He paused and threw up his hands dramatically.

'... the armies of Ilsig returned early from their mountain campaign and put aswift end to the uprising. The survivors fled south ... here ... along thecoast.'

He indicated the route with his fingers.

'The kingdom waited for a while, expecting the errant slaves to return of theirown volition. When they didn't, a troop of cavalry was sent to overtake them andbring them back. They overtook the slaves here, forcing them back into themountains, and a mighty battle ensued. The slaves were triumphant, and thecavalry was destroyed.'

He indicated, a point in the southern portion of the mountain range.

'Aren't you going to tell about the battle?' Ran-tu interrupted.

'That is a story in itself... requiring separate payment,' Hakiem smiled.

The boy bit his lip and said nothing more.

'In the course of their battle with the cavalry, the slaves discovered a passthrough the mountains, allowing them to enter this green valley where game wasplentiful and crops sprang from the ground. They called it Sanctuary.'

'The valley isn't green,' an urchin interrupted pointedly.

'That's because the slaves were dumb and overworked the land,' counteredanother.

'My dad used to be a farmer, and he didn't overwork the land!' argued a third.

'Then how is it you had to move into town when the sands took your farm?'countered the second.

'I want to hear my story!' barked Ran-tu, suddenly towering above them.

The group subsided into silence.

'The young gentleman there has the facts of the matter right,' smiled Hakiem,pointing a finger at the second urchin. 'But it took time. Oh' my, yes, lots oftime. As the slaves exhausted the land to the north, they moved south, untilthey reached the point where the town stands today. Here they met a group of