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She was silent as a spirit, but there was no sign of Aso in Asukaji’s embrace in the new Darandmother Kajivah, asleep on a divan outside the nursery of her son Kaji Her first great-grandchild, the Holy Mother doted on the boy, refusing a proper nurse

"Who could love the boy better than his own grandmother?" she would always say Implicit in that statement, of course, was her belief that Ashia herself was unsuitable, now that she had taken up the spear

Ashia slipped by without disturbing her, closing the nursery door behind her as she looked down upon her sleeping son

She had not wanted the child She had feared what bearing would do to her warrior’s body, and there was no love lost between her and Asome Her brother’s need to have his own sister bear his lover’s child had seemed an abomination

But Kaji, that perfect, beautiful child, was no abo at her breast, sleeping in her ar his tiny hands up to touch her face, Ashia could not bring herself to wish any change upon her life that ht undo him His existence was inevera

Enkido would be ashae of the crib broke off in her hands with a loud crack Kaji opened his eyes and let out a shriek

Ashia tossed the broken wood aside, reaching for the boy Always his mother’s touch could cal wildly She tried to still him, but he screa at her touch

The night strength was still upon her

Quickly, Ashia laid her son back in his pillows, seeing in horror his soft, smooth skin bruised and stained with the de to her The stink of it was thick in the air

The door slammed open, and Kajivah stor the child at this hour?!"

Then she saw the child, bruised and covered in ichor, and let out a wail She turned to Ashia, enraged "Get out! Get out! You should be asha her own strength, allowed herself to be driven fro the door shut behind her

For the second tis turned to water as she stu to the floor in darkness

Perhaps the abomination is me

For the first time in years, Ashia put her hand to her face and wept She wanted nothingpresence of her randmother, he would be ashamed of her

CHAPTER 4

SHARUM BLOOD

327–332 AR

"Sit up straight," Kajivah snapped "You’re a princess of the Kaji, not so you a husband worthy of your blood ill take you"

"Yes, Tikka" Ashia shivered, though the palace baths arm and steamy She was but thirteen, and in no rush toand seized upon it Nevertheless, she straightened as her mother, Imisandre, scrubbed her back

"Nonsense, Mother," Ihter of the Dareatest tribe, and niece to the Deliverer himself? Ashia is the ain Her mother had meant the words calm her, but they did the opposite

Kajivah was apt to be vexed when her daughters disagreed with her, but she only shter-in-law Thalaja to add more hot stones to the water She always held court thus, from the nursery to the kitchen to the baths

Her subjects were her five dal’ting daughters--Ihters Ashia, Shanvah, Sikvah, Micha, and Jarvah