Ten days after the attack, I left the village for the meeting with the other tribes’ elders. With me went Catto and two more trusted men, Jataan and Larro. Though I could have travelled much faster alone, I wanted to have other tribe members as witnesses to whatever happened.
It was not an easy trip and we had to push hard to arrive on time. I travelled far in front of the others, using my superior eyes and ears to make sure there was no one lying in wait. On the twentieth day after the attack we were at the salt fields, having carefully approached from the west to ensure there were no surprises.
Leaving my men just over the knoll of the hill closest to the salt fields, I approached the wide open flats. As I walked towards the flats I saw two men approaching from the north; one I recognized as Gadu. He was accompanied by an older man who moved slowly, occasionally aided by a hand from Gadu.
When we met they looked at me expectantly, as I quickly appraised the old man. He had intelligent eyes, and I immediately recognized that he had wisdom to go with his experience. I realized I must not underestimate this man. He was not in any way intimidated by my size, my appearance, or even the mark I bore. He looked at me intently as he waited for me to speak.
I did not hesitate, but immediately asked my question. “What is your decision? Life or death?”
The old man peered up at me from under his wild hair. “Who gives you the power of life or death?” he said, pointing to the mark upon my head.
This was a wise question, and one that had never been asked of me before.
I thought carefully for a moment and then replied, “My power does not come from the mark, which is only protection given me by the one God. The power I have comes from me.”
The old man considered my answer and then gave me a toothless smile. “So you think, but I think you are wrong. I will need to know more of your one God that gives you power.”
He paused, and then continued speaking, “I have decided we will join your tribe. Not because you threaten us with death, but because it is better for my people that we should marry your women and eat your food and grow strong.”
I cared not what this old man thought about the source of my power. Nor did I care about his professed self-serving reasons for joining his tribe with mine. All that mattered was that he agreed to join the tribes together under my leadership. He would recognize my greatness soon enough, when all people were one tribe and I had changed the world.
I nodded and said, “It is agreed. We will be one tribe.”
But even while I said this out loud I thought to myself, “Now I am a King.”