Now the man showed some emotion. He stood and strode forward, looming over Loethar, his lips pulling back to reveal small, uncared-for teeth. The several rings hanging from one ear jangled angrily. "Accidental?"
Loethar had not shifted stance nor expression. It was important to hold his ground here as he knew this was a watershed moment for him and his violent sibling. "I believe she was murdered."
"Who?"
"Valya."
Stracker growled in an animal-like sound of despair. "And you banished her, you didn't kill her!"
"I have no proof. Only my suspicions."
"Why now?"
"I think Valya got wind that our mother suggested she was a useless wife if she couldn't produce an heir. I can't imagine how, but perhaps Valya was spying on us that day in the chapel. Mother suggested then that Valya should be disposed of if she didn't give me a son."
Stracker stabbed a finger at Loethar, just stopping short of hitting his chest. "Our mother was right! Valya failed again and gave you a daughter - a dead one at that. Why a convent when a grave would be so much more appropriate?" Loethar blinked. Stracker continued. "She should be hunted down and answer for her sin. How can you permit our mother to die under these circumstances and not make someone pay?"
"I told you, no proof."
"You're weak, brother. You've become so soft you can't even control the Denovian slut you married."
"Valya is many things, Stracker, but she is not a slut. I think you should study the Set language before you use it. Perhaps you are better off back in the Steppes, speaking our tribal tongue?"
The tatua stretched as Stracker grinned with menace in the low candlelight. "And there I was thinking it was probably you who should go back."
At last. They had arrived at the point that Loethar knew had been coming for years. His mother had warned him. Her intuition had become fact. And he had misjudged Stracker's sense of honor.
It was Loethar's turn to smile. "Is that a challenge, Stracker?" He blinked a few times, suddenly feeling a warm blurriness in his head.
"Certainly sounds like one. Are you surprised?"
Loethar shook his head in answer but also to clear his mind. "Not really. I just thought you might wait until our mother was properly committed to her god. But, Stracker, nothing's changed, or have you been practicing with that weapon at your side?" His tongue felt suddenly thick in his mouth.
Stracker laughed. "I'm not that stupid, brother. I am well aware of your almost otherworldly sword skills."
Loethar understood, decided to steal Stracker's surprise. "And so it has come to this. Not even a fair contest but an ambush? Not very noble."
"I never claimed to be noble like you, brother. I am of the Steppes. We use cunning. There is no room for honor."
He shook his head again to clear it. "That's what makes you so unfit for leadership. Honor is something your father tried very hard to impress upon you. What ever you think of me, Stracker, honor is my code. It always has been."
"I'm glad you have finally admitted that he was my father."
"He was a father to me all the same. And he was an honorable man."
"If he saw you now, I think he would be ashamed."
"I doubt it. I think his only shame for me is that I let you live." Loethar shifted balance and staggered slightly.
Stracker's expression changed from smug enjoyment to genuine menace. He didn't reach to help his kin. "Perhaps you should have killed me when you had your chance."
"I've had many chances, but for our mother's sake I refused them all."
"And now you have no more."
"So you don't plan to draw your sword on me?" Loethar baited, listening for the inevitable sound he had been anticipating since he realized the trap had been laid. He could feel the drugged wine spreading its dulling, soporific effect far too quickly for him to do much to help himself.
Stracker shook his head and a malevolent grin returned to his face. "I just want you compliant and unable to draw your own. You'll be conscious for a while yet I'm assured by the physic who prepared the brew for me. You'll even be able to answer back!" He laughed. They both looked over at the stump behind which another flask of wine had been hidden and clearly the one Stracker had used to pour his own goblet. "And now you're going to endure the punishment that you have earned for many years." He nodded, glancing over