*  *  *  *

Robbie moved closer to Jean and spoke to him quietly in French.

"If fighting breaks out we'll handle it just like last time," he
suggested, "I'll watch your back and you keep me alive. Agreed?"


Jean nodded silently in return. Meanwhile, the others watched the
meeting in the encampment below, straining to hear the conversation.
Eyeing Pala, Shaka's hands clenched and unclenched, and he began
mumbling to himself in Zulu. Turning to Charles, he added, quietly, "I
am a patient man Charles.  In my life I spent much time assessing my
enemies from afar, but I cannot wait much longer before I see the
blood of that traitor spilled before me.  No matter the outcome of
this day, I shall see him dead.  I will be satisfied with nothing
less."

Louis first spoke quietly to Shaw, Benjamin, and Josephine.

"Do not be so hasty to vote for war, my friend," he said to Shaw.
"The cost of battle will be great, indeed.  The Zulu are not to be
trifled with.  If we had muskets, and the Zulu but spears, then
perhaps....  But they hold the advantage in hand-to-hand combat,
despite Shaka leading the charge."

Turning to Benjamin, he added, "I will do my best, Benjamin.  I can
only hope that Pala will listen to me. I do not know what has truly
happened between him and Shaka.  That is a tactical weakness. If you
must return and report to Charles and Shaka, I have nothing for you.
You will have to wait and see."

"I have no specific Directions about returning or reporting, Louis,"
Benjamin replied. "We are only a diplomatic Mission, we are not Scouts
or Spies.  I am hoping to speak to the Leaders now gathered here.  If
you cannot negotiate on their behalves, can you translate for me?  I
would fain speak to them when you are finished."

Josephine took a long look at the Celtic priestess, and whispered to
Shaw.

"If fighting breaks out, what do you suggest we do?"

Shaw did not reply, but the priestess returned Josephine's gaze
steadily, and with evident approval of her presence in the group.

Louis clasped hands with Benjamin, and turned toward Pala and Moz.  He
adopted a neutral look upon his face and walked quickly to them,
before speaking the Zulu language.

"Moz, we must talk."

Louis indicated a private place, away from everyone else, but the look
on the face of the Celts convinced him that they would not easily
allow him to speak alone with the man. He sighed, and decided to carry
on in Zulu, glancing now and then at Pala while he spoke with Moz.

"My friends, who I have traveled a great deal with, have returned,"
Louis said to Moz.  "Shaka is with them."

Pala gasped and shouted a command and the Zulu. As one, they grabbed
their spears and wooden shields from their huts. Louis spoke quickly
in halting Zulu, trying to calm the leader down.

"They bring great knowledge to harvest the iron from the mine," Louis
pleaded, addressing his words to both of the Zulu men. "We can work
together, Moz.  Blood does not need to be spilled.  Let us discuss
it."

Charles whispered instructions to the troops, telling them to advance
on the raising of his hand, and to stop on its lowering. Then he
nodded to Shaka and said, "Leave the troops here and come with me."

Together, the two kings stood and walked calmly toward the Grailstone
and the encampment. At the sight of the men approaching, the Zulu,
already alert, raised the spears and massed as if to attack, but
waited to see what would happen. In response, the Celts grabbed their
own arms and watched both the Zulu and the two men, unsure of what
would happen next.