The Gem Lords

Mekk - Part 2

     There was a crowd waiting for them on the quayside. High officials by the look of them, with functionaries, wizards and a large bodyguard of heavily armed troops, some of whom stood neatly at attention behind the officials while others formed a cordon around them to keep back the curious crowds. They were harsh and ruthless in the performance of their duty, swinging coshes with free abandon whenever the crowd pressed too close, and Strong saw a young man retiring with blood running freely from a vicious gash in his head.

     He gritted his teeth with anger. If one of his men had behaved like that, Strong would have had him flogged, maybe even broken in rank. Such behaviour seemed normal and accepted here, though, and the Tharians saw several other citizens being beaten, kicked and clubbed until the crowd pulled back, giving the officials space. That's happening because of us, Strong realised. People saw a group of top brass heading for the docks and gathered round to see what was going on. A reception like this was evidently something that didn't happen very often.

     Mung Marcul was basking in it. He strode about on deck dressed in a set of robes even more magnificent than those they'd first seen him in, his chest puffed out like a peacock and barking orders to everyone who caught his eye. His officers were just as bad. They were all behaving like little emperors, making life hell for the crewmen who just tried to keep their heads down and look busy. Drenn was particularly offended, glowering angrily to himself, and when the Garusian Captain strode over to them the priest of Samnos pointedly turned his back on him; a gesture that wasn't lost on the man, who shot him a look of vicious hatred.

     It would have been undiplomatic to take issue with him, though, and he turned to Saturn and Strong instead, making a big show of being their friends for the benefit of the important people watching on the jetty. This was his big chance to bring himself to the attention of his superiors, Strong saw. At the moment he was just one Captain among hundreds, and likely to remain so for the rest of his life, but if he played his cards right he could be a Commodore before the end of the year. Maybe even an Admiral!

     "See how you are honoured!" he cried happily, patting Strong on the shoulder. "Not since the battle of Corlander have such a crowd of dignitaries gathered to welcome a ship It's you they've come to see, to welcome you to our beautiful city."

     "We're honoured," said Strong acidly, pulling away from the other man's touch. He could almost believe that Mung Marcul had left a bloody smear on his clean cape.

     "Who's the man with the feathery hat?" asked Saturn, indicating a fat man at the front of the crowd who seemed to be the most important person present. He was dressed all in white, and bore the emblem of a blue flower across his broad chest.

     "That is Child Corto," cried Mung Marcul, almost floating with excitement. "Deputy to First Child Bulc himself. The second most important man in the world. Do you see how important to us your arrival is? That man is almost never seen outside the House of Mekk, and then only for the most important ceremonial events. Your coming must be as important to him as the annual dedication ceremony." Their looks of puzzlement confused him. "You do not have a special day when you renew your dedication to Mekk?" he asked.

     "We renew our dedication every day," said Drenn, turning to enter the conversation. "Mekk, is that the name of one of your Gods?"

     "Everyone knows the name of Mekk," said Mung Marcul, looking shocked. "How can you not know him?"

     "Perhaps we know him by a different name," said Strong, and hurriedly changed the subject. "Why are your leaders called children? Child Corto, First Child Bulc...?"

     "We are all the children of Mekk," said the Garusian Captain, staring at him strangely as if this were the most obvious thing in the world. "Our leaders call themselves children as a constant reminder of this, so they do not forget the qualities of humility and obedience to Mekk."