A group of five sat in a circle hearing disputes between merchants and complaints against individuals. It was no different than the three elders in the village he had previously called home. As they waited their turn in line it was clear which of the men was Hassian’s father. He was a heavier man than Hassian but beyond his weight and beard the two were no different in appearance. Although Hassian remained focused on the task at hand, it was clear that he had several suitors. Kanu was envious of the attention women were giving Hassian; he did not receive the same in his village but it excited him the same as it had done many young men before him and many after. Hassian did not seem interested. He would greet them, embrace them, and immediately lose attention in them. Kanu strengthened his resolve to match the seriousness that Hassian was demonstrating as they grew closer to the leaders.

There were greetings before a man approached the two, and began to translate for Kanu. He told his story, making sure to pause so that the translator could explain it. He paused and answered any questions that they had. Most of the questions were about Kanu and his people. If he intended to join the cafila or had merchant skills. He honestly had no answer for that as he had never been welcomed anywhere before. However, he was told that any friend of Hassian’s is a friend of the cafila within limits. When he had told his story Hassian went through a great deal to explain the dangers of necromancy and how an attack needed to be launched immediately.

There was much whispered discussion between the men but the translator no longer spoke. Hassian didn’t need to explain the process to Kanu. It was the same everywhere; the people speak and leadership listens before deciding to do whatever they want. The will of the people is not what matters, but the protection of leadership.

“While you seem serious about your concerns,” the man furthest from Hassian’s father spoke, “to us that have lived and seen much more of the world this talk of necromancers raising armies of children is nonsense. While we do not deny the existence of necromancy, we do not deem it a concern at this time,” his words meant nothing. They were to appease Hassian.

“Thank you all for your time, may your days be long,” Hassian spoke and bowed.

“Long thank you, may all of your days be time,” Kanu attempted to copy Hassian bringing forth laughter from those present.

Hassian viewed the meeting as a failure, still he smiled and embraced the women as they stepped away from the crowds. It was clear to Kanu that Hassian was enraged. It was the same rage he felt when he was overlooked or felt he was being mocked. The words were honeyed, but they contained a bitter poison meant to mock Hassian and shake his pride.

“How do we kill the necromancer,” Kanu asked, breaking their silence.

“We don’t. We move with the cafila and hope that we are gone before they decide to launch an attack,” Hassian responded with rage. “Did you not hear? It is nothing but an old wife’s tale. Necromancer’s bring dead children back to life to prey on the weak. We bring a credible witness and there is no response to be had because it is not our concern. We do not kill a necromancer, we hope we are not killed,” Hassian continued his rant in his own language.

Kanu waited until Hassian stopped, “they will not help us, how do we,” Kanu pointed back and forth between himself and Hassian, “We, we, how do we kill the necromancer?”

“It would be a suicide mission.”

“Were you not planning to die when I met you?”

“I do not care about my life, but I can not ask you to risk yours.”

“To die saving the lives of others is a great honor in my culture. I will risk my life for those I do not know because I believe you when you speak of the dangers. Is that not what friends do?”

“You have no understanding of friendship do you,” Hassian laughed.

Kanu felt somewhat embarrassed by the question, “do we kill the necromancer?”

“Yes, we kill the necromancer. But we will need help.”

“Are there others?”

“There are prisoners. I can purchase them as slaves. They have no choice but to fight,” Hassian explained.

The idea of slavery was not foreign to Kanu. Members of his village had been kidnapped by slavers. They had taken warriors from villages they defeated as slaves. Each culture treated slaves different. Some were only slaves for a period, others for life, some were stolen in the night, others lost to war. Slaves were an option, but a poor option.

“We could force slaves to fight, but if their heart is not in it, they will be nothing but a burden. We must give them something to fight for or their blows will lack determination,” Kanu responded.

“What do you suggest,” Hassian asked.

“We give them a reason to fight. If they are prisoners, we promise them freedom if they fight for us.”

“Are you suggesting we break them out of prison?”

“Yes,” Kanu answered bluntly.