Dar suddenly understood why the royal hanmuthi was so large. “Meera-yat said I should ask each matriarch for two candidates.”
“Hai, but you need not accept them. Still, it’s best to have at least one mintari from each clan. Keep
asking for candidates until you get one who suits you.”
“Meera said I could ask for sons by name.”
“Hai, if you wish.”
“Do you have any suggestions?”
“I’m only familiar with sons from Mah and Tok clans,” said Nir-yat. “Consider Kazan-mah and Togu-mah. Kak-tok might be good choice also. You know our clan’s sons, and you’ve already bitten brother’s neck.”
“What do you think of Nagtha-yat?”
Nir-yat looked surprised. “He’s Grandmother’s youngest son, he must be fifty winters old. Why would you consider him?”
“I met him when I lived among washavoki soldiers. He was Wise Son who called me mother and allowed me to sleep within Muth la’s Embrace.”
“I heard he went to fight,” said Nir-yat, “but I don’t know if he survived.”
“Doesn’t he live in this hall?”
“He lives in his daughter’s hanmuthi. She’s Jan clan.”
“I thought he was unblessed, because only unblessed sons were sent to fight.”
“His muthvashi died, but he remained with her clan.”
“If he lives, I’d like to see him,” said Dar. “Which Mah clan son is better, Kazan-mah or Togu-mah?” “Why not ask to see both?”
“Because I’ll ask for Kovok-mah.”
“Kovok-mah!”
“Hai. I want him.”
“He can’t see you! His muthuri has forbidden it.”
“She can’t forbid him to become mintari.”
“That’s true, but he must withhold his love. That won’t change. Why torment yourself?”
“I’m only being practical. He speaks washavoki tongue. That’s rare skill among urkzimmuthi.”
“Sister, others speak washavoki tongue. They’d be wiser choice.”
“Do you think me unwise?”
“In this matter, I do. Please don’t choose him.”
“I was told to follow my chest.”
“By who?”
Dar recalled that it was Velasa-pah who first had given her that advice. As soon as she had that thought, she knew she shouldn’t voice it. “It’s common wisdom.”
“There are times when your head must overrule your chest. This is one of them.”
“I’m queen, free to choose my mintari.”
“You’re not free from Muth la’s laws. You’re making dangerous choice.”
“Dangerous?”
“You understand my meaning. We’re sisters. I know your chest.”
“Kovok-mah will be one of my mintaris,” said Dar in a tone she hoped conveyed finality. “I’ll send message to Muth-mah today.”
Nir-yat sighed and bowed. “Then at least you should ask for Togu-mah also.”
Later that morning, sons left the Yat clan hall bearing messages to the clan matriarchs. None went to the Lost Clan, so Muth-goth’s hall was the most distant destination. Three sons left on that long journey, which took nearly a moon in the summertime. In winter, the way was too perilous for a solitary traveler. The other clans were less difficult to reach, and only one messenger was sent to each.
Muth-yat watched the messengers depart from the window of her hanmuthi, then turned to Zor-yat. “Nir-yat visited me earlier today with Muth Mauk’s request for mintaris.”
“Muth Mauk!” said Zor-yat in a bitter tone. “She’ll always be Dargu to me!”
Muth-yat smiled at her sister’s petulance. “Still, we must call her Muth Mauk. You should know that your son was on her list.”
“That’s no surprise. She’s bitten Zna-yat’s neck already.”
“She also named Nagtha-yat.”
“Strange choice.”
“Wise choice,” said Muth-yat. “Another was less wise.”
“Who?”
Muth-yat grinned. “Kovok-mah.”
Zor-yat’s face lit up. “Kovok-mah! Are you sure?”
“Nir-yat told me only because Muth Mauk had not forbidden it.”
“Why would she forbid it? Everyone will know soon enough.” Zor-yat’s grin broadened. “Kath-mah will be furious!”
“Perhaps Muth Mauk thinks Kovok-mah’s muthuri will change her mind.”
“Then she doesn’t know Kath-mah! This is good news, Sister.” “It’s as I hoped,” said Muth-yat. “Muth Mauk’s foolishness will quickly end her reign. Our hall will be saved.”
“So Kovok-mah will dwell within royal hanmuthi. Every moment, Dargu will be tempted.”
“Once before, she risked her life to be with him,” added Muth-yat.
“Then, she had to journey to Taiben,” said Zor-yat. She smiled. “This time, she’ll need only to cross her hanmuthi.”
“That won’t happen if Nir-yat’s there. Zor, you must forgive Nir-yat and make her welcome in your hanmuthi.”
Zor-yat frowned. “She chose Dargu over me!”
“That doesn’t matter. Make peace with Nir-yat. And for our hall’s sake, you must make peace with Muth Mauk, too. If she feels secure, she’ll be less cautious.”
Sevren made his way along Taiben’s darkening streets. They were nearly deserted, for the plague of thieves continued unabated. He kept a watchful eye, knowing that the robbers would attack even a guardsman. Word had it that they were unskilled assailants, but fearless and dogged. He arrived at the sand ice merchant’s house without incident and knocked on its door. A peephole slid open. A moment later, the door was unlocked, and a gray-haired man bade him enter.
The modest house was both a home and shop, and the merchant’s wares were everywhere. The sand ice vessels, all of orcish make, sparkled in the firelight. They seemed to Sevren like icicles made by magic. It was a sight that never failed to enchant him. “Tava, Sevren,” said the man. Hello, Sevren. “Sutak fu ala keem suth?” Have you come for more learning?
“Hai, Thamus, tep pahav pi daku urksaam.” Yes, Thamus, and to speak of other things.
“Atham?” What?
“Ma kramav...” I fear .Sevren halted. “Let’s speak in our tongue tonight.”
“You’ll never learn Orcish that way.”
“I know, but there’s a matter that worries me, something too important to speak about unskilfully”
“I’m only a sand ice merchant, weighty matters aren’t my province.”
“But you know the urkzimmuthi,” said Sevren. “You not only speak their tongue, you’re welcome in their halls.”
“Aye, they extend me that honor, but that doesn’t make me wise.”
“I think you know more about them than anyone in Taiben.”
Thamus laughed. “That’s saying little.”
“It’s about Queen Girta’s urkzimmuthi guard. Would they revolt against her?”
“Didn’t their queen pledge their loyalty?” “Aye, but she was deathly ill.”
“That makes no difference. The sons will remain true to her word.”
“But what if they’re pushed to revolt?”
“Treachery goes against their nature. All double-dealing does. When I’m in their halls, I’ve no need for locked chests. Only here.”
“I do na doubt their honesty,” said Sevren. “I’m worried about their tolerance. They’re na treated well. They’re called Palace Piss Eyes and Girta’s Goblins.”
“Even if they understood those insults, it wouldn’t sway them. Their loyalty is to their queen, not ours. Yet I take it things aren’t going well.”
“I think Queen Girta fears her guard. I know she neglects them. They were to be housed properly, so their own women could join them. Yet no steps have been taken.”
“That’s shortsighted. Has no one told our queen that?”
“I’ve tried, but she complains of the expense. Courtiers sway her from her true interests. I fear the cause is lost without Dar to speak to her, queen-to-queen.”
“Any news of Dar?”
“None,” said Sevren, his eyes mournful. “I fear the worst.”
“She’s the reason why you wanted to learn Orcish.”