AR Chapter 518 (Patreon)

As I made my way down the stairs, my people peeled off behind me and settled back into their previous spots. With what I had said to Trai, they were all paying even closer attention than before, and I couldn’t wait to see what the results of the discussion would be. As the host of the conclave, Pliet would be the one to deliver the news, so while I stood in the center of the amphitheater as the representative of my people’s delegation, she stood on the ring just above me.

“With regards to the Zaaktif Ashlani’s proposal for our surrender, of the twenty seven clans, four accepted the terms as presented, seventeen are hoping to engage with you in the negotiation of more beneficial terms, and six have declared that under no circumstances will they accept any terms of surrender.”

Only six? That meant that something about the discussion or my presentation had shifted four of the clans’ intentions from opposing me to being open to negotiate. Of course, some of that willingness to negotiate might be in bad faith, but at least it was a step in the direction of submitting to me.

“Enlighten me,” I said for the benefit of everybody present. “What happens now? You have an overwhelming majority willing to negotiate, but some who say they refuse to do so.”

“If the Nyust’Taa remained alive, there would be additional opportunities available, but as it is, the principality as a whole is more divided among the ranges than usual. There’s nobody with the authority to command a clan head to obey any decision made by the majority of the clan heads.”

“So each of the clan heads wants to negotiate with me individually?” I asked. “If that’s the case, I’ll have to say right now that any terms granted will be applied universally across all of the clans. There will be no hidden negotiations for greater benefits to allow any of the individual clans to think they’re getting the better of their fellows.”

“Understood,” Pliet said, looking at the other clan heads. Each made sounds of acknowledgment, and I was struck by the strange informality with which they spoke. Everything until now had been so rehearsed, I wasn’t sure what to think.

“And what of those who refuse to surrender? Will they be protected by the rest of you? Because, so far as my perception goes on this, if they refuse to negotiate their surrender, then they wish to remain my enemies. I will eradicate those who would murder my children, and those who stand in my way are no better.”

“That is very much what we expected you to say,” Huartiki said as Inuksuza seemed to melt into his seat. “With this reality being presented to them, that they would stand alone as a single range and clan, several have amended their position. However, some still remain. There have been disagreements within each clan regarding how to determine how leadership will be conducted, but in the end, the tradition of the clan head retaining power over the destiny of the range has been maintained. As such, the clan heads determine what each clan will do.”

“Then what happens if the clan disagrees with what the clan head is telling them to do?”

“There are ways for the clan to change the leadership of the clans,” Pliet said. Her voice was heavy as she said it, and I noted the way that several of the clan heads’ movement ceased at that. My Tremorsense went wild at the sudden change, but it was an obvious opportunity that was given to me, so I jumped on it. 

“If there are any who need assistance in finding a peaceful resolution to our war, who lack the strength to remove the tyrants who would needlessly throw your lives away out of pride, then seek me out. I’d happily lend you my strength to give you an opportunity to spare your lives.”

Inuksuza, who’d been still and nervous until then, shot to his feet. “He’s promoting sedition! Promising his help in throwing off our traditions and our history! If we allow this beast to continue here, he’ll split us further until we’re all just food on his plate! Stand together or we’ll all die.”

Several of the Misti Hawar seemed to sigh at his words. Evidently, this wasn’t a new complaint of his. However, before anyone could say anything, I spoke up.

“I think you’re misunderstanding something,” I said as I stepped closer to him. “I. Don’t. Care. About. Your. Traditions. Your traditions are what got you into this mess, and I’m not going to show mercy to people who think their traditions will save them. I am your enemy. I’m giving you an opportunity to choose to bow your heads instead of losing them. If you choose your pride over your lives, then good for you. I won’t hate you any more for that. Just remember that I’m not under your control or jurisdiction. I’ve presented what the consequences for turning down my offer are, and you can make decisions accordingly. If you want to sentence your entire clan to death for ‘tradition’, then so be it. Seems a stupid decision to me, but I won’t take ti from you.”

“You—you ill-begotten creature! How dare you threaten us like this!”

“I’ve had enough of this,” I said, the insults finally having gone far enough for me to do this. At least, I was going to pretend like my own dignity had been sufficiently stomped on. “I challenge you to a maqana.”

He leaned back in fear at that. Then, his gaze found Pliet, who maintained firm eye contact with him. He obviously wanted to say something to her about her role in my learning what the Misti Hawar’s sacred duel was, but the uproar that filled the amphitheater drowned out any complaints he might have made. In a few short moments, it was decided that Inkosuza had, in fact, insulted my honor enough to have the challenge be considered legitimate.

“I demand a duel to the death,” I called out as the male Misti Hawar tried to figure out how he might wriggle out of it. “As the representative of the aggrieved, I send the youngest of my retainers currently here.”

He tried to wriggle out of it, but Pliet had assured me that tradition, that same tradition he was constantly screaming about, would bind him to the challenge. As a few minutes passed, it became obvious that she was correct. With reluctance, he agreed to the challenge that would surely end in his death.