“I am not eager to send my warriors to battle during a season where even the elements can kill them,” I told him slowly. “The Dead Lands are two weeks’ ride away, if the frosts do not slow us. It is madness to even attempt.”
“TheDothikkar—”
I cut him off with a growl, “Is not responsible for this horde.I am.”
Silence permeated the tent. My lead warrior, a male named Ujak, shifted on his feet to my left.
“I agree with theVorakkar,” Ujak said quietly. “We are unprepared for a battle during the cold season. We do not even know where the Ghertun hide underground, where to even attack. They will not resurface for months.”
“And what of the rumors that they tunnel beneath the earth? That they create a network across the planet?” another elder asked. “Kakkari demands retribution for that alone.”
“Those rumors came directly fromDothik,” I said. “Speculation and nothing more. Our scouts, as far as I know, have never gotten close to their stronghold in the Dead Lands, so how would the scouts get underground? It is a rumor to strike fear in the hordes and those in the capitol and that is its sole purpose. I will not sacrifice my warriors for a mere rumor and you are a fool to believe it.”
The elder pressed his lips together but remained quiet. Tension permeated the tent, thick and heavy.
“I am not saying the Ghertun are not a threat,” I started quietly, looking around at my council, “because they are. A terrible threat that has grown with every passing year. But I am certain that the otherVorakkarwill agree that the hordes will not attack now. NoVorakkarwould agree to that. I go toDothikwith the sole purpose of making the position of Rath Tuviri clear.”
“And if theDothikkardoes not see our way?” Vodan asked quietly, looking at me from across the table.
My fists clenched. Vodan knew as well as I that unrest among theVorakkarhad been rising, unrest directed at theDothikkar. It could be considered treason, going against the king’s orders.
“We will sway him,” I said, my voice hard.
“As your mother did?” the first elder scoffed. His anger was palpable and I didn’t miss the way every Dakkari in thevolikifroze.
“I will ignore that you just said that,terun,” I rasped, my eyes darkening, “because you have been on my council since the beginning. But make no mistake, I will not be disrespected in that way again or else you may join theDothikkarinDothikinstead of here inmyhorde. Do you understand?”
The elder held my eyes. He’d always possessed less control than the others. Though we’d disagreed many times, he’d never taken his insults to such a personal level before.
Theterundropped his eyes in respect. “Lysi, Vorakkar. Forgive me.”
“We are done here,” I announced to the council, my jaw ticking. As the council began to file out, I leaned against the high table with both hands, staring down at the letter that had come straight fromDothikthrough a messenger just two days ago.
I stared at the words scratched out in dark ink. Words that at one time I wouldn’t have been able to read. The letter had brought a report of Ghertun sightings close toDothik, though I didn’t believe a word of it.
Only Vodan remained once the council left.
“He is an old fool,” Vodan murmured to me, knowing any mention of my mother brought me to the cusp of rage. “Angry that he cannot have his way, like a child.”
“He spoke the truth,” I said, “though he was a fool to say it to my face.”
“TheVorakkarof Rath Kitala will stand with you. Certainly,” Vodan continued. “He has a mate now, a child on the way. He would not welcome war during this time either.”
“That is the problem,” I murmured, looking up at mypujerak. “Would he avoid war because of his own needs? AmIavoiding war because I am weary of it?Vorakkarare always meant to place their horde first, not themselves. Am I doing that?”
“You have doubts?”
I thought of Nelle, of things I wanted and craved, yet held myself back from. “It is hard not to.”
“You are right in this, Seerin,” Vodan rasped. Twice I’d heard my name today. “TheDothikkaris mad to send warriors to the Dead Lands now. You know this. The warriors do too. Just because the elders, who have not wielded a blade in decades, cannot see that does not mean you are wrong.”
I reached out with my fist and crumpled the parchment the messenger had left before tossing it into the fire burning in the basin. The words blackened and hissed as the letter caught fire.
“The cold season is a time for peace,” Vodan said. “Even the Ghertun know that. Once the frost thaws, we can make plans for battle.”
“Lysi.”
We both left thevolikiand spoke no more of it that night. It was dark outside, the encampment was quiet. Vodan lived with his mate towards the back of the camp, where my ownvolikiwas, and we wound our way through it in silence.
