Jay panicked. They wanted to help, they needed to help. But the sounds of fighting outside terrified them. The screams of humans and raptors, the bellows of monsters, the roar of distant fire creeping ever closer, all kept them in the wagon and pinned them to the floor.

A few minutes in, the wagon shook as something thumped into it. Jay heard faint scratches against the door, and snuffling sounds. But no one tried to force the door. Eventually the sounds subsided to distant shouts, then gave way to a painful silence. It was as if the very world held its breath.

Gzoh broke the silence first.

"Praise Dumuzid," She murmured, "We yet live."

"I should help," Jay said, "I know a bit of healing. And I heard fires."

"Jeshin told us to stay put," Gzoh said, "We will stay put."

"Since when do you listen to anything she says?" Jay asked.

Gzoh chuckled. "Since she started to speak sense."

A few minutes later the door opened to reveal two women.

One was Jeshin. She was covered in three colors of blood, had a heavily bandaged left leg and arm, and looked as if a horse had trampled on her face. She was grinning wildly, which pulled at the stitches on her cheek.

The other was a Tre woman with a broad nose, who pretended that Jeshin was not leaning on her heavily for support. She escorted Jeshin to her hammock, and began to help her peel off her armor. Some attachments had been smashed together hard enough she needed leverage to wrench the pieces apart.

"What a scrap," Jeshin said, "Best scrap I have had in aaages. Amp was stronger, but this fear fuck was smarter. And gosh did they know how to keep a woman satisfied. Unlike Ian that bastard, bet Hyo cheats on him. We were fighting for eeever. There was this slinger, and it had balls. Big balls, and knew how to use them too. Fuck!"

Jeshin looked at her uncertainly. Was she okay? Aside from the obvious physical wounds.

Yeon said that Zap knew the risks, and Jeshin said she did too, Jay thought, Did she get driven mad by a blow to the head? Just to protect me?

Gods I’m such an idiot. I should have helped her.

"Don’t lookit me like that," Jeshin slured, "I’m fiiine. Just, loopy. P. Puh."

She gave up pronouncing the word, and waved a hand at the Tre instead.

"You tell them." She said.

"Jeshin drank a copious amount of poppy milk to dull the pain," The stranger said, "She will be delirious for hours, and also sleepy. Don’t let her sleep, she has a severe concussion and needs to be monitored in case she has a seizure. Don’t take anything she says seriously, she does not mean it and will not remember it tomorrow."

"You forgot the smarts," Jeshin said, "I drank it because I’m smarts. You are an inquisitor, you should know how us smart people are. Pujunin. Heh, your name is funny."

Jeshin giggled.

"I must go and help my people," Gzoh said, "I trust I am not needed for this?"

"No," Pujunin said, "I will stay for a bit then join you. I wish to talk to Jay."

Gzoh nodded and left, to Jeshin’s incoherent objections. Pujunin wasted no time in starting her interrogation. As befitted an inquisitor, Jay supposed.

"I had hoped to talk in better circumstances," Pujunin said, "But this is the opportunity we are going to get. I am already delayed from my mission and will be delayed further by this mess. So I’ll get straight to the point.

"What happened in Pleurian? Did the Ufriq truly break Amp’s contract?"

Jay froze. This was it. If they lied here, the Ufriq would be implicated in two separate incidents with demons. The caravan could be exiled, the leadership imprisoned. They could even be declared outlaws, there was precedent to strip the law’s protections from members of demonic cults.

If they didn’t lie, Jeshin would kill them.

Do I honestly believe that? Jay thought, Or is it just an excuse to be a coward? Jeshin said she would die for me, and almost did so tonight.

"No," Jay said, "The mercenary named Hazlet sought to steal fireworks from the mage Olorin, and accidentally caused an explosion which killed a man named Brig. She then tried to cover it up by contracting with the demon to kill Jeshin and me. We fended it off."

"Jay!" Jeshin gasped, "You promised to lie! You whore! Treasonous curr!"

She noticed that Pujunin was right there in the room.

"I mean, you had hypothermia. Terrible, terrible hallucinations. Of betrayal and shit. Fuck", She said, "Why do inquisitors have to be competent? Fuck you, Jay. Go suck a dick, Pujunin, I hate you. This is a setup. I’m sleepy. Goodnight."

Jeshin nodded off. Pujunin slapped her on the face, gently. She woke up with a start and grabbed at her bare stomach.

"Where is my dagger?" Jeshin asked, "I want to stab you with it. Wait, where are my clothes?"

She grinned at Jay.

"Am I getting lucky? You are really attractive, Jay. You have great forearms. And when you stretch in the morning and your shirt lifts up a bit? Mmm. Amazing."

Pujunin sighed.

"I have what I need, I’ll go and help Gzoh and the adventurers. Keep her safe, don’t let her sleep," She said, "And Jay?

"It was an honor to meet you. Not many survive an encounter with an evil as powerful as Archon’s amputation demon is rumored to be. Much less play the key role in defeating it. I only wish I was there to banish it for good."

"Pew!" Jeshin said, "She would’ve zapped it like that. But she wouldn’t let me steal her banishment formula. Rude.

"But yes, Jay, you were wonderful that fight. I was standing there thinking ’what’s the opposite of amputation?’ and then you come in and Bang! Fire! Which makes sense, right?

"Fire cauterizes amputations, of course it would work against Amp. Constriction probably works too. Like a tourniquet. But I didn’t have a combat whip. Or ropes."

She leaned towards Jay as far as she could. Which was only a couple of finger widths.

"Only ones for the bedroom." She whispered.

Or tried to, it was louder than Jay’s normal speaking voice. Jeshin giggled and tried to give Jay a wink, but only succeeded in twitching her right cheek. Her eye was swollen shut.

Jay looked around aimlessly for help, but Pujunin was already gone. They sighed in turn. It was going to be a long night, but helping Jeshin through it was the least they could do. Even if she was giggly and... Jay jerked back in surprise. And apparently irritatingly handsy when intoxicated.

PIC [https://scythiamarrow.org/archive/SplinterGuard/Art/SectionMarkerJay.png]

The night passed in a bewildering loop of Jeshin attempting to hit on Jay, Jay explaining she was delirious, and Jeshin apologizing for the advance. Then she would forget and the cycle repeated. Occasionally Jeshin dozed off and Jay had to shake her awake.

In the beginning she would forget what was happening every few minutes, but by the time dawn broke over the camp her memory stretched to over half an hour. By noon Jeshin had recovered enough to be out of immediate danger, and fell into a deep sleep.

Jay felt tempted to follow suit, but they were starving and had no idea what was going on. They needed food and information.

Luckily the kitchen had not burned down in the fighting, so Jay was able to eat a late midday meal of potatoes and eggs. And talk to Tore, figure out what the Ufriq planned to do next.

"Most of those who died are alive again," Tore informed them, "Except some of those who lost their home, they are missing. Flioplume clan is out catching stray raptors, and Down is caring for the wounded. We won’t be able to continue on for another few days."

The delay disquieted Jay. The situation was much more serious than it first appeared, demons had twice now broken free of their contracts and rampaged. And these were just the two instances Jay knew about, there might be hundreds more across Varmyr, thousands across the continent if Othuxtai’s influence reached that far.

If this continued, some demon somewhere on Loerma would eventually get lucky and raze a city.

Jay needed to hurry up and finish their quest. Get to Two Crosses, charter a river boat up north to near Mountaincut, then convince Othuxtai to stop this.

Why choose me, though? Jay thought, Couldn’t Amber have asked anyone closer? The world has a plethora of idiot accountants in it.

They touched the gemstone in their pocket. It gave no answers. Jay decided to find Gzoh.

She was near the burned wagons, arbitrating an argument between two incensed people, one Rhin woman and one Haco man. They spoke in Rhina, so Jay was forced to overhear their squabble.

"... So she gets her throat torn out, and the next morning she wakes up in Xoru’s bed!" The man spat, "I wonder why? Why don’t you tell the peace speaker why, Arteria?"

"Because I’m fucking him, is that what you want to hear?" Arteria snapped, "You always were jealous of Xoru. I chose you, Inlo, not them. Even when you gave me that ultimatum. Should I..."

"Please," Gzoh interrupted, "Insults and hypotheticals have no place here. Say what you mean, Inlo. Are you accusing your wife of adultery?"

"It’s the only explanation!" Inlo shouted, "Everyone who died woke up in their own bed, except those who had no home and her."

"I can think of several other explanations," Gzoh said, "Perhaps the others had closer friendships with other caravans than here, and are now there. Perhaps the waking location is simply the unoccupied bed closest to where they died.

"Perhaps Dumuzid is teaching you a lesson in trust."

"Dumuzid is dead," Inlo spat.

"And yet dreams of spring," Gzoh countered.

The man hesitated.

"We are all grieving, and hurt," Gzoh said, "Let us find our missing kin before jumping to any conclusions, please. Until then, I believe it is a good idea for you two to spend some time apart. Inlo, you can stay with Uxvin. Arteria, you can stay with Rodna."

Arteria opened her mouth.

"Not Xoru," Gzoh said, "I understand that you feel like Inlo is being overbearing, but even if he is being paranoid now is not the time to confront that. He watched you die, Arteria."

Arteria closed her mouth again, and scowled. She nodded, as did Inlo.

The pair stalked away from each other, and Jay finally had their chance to speak to Gzoh.

"There is nothing for you to help with," Gzoh said as they approached, "Our consensus is holding, and now that the crisis is passed you would just get in the way if you tried to assist with healing.

"No wait," She amended, "You could assist Chuhin with inventory and assessing damages. He said you got to know the books better than he does."

Jay shifted uncomfortably. They wanted to help, but their mission took priority.

"Actually," Jay said, "I wanted to ask for your help.

"I think I am healed enough to travel on raptorback now, and given the urgency of my mission I wanted to ask you for two mounts. Jeshin and I should get going as soon as possible, the faster we get to Mountaincut the faster things like this," They gestured around at the burned wrecks, "Stop happening."

Gzoh nodded, gravely.

"I see," She said, "So after you slandered us, insulted our ways, and brought calamity to our caravan, you wish to steal two of our most precious animals from us when we have already lost so many."

Jay felt as if she had slapped them in the face. Gods they were an idiot.

"No, I didn’t mean..." Jay started.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"I’m just messing with you," Gzoh clarified, "I’ll get some supplies packed onto Tufaha and Kitambaa, but that request is more thorny than you realize. We do not allow outsiders to own or ride our raptors. To change that, the caravan as a whole would need to forge a consensus."

"But," Jay said, "We have ridden your raptors for days now. Jeshin has for over a week."

"You two are guests of the caravan, guests are allowed to ride during their travel," Gzoh explained, "As they technically share our path during their time with the caravan. But I won’t bore you with a lesson on the precise traditions of ’ugeni’, or outsiderness."

Jay actually would love a lesson on that, but supposed that Gzoh had much better things to be doing.

"So by when do you expect to have consensus?" Jay asked.

Gzoh laughed.

"I could call a forging right here and now, all that is needed is a sizable gathering of people and at least one representative from each major clan," Gzoh said, "But it is impossible to tell how long it will take. Some take mere heartbeats, others stretch on for days and only stop because the participants get too thirsty to hold onto their grudges.

"I would suggest that both you and Jeshin attend, and with sharp wits. Which means you should sleep, Jay. You look terrible."

Jay shook their head.

"I’m too..."

They waved their hands about aimlessly, searching for a word, then gave up and continued.

"...to sleep right now. I’ll help Chuhin with the inventory, then perhaps nap for an hour. Jeshin should sleep for at least eight, but knowing her she will wake in four."

"Then I will call the forging when the sun is just kissing the treetops," Gzoh said.

PIC [https://scythiamarrow.org/archive/SplinterGuard/Art/SectionMarkerJay.png]

"Ufriq!" Gzoh called, right when she said she would.

The volume of her shout nearly deafened Jay and they winced, though Jeshin looked unaffected. Still terribly beat up and tired, but awake and keeping her hands to herself thank Nanaya.

"Gather, for we must forge a consensus!" Gzoh continued, "Dumuzid is dead, and yet we must find his will through whispers in the fields and sky!"

The Ufriq gathered, and quickly. Young at a run, old at a walk. Shouts in Lugha, Rhina, and many other languages flew threw the air. Seventeen, twenty six, Jay lost count but in minutes somewhere north of sixty people converged on Gzoh, nearly half the caravan.

"All clans are represented, good," Gzoh said, "The question set before us is this: This outsider, Jay, and their bodyguard, that violent slanderer and outsider Jeshin, wish to steal two mounts from us when we have already lost so many.

"Shall we let outsiders take what is ours by sacred right?"

"No!" The crowd shouted in response, as one.

Jay shifted uncomfortably. Gzoh was probably just doing her job, playing demon’s advocate to ensure people’s concerns were taken seriously. But that did not mean they had to like it. Gzoh sounded like she was instigating a shipworks riot.

"Shall we kneel to slanderers, to the ignorant and unjust?"

"Never!" The crowd crooned.

"So what is our answer?" Gzoh shouted. "Shall we help Jay’s sacred mission? Shall we give them two mounts?"

"Yes!" The crowd shouted, twice as loud. But under it all, Jay heard a couple of faint voices mumble "No." Gzoh must have heard that as well.

"We do not have a consensus," Gzoh said, "So we must forge one."

"Jay’s no outsider," someone said. It took a couple of beats before Jay realized the voice was Tria’s. "They are Ufriq. As is Jeshin. I see no reason to refuse them any or all of our aid. They have already shared our path for half a month, let them share it until their dying breath. I would speak for them both."

"I would speak for Jeshin," a man said. Jay did not know them. "Jeshin is the finest fighter I have ever met. She faced down six of our best, unarmored, and won. She fought and slew three monsters for us. She killed and banished a demon for us, and nearly died for it. Bristle clan claims her as our own."

Really? Jay thought, Six on one? I’m surprised she didn’t brag about that while delirious. She certainly mentioned everything else. Incessantly.

Jay glanced at Jeshin, who looked incredibly smug. She puffed up her chest and flexed a little at the crowd’s attention, then give Jay what she apparently thought was a dashing look but was more like a hideous rictus given the state of her face. Ugh. Jay rolled their eyes, and Jeshin glared at them instead. Much better.

"And I would speak for Jay," Drao said, "They are a wonderful artist, and always seek to increase their understanding of our path. They are shy and reserved, but are quick to help both when it is requested and on their own initiative.

"They are a natural at our enchantments, too, if unpolished."

Jay flushed. Enchanting and art were just hobbies, ones they were terrible at compared to most they knew. Then again, the caravan was a few thousandths the size of Joinder. It was a much smaller pond with much less talent to learn from.

"Jay trades in gold, and I would speak against them," someone said. Chuhin. Jay felt betrayed, briefly, then immediately felt like an idiot. He was only speaking the truth, Jay was an accountant after all.

"They are a brilliant organizer, and have a head for numbers and trade. Chuhin said, "But their mind is warped by the Varmyr game. They think of everything in terms of profit, control, and blood. I would be satisfied if they vowed under Dumuzid to only have children within the Ufriq."

Jay blanched. That... That was an impossible vow for them to make. What if they fell in love with someone outside the Ufriq, and who refused to join the path?

Furthermore, this vow would destroy any legacy they may try to build. The Ufriq held most of their wealth in common, so Jay’s legacy would be limited to what? A couple of wagons and some personal effects? Nothing that could actually make a positive difference to the world.

What’s more important? Jay thought, The legacy I would fail to build anyway, or a divine mission? If I need to accept this vow to hasten my mission, I will.

Before Jay had a chance to accept, Drao shook his head.

"Jay traded art for feathers with us," Drao said, "And magic for culture. Even before they knew of Oyo, they traded one Oyo of art for one Oyo of feathers. Even before they knew of Bongo, they traded one formula for one page of history. They do not seek profit in their trades, only fairness."

Chuhin contemplated those words for a good while.

"Then I am satisfied without the vow," Chuhin said, "Jay can share our path as any other."

A raucous cheer went around the gathering. It seemed as if Jay had passed a test they did not even know they were taking.

They were gradually starting to understand the dynamics at play in a forging, and the more they understood the more they felt the pangs of worry take root deep in their gut. Jay suspected that Jeshin’s acceptance would be much more difficult than theirs, perhaps impossible.

Will I need to leave her behind? Jay thought, I don’t want to. As much as I hate and fear her I still trust her to protect me. And this holy quest is quickly becoming dangerous enough to deserve the name.

"I would speak against Jeshin," Thovin said. And there it was.

"She struck me, and she slandered my partner. When I tried to make amends she brought a weapon into one of our homes."

A silence stretched through the gathering after she spoke, as if the Ufriq were waiting for something else. Eventually, another broke the silence.

"Are you a child, or demented?" They accused, "Stating what you want without making room for allowances and compromise, that is not done. When one speaks against the consensus, one must say how one would be satisfied. Otherwise the forging will shatter, like a tooth upon rock.

"How will you be satisfied?"

Thovin looked pained.

"I... I don’t know, Ephie," Thovin said, "I do not think Jeshin could ever be Ufriq. She is a killer, and does not wish to change."

The gathering exploded at that, the main discussion splintered into a dozen smaller conversations. Some in support of Thovin, some in condemnation, most in languages Jay could not understand, but all of them confusing.

Jay grimaced at the noise, it was too much for them all at once. They tried to keep track of it all, but ended up understanding none of it. Gzoh saw their distress and raised their voice, it sliced through the babble like a cutter through a choppy ocean.

"By Dumuzid’s dick, shut up, all of you," Gzoh said, "And especially you, Ephie. You shut up twice. This is not some lover’s quarrel or a hunter too proud to do the dishes. Jeshin nearly broke Thovin’s cheek. And if she had her way, Achlin would stand accused of cavorting with demons. That is a capitol offense in Varmyr, he could get executed for that.

"It is completely possible and reasonable for there to be no simple resolution here. Dumuzid only promises that the path exists, not that it is easy to tread."

The cacophony subsided to dull, murmuring whispers, which allowed Jay to glance at Jeshin again. She looked bored, and tired. Not at all like someone whose moral core had just been challenged, who had been called a remorseless killer incapable of being accepted by the Ufriq.

She doesn’t even want to be, Jay realized, No wonder Gzoh’s words have no effect on her, it would be like someone trying to punish me by taking away my plate of spicy eggs.

Jay itched to throw a barb at her, show Jeshin the consequences of her actions in a way she actually seemed to care about. If Jeshin didn’t mind Jay taking away her spicy eggs, they would take away her pastries instead.

But Jay refrained, with effort. The two had already had this argument, poking at it further would just be cruel.

Back at the forging, the cacophony died down fully and Ephie glared hot hate at Gzoh.

"I believe it is time for our caravan to have a new peace speaker. This one spews blasphemy too easily and ruins the forging," They said.

The gathering nodded as one. Even Thovin. What?

She’s being pressured, Jay realized, Thovin is already the one blocking the consensus, standing up for Gzoh as well would just see Thovin join her in exile. Ephie has even laid the groundwork for that by accusing Thovin of being incapable. Cunning bastard. Does Ephie even realize what they are doing?

Jay suspected not. It would be incredibly easy for people raised within the fast-forming consensus of the Ufriq to equate agreement with justice. Jay had known the type even in Joinder, people so terrified of conflict that they harmed themselves or others by dismissing their own wants or downplaying other’s grievances.

Something was wrong here, and Jay wanted to fix it.

"I speak for Gzoh," Jay said.

Their mouth hammered in their throat, their hands tensed. But they had the gathering’s attention, so there was nothing to do but press forwards.

"She is right, there is no easy answer to this problem. Jeshin will never be a pacifist, and so cannot be Ufriq. I would not allow Gzoh’s exile for the crime of speaking the truth."

Gzoh beamed at them, but then gestured with her hands, as if Jay should keep going. Why? They had blocked Ephie’s power grab. Everything was fine now.

Oh right, Jay thought, I need to explain how I can be satisfied with her exile, otherwise I am just breaking this ’forging’ thing even more. Give her a queen’s ransom and a harem? Somehow I doubt that suggestion will be appreciated.

Jay was pretty sure they were already bending a few rules in the first place by speaking before being formally accepted into the path. They did not even have a clan, yet. Time to throw an ally overboard, then. Is that not what diplomacy was all about?

"I will be satisfied when Gzoh is," Jay said, "Let her speak with an equal voice, not as peace speaker."

Gzoh looked like a cat in a fishmonger. Smug, and planning to steal everything in sight.

"I will be satisfied when each and every person here proposes a way to get both Jay and Jeshin to Two Crosses within the week without breaking our traditions or accepting Jeshin as Ufriq," Gzoh said, "Each solution must be unique."

Really, Gzoh? Jay thought, This political maneuver you are so proud of is design by committee? That is notoriously terrible.

"It is impossible," Ephie said, "That speed is only possible on raptorback, and one must be Ufriq to own a raptor. Thovin should just allow Jeshin to join our path."

"Thank you for that proposal," Gzoh said, "Let us hear the next."

"We can send two of our clan with them," A Flioplume clan member said, "And have them return with Jeshin’s mount after they reach Two Crosses."

That solution had merit, but it was held back by the fact that raptors were social animals and Tufaha would get lonely on his own. Plus, the caravan was hard pressed for both mounts and scouts after the battle and losing two more of each for ten days would be painful.

"We could just allow Jeshin to own a raptor despite her being an outsider," The Bristle clan member said, "There is precedent."

"Bad precedent," Another scoffed, "The last person to be granted such an honor was Whilin of Diamond, three hundred years ago. He later became known as King Jebzel the first, or more commonly Jebzel the Gruesome for his treatment of highlander rebels."

Others proposed minor variations of the "suck it up, Thovin" plan or "spend more resources than we would like" plan, but nothing substantial was added until it was Thovin’s turn herself.

"Can we not give Jay two mounts, one for themself, and one to keep communally?" Thovin asked, "Jeshin is already using our caravan’s communal mounts, as a guest is allowed by right. Jay could form a caravan of one Ufriq and one guest. They would have one personal mount, and one communal mount that Jeshin uses.

"Yes it breaks our traditions. By tradition, a caravan must have at least one family from each major clan, and guests cannot number more than one tenth of a caravan. But we could overlook that.

"It would be no worse than turning a blind eye to thieves using or selling our cloths, which we already do."

"Acknowledging our powerlessness to stop thieving outsiders is not the same as actively promoting breaks in tradition from one of our own," Ephie spat.

"Accepting certain breaks in tradition, with due caution and because of extraordinary circumstances, does not promote future breaks," Chuhin countered, "Quite the opposite.

"When we understand why a guideline is in place, like we must do in order to openly discuss breaking it, we follow it more than if we remain ignorant.

"Real corruption is found in the dark. Like when one of our fellow caravan members stole our enchantments and sold them to the Queendom Under in exchange for money, favors and guarantees of land.

"I do not know who it is, but have reason to believe that they are Plume clan as well, Ephie. I’m curious about how you manged to overlook that."

Jay winced. This was not the time to place that particular petard. Luckily, Gzoh thought so as well.

"Order!" She shouted over the suddenly incensed mob, "This forging is not one for investigating such a claim. Which you should well know, Chuhin. It may take days to figure out who the culprit is, days our guests do not have."

Jeshin leaned in to whisper in Jay’s ear.

"It’s her, Chirkel," Jeshin said, "I saw her selling the cloths to a Leru woman with flamberge daggers who summoned that fear demon to secure the contract. Should I say anything?"

Jay panicked.

"No!", They whispered back, "Do you want to start a riot? We are here for the raptors, not to point fingers. I’ll tell Chuhin afterwards. Why would you even ask that?"

Jeshin shrugged.

"Might get me into the Ufriq," Jeshin said, "If I’m the one to find the traitor."

"You even calling her a traitor misses the whole point of being Ufriq," Jay hissed, "Besides, do you even want to join them?"

"Fuck no," Jeshin said, "They fight for shit. And if someone deserves to die I’m going to kill them, Ufriq vows or no."

"Well I’m glad you won’t have to become an oath breaker," Jay said, "They will give us the raptors in the end, they are just looking for a good justification. Luckily for you, the Ufriq aren’t nearly as terrible as you are."

"Flatterer," Jeshin said, "Stop, I’m blushing."

She was not, in fact, blushing.

Gzoh restored order, eventually, and got the forging back on track.

"We have three proposed solutions, then," Gzoh said, "And none are perfect. How would you be satisfied, Chuhin?"

"I would be satisfied if Jay decides which one to pursue, knowing full well the costs of each. After all, it is their quest," Chuhin said, "Would you accept the responsibility for that, Jay?"

Jay started at being addressed directly, but then nodded. "Yes."

"I would be satisfied with such a thing as well," Thovin said.

Ephie mulled over their thoughts for quite a while before speaking.

"I understand that it is not my place to tell another their path. If Thovin refuses to see reason and accept Jeshin, that is her decision to make. If Jay decides that their very first act as Ufriq is to break tradition, that again is their decision to make.

"My heart cannot bear the thought of barring someone from the path without their knowledge and without first hearing their words. I would be satisfied if Jeshin was allowed to speak for herself."

Jeshin smiled. Uh oh.

"I would be satisfied if I was being eaten out by a gorgeous couple on a down bed with silk sheets in my Alv palace, hundreds of soldiers at my beck and call, and gold enough to come out my ears." She said, "I can’t do that if I’m Ufriq."

The gathering stared at her in silence. Ephie looked mortified.

So this is what it feels like to transcend panic, Jay thought, Ephie did literally ask for this, but this is a forging, not a contract. Ephie is fully within their rights to say they are still not satisfied. Will the sheer embarrassment be enough to pull us through?

Someone laughed, that Bristle clan member Jay still did not know the name of. Ephie flushed a deeper red than Jay had thought possible. Did Haco have more vibrant blood on average than Rhin did?

"I am satisfied," Ephie said. They had to choke the words out. "And also wish to leave."

And so the consensus was forged. If it was a thing of metal, it would be a beast of jutting spikes and split layers, an ugly thing to be cast aside and forgotten at the earliest opportunity.

Jay loved it like their own child.

"I will form a caravan of one, and bring Jeshin with me as a guest," Jay declared, "I understand that this breaks your... Our traditions, but I also know the reason for them. The guidelines are there to forge consensus between the clans, and to protect the caravan from outsiders. I would form a consensus of one, and am confident that Jeshin will not harm me."

The bristle clan member laughed again. It was starting to get annoying.

"Not yet fully Ufriq and already breaking our traditions," He said, "I believe that is fitting for Wing clan, no? Do you claim them?"

"We do," Tore said, "Jay seeks the skies."

"Then it is decided," Gzoh said, "Jay is now Ufriq, of the Wing clan, and will be setting out tomorrow as a caravan of one, with two mounts in tow.

"I will join them, as I am not wanted as peace speaker of this caravan anymore."

She gave a deep bow to the gathered crowd.

"Serving you has been the greatest honor of my life."