Mud People's Problems

[Mud Peoples Village]

"Adela, don't you think we have been here long enough?"

Adela stared blankly at a group of chickens, thinking. She hadn't even noticed Dean until he ran up to the flock, waving his arms and yelling like he'd gone mad. When all the chickens had scattered he turned toward her her, hands on hips.

"You see! You have been here so long that you have forgotten your place as Mother Confessor! Ruler of the Midlands! Did you even notice that I called you Adela? Mother Confessor, are you listening to me?"

She wan't. After his little stunt she had begun to stare at a nearby tree. She was tired of his distractions and needed to think.

"Mother Confessor--"

"Stop," she said calmly, " Go and find someone to ready our supplies. We are leaving."

Dean looked at Adela as if she'd just told him to stick a fork up his nose.

"Was that not what you were ranting about? Go on now."

Adela turned and headed to the house of the Bird Man. She still had one detail to straighten out before she could leave.

[Mother Confessor]

"I believe I have uncovered the true reason my fallen Confessors seek your alliance." Adela paused, waiting for the Bird Man's full attention. "They wish to use your people to communicate with the spirits.

"In any war, each side has always tried to justify their actions with the belief that the spirits were partial to their cause. The women who seek your alliance only wish to use your people. The will not care or seek to honor any of the traditions that must take place before the meeting in the Spirit House. If they are granted an alliance, your people, being the first to ally with them, will be forced to live under their rules. They will inhabit your village and take what they want; that means your food, shelter, and worst of all your men." The Bird Man stared at Adela. It was obvious he had no intention of allowing any alliance of the kind. But Adela felt she must impress upon him the sriousness of what could come, she needed no second guessing on his part. He respectfully allowed her to continue.

"These women are determind and committed to finding a way to speak to the spirits. There are possibly many books in the Keep that could help them accomplish this goal but these women are forbidden entrance to anywhere in Aydindril. The Mud People are known for their connection with the spirits. The Confessors see your method of talking with the spirits as a way to gain an advantage over the Midlands. They hope that the spirits will help guide them in their quest. This presumption is deadly wrong. The spirits will offer them no assistance. Their cause is mislead.

The Bird Man finally spoke: "I understand. The Confessors will not be welcome here."

"A wise decision."



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