Warchief Ranjar Sargos watched in red anger as Vanar Halgoth's niece, Althea was helped into the tribal longhouse. One of Althea's eyes was blackened, her face was covered with scratches and welts, her long blond hair was crusted with blood and her arm was bound in a fresh splint. Yet, despite all the obvious damage and the pain she was in, Althea stood proudly and defiantly as she approached the tribal Table of Judges. Sargos also noticed the admiration shining in his eldest son, Bargoth's eyes, as he sat at his side and watched the maiden-well, former maiden, approaching the Table. She was a comely woman with long legs and wide hips, good for both bundling and bearing many children.
Althea was the last of the Burgdun stragglers who had come into the Raven Tribe's winter camp. The Raven Tribe, who now numbered over two hundred fighting men, was the largest and most successful tribe of the Tymannes Clan. The Burgduns were people of another, but smaller related clan, whose winter camp rested west of their own. Two days ago the Burgduns had been attacked by a large band of Ruthani from across the Great River. According to the survivors, all the Burgdun males over the age of eight had been killed and the women taken captive.
The winter camp had been in an uproar ever since the first survivors had arrived. Many of the Tymannes had kin among the Burgdun Clan and the tales of rapine and murder had impassioned the tribe. Sargos was holding a council to determine what the Raven Tribe's response would be to atrocities committed upon their neighbors. He had already decided upon revenge; now, he had to convince the tribal Elders that this was the best course. He had chosen Althea carefully, knowing full well that having a beautiful young girl as his primary witness would help bend the Elders to his will.
He nodded to Ikkos, who was helping steady the girl. Halgoth, his old friend, came forward. "Warchief, the maiden Althea would like to speak before the Council. May she have your permission?"
"Speak, Maiden Althea. The Council of Elders of the Raven Tribe, First Tribe among the Clan of the Tymannes, will hear your words."
Althea paused, as though to collect her wits, and began to speak, directing her words to Sargos. "As you have heard, our tribe was attacked early in the morning by a large band of Ruthani raiders. Our tribesmen fought well, many of the redmen were killed and sent to Wind. But our warriors were outnumbered"-she paused to hold up her good hand, spreading out all five fingers-"by five times their number. Those who asked for quarter were taken prisoner, then murdered in cold blood by the Ruthani."
There was a collective gasp among the tribal Elders at this breach of honor. Sargos could see they were impressed by the girl's straightforward and unemotional speech.
"All male children, older than six winters, were also slain," Althea said, tears leaking now from her eyes, but her voice still steady. "The women and girls, even those as young as ten winters, were taken into the longhouses and made sport of."
"Curse, these spawn of Styphon!" one of the Elders cried. All knew that Styphon was not a god of the Ruthani Grassmen, but to the Tymannes, the false-god Styphon-patron of the Black Knights-was a prince among the demons of the underworld.
"Despoilers of young girls; they deserve no mercy!" Another shouted.
Sargos could hear Ikkos-who also had eyes for Althea-grind his teeth, while his son made growling noises at the back of his throat.
"I was taken to the chief's longhouse, the house of my father." Althea was openly weeping, but her voice was strong. She was doing a much better job of telling her story than Sargos had hoped for. All her listeners knew full well what was left unsaid and it further inflamed their passions, whereas an emotional recital would have left them far less moved.
"When my captor fell into a drunken sleep, I found the talisman stone of our tribe."
Sargos was familiar with the Burgdun's talisman, a round river stone the size of a child's skull, painted with the face of a horned owl. He nodded for her to continue.
"I took the stone and smashed it into his head-again and again and again!" Her voice was beginning to rise.
Sargos nodded again and she stopped. He noticed Bargoth's eyes were round in appreciation. Despite her dishonor, he decided, Althea would make Bargoth a good wife and bring forth many strong sons to honor the Raven banner. If such a union were proposed, he would give it his blessing. If not, he would encourage it.
"It was late at night and the moon was gone. I slipped out of the long-house and used the shortcut to the river. They only had two guards on the banks, and both were asleep. I used the chief's knife to slit their throats."
There was a rumble of appreciation from the Elders. Few women would have had the nerve or discipline to kill the guards.
Althea continued, "I took one of their canoes, after releasing the others, and went downstream. Then I doubled back and came to your camp. I pray to the goddess that you will avenge our people."
Sargos nodded his approval of her request. He noticed that all but one or two of the Elders had reflexively followed his lead. Althea had made her case, and his, far better than he had expected.
"You are dismissed. We will ponder your words."
She nodded submissively, as was proper, and left the longhouse with Ikkos and her uncle.
Vanar Halgoth, his massive body looming over the Elders, came back into the longhouse and stood before the Council. "Blood of our blood has been spilled by Grassmen from beyond the Great River. My niece has only told you what the others have reported. She has shown honor and courage; it is our duty to avenge their deaths!"
Several Elders grumbled their approval.
Sargos stood up. "Althea is a brave maiden and has won her honor back by the death of the Ruthani chieftain and her bravery in escaping her captors. I would not expect more from my own daughter. If her uncle, were not already caring for her; I would adopt her into my own family and thereby honor her courage."
The assembled Elders nodded their agreement.
"Of course, my son might not agree with that decision."
Several of the Elders laughed, acknowledging that Bargoth's eyes for Althea had not gone unnoticed. His son turned bright red, but held his tongue-which was as it should be and why Sargos had allowed Bargoth to attend the Council meeting. He could see that the other Elders were pleased with his son's restraint. This would be remembered when he was killed in battle or became too old to ride a horse and heft a sword.
"I say we should gather the warriors of the tribe and avenge our friends and kinsmen. All those in favor of war against the Ruthani invaders raise your knives."
Of the thirty assembled Elders all but three, which included his son who was not yet a formal member of the Council, raised their knives."
"It is done. The Council is dismissed. Bargoth, you and Ikkos, bring the other sub-chiefs to the longhouse. It is time to plan this raid."