two-thirds to follow him and the other lazari with their weapons visible. "We will attempt to take this grail by exhibiting greater numbers, strength and organization. If what Shaka says is true about Pala, this will not be sufficient. We may have to fight here to take this Iron. That is the price of progress and civilization. Much blood will be shed here today. If you can, try to concentrate on those that lead this other group. It will be their decision that will cause battle, so they should pay the highest price. We WILL accept the surrender of any of their forces. That is my rule." Charles quietly led the group forward toward the grailstone at which the Zulu were encamped. They stopped, hiding in the grass, when they came close enough to hear Louis's voice and catch a glimpse of the scene. * * * * The Zulu and the Celts stared uneasily at one another and back at the new arrivals. The two Zulu men were joined by a third. Louis took up a position in the center of a triangle, its vertices marked out by Benjamin, Shaw, and Josephine near the River, Pala, Moz, and another Zulu man on the downRiver side of the village, and the Celtic chief and priestess on the upRiver side.