“You have done it all yourself?”

“He was my husband, Sholeh,” Lara said.

“You have done well, and Vartan would be proud,” Sholeh replied. “Where is that snake, Adon?”

“I slew him and his wife while Vartan was yet warm,” Lara replied.

Sholeh nodded. “It was well done, Lara. And they are buried?”

“Out on the plain in an unmarked place,” Lara said.

“I curse them both!” Sholeh said fiercely. “You will lead the Fiacre yourself now. It is your right, and you were half my cousin’s wisdom, I know.”

“Thank you,” Lara said, “but no. Liam shall be the new Lord of the Fiacre. You cannot be dissatisfied with him. The elders in their usual way wanted to meet in three days and debate the succession, but I saw they met last night instead. Liam was the natural choice. I will not remain with the Fiacre much longer. I am being called from the Outlands.”

“I will be sorry to see you go,” Sholeh told her companion. “But Liam is not the man to lead the High Council, I fear. Who will you put your influence behind? Roan of the Aghy? He would take it in a minute, you know.”

Lara shook her head. “Roan is too hot tempered. Rendor of the Felan would be my choice. He is a wise and thoughtful man. The responsibility will cause him to rise to the challenge of being head of the High Council. He will not fail the Outlands.”

“Roan will not be pleased,” Sholeh noted.

“We need a military leader as well,” Lara said with a smile.

“Damn!” Sholeh exclaimed. “We are losing a valuable advisor in you, Lara.”

“I will not leave the Fiacre forever,” she said. “My children will remain here with Noss and Liam. Bera must raise Cam. I won’t have my children in the same house as the son of their father’s murderer.”

“You’re right,” Sholeh agreed. “Now, if I can help you in any way -”

“You are family. I welcome your aid,” Lara responded.

The Fiacre clan came and went from the hall, paying their respects to their fallen lord. No one would be sent away. Every structure in the village was filled with the mourners, and many bedded down in the fields surrounding Camdene. One by one, Lara brought the other clan lords to her hall to pay their respects to Vartan. They would be guests within her home until the departure ceremony was concluded.