Rebel

Many News

"... and that is what I believe we should do." I finished translating for Marehk. The whole table remained quiet for a few still moments. I shifted uncomfortably next to Marehk, trying to meet any glance from any council member.

                   Zamora nodded in agreement. "I am agree," she said in her poor Common Language, CL. George stared at me with accusing light colored eyes, as if I was the only who came up with the ideas myself. Marehk leaned back, looking pleased with himself for sharing his own ideas and plans. 

   Wavner looked up from his clenched hands. "I know you have good intentions, Marehk," Wavner started out gently. I turned to translate to the southern Nomadic leader. "But we don't have the men, the sources, or the weapons for a surprise attack on the government... hell, we don't even know where they are located." He said.

As I quietly translated, Marehk's face tightened with disapproval. I tried not to let that cause me to falter. But the bald headed chairman continued to ramble on. "We need more time, if you will. These things don't happen over night." Wavner told him. I faced Marehk to translate but he held up his hand, stopping me.

"Time is something we do not have in the south. Time is only an illusion, nothing more." Marehk said in the dialect, slightly pausing to let me translate. "My duty as a chief is to look out for my people above anything else. I will not wait any longer for this, Wavner. I simply cannot stand by and let my people die. We will announce war soon." He said.

I paused, looking up at Marehk for confirmation, the last sentence causing my stomach to drop. Marehk gave me a slight nod to continue. I forced myself to look at Wavner. "He said, 'we will announce war soon'." I said in CL. 

George shot up from his chair. "You certainly will not!" He exploded. Whispers and gasps of shock immediately bursted into the room. Wavner stared at Marehk with wide eyes. Zamora slightly smirked, staying quiet among the loudness of the council members. Donald, the short man who was usually fidgeting was still. 

Bo blinked in confusion, looking around the table as many conversations grew louder. I shifted, not sure how to process the statement. Marehk knew just as much as I did they wouldn't last a week against the government's army. They didn't have the right weapons to go against them. Nor the food to keep them all alive. 

"I do what I please with my men." Marehk's strong voice sliced across the table. I scrambled to translate. All the voices died down, Marehk had that effect on people. "If none of you will do anything to help me, so be it. We will be in the south, waiting for a respond." With that he turned away, with his guards silently following him. 

Just as I finished translating the last words, I held up my hand. "I will be right back," I said quickly as I spun around to chase Marehk down. As I reached him, his guards spun around, pointing their spears at me. 

I skidded to a sudden stop. "Woah!" I exclaimed, holding my hands out. Marehk slowly turned around, muttering under his breath. The guards pulled back, almost mechanically at his command. They both moved in unison as they placed their spears at their sides.

 I glared at them with annoyance, just a few moments ago they were fine with me being less than a yard away from Marehk. 

"What is it, Zaila?" Marehk said with a resigned tone. I didn't know if it was from annoyance or weariness. I shook my head. "Marehk, are you sure you want to this? Your decision can change many of our lives." I responded back in our dialect. Marehk straightened.

"Yes, I am well aware of it. But there must be something that has to be done." He said. 

I nodded. "Well, you can count on me. I will try to convince them with all that I have." It seemed as if Marehk almost smiled. "Thank you, Zaila. I knew you were a good warrior. May the sun rays be with you. Until next time, little one." He said, turning away from me, cutting off any chance for me to bid him farewell.