The next year, she gave birth to a son. Now, though succession is strictly male among the Not-of-our-Tribe, the firstborn does not always become king. They are a cunning people knowledgeable with poison, so often the second or third son takes the throne, if indeed any in the family survive the treachery. Kahrlohn used this to explain to Seegahnah why they would have no more children, then he cut off relations with her altogether.
Soon after this Feergah came to visit. The princess was sitting with her baby prince in the fortressí warmest room, mending her clothes. Sheíd let out the seams while carrying her child, and now she wished them to fit more tightly. ìBut I can't trust the servants with my clothes,î she explained to Feergah. ìThey can't do a quick fix. They embellish and embroider beyond all hope of simplicity.î Suddenly she threw the dress down. ìOh, Feergah, my husband won't even touch me anymore! It's like he's another man.î
ìIs he so different?î Feergah asked, again with the coolness in her voice Seegahnah hated.
ìBefore, he told me he loved me!î
ìAre you sure? Itís against their nature to lie outright; think back on what exactly he told you.î
ìButówhy else would he court me so singlemindedly?î
ìSeegahnah. You are too old to play the innocent. You're his brood mare, and now you've given him all he needed you for.î
The princess rose from her stool so quickly it toppled over. ìGet out,î she said in a low-throated growl, but she was shaking when she said it. Feergah turned to the door.
Seegahnah was after her in a thrice. ìNo. Donít go. Please!î She clutched her friend helplessly. ìTay-Oo-tee, what if itís true?î
Feergah let her cry awhile, but soon she said, ìYour position is not healthy. We must think of ways to protect you.î
ìProtect me from what?î
Feergah did not answer this. ìI met a trustworthy man through my husband. He is wise and prudent, and so has stood at Council for many seasons. His name is Dintohn. Seek him out.î
Seegahnah found Dintohn at the next banquet she and the prince attended. Encouraged by Feergahís glowing report, and by her own desperation, she was soon pouring out all of the sour wine of her unhappiness to him.
Dintohn, compassionate as well as wise, quivered with anger when he had heard it. To think this young girl had never been told the truth! Marriages made for politics and not for love were fine by him, as long as both parties understood the arrangement. Thisóto warp someoneís sense of love, possibly for lifeÖit was evil.
ìWe cannot make him think you are miserable,î Dintohn said. ìIf you mope about he will only wish to rid himself of you. You must put on a public face.î So first he taught her ways to fool a crowd, how smiles and easy laughter will convince anyone she was content. Then he taught her to act as though she were desired by her husband, and then perhaps she would be.
The first strategy proved successful. No one could have guessed how popular Seegahnah became. Next to her, the parade of willowy Not-of-our-Tribe noblewomen looked to Wanderers like so many tinder twigs. Even wellborn families among Kahrlohnís people admired her vitality. They regretted they did not have her love of the endless road, but still they lived sedentary lives.
But the strategy to win Kahrlohnís desire backfired. He could not abide an intelligent wife, capable of saying one thing and feeling another. He had not married her for her political acumen. Besides, Seegahnahís transformation from lost lamb to vixen was too abrupt. One day she trotted into a meeting of the prince and some councilors with ale for them all. Just as quickly she was gone again, but not before pecking her husbandís cheek, cooing ìDonít be late tonight, love.î When sheíd gone Kahrlohn turned to his friends with a helpless look. They all knew the princeís fancies lay elsewhere. ìSheís demon-touched,î he said.