MO-126 lay in the dirt behind Ranex’s hut early the next day. The mobile observer android could do little except monitor the situation, so this is what he did. An almost constant stream of villagers came to the newly elected but not universally acknowledged headman’s hut. He listened to arguments and passed judgment on issues regarding irrigation ditches, sick goats, and mysteriously molting chickens. All the families involved had supported him. He also met with a man who told him that Movey arbitrated a conflict earlier that morning between two other families that had not. They were already essentially divided into two villages, which would work fine until an issue emerged involving people not on the same side, and it inevitably would.
The next person to call was not technically a villager, or even human.
“Granny Greenflower,” Ranex said. “Please come in.”
MO-126 did not signal to let her know he was listening. It would have been courteous to do so, but curiosity stopped him. He wanted to hear what she would say to Ranex. Besides, she specifically asked him not to interfere.
“Ranex, we need to talk,” she said.
“Has someone else been hurt?” he asked.
“Not yet, but more will be if we don’t do something to stop it.”
“I think you’re right, and I’ve been thinking I should just abdicate in favor of Movey for the good of the village.”
“And how do you think he’ll treat those who have supported you if you do?”
“Not fairly, I imagine. But it still might be better than if I don’t.”
“There is another option,” she said.
Her voice fell to a whisper, but MO-126 increased the sensitivity of his audio receptors and clearly heard every subversive word she said.
“You need to leave,” she told him. “Start your own village with your followers.”
“Leave?” he said. “We can’t leave. Everyone knows about the demons and wild animals that prey on travelers. No one but the Master Traders can travel safely, and we don’t have their magic. Even if we could, where would we go? I’ve never been more than half a day’s journey from the village. No one has.”
“That just means you’ll need a guide.”
“And where would we get one? You? Can you get us safely through the unknown wilderness? Do you know where we can build a new village, somewhere with good water, a redfruit orchard, and fields where we can grow vegetables and grain? Even with Movey as headman, life can be good here. I can’t ask people to follow me into the unknown.”
“You can and you must,” Granny Greenflower said. “Your ancestors came from another village. Your stories tell you this.”
“Yes, but they also say they were shown the way by a Master Trader, and that they traveled many days, and that each night they could hear demons moaning and animals howling in the distance kept away only by the Traders’ magic.”
“Yes, I am sure that is what they say. But I can tell you this, if you do decide to leave and your people say they will follow you, someone will come to guide your way.”
“A prophesy, Granny Greenflower? I did not know you possessed the gift.”
“No gift is required. I simply know them, and if they think you’re going to leave anyway, they’ll have someone here to guide you.”
“How will they know?”
“They’ll know.”
“You are one of them, aren’t you? The same people as the Master Traders.”
“More or less. Actually, more than less,” she said.
“I always suspected they must have their own villages, and that they did more than trade. I mean, where do they get the trade goods, for one thing? All the pots and tools and other things they trade? Your people make them, don’t they? They must be masters at a great many things beyond trading, I think.”
“I won’t say more, so don’t ask. In fact, I’ve already said much more than I should have, and you must never tell anyone that I did. Will you do this? Will you ask your supporters to follow you to create their own village?”
“I don’t know. You said a Trader will come to guide us and ensure our safety. Are you sure?”
“Yes. Completely.”
“I need to think about this.”
“Think as much as you want, Ranex; it’s good for you. But don’t take long. I don’t know what Movey and his supporters are planning, but I do know that about half of the family elders won’t be cooperating with you, and if they don’t have a peaceful way to resolve their disagreements, they’ll do it in other ways.”
As if to prove her point, a scream came from outside. “Fight!”
“Are you sure you’re not prophetic?” Ranex asked.
The sound of chairs scraping on the floor announced their hurried departure from the hut. MO-126 held back a moment before moving to join them.