| It was spring 1588 in the land of Niatirb Taerg, the air | | | | orders to examine all, even nobles like you. This is |
| was dry and cool. Leaves and flowers were sprouting | | | | because there has been a recent plot on her |
| from the trees and the plants. The forest was full of | | | | majesty's life. Now, can I see the confirmation of |
| life and the winds were whistling an enchanting song. | | | | acceptance document giving you audience with her |
| Seven red deer stags were trotting in unison with their | | | | majesty?" |
| antlers pointed forward as if going for battle. They | | | | Nhoj Sknab immediately pulled out the royal document |
| looked magnificent in their aristocratic attire. The otter | | | | from his inner pouch and gave it to Ttekceb. After he |
| trimmings of their clothes covering their fleshy well | | | | looked at it, he said, "wait here while I go to consult my |
| nourished bodies reflecting their wealth and noble social | | | | superiors about your audience." |
| status. Each had a one-handed, slender, double-edged | | | | As Ttekceb left, the other two bulldogs closed-in to |
| rapier with swept hilts to protect their hooves hanging | | | | block the doorway entrance with their eyes still fixed |
| by their side. | | | | on them. They crouch with their muscled and bristling |
| Nhoj Sknab their leader, asked authoritatively," | | | | bodies touching each other with an alertness that |
| gentlemen are you ready for the audience with our | | | | clearly gave unnerving warning to the stags to keep |
| queen?" | | | | their distance. |
| There was excitement in the tone of their reply which | | | | Nhoj Sknab led his friends to the shade of a nearby |
| was almost a victory cry, "yes! We are ready." | | | | oak tree facing the bulldogs but out of their earshot. |
| "Remember my friends what we have agreed on and | | | | As Nhoj Sknab sat down comfortably, looking at the |
| let me do the talking." | | | | bulldog soldiers, he commented almost in pity but there |
| Again, their jubilant reply was unanimous," yes Nhoj | | | | was no missing-out of the coldness of his sarcasm. |
| Sknab!"" Yes Nhoj Sknab!" | | | | "How faithful are these mindless dogs? They do their |
| In each of their minds, they were replaying their recent | | | | master's bidding even if it cost them their lives just for |
| discussions on the formation and objectives of Aidni | | | | the leftover bones." |
| Tsae. Oh yes! It is not just going to be the pursuit of | | | | The other stags laughed. Yeldud, the oldest stag |
| commercial objectives involving the trading of spices, | | | | among the group gave a mock cry in pain while holding |
| cotton, silk, indigo dyes and opium. It is about | | | | his heart," Ah!" " Ah!" "Nhoj Sknab, I didn't know that |
| monopolistic trading and political colonization. It is going | | | | you cared so much for our tools for death." |
| to turn them from mere noble merchants of Niatirb | | | | Nhoj Sknab gave a quick smug look at Yeldud before |
| Taerg into governors and rulers over rulers, with the | | | | turning his glance back to the direction of the gate. |
| powers of life and death over the local population in | | | | Nodsnuh, the practical stag said, "it is good to have |
| faraway exotic lands. It is going to create untold wealth | | | | more mindless dogs like them or else how are we |
| that would feed their families for many generations to | | | | going to become rulers in faraway lands." |
| come. It is going to give them more political power in | | | | The other stags nod in agreement. Nhoj Sknab smiles |
| Niatirb Taerg. As they continued trotting, the sound of | | | | and in his heart he is glad to have Nodsnuh as his |
| the cobblestones under their hooves re-sounded their | | | | number two in command. But yet he knows each of |
| determined and purposeful walk to fulfill their destiny | | | | his friends well enough not to trust his life to them. |
| which they have planned for themselves. | | | | Yelhgrub, the pessimistic stag asked Nhoj Sknab, "do |
| As the group neared a tee-junction, they found | | | | you think our queen Htebazile will be willing to listen |
| themselves facing a six foot high wall of blackthorn | | | | about our plans for the forming and objectives of Aidni |
| shrubs that has been skillfully grown and weaved to | | | | Tsae?" |
| form a formidable barrier. Yet at the same time, this | | | | Nhoj Sknab laughed loudly which got sneering stares |
| thorny wall was laden with grape-like berries ready for | | | | from the two bulldogs guarding the gate. "Yelhgrub! |
| the picking. Either side of thorny wall stretched in a | | | | We are having an approval audience with queen |
| straight line until disappearing into the tree-line of the | | | | Htebazile and not an audience for discussion." |
| temperate forest. In the middle of the wall, was a huge | | | | " What! Can you explain further please," cried Yelhgrub |
| arched wooden door reinforced with iron bars that had | | | | looking a bit confused? |
| a smaller gate built into it, which was so narrow that | | | | Nhoj Sknab looked pleased with himself when he turns |
| only one stag could pass through it at a time. | | | | his gaze on Yelhgrub." Well my friend, I believe in being |
| Crouched in front of the doorway in a menacing poise | | | | proactive. So I have already negotiated six months |
| were three huge bulldogs whose growls was getting | | | | ago with the Droffats the fox who is the royal |
| louder as the stags got nearer to them. They wore | | | | counsellor for queen Htebazile. It's a done deal." |
| body armors and had an assortment of weapons | | | | "What the hell!" cried all of the five stags in unison." |
| including axes, lances, swords and daggers. | | | | Why didn't you tell us the actual news?" |
| One bull dog from the middle of the group jumped | | | | Nodsnuh waved his hoofs to calm the five stags. |
| forward almost in the face of Nhoj Sknab. Nhoj Sknab | | | | Nodsnuh said, "Nhoj Sknab didn't tell you all for security |
| stood his ground, unflinching, with his eyes scanning all | | | | purpose. He didn't want one of you to blurt out of |
| three bulldogs. "Who are you? Why you are here," | | | | excitement about our negotiations with the queen to |
| roared the bulldog that stood in front of his face? The | | | | the wrong persons out there. It's for our good." |
| bulldog was so close to Nhoj Sknab that he was | | | | The five stags calmed down and started |
| repulsed by its foul breath. At the same time, Nhoj | | | | congratulating Nhoj Sknab on his proactive initiative and |
| Sknab noticed that the other two bulldogs were getting | | | | leadership. Even though they were glad to have him as |
| ready to pounce on his friends. Ignoring the stench, | | | | their leader but deep in their hearts, they distrusted |
| Nhoj Sknab replied in a firm voice," we are noble | | | | Nodsnuh and him. A stag that call the queen's soldiers |
| merchants from the Aidni Tsae Company. We have | | | | as mindless dogs is incapable of true animality. They |
| an audience with her majesty, queen Htebazile." | | | | make a mental note to be careful. |
| The lead bulldog looked at his mates and shouted," | | | | Reading the faces of his so-called friends, Nhoj Sknab |
| stop!" | | | | knows that they don't trust him. He doesn't trust them |
| They froze just as they were about to pounce on the | | | | either. There is no trust lost among thieves. But for |
| stags. | | | | now, they must stick together as the seven stags of |
| "I am Ttekceb, the captain of the guards. Gentlemen, I | | | | Aidni Tsae. |
| am sorry for our defensive stance but we have our | | | | |