Despite Charles' signals, the other lazari came forward with Charles
and Shaka, though Toyoda's villagers remained concealed. Ehrich moved
to stand near Benjamin, Shaw, and Josephine. Robbie caught up with
Charles and Shaka, and joined them among the villagers.  "Perhaps I
can be of help," he added under his breath. "I am after all Celtic
myself- one of these lads might be an ancestor of mine!"

He spoke to the Celts in Gaelic.  "Hallo A Noble sirs, how do you do?
I am Robert Burns. Do you understand my words?"

The Celtic chief looked surprised and confused at the words, but the
priestess smiled grimly and answered. Though her pronunciation and
phrasing were different than the Gaelic of his own time, Robbie found
that he could understand her and duly translated for the others.

"The blessing of the Goddess upon you if you come in peace," she responded.

Robbie withdrew a cup of whiskey from his grail and held it out,
saying "Usqebah." He explained to the others that the word meant
"water of life. And it just might keep us alive." But the priestess
merely shrugged at the cup.

Shaka, meanwhile, gripped his spear, his eyes locked on Pala as he
approached. 

"Charles, don't worry," Shaka said quietly. "I will not start anything
foolish, but when the fighting begins, do not stand between me and
Pala."

At the sight of Shaka, Louis spoke frantically to Moz in Zulu.

"Moz, listen to me," Louis implored, "for I fear that Pala will not.
This is personal between Shaka and Pala.  Let them settle it alone.
It is a matter of honor.  Do you understand me; honor."  Louis
motioned toward all the Zulu ready for battle.  "They are but loyal
subjects ready to die.  For what?  Metal in the ground?  Would you
know what to do with it were you to bring it to the surface?"

"Pala is our chief, not I," Moz replied.

As the Zulu and Celts lifted their spears, Shaw looked wryly at
Benjamin.  "Human nature my friend, the one constant throughout time."
He raised his own spear and stood in front of Benjamin and Josephine.
"If this does come to blows, stay near me, I'll try my best to keep
you two alive."

Josephine whispered to Shaw, "If I die and remember, I will look for
you." She kissed him quickly.

"I am afraid you are right, friend," Benjamin responded. "History
tells us of Wars that were prevented, but never in front of these
tired Eyes.  But what is there to do but to keep trying?"

Benjamin was growing more and more impatient with Louis's
conversation. At once afraid afraid to break in and ask for a
translation and yet unable to do his job without knowing what was
going on, he finally whispered loudly through clenched teeth to Louis,
"What is happening?  What are they saying?"

Louis motioned Benjamin to come over.  "This is Benjamin," Louis said.
"He speaks for them." To Benjamin, he added in quiet English, "I will
translate, Benjamin, but I fear we do not have much time.  Tread
lightly."

Benjamin nodded to Louis, then cleared his throat and spoke, his eyes on
Pala and on the Celts, his gaze inclusive, and his hands held out
non-threateningly.

"Gentlemen," he began, "Please stop to consider what you do now.
There are Riches enough here for all of us, provided we work together,
and we share in fair Trade and Commerce, equitably to all.  From this
Wellspring could flow Civilization for all here.  Will you throw that
away for Pride?  Let us instead step back and consider, and discuss,
before we do anything we might regret.  I propose we meet in one hour
around the nearest Grailstone.  Each Party shall send no more than two
Representatives with Authority to speak for that group.  Until this
Convention is concluded, all sides will remain where they are and
raise no Weapon against one another.  If the Convention cannot agree,
nothing is lost... will you not at least try?"  He waited nervously
for a response.

The Celtic priestess answered him in English. "I do not understand how
you come to be involved or to demand any part of what is ours." She
indicated both herself and the Zulu. "You are the invaders here. We
have a pact to share the metal with the Zulu, a pact with their chief,
Pala."

Shaka frowned deeply, unable to contain his anger any more.  "Chief?
Pala, you have betrayed the true King of the Zulus.  You are a traitor
to our people, and I will kill you with my bare hands if I have to.  I
call you out Pala.  Submit to me and beg for mercy, or you will die a
coward's death!"

Louis translated Pala's reply. "I do not know you, or if you were a
king or a chief. You came upon us, and we watched those who traveled
with you disappear mysteriously, while you speak strange tongues. You
are cursed, Shaka, evil luck. You can not lead. So I am chief here,
now." Pala glanced approvingly at the Celtic contingent. "We will not
give up our treasures to you, even if you bring the mightiest army,
and we will not negotiate about their uses while we are threatened.
But Louis has dealt fairly with us, and you alone offer menace. So you
must be killed before we can settle these other matters." He paused
and looked at the other Zulu for support, which was given in brief
nods and frowns.

"I will not pollute myself by fighting with you at close range. Tell
your companions to stand aside if you value their lives, lest a thrown
spear hit them in error."

The Zulu raised their spears, taking aim at Shaka.