For the Good of the Clan Read Free Page B

Ledeth.”
    “I know, boy. You can only learn by watching and thinking. Observe your fellows and avoid doing things the same way. That will give you the proper air of mystery and awe. It is important the people believe your power, just as important as your own belief in yourself. Without belief there can be no cures, no corrections of imbalance. Even the spirits will desert you, for they will not believe in you either. And if the spirits do not believe in you, they will not lend you their power.”
    I had to hurry his education, for we might not have more years. Many years were wasted when I trained Gother and then he died. It isn’t Donathan’s fault he started late and I was already old. But he needed to learn more quickly.
    “Anyway, I was going to tell you, there is talk about Balog.” He leaned back casually, but said Balog’s name very quietly.
    “There will always be talk about him, he is an important man. What sort of talk?”
    “It is said that perhaps we would be better off with a new chief.”
    “Perhaps, perhaps not. What is the complaint against him?”
    “Balog,” he began.
    I interrupted. “You do not need to repeat his name. I know who we discuss.”
    Donathan continued. “He is thought to enjoy women too much. And perhaps the women of others a bit more than should be, even for a clan chief.”
    “Ah, some of the men are suspicious he enters their huts when they are gone?”
    “Well, no one will admit that, but there seem to be many children that bear his look but not his token.” Every child bears the token of his father. Some bear his token but not his looks. That is not uncommon, and even if there has been no straying on the part of the woman, the spirit of an ancestor far removed may enter the womb. One can never tell for sure.
    “And so, some of the men are wondering if perhaps there might be a better candidate?”
    “So, there was talk about Ulat being the better man.”
    “Of course.” I sighed. “Anything more?”
    “Not really.” He paused. “Oh, well, there are going to be many who will want to take Ulat’s place in Matha’s hut.”
    “Yes, naturally. She is strong and bears children well. And she is not hot-tempered. But she cared a great deal for Ulat and his replacement will be hard pressed to measure up. I think it will be a few seasons before she becomes lonely and seeks to warm her furs again.”
    “I don’t think some of them intend to wait that long.”
    “Well, Matha will cool them off. She can wield a black blade as well as any. Have you ever watched her skinning?”
    Donathan nodded, solemn. “I wouldn’t want to face her with a knife in her hand. She could remove a man’s organs before he could breathe twice.”
    “We have something to do. I need you to bring each hunter’s spears to me. Bring all his spears, each in turn. Bring only one man’s spears at a time.”
    “Yes, Master.” He paused. “Uh, may I ask why?”
    “I need to give them all the denath e`ulah.”
    “Oh.” He looked confused, as I expected. “I didn’t know that had to be done more than once.”
    “Yes, well, sometimes bad magic can accumulate in the weapon.” I showed him a charm I had made earlier. “This will preserve and restore the spears’ magic.” He stood, gave me a short bow and started off on his errand. He returned in a few minutes with an armload of spears.
    “These are Mordan’s.” He set the pile down carefully and then took a seat. I considered whether I wanted him to watch me or not. I decided I had to attend to his education, despite my desire for secrecy.
    “I do not need to remind you that what we do must be guarded from the others?”
    “Of course, Master. I know that.”
    “Then watch and keep silent.” I took the amulet and the first spear. I made several motions along its length, always proceeding from butt to point, as I had been shown in my youth. At the same time, I examined the point carefully.
    The day wore on and my arms became tired. The