INTO THE VOID

CHAPTER 37: PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL

The galloping sounds of the horse got louder as the rider charged it forward. The man was already a reasonable distance away from his competitor but he wanted to prove a point. He wanted to give a gap so big that no one will even dream of contesting his victory and so with every second he pulled of the reins more vigorously than the last.

The course there were to cover was quite an extensive one. There were to go round the palace once and then return to the field were the race began. It was not an easy task but the men had to do it for a lot was on the line; their honor and their lives.

The pilgrim worke3d his levers and followed behind his opponent. He had specialized googles on; there came with the Creepers. Due to his eye protection, he could still see even with the cloud of dust in front of him. In fact, all he had to do was follow the cloud and he will arrive the finish line away. The race would no longer be a race if he did that though. What was his plan, how would he win this race? Was it even possible?

As the two men zoomed through the streets, the people cheered them on. This had been the most exciting feast of water ever witnessed. The ceremony was normally calm. It was a peaceful gathering, just religious rituals and eating together. Never in its history was a race declared. The people loved it.

After minutes of heart racing movements, the two men were a few meters away from the field. At the site of the Oceanian rider who was still in front, the crowd roared; Ruwa did nothing but sit and smirk. At this point, one could conclude that he was going to win the pilgrim. But then something happened.

In the craziest turn of events, the pilgrim suddenly charged forward. The Oceanian turn his head to the side to look at the man who had been behind him since the race began. The man flapped the reins harder and harder but to no avail. The horse was worn out. It had been moving at top speed since the race began and could not move faster than it already did. This was the pilgrims plan.

He did not reveal the true speed of his stead until the race was almost over and the finish line was near. He allowed the Oceanian wear out the animal while he waited for the right moment and alas the right moment had arrived.

He pushed both levers forward at the same time and within seconds he was meters ahead of the horse leaving his opponent. The whole crowd was in shock. Ruwa got up from his seat and stood looking at the field. How was this even possible?

The concluding seconds of the race was something to remember. The story will be told all over Kratusa. The story of how a pilgrim from Azubalam brought a Xeran Creeper into Hydros and beat the steed of the Oceanian warrior as the presiding council looked on, helplessly. Ruwa stood and looked as the alien from Azubalam crossed the finish line leaving his warrior behind.

The race was fair and the terms were stated. The pilgrim had proved himself in front of all Hydros and the presiding council had concluded the matter. Ruwa was not having it. He was looking for all means; any technicality he could use to invalidate the victory of the man. Although he was the head of the council, every other member had a say in the matter and his word was not absolute. Irrespective of how shameful the defeat was, the presiding council was obligated to be fair in all matters.

Just had they earlier agreed, the people of Hydros were now free to trade with the Xerans and the rider who lost the race was killed; beheaded by Ruwa himself. His anger was hot and burning and he needed to take it out on something or in this case someone.

Within a year, Creepers were all over Oceania. The Royals did not even look at them talk more of even considering using these things in the palace premises. At first, the people received the development with mixed reactions. There were those who were dogged, believing in nothing else but the ways of old; the tenets of their ancestors. These people were rigid to change. Then there were those who were more liberal and open minded and willing to give it a try.

The merchants of Azubalam were the once who brought in the machines. There were the middle men. Although the embargo had been lifted, the Xerans and Oceanians still did not see eye to eye.

After a while, the demand for Creepers increased. It was more economical to make a stead of bolts and screws than a horse and so a lot of people began to purchase them. The Creepers had so many applications, you could even use it on farms to carry heavy load. There were an instant success and the merchants were enjoying it. But alas there was a problem.

Irrespective of the fact that these machines were not animals that needed food there still needed maintenance; an act that the Oceanians were not very familiar with. Due to wear and tear from constant usage, a lot of Creepers began to develop faults and this led to a lot of complains from the people. In order for the merchants to not lose their new found source of income, they acted quickly.

Just as they did in Cryos, the merchants brought in Xeran experts into Oceania but it was not a warm welcome. Most people were rude to them and hauled derogatory remarks at them. Prior to these time, no Xeran had enter Hydros in years and now there were everywhere. The people called them as sandmen in reference to their dark colored skin.

It was not easy for the Xerans at first but there were tough people; men and women of grit. People who braved their barren lands and overcame their tough terrain. They strived for years in drought and famine. It will take more than just racial slurs to stop them. They setup little mechanic shops around Hydros where Creepers can be repaired and in a short while the shops blew up.

People from all over Hydros came to the shops to repair their vehicles. The Xerans also brought with them Okuta and sold to the people. It was a prosperous business and within a short while, they became very prosperous indeed.

Ruwa never liked the idea but it was something he had to live with; something he had to tolerate. He imposed heavy taxes on the Xerans which they paid and still he tried to always find faults in their operations. The Xerans knew very well the nature of their sojourn so they moved with caution. They were law abiding and stayed out of trouble as much as they could. So, inasmuch as Ruwa wanted to harm them, he had no legal basis to and so he tried illegal ways.

“These people are filthy. They are beneath us; not better than the sand we thread upon, the dirt beneath our shoes. They are scum and yet we let them walk around our cities and breathe our air and walk in our markets. They do not deserve it. Every single breath they draw is a privilege and a privilege I am no longer willing to give them. They need to die, all of them. I will wipe out every single one; slowly, gradually but surely. I would not stop until we pluck every single one of them off the face of Kratusa.” Ruwa said with deep hate in his voice as he addressed the men that stood before him.

It was a secret meeting; one to plot the downfall of the Xerans and so he did it in his inner chambers with suspicious men dressed in big, black, hooded cloaks. These were the people who carried out his dirty work and now he was plotting and scheming with them to carry out the dirtiest of all.

“Oh great sire, the majestic one, the fearless, ruler of all Hydros; I fully support all you have said but how do you intend we do this?” Asked one of the cloaked men.

“These people are quiet; they rarely talk; they bother no one. We have nothing to use against them. The only transgressions we know are that of their ancestors but this was so long ago the people forget. What then do we do sire?” Asked the other man.

“We need to find their faults. We need to know their weakness. They are not perfect; forget about the façade you see. We need to find the c***k in their amour. I am sending you two to Xeran. You will be my eyes and ears. Go and learn all you can and come back to me. A man will forever behave when he is a guest. It is when he is at home surrounded by his comfort that you can see his flaws. I need you to go to their home and learn those flaws. We meet back here after a year. When you arrive, then we will destroy them. You are free to go.” Ruwa said. The men bowed and left the room.

The men left to Lithos disguised as merchants. They went everywhere they could and tried to see the secrets of the Xerans but where they looked for flaws, all they saw were wonders. They marveled at Xeran technology. These men were astonished at the level of development they saw. The Xeran they saw was far from what was described to them in the stories they were told.

These people were not peasants scavenging in each other and eating their own children; they did not live underground neither did they crawl in the mud like vermin. They were civilized and had gizmos that did a lot for them; lessen their burdens and made their jobs easier. They wore good clothes made of fine silk and ate healthy food. Everything was so marvelous to them but nothing was more shocking than the rains.

Xeran has been known for years to be dry and barren. It was a joke among the people of Kratusa. If the produce of a man’s farms were not bountiful it was said that the farm was as barren as Xeran. The men expected to see dry, empty and desolate lands but to their surprise, Xeran land actually produced food. Where was this water from? How did rain fall?

“Two days every week, unfailingly the rains come. Everybody knows the exact time and everyone knows the exact day. How can this be? What is this marvel?” The cloaked man asked a merchant from Azubalam.

“These are clouds from Cryos. A truly magnificent site I must say. The Xeran thinkers have discovered the secrets of water and so they send these clouds to Xeran and water the crops.” Replied the merchant.

“Truly spectacular…” Ruwa’s spy replied.

A year passed and just as they had agreed the cloaked men returned home and met at the chamber of their master.

“Tell me my loyal servants what you have discovered on your sojourn. What did you find in the barren wastelands of Xeran?” Ruwa asked.

“Sire, the great one; the leader of the council and the ruler of all Kratusa we greet you. It has been a tumultuous journey but we returned at your word. The land of Xeran is not as we hoped and it is a lot more different than we think. The ones who rebel against the magnificence of Oceania actually live well. They eat good food and their lands are fertile. Their kingdoms are strong and their trade stronger.” Said the leader of the cloaked men.

“What is this you speak of?” Ruwa said, his voice filled with disgust.