Now even Eynon sat down.
“Every time you speak you deliver a blow to us,” Herita said hoarsely. “Your spies have told you all this?”
“I did not need spies for this news. You know my clan’s territory abutts the Stranger’s Sooq. The news of Usharna’s death, and that of her son, was common knowledge.”
Akota stood up once more. “But Areava—or any of Usharna’s children—would never allow the slavers to work again.”
“Areava is not Usharna,” Korigan said evenly. “I know that Rendle and others were commissioned under her authority.”
“For what purpose?” Akota asked. “And what others?”
“To guard their border with Haxus, or so Areava says. And others? Jes Prado for one.”
Again the chiefs and their followers let loose with loud cries, some in alarm, some denying Korigan’s words. All the chiefs were standing now, speaking all at once.
“Haxus is not at war with Grenda Lear!” shouted one of the chiefs. “Why would Areava use mercenaries instead of her own troops?”
“Someone is lying!” Eynon declared, and all other voices were stilled. “Either Areava or Korigan! And I know which queen I believe!”
Before Korigan could say anything, Akota said: “What kind of loyalty is this you show for our queen?”
Eynon laughed harshly. “Our queen? Which one?”
“You know whom I speak of, Eynon. Again I ask, what kind of loyalty is this?”
Eynon pointed at Korigan. “Rather you should ask: what kind of queen is this?” He turned to face the second circle, and as he spoke, he turned slowly, his arms wide and encompassing them all. “This girl has inherited her title! She has not earned it! She knows she is not welcome among some of the clans, and she knows the only way she can unite us all behind her is to make us think the slavers have returned! There are no slavers! There are no mercenaries! There is only Korigan, a shadow of everything her father ever was!”
“And what would you have?” Korigan demanded, her voice rising above his. “A new ruler in my place? Someone like yourself?”
Eynon faced her squarely and shook his head. “I would have no king or queen in the Oceans of Grass. One queen in distant Kendra is enough. We need no more.”
“The world has changed since our fathers’ day,” Korigan replied. “We cannot count on help coming from Kendra. We cannot even count on Kendra looking on us with any favor now that Usharna has gone. We must be united!”
“Against whom?” Eynon said. He turned to one of the chiefs, a young man who looked barely old enough to shave. “Terin! Your clan territory is closest to Haxus! Have any mercenaries raided your people?”
Terin shook his head uncertainly. He looked at Korigan with an expression of helplessness. He was obviously no friend to Eynon, Lynan saw, which was undoubtedly why Eynon had chosen him: if even Korigan’s own allies could not support her story, why should anyone else believe it? Lynan started to move forward, but a heavy hand grasped his arm. He looked over his shoulder and saw Kumul.
“It is too dangerous, lad,” Kumul whispered fiercely.
Gudon gripped his other arm. “He is right, your Majesty.”
Eynon again faced the second circle. “Has anyone seen these mercenaries?” No one would answer him. “Will no one stand for Korigan?” The derision in his voice was unmistakable.
“Her clan stands for her!” Gudon shouted and, releasing his grip on Lynan, he stepped forward from the second circle.
“Who speaks?” demanded Herita.
“I am Gudon, son of Kathera Truespeaker, cousin to Queen Korigan.”
“Gudon?” Eynon asked suspiciously. “You have not been seen or heard from for many years. How do we know it is you? Come into the light!”
Gudon strode to the fire and took off his hat. Herita, Eynon, and Akota came up close to study his face.
“I am not sure,” Herita said.
“Maybe it is not him,” Eynon suggested.
“It is he,” Akota said with certainty. “I knew the True-speaker, and this is her son.”
A murmur passed around the two circles like a breeze across the plains.
“He seems well known,” Ager muttered.
“Where have you been all this time?” Akota asked.
“In the east.” Gudon smiled humorlessly at Eynon. “I was one of Queen Korigan’s spies. It is I who brought back word about Rendle and Prado. They ride again.”
“This is ridiculous!” Eynon said angrily. “Because he is the son of the Truespeaker does not mean he is one himself! He is Korigan’s worm!”
Gudon’s hand went to his sword hilt. “I am no one’s worm,” he said coldly.
“There is no need for insult and threats here,” Akota spat, and she and Herita stood between Eynon and Gudon. Eynon stepped back a pace, his hands clearly well away from his own weapon, and Gudon let his own hand drop.
“My words were hasty,” Eynon admitted, but then turned once more to the second circle. “But if we do not believe Korigan, why should we believe her cousin? I ask again, has anyone seen these mercenaries? And I do not ask this of the White Wolf clan, for we know where their interests lie.”
Lynan moved so quickly he broke from Kumul’s grip before the giant could tighten it.
“God’s sake, lad!” Kumul hissed, but Lynan ignored him. He stepped well into the light of the fire. His hat cast a dark shadow across his face and hid his features. Eynon and the other chiefs turned to face him. Gudon groaned. Korigan came up to him and said under her breath: “Lynan, you do not have to do this!”
Lynan looked squarely at her and said: “I made a choice to come to the High Sooq. Now I have to make that choice work.”
“And despite my words, yet another from Korigan’s clan comes forward,” Eynon cried loudly. “Her followers are loyal to a fault, but not so good of hearing.” Many in both circles laughed at the small figure who had appeared in front of them.
“I am not born of the White Wolf clan,” Lynan said loudly enough for all in the first circle to hear. “And I have seen the mercenaries.”
“Then whose clan were you born into?” Eynon asked, his voice still jesting.
“A clan you know well, Eynon. The clan of the kestrel.”
“I have never heard of this kestrel,” Eynon said. “And certainly know of no such clan.”
“You would know it by its other name.”
“First, my little Chett, by what name should we know you?”
“My name is Lynan.”
Eynon’s face turned sour. “That is not funny. No Chett may be called Lynan after the last of that name passed away.” There were murmurs of agreement from all the chiefs. “His name is not one we cherish.”
“I am not a Chett.”
Eynon was too startled to speak, but Herita said: “If you are not a Chett, what right do you have to speak to the two circles?” She turned to Korigan. “Will you break with our tradition so easily?”
“I have the right,” Lynan said before Korigan could reply, taking off his hat and drawing out the Key of Union from beneath his poncho. The firelight gleamed off his white skin and the Key. He heard gasps all around him.
“Do you recognize this?” he asked of all the chiefs.
“I have never seen it,” Akota said under her breath, “but I know it. All Chetts know it. It was the symbol of Usharna’s sovereignty over us.”
“The Key of Union,” Eynon said numbly. “How come you to have it... ?” His voice drifted off as he realized the truth.
“I am Lynan Rosetheme, and the sea hawk is my family’s emblem. As son of Queen Usharna, I have the right to be heard before the two circles. And as son of Elynd Chisal, who was born of a Chett woman, I have the right to be heard before the two circles. And as the White Wolf returned, I have the right to be heard before the two circles.”
In the uproar that followed, Ager turned to Kumul and said, “He’s getting quite good at this, isn’t he?”