“Would you have come?” Bal took her hand. “Tembe claimed Ernold and rogues like Jod mounted the attack.”

Awa rubbed her face. “Azizi believed her?”

“He’s a politician. No one saw Hezram kill anybody. Jod, Ernold, and Money are dead. Water escaped.”

“I don’t believe it.” Awa wanted to bolt. How could they expect her to sit with Hezram?

“Welcome!” Azizi perched in the Lahesh waterwheel throne at the jackal’s tail. He gestured at the chair beside him—an elaborate nest, with carvings of animal-people: jackals bounding over bushes, birds taking flight, fish leaping at the moon. “You are the Master of Weeds and Wild Things.” He saluted her. On the other side of Awa’s chair, a big-boned woman with skinny gray braids and dagger teeth sat on an Iyalawo monkey stool. She played a twenty-one stringed kora harp and wore an Aido bag.

“Vandana is from across Mama Zamba and speaks for Mount Eidhou.” Bal walked Awa to her place. “Tembe wanted the monkey stool, but Azizi gave her the giraffe.” Bal stepped behind Awa next to Arms.

“Djola told me about you.” Awa sat between Azizi and Vandana.

“You will tell about yourself,” Vandana said.

Azizi leaned into Awa. “Vandana has agreed to take Kyrie’s place.”

“Who can do that? Not me,” Vandana said. “To Kyrie and Djola.” She poured wine on the ground. “Some of my people want to destroy your warriors and steal your land. I say no. Conquered people and slaves mean rebellions, unrest.”

Azizi laughed. “I hear people beyond the maps are afraid of floating-city pirates and that’s why you don’t attack.” He piled food on Awa’s plate. “Let’s eat.”

Awa stared at Hezram’s sea monster chair and forced herself to swallow the rich food. After being hungry for so long, it was strange to have no appetite. An Anawanama chief praised the ancestors and the unborn. Masters introduced themselves. Lilot brought more food, then sat down next to Queen Urzula. Azizi’s children were also introduced—the pirate captain and her brother. The shapeshifter clown, flanked by the Zamanzi twins, represented the rebels.

Kenu represented craftspeople. “I did not forget you,” he said.

“I remember you too.” Awa had yet to figure out what else to say to her brother. Tomorrow or the next day.

“Council has changed,” Azizi said. “More women, northlanders, barbarians, and floating city folks. Everyone ready to work.” He looked pleased with himself for being a grand host.

“We should find a different word, a new name for what we do.” Awa blurted this before thinking.

“An ancient word perhaps or invent a new one, to set us in the right direction?” Boto nodded at Awa, enthusiastic. “I will help you find this word.”

“Where is Hezram?” Tembe spoke Awa’s worry out loud and looked around.

“He drank too much,” Arms said. “He makes water in the trees.”

“That was an hour ago.” Grain glanced at the woods.