Dragon Jade Chronicle Ch. 03

Before the gathered chiefs could even rise to their feet, Varomar's cleaver was in his hand.

"The first to draw their weapon against my chief is the first to join this scum," he announced.

"You cannot commit violence in a Conclave," said Aren.

"Except in defence of violence," said Olene. "You saw Forg threaten violence against me."

"You goaded him into it."

"Nonetheless," said Olene. She looked at Forg's second. "What is your name?"

"Alok," answer the man.

"Hail, Alok, Chief of the Earth Dragon Clan. Will you march with me against the East? Or I can offer you the same bargain I offered Forg."

Alok's gaze flitted to Varomar's cleaver.

"The Earth will march with the Sky against the East."

"The Forest will march with the Sky against the East," Rooth followed quick on Alok's heels.

"The River will march with the Sky against the East," allowed Cillen.

Only Aren was silent, staring at Forg's body. All eyes settled on her, and she looked up.

"The Sea will march with the Sky against the East," she said. She gave Olene a wary look as the younger woman stood and placed the Chieftain's Circle back on her head.

"But if we lose, Olene, the Sea will eat the Sky."

Olene frowned. When one clan ate another, every warrior and thrall in the clan was killed, and the clan was made new out of the warriors of the clan that had eaten them.

"Then we must not lose."

When she returned to her tent, Piero and Uli remained joined over the chair, their faces contorted with pain, and Piero's with fear. Olene knelt by them, and she could see his semen had leaked out of Uli's cunt and run down her legs to the floor.

"Oh, Piero," she said. "I am very disappointed."