Inevera was becoming vexed and saw no reason to hide it. You try my patience, khaffit. If there is something you want, be out with it.
The triumphant smile that came over Abbans face made it clear this was the moment he had been waiting for. A few simple things only, Damajah.
Inevera chuckled. I have learned nothing is simple where you are concerned.
Abban inclined his head. From you, that means everything. First, the protection you offer must extend to my agents, as well.
Inevera nodded. Of course. So long as they are not working counter to my interests, or caught in an unforgivable crime against Everam.
And it must include protection from you, Abban went on.
I am to protect you from myself? Inevera asked.
If we are to work together, Inevera noticed he did not say that he would work for her, then I must be free to speak my mind without fearing for my life. Even when it is not things you wish to hear. Especially then.
She will tell you truths you do not wish to hear, the dice had once told Inevera of her mother. There was value in an advisor like that. In truth, there was little value in any other kind.
Done, she said, but if I choose not to act on your advice, you will support my decisions in any event.
The Damajah is wise, Abban said. I trust she would not act wastefully once I have given her the costs.
Is that all? Inevera asked, knowing it was not.
Abban chuckled again, refilling their teacups. He took a flask from the inner pocket of his vest and added a splash of couzi to the drink. It was a test, Inevera knew, for the drink was forbidden by the Evejah. She ignored the move. She hated couzi, thought it made men weak and foolhardy, but thousands of her people smuggled the tiny bottles under their robes.
Abban sipped at his drink. At times I may have questions. His eyes flicked to the hora pouch at her waist. Questions only your dice can answer.
Inevera clutched the pouch protectively. The alagai hora are not for the questions of men, khaffit.
Did not Ahmann pose questions to them daily? Abban asked.
Ahmann was the Deliverer Inevera caught herself, is the Deliverer. The dice are not toys to fill your pockets with gold.
Abban bowed. I am aware of that, Damajah, and assure you I will not call upon you to throw them frivolously. But if you want my loyalty, that is my price.
Inevera sat back, considering. You said yourself magic always comes with a price. The dice, too, can speak truths we do not wish to hear.
What other truth has value? Abban asked.
One question, Inevera said.
Ten, at least, Abban said.
Inevera shook her head. Ten is more than a Damaji has in a year, khaffit. Two.
Two isnt enough for what you ask of me, Damajah, Abban said. I could perhaps manage with half a dozen
Four, Inevera said. But I will hold you to your word not to use this gift frivolously. Waste the wisdom of Everam with petty greed and rivalries, and every answer will cost you a finger.
Oh, Damajah, Abban said, my greed is never petty.
Is that all? Inevera asked.
Abban shook his head. No, Damajah, there is one more thing.
Inevera brought the scowl back to her face. It was art, but easy enough. The khaffit could try even her temper. This bargain is beginning to outgrow your worth, Abban. Spit it out and have done.
Abban bowed. My sons. I want them stripped of the black.
There was commotion in the Krasian camp when Abban limped away from the audience. Inevera caught sight of Ashan striding toward her rapidly.
What has happened? Inevera asked.
Ashan bowed. Your son, Damajah. Jayan has told the warriors his father has disappeared. The Sharum Ka acts as if it is foregone conclusion that he will sit the Skull Throne on our return.
Inevera breathed, finding her center. This was expected, though she had hoped for more time.
Bid the Sharum Ka to lead the search for his lost father personally, and leave a handful of warriors to maintain a camp. The rest of us must ride for Everams Bounty with all haste. Leave behind anything that may slow us.
They pressed for home as fast as the animals would allow. Inevera sent Sharum to kill alagai as soon as the sun set and used their power-rich ichor to paint wards of stamina on the horses and camels to strengthen them enough to continue on in the night.
It was a risk, using hora magic so openly. The quick-minded might glean some of the mysteries the damating had guarded for centuries, but it could not be helped. The dice advised she return as quickly as possibleand warned it might not be fast enough.
There were countless divergences over the coming days, a struggle that threatened to rend the fragile peace Ahmann had forged among the tribes and cast them back into chaos. How many feuds had been set aside on the Deliverers order, but still nursed in the hearts of families that had stolen wells and blooded one another for generations?
Despite her precautions, Jayan and the Spears of the Deliverer reached Everams Bounty before them. The fool boy must have given up the search early and ridden cross-country with his warriors, pushing their powerful mustang to their limits and beyond. Her trick with the ichor to strengthen the animals could be replicated by warriors who killed demons in the night, the wards on their spears and the steel-shod hooves of their mounts absorbing power even as they turned the alagais strength back on them.
Mother! Jayan cried in shock, turning to see Inevera, Ashan, Aleverak, and Asome storm into the throne room where he had gathered the remaining Damaji and his most trusted lieutenants.
Ineveras group was followed by the twelve Damajiting, Qeva of the Kaji and Ahmanns eleven wives from the other tribes. All were loyal to Inevera and her alone. Ashan was shadowed by his powerful lieutenants, Damas Halvan and Shevali, all three of whom had studied with the Deliverer in Sharik Hora. Ashans son Asukaji, speaking for the Kaji in his absence, waited with the other Damaji.
Abban limped into the throne room as fast as his crutch would allow, practically unnoticed in the commotion. He slipped quietly into a dark alcove with his bodyguard to observe.
It was good that she had pushed her entourage. Jayan had clearly expected more time to rally the Damaji to his favor. He had barely been in the Bounty a few hours, and had not yet had the audacity to climb the seven steps to sit the Skull Throne.
It would not have been claim enough if he had, with the Deliverers inner council and the most powerful Damaji absent, but he would have been far more difficult to unseat without open violence. Inevera loved her son for all his faults, but she would not have hesitated to kill him if hed dared such a blatant grab at power. Ahmann had curtained off the great windows of the throne room that he might use his crownsight and give Inevera access to her hora magic in the day. The electrum-coated forearm of a mind demon hung from her belt, warm with pent energy.
Thank you for gathering the Damaji for me, my son, Inevera said, striding right past his gaping face to ascend the steps and take her customary place on the bed of pillows beside the Skull Throne. Even from a few feet away, the great chair throbbedperhaps the most powerful magic item in existence. Below, the holy men and women assembled as they had for centuries, the Damaji to the right of the throne, and the Damajiting to the left. She breathed a bit of relief that they had arrived in time, though she knew the coming struggle was far from over.
Honored Damaji, she said, drawing a touch of power from a piece of warded jewelry to carry her voice through the room like the word of Everam. No doubt my son has informed you that my divine husband, SharDama Ka and Everams Deliverer, has disappeared.
There was a buzz of conversation at the confirmation of Jayans tale. Ashan and Aleverak were nodding, though they were not foolish enough to give any detail until they learned what exactly Jayan had said.
There was a buzz of conversation at the confirmation of Jayans tale. Ashan and Aleverak were nodding, though they were not foolish enough to give any detail until they learned what exactly Jayan had said.
I have cast the alagai hora, Inevera said after a moment, her enhanced voice cutting through the chatter without being raised. She held up the dice and called upon them to glow brightly with power. The dice have informed me the Deliverer pursues a demon to the very edge of Nies abyss. He will return, and his coming shall herald the beginning of Sharak Ka.
Another rash of conversation broke out at this, and Inevera gave it just a moment to build before pressing on. Per Ahmanns own instructions, his brother-in-law Ashan will sit the Skull Throne in his absence, as Andrah. Asukaji will become Damaji of the Kaji. Upon the SharDama Kas return, Ashan will greet him from the base of the dais, but retain his title. A new throne will be built for him.
There was a collective gasp, but only one voice cried out in shock.
What?! Jayan shouted. Even without Ahmanns talent for reading auras, the anger radiating from him was unmistakable.
Inevera glanced to Asome, standing quietly beside Ashan, and saw simmering rage at the injustice in his aura as well, though her second son was wise enough not to show it. Asome had ever been groomed for the role of Andrah, and had chafed since his brother took the Spear Throne, seeking the white turban more than once.
This is ridiculous, Jayan shouted. I am the eldest son. The throne should fall to me! Several of Damaji murmured their agreement, though the strongest wisely kept silent. Aleveraks dislike of the boy was well known, and Damaji Enkaji of the Mehnding, the third most powerful tribe, was known to never publicly take sides.
The Skull Throne is not some bauble, my son, to be passed without a thought, Inevera said. It is the hope and salvation of our people, and you are but nineteen, and have yet to prove worthy of it. If you do not hold your tongue, I despair you never will.
How are we to know it was the Deliverers wish that his own son be passed over? Damaji Ichach of the Khanjin tribe demanded. Ichach was ever a thorn in the councils ass, but there were nods from many of the other Damaji, including Aleverak.
A fair question, the aged cleric said, turning to address those gathered, though his words were no doubt meant for Inevera. With Ashans claim for the throne announced, he had relinquished control of the council of Damaji, and none dared challenge venerable Aleverak as he assumed the role. The SharDama Ka did not speak them openly, nor even in private that we know of.