Candoba

Together they continued through the fertile land east of the river toward the great city of Candoba. The journey became less monotonous. Many travelers filled the caravan trail. They used innumerable means of conveyance. There were large cargo wagons pulled by as many as fourteen piks hauling various items—casks of wine from the vineyards, furs from the northern land of Ar and foodstuff from Wa. There were many small wagons like theirs; some with gaily colored canvas tops. They saw one and two man pedal-vehicles, pull carts, even litters and sedan chairs used by the wealthy.

The travelers wore fine robes, threadbare tunics, and hats of felt, straw, or leather. They wore rope sandals, boots of eur hide, or were barefooted as they came and went from Candoba.

The city itself had been important to the Alojans for generations. It had once been the center of their life revered in song and fable.

Cullul saw the Twin Spires of the Temple of Ja when they were still half a day’s journey from the city. They grew in size as they approached until they topped a rise and the ancient walls of the city were spread out before them.

The man-made wonder thrilled the boy no less than had the natural wonder of the river. Though much of the splendor of the city was gone to decay Candoba was still an impressive sight. He knew its massive walls had been breached several times since the fall of The Way; yet they seemed as formidable as if they were new.

Candoba’s history was the history of Aloja. Once, during the period known as The Dark Time it was the capital city of the decadent tribe of Ko, who had conquered and enslaved four of the Five Tribes for generations; but after the revolt led by King Itrodurmus of Ga, and the false prophet Broel, the tribe of Ko was destroyed and its survivors fled to the desert and became bandits.

The city then became the seat of the priesthood, who followed the teachings of Broel and worshipped Ja. Broel wrote The Way within its walls. The Kings of the Five Tribes traveled there for generations to meet with the High Priest every five suns to make laws and marry their sons to the daughters of the High Priest, thereby tying the royal houses to priesthood and Aloja’s one religion.

From these very walls Prince Chermok of Ar defied the High Priest Arkus and led his followers to face the alien invasion. Here Cullul’s own great grandfather and the Five Kings wrote the New Law when the Law of The Way proved false. Amanon the Conqueror made Candoba his capital, until Oad the Just took it from him during the bloody War of the Kings. Oad’s followers would have made him Emperor of all Aloja; but he refused the crown and reinstated the New Law.

Candoba had known greatness, fallen, and been sacked. Yet it remained.

In an excited voice the boy told Gamma all his young eyes beheld. She listened silently then asked, "Are the spires still covered with gold?"

He shook his head. "No. Were they once?"

"Oh yes, Throad, they were once. I was here when I was young with your great grandfather. We lived in the city for a time while he helped the Kings write the Law. But that was long ago. Much has happened since. You know most of what happened from your lessons. The city was sacked by Amanon and by the kings themselves when they defeated him. Long before that happened, when The Way proved false, the citizens of Candoba looted the temple. The only place in the city that has escaped looting in all these years is the Mausoleum of Kedisha-Kan and Da the Horrible. Even Amanon, as heartless and cruel as he was, dared not disturb their rest. When he conquered the city he gave specific orders that the Mausoleum was not to be touched. Anyone who disobeyed those orders was to be buried alive."

"Will we be staying in the city tonight?" asked the boy hopefully.

"Yes. We will spend several days here. There are things we must do, and people we must see, before we continue our journey." She sighed. "But we cannot stay long. I must hurry to be with my husband. The pain in my belly grows worse with each passing day."

He looked at her anxiously. "You haven’t complained."

"There is no need. I will live long enough to reach the desert. It is all that matters."

"Now that we’ve reached Candoba maybe you should see a healer?"

The old woman snorted and wrinkled her puckered face in distaste. "That is just what I need some fool to bleed me of what thin blood I still have. No thank you Throad. I’ve gone through my whole life without falling into the hands of a healer. I don’t intend to do so now."

"They don’t bleed people anymore Gamma. The healers have learned a lot since the fall of The Way."

"No," said the old woman sternly. "I will not see a healer. You forget why we travel this way. I go to sleep for eternity beside my husband. It is time I rest. I have already lived too long waiting for you."

He looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean, Gamma, waiting for me?"

She cackled. "It is simple, yet it is complicated. I knew you would come. I knew you would make this last journey with me. It is written."

"I don’t understand Gamma. Why is everything you say such a mystery?"

"You will understand at the end of the journey. Until then be patient," she said. "Now let us go into the city. We must find lodging before the night chill descends. I am weary Throad. I want to rest."

Throad looked at her with concern. "I still think you should see a healer."

She smiled her toothless smile. "You do not give up easily,” she said. “I do not need a healer. I will live until we reach the desert. That is also written."

Next Chapter: Chapter 5