Ugly Wise Blood (Completed)

The Confrontation

Two days later, Larry and Davis, with other gentlemen from the Committee of Trade & Administration, left for Fearos. The evidence was gathered and they had also prepared a certain set of statements to be in their limits.

The committee decided to adhere to a specific tone in their voice, their behaviour while in the Army General's room and most importantly, the statements. If they deviate from the decided safe path and if the Army and The people get miffed somehow, it's highly probable that each member of the committee will not be going back to Walbur with every limb intact.

They arrived at huge gates of Fearos, with carvings of The She's valour and her heroic pose serving as a perfect entry to the Land of Lady Power. Larry & Davis have been to Fearos several times, but these gates often leave them awestruck.

The committee reaches the Army of Fearos' headquarters, they were escorted by the guards to the General Vincent Vaughan's office. The gentlemen of Walbur, before going inside the offic, had a small talk. They kind of rehearsed or revised what are they going to speak with the General. Larry was given a sphere made of sponge, to relax his anxiety and muscles. He was the one, with Davis, to speak to the General.

All of them went inside the General's office. The General greeted them, he said, "Hello Gentlemen, I am staggered to see you all here. As far as I know, the goods arrive at the end of every month, so this time we get it on the 15th itself, with you all personally here for the 'delivery'?". Laughs. The gentlemen laugh reluctantly, with cuss words in their minds. Larry pressed his sponge sphere brutally.

Davis said, "Sir, we have come here to talk about the Fearos – Walbur trade covenant, I am afraid we don't have much time as Walbur needs us,". General replied, "Yes, Mr Davis, let's talk. But first let us pray to the Lordess and hope we meet often, discuss matters, laugh hysterically, double our country's revenue, triple our resources, kick our enemies and so on. Shall we?". 


All of them enter a room beside, which was a private prayer room for the General. It was a beautifully decorated shrine with the statue made of gold and silver. Though the gentlemen from Walbur didn't pray much, when they had the chance, they did. But here, they were in no mood to be divine, they wanted to get this over with and go home safely and victorious. They prayed, also reluctantly. Larry was frustrated. After a few minutes of prayer, they went back to the office and sat down to talk.

Larry said, "General, I request you to take this matter seriously,". General replied," Only if I know, what is the matter". Larry said, "Sir, as you know, according to this deal Walbur generates the resources & Fearos imports it, I ask you, why? why can't Fearos produce its own goods and export it to places and earn some more money". The General replied, "Why? You ask us why? You know this is the Land of Lady Power, The Lordess She. She is up there in the ecstasy writing the most beautiful future for us, Fearos' people, and this country".

Larry was stunned. He said, "Do you hear yourself, Sir? Where is your rationality? Have you seen the facts? If Fearos doesn't contribute to the country's economy and goods production then as a country we will slide into poverty and destruction, we will be the victims of a Civil War." The evidence is shown to the General. He sees them but refuses to understand the gravity of the situation.

He says, "Mr Hayden, that is why we keep our faith in The She, The Lordess will prevent all this. So if you fear poverty, why don't you work harder and produce more so that even after exporting a good amount to us, you are left with enough. You think Fearos, isn't contributing? We are, more than anyone. We pray day and night. Someone has to keep faith in the almighty, we are keeping it. You should too. Why do you think Neaucape hasn't been into any war? It's because of her, the Lordess She. Everyone fears her, no one wants to take over her land and face her wrath".

A member of the committee said, "General Vaughan, you being the Army head are saying this? The Army is meant to protect the country. The Army has the most intelligent and correct mind in the country, they plan tactics and execute them smartly, though they do have faith in God they work more than praying. But, here our General is being ridiculous. Let's hope for the best for Neaucape".

Davis agreed with him and said, "Sir, do you know when will the said wrath will be the most effective? When we will have the required artillery when we will have a strong army when we will be economically powerful. We aren't saying that praying is a bad idea, what we are saying is praying won't be the most effective way and most probably, it will be the only cause of our downfall".

General said," Mr Mark, I request you to take your last sentence back, our praying won't be the reason, ever".

Larry was frustrated now. One among the gentlemen saw him forcing his sphere really hard, he might tear it any moment. But before the gentleman could go to him and calm him down, Larry spoke.

Larry, in a loud tone, said, "General Vaughan, I hate to admit it but we, people of Walbur, are not much into devotion we believe that work and hustle will get us what your Lordess is planning for our country in the future. We might even get it before your Fearos does, so when we do, don't put this silly hell of a trade deal in our faces, because the chances are, we will tear that shit deal in your face. I am not saying your devotion is impractical, what I mean is, as Davis said, not the best path to success. Moreover, we have agreed on this deal for decades now, it was very much tolerable then, but now, Fearos is careless than ever. This is greatly frustrating. You don't send us the funds on schedule, we have to bloody maintain your big ass Lordess' sanctuary, some people in Walbur are not being able to procure quality education because most of your funds are being spent on the Lordess' statue and her devotion, which you have made compulsory. We will be going in poverty much sooner than you think, I request you to get your mind straight and think like a rational normal homo-sapien"

General's anger knew no bounds, he ordered his guards to take them away and keep them in captivity and termed them 'Rebels'. Davis signalled their caravan's chauffeur to start the vehicle by signalling him with action. Davis hinted Larry and other members that the caravan's ready, they should run now or else it's going to be really miserable for them. Davis coughed. They all took it as a signal, they ran like hell. They pushed the guards at the door and ran towards the caravan. General was dumbstruck, he ordered the guards to follow them.

The gentlemen ran for their lives and climbed on the caravan in motion and left the gates of Fearos before the gate guards knew about the situation. They saved themselves. Larry almost killed everyone. Everyone could see a torn sponge sphere on the floor of the caravan.