The Igwe sank to his knees before her small table, bringing himself to her level.
"You came to ask about the army."
The Igwe swallowed."Yes."
"The river brought them."Her voice was flat, factual."As punishment.She is deeply unsettled; it seems within our people, there is a heretic."
Her father stammered.“A heretic?”
Obiageli smiled.“Yes, the Udamili is not happy; we have neglected this person and forced her to punish us.”
"Who?"The Igwe leaned forward."Who is it?"
Obiageli's eyes met his."I don't know.The river shows me many things, but not that.They hide their face even from the goddess."
The Igwe's hands clenched on his knees.
"But there the goddess is merciful; she has given us a way."Obiageli looked down at the board."You will send someone to the enemy camp.To ask what they want."
"...Yes, that is our plan."
"The one you send—if Orda Naiman slaughters them and angers the river, you will win this war.The goddess will favour you.But if they return alive..."She paused."You will lose everything.Your throne, and your entire lineage."
The Igwe stared at her."That makes no sense.If they return alive, that means the negotiation succeeded.”
"I have not made the rules, father."Obiageli's voice was patient."I only see them."
The Igwe's return to the council was met with expectant silence.
He stood before them, his face carved from stone, and gave the only order he could.
"We send envoys to Naiman's camp.To ask his terms and buy us time."His eyes swept the room."Who will go?"
"The First Prince should go."
A hush passed, then whispers rose and fell like waves.The Iyom's faction—those who wished to crown her son—exchanged glances, already calculating.The Ugoeze's faction looked grim.The neutrals simply watched, waiting to see how the pieces would fall.
Borji stood near the front of the chamber; he did not turn to see who had spoken.He did not need to.He knew the voice—Enoch's.
The Igwe's eyes moved from Enoch to Borji.
"First Prince."His voice was formal, distant."You were volunteered.Do you accept?"
Borji looked at Enoch, the two exchanging—to outsiders—a glare.
Borji turned back to his father."I accept."
"Then we should prepare our allies, Great Khan!"The Igwe's voice carried across the chamber, holding less respect and more vindication than any tone he had used with Ragnar before."I hear you have taken quite a liking to the woman we have given you.Surely you do not plan to return her after you have defiled her."
The room went quiet.
Ragnar looked up from his seat.He had not spoken a single word throughout the entire council and had merely sat in the guest section with his mask in place and his eyes missing nothing.But now those eyes fixed on the Igwe with an intensity that made nearby nobles shift uncomfortably.
"Defiled," Ragnar repeated.The word emerged void of emotion, making it infinitely more terrifying.
The Igwe smiled, mistaking quiet for weakness."Come now, Khan.We are all men here.The girl is beautiful—we knew she would be useful.If you have sampled the goods before purchase, well..."He spread his hands."These things happen.But now we have an army at our gates, and you have enjoyed our hospitality—and our women.Surely you see the debt."
Some nobles laughed, the Igwe saying what most had been thinking.Others watched Ragnar warily, recognising a predator being provoked.
