Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,19

now that I have been accepted into a tribe, I would be staying with them in their tents, and then once the meet was over, I would travel back to their home. Except that’s not the case here. Another one of the reasons the Golden Hawk Tribe was chosen was because Arne is more flexible with me being able to remain here with my aunt at the meeting place.

Voices suddenly start to fall silent like a wave, and as I look around, I notice Revna is holding a fist in the air, the other chiefs doing the same, and as soon as the tribespeople see the action, they become quiet, their words dying on their lips. Soon, the eyes of the tribes are once again on their high chief. Her face is different this time, fierce, and I know this is the mask of the warrior.

“There is another reason I called you all here.” Her voice is powerful and strong as it travels through the open space, the magic of our ancestors once again amplifying her words. “As you all know, we were recently attacked.” She gazes out over the tribes, taking in the scowling faces. There is a lot of anger over the attack, and I know it can’t only be Ragnar and his tribe who believe it was my fault that it happened. That attack may have been because of me, but the darkness and evil spreading across the land would have arrived here at some point, regardless of whether or not I was here.

“It was a cowardly attack in our sacred home.” Her voice rises over the hisses and cries of anger that surge from the crowd, and I can feel a simmering rage fill the atmosphere around us. “They will attack again.” Her expression is set in a snarl now as she emphasises that another attack is imminent. “Today, you witnessed the return of the lost child, and the message given by the great goddess Shea.” Revna pauses as she glances pointedly at me, and I feel the weight of everyone watching doing the same. The name Shea is one I’ve heard the tribespeople use before, but it’s unfamiliar to me, so I make a mental note to ask Tor about it later as Revna turns to the gathered chiefs. Closing her right hand into a tight fist, she places it over her heart, bowing her head once before turning back to her people. “It is my right as high chief to call together the mountain tribes and unite us as one in times of great need.” The clearing is eerily silent except for her voice and the crackle of the fire, each of her words loud and clear. Watching her speak to her people like this, seeing her strength and passion, I can understand why she was chosen to lead.

“This will be a tough fight,” she continues, and I’m reminded of the dead look in the eyes of the forsaken as they attacked us. How they would just keep going no matter the wounds that were inflicted upon them, unaffected by pain. The only way to stop them was decapitation and burning the remains. Fighting a shudder, I feel a hand on the small of my back as Vaeril shifts at my side, sensing my discomfort. “The enemy is not like us, they seek to wipe us out.” Her voice rises again, and she takes a step forward, the atmosphere changing as the air practically vibrates with energy. “Will you fight with us? For our freedom and for the goddess?” Her last shouted words are met with loud bellows of agreement as fists and weapons are thrust into the air. She spins to face the chiefs, who each nod in agreement. Several of them also chant their own war cries, grins of brutal excitement clear to see on many faces. When she glances at me, I give my aunt a tight nod. We will fight with her when the war comes, no matter how much I wish otherwise.

Revna raises her fist in the air again and everyone falls silent once more. A grin spreads across her face. “Then tonight, we celebrate.” Whoops of excitement follow her announcement, but quickly die down when she lifts her fist once more. Her grin is still in place, but her eyes are deadly serious. “And tomorrow, we prepare for war.”

The tribespeople know how to throw a party. Mead and wine flow freely as seemingly endless barrels of it are