Samuel had been thoroughly briefed on each man and felt like he knew him already. The first to come forward was Major David, the leader of the strongest faction in the area. During the fighting each member of the militia had taken a Biblical name. But they were staunch Muslims, but also highly respectful of The Spiritists, because they recognized Muhammed and The First Speaker often bore messages from him. He was a big, burly man, who fit the picture of a rough and tumble guerilla fighter. He quickly blessed Samuel, thanked him for coming, and assured his support.
The next to come up was Hama Selassi, the next strongest war lord. A staunch nationalist he resented the Spiritists being in his country, but was strongly desiring that the peace be maintained. His people, too, were staunchly Muslim. He was not quite as robust as Captain David, but still a man of considerable stature.
The next to approach was Muhammed Duma, the third strongest leader. His people belonged to a different Muslim sect than the majority of the locals, who tended to be a little more radical. They were also deeply involved in a lot of the criminal activity. Duma did not like this, and was doing all in his power to help the Republic Forces stamp it out. He did not fit his reputation as a fierce fighter. He was several inches shorter than Samuel, seemed slim and wore thick glasses. But his handshake was strong and his voice commanding.
The final leader to approach was Modar Kosh. He was the leader of the outcasts, people of non Islamic faiths that had banded together during the fighting for mutual protection. They were mostly Christians, but there were also Hindus, Jews and Buddhists living in his sector.
Samuel knew that there were also now many Spiritists converts living among all the different factions. When all these were introduced James Richards, the Warlock Samuel was replacing, came up, tall, slim, grey haired, so white he almost seemed anemic, but the way he grabbed Samuel's shoulders, told him he was no weakling.
The president insisted they sit and talk a few minutes. "May I ask a question?" Samuel put in, when they had taken their seats.
"Of course!" the president answered.
"Mr. Selassi," Samuel asked, "I thought your family was influential in Ethopia, not Somalia."
The burly man laughed. "My most famous ancestor was best known in Ethopia," he answered, "but the Selassis were once influential along this entire coast of Africa. We have played a part in the history of most of the countries on this continent."
"I see!" Samuel acknowledged.
They talked for a couple of hours, each leader expressing their concerns on a variety of subjects and seeming to like Samuel's responses. Finally the president called a halt. "Enough!" he insisted. "You can tell him more as he visits each of your sectors. Now, let's let him refresh himself, enjoy tonight's banquet and in the morning you can take him down to Gianname and he can take command."
The afternoon was very pleasant. Samuel met the president's wives and found his children happily splashing naked in the pool with them, much to his wife's dismay.
"They are too young," one of the president's wives explained, "to be worried about the differences in their bodies. Let them enjoy their innocence while they can. All too soon they will learn the ways of men and women!"
"How true!" Sharon agreed. "They grow so fast!"
She put her hand on her stomach and the president's wife looked at her curiously. "Another?" she whispered.
Sharon nodded. The president's wife hurried to her husband.
"Wonderful!" the president cried, "Wonderful! Congratulations Warlock!"
"What?" Samuel asked.
"Your coming child," the president cried, "Congratulations!"
"Oh!" Samuel laughed, going over to his wife, "When did this happen?
"All that free time we had on the ship," his wife remarked.
Samuel embraced her. The children ran up, wrapped in towels. Samuel felt good. He had been hesitant to come here, but these people seemed to really want him to be there. He felt welcome.
That evening's banquet was even more joyous as the news of Sharon's pregnancy spread. Finally in the morning they headed south.
"I hope you do not mind the heat," Warlock Richards warned. "We are nearly on the equator and it gets very warm here. You'll get used to it after a time. Nobody does much in the middle of the day. Early morning and early evening is when most of the work gets done."
"That's more than understandable!" Samuel assured.
As they entered the city the people were out to greet them. It was a joyous welcome!

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