She paused to sip from her winecup. Then with a rippling of ashblond tresses, she slowly shook her head. “No, despite his wealth and his power, we would be fools to envy Cousin Gilbuht. Nor would we two trade places with him.”
Mother Behrnees nodded her agreement. The sisters agreed on most things; so many things, in fact, that they might almost have been one mind in two beautiful bodies.
“That is why we are now sorry that we badgered your father into sending you, his heir, to Harzburk. For the Kindred of Morguhn will never tolerate the despotism you have seen practiced, nor do most of your people deserve such ill treatment. Yours are not a recently conquered people, son. Through the Ehleenoee line-and do not ever forget, your father and your uncle, the Tahneest are a full three-quarters Ehleen-your forefathers have ruled these lands from time immemorial, and even the Kindred of Morguhn have occupied their station for over a hundred years.
“Precious few of the Ehleen nobility are of pure blood, and all of the other nobles are related to you; so, too, are many of the common people, to a greater or lesser degree. To your Kindred, noble or common, you will be their hereditary chief, not their overlord.
“The true ruler of the duchy, the actual overlord, is the Duchy Council, and although the Chief is its titular head, his voice is but one of fifteen. You . . .” she began, then queried, “The Council, Bfli, the Thirds and the reason for then: being, what do you recall of them?”
Closing his dark blue eyes, the young man thought deeply for a moment, then took a deep breath. ‘The Thirds are equals in Council. The first Third is the Thoheeks Chief, the Tahneest, the Clan Bard, and the two wisest of the Kindred; the second Third is five noble Ehleenoee; the last Third is five free citizens, Kindred or Ehleen.”
“When was the Council established, Bill?” Mother Mahrnee prodded. “And why? And by whose decree?”
Eyes still closed in concentration, he answered, “When first Karaleenos was conquered by the Confederation, the Undying High Lord did order that the Kindred on whom lands and cities were conferred were not to rule alone, but rather in partnership with the Karaleenee nobles and their people. In this way were rebellions prevented.”
Both women smiled and Mother Behrnees declared, “Very good, Bili, almost word-for-word. You’ve a good memory, and that is well. The Council’s regular Moon-meeting is next week and you must, in the Morguhn’s absence, sit for him. Remember all that we shall now tell you, for much hinges upon your conduct at that time, not the least of which is the full acceptance of you by the Thirds.
“Now your full uncle, whose name you bear, has always favored you. So much does the Tahneest love you, that I think should you pull out his beard, rape his wife, and raze his hall, you still could depend upon his immediate acceptance of you as the next chief.”
Mother Behrnees ticked off another finger. “Cousin Djeen Morguhn is, as you know, a retired Strahteegos, as well as your father’s old commander and comrade when they served as Freefighters in the Middle Kingdoms. You won his acceptance last year, when news reached us of your having slain the Earl of Behreesburk in single combat and thus winning your Bear.” Another finger. “Spiros Morguhn has long despised your father for his sedentary, scholarly ways. Talk warfare and weapons and hunting with him and he soon will be your sworn liegeman.”
Her last finger curled downward. “The same holds true for Clan Bard Hail Morguhn. So simply be what you are, Bill, and the first Third is yours.”
She opened her small fist and again ticked off the first finger. “Of the Ehleenoee nobles, Komees Hari and his brother, Drehkos, are your father’s third cousins; further, the Komees’s first wife, now deceased, was your father’s sister. We think that both men can be counted upon to approve your succession, but to be sure, hmmm . ..” She steepled her fingers and regarded Bili closely. “The way your stallion follows you around, you’ve obviously not lost your touch with horses, so that could be the way. What think you, sister?”