The Munams and I were all awoken at the same time late the next morning
by a loud trumpet blast that shook the very air around us with its
intense bass. For the first moment of our consciousness we were all
dazed and could not fully comprehend the situation, and for a brief time
we all sat unsteadily around the beach where we had fallen asleep. As we
grew more awake, we began to understand what had happened, or at least I
did, and I was frightened when I looked around and saw where the trumpet
blast had come from: the entire Zardovian and Canitaurian armies were
assembled around us, having somehow crossed over to the mainland in the
night, while we slept peacefully, unaware of their presence.
My first thought was for myself, and what would become of me in the
wrath brought on by my escape, but that soon vanished when I thought of
the Munams, for they were the enemies of those on Daem, even more so
than those on Daem were to each other. We were completely surrounded,
with the ocean on one side and the Zards and Canitaurs circling us in
the front, the former on the left and the latter on the right. All of
them were equipped for war, with swords, spears, and shields held firmly
in their hands, and thick, leather armor stretched across their chests.
The Canitaurs had especially come prepared, for they had brought all of
their atomic anionizers with them, enough combined fire power to level
the entire world several times over.
Within five minutes, all of the Munams had assembled behind me and
Ramma, who stood between them and the Daemians. They huddled closely
together and quaked slightly in fear, for they evidently thought that
their plans had been discovered and their enemies had come for revenge.
I, myself, thought that they had come for me, and Ramma's opinion could
not be guessed, for he was a statesman first and foremost, and when his
people were in need he rose to the occasion with all the power and grace
allotted to mortal beings.
Wagner and Bernibus broke the Canitaur's ranks and drew near to us in
the center, as did the King from the Zard's. They reached us in silence,
and for a long moment there was no talking, for all present knew that
something grave was about to happen, something that would decide the
fate of the men of this age, whether they would pass or fail the test.
Bernibus looked at me with entreating eyes, showing his sorrow at my
recapture and asking for forgiveness, but I had none to give him, for he
had done no wrong to need it. He had no power among the Canitaurs, but
was only a titled commoner, more like Wagner's groom than counsel.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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