[Queen of Orcs 03] - Royal Destiny Read Online Free PDF

you’re Zor-yat’s daughter.” Meera-yat made a face. “Is she pleased you wear crown?”
    “I think not,” shouted Dar.
    “I’m not surprised. Zor-yat was displeased when her sister, and not she, received Fathma. Now she’s been passed over twice. So, Muth Mauk, why did you seek me out?”
    “I’m queen, but I know little,” yelled Dar. “I need guidance. What to do. How to behave.”
    “Is your muthuri no help?”
    “She thinks another should rule.”
    “What?”
    “Wants different queen,” shouted Dar.
    “Herself, no doubt. Probably Muth-yat is of like mind.”
    “Your sister was queen. You know as much as they do.”
    Meera-yat smiled. “I was by her side for many winters.”
    “Will you help me?”
    “Hai, Muth Mauk.”
    “I must warn you,” shouted Dar. “I think Muth-yat will be displeased.”
    “What do I care? I’ve nothing to lose. My line is cut. My granddaughters sickened in Taiben. My grandsons died in battles. Only Metha remains, consumed by grief.” Meera-yat thought a moment, then asked, “Do you know of Muth la’s Dome?”
    “Hai,” shouted Dar, recalling the place where she had undergone rebirth.
    “That would be good place to talk. It’s sacred space, and we’d be alone.”
    Dar liked the choice of meeting site. It was proof that Meera-yat recognized Dar’s delicate position. “I’ll send son to guide you there.”
    “I need not eyes to find way. When sun is highest, I’ll go there and wait for you.”
    Dar bowed, though Meera-yat couldn’t see the gesture. “Shashav.”
    “I deserve no thanks, for you honor me, Muth Mauk. I’ll do my utmost. There is much I can teach you, but I can’t find your path. That you must do yourself.”
    Dar had feared as much. Yet, she had one consolation, and she spoke it out loud. “At least I have Fathma. No one can take that.”
    “Council of Matriarchs can.”
    “How?”
    “Haven’t you heard of Muth la’s Draught?”
    “Thwa. What’s that?”
    “Test of worthiness. It’s potion made from seeds of Muth la’s sacred tree. Council can require queen to drink it if they think she’s unfit.”
    “What does that prove?” asked Dar.
    “If queen should rule, Muth la will preserve her life.”
    “Draught is poison?”
    “Only if queen is unfit.”
    “And when she dies, Fathma goes to another?”
    “Hai. It’s Muth la’s will.”
    This revelation stunned Dar, and her position suddenly seemed precarious. The “test” likened to an execution. “Has any queen ever passed this test?”
    “Matriarchs are wise. When they think great mother is unfit, they’ve never been wrong.”

 
    Six

    By the time Dar returned to the royal hanmuthi, her anxiety had grown. It had occurred to her that the clan matriarchs might oppose her, but she had no idea their opposition could prove fatal. It made her wonder if she had misjudged the intentions behind Zor-yat’s advice to pass on the crown. Yet, while Dar felt threatened, she fought any impulse to surrender. She did so partly from stubbornness, but mostly owing to Fathma. It had continued to transform her in ways too subtle for her to precisely describe, so despite her ignorance, she felt ever more a queen.
    Moreover, Dar hoped the matriarchs would appreciate the good she had accomplished already. No more sons would die in washavoki wars. Dar recalled the slaughter at the Vale of Pines, and the rage she had felt returned. That must never happen again! Her treaty with Queen Girta ensured it wouldn’t. Dar assumed the orc regiments would disband, leaving only a small guard to protect the washavoki queen.
    As soon as Dar thought about her treaty, she began to wonder how it was being implemented. Even as it was announced, she had been succumbing to the mage’s poison. Her instructions to Zna-yat were simple: “Stay here and see my will is done.” Will he know what to do? He speaks only Orcish. Who will deal with Girta? Dar had expected Kovok-mah to do that, but he had left Taiben