Many of the Mountain’s Lantern Men and tributary minor clans, disenchanted by the constant infighting and no longer fearful of Ayt Mada or the Kobens, were continuing to steadily defect to No Peak. A few families in the Mountain were breaking off entirely and forming their own independent minor clans. Local offshoots of the barukan gangs were recruiting the Mountain’s Keko-Shotarian members. A faction of Ayt Mada’s most die-hard loyalists had left Janloon and regrouped in Gohei, where they were reportedly forming their own small clan, the Spear Carrier clan, claiming spiritual lineage to Ayt Yu and his daughter Mada.
Koben Ato’s face tightened in a weary grimace. “Ever since I was a boy, I’ve been used like a chess piece. My relatives expected me to be the shining heir to Ayt Yugontin, to lift up the whole family. My aunt Mada named me her ward to secure their support and to keep her detractors in line, but she never showed me love or considered me worthy. The media and the public were always watching. I was told what to say, how to dress, who to marry, who to be friends and enemies with, and sometimes even those demands were conflicting.”
Ato made no attempt to hide his envy as he looked into Niko’s face. “I know you felt the pressure of a similar position, and I was jealous when you rebelled and left the country. But I’m not sure you saw what seemed apparent to me—for all his faults, your uncle did his best to surround you with his strength, rather than pushing you out front like a sacrifice. All of my greatest suffering has come from within my own clan.”
Ato turned his face away and silence stretched between the two men. They carried a long and terrible legacy between them, but they were young and trying to change things. Ato said, “I can’t execute my own aunt. She whispered my name, and she deserves to die, but she sponsored and trained me. If I have her killed, I’ll be continuing the cycle she began when she murdered her brother—my father, who I barely remember. She sent a message to the entire clan that personal ties mean nothing. Strength is all that matters and any action can be justified. Under her rule, the Mountain grew ever larger and more powerful, but vicious and dysfunctional.”
Niko said, “Maybe you can take what’s left and build something better.”
“Maybe,” Ato conceded. “It’ll take time, but I’ll try.”
Seeing the two Pillars standing together, lines already stamped across their young features, Shae tilted her face toward the sun, closing her eyes for a moment against the burning tightness in her chest—sadness and pity jumbled with pride and hope. She wasn’t done yet; she had to help Niko as she’d promised she would—but with that final step, she could lay down the burden she and her brothers had carried across a canyon that had so often seemed impassable.
Hilo. Lan, Shae whispered in her mind, can you see this, from wherever you are? We did it at last. We kept our clan. We made it stronger and passed it on.
I miss you both.
Ato turned back to Niko, but his eyes settled upon Shae. “Your family has suffered more from Ayt Mada than mine. Whatever justice she gets should come from you, not from me. Kaul Hiloshudon was my enemy, but I owe him my life, so it’s only right that I repay that debt. I’m handing Ayt Mada over to the Kaul family. I beg that you accept this as a gesture of repentance and goodwill.”
Niko did not respond at first. Then he nodded slowly.
Ato said, “In return, I ask that No Peak consider its blood debt paid and that you not take any additional vengeance on the Mountain clan. It seems clear by now that Ayt and Iwe acted alone in their scheme. Reigniting hostilities between our clans would empower the small faction of Ayt’s old guard that remains.”
Niko exchanged a mute glance with Shae. Then he turned back to Ato. “You have my word as Pillar, under Heaven and on jade. The old hatreds—they’re over with.”
Koben Ato nodded in gratitude. “My aunt was right all along. I’m not a strong Pillar and could never be her heir. But maybe we’ve had enough of those types of people. Whatever happens after this—whether the Mountain survives, whether I remain Pillar—No Peak will be the largest and most powerful Green Bone clan in the country. It will be up to you, to be a Pillar for all of Kekon. I know I should feel defeated, but mostly, I feel relieved.”
He touched his clasped hands to his forehead and tilted forward in salute. “Far do your enemies flee, Kaul-jen, and may the gods shine favor on No Peak.”
CHAPTER
63
Remembrance
the third month
Dr. Emery Anden won the seat in the Royal Council for Janloon Central—including Sogen, Old Town, Sotto Village, and North Sotto—by a comfortable margin. Much commentary was made of the fact that he was the first known queer candidate elected to national government, only the third councilman of mixed race, and the first member of the Kaul family to ever serve in public office. Although the victory was celebrated, it was not surprising given his advantages. He had the sponsorship of the No Peak clan, credentials as an accomplished doctor with international experience, and a reputation as a clan loyalist and a man who was green in the soul.