dear. It holds happiness—” His gaze moved to Ember. “But also many trials. And your road is longer than you probably expect. You will be needed in the days to come. You must continue to prepare and study.”
She nodded, her shoulders releasing the tension she didn’t realize they held. “I will. And thank you.”
He pursed his lips, his eyes seeing something far away. Maybe recalling his vision. “Don’t thank me yet. By the time all is done, you may feel quite differently.”
He looked down at his simple drawing. Three globes divided. She didn’t know what it meant, and he wiped it away before standing and dusting his palms.
Part of her wondered what his vision would mean for her. But the other part was deeply grateful for the reprieve he’d given.
The official placed the ribbons of victory on Ember’s shoulders and stepped away. A chill went through him, and his father stepped up beside him. No one in the audience was paying attention, still chattering away with one another, no doubt about the strange circumstances of their collective comas.
Ember sought out Mooriah and found her standing alone, expression plaintive. He motioned for her to come over, but she shook her head and crossed her arms over herself.
Crimson held his hands up over his head and waited for the crowd to settle and hush. Quiet descended as the clan awaited the words of their chieftain. The energy bubbling around was cautious and curious.
“I know that we all want answers as to the strange occurrences of today. One thing is clear, I have lost a son during the brawl. What the Mountain Mother and the Breath Father give unto us, they also take away.”
“Umlah,” the crowd repeated as one.
Rumble’s body was still there laying at their feet. It was not the Cavefolk way to hide the dead with covers as if afraid to look upon them. Ember glanced at his brother’s lifeless face. The medic had been shocked to discover that Rumble’s eyes were completely blackened but posited that he might have accidentally ingested some of the poison he’d tried to kill Ember with. It was a decent explanation as no one knew what poison it was.
Crimson continued. “The Mother showed favor to my son Ember, saving him from the poisoned blade. And the prophet Murmur and our shaman, Oval, believe that while She delivered Ember from harm, She blessed the rest of us with sleep so as to keep Her mysteries intact.”
Gasps sounded in the audience as this news penetrated.
“It was the Mother’s will!” someone shouted.
“We are truly blessed by Her!” cried another. Exclamations of praise and gratitude rose until Crimson hushed them all again.
He gazed at Ember, solemnly. “My heir and your future chieftain is one consecrated by the Mother. Sanctified by the Breath Father who poured breath back into his lungs. Night Snow will be led by a warrior embraced by both our divine parents, and he will lead our clan to heights heretofore unseen!”
The crowd exploded into cheers. People cried out, chanting his name. “Ember! Ember!” He had no idea when Crimson had decided to spin the mystery into some divine selection, and as much as it made him uncomfortable, he had to admit it was brilliantly done.
The mass fainting of the entire clan could make them look weak, both to others and among themselves. It could deplete morale and give an opening to other clans to sow seeds of dissent. But if their chieftain was chosen by the divine parents—then Night Snow maintained its superiority, one touched by sacred hands.
And while to Crimson, this might be fertile ground on which to start another war, to Ember this was the planting ground for lasting peace. This tale could help his quest to eventually unite the clans under one banner and preserve their true strength for as along as possible against the threat of dying out.
As the crowd continued to cheer, he acknowledged their praise with a bow. When he rose, he was pleased to see Mooriah approaching Oval. There was no doubt some type of ritual necessary now that he had been chosen as heir.
He looked around them and found Glister slowly retreating. She was sliding backward through the group of highly ranked clan members that usually flanked Crimson, trying to remain inconspicuous.
He motioned to Coal, the clan Protector, who approached. “Have Glister taken to the detention chamber. She has displeased me.” Coal bowed and motioned to a guard who went to apprehend the woman. She had much to