Page 97 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

The crowd parted to let her through, many slapping her on the shoulder or wishing her luck. So much hope on people’s faces. She had to deliver.

Raised voices to her right caught her attention. Gan yelled at Amar, but she couldn’t make out the words. Amar glanced around, caught her eye and then turned back to Gan, shaking his head and leading him further away from the rest of the tribe.

What was Gan trying now? The tribe had decided. He knew his opinion was in the minority. She sighed and continued through the camp, hoping Amar could talk some sense into his friend.

At the door to her father’s yurt she hesitated. It was truly hers now. Would he be proud of what she had done? She sighed and went inside and offered Dagar a drink.

“You are overwhelmed,” he said.

“I wasn’t certain they would support me.”

He smiled. “You know your people’s wishes better than you think. The majority supported you. They want change as well.”

She had no words.

“What will you do now?”

“We need to contact the other tribes,” she said. “Send them an invitation to the gathering.”

Erhi entered the tent and with her were Mengu and the members of the council. Amar paused just inside the door and Shuree gestured him in. “You are still a member of the council, brother.”

“Thank you.”

They sat around the table and Shuree took a moment before she sat in her father’s seat at the head. No, it was her seat now. She rested her forearms on the smooth wood, the same way her father had done whenever he sat there. She would do him proud.

“We must focus on the gathering of the khans,” she began. “I need to send trusted riders to our allies in the east and invite them.”

“I can ask the Gods who to choose,” Erhi said.

A good idea. That way she wouldn’t have to worry about sending someone who disagreed with what they were attempting. “Three riders will also join the Erseg messengers and travel to the far western tribes. We do not know how they will react, but we hope that seeing the two tribes cooperating will give them hope and not fear.”

“What do we do in the meantime?” Amar asked.

“We need to prepare for winter,” she said. “With our harvest reduced, we must ensure we have enough food. I suggest we send people to Bonam and trade our sheep for their rice.”

“We wouldn’t have to do it, if the Erseg hadn’t stolen our food,” one man grumbled. “Surely they should give it back as a sign of good faith.”

“My father has sent a half dozen horses with us,” Dagar said. “They will allow you to reach the other tribes faster, and you may keep them when your riders return.”

It was a generous arrangement and the man fell silent.

“Who will go to the Dragon Mountains with you?” Amar asked.

She was allowed five warriors. She would have to choose those with cool heads who were slow to anger. “I will think on it,” she said. “If you have suggestions, I would welcome them.”

They discussed the direction of the tribe and it was night by the time they were done. Shuree stood. “Thank you for your advice and comments. We shall prepare our riders to leave at first light tomorrow, but now I believe it is time to eat.”

A communal meal had been organised to celebrate the new khan.

“There is one more thing we need to do,” Erhi said. “With you as khan, we must fill the role of Tribal Mother.” She frowned. “No, I guess it would be Tribal Father in this case.”

Shuree blinked. The role normally went to the spouse of the khan and when her mother had died, it had fallen to her. But she had no spouse or children. That left Amar as her only male relative. “Amar will you be Tribal Father until I marry?”

He smiled. “I would be honoured.”

“We shall hold the ceremony tonight by the fire.”

She gestured for the council to leave the tent but couldn’t stop the lingering doubt. Would Amar follow her lead and support the gathering after she left? Or would Gan convince him his way was better?

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