Nine Claws had her discussion with Logar and Morn while the rest of us watched. Even Malady kept silent though I wouldn’t put it past her that all of the perceived ills against Nine Claws the men were committing were being meticulously counted.

The pair didn’t show the depth of deference I was used to seeing others show whisper women. The little things all tribes people did on the rare chance they were confronted with one the goddess’s women. Not looking at them head on, letting them lead the conversation’s direction, staying silent instead of openly disagreeing. Even I had fallen into the habitual show of respect before I became a Seedling…and after, for the most part.

Logar and Morn were respectful, I supposed, and they had traded out the fancy cushions for the plain browns ones we all sat on now. But they would push Nine Claws on some of her answers, ask for more information, and politely disagree when their opinion didn’t line up with what she said or implied. All things normal tribes people or Picker bands wouldn’t dare to do.

Deamar watched the whole thing like a scolded puppy that I doubted was taking in much of what was actually being discussed.

Sometimes I watched him as the discussion continued for the quiet pleasure of seeing him and his overgrown pride be put in their place without any of us needing to lift a finger. Though the way his emotions showed on his face—embarrassment, frustration, wounded pride—clearly indicated that he had never learned to keep his emotions to himself. That he’d never needed to.

Spoiled.

Even more so than the twins. The realization put a bad taste in my mouth. The fact that anyone could be so catered to, and come to expect the treatment, was…well, they were barely better than an infant. If that. At least an infant had the excuse of being recently born for their inability to anything themselves.

At least his parents seemed to be getting tired of his attitude even if it was likely too little, too late.

It seemed that the favor Mishtaw had called in from Nine Claws covered more than just helping us escort the Pickers to the hidden band as Nine Claw was also seeking permission for Mishtaw’s squad, and her and Malady, to search the inner valleys for the relic. Really, she was insinuating that they’d look even without the leaders’ acknowledgment, but crossing the rivers of molten rock and search out the area would be easier with a local guide.

I wasn’t sure how Prevna and I fit into the plans to search for the relic. Nine Claws had made it clear they wouldn’t be escorting Kuma and Jika further if they couldn’t settle in the hidden village but I realized now that just because she refused to extend the escort mission didn’t mean Prevna and I would necessarily be separating from her and Malady as well. Rather than going off on our own they might be expecting to join us on the relic search while Mishtaw and the others were still preoccupied. That wasn’t the worst outcome as the fight with the plant monster and rats would have gone very differently without the pair, but I also wanted the freedom to search for the Lady of Calm Waters’ supposed friend. And, if we went with them, there wouldn’t be much of an opportunity for me to look where and how I wanted.

Morn agreed to our search. “You may, of course, look through the valleys for what you seek, mistress, but we do have a small request of our own.” Nine Claws gave him a level look and waited for him to continue, so he did, “Please take Deamar to the goddess’s copse to see the world outside this fog.”

Nine Claws asked, “The Trial of Fog or Snow?”

Morn nodded. “He is coming to the age where a permanent decision must be reached.”

Logar huffed. “He is past the age. He should’ve made the decision two years ago now.”

Deamar had stiffened as the conversation the conversation turned to him and he tried to interrupt, “Papa—”

Morn held up a finger and barely spared him a glance, his features tight. Though rather than seeming like he could barely look at his son, it had seemed like he had to force himself to look away. Deamar shut up, but I thought that was more due to shock from the way he was suddenly being treated than discipline.

“I’ve heard of it,” Nine Claws continued the conversation as if Deamar hadn’t spoken, “but my understanding was that the trial has neglected for years.”

Morn looked even more strained behind his smile. “Many of our people have taken to making their decision without the trial based on their past experiences or the hearsay of those that came from outside. But we can’t allow the same for Deamar. Even if he chooses to stay he must do so with a better understanding of the outside world, especially if he should lead after us.” He drew in a breath. “He must learn while he has the chance.”

“Hm. The judgment holds then?” asked Nine Claws.

Logar held out a wrist and the dot that should have showed up clearly against his skin was nothing more than the fainest smudge, just like how the Carvers’ bless marks had been washed out. “Always. Everyone who chooses to live in this valley have been denied Her blessing and those of us who have pledged ourselves to our master can no longer step foot beyond the fog with Her judgment befalling us.” He looked past us to where Gard and Colt sat at the back. “You will need to make the same choice. Should you decide to return to the goddess’s territory before a year is up you will regain the blessing.”

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Gard clutched Colt closer to him. “He’s a child.”

Logar nodded. “Children can spend a day and night outside the fog every year to retain their choice but it is expected for adults to commit to one way of life by the time they reach their sixteenth year.”

Morn shot him a look. “You know he shouldn’t make the decision blind.”

“The calling branch has been where it always is, Morn. Some blood and prayer and we could have been done with Deamar’s trial years ago. Don’t pretend your sudden enthusiasm is more than it is.”

I got a feeling this was argument that happened frequently between the pair, but judging by Deamar’s shocked look he hadn’t been confronted by it before.

Nine Claws pressed, “And what is that?”

Logar focused back on her. “Reality slapping him across the face. If you spoke to my son he would insist, quite passionately and blindly, that he needs nothing beyond these valleys and has learned all he needs to from the others’ tale about how terrible it is. That he is ready to pledge himself to our master and has been for years. My partner is the one who convinces him to hike up the middle peak every year to escape the fog and retain his choice.”

Nine Claws gave him a look that asked why she should care about some random brat and it made me wish I could pull off the same look as effortlessly in the future.

“You must understand, we do not care for the lives we left but some are left with regrets. Only able to see the sky once a year if we brave the great winds, only able to survive by breathing in air that would make a mockery of us and kill us if given a chance while the remedy grows at the base of the mountains, just barely out of reach. I would never change my choice but for others it takes more of a toll.” Logar looked at Morn. “Whisper women do not come here and the goddess’s influence can be noted more in the things we lack than anything else. It can lull someone into pretending that nothing needs to change without Her noticing.” The old brute nodded at us. “Then you came.”

“Ah.” There was nothing kind about Nine Claws’ smile. “Then I must insist on the trial for all of your young men who have yet to reach their sixteenth year, and one more thing. We will be splitting into two groups, originally with two guides. However, now Deamar and Tike will be guiding the seedlings while I will take another guide. They can begin their education early.”

Now I wanted to protest. Why did we have to be stuck with the spoiled fool and the incessant babbler who always seemed half out of his wits? Besides, what if we ran into another fight like the one with the monster and the rats? We’d have less people and less fighting ability. Prevna and I shared a look but I kept silent to show Deamar that some of us could have control over our emotions.

Nine Claws caught our look and said, “You will be keeping to this valley so you will have a place to retreat to, if necessary. Malady and I will range further afield. Mishtaw said you could handle the responsibility.”

I wasn’t sure retreating to a village that obviously hated us was the smartest of choices but, then again, they’d have to be more than fools to truly attack us. Nothing in these valleys might work as expected and we might only be seedlings, but I was sure the goddess wouldn’t put up with that particular insult. Not by these people who had already thrown what leniency She cared to give back in Her face.

Nor did I want to lose this chance to prove myself to Mishtaw. Often we were stuck watching over camp supplies and while I was sure this opportunity was born out of need to cover more ground, I wasn’t going waste the chance to show we were ready for more than that. That her training and our experience meant that we could be trusted to hold our own.

Morn still hadn’t completely regained his composure, “All of the young men?”

Nine Claws stared him down. “I uphold the goddess’s word. They shall meet their judgment and make their choice. Interference will not be tolerated and they will be taken for the trial on the second day of the cold season before they will spend a year among our firestarters. Do I make myself clear?”

Deamar gaped in the corner of my vision while Logar bent his head in a bow and raised crossed arms over his head. Morn had to visibly collect himself before he swallowed down whatever he wanted to say and followed Logar’s example.

They spoke in unison, “We hear and obey.”

“Good.”

The discussion continued after that but the men were more cowed than they had been previously. Nine Claws pulled the conversation through a few more topics like supplies and expectations for our exploration before she ended it and led our group back outside.

Two of our guides had waited outside during the long discussion. One was supposed to lead Gard and Colt to their new home while the rest of us would be given tents to sleep in. Nine Claws had shut down any suggestion of the wooden buildings and apparently she didn’t prefer the dirt ones either.

We ended up on the outskirts of the village after the Pickers said their goodbyes, which was probably for the best, given all of the unfriendly looks we were still getting from the men. Jika and Kuma disappeared into their tent right away to have a long discussion about what they were going to do next now that they knew what the reality of the hidden band was like. They had three days to make a decision and leave, and I think they only got that much leeway because Nine Claws still hadn’t been in the mood to hear ‘no’.

As for Nine Claws herself, she made all her cats appear and started lavishing the spirits with her attention. I didn’t doubt that it was both a show of power and something she liked to do as she had started having at least one cat around her when we were camped to pet and play with.

Malady set to work cooking a meal and pointedly lighting a fire with a snap of her fingers while staring down a man who got too close. He flinched and hurried away.

I glanced inside the tent Prevna and I would be sleeping in. It obviously had another occupant not that long ago as there were some things tucked along the edges that it looked like someone had forgotten grab while they hurriedly packed. But there was enough space for us to sleep even with the way Prevna liked to sprawl out. I sat outside the tent and started to check over my weapons while Prevna wandered inside it and started poking around the forgotten items. We had the tent flaps tied open so I saw when a couple of those items made their way into her pack and I didn’t see any need to remind her about personal property.