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Ahead to Pegasus Plateau part 1
Grievious news, the fall of the Starbrow
all to Boldhome now travel to await her rebirth
Baugi's band to board at Black Spear Manor, home of Farnan
soon joined by Ballista and two score Nameless guards
The Malami tribe meet, their King killed in battle
Sarostip the Sword Master will act as king for now
Cast a Coldeye, on life, on death, Horseman pass by
then to Boldhome they too travel with Bronwyn
An ancient foe, from five years before
determinèd to prove a villain
awaits Bronwyn and her sister Sarawyn
Thom Bradinson, smithy of the metal of the Enemy
a moonish-marked, abortive, rooting hog
now claiming Kally's mantle, as a tiger seizes the gentle hind
subtle, false and treacherous, cats hiss as he passes
Mayor of Boldhome, whose son was slain long past
the details disputed, the death never discussed
he now charges murder to so bind Bronwyn by law
Lagertha defends her worthy companion,
"Why am I not surprised that you are threatening a woman!"
she stomps from the storm temple in heated passion
Next day, in deadly hate, he reads the charges
The beaded sages deny the proof
The white women say the son was not worthy of saving
still the foul worm presses his case for conviction
till Sarostip ends the debate, citing Death and Truth
"This matter can only be resolved by a duel; who shall meet me?"
None are brave enough to stand for the tyrant
Bronwyn walks free, absolved but well wary.
She gives thanks to her tribal defender, but adds
"I fear you may not have the skills to be a Prince of Sartar,
though I will not stand in you way. Deadeye replies
"Indeed, you are wise -- those who stand in my way die."
The City Ring meets, yet cannot decide for many spoke
Prince of Sartar has many claimants, yielding only black smoke
Mobs raised by foul Thomas rally to Kallyr's corpse
he agitates at the Temple, saying she is not done
Lagertha rises to dispute, cites Thomas' dishonor
she sings of Kallyr's trials, now time for Starbrow to rest
in the halls of the All Father, with her friends and kin,
in whose great company she shall know neither shame nor defeat.
Some are moved, but none can decide, the stalemate continues
Andrenik and Baugi visit Clown Tower for drinks and more
Shortsighted nobles fail to rally behind Leika Ballista
Coldeye puts forward himself, others push Argrath
they lead Storm Tribe to turmoil, the Moon mistress smiles
as Shelpelkirk laughs at the disunited tribes
More weeks pass, until Leika leads her Tribe
to the pyre that will Kallyr purify
Seven speakers stride forth, stating her great deeds
laying generous gifts at her feet
Leika is Wise and Pious, as befits the Air blessed
"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what The Starbrow has done."
than sang how this story would break her heart.
A drunken Eurmali dashed forward, declaring
"I will keep the gifts, to save them for later."
He was rudely seized and thrown outside, while
all raised mugs of mead and made their amends.
Flames and smoke rose quickly into the sky,
the blaze roared, and drowned out their weeping
thus did Kallyr Starbrow, seventh ruler of Sartar, join her ancestors.
Of all the Queens upon the earth
she was the most gracious and fair minded
kindest to her people and keenest to win fame
and so the Colymar Tribe solemnly returned home to Clearwine.
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