Chapter 406: Ancestral Wisdom (Part Two)
"When we gave our lives to the service of our people, we gave up the possibility of entering a normal ancestral cave," the deep, masculine voice of the ancestor continued, forcefully using Hauke’s body to make himself heard. "Young Hauke has taken up the burden of anchoring us in this world since only the statues formed of blood by the Fangs of Death could possibly sustain us in a sacred cave."
"You cannot afford the sacrifices required to remake our bloody statues," a softer, feminine voice followed the first, sounding deeply incongruous coming from Hauke’s mouth. "Without Hauke’s help, we would fade away in less than a year."
"Please father," Hauke said, snatching back control of his own body and voice. "Haven’t you always said that we are much weaker than our ancestors were? That we could never rebuild our great fortress if we were to lose it because we’ve forgotten the methods the ancestors used to build it?"
"All they wish is for a chance to serve our people once more," he pleaded. "Those acts of service are what allow them to remain among us. If we seal them away again, even in honor, then we will lose them."
"Are they truly serving our people?" Commander Jannik asked skeptically. "Or are you binding them to yourself to harness their power, the way the Tuscans desecrate the horns of our people to use as weapons."
"I would never!" Hauke shouted before forcefully restraining himself. Passionate words would never carry the day here. He needed to do as Ines had advised him and make his case with cold, unassailable logic if they were going to have any hope of getting the clan to accept the arrangement he’d made with the ancestors.
"Let us prove to you that we’re working for the good of our clan and the whole of the High Pass," Hauke said, trying to sound as logical and reasonable as he could. "Words will not weigh as much as deeds will, so give me a chance to work with the ancestors on something that will benefit everyone."
"What do you propose, my son?" Lord Ritchel asked from atop his icy throne. It was the first time he’d spoken since the proceeding began and he hated that he lacked the strength to simply force the others to accept his will.
Perhaps in another five years, his strength would have diminished so greatly that a younger member of this council would challenge him for his throne if he tried to overrule their desires. For now, he still had enough say to force them to give Hauke a fair chance but there was a limit to how far he could go with something as radical as allowing a member of their clan to walk around wearing the horns of honored ancestors as though they were trophies.
"I have spoken at length with Ancestor Ansgar, the Lord of the Seven Peaks," Hauke said, referring to the first of the ancestors who borrowed his body to speak to the council. "We’ve developed a plan to enhance the defenses of the pass against human attacks if the Vale of Mists or Airgead Mountain were to fall. Let us prove with our deeds that we’re working to protect our people and that this arrangement benefits everyone," he said, gesturing to the row of horns across his chest."