Post by lloyd on Sept 10, 2009 15:33:13 GMT -5
Kayeri brushed sweat off his brow as he leaned back in the shade of the huge cliff dwellings of the Pueblo peoples. The Hohokam of the midwest dwelt in buildings gouged out of the cliffs--and with good reason. Personally, Kayeri had no idea why anyone would build a capital such as Pendragon in the Southwest instead of in Victoria in the East. However, as a Sachem he had a duty to represent the Iroquois People--and in this case, check the progress of its new members. The Hohokam, a relatively small Pueblo tribe, had only joined the Iroquois Confederacy a century ago, and had even then remained mainly out of contact with anyone, Britannian or Iroquois alike - Considered too primitive for the Britannian's tastes, and simply too inhospitable to the Northern Iroquois. "You'll get used to it," a firm voice said in accented English. Chief Teu-utak Sto'am (Turquois Coyote in the language of the Hohokam) looked around. "It's a bit cold today." Easy for you to say, Kayeri thought to himself. For someone who has always lived in the Cool Forests of Doshoweh, this Hillside country was boiling, shaded or not. "How is production coming?" Chief Sto'am shook his head. "Slowly. My people are doing what they can, but it is like teaching an armadillo to be a Coyote." Kayeri blinked. That was an analogy he hadn't heard before. But he got the gist. "Don't worry about pace. The longer we wait, the stronger our chances." The Chief glanced at Kayeri. "But, Lord Brant, the Britannians are in confusion with the complaints of their own countrymen. Now would be the perfect time to take back the land that was ours--" Kayeri pointed at the Hohokam children playing in the noonday sun--like their chief, somehow completely devoid of sweat. "Look at them. Start a war, Chief Sto'am, and I guarantee you that most of those children will die. There is still time for peace and argument--not to mention we need to produce more Knightmares. The 23 tribes are strong together--but in nature we are divided throughout Northern Britannia. At the current moment, no matter what we will have to leave some villages undefended." The Chief sighed. "Yes, yes...but I am rather sick of being called a Two." Kayeri sighed. "I have to return to Osininka. The tribal mothers have called a council, and as a Sachem I have to respond. I will say hi to Councilman Akimel for you." "As you wish...though I question the wisdom of subordinating your authority to women." Kayeri shrugged. "To each tribe its own..."
