'The Catti and the people of Ibero have interests in common.' The general stared at Thunder from under his sealskin hood. 'The Empire is disintegrating. We want a free Ibero and we want reliable allies.'
Thunder reached for his moustache. He understood Adrina's uncle but the general was different. Adrina's uncle was interested in money. Men like the general were interested in power. He waited for him to continue. The man was trying to draw him out. Thunder played the part of the ignorant native waiting for what the great southern lord would say next.
'We need to discuss the succession,' the general grunted. 'We want the Catti to be strong. What's this nonsense about making the Chariot Master king?'
'There are those amongst the clan chieftains who would like to see Griffin Pendragon elected paramount chief,' Thunder said. 'They see him as someone who can always be relied upon to reach a compromise. My own preference is for a more forceful personality but I am a mere servant of our nation in this difficult period of transition.'
'We won't have a bar of it,' the general growled.
Adrina touched his arm reassuringly. 'There's nothing to worry about. The clan chieftains always do what the Holy Mother wants.'
'I'm sure they do,' the general snorted. 'But who's going to tell them what the good lady wants?..Will it be one of those witches from the sisterhood?..They've got very assertive now your mother's not around to keep them in order.'
'The Holy Lady has made known her wishes to me,' Adrina replied quietly. 'It is Her divine will that the succession remain in the House of Ap-Cronwyn.'
'I'm sure the good lady has told you that ... but who's going to believe you?'
'General, I don't understand.'
'Princess. I saw you on Baddon Plane, not three months past. You had a sprig of holly in your hand and you were shouting to the Gorms to share in the Sky Warrior's victory. I was waiting to come in on your side. Now, you tell me what happened.'
Adrina's eyes glazed over. 'I was young and foolish. I thought I could do anything by calling on the Holy Mother. I did not understand I was her servant.'
A silence followed. The general looked at Adrina's uncle who was grasping his amber worry beads then returned his attention to Adrina.
'Men died because of you.'
'I shall make amends. I have learnt much.'
'In just three months?'
'Three months is a long time when you're reborn in the grace of the Holy Mother.'