Page 91 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

The youths nodded. “Yes, Tribal Mother.”

Shuree gestured to Dagar and Mengu and led them through the camp, greeting people as she went.

Sube ran up, his training sabre held out front as he glared at the men. “Do you need protection, Shuree?”

She smiled. “No, Sube, but thank you for the offer. These men are my guests. Could you tell my grandmother I’ve returned?”

His suspicion was clear in the way he looked them up and down and then ran off with her message.

“Your warriors are young,” Dagar commented.

“Sube has a big heart.”

“Shuree!” Badma’s excited shriek caused Shuree to turn, but she didn’t have a chance to prepare herself before Badma flung her arms around her, forcing her to stumble back a step. “You’re alive!”

Shuree chuckled, hugging her friend. “I am and I have brought guests from the Erseg tribe.”

Badma stepped back and noticed Dagar. Fear crossed her face and Shuree squeezed her hand. “They are friends. I will tell you all about it later. Could you find Erhi for me? Ask her to come to the khan’s tent.”

Her friend left, turning back a few times as if to check Shuree was indeed all right.

“You are popular,” Dagar commented.

“They are merely surprised.” She smiled. “I’m not sure anyone believed I would return.”

He grunted.

At the khan’s tent she paused. She had to convince her brother to agree with the terms she’d negotiated. She was sure he would insist on holding the khan ceremony immediately. She pushed the flap open. Inside her brother sat at the head of the table and next to him sat the council, including Erhi.

Amar’s mouth dropped open. “Shuree!”

“Greetings brother. Permit me to introduce Dagar, son of Ogodai Khan, and spiritual advisor, Mengu from the Erseg tribe.” She turned to Dagar, but before she could continue her introductions, her brother stood, outrage turning his face red.

“They mutilated our khan! They need to die.” He reached for his sabre.

Dagar went for his weapon and Shuree stepped in front of him, heart pounding, holding up her hands in pacification. “Drop your weapon, Amar! These are my honoured guests and you will treat them as such.”

“They are murderers,” he growled, ignoring her command and moving closer.

Shuree drew her own sabre and held it out. “You will not touch them.” Her gaze flicked to the men around the table. “Jambal, restrain my brother.”

Jambal hesitated.

“As your Tribal Mother, I order you to restrain him. If it weren’t for me, you would not have your family back.”

Jambal stood and Amar glared at him.

She did not want bloodshed. “Amar, I will ask you only once more. If you disobey me, I will banish you from this tribe.” The words tore at her throat, but it was the only way she could get him to understand how serious she was.

He gaped at her and lowered his sabre a touch, but it was enough for Jambal to disarm him.

“Sit back down,” she ordered. “All of you, place your weapons on the floor behind you.”

So many startled looks and one man opened his mouth to protest. “Now!” Shuree insisted.

They did as she requested and her pulse slowed. She turned to Dagar. “My apologies for this poor welcome. I can only imagine my brother’s grief made him forget himself.”

Dagar nodded, but he watched the table warily.

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