Peter Brett - The Desert Spear

But the moment they left the forbidding generated by the giant ward of Deliverer's Hollow, Abban felt his skin crawling, and he was forced to accept that there was nothing the Sharum could do to him that would make him too prideful to beg their protection in the night.

Such was the fate of khaffit.

"I do not understand why you treat these chin weaklings as though they were true men," Ashan said to Ahmann as they walked.

"These people are strong," Ahmann replied. "Even their women have alagai scars."

"Their women are brazen like harlots," Ashan said, "and should see more of the back of their husbands' hands. The one who leads them is worst of all! I cannot believe you let her scold you like a…a…"

"Dama'ting?" Ahmann asked.

"More like the Damajah," Ashan said. "And this woman is neither."

Ahmann's face twitched slightly, a barely noticeable sign of irritation that nevertheless would have sent Abban running for cover if there had been any to run to.

But Ahmann kept his temper. "Think, Ashan," he said. "Should I waste warriors conquering these people for Sharak Ka when they fight the alagai already?"

"They do not fight under you, Shar'Dama Ka," Ashan pointed out. "The Evejah commands that all warriors obey the Deliverer for Sharak Ka to be won."

Ahmann nodded. "And so it shall be. But I did not unite the tribes of Krasia by killing men. Unity came from mixing my blood with theirs by marrying their dama'ting. I see no reason not to do the same in the North."

"You would marry that…that…" Ashan was incredulous.

"That what?" Ahmann asked. "That beautiful woman who kills alagai with a wave of her hand, and wards like a sorceress of old?" He lifted the warded cloak she had given him and held it up to his face, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. "Even the scent of her intoxicates me. I must have her."

"She isn't even Evejan!" Ashan spat. "She is an infidel!"

"Even infidels are part of Everam's plan, my friend," Ahmann said. "Can you not see it? The only tribe in the North that fights alagai'sharak is led by a woman, a Northern healer blessed with powers never before seen. By marrying her, I can add their strength to our own without a drop of red blood spilled. It is as if Everam Himself has arranged the match. I can feel His will thrumming in me, and it will not be denied."

Ashan looked ready to argue further, but it was clear Ahmann considered the matter closed. He scowled, but he bowed. "As the Deliverer wills," he said through gritted teeth.

They reached the camp at last, and Abban breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Ahmann's pavilion was raised and waiting. The dal'Sharum surrounded it, sleeping in shifts and ever alert for any threat, demon or otherwise.

"Abban, meet with me," Ahmann said. "Shanjat and Ashan, see to the men."

Damaji and kai'Sharum exchanged a bitter look, but they gave no argument and left to comply. Hasik moved to follow Ahmann, but Ahmann stopped him with a look.

"I do not require a bodyguard to meet with a khaffit," Ahmann said.

Hasik bowed. "When you did not give me another assignment, Deliverer, I assumed my place was with you."

"My pavilion could use raising," Abban suggested.

Ahmann nodded. "Hasik, see to it."

Hasik looked up at Abban, murder in his eyes, but Abban, safe behind Ahmann, gave not the obsequious bow of a khaffit but a full mocking grin.

Abban turned and stepped into the pavilion, holding the tent flap for Ahmann to enter. The impotent rage on Hasik's face as he closed the flap was poor recompense for his daughter's virginity, but Abban took his revenge where he could find it. Jardir turned to Abban once they were alone.

"I apologize for striking you," he said. "It was-"

"Meant to impress the woman, I know," Abban cut him off. "And it would have been a fair bargain had it worked, but these chin see the world differently than we do."

Jardir nodded, thinking of how the Par'chin used to defend Abban. "Our cultures are a natural insult to each other. I should have known better."

"One must take especial care when dealing with chin," Abban agreed.

Jardir lifted the Spear of Kaji. "I am a warrior, Abban. My strategies are for conquering men and killing alagai. I am not good at the sort of…manipulation," he spat the word, "that you and Inevera excel at."

"Lies have always been bile on your lips, Ahmann," Abban agreed, with a bow that seemed equal parts deferential and mocking.

"So how do I claim this woman?" Jardir asked. "I saw her eyes upon me. Do you think she has the liberty of dama'ting to choose her husband, or should I approach her father?"

"Dama'ting have their liberty because their fathers are not known," Abban said. "Mistress Leesha made a point of introducing us to her father, and then gave you the cloak, a clear sign she is open to courting. An ordinary maiden might give a fine robe to a suitor, but her gift is one worthy of the Deliverer."

"So it should only be a matter of arranging a dower with her father," Jardir said.

Abban shook his head. "Erny is a hard negotiator, but he will be the simple part. I would be more concerned that the Damajah might oppose the match, and the Damaji support her."

"I will kill any Damaji who defies me in this," Jardir said, "even Ashan."

"What message will that send to your army, Ahmann," Abban asked, "when their leader kills his own Damaji for the sake of a chin woman?"

Jardir scowled. "What does it matter? Inevera has no reason to oppose it."

Abban shrugged. "I only suggest it because the Damajah may find she has difficulty dominating this Northern woman as she does your other Jiwah Sen."

Jardir knew Abban was right. He had always thought Inevera the most powerful woman in the world, but this Leesha of Deliverer's Hollow seemed to rival her in every way. She would not play the role of a lesser wife, and Inevera would tolerate nothing less.

"But it is that very indomitability that I must have beside me, if I am to lead the chin to Sharak Ka," Jardir said. "Perhaps I can marry her in secret."

Abban shook his head. "Word of the union would reach the Damajah eventually, and she could cancel it with a word, which Leesha's tribe might take as an unbearable insult."

Jardir shook his head. "There is a way. This is Everam's will. I can feel it."

"Perhaps…" Abban began, twisting his fingers through the curl of his oiled beard.

"Yes?" Jardir asked.

Abban was silent a moment, but then shook his head and waved his hand dismissively. "Only a thought that did not hold water when filled."

"What thought?" Jardir asked, and his tone made it clear he would not ask again.

"Ah," Abban said, "I had only wondered, what if the Damajah were only your Krasian Jiwah Ka? If that were so, there might be wisdom to appointing a Northern Jiwah Ka as well, to arrange marriages to chin in the green lands."

Abban shook his head. "But not even Kaji ever had two Jiwah Ka."

Jardir rubbed his fingers together, feeling the smooth scars of the wards cut into his skin as he pondered.

"Kaji lived three thousand years ago," he said at last, "and the sacred texts are incomplete. Who is to say for certain how many Jiwah Ka he had?"

When clever Abban did not immediately reply, Jardir smiled. "You will go tomorrow to the house of Leesha's father to settle your debt," he commanded, "and to learn what dower he asks for her."

Abban bowed and turned to go. Abban smiled to the greenlanders as he limped through the village on his camel-headed crutch. They stared at him, many mistrustful, but while his crutch was an invitation for violence against him in Krasia, it seemed to have the opposite effect among the chin. They would be ashamed of themselves to hit a man who could not properly defend himself, just as they were ashamed to hit a woman. It explained why their women took such liberties.