Free The Book of Ominiue: Starborn by D.M. Barnham Page B

successor for the UeVarda?’ Shayne asked looking at Kíe whose expression grew distant.
    ‘There is a successor but she is still very young and untested. She has not earned her title and no other candidate stands to be assessed, a very unusual affair if I have ever seen one.’ Kíe looked out at the mountains before them. ‘The UeVarda too is still a very young man, though a prime candidate had been selected, none had expected she would be tested so soon, and I am afraid she has not achieved enough to ascend the throne.’
    ‘I don’t understand,’ said Hanniver. ‘sounds like you elect your successor?’
    ‘Kérith-Árim is not like other nations. She is the cornerstone in which all Dífrun remains at peace. As such we cannot afford to allow just any leader to sit upon her throne. There is no inheritance in her halls. The UeVarda is selected, by the counsellors, the nations, the people. Candidates are chosen over the years from across the lands. One does not aspire to rule, often those selected do not want it, as such those worthy for it and accept their selection are rarely chosen. Their feats as scholars, generals, artisans, humanitarians are greatly valued and few possess these traits. As it stands the one candidate we have has only passed a single attribute, as such she cannot ascend to successor-in-waiting let alone to the throne itself. As many have said the UeVarda is still very young, and all previous are either too old now or no longer with us.’
    ‘The UeVarda is the same age as me,’ replied Madan’rah. ‘It is sad how sickness can grip those who are not ready for death.’
    ‘It is not our place to question the will of the Kéaran,’ Pan’arden reminded. They silently continued on, a sombre mood falling upon the front of the company.
    Many hours had passed and as the Earthmen’s skill increased so did their pace. Shayne’s legs ached immensely with pain throbbing between the joints in the front of his pelvis and his thigh bones: accompanying his growing saddle sores. He was not the only one. Other Earthmen occasionally lifted themselves in the saddle and stretched as they went along, the longer they travelled the more frequently they squirmed.
    A scout ahead of them sounded a horn as two horsemen travelled rapidly towards them; a trail of dust kicked up from their racing beasts. Once the riders were near enough they turned their horses to follow the leading pack. One of the messengers talked rapidly to Pan’arden in the Bohaníde speech. Afterwards the two messengers dismounted their horses and lead them on foot, giving the exhausted creatures a well needed break. 
    ‘I have good news, Sky Ta’Orians,’ Pan’arden said, looking pleased. ‘First we head to Keemaíth and from there straight to Kérith-Árim, and I shall accompany you as Bohaníde’s representative.’
    ‘This is great news,’ Kíe said. His mood instantly brightened as a wide grin spread across his face once more, ‘I am glad Afra’hama, for now you shall see my country. You will love Karmoníth; it is one of the greatest cities this side of the mountains.’ Shayne studied Kíe as he said this: he observed the lionman’s eyes glaze over as his mind drifted to some pleasing memory.
    ‘Our city too would be great if we had the rule of the three races over the ages!’ Pan’arden light heartedly added.
    Kíe’s attention shifted to Shayne as the Earthman translated everything for Hanniver. The lionman took a deep breath before addressing the human, ‘Afra’hama?’ Shayne turned his head slightly to look at the scholar, being on the warhorse meant that he was almost level with him. ‘Could you teach me your language?’ One of Shayne’s eyebrows rose slightly, he did not expect such a question. Kíe appeared a little nervous, he was afraid that Shayne would say no, but Shayne saw the eagerness in the young creature’s eyes. Kíe truly was a child of knowledge: always eager to learn. He was a pleasing companion,