Fifth Mountain

"Death!" someone shouted. "Death to the enemy!"

Everyone present agreed, screaming. In the blink of an eye the news spread throughout the city, and the square was packed with people. The other cases were judged only with great difficulty, for at every instant someone would interrupt Elijah, asking that the foreigner be brought forth at once.

"I cannot judge such a case," he said. "It is a matter for the authorities of Akbar."

"For what reason have the Assyrians come here?" said one man. "Can they not see we have been at peace for many generations?"

"Why do they want our water?" shouted another. "Why are they threatening our city?"

For months none had dared speak in public about the presence of the enemy. Though all could see an ever-growing number of tents being erected on the horizon, though the merchants spoke of the need to begin negotiations for peace at once, the people of Akbar refused to

believe that they were living under threat of invasion. Save for the quickly subdued incursion of some insignificant tribe, war existed only in the memory of priests. They spoke of a nation called Egypt, with horses and chariots of war and gods that looked like animals. But that had all happened long ago; Egypt was no longer a country of import, and the warriors, with their dark skin and strange language, had returned to their own land. Now the inhabitants of Sidon and Tyre dominated the seas and were spreading a new empire around the world, and though they were tried warriors, they had discovered a new way of fighting: trade.

"Why are they restless?" the governor asked Elijah.

"Because they sense that something has changed. We both know that, from this moment on, the Assyrians can attack at any time. Both you and I know that the commander has been lying about the number of the enemy's troops."

"But he wouldn't be mad enough to say that to anyone. He would be sowing panic."

"Every man can sense when he is in danger; he begins to react in strange ways, to have premonitions, to feel something in the air. And he tries to deceive himself, for he thinks himself incapable of confronting the situation. They have tried to deceive themselves till now; but there comes a moment when one must face the truth."

The high priest arrived.

"Let us go to the palace and convene the Council of Akbar. The commander is on his way."

"Do not do so," Elijah told the governor in a low voice. "They will force on you what you have no wish to do."

"We must go," insisted the high priest. "A spy has been captured, and urgent measures must be taken."

"Make the judgment in the midst of the people," murmured Elijah. "They will help you, for their desire is for peace, even as they ask for war."

"Bring the man here!" ordered the governor. The crowd shouted joyously; for the first time, they would witness a conclave of the Council.

"We cannot do that!" said the high priest. "It is a matter of great delicacy, one that requires calm in order to be resolved!"

A few jeers. Many protests.

"Bring him here," repeated the governor. "His judgment shall be in this square, amid the people. Together we have worked to transform Akbar into a prosperous city, and together we shall pass judgment on all that threatens us."

The decision was met with clapping of hands. A group of soldiers appeared dragging a blood-covered, half-naked man. He must have been severely beaten before being brought there.

All noise ceased. A heavy silence fell over the crowd; from another corner of the square could be heard the sound of pigs and children playing.

"Why have you done this to the prisoner?" shouted the governor.

"He resisted," answered one of the guards. "He claimed he wasn't a spy and said he had come here to talk to you."

The governor ordered that three chairs be brought from his palace. His servants appeared, bearing the cloak of justice, which he always donned when a meeting of the Council of Akbar was convened.

THE GOVERNOR and the high priest sat down. The third chair was reserved for the commander, who was yet to arrive.

"I solemnly declare in session the tribunal of the Council of Akbar. Let the elders draw near."

A group of old men approached, forming a semicircle around the chairs. This was the council of elders; in bygone times, their opinions were respected and obeyed. Today, however, the role of the group was merely ceremonial; they were present to accept whatever the ruler decided.

After a few formalities such as a prayer to the gods of the Fifth Mountain and the declaiming of the names of several ancient heroes, the governor addressed the prisoner.

"What is it you want?" he asked.