>>5294853>>5295440>>5295445{Art: Vladimir Manyukhin}
“We’re taking them prisoner. Crimes between tribes are the Axeholder’s responsibility.”
You stare down the Anyaten as you tie the raiders up.
<span class="mu-r">I’m sure Agana will be happy to see her pet return home.</span>
The hike up the muddy hills leading to the Taya highlands was easier than you remember. Several ramps and small roads had been dug in and all had shown signs of heavy use.
In your absence, The Island has grown more connected than ever before.
After trekking for a day through the great plains your nose tells you you’ve arrived before your eyes do. Spices, wine, body odor, human waste.
All mingling in a cacophony of activity and bluster.
You’ve been to cities before, Papa Koa insisted on dragging you along to his meetings.
But the scale and breadth of Kutha Rakyat is something you’ve only seen across the sea.
Ahi traders sell fish sauce and coral jewelry. Roast Taya doomswine is passed out by street merchants.
Nupuri runners dash through the streets carrying messages, and Ponni laborers work assembling mud bricks.
<span class="mu-b">All these tribes, in a Taya city. I can’t believe it.</span>
Guret’s eyes wander as you walk to The Hall of Peace. After all this time, they return to a homeland they can’t recognize.
The guards at the door give them a look of shock, then disdain.
“I am Lono of the Ahi. Captain of the Great Fleet, Emissary of the Axeholder, and The Great Peace they uphold! I come bearing the treasures of the sea.”
You are made to wait at the door, but after a moment, the most powerful person on The Island bursts through the gate and hugs you like you were kids again.
<span class="mu-i">Lono, you’re alive!</span>
