The Desert Spear

eyes return to him with irritation, “I ask your blessing, and that of the
Damaji,
to take a fertile wife from each tribe, as a show of unity among the
Sharum.
”
    The Andrah goggled at him, as did the
Damaji.
Even the
Damaji’ting
stirred, betraying their sudden interest.
    “That is an unusual request,” the Andrah said at last.
    “Unusual?” Amadeveram demanded. “It is unheard of! You are Kaji! I will not bless your wedding to some—”
    “You need not,” Aleverak cut in, smiling openly. “I am more than willing to perform the ceremony, should the Sharum Ka wish a Majah wife.”
    “You would be happy to dilute the pure blood of Kaji, I have no doubt,” Amadeveram growled, but Aleverak did not rise to the bait, simply grinning.
    “I will bless a wedding to a daughter of Sharach, as well,” Damaji Kevera of the Sharach said. Within moments the remaining
Damaji
followed suit, all of them eager to have a permanent voice in the First Warrior’s court.
    “Surely you cannot agree to this!” Amadeveram said, turning to the Andrah.
    “I am Andrah, not you, Amadeveram,” the Andrah said. “If the Sharum Ka wishes unity and the
Damaji
agree, I see no reason to refuse. Like me, the First Warrior relinquishes tribe when he dons his turban.”
    He turned to regard the
Damaji’ting
for the first time Jardir had seen. “This matter lies more in the realm of women than who carries the first spear,” he said, addressing none of the women in particular. “What do the
Damaji’ting
say to this proposal?”
    The women turned their backs on the men and clustered together in a buzz of muffled whispers, impossible to understand. In moments, they finished and turned back to the Andrah.
    “The
Damaji’ting
have no objection,” one of them said.
    Amadeveram scowled, and Jardir knew he had angered the man, perhaps irrevocably, but there was nothing to be done for it now. He had three Kaji wives already, including his
Jiwah Ka.
That would have to be enough.
    “It’s settled then,” Aleverak said. “My own granddaughter is just fourteen, Sharum Ka, beautiful and unknown to man. She will bear you strong sons.”
    Jardir bowed deeply. “My apologies, Damaji, but the duty of choosing my brides must fall to my
Jiwah Ka.
She will cast the
alagai hora
to ensure the blessings of Everam for each union.”
    There was another buzz among the
Damaji’ting,
and Aleverak’s wide smile vanished in an instant, as did those of many other
Damaji.
But it was too late for them to take back their support. Amadeveram’s scowl became a look of smug satisfaction.
    “Enough talk of brides!” the Andrah barked. “You have your boon, Sharum Ka. Go now before you disturb my court further!”
    Jardir bowed and left.

    “Are you a fool?” Amadeveram demanded. Jardir had not made it out of the Andrah’s palace before the old
Damaji
had caught up to him, dragging him into a private room.
    “Of course not, my Damaji,” Jardir said.
    “Only ‘yours’ for a few hours more, it seems,” Amadeveram said.
    Jardir shrugged. “I will still be ruled by the council of
Damaji,
who speak with your voice. But as Sharum Ka, I must represent warriors of all tribes.”
    “The Sharum Ka does not represent warriors, he rules them!” Amadeveram shouted. “That you are Kaji is proof that Everam wishes the Kaji to rule! You cannot go through with this mad plan.”
    “For the good of all Krasia, I can and will,” Jardir said. “I will not be a weak figurehead for you, like the last Sharum Ka. The warriors need unity if they are to be strong. Becoming one with all of them is the only way to win their devotion.”
    “You are turning your back on your tribe!” Amadeveram shouted.
    “No, I am turning to face the others,” Jardir said. “I implore you, turn with me.”
    “Face our blood enemies?” Amadeveram said, aghast. “I would sooner die in shame!”
    “There was only one tribe in the time of Kaji,” Jardir reminded him. “Our blood enemies are also our blood.”
    “You are no blood of Kaji,” Amadeveram said, spitting at Jardir’s feet. “The blood of the Shar’Dama Ka has turned to camel’s piss in your veins.”
    Jardir’s face grew dark and, for a moment, he considered attacking him. Amadeveram was a
sharusahk
grand master, but Jardir was younger and stronger and faster. He could kill the old man.
    But he was not Sharum Ka yet. Killing Amadeveram would only unravel Inevera’s plans and cost him the Spear Throne.
    Am I