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That’s just great；’ he said under his breath。
‘Richard；’ she said； without looking to him； ‘I know we don’t get along。 We could look at the same thing and each see something different。 We’re from different worlds； both of us are headstrong； and neither of us likes the other very much。
‘But I want you to know that I’m not trying to be obstinate about this。 You spoke the truth in that this is about you as the Seeker； not as my student。 In a way I don’t understand； it’s also bundled up with prophecy。 You are riding a ripple in events。 I am but a bystander in this。 If you die； however； I die； too。’
She at last lifted her eyes to his。 ‘I don’t know how to help you； Richard。 There are people closing around us； to watch what will happen； and I know that if I try to interfere； I will be killed by them。 This is about prophecy； you； and the Baka Ban Mana。 I play no part in it； other than to die； if you do。
‘I don’t know what the prophecy means； and I realize you don’t either； but keep it in mind； and maybe its use will e as you need it。 Try to use your Han； if you can。’
Richard stood with his hands on his hips。 ‘All right； Sister； I’ll try。 I’m just sorry I’m no good at riddles。 And if I’m killed； well； thank you for trying to help me。’
He looked up at the sky； at the thin veil of clouds that dimmed the moon。 The darkness helped hide those who came。 There was no reason it couldn’t be used to his advantage； too。
Richard was a woods guide； at home in the darkness of the woods。 He had spent countless hours at games like this； with other guides。 This was his element； too； not just theirs。 He didn’t have to do it their way。 Crouching； he moved off； away from the Sister and their horses； and became one with the moon shadows。
He found the first of them looking the wrong way。 Still and silent； he watched the dark form wrapped in loose clothes； squatted on one knee； watching the Sister。 Clutched tightly in one fist was a short spear； its butt planted in the sand。 Two more spears lay on the ground。
Richard concentrated on controlling his breathing to keep from making a sound as he glided closer。 Moving； stopping； moving again； he approached ever closer。 His hand reached out。 Inches from the spear； he froze as the head turned。
The figure sprang up； but Richard was close enough。 He snatched the spear away。 As the man whirled； Richard spun the spear and whacked him across the side of the head。 He went down before he had a chance to raise an alarm。
One down； Richard thought as he straightened； and without having to kill him。 At least； he hoped he hadn’t killed him。
Slipping out of the darkness； a figure appeared。 To the side； another。 And then another。 Richard turned about and saw more appearing。 Before he could move away； he was surrounded。
The forms were wrapped in bark…colored loose clothes so they would blend in with the surrounding country。 Cloth wound around their heads hid all but their dark eyes； which shined with grim determination。
There was nowhere to run。 Richard sidestepped into the clearing as the circle of forms moved with him。 More were closing in all about。 Richard turned； watching them as they formed two rings around him。
Maybe he could still do this without killing。 ‘Who speaks for you？’
The inner ring of robed figures dropped their round shields and cast their extra spears to the ground； points toward Richard。 Each clasped their remaining spear in two hands like a staff。 Their eyes never left him。 The outer ring of warriors cast their shields and all their spears to the ground and put their hands to their sword hilts； but didn’t draw them。
A soft rhythmic chant began； and the two circles slowly began moving in opposite directions。
Richard walked backward in a tight circle； trying to keep watch on all of them。 ‘Who speaks for you！’
The slow chant continued in time with their sideways steps。
A figure wrapped from head to foot like the others rose up on a rock beyond the outer circle。
‘I am Du Chaillu。 I speak for the Baka Ban Mana。’
Richard could hardly believe this was happening。 rDu Chaillu； I saved your life。 Why would you want to murder us？’
The Baka Ban Mana are not here to murder you。 We are here to execute you for stealing our sacred lands。’
‘Du Chaillu； I’ve never even seen your land before。 I had nothing to do with whatever happened。’
‘Magic men took our lands from us。 They laid down our laws。 You are a magic man。 You bear the sins of those magic men before you。 You even bear their mark； to prove it。 You must do as all before； who we could catch。 You must face the circle。 You must die。’
‘Du Chaillu； I told you the killing must stop。’
‘It is easy to proclaim the killing must end； when you are the one about to die。’
‘How dare you say that to me！ I risked my life to stop the killing！ I risked my life for you！’
She spoke softly。 ‘I know； Richard。 For that I will always honor you。 I would have borne your sons； had you asked it of me。 I would lay my life down for you。 For what you have done； you will live on as a hero to my people。 I will tie a prayer to my dress； that the spirits take you tenderly to their hearts。
‘But you are a magic man。 The old law says that we must practice every day； and be better with a blade than any other people born。 We have been told that we must kill every magic man we can catch； or the Spirit of the Dark will take the world of life into the dark。’
‘You can’t go on killing magic men； or anyone else！ It must stop！’
The killing cannot end because of what you have done。 It can only end when the spirits dance with us。’
‘What does that mean？’
‘It means we must kill you or what has been spoken will be brought to pass … the Dark Spirit will escape his prison。’
Richard pointed with the spear。 ‘Du Chaillu； I don’t want to kill any of you； but I will defend myself。 Please stop now； before anyone else is hurt。 Don’t make me kill any of you。 Please。’
‘Had you tried to run； we would have put spears in your back； but since you choose to stand； you have earned the right to face us。 You will die anyway； as have all before whom we have caught。 If you do not fight us； it will be made quick； and you will not suffer。 You have my word。’
She turned her hand in the air and the chanting started again。 The outer ring of men drew their swords … long； black…handled weapons； each with a ring at the pommel holding a cord that looped around the swordsman’s neck to keep the sword from being lost in battle。 Each blade was curved； widening toward the clipped point。
The men spun the swords； passing them from right hand to left； and back again。 The blades never stopped spinning。 The two rings began moving in opposite directions again。 The inner circle of men began twirling the spears like staffs。
Richard had known guides who carried staffs。 No one ever bothered a guide with a staff。 These people were better than any guide he had ever seen。 The shafts of wood were a blur in the moonlight； the steel poin