Page 18 of Own To Obsess

Kardos climbed the steps to the temple once again, but this time there was no crowd. Clearly they had little interest in his hearing with the shinnos and had probably already made their minds up about how it was going to go.

More fool them.

He had gone his whole life with the people of the Isles underestimating him—this was simply another case of proving them wrong. However, two things bothered him.

One of them was the way his father had treated him when he brought Shaya to the temple. No matter how much Kardos may have been a disappointment, he never expected his father to refuse the blessing. Kardos had rarely asked for anything from the high chief, he had never asked for any allowances for himself or Tribe Nyek, no loans from the Central Island, no mediation from the high chief in disputes with other tribes, like some of the other tribe leaders had. And yet the first time he brought his woman to temple for their union to be blessed, something well within the scope of any high chief to give, this high chief, his father, had refused him. He couldn’t deny that it cast a shadow on him in the eyes of his people and he couldn't understand why his father had made that decision, considering everything he had said when he’d berated him in his own home.

It suggested that there was something else he wasn’t seeing. His father had said he had to find a way to get the seat and yet he couldn’t offer his help, even as high chief. Nothing he’d found in the traditional rules involved him being able to succeed without the involvement of the high chief. But maybe he needed to keep looking.

The other thing that troubled him was his connection with Az Eshra. They had stopped speaking to him for some reason and that worried him more than his father's behavior. It put him on edge because everything he’d done had been with Az Eshra's blessing. The last time he felt them was when he was with Shaya, watching the ocean on his private deck. The peace that had embraced him as he sat with her in front of the ocean was so complete and calming—it was stronger and better than any feeling he experienced while at any temple, and in truth, he had spent most of that time looking at her. Who wouldn't? She was more beautiful than the ocean, more engaging than any snowstorm, and more fascinating than any phenomenon that could be found in nature. Of course Az Eshra would be in attendance whenever they watched the ocean together—that made sense. But their absence since he arrived back home didn’t.

The temple attendant led him through the usual corridors to the main area. This time the tribe leaders were also in attendance with their shinnos, which was likely because Kardos’ bond with Shaya had potentially impacted them. It had certainly impacted Tribe Obari, who he’d had a pairing agreement with.

Each tribe leader and shinno wore their tribal furs and everyone was fully dressed in full armor—a clear indication of the kind of hearing they were expecting. The murmur of conversation halted as he stalked into the room, but he paid them no attention as he headed to his position in the usual semicircle. Kardos wasn't there for their approval or opinion; he was there to make clear his intent to take the seat. And he would take it, regardless of what they thought.

As the shinnos shuffled into their own places in the semicircle, the high chief appeared before them from behind the chair on the platform and made his way around to the front, watching them all. Each tribe leader stood with his shinno, standing slightly in front. Kardos was the only one who stood alone.

The high chief took his seat slowly, settling into a comfortable position, clasping his hands on his lap. His gaze met each of the shinnos’ eyes, as he looked along the semicircle. “Shinnos,” he announced, after meeting all of their gazes. “We have gathered to address a grievance declared by a number of shinnos in the current cohort. This hearing will determine the nature of the grievance and whether their request for appeasement should be granted.”

Kardos held himself tense as the high chief's eyes return to his.

“It has been said that Shinno Kardos has acted against the Southern Isles by claiming an Omega without permission,” the high chief continued. “The grievance, signed by most of the other shinnos, asks that he is removed from consideration for high chief.”

The high chief looked around the temple at the other shinnos and tribe leaders. “Does anyone wish to add to this grievance?”

“I would like it noted that this hearing has taken an extraordinarily long time to take place,” Shinno Sethol of Tribe Azzan said, the annoyance in his tone grating Kardos’ nerves. “It has been over two weeks since this grievance was made, and almost every single shinno in the Isles was in support of it. There was no reason for a delay other than for you to show favor to your son.”

Kardos was somewhat surprised at his tone. Had the man gone mad? To speak to the high chief like that was simply foolish.

The high chief's jaw clenched but his expression and demeanor didn’t change. “There is more going on in the Isles than just the Year of Selection. Multiple level-eight blizzards head toward us from three different directions and will be here in approximately three months. The birthing temple has no spare beds for this time. We are low on sled-dogs due to an infection on their training isle and potionists are reporting low stock in certain ingredients needed to create the potions necessary to survive the known infections that afflict our people during these storms. There are many considerations for me to think about as high chief, shinno Sethol, but of course I do not expect you to understand. Unless you are capable of thinking like a high chief it is impossible to appreciate the complexities of the Southern Isles. So your complaint is noted and will be filed.”

Kardos was unable to contain a small snort.

Sethol bristled, but his tribe leader, Vasos, quickly stepped forward. “I assure you that shinno Sethol is aware of the complexities of the situation, my chief,” the older man said. “I withdraw his complaint on his behalf.”

The high chief inclined his head. “Any other comments to add?”

“Yes,” shinno Gergo of Tribe Byedor said, his voice firm and loud. “Shinno Kardos brought his Omega to be blessed by you a few days ago,” he began.

Kardos clenched his jaw, knowing what was coming next.

“It was clear from the lack of contact between them as they left the temple that you had not blessed them, and yet he proceeded to mate her at the bottom of the steps.” Shinno Gergo’s anger clearly fueled the power of his words. “This is outrageous behavior. He has demonstrated a severe lack of control and a lack of understanding of what is expected from all members of our society, not just shinnos and certainly not those suitable for consideration for high chief. I offer this information as evidence to support the request that almost all shinnos have made to remove shinno Kardos from consideration.”

The other shinnos nodded in agreement, and the high chief inclined his head again. “That is indeed a serious offense,” he said slowly, “and will be taken into consideration.” He looked over the other shinnos. “Anything else?”

“I would like to add to the request that shinno Kardos adopts the role of a breeder for the Southern Lands,” shinno Rhaad of Tribe Obari piped up. “It is of the highest importance that we begin to prioritize the breeding of the Omega, and since Kardos is in the prime position to contribute to that significant area of our Lands, it is only wise for that to be his main focus. He should be removed as shinno and as tribe leader in order to focus on these elements of his new role as bonded mate to the Omega.”

The other shinnos and tribe leaders murmured in agreement, some of them reluctantly, but still agreeing nonetheless.

“Again, that will be taken into account,” the high chief said, although his voice seemed harder than when he spoke before. Finally he turned to Kardos. “Do you have anything to add before we begin the hearing, shinno Kardos?” he asked. “Anything of importance you would like addressed?”

Kardos dipped his head in a sharp nod, broadening his shoulders. “Firstly I would like to know specifically who made this grievance.”

The high chief nodded to the other shinnos and five out of the seven stepped forward. Tribe Jenzi seemed to still be supporting Kardos for high chief, and the other tribe that didn’t support the grievance, Tribe Moricz, was probably being cowardly. They were a small island and usually sided with the majority, but their vote still counted.

“Secondly,” Kardos said, “I would like to ask all of the tribes for their acknowledgment that I have an Omega mate.”

There was a small silence.

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