Shaun stands, surrounded by his coquella cloaked in fur. Like the Yakanna, they are all much more decked out than earlier. The furs clasped across them are hooked with a golden broach in the shape of a bear claw. Where he wore one ring before, he wears several now. From what I ran across in one of these books, the rings are passed down through the generations from Beerchi leaders before him. Each ring represents a decisive victory won. The Beerchi were nomadic people before settling on this island, and with them they brought warrior prowess and tactical wisdom. I don’t know which would be a better leader. Kai is fierce too. Though Jhamal’s side comments about her do give me pause. Right now, I think Shaun has my vote.

“Shauntom Naikae, descendant of Mishon Ide Beerchi, Father of Might of Ghizon,” Bati begins. “You are being presented to the Ancestors and this assembly to be considered Kowana, King of our People, to represent our interests, preserve our people, culture, and traditions, and trailblaze our future. Do you accept this nomination?”

“Aye.” Shaun pats his chest.

“Yakanna.” Bati picks a folded note of paper from another bowl. “Your nomination. Kainese Mene.” Was it even a question who they would nominate? Kai runs those girls.

She steps forward. I try to finish skimming the book, prepare to explain why raising the Ancestors should be where we focus next, but I can’t look away. Kai’s a ball of anticipation and Shaun’s never looked more fierce. Maybe I’ll vote for Kai?

“Kainese Mene, descendant of Mother Moi Ike Yakanna, Warrior Goddess of Ghizon,” Bati says. “You are being presented to the Ancestors and this assembly to be considered Kowana, Queen of our People, to represent our interests, preserve our people, culture, and traditions, and trailblaze our future. Do you accept this nomination?”

“I do,” she says. Her girls hiss and goosebumps dance up my skin. Bati moves to the third bowl, for his own clan, with a quick glance at his brothers. He pulls out a piece of paper and his eyes settle on me.

“Rue Jelani Akintola…”

Whispers erupt like a swarm of locusts. My heart beats out my chest.

Jhamal leans into my ear for a whisper. “They will not all be won over to your side easily, but they will come around.”

“My side? I don’t have a side. We all want the same thing: to see the Chancellor brought to his knees.”

“Yes, but the how…”

“I don’t know, but this ain’t it. Did you have anything to do with this?”

Bati bangs his staff, trying to quiet the chatter. This is an apparent surprise to everyone, and from the thin smiles, most aren’t happy about it.

“How will they ever believe you can lead them if you don’t?” Jhamal says low.