Part 33 (2/2)
The cavern erupted in chaos. Shouts rang from every quarter.
”She lies!”
”The War Helm cannot be claimed by a woman!”
”Women don't fight in the steppes!”
”We'll not follow a barefaced intruder!”
Confused, Kath stared at the Old One, but it was Royce, the lion faced man who came to her rescue.
”Enough!” His roar cut through the clamor. ”Where is your pride? Where is your honor?” He gestured to Kath. ”This one was tested by the ancient rites of our people. She braved the depths, facing the trial of souls, her memories weighed by the Ancestor.” He pointed to the single candle glowing atop the pillar. ”Out of the depths, a Light is brought to us, proof she is worthy to stand among our leaders.”
A ripple of protest raced through the crowd.
A tall man with iron gray hair climbed the steps of the dais, his eagle face set in a defiant scowl. ”The test of the depths earns her a seat at the leader's council...but she has no right to wear the War Helm. The eagles have that honor.”
Thera answered, ”Will you defy the voice of the G.o.ds?”
The eagle faced man flinched but he did not retreat. ”Valdur is two years dead. His words are lost to the wind.”
”The G.o.ds found a way to bring his words back to us.”
”There's no proof!”
”The proof is in the manner of his death.” Thera shook with outrage. ”A true son of the mountain lions, Valdur proved himself worthy of the G.o.ds. He kept his oath, running instead of fighting, forswearing violence while on a vision quest. And despite his wounds, he found a way to preserve the words of the G.o.ds.” She raised her voice to the crowd. ”The Taishan succeeded, sacrificing his life for his vision. His words come to us from beyond the grave. It is our duty to heed their wisdom.”
The eagle faced man scowled. ”I'll not listen to lies.”
Royce shook his head, his words a low growl, ”s.h.a.grith, you speak blasphemy.”
”No, I demand proof. The War Helm will not be won by the lies of a barefaced girl.” He pointed an accusing finger at Kath. ”As leader of the eagle den, I demand proof.” His face curled into a sneer. ”I demand a trial by combat!”
The cavern erupted in argument.
Kath stared at the Old One, ambushed by the turn of events. ”What does this mean?” But her words were lost in the uproar.
Bra.s.s bells jangled against the noise of the crowd. Royce paced the length of the dais, calling for quiet. The chaos subsided to a dull murmur. He confronted the eagle, his voice full of anger. ”You dispute the words of a Taishan?”
”I do.”
”Such a challenge has not been issued in many lifetimes.”
s.h.a.grith grinned. ”Then perhaps it's past time. I demand trial by combat, a fight to the death, here and now, in front of this a.s.sembly.” He threw a look of disdain at Kath. ”The liar has the choice of weapons.” His smile turned into a sneer. ”And the choice of champions. Let the G.o.ds decide the truth of her words.”
Thera protested, appealing to the lion faced man. ”Royce, this is not right. The council...”
He raised his hand. ”As the leader of the eagles, s.h.a.grith has the right to challenge.” He turned to Kath, his face solemn. ”Will you fight, or will you rescind your words?”
Kath stared at Royce, trying to read the message behind his eyes. ”I spoke the truth.”
He nodded, and it seemed a weight was lifted from his shoulders. ”Then you must fight.”
”But I...”
s.h.a.grith interrupted. ”Choose your weapon!”
Blaine vaulted onto the dais, his voice bellowing through the cavern. ”I will be her champion!” Tall and proud, s.h.i.+mmering in his silver surcoat, he looked like an avenging hero. ”And the weapon will be swords!”
s.h.a.grith flashed a scathing grin. ”So the girl hides behind the knight.”
”Hold!” It was Thera, her dark eyes glittering. She flew across the dais to stand at Kath's side. ”It's not the knight's decision...it's Kath's. And she does not understand our ways.” She leaned close to Kath, her voice dropping to a whisper. ”Think before you choose.”
Kath felt as if she'd stepped into a quagmire, trapped by politics, egos, and fate. Her gaze roamed the dais, searching for allies, for a way out of the trap. Her stare settled on the Old One. ”I would speak with the Ancestor.”
s.h.a.grith protested but Royce cut him off. ”It is allowed.”
The Old One nodded, bird-bright eyes huddled beneath sheepskin robes.
Kath crossed to the Old One. Kneeling on the cold stone floor, she leaned close to the old woman, keeping her voice to a whisper. ”You know I spoke the truth, about his death, about the war helm.”
The Old One nodded. ”Valdur was true to his oath and you were true to his memory. Even death cannot keep the words of the G.o.ds from finding their way back to the people.”
The old woman's words brimmed with certainty, setting a spark in Kath's mind. ”You knew this would happen! Yet you did not warn me?”
”It is all part of the test, to see if you would choose the hard truth...or a convenient lie. Integrity is easy to claim but hard to live by.”
Anger boiled inside Kath. ”And this is another test?”
”A choice.”
”But since you know the truth, why should I fight?”
”Because a people divided are a blunted weapon. It takes fire to forge a strong sword.” The old woman's gaze burned into her. ”Remember your visions of the future. You will need a strong sword to face the Mordant.”
Kath s.h.i.+vered, knowing one wrong step would shatter the future.
The old woman grinned, a gap-toothed smile...and Kath realized she was missing something, another piece to the puzzle, another layer to the challenge. She leaned back, replaying the last few moments in her mind, considering the words of Royce, and s.h.a.grith...and Thera. She glanced at Blaine, certain the knight could defeat any champion, yet it seemed too easy. She stared at the Old One. ”I have the right to choose a champion?”
”The right is yours but the fight is for the fate of the War Helm. Whoever wears the War Helm leads the people into battle. And to lead, you must eliminate doubt.” She laid a gnarled hand on Kath's cheek. ”The Womb of the World opened the doors to your past. Those doors have not yet closed.” Her voice dropped to a hoa.r.s.e whisper. ”The old ways are strong in you, like undercurrents of destiny they flow through your mind, lending strength to your convictions. Remember the past and find the strength to change the future.”
Kath knew what she must do. She bowed to the Old One and then stood, weariness settling on her shoulders like a cloak. Gripping the crystal dagger, she turned to face the others, her words ringing with certainty. ”I spoke the truth of his death, and I spoke the truth of the war helm. The challenge is accepted.”
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