Chapter 980

• Hypothetically, the Council could defer any agreement formed today, on the spot, until a High Priestess was elevated. What I proposed wasn't a pipedream. Black Cloud was the last of a First House. She also had an upcoming war in which to prove herself a valuable member of the Host - repaying her sisters for her sins by slaying our enemies AND by agreeing to live and die by the High Priestess's judgment when the war was concluded.
• In essence, I was giving Shammuramat nothing while getting her to promise her skills, flesh, life and possibly death in battle in the cause of the Host. The fierce warrior-Queen chose Delilah, of all people, to hold her weapons while we sat down and talked. I laid out my offer. She demanded two amendments.
• One: Alal would not die at the hands of the Host until Shammuramat's case was delivered before the Council and High Priestess.