Only Dharvarath stayed behind, saying he had seen enough madness brought about by dwellers-in-stone. The pairs of supplicants, the Isarrans and Danar and Zevaron, followed solemnly. As the party passed through the encampment, they caused ripples of excitement. Overnight, word of their mission had swept through the gathering. As Danar had predicted, everyone from the youngest child to the oldest grandmother now clamored for a glimpse of these outlanders. This time, every stool in the pavilion was occupied. As was customary, leadership of the Council rotated annually among the various chieftains. This year, Tenoshinakh son of Bashkiri, a chieftain of the Falcon clan, held that office. Not yet in his middle age, he was strong and clear of sight, respected for his prudence as well as his daring in battle. He was a large man, almost as tall as a Gelon, with a forbidding aspect. Most of the other Council members, chieftains and elders, had seen far more winters, with the notable exception of the son of the Ghost Wolf chieftain, who watched the proceedings with the proper degree of respectful silence.
