The steady murmur of conversation filled Riothamus's ears, rising and falling against the sides of the mountain. A few spearthains and swordthains patrolled the outer camps, making sure the baggage and the animals did not fall prey to Malrags or other predators.But most of the Tervingi had gathered here, and they would decide the fate of the nation.Though Riothamus wondered if they would simply decide how the Tervingi nation would die. He stood at the edge of the hollow with Aegidia, the old woman’s fingers drumming against her staff. Nearby waited Athanaric himself, with Arnulf and his other chief headmen and thains. “Are you certain this is a good idea?” said Aegidia.Athanaric shook his head. “I am not. But we have little choice. We cannot enter the valley. So we must decide upon a new course.”“And suppose the nation makes a poor choice?” said Aegidia.“We are Tervingi,” said Athanaric. “We have no kings. By tradition the assembled nation must make a decision of this importance.
