False Horizon - Alex Archer [48]
Tuk turned on his throne and Annja and Mike followed his gaze. Guge clapped his hands twice, and from the back of the pavilion, two shambling furry creatures wandered over.
In the sunlight, the yeti didn’t look nearly as horribly matted. Their fur shone like a luxurious coat. They didn’t smell, either. Tuk marveled at them standing as tall as they did, which was nearly two feet taller than Mike.
Mike whistled. “That is amazing.”
Guge smiled. “They help us keep track of the outside world. And in some cases, they are used to ensure our survival here.”
Annja seemed disappointed by that statement. “You keep them here as slaves to do your bidding?”
Guge recoiled. “Certainly not. The yeti are not slaves. They are part of our kingdom and our people.”
Annja’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
“Just what I said,” Guge replied. “The yeti are part of us and we would never do anything to harm or otherwise subjugate them.”
“I don’t see how you can say that about them and then ask them to serve you.”
Vanya smiled. “No, it’s apparent that you do not see. But, of course, that is because of your perspective. And from where you stand, you see only one aspect of the situation instead of the other.”
Annja’s frown stayed locked in place and Tuk worried for a moment that she might draw her sword and try to do something rash. But instead, she shook her head. “I am trying to understand.”
“Then look,” Guge said. “And understand.” He turned to the yeti and nodded once.
Instantly, the yeti moved and each creature reached up, and then they heard a series of clicks. In a second, the yeti separated and became two parts, an upper torso and a lower torso.
And concealed inside was one of the Guge people.
“A costume,” Mike said. “Incredible!”
Guge smiled at Annja. “You see now?”
Annja smiled. “I do.”
Vanya continued. “The yeti were once real creatures that walked these lands. Their legends have come down to us for thousands of years, but human encroachment eventually led to their extinction. We have found them to be useful in helping us preserve the sanctity of our kingdom. So we use their legend to keep us safe. We don’t think they would mind if they knew.”
“I don’t think they’d mind, either,” Annja said.
“Now that that’s settled,” Guge said, “perhaps we can go attend the feast. I, for one,” he said winking at Mike, “could eat a horse.”
18
Annja watched as the Guge people entered the long field carrying huge elaborate trays of fruits and vegetables that had been prepared in every conceivable manner. Big bowls of steaming white rice adorned the simple tables that had seats for hundreds of people. Annja realized with a start that she was desperately hungry. Her mouth watered and she fought to restrain herself.
Vanya and Guge seated themselves at the head table. Tuk, Annja noticed, chose to remain close to her and Mike. She smiled. It was a touching gesture of friendship. They were all placed at the head table.
A plate was put in front of her and platters of food were passed around. Annja helped herself to the meal and ate and drank her fill of peppers, carrots, rice and strange and wonderful-tasting plants and fruits she’d never seen before. She drank out of a cup filled with a fruity wine that quickly relaxed her and allowed her mind to open to the wonder of the scene before her.
The Guge people seemed genuinely ecstatic that Tuk had returned to his homeland. They kept approaching him and talking to him about his adventures in the outside world. Annja noticed that there were several women who made it apparent they thought he was quite handsome.
Mike sat next to her, eating his way through plate after plate of food. Annja looked at him. “Aren’t you full yet?”
“Not even close. I’m famished.”
“You’re healing. Your body knows it needs fuel for the repair process.” She glanced down at his torn pants. “How’s the leg?”
“Feels great. After they stitched me up, they put some type of balm on it that I think acts as a pain reliever.” He reached for another helping of food and looked