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She raised her hora wand high, againthe wards etched in the electruht "If there are any here ould challenge my command that Ashan take the throne, let theiven your insolence if you touch your foreheads to the floor"

All around the roo their foreheads to the floor No doubt they were still sche before a woe her after such a display

None save ancient Aleverak As the others fell to the floor, the ancient Daht Inevera sighed inwardly, though she gave no outward sign She had no wish to kill the Dao Perhaps it was time to correct that mistake and end the threat to Belina’s eldest son, Maji

The submission of the other tribes had been total Only Aleverak had fought Ahmann and lived to tell the tale The old man had earned so ranted him a concession denied the others

Upon the hour of his death, Aleverak’s heir had the right to challenge Ahle coht Maji would grow into a great warrior and win out, but the boy was only fifteen Any of Aleverak’s sons could kill him with ease

Aleverak bowed so deeply his beard carace for a hties was ie as he battled to the steps of the Skull Throne Ah to strike fear into his heart It was not surprising her blast of ic sian, "please acceptyour words, and those of Damaji Ashan, who has led the Kaji people, and the council of Dalanced to Ashan, still standing at the base of the dais, who nodded

"But no Andrah has been appointed since the position was first created," Aleverak went on "It runs counter to all our sacred texts and traditions Those ish to wear the jeweled turban es of the other Damaji, all of whom have a claim to the throne I kneell the son of Hoshkaotten this"

Ashan bowed in return "The honored Damaji is correct The Shar’Dama Ka instructed me to announce my claim without hesitation, and kill any who stand in my path to the throne before any of the Da to look Inevera in the eye Even he had lost a moment’s composure at her show of power, but his control was back, his aura flat and even "I do not challenge your words, Damajah, or the Deliverer’s command, but our traditions must be respected if the tribes are to accept a new Andrah"

Inevera opened her mouth to speak, but Ashan spoke first "Of course, Da to the other Dae hi with the leader of the smallest tribe

Inevera wanted to stop it Wanted to force her will on the men and make them see she could not be denied But the pride of est Damaji by a score of years, and a sharusahk ht She would have to trust in hi for the Damaji--not a one of them worth the trouble they caused She would as soon be rid of the lot of them and let her sister-wives take direct control of the tribes through Ahmann’s dama sons

Aleverak was the only one that worried her, but hora ainst the ancient Damaji’s heirs