Dar remained in the Great Chamber waiting for her turmoil to subside. Any relief at her reprieve was spoiled by its temporary nature, and she wanted to be calm when she returned to her hanmuthi. Nir-yat and her mintaris would be waiting for her, doubtlessly aware of what had transpired. The whole hall probably knows by now.
Dar pushed dismal thoughts aside to ponder how to best use her remaining time. She concluded that the next queen must be warned about Kol. If he followed form, he would present himself as a friend. Dar did not want her successor to be fooled into voiding the treaty and resurrecting the orc regiments.
Despite her concerns, Dar saw no point in speaking to Muth-yat. Instead, she decided to give that task to Nir-yat. There seemed a chance that, once Dar was gone, Muth-yat would listen to her. The principal problem would be explaining the nature of the threat to Nir-yat. Dar feared her sister would not easily grasp how Kol would use deception. Dar was thinking about how to coach Nir-yat when Zna-yat rushed into the chamber, too excited even to bow. “Muth Mauk! More matriarchs have arrived! Muth-pah and Muth-goth!”
“How is that possible? Muth-goth doesn’t travel, and I didn’t summon Muth-pah.”
“I don’t know,” replied Zna-yat. “All I’ve heard is that they’re here and both are suffering from their journey. Muth-goth arrived on litter. They’ve gone to Muth-yat’s hanmuthi.”
Dar grinned. “I doubt Muth-yat was pleased to receive these guests.”
“I think this also,” said Zna-yat.
“I wish to see lorekeeper right away.”
“I’ll bring her,” said Zna-yat.
Dar waited anxiously, for she was uncertain if a decision made by stones could be reversed. When Yev-yat arrived, Dar put the question to her. The lorekeeper’s answer was not reassuring. “It’s never happened.”
“But today’s circumstances are unique.”
“One can argue that,” said Yev-yat. “I would, but I’m no clan matriarch. They’ll decide this matter, not you or I.”
“Then I must wait on their decision.”
“I hope it goes your way, Muth Mauk.”
Dar spoke with the lorekeeper at length about the relations between queens and matriarchs. Not surprisingly, they were often contentious. Nevertheless, the stones were seldom used to resolve disputes. The council ruled by consensus, and when it couldn’t be reached, disputed actions were postponed. Unfortunately, deciding whether a new queen was fit to rule could not be put off. Hence, the stones were employed, and the resulting vote was called the stones’ decision, not the matriarchs’.
Despite Yev-yat’s uncertainty over whether a second vote would be permitted, Dar returned to her hanmuthi feeling hopeful for the first time in days. The arrival of the two matriarchs seemed like Muth la’s intervention. Dar could think of no other explanation, and that changed her outlook. She began to see the next day’s meeting as another chance to win the matriarchs’ support. Dar sensed their support would be needed beyond the upcoming meeting, for she suspected another trial would soon be upon her. Her latest vision quickly came to mind. She felt that if she were spared, it would be for Muth la’s purposes. But before I worry what they are, I have to survive tomorrow’s meeting.
Dar returned to her hanmuthi, which was abuzz. The arrival of the two matriarchs seemed good news, and everyone had tried to learn as much as they could about it. It had not been easy, for the new visitors were sequestered with the other matriarchs. Nagtha-yat had spoken to Muth-yat, who had informed him that Muth-pah and Muth-goth were too exhausted to see Dar before the council met. Nir-yat had found out that Deen-yat had been called to the hanmuthi. The healer had remained there, leaving only briefly to procure some herbs. Nir-yat had questioned her when she did, but Deen-yat had been closemouthed, as was her custom concerning patients. Zna-yat had located the sons who journeyed with the matriarchs and spoken to them. “Three among them are candidates for your mintaris—Treen-pah, Ven-goth, and Auk-goth—so their duty is to you. Do you wish to speak with them?”
“Hai,” said Dar. “I’ll go now to Great Chamber. Send Treen-pah to me first.”
Soon afterward, Dar greeted the Pah clan son. They recognized each other immediately, and Treen-pah was so astounded that he almost forgot to bow after Dar blessed him. Then, when he did bow, his head nearly touched the floor.
“I remember you, Treen-pah,” said Dar. “You were with those sons who captured me and my companions.”
“Forgive me, Muth Mauk. I was only obeying our law.”
“You behaved properly. I was still washavoki then, for I had yet to be reborn.”
“Until I arrived here, I didn’t know rebirth still happened. And I had no idea it was you who had been reborn,” said Treen-pah. “This journey has brought many surprises. None of my clan has stood before queen since Tarathank fell.”
“That’s because your clan was lost,” said Dar. “It’s lost no more. I’m queen Velasa-pah foretold.”
“If I had wisdom, I might have known that, for everything changed after you came our way.”
“Have you improved your hall?”
“Hai. We’re adding more hanmuthis so sons and mothers can eat together. And because sons no longer patrol mountains, I think more children will soon arrive.”
“Such news gladdens my chest,” said Dar. “But, tell me—why did Muth-pah journey here?”
“She had vision. That’s all I know. We’ve been traveling ever since, except for brief rest at Goth clan hall. We traveled thirty days through deep snow, encountering many storms. Then six days ago, Muth-goth had vision. Since then, we’ve traveled night and day, seldom resting.”
“How have matriarchs fared?” asked Dar.
“Our matriarch is much worn by her journey, but Muth-goth is worse. Everyone fears she’s dying.”
“She has healer now. Her vision has saved her.”
“Perhaps, Muth Mauk, but Muth-goth said her vision was meant to save you.”
Six days ago, I met Muth-smat and Muth-zut, thought Dar. That vision was no coincidence! But if the poison had been ready this morning... Dar’s hair rose at the thought.
After Dar sent Treen-pah for some well-deserved rest, she saw Ven-goth and Auk-goth. Auk-goth she knew, for he had guided Dar and her companions part of their way homeward. Exceptionally large and strong, he appeared little wearied by his difficult journey. After Dar blessed him, she grinned. “My old sapaha has returned.”
“Hai, Muth Mauk. Yet if you bite my neck, it will be you who’ll guide me.”
Dar had never met Ven-goth, but she knew of him. After she blessed him, she asked, “Were you not Fre-pah’s velazul?”
“Hai, Muth Mauk, until my muthuri withheld her blessing.”
“She wanted to keep you close, and Pah clan hall was far from hers.”
“That was her reason.”
“Yet my hanmuthi is farther still, and if I bite your neck, it will become your home.”
“Muth-goth told me that, but I was willing to come.”
“Becoming mintari doesn’t mean you can’t be blessed. Do you think Fre-pah would be willing to live in this hall?”
Ven-goth’s face lit up, and he was unable to control his grin. “Hai, hai, Muth Mauk! She would be most pleased.”
Dar smiled. “It’s rare to hear son speak for mother.”
“Fre-pah’s chest and mine are one, Muth Mauk. Ask anyone.”
“Then I’ll speak of this to Muth-pah and Muth-goth. But remember, I have yet to bite your neck.”
Ven-goth bowed low. “I hope you will, Muth Mauk, for I would be honored to serve one so wise.”
After speaking with the Goth clan candidates, Dar headed for her hanmuthi. The evening’s meal would be her first in thirty-three days that wasn’t a feast, and Dar looked forward to a quiet dinner. It had been a tumultuous day, and the entire hall was affected. As Dar passed through its corridors, she sensed the tenseness in the air. Every son and mother appeared to know something momentous was in the offing. There are few secrets here, Dar thought, suddenly realizing that she must tell Yev-yat not to reveal her latest vision. Before Muth-pah and Muth-goth arrived, Dar had felt the clan should be aware of its danger, but circumstances seemed to be changing. There’ll be panic if everyone knows what I’ve seen.