[Queen of Orcs 03] - Royal Destiny by Morgan Howell Read Free Book Online

trying to be firm with Zor-yat and Muth-yat. “That won’t be easy.”
    “Everyone expects queen to show path. If you’re confident, they’ll follow.”
    “But how will I show them this path?” asked Dar. Her own dealings with the late queen had been personal and direct. When she had led the orcs against King Kregant, she was surrounded by her troops. Dar had no idea how to rule subjects that lived in distant halls. King Kregant had officials to carry out his commands, which made her wonder if she’d have similar functionaries. “Who will aid me when I rule?”
    “Clan matriarchs and your mintaris.”
    The latter word was unfamiliar. Dar broke it down into “sons” and “bitten.” “I bit Zna-yat’s neck, and his life became mine,” she said. “Is it same with mintaris?”
    “Hai. When son becomes your mintari, his first duty is to you. You come before his clan’s matriarch or even his muthuri. Choosing your mintaris is major decision. It’s best they come from all clans. Gather sons to you, but don’t hurry to bite their necks. See if they’re suitable first. This deed can’t be undone.”
    “How do I gather them?”
    “Ask each clan matriarch to send you unblessed sons to serve you. Two per clan is customary. You can ask for more later.”
    “Who chooses these sons? Matriarch? Or can I name them?”
    “You can name them if you wish.”
    Dar immediately thought of Kovok-mah. “Can son’s muthuri forbid him to go?”
    “Thwa. Besides, it’s honor to be asked.”
    Dar was glad that Meera-yat couldn’t see her smile. Kath-mah can’t keep Kovok-mah from me! “Should I do this soon?”
    “Hai. It will let matriarchs know there is new queen. Then they will gather here for council meeting.”
    “What should I do at this meeting?”
    “Impart what wisdom Muth la has given you.”
    Dar thought that advice was vague to the point of being useless. She envisioned a room full of matriarchs, all much older than she and accustomed to wielding authority. They’ll think I’m an upstart! Dar grew anxious. She suspected Meera-yat smelled her fear, for the ancient mother grasped her hand and squeezed it. “Remember, you have Fathma.”
    “So did great mothers who drank Muth la’s Draught and died.”
    “It’s rare for Council of Matriarchs to question queen’s fitness, and rarer still for them to call for Draught. Didn’t you say you have unfinished work? I believe Muth la will permit you to complete it.”
    It occurred to Dar that her sole purpose might be to bring Fathma back to the orcs and someone with more experience should implement the treaty. If that’s the case, I’ll be deemed unfit. Dar wondered what would happen if she refused to drink Muth la’s Draught. She suspected it would be futile.
    “It’ll take a while for matriarchs to arrive,” said Meera-yat. “Muth-goth’s hall is far away.”
    “Muth-pah’s hall is even farther.”
    “Why do you speak of Muth-pah? Pah clan is lost.”
    “That’s not so. I’ve stayed with Pah clan and met Muth-pah. Together, we entered darkness to receive visions.”
    Meera-yat didn’t immediately reply, but her agitated expression made Dar uneasy. “You entered darkness? What happened afterward?”
    “Muth-pah said world had changed.”
    “Oh my! And you’re queen now! Oh my!”
    “What’s the matter?”
    “Woe that I should live unto this time!”
    “Won’t you help me?” asked Dar, perplexed by Meera-yat’s abrupt change.
    “Help you? Never! How could I?”
    Meera-yat struggled to her feet and began a shuffling search for the stairs. Dar rose to help her. “Please, Mother, tell me what’s upset you.”
    “I must go. Help me to door, then let me be. I’ll find my way.”
    Dar could do little more than comply, for the elderly mother refused to speak further. After Meera-yat left, Dar remained inside the dome, feeling alarmed and mystified. Zor-yat and Muth-yat had also learned about her visit to the Pah clan, and they had