Page 119 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

They spoke of magic. “And if they don’t want it?” Shuree asked.

Ghalin answered.They can choose not to use it at all.

We will watch you,Lelin said.When the time comes, you can come to us for help or answers.

It was hard to comprehend, but if no harm would come to her or her children, she would accept it. “Thank you.” Later, when she wasn’t so tired, and peace had been negotiated, she would ask for more details.

We have one more thing to ask of you,Ghalin said.We would like to listen to your discussions, learn about you.

“I am happy for you to, but the other khans must agree.”

Dagar returned with a bowl of dumpling soup. “Is everything all right?”

“It is.” She took the soup from him. “Ghalin would like to sit in on our discussions tomorrow. Could you ask the khans whether they agree to it?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that wise?”

“A lack of understanding brought us here. Let’s not repeat the same mistakes as we made with our own people.”

He shook his head. “You are too lovely to be real.” He caressed her cheek and walked out.

Her heart beat a little faster. When this was over, she would have to do something about her feelings for Dagar.

He would make a strong father for your children,Lelin said.

Shuree gaped at her.

Something to think about.Lelin exposed her teeth in a smile.

Shuree didn’t reply, though Lelin could probably see her thoughts.

Peace had to be achieved first.

* * *

It tookanother five days to negotiate the terms of the peace treaty. Arguments broke out regularly after the first day; perhaps with Shuree’s health improving, the men no longer felt like they needed to hold back their emotions. A few times they had to break up the meeting to give people time to cool off and each time Shuree went to speak with those involved to help them see the situation from the other’s point of view. On one such time she wandered over to where Turgen was shooting arrows at the targets, his movements fast and his whole body tense.

“Are you pretending it’s Ogodai you’re shooting?” Shuree asked as she stood next to him.

Turgen swore. “That imbecile!”

Shuree waited until he’d used all the arrows in his quiver and then walked over to the target with him to withdraw them. “I can’t say I agree with his phrasing,” she said. “Our women should not be traded, and there should be no minimum number who move tribes, but arranging suitable love matches between the tribes would be good for everyone.”

“He wants my daughter for his wife. He’s older than I am!”

“Then perhaps we need to add a clause that no one may be forced into a marriage they do not want. Then your daughter can choose whether she wants to marry Ogodai.”

“She won’t want to.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about.” She slid the arrows into his quiver.

The simmering tension in him deflated and he rubbed the back of his neck, sighing. “You’re right. My anger made me lose focus.”

She smiled. “It’s been a long few days. Why don’t you shoot another quiver of arrows and I’ll chat to Ogodai? Then we can arrange for more food and continue the discussions.”

“All right.”

As she approached Ogodai in his camp, the khan held up his hand. “Don’t speak. Dagar has already explained how my words were misconstrued and I know your feelings about women being commodities.”

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