AR Chapter 520 (Patreon)

In these, my most personal records that I hide from the Saharliard, I wonder what my life would have been if I hadn’t been forced into this position. In truth, I hardly remember what my life was like before being forced into this supposedly prestigious position. Merely my relationship to a clan head was enough to have me taken from my range and incorporated into Nievtra for years. I was young enough to have never killed any of the Saharliard, and, at the time, weak enough to be manipulated into whatever they wanted me to be. And that was enough.

When I was younger, I was only grateful for the lessons imparted by Sybil, Farahlia, and the rest of my teachers. Now, I can’t deny my bitterness regarding their manipulations and stunting of my emotional growth. But even so, I lack the strength of soul to attempt to rebel, especially after everything that the Empire has done for my people.

—From the private journal of the 21st Nyust’Taa Yury’yai

The days that followed passed in an ever-increasingly humorous shift. Immediately after the duel, the conclave was delayed until the next day. Each of the Misti Hawar that approached me for any reason offered sincere congratulations, but maintained an arm’s-length distance from me and my people. The next day, though, several of the clan heads that had previously wanted to negotiate further terms with me lost their spines, beginning to offer veiled proposals for terms of surrender.

Instead of drawn-out arguments, I directed them to speak with the other clan heads. Eventually, once the conclave was begun again, I found myself listening to the terms that Pliet and I had already agreed over. When I hemmed and hawed, I could see that several of the weaker-willed clan heads had to fight to keep from offering even more lenient terms over the impoliteness of the action. After just a short while, I agreed to the suggested revisions.

From there, there was plenty more discussion to be had. I didn’t care to negotiate every step of the way, and in the end, each clan simply reiterated their willingness to adhere to the terms that Pliet had established. Under the leadership of the new clan head of the Liertuk, who took the dead Inuksuza’s place, every Clan head fell in line. Evidently, the threat of being killed was enough to ensure people would at least look at different options instead of throwing themselves into an extension of the war they had already lost. Finally, after three days of further negotiations, the decisions had all been made.

“As the first point of this autumnal conclave regarding the permitted presence of Zaaktif Ashlani as the representative of the Saharliard Empire, there has been a unanimous consensus reached. In accordance with the terms of surrender presented by Zaaktif Ashlani, he or one of his representatives will be welcome at every conclave held by the principality for the complete term of his reign, as well as those of his line.”

The clan heads, all of them, even those who had been most resistant to my rule, bowed their heads in acceptance of the incorporation of my people as the leader of their country. As soon as that motion was presented, every one of the Misti Hawar stood and went up a single tier of the amphitheater. Then, with a swagger that came unbidden, I stepped down to be the sole person sitting on the bottommost, most respected tier.

“During the conclave, the first subjects to be brought up will be those which apply to the continued rule of the Saharliard Empire,” Pliet continued as soon as everybody was settled once again. “The next subject will be the selection of the new Nyust’Taa. Zaaktif, do you have a suggested individual to fill that role?”

As she asked it, she looked at me with what was a pretty obvious thought in mind. She thought that her maneuvering would bring her more political power. The clan head was destined to be disappointed.

“For now, the Nyust’Taa will be Maksulah. However, she won’t fill the position for too long. Instead, one of your young will return with me to receive training in how exactly to fulfill the position to the specifications that we hold.”

A few of the clan heads started to stiffen, almost beginning to argue, but as soon as I leveled any attention towards them, they went silent and still. The stark reminder of their complete lack of control over their fates was something that continued to bring me an unreasonable amount of enjoyment. In truth, I was being something of a bully, but the reminders of the embryos left splattered across the nursery floor were enough to steal away any of my regret.

“To ensure that there’s no particular favoritism given to one of the clans over the rest,” I continued, ignoring the quiet uproar “there will be one child selected from each clan to prove themselves as the new Nyust’Taa.”

At that, even Pliet couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “You said you would take one child!”

“There will be one child taken to be trained as the new Nyust’Taa,” I confirmed. “However, there is no way to know which will have the greatest aptitude simply by looking at them. Instead, they will all be brought to be trained for the position. Then, those who are not the most exceptional shall be trained as replacements and supports to the one who shall serve as the liaison between your people and mine.”

More disquiet spread among the people in front of me. It was obvious what I was doing, that I was taking those who were most promising, forcing them to obedience, and maintaining an iron grip on them. However, there was nothing they could do about it.

“Need I remind you,” I said, finishing my conditions, “you agreed to allow me to choose who would fill that position. Were you in my position, you would do much the same.”

Silence settled over the amphitheater at that, and I looked up at Foire. His brightly colored head stuck out among the dark stone, and he stood up, drawing everybody’s attention as he did so.

“Foire, my Huntmaster and an exceedingly accomplished tracker, as many of you have personally witnessed, will ensure that there are no youths present who might become lost in the next few days. After all, we would hate for the conclave to be stained by the tragedy of misplacing children.”

He didn’t say anything, instead grabbing three other Sik’Tal hunters to come with him as he stepped away. There were none who had had the opportunity to escape yet anyways, and with that, those few who hoped to send their children away were thwarted.

“Now, we should discuss how my armies will ensure that your lands are safe from any others.”