Tiegn and the Living Stones

AN ENDING AND A BEGINNING Tiegn gazed down at her father’s crumpled features as he struggled for breath, her heart was wrenched in her breast. She loved him desperately, and not just because she needed him for his strength and his wisdom, but for his all embracing kindness. He was dying. He strained hard to speak and as he did so the small group standing beside the cot fell silent, for this was the moment they hoped that Pandil the dying man as the Chief of the Clan would name his successor. This was a long standing tradition. His son, Vandil, moved closer to the cot fully expecting that this heavy responsibility would fall to him. And so did most of Clan - All those present were about to be astounded by the old man as he struggled to speak. His words when they came were clear enough. `Vandil, son of my loins,’ He managed between laboured breaths, `One day you will be Chief. But your time is not now. You must be patient.’ His fists clenched with the effort. If that staggered the assembled group his next pronouncement stunned each and every-one of those present who heard it. There was no doubt as to his meaning. And this is what, with increasing difficulty, he said - `I herby declare that my daughter Tieng shall be given the Sword of Authority and therefore from this very moment onwards she is our Clan Chief.’ Here he stopped to gather strength. Then came his last speech on this earth. `And may the ancestors guide her. I have decided on this choice and my decision is final. I know that you will give her the support she will need.’ During the shocked silence which followed this pronouncement the old one’s laboured breathing gently ceased, and the Clan had a new Chief. And it was official. History had been made. The late Chief’s now silent body was ignored as the group turned to Vandil and shook his hand with sympathy as if to say - `Never mind, we believe that he meant it to be you all the time. The Clan has never had a woman for Chief - it cannot be right.’ But if that was what they thought they kept it to themselves. Tiegn was equally stunned, but as she watched the group rally round her step brother, she knew just what their father had meant and it came upon her that it was now or never. She would be Chief. Her father had appointed her in true Clan tradition and she found in herself the determination to follow her father’s sound government. She faced the gathering and raised her hand for silence - and go it. It was clear that they all expected her to announce her resignation - But they got another shock. The memory of this moment would haunt them for the rest of their lives. They turned to face Tiegn hardly daring to breath. Gathering all her strength, and in the knowledge that what she did next would define her future, Tiegn drew herself up to her full height and said very quietly but with all the force she could muster - `Now - here at my father’s death, and you all clearly heard him, I have been declared Chief of the Clan, in line with the Clan’s true traditions I therefore see that we all have no choice other than to accept his pronouncement. So here then as Chief are my first requests.’ She paused briefly to let this be understood. Then - `Firstly………., my father’s body is to be prepared for burial at the place he chose when alive, and I ask my brother here to see that this is done. Tomorrow, when the sun is at its height my dear father will be laid to rest according to our traditions, and the entire Clan will be invited to attend. Following this, and at a suitable time, and with the appropriate ceremony the Sword of Authority will be handed to me by my nominated Deputy - Lakiln. This will be my formal acceptance of the Chieftainship of this Clan.’ She watched to see their reaction and was gratified to note that most looked relieved. This was what they were used to - a Clan Chief taking control and giving instructions. Things might not be so bad after all. `In the meantime anyone who feels that this is not right and that my father did not know what he was doing can see me for a discussion, but I will not give up this responsibility.’ She added. Then in a less authoritive tone - `Now if you will be good enough to leave us I would like to have some time alone with my father. `And as he would have wished it, we both thank each one of you for being here, at my father’s end.’ They left slowly muttering between themselves. All, that is, except her brother. When there was only the two of them she faced a very angry Vandil - `You will never get away with this.’ He hissed. `I will fight you all the way. We both know that the job should have been mine.’ And with that he turned away and strode out of the hut. And the very first woman Clan Chief was totally alone. Very alone.