[Queen of Orcs 03] - Royal Destiny (24 page)

Dar bathed on the morning of the Council of Matriarchs, hoping to scrub away the scent of fear. Nir-yat braided her hair and painted talmauki on her nails. When Dar finished her preparations, she went to the Great Chamber. She ascended the throne and sent Zna-yat to inform the matriarchs that Muth Mauk was thinking of them.

Dar prepared to face the matriarchs and attempt to persuade them of her fitness. She wouldn’t surrender without a fight. Nevertheless, Dar felt as she had on the dawn when soldiers spilled from a barn to assault her. She had been prepared on that day also, though a ladle was her only weapon.
This time, Kovok-mah can’t save me. All I have is my wits.

The matriarchs arrived, and Dar blessed each by name. Dar knew what to say next, for the lorekeeper had coached her. “Today we honor tradition with this first meeting of great mother and foremost Clan Mothers. It’s our duty to protect Muth la’s children and show them her path.”

Muth-yat stepped forward. “Today we must affirm that Fathma was bestowed in accordance to Muth la’s will.”

“Hai,” said Dar. “Upon that matter I shall speak first.” She gazed at the faces before her and easily discerned each matriarch’s mood. She counted three friends and four foes.
I only need to change one mind
, she thought. Then Dar began her attempt.

“Muth la gave me two lives,” said Dar. “I was born washavoki. That life was hard beyond your imagining. Yet I knew of no other until Muth la set me among urkzimmuthi. Then she sent me both visions and trials. I came to believe that urkzimmuthi should not fight for washavokis. I resolved to lead sons home. Muth la guided me as I journeyed eastward. I encountered Velasa-pah. I lived in Tarathank. I found Lost Clan. I returned sons to their muthuris’ hearths.

“After I arrived here, Muth-yat came to me and spoke of her vision. She said I appeared to her to ask why I was not yet born. Then she told me of magic for rebirth. That magic was hard to endure and dangerous, but I gladly shed my old life. My spirit was transformed, and Zor-yat counted me among her daughters.

“Because my form was unaltered, Muth-yat wished me to go to Taiben. There, our queen dwelled. Black Washavoki said he was healing her sickness. Those words had no meaning. His magic was evil. He gave our queen his words to speak. That’s why she called for so many sons to kill for Great Washavoki.

“When I freed our queen from Black Washavoki’s magic, she agreed to flee with me. She did not say that this would kill her. She was willing to die because she deemed me worthy to receive Fathma. When I became Muth Mauk, I returned to Taiben to face Great Washavoki and Black Washavoki. Now they are dead. Sons no longer kill for washavokis. Instead, they protect washavoki great mother. All this was Muth la’s will, which I fulfilled.”

When Dar finished speaking, Muth-yat stepped forward. “I agree with everything Muth Mauk has said. Without her, Fathma would be lost to urkzimmuthi. When my sister was dying, Dargu-yat was only urkzimmuthi mother present. That was why Dargu-yat received Fathma.

“If you are lost and thirsty, is it not wise to cup hands and drink water when you find it? Of course it is. But it is foolish to store water in one’s palm. Enduring vessel is needed for that. Dargu-yat received Fathma and brought it to us. That was good. But is she fit to keep it?

“Dargu-yat was reborn this summer. Should infant be our queen? Her urkzimmuthi spirit dwells in ugly washavoki body. Her nose is not wise. How can she tell what others feel? She smells neither fear nor anger nor love nor pain. These are dangerous times. We need experienced queen, not some crippled newborn.”

“I agree,” said Muth-zut. “We must test Muth Mauk’s fitness. It’s our responsibility.”

“That test is rarely done,” said Muth-tok, “and I see no need to do it now.”

“Hai,” said Muth-jan. “Seldom has Muth la’s will been so clearly revealed. Muth Mauk has received many visions. How many have you received, Muth-yat? Only one I’ve heard of, and it revealed that Dargu should be reborn.”

Muth-smat spoke up. “When sickness comes, we use healing magic. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Sometimes, its cure is only partial. Is magic of rebirth any more reliable? I see no certain sign that Muth Mauk is urkzimmuthi. Perhaps she’s only partly so.”

“Or not at all,” said Muth-zut. “I smell washavoki stink.”

“Are you saying washavokis can receive Fathma?” asked Muth-tok.

“Thwa. I suppose they can’t,” replied Muth-zut.

“Then why did you speak so quickly?” asked Muth-tok. “We need wisdom here.”

“I spoke my chest,” said Muth-zut. “I don’t like her looks.”

“Indeed, I am unsightly,” said Dar. “Strange, also. Why would Muth la choose one as strange as me to be your queen? I think it’s because I understand something you don’t—our enemy. Who among you understands washavokis’ minds? Urkzimmuthi are strong and wise, yet washavokis possess our ancient lands. Why? I know, but our tongue doesn’t even have words to explain. Washavokis say ‘lies,’ ‘treachery,’ ‘betrayal,’ and ‘deceit.’ These words are only meaningless sounds to us, with no translations. This summer, two thousand sons died because they didn’t understand my warning. As Muth Mauk, I need not explain, only command.”

“Are we to obey you without understanding?” asked Muth-smat. “I won’t.”

“When Muth-yat’s sister was queen,” said Muth-jan, “she commanded us to send sons to kill for Great Washavoki. We understood and obeyed. How many of those sons have returned to our halls?”

“Perhaps Muth Mauk understands washavokis,” said Muth-mah, “but does she understand urkzimmuthi ways? Among us, muthuris are honored and their words are obeyed. Sons look to their muthuris to guide their chests. Yet I think Muth Mauk would have it otherwise and take some son for herself without his muthuri’s consent.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Muth-yat, as if she didn’t know.

“Kath-mah came to me,” replied Muth-mah. “She was much troubled over her son, Kovok-mah. Muth Mauk wanted him as her velazul. When Kath-mah forbade it, Muth Mauk bit his neck. Is this how she upholds our traditions?”

Muth-smat glared at Dar with disgust. “She should be thwada, not queen.”

“Kovok-mah serves me,” said Dar, “but he serves me in Taiben. Few speak washavoki tongue, but he does. I have honored his muthuri’s commands.”

“Are you not his velazul?” asked Muth-mah.

“We were velazuls until his muthuri forbade it.”

“Did he give you love?” asked Muth-mah.

“We behaved properly.”

Muth-mah pressed on. “Do you wish he would give you daughters?”

“We must be blessed first,” replied Dar. “If that doesn’t happen, my wishes are of no consequence.”

Muth-mah ceased her questioning, but it had had its effect. The look of disgust on Muth-smat’s face had deepened.

Muth-yat spoke up. “There is disagreement. Some among us think that we should test Muth Mauk’s fitness, while others think it’s unnecessary. This matter seems to require stones. Muth Mauk, will you call for them?”

Courtesy required that the call for stones be phrased as a question, but only one answer was permissible. “Hai,” said Dar. “Muth-yat, will you open door?”

Muth-yat bowed and opened the double doors to the Great Chamber, which were closed only when the council was in session. Zna-yat stood outside them. “Bring stones,” Dar commanded.

Zna-yat returned a short while later bearing a black, wide-mouthed pottery vessel. He set it by the throne, bowed, and departed, closing the doors behind him. Muth-yat reached into the vessel and removed the stones it contained. She handed two to each matriarch, one green and one black. Afterward, she spoke. “Muth Mauk, we are uncertain where wisdom lies. Should we give you Muth la’s Draught? Is this test unneeded? These stones will guide us. Do you wish to speak before they decide?”

“Hai,” said Dar. “Muth la has given me many visions. They have guided me. Yet not all have come to pass. This means I still have more tasks to fulfill.”

“If it’s Muth la’s will,” said Muth-yat, “you shall drink and live.”

“Muth la’s Draught is poison,” replied Dar. “Anyone who drinks it dies. Muth la prevents death by calling us to avoid killing.”

“Stones will answer this question,” said Muth-yat. “Black means Muth Mauk is tested. Green means she is not.”

Each matriarch moved apart from the others and turned away so none could see what color she chose. Then each placed her hand in the vessel and dropped a stone. The click of them hitting the pottery was the only sound in the chamber. Muth-yat lifted the vessel and presented it to Dar. “Muth Mauk, will you count the stones?”

Dar reached into the black vessel.

“Green.

“Black.

“Black.

“Green.

“Black.

“Green.

“Black.

“Four black. Three green,” said Dar.

“Stones say Muth Mauk should be tested,” said Muth-yat. “Does this council accept their judgment?”

“Hai,” replied the matriarchs together.

“Then I will submit to your wisdom,” said Dar. “Muth-yat, will you open chamber doors?” Muth-yat did so. Zna-yat was outside. Dar spoke to him. “Zna-yat, have Jvar-yat bring Muth la’s Draught to us.”

As Dar waited to die, memories from the queens who had taken Muth la’s Draught came to her unbidden.
It tastes of honey, but bitter. It acts quickly. I’ll be nauseous and gasp for air. When I start to tremble, someone will step forward to receive Fathma.
Dar was certain that it would be Muth-yat. Before, when Dar had been near death, she had seen the worthiness of everyone’s spirit.
It’ll make no difference this time. I won’t be given a choice.

Jvar-yat entered the Great Chamber, interrupting Dar’s thoughts. She bowed very low. “Forgive me, Muth Mauk, Muth la’s Draught is not yet ready. It’s my fault. I drank too much falfhissi at my feast and began steeping seeds too late. More time is required.”

“When will it be ready?” asked Dar.

“Tomorrow morning.”

Dar regarded the matriarchs, whose faces betrayed their mixed reactions. “We’ll meet again then.”

Jvar-yat bowed and departed. Then the matriarchs did the same, leaving Dar alone in the Great Chamber. She gazed through its windows at the surrounding mountains. Falling snow made them fade, so they seemed more like memories of mountains than real.
This time tomorrow, all that will remain of me will be memories.

Twenty-eight

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.