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"Mother!" Jayan cried in shock, turning to see Inevera, Ashan, Aleverak, and Asoathered the re Daroup was followed by the twelve Da, Qeva of the Kaji and Ahmann’s 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 Ashan’s 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 couard 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 claih if he had, with the Deliverer’s 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 hirab at power Ahreat s of the throne rooive Inevera access to her hora ic in the day The electru fro the Daaping face to ascend the steps and take her customary place on the bed of pillows beside the Skull Throne Even froreat chair throbbed--perhaps the ic item in existence Below, the holy men and woht of the throne, and the Da to the left She breathed a bit of relief that they had arrived in tile was far fro a touch of power froh the room like the word of Everam "No doubt my son has informed you that my divine husband, Shar’Dama Ka and Everam’s Deliverer, has disappeared"

There was a buzz of conversation at the confirh 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 h the chatter without being raised She held up the dice and called upon thehtly with power "The dice have infore of Nie’s abyss He will return, and his co of Sharak Ka"

Another rash of conversation broke out at this, and Inevera gave it just aon "Per Ahmann’s own instructions, his brother-in-law Ashan will sit the Skull Throne in his absence, as Andrah Asukaji will become Dareet him from the base of the dais, but retain his title A new throne will be built for hiasp, but only one voice cried out in shock

"What?!" Jayan shouted Even without Ah fro quietly beside Ashan, and saw sih her second son ise enough not to show it Asoroomed 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 h the strongest wisely kept silent Aleverak’s dislike of the boy ell known, and Da, the third most powerful tribe, was known to never publicly take sides

"The Skull Throne is not soht," 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 knoas the Deliverer’s wish that his own son be passed over?" Damaji Ichach of the Khanjin tribe demanded Ichach was ever a thorn in the council’s ass, but there were nods fro Aleverak