Free Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman Page A

arrived, Chul had to carry most of them in his arms or on his neck and shoulders, holding their urchin legs tightly in his grip. Rydl, that amazing acrobat, assisted, and even walked across on his hands to amuse the children and lessen their terror. Rydlwas perhaps the only one of the entire group who was not intimidated by great heights.
    There was another problem: Aniah was sick. He had become feeble with illness and extreme old age, and was so unsteady on his feet that Chul had to carry him on his back like one of the children—exactly as he had jokingly suggested some months before. Dael helped the women, who showed surprising courage and determination, while most of the men faced the ordeal with their usual bravado—each crossing accompanied by a chorus of cheers, laughter, and congratulations. How fierce Morda looked with a twisted elephant tusk over his shoulder! He made the crossing twice, risking his life to protect his prized possessions.
    It was at this point that something unusual happened; Dael’s thinking began to change. That intense and inexorable man, watching the fearless antics of his enemy Rydl, became aware that he admired him in spite of himself. For many weeks Dael had wished to get back at Rydl, and thought of little else. Once again he reflected on the way Rydl had trapped him in his snare—had lured and outsmarted him. And although he could still taste his humiliation, he had to admit to himself that Rydl was a clever and dexterous opponent, and no coward. He was forced to respect Rydl and, strangely, he almost started to like him. Maybe he would take his revenge, and maybe he wouldn’t! Just now no private quarrel could be allowed to impede the difficult progress the Ba-Coro were making toward their new home. The elders simply would not tolerate it. Dael understood this and dropped for a time his former attitude of hostility, while still keeping his distance as he thought things over.
    However, the volcanic nature of Dael’s psyche led to another schism that resembled nothing so much as the deep split in the earth, which unnerved all who saw it. The divide, the new fatal gulf, was between Dael and his twin brother. It is difficult to say what caused it. There was no quarrel, only a striking difference in their personalities and outlooks leading to ever-increasing division and conflict. One might have supposed that they would enjoy each other’s company, as they had during their younger years, now that they were reunited. But everything had changed. The brotherly friendship between them was gone.
    Nor did it matter that they looked almost exactly the same—were mirror twins. The slight differences took on new importance. Zan still bore the scars of his battle with the lioness, whereas Dael’s shoulders were unscarred. And Dael alone happened to be left-handed, a cause of wonder to all who noticed, and fear to some. The left hand was thought to be soiled and sinister, and Dael had been taught from his infancy to use his right. However, whenever he was upset about anything, he tended to revert to using the left, and Zan observed that he now regularly relied on it. He even seemed proud of his ability to use both hands and was determined to be different from his twin. Otherwise, the two were remarkably alike—physically.
    So it was a strange fact that Dael was accounted much more handsome than Zan. What distinguished them? Was it something in their bearing or stance? Was it that Dael’s intense eagle eyes conveyed conviction and authority, while Zan’s were full of hesitancy and doubt? And why did Dael attract followers, each one of whom assumed asimilar look of certainty, as if there were no other way to see the world but theirs?
    It was true. Dael had acquired a following. Indeed his young men were fanatically devoted to him, almost slaves to his intractable will. And before long Zan-Gah had a troop of followers too, as large but less aggressive and