From Explorers of Gor, Ch16

"There are the rebels of the northern shore of Ngao," said the man.
"How can they be rebels?" I asked.
"Bila Huruma, in virtue of the discoveries of Shaba," said Ayari, "has claimed all lands in the Lake Ngao region. Those Who oppose him are thus rebels."

**********

"Five days ago," said the man to my left, "hundreds of askaris, in canoes, went past us, east, before you were entered upon our chain."
"Their objective?" I asked.
"To meet and defeat in battle the rebel forces of Kisu, former Mfalme of the Ukungu villages."
"If they are successful," said Ayari, "that will finish organized resistance to Bila Huruma."
"They will be successful," said the man.
"Why did you say 'former Mfalme'?" I asked.
"Bila Huruma," he said, "it is well known, has bought off the chieftains of the Ukungu region. In council they have deposed Kisu and placed their leader, Aibu, in power. Kisu then withdrew with some two hundred warriors, loyal to him, to continue the fight against Bila Huruma."

**********

"Listen!" said Ayari. He held up his hand.
"I hear it," I said. "Can you make it out?"
"Quiet!" said Ayari. "I am listening."
It was only some two pasangs away, ahead of us, and nearing us. But, in a moment its message was taken up from behind us, some four pasangs down the workway, west, leading toward Ushindi. It would then, swiftly, station to station, be transmitted back to the grass palace of Bila Huruma.
"The forces of Kisu have been met in battle and defeated," said Ayari. "That is the message of the drum."

From Explorers of Gor, Ch17

Kisu, the rebel, in chains, was then dragged before Bila Huruma. He was thrown upon his knees. He was sentenced to the canal, to be put upon the rogues' chain, that he might now, at last, well serve his sovereign, Bila Huruma. Kisu, kept on his knees, was then dragged to one side. Next to approach Bila Huruma was Mwoga, ambassador of the villages of Ukungu, representative of the high chief, Aibu, who had organized the chiefs of Ukungu against Kisu, and deposed him. He presented gifts, skins and feathers, and brass rings and the teeth of tharlarion, to Bila Huruma, and swore to him the fealty of the Ukungu villages. Too, to seal the bonds of these political bargains, he, on behalf of Aibu, offered to Bila Huruma the very daughter of the high chief, Aibu, himself, a girl named Tende, as one of his companions.

**********

"I have conveyed your greetings to Kisu," said Ayari, speaking to me in Gorean.
"He did not respond," I said.
"Of course not," said Ayari. "He is Mfalme of Ukungu. He does not speak to commoners."
"Tell him he is no longer the Mfalme of Ukungu," I said. "Tell him he was deposed. If there is any longer a Mfalme of Ukungu it is Aibu, the wise and noble."
Actually Aibu would become a district administrator, as high chieftain of Ukungu, under the sovereignty of Bila Huruma.

From Explorers of Gor, Ch23

"Which is the one called Kisu?" asked an askari, wading up to us.
"I do not know," I said.
"That is he," said Ayari, indicating tall Kisu a few places from us.
Slowly the state platform was drawn toward us. It, fastened planks, extending across the thwarts of four long canoes, like pontoons, moved slowly toward us, drawn by chained slaves. On the platform, shaded by a silk canopy, was a low dais, covered with silken cushions.
"Why did you tell him which one of us was Kisu?" I asked.
"She would know him, would she not?" he asked.
"That is true," I said.
On the cushions, reclining, on one elbow, in yellow robes, embroidered with gold, in many necklaces and jewels, lay a lovely, imperious-seeming girl.
"It is Tende," whispered one of the men, "the daughter of Aibu, high chief of the Ukungu district."

**********

"I see, Mwoga," said Kisu, "that now you are wazir, that you have risen high from your position of a minor chiefs lackey. Such, I gather, are the happy fortunes of politics."
"Happier for some than others," said Mwoga. "You, Kisu, were too dull to understand politics. You are headstrong and foolish. You could understand only the spear and the drums of war. You charge like the kailiauk. I, wiser, bided my time, like the ost. The kailiauk is contained by the stockade. The ost slips between its palings."
"You betrayed Ukungu to the empire," said Kisu.
"Ukungu is a district within the empire," said Mwoga. "Your insurrection was unlawful."
"You twist words!" said Kisu.
"The spear, as in all such matters," smiled Mwoga, "has decided wherein lies the right."
"What will the stories say of this?" demanded Kisu.
"It is we who will survive to tell the stories," said Mwoga.
Kisu stepped toward him but the askari at his side forced him back.
"No people can be betrayed," said Mwoga, "who are not willing to be betrayed."
"I do not understand," said Kisu.
"The empire means security and civilization," said Mwoga. "The people tire of tribal warfare. Men wish to look forward in contentment to their harvests. How can men call themselves free when, each night, they must fear the coming of dusk?"

From Explorers of Gor, Ch52

"Let us fight!" called out Kisu, lifting and clutching his raider's spear.
"Who is that fellow?" asked Bila Huruma.
"Kisu, the rebel of Ukungu," said Msaliti. "You saw him once in your court, kneeling before you in chains. It was at much the same time that you first saw, too, Mwoga, the high wazir of Aibu, chieftain of Ukungu. He discussed with you at that time, if you recall, my Ubar, the girl, Tende, daughter of Aibu, she who was to have been companioned to you, she who now lies upon her belly, a slave, at his feet."
"Ah, yes, I recall," said Bila Huruma. He looked at Kisu. "The one with the size and temper of a kailiauk," he said.
"Yes," said Msaliti.
"Prepare to do battle," said Kisu to Bila Huruma.
"Our war is done, and you have lost," said Bila Huruma.
"My war is not done, while I still have the strength to clutch a spear," said Kisu grimly.
"There are over two hundred askaris, Kisu," I said.
"Do battle with me singly, if you dare," called Kisu to Bila Huruma.
"Ubars," I pointed out to Kisu, "seldom see much point in engaging in single combat with common soldiers." "I am Mfalme of Ukungu!" said Kisu.
"You were deposed," I said. "With all due respect, Kisu, you are not of sufficient political importance to warrant a duel with a Ubar."
"Appoint me again Mfalme of Ukungu," said Kisu to Bila Huruma, "if you find that necessary."
"Really, Kisu," said Ayari.
"What sign have you seen of Shaba?" inquired Bila Huruma.
"Like yourself, doubtless, only his galley. We, too, search for him."
"I do not think he is far," said Bila Huruma.
"That is my hope," I said.
"Where is the golden chain I gave you in my chambers?" asked Bila Huruma.
"In the supplies, in our canoe," I said.
"No longer," he said. He gestured to an askari, who threw me the chain.
"I thought I would find you here," said Bila Huruma. "I recognized the chain."
"Thank you, Ubar," I said. I again looped the chain about my neck.
"Fight!" challenged Kisu.
"I seek Shaba," said Bila Huruma. "I do not wish to be distracted by this brash malcontent."
"Fight!" cried Kisu, shaking the raider's spear.
"I could be behind the guard of that clumsy weapon in a moment." said Bila Huruma to Kisu. "Why do you think I adopted the stabbing spear for my soldiers?"
"We have such weapons!" cried Kisu. We had two such weapons. Ayari held one. The other was behind in the canoe.
"Do you know their techniques," asked Bila Huruma, "their utilities and tricks, the subtleties of their play?"
"No." said Kisu. "But I will fight you anyway!"
"You are a strong man, and a good and brave man, Kisu," I said, "but Bila Huruma and his men are trained fighters. Desist in your madness."
"If I slay Bila Huruma," said Kisu, "I slay the empire."
"That is highly unlikely," I said. "The empire, like gold, is valuable. Should it fall from the hand of one man it would likely be seized up by the hand of another."
"I do not choose to meet you in battle," said Bila Huruma. "And if you attack me, then I must either slay you or have you slain."
"He is a trained fighter, Kisu," I said. "Do not fight him."
"What am I to do?" asked Kisu.
"My recommendation," said Ayari, "would be to stab him when he is not looking, or perhaps to poison his palm wine."
"I cannot do such things," cried Kisu. "What then am I to do?"
"Put up your spear," I told him.
With a cry of rage he drove the butt of the spear down on the stone.
We all, all in that room, regarded Kisu.
He stood there, the butt of the spear on the stone, the blade over his head. He held the spear under the blade, his hands over his head. His head was down. His shoulder shook. He wept. Tende crept to his feet and kissed him, sobbing, too.
"Why do you seek Shaba?" asked Bila Huruma.
"Doubtless for the same reason you, too, seek him," I said.
Msaliti twitched nervously at the side of Bila Huruma. "We have come far, great Ubar," he said. "We have endured many hardships and dangers. These few men constitute but one last obstacle in your path. We outnumber them considerably. Clear them away. Give orders to your askaris to do away with them."
Bila Huruma looked at me. For the moment he seemed lost in thought.
"Bila Huruma," we heard. The voice came from the height of the stairs behind me, and to my left, that leading to a higher level in the building, an open court, which lay above us.
We all looked to the height of the stairs.
There, in blue rags, yet standing proudly, was a scribe.
"I am Bila Huruma," said the Ubar.
"That is known to me," said the scribe. He looked about, down at us. "Is one called Tarl Cabot among you?" he asked.
"I am he," I said.
Msaliti reacted suddenly. It was a name, apparently, not unknown to him. His hand darted to the hilt of the dagger sheathed at his hip, but he did not draw the weapon.
"I will take you to Shaba," said the scribe.

From Explorers of Gor, Ch53

I saw Bila Huruma slip to one knee. A mighty Kur stood over him, his panga raised over his head. Then, from behind Bila Huruma, there was a wild cry of Ukungu, and a raider's spear, in its length, thrust past the Ubar and buried itself in a red wound in the Kur's heart.
"My thanks, Rebel," said Bila Huruma, regaining his feet. Kisu pulled his weapon free, and grinned. "I now owe you nothing," he said.
"True," said Bila Huruma, and then again, side by side, rebel and Ubar, they fought. --- I heard Bila Huruma rallying his men by the wall. Then he cried, "Charge!"
His audacity had taken the Kurii by surprise. But, in moments, viciously, Bila Huruma, Kisu, Turgus, Ayari and the askaris had been forced back again.

From Explorers of Gor, Ch56

"Where is Aibu?" cried Kisu.
We stood in the clearing of Nyundo, the central village of the Ukungu region.
Mwoga, spear in hand, a shield on his arm, came out to greet us. "He is dead," said Mwoga.
Tende, behind Kisu, cried out with misery.
"How did he die?" asked Kisu.
"By poison," said Mwoga. "I, now, am chieftain in Ukungu."
"My spear says it is not true," said Kisu.
"My spear," said Mwoga, "says that it is true."
"We shall, then, let them decide," said Kisu.
Small leather strips customarily sheath the blades of the spears of Ukungu. Both Mwoga and Kisu had now removed these tiny strips from their weapons. The edges of the blades gleamed. Each man carried, too, a shield. On the Ukungu shield there is, commonly, a tuft of feathers. This is fastened at one of the points of the shield. When the tuft of feathers is at the bottom of the shield, the shield being so held, this is an indication that the hunter seeks an animal. When the tuft of feathers is at the top of the shield, the shield so held, it is an indication that the quarry is human. On both the shield of Kisu and Mwoga the tufts were now at the top.
"I would make a better Mfalme than Aibu," said Mwoga. "It was thus that I had him killed."
The fight was brief, and then Kisu withdrew the bloodied point of his weapon from the chest of Mwoga, who lay at his feet.
"You fight well," said Bila Huruma. "Will you now see to the slaughter of those who supported Mwoga?"
"No," said Kisu. "My quarrel is not with them. They are my fellow tribesmen. They may remain in peace in the villages of Ukungu."
"Once, Kisu," said Bila Huruma, "you were little more than a kailiauk, with the obstinacy and crudity of the kailiauk's power, quick to anger, thoughtless in your charges. Now I see that you have learned something of the wisdom of one worthy to be a Mfalme."
Kisu shrugged.
"Proceed with us further to Ushindi," said Bila Huruma. "Msaliti is gone. I shall have need of one to be second in my empire."
"Better to be first in Ukungu," said Kisu, "than second in the empire."
"You are first in Ukungu," said Bila Huruma, naming Kisu to power.
"I shall fight you from Ukungu," said Kisu.
"Why?" asked Bila Huruma.
"I will have Ukungu free," said Kisu.
Bila Huruma smiled. "Ukungu," he said, "is free."
Men cried out in astonishment.
"Clean now the blade of your spear, Kisu," said Bila Huruma. "Put once more upon it the sheathing strips of guarding leather. Turn your shield so that the feathers lie again at its base."
"I will clean and sheath my spear," said Kisu. "I will turn my shield."
Kisu handed his weapons to one of the villagers. He and Bila Huruma embraced.
It was thus that peace came to Ukungu and the empire.

From Explorers of Gor, Ch57

I thought of Bila Huruma, and the loneliness of the Ubar. I thought of Shaba, and his voyages of exploration, the circumnavigation of Lake Ushindi, the discovery and circumnavigation of Lake Ngao, and the discovery and exploration of the Ua, even to the discovery of its source in the placid waters of that vast lake he had called Lake Bila Huruma. But by the wish of Bila Huruma I had changed its name to Lake Shaba. He was surely one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of the explorers of Gor. I did not think his name would be forgotten.
"I am grateful," had said Ramani of Anango, who had once been the teacher of Shaba. I had delivered to him, and to two others of his caste, the maps and notebooks of Shaba. Ramani and his fellows had wept. I had then left them, returning to my lodgings. Copies would be made of the maps and notebooks. They would then be distributed by caste brothers throughout the cities of civilized Gor. The first copies that were made by anyone had already, however, been made, by the scribes of Bila Huruma in Ushindi. Ramani need not know this.
"Will you continue work on the canal?" I had asked Bila Huruma.
"Yes," he had said.
When Lakes Ushindi and Ngao had been joined by the canal a continuous waterway would be opened between Thassa and the Ua. One might then, via either the Kamba or the Nyoka, attain Lake Ushindi. One might then follow the canal from Ushindi to Ngao. From Ngao one could enter upon the Ua. One could then, for thousands of pasangs, follow the Ua until one reached its terminus in Lake Shaba. And Lake Shaba itself was fed by numerous smaller streams and rivers, each giving promise, like the tributaries of the Ua itself, to the latency of new countries. The importance of the work of Bila Huruma and Shaba, one a Ubar, the other a scribe and explorer, could not, in my opinion, be overestimated.

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I thought most fondly of Kisu, he who was now again Mfalme in Ukungu.
To this day, as one may see upon the map, the land of Ukungu stands as a sovereign free state within me perimeters of the empire of Bila Huruma.