A novel by Meredith Skye
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Though Morrhan and the other Garrans were already tired from riding through the night, they continued on to push on Gythane Peak that morning. Their pace slowed as the trail grew steep.
Mirrhia and Derish had to lead, as the way was difficult to find and the trail was ever shifting with the sands. Any tracks of the clan or their pursuers had been wiped out by the sandstorm. Morrhan had only been to that firecave a few times, during hunting trips.
The desert rocks soaked up the hot sun. The ragged group of Sand Plain clan survivors stopped frequently to drink water. Even the yithhe, usually very hardy creatures, were getting tired.
Towards the end, the trail grew quite steep. They had to dismount and walk beside their animals. Finally, the trail became a little easier and leveled out. Soon, they arrived at the cave entrance where a gnarled old lady sat on a stone. She looked up at them. It was Grandma Tehnna.
"Made it home at last, I see?" said the old woman.
"Is everyone here? Are they all right?" Morrhan asked, concerned.
She nodded. "Most of them. We lost two in the attack. Killed by the Red Sun Clan."
"The Red Sun Clan?" asked Mirrhia. "They attacked?"
"Yes," she said. "Ehrlinnt was wounded as well."
No wonder the Red Sun Clan had been eager to accept them, before Hobset. They had planned this treachery. "How long ago?" demanded Morrhan.
"Over a week," said Tehnna.
So, they'd already escaped to the cave when the Chanden attacked. Morrhan felt relief. He entered the firecave with Crysethe, Mirrhia and the others close behind him.
"You're alive, I see," said a voice behind him. He turned to see Rheggi standing there.
"Rheggi! They released you as well?"
He nodded. "Yes, had to find them," he said.
Morrhan searched the faces in the firecave. One was missing. He swallowed, not sure he wanted this news. "Draihe, then? Is she ... ?"
Rheggi looked solemn. "She fell at the Northern Cones. The Chanden didn't have her at the prison. I asked."
This came as a surprise. Morrhan had hoped he'd been wrong about that. He'd almost expected to find her here with the clan. He felt the loss of her all over again.
"I'm sorry," said Rheggi, touching his arm.
Morrhan nodded numbly. "The Chanden didn't attack, then?"
"No," said Rheggi. "What happened? What about the war?"
"I saw Channik and a group of others who had survived Hobset. I tried to persuade them to leave the war party and come home but they refused. Only 11 came back with us."
"Surely, the sandstorm took Channik and the others," said Mirrhia.
The others met this grim news with silence.
"And what of the god-stone and the Borrai-Asta?" asked Rheggi.
"She said that the gods would tolerate the Chanden, if they obey the laws. I think Koethe intends to. He isn't bad, at heart. But, she vowed that those who fought at the Stony Dunes would not survive," he said solemnly.
The others nodded. "Let's hope that the Chanden will listen," said Rheggi.
Morrhan nodded. "I believe they will." He smiled for the sake of his family, but inwardly—he worried. Conditions on Garran were still dangerous. He didn't know how the conflict with the Garrans would go. If Koethe honored his word, and if he did as Borrai-Asta had commanded, then the Garrans might regain rule of a large part of their lands.
Isn't that what they wanted? With independent rule restored, under the leadership of the Conclave, then peace should return. All Garrans would surely be happy with that.
"The loss of Channik and the others," said Mirrhia, "has left us leaderless. But Morrhan, you would be next in line to be chieftain." She smiled at him.
Him ... Chieftain? The thought unsettled Morrhan, but the others all looked pleased. Morrhan took a deep breath. Then, he would do his best to make Garran a world of peace.
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