Bones of the Dragon - Margaret Weis [102]
“Maybe some of what you say is right,” Skylan admitted grudgingly. “And maybe I deserve some of your anger. But you can’t abandon me now, my brother. I need you. Tell me what I am to do!”
Skylan gazed pleadingly at his friend, and as always when they quarreled, Garn sighed and gave in.
“First, Skylan, you must apologize to your father.”
Skylan glanced over to where Norgaard sat on one of the bench seats, his leg propped out in front of him. His face was twisted in pain. Not from the old injury. Pain from his son’s betrayal.
Skylan felt a pang of remorse. “You are right. I have done my father great wrong, and for that I am truly sorry.”
“Second,” said Garn, regarding Skylan intently, “you must make up your mind to the fact that you will wed the Kai Priestess. This is the law of the Vindrasi as laid down by the gods. You cannot get around it.”
Skylan scowled. His fist clenched and he slammed it down on the timber rail. “I won’t! I am Chief of Chiefs! I may do as I please—”
“No, you can’t, Skylan!” Garn said sternly. “Before you were Chief of Chiefs, you could do what you please. Not anymore.” He made an impatient gesture. “The very fact that you don’t seem to understand this means you are not fit to be Chief!”
Skylan regarded Garn coldly. “I came to you for help. I thought you were my friend. I guess I was mistaken.” Skylan started to walk off.
Garn caught hold of him. “Forgive me, Skylan. I should not have said that. But I am troubled for you. Deeply troubled. You have taken on an enormous burden. You don’t seem to realize how enormous! The lives of our people are now in your care. You are Chief of Chiefs, Skylan. You are supposed to uphold the law, not break it!”
“Being forced to marry the Priestess is a stupid law,” Skylan said. “And it should be changed.”
Garn said softly, “Consider this, Skylan. If you refuse to marry the Kai Priestess, you will be back on Krega’s Bane fighting for your life. The Chief of every clan in the Vindrasi will challenge you! I saw their faces when you were named Chief, Skylan. There were cheers, yes, but there were frowns, as well. Some are not happy that one they consider a mere boy was named Chief. They are probably already seeking an excuse to challenge you. Break the law of the Vindrasi that has stood inviolate for hundreds of years, and you give them a reason.”
Skylan flared up at the use of the word boy, but he forced himself to calm down. Garn wasn’t trying to insult him. Garn was saying what other men were thinking and maybe even daring to speak aloud. Men like Sven Teinar of the Heudjun. One of his sons was Skylan’s own age. Skylan stared gloomily out to sea. Why had his life suddenly become so complicated? He’d won a great victory! Torval had rewarded him. It wasn’t fair.
“Then what do I do about Aylaen?” Skylan asked.
“I don’t know, Skylan,” said Garn.
“I will ask her to wait for me,” Skylan decided. “The Kai Priestess is over thirty. She can’t live much longer—”
Garn shook his head in exasperation. “Think, Skylan! Aylaen would have to first be Kai Priestess in order to marry you! She’s not even a Bone Priestess—”
“She must become one, then,” said Skylan. “You must tell her, Garn. Tell her that she has to start studying to be a Bone Priestess.”
“Skylan, you’re not serious—”
Skylan ignored him. “I like this plan! Aylaen will move to Vindraholm. As Chief of Chiefs I must live in the lord city, as well. She will study with the Kai, and we can be together. What’s wrong? Why do you look at me like that?”
But his friend had stalked off, going over to sit down beside Norgaard.
Skylan glared after Garn. He was about to pursue him; then he realized he didn’t have the strength.