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Characters whose highest stat is Heart can really shine, if you let them.
[Invoke: Strong Hit With a Match]
The next morning, Kiah sat on her bench with her eyes closed. She felt currents of magic flowing within her. There was a music to it that filled her with warmth and courage.
She opened her eyes to a small crowd around her. Flint, his followers, the servants, the visitors, and even Gruff and Owena looked at her in awe.
"What's wrong?" Kiah asked hesitantly.
[What God Sang Through Kiah? Summon Spirit]
"Hoolata," Hirsham Oak Eye answered, "She was singing through you."
"Look!" hissed Flint, gesturing around her.
The bright woman took a glance and let out a gasp. White flowers had sprouted all around her. They had long yellow petals. When Kiah brushed them, they made a jingle sound.
"Bell lilies," Hirsham concluded. "Not seen since the Homelands."
Kiah stood carefully and stepped back. The lilies grew out of the bench and wall like a throne.
"The goddess favors you," Flint said proudly, clapping her on the shoulder.
"Gather them quickly and carefully." Instructed Oak Eye. "Inform the Overseer that we need to plant these somewhere protected and safe."
-----
Kiah had asked for privacy and was granted such at the back of Hirsham's hall. She needed to focus on the oncoming suit.
Gruff and Owena stood guard outside the dividing curtain.
Even so, she was disturbed by a flurry of talk and excited chatter, which penetrated the walls about Hoolata, bell lilies, and her.
Kiah rubbed her temples, trying to make sense of it all.
Hoolata Spirit Mother, Goddess of Life and Rebirth. One who was thought lost to the Homelands. That she would show up now, of all times, to place Kiah on a throne of flowers.
She had no idea what that meant, especially in this suit.
Would the suit be dropped out of hand, lost in these tidings? Would Fire Axe see this as a challenge and thus be swayed against her? She had iron vows to fulfill; would these be delayed?
Why would Hoolata choose a fire-charred witch to sing through?
It made no sense.
A knock on the wall brought her out of her musings. She glanced up to see her brother holding the curtain open. Standing beside him was Cadigan's well-dressed servant. "Court is in session," she said. "Overseer Fire Axe wishes to set the matter of White Haven's burning to rest."
-----
An hour later, Kiah, Gruff, and Owena stood under a dark wooden pavilion on the north side of Axe Brook. Thick oak beams supported it, and benches were around it for witnesses to sit. A throne on one end stood before the Axe Brook Banner. In the old throne were set gems and treasures from the other circles. Kiah spied Great Mount's emerald in one armrest and an iron whalebone, polished white, a gift from White Haven, laced around the other.
Seated on the throne was Cadigan Fire Axe, looking every inch a king. Beside him stood Morgan the Night, his wise, dower wife and advisor. Cadigan seemed at ease, and so did his wife.
Kiah frowned behind her mask. They may have already reached their decision.
On the west side of the hall stood Aida Whitebridge and her wardens. Beside them was eerie Sibilia the Ghost, Overseer of Raven Moor. Around Silbia stood three wardens and a wise-looking old man. Both seemed concerned.
On the east side stood Nisus Rat Tooth, Overseer of Red Hope. He was wild-eyed, and his nose twitched. His Wardens stood around him, proud and tall.
Song Hood and her party were standing in the center.
[Is Verna Iron Comb Here? Unlikely: No]
Beside them was Stone Mark's delegation, including a handful of White Haven refugees.
Overseer Kione the Wise gave Kiah a lazy, apologetic grin. He was younger than Kiah expected but had the air of a wizard. Beside him was her aunt Ranna Stone Soul, who glowered. Several powerful wardens stood with them.
So did the refugees who were women and children. It pained Kiah that they couldn't look at her. At their head was Kalina, Priestess of a burned town, who was Kiah's fast friend but now? Kalina stared straight ahead, bracing herself for what was to come.
A crowd hailing from Raven Moore to Stone Mark surrounded them, engaged in a constant murmur. Flint, his troop, and Hirsham Oak Eye were among them. The skald gave Kiah an encouraging nod.
"Quiet everyone, quiet," Commanded Cardigan raising his hands.
The crowd shushed.
Fire Axe gave them a conspiratorial grin, "I know you're all excited about what happened this morning, and we'll get to that. But first, the laws of the Ironlands must be heeded. A bloody winter war needs a reckoning." He grew serious and regarded Kione, "That is, as long as you're still interested in bringing your suit."
"We are," answered Overseer Stone Mark without hesitation. He then gestured to Ranna.
Ranna clapped him on the shoulder and strode forward. "We of Stone Mark hereby demand justice for the Circle of White Haven." She gestured to Kalina.
Stone Soul stepped back, and the young woman stepped forward. She focused on Fire Axe, Morgan, and the crowd, avoiding Kiah. "Let it be known that in the deepest winter, the forces of Great Mount, allied with dread sentinels, came upon my city. Rather than challenging us in open combat, they cowardly set fire to our walls and slaughtered us as we fled." Her words were rage and fire.
The Althing murmured.
"Yes, we were at war, but this was dishonorable and went too far. Therefore, in recompense, we request a treasure ship of cattle, fish, and wood as a blood price. We also request the banishment of Tristan Toothhand, who led this vile act."
The last request was like a blow to Kiah's stomach. She glared at her former friend from behind her mask. The blood price was ridiculous, but that was driven out of her mind with that second demand. She would not see her father banished from the Ironlands, no matter his transgressions.
Gruff was gesturing for Owena, who looked furious, not to make an outburst.
Kiah patted her arm, letting her know she could handle this, and thus strode forward.
[Compel: Strong Hit]
Song Hood went to take off her mask, but Cadigan shook his head, looking shocked. She paused and pulled her hand away.
"Both my Grandmother and Serene of White Haven were wretches." She began.
"I experienced the power of Serene's sorcery," she continued. "Ask Flint Fiddlefoot about what we found in Raven Falls," she gestured to him, and the skald added, "A town of death, laid low by a horrible curse. Kiah and I set those poor souls to rest."
"Later, she would send a spirit to do the same to Great Mount. My Grandmother's charms drove it away, but not before it soiled our provisions for winter," she stressed.
"Then she sent Otani Hate Whisper, who was nearly my end. Thankfully, I drove him out, but not before he killed Kato Steel Path, a fine priest and a good friend." Kiah mourned.
"Beyond this, Kayan Ghost Bear raided my home of Brokenhelm. He murdered my mother on my Uncle's grave." Song Hood growled with a fierceness that even caused Ranna to flinch.
"So my people were angry. Driven to it by Serene's ambitions on our lives. So we retaliated," Kiah paused, letting her words sink in.
Then, before Ranna could interrupt, Song Hood said, "We all know of my Grandmother Reema Witchweaver. She was powerful and wise but not kind. Seriously, what did Serene expect by provoking her? The burning was her doing. The only reason why anyone from White Haven stands before us now is because of my father's mercy, and they repay it by asking for his banishment?"
[Test Your Bond: Strong Hit]
Kiah didn't see it, but Kalina's head hung low. Her people shuffled uncomfortably.
"As Overseer of Great Mount, I will ensure supplies and food are sent to the victims of Serene's ambitions. Furthermore, I'm willing to swear an Iron Vow here and now that we will not attack White Haven unless they do us harm. However, I refuse to pay that ridiculous blood price, and my father stays where he is!"
Ranna had enough, "Now listen here, you little,"
[Compel: Strong Hit]
"Enough!" Kiah thundered, her voice laced with enough power to send her aunt to her knees.
She pointed the finger at her and proclaimed, "You kin slayer, discord bringer, worm tongue. You rage at a ghost. I am Song Hood, Wyvern Sister, and even Troll Friend but I am not Reema Witchweaver. Your grudge against her will not stick to me; am I clear?"
"Y-yes." she croaked, fearful tears rolling down her cheeks.
After a moment of silence, she let go of her power and stated, "I am done. Please, judge our case." She stepped back.
[Fullfill Iron Vow: Please Great Mount's Cause at the Axe Brook Althing: Strong Hit]
Not one of the Overseers ruled against her.
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