Chapter 9

Ganittora

"Stand by he bellowed to those around him and the signal man flagged from the "Scarlet Chavonth," that order to the other five vollers. "Let's hope that our pennant of diplomacy is recognized in Gah as well as Paz," Gloag thought to himself. The brilliantly colored vollers continued to maintain the box they had on the squadron and slowly all descended. While the fliers were filled with fierce looking and well armed warriors, they offered no attack but were eternally vigilant and extremely competent looking. Both the apims and diffs ... Shortly after the slow descent began, the recently spotted coastline faded from view as the ocean rolled on and on, dwa-bur after dwa-bur, until finally land was seen again anf Gloag realized the fliers had entered and crossed a great bay or gulf and that the coastline first sighted was the upper or northern arm that formed the gateway to the virtual inland sea. And straight ahead was a city that rivaled Zenicce in majesty and population. Down, down , down until a giant vollerdome opened up below and the expeditionary force touched down.

Immediately upon touchdown, several brigades of armed men encircled the six fliers and waited, grimly. Sighing audibly, Gloag turned to Nath the Thief and placed him in temporary command, then taking Prince Varden and Jiktar Laku with him, as emissaries from Paz, stoicly strode out to the awaiting welcoming committee. As he drew abreast of the smartly lined up troops he noticed that the bulk of these men were apim but that there were a scattering of diffs, most unfamiliar to the Mehztan. Most that is, except for the Fish and Snake-Heads numbered among them! Had he made a grevious mistake in coming here and where in Herrildrin was here, anyway? Ah well, in for a zorca, in for a vove! Drawing himself erect and raising his right arm, in the universal gesture of peace, Gloag addressed he who stood at the fore of the trident wielding men before him and his two comrades. "Greetings from Paz, warriors. We are on a mission of diplomacy and mercy and seek an audience with our brothers in arms, from far Schan." The apim commander stared deeply into the eyes of the diff from Paz, as if measuring him , for the veracity of his words. Then, reaching a decision, responded, "Well met, warrior of Paz. It is not often that we of Gah receive such far traveling visitors. I am Jiktar Largrash, but you may call me the Boar. Come with me and perhaps indeed there are matters which my masters will wish to discuss with you, after your long journey from over the curve of the world." Relieved to know that they were in fact in the legendary land of Gah and were to be granted an audience of sorts, Gloag, Varden and Laku followed. But still Gloag wondered privately, were they guests or prisoners?

Walking briskly, as equally well armed as their escort, the trio from Paz trampled down the stone-paved streets of the capital city of Gah, which they were soon to learn was named Ganittora. From this huge and extremely organized city, over half of the entire continent of Gah was ruled, in the Ganittoran Empire or as was more commonly used, the Empire of Gah. Not even Hamal was so brazen as to claim a continent as its own, at least until it was effectively conquered, Gloag later reflected. As the group journeyed to the royal palace Gloag was not surprised to see much work being done in beautifying and repairs, and most of it accomplished by slaves. Slaves of many races, whose sole efforts were to better the lives of the free peoples of the Empire of Gah. Controlling a grimace of distaste, he forced himself to concentrate on the big picture and not yet another example of that hated institution he had hoped to eliminate. "Good thing Dray isn't here to see this," Gloag thought wryly. But the Lord of Strombor was otherwise occupied on the forbidden Island of Tambu and he Gloag, emissary from Paz was here. The march to the palace was not overlong and presently the party climbed what seemed a thousand steps and through hundred foot doric columns, Gloag entered the central place of power in Gah, but to what end? Shrugging, he doggedly kept up the rapid pace and after passing down numerous corridors and guarded doors, was admitted, to the throne room of the Emperor of Gah. Over a thousand paces they trooped until brought to an abrupt stop at the base of a platform, crowned with two thrones.

Gloag bowed slightly (and was glad that the full incline was not expected), gazed at the two who occupied those massive thrones and at the courtesans who thronged the steps below it and to the sides of the throne room. Sitting on the left was a man of great size and piercing eyes. He had the look of a king about him and as the Mehztan was to see shortly, was a king of kings, an emperor. Clad in robes that appeared to be spun of gold, closely cinched at the waist, and crowned with an elaborate headpiece that boldly proclaimed him as a ruler of many peoples and far lands. Such was the impression that Grazzitaar Gravincus, the Emperor of Gah, made on Gloag. Seated to the ruler's right was his Empress and her throne was slightly lower than his. Gloag struggled mightily to withold the whistled intake of breath as he took in the sensual beauty of Gloria, wife of Gah's emperor and a power unto herself. Maintaining his stoic expression, Gloag observed the long blonde hair that hung down over a face of absolute perfection. Full lips that were surely destined for passionate kisses and other acts that Gloag tried his best not to think of, as he would be an embarassment to Paz by standing more at attention than he already was. Despite his misgivings, he continued to observe the basics of this beauty before him. The firm yet full breasts that were topped with very erect nipples, showed very well through the flimsy and almost see through garment worn by Gloria. Forcing his brown eyes away from the thrusting breasts, Gloag further noted her wonderfully curved hips which hinted mightily at a backside to envied by most women. Lastly, but not least, the legs, exposed by the thigh high slit in the almost transparent garment she wore. Long and long, stretching out forever they seemed and the ankles were not thick at all. All this Gloag took in at a virtual glance. Thankfully Varden and Laku had wisely done as he. All three awaited events.

Jiktar Largrash stood forward and described the arrival of the "Scarlet Chavonth" and the other five vollers. A patrol in the Gulf of Gah had chanced upon them and as required, escorted them to the Emperor's presence. He made specific mention of their desire for a diplomatic accord between Gah and their alliance in Paz. Nodding to the Jiktar, Grazzitaar spoke to the three, in particular Gloag, who obviously led the delegation. "Greetings to our brothers from beyond the world's curve. It has been long and and infrequent that such esteemed visitors graced our fair city." "But not unknown" mused Gloag. "How may we of the glorious Empire of Gah assist their brothers (however estranged), in Paz?"

Clearing his throat, the Mehztan stood forward a pace and extended his arms out, palms turned up. "Oh Grazzitaar, mighty Emperor of a mighty empire, events transpire within thine own realm of influence that need to be addressed by thee and those of us in Paz who stand against a wave of terror that threatens all. Will you hear me out?" To himself, Gloag wondered if he had pushed too far with the flowery speech. Much had changed over the years and he himself, chief among those changes. The intriques of court in Zenicce had honed the Mehztan's diplomatic skills finely and those skills served him well this day, for Emperor Grazzitaar nodded encouragingly to Gloag and thus emboldened, he continued.

"We are aware that for ages, the Empire of Gah has co-existed with that of Shar. Of course the ancient thrashing you gave the Neeshargs has something to do with this, plus the ever eternal vigilance observed by the rulers here in Ganittora. But Emperor, you always had the Shank nations to act as a buffer between yourselves and the Shargs. This convenient arrangement is soon to end, with the expulsion or annihilation of these same Fish-Heads and their Schtarkin allies. If this final victory occurs, and I know it is not far off, then both Paz and Gah will be the logical targets for the triumphant Empire of Shah. It is my desire that your puissant empire join forces with my own humble expedition, and ride to the aid of the Shanks, awaiting the combined forces of Pazzian Alliance for the ultimate defeat of the Neeshargs. Will Gah throw in with their brothers from Paz?"

Gloag stepped back a pace and gazed upon the Emperor, expectantly. The Lady Gloria bent her beautiful visage upward and whisperd into the ear of her ruler. Gloag found it extremely difficult to draw his sight away from the luscious curves offered by this high-born courtesan of Ganittora. And damn it, what had this woman just whispered into the Emperor's ear and by Opaz, was that the the tip of her tongue ever so briefly visible during the exchange?

After the brief exchange between Grazzitaar and the Lady Gloria, the Emperor conferred briefly with other of his high born nobles, in hushed tones. During this conference, Gloria gazed upon Gloag and indeed, the tip of her tongue did protrude and moisten her upper lip. An those eyes! The Mehztan read the hunger in them and wondered if this boded well at all. It most certainly did not he decided quite firmly to stay clear of this high born menace. And yet, and yet, it was hard to put down the twitches in his nether regions that had begun to work their usual ways with him.

Turning from his tightly gathered courtiers, the Emperor gazed down at Gloag, Varden and Laku before pronouncing his edict. "Friend Gloag, you have brought troubling news indeed from Paz. The problem of the Shanks over in Shar is of great moment and not easily dismissed. But so too is the current peace between the Empires of Shar and Gah. That too is not easily dismissed. Therefore I will retire to my inner chamber, with all my advisors, both political and military. There we will investigate in depth, your report on conditions in Shar and your desire for an alliance. You will have your answer in the morning, but for now, you will be our honored guests tonight. We will also see to it that your companions in the "Scarlet Chavronth" are properly attended. Food, wine, ale and women will be supplied forthright. for the hospitality of Ganittora is second to none, whether in Paz or Schan!

Jiktar Largash escorted Varden, Laku and Gloag to their rooms, where they could retire later on that evening. For the nonce, they were free to roam the royal palace at will. Declaring that they desired a wet, Gloag's companions took themselves off for a night of debauchery, no doubt, the diff thought to himself. Declining their off to accompamy them, Gloag declined, rather preferring to be alone at the moment, so as to reflect on the state of his mission. And really, he thought, as he made his way to a semi-private baths of nine, things are going quite well, everything considered. There was a distinct possability that the considerable weight of the Empire of Gah could be thrown behind the efforts of the expeditionary force he Gloag, commanded. But even then, would their combined forces be in time to prevent the final over running of the Shank homeland and could they hold those shorelines until the Pazzian Alliance responded in force?

Pondering on these troubling thoughts, Gloag proceeded through the alternately hot and almost freezing, baths of nine. He was not aware that another had joined him until hearing faint splashes behind, the suddenly turning Gloag espied the Lady Gloria making her way towards him, from the far end of this cool bath. Like the Mehztan, she was nude and like Gloag was all too soon to be, she was aroused! Moving toward the far end of the pool, Gloria pursued, cornering her prey in thigh deep waters. Revealing her almost pouting lips she asked the unmoving Gloag, " My Lord, how fortunate that you chose the very baths I often do. For I have much to speak to you of. But first, I saw you staring at me in the court earlier and I was most pleased that such a leader of men as yourself would take notice of one such as me." As she spoke her gaze drifted downward and noticed that Gloag's earlier stirrings had advanced to a totally higher stage of arousal. Again, the tentative but avarice, licking of that pouting upper lip by that superb moist and obviously talented tongue. Gloag too looked down and gulped his embarrassment. Gazing back up to the Lady Gloria it was quite obvious that she too shared his feelings. Her recently rouged areolas were perfectly erect and they jutted out nicely upon the heaving bosom that housed them. "Ah well," sighed Gloag, in for a zorca, in for a vove." Then as if on an agreed signal, the two rushed upon one another and made passionate love, as has happened time and time again, in such instances. Of more import to this act was the pillow talk that followed.

To be continued ...