About what? I wonder. Jhamal, the peacemaker, is nowhere in sight. So I hop up.

“Strike first and it will be your last breath,” Shaun, the Beerchi, says. “You Yakanna, so stubborn, unyielding. You’re headstrong and it will be your downfall.”

“Tradition is tradition. But the old way of preparing the yupza takes twice as long. The armor is just fine. We don’t have telee leaves for every little thing. Look how we are living. Some corners will be cut.” Kai scowls, her girls an army at her back. “Back down, coquella!”

“I am not your brother, Kainese. I see through you. You’re a disgrace to Moi Ike Yakanna and everyone here.”

Kai spits and Zora thrusts her javelin, stopping it as it grazes the hair on his throat. Are they really this angry about breaking tradition? The clench of Shaun’s jaw says it’s much more than that.

“Put your blade where your arrogance is, Beerchi, and you can meet Mother Moi Ike in person,” Kai says.

We need each and every person here for the fighting when the time comes. Not to mention more of our blood spilled is the exact opposite of what we’re going for.

“Stop,” I say. “Zora, Kai… you…” All the warmth in the towering Beerchi who greeted me is gone.

“This does not concern you.”

“Maybe it doesn’t, but still.” I’m not sure of a lot right now, but in this I know I’m right. “Kai, listen to me….”

“I do not need your help, Jelani,” Kai says without a glance my way.

“This ain’t about help. We can’t be fighting like this. People out there wanna kill us and you gon’ do it for ’em?” Now I’m shouting, my frustration kindled. “Stop, please!”

No one moves.

Neither speaks.

A voice crackles through the air with age. “Shaun, Kai, you will reap cursing on your heads. Stand down!” Bati’s voice slices and I exhale, taking down the barrier between them, thankful someone else sees the problem with this and is stepping in to fix it. As fragile as he is, he commands presence. He is wearing white Gahlee robes with gold twine tied at his waist.

“Rue, my dear.” His hands cup my face, and a million creases around his eyes greet me. “It is truly so good to have you back here in our midst.” He turns to Kai. “Good work, Kainese. Your girls did good getting Jelani out of there.”

Shaun sneers at the compliment Bati gives Kai. But neither moves. They breathe heavier than before, staring, practically nose to nose, two hurricanes ready to unleash.

Bati sets a hand on Zora’s shoulder. “Please, even Goddess Yakanna held peace in great esteem.”

Zora doesn’t move.

Bati’s words are swallowed by the silence. “Kainese, your mother would…”