Contents
Chapter 60: Final Debts
Overview
As Ayt Atosho courts public favor and seeks a peace meeting, No Peak debates its response and agrees to pursue a pact. Hilo publicly advances Niko and blesses Anden’s run for the Royal Council, but privately orders Ayt Mada’s death and plans to retire afterward. Meanwhile, Iwe Kalundo quietly coordinates with Ayt Mada, foreshadowing counter moves.
Summary
Ayt Atosho assumes leadership of the Mountain and stages a lavish Autumn Festival to reset public sentiment. Within No Peak, Hilo convenes family and senior allies to weigh the Mountain’s request for a private peace meeting. They assess Ayt Atosho’s rapid consolidation—installing Koben kin as Horn and Weather Man—and his need to legitimize power.
Debate sharpens around Ayt Mada. Hilo and Wen argue that Ayt Mada remains an existential threat and should be eliminated; Shae and Lott urge restraint to preserve a chance at lasting peace. Anden recommends supporting the Kobens’ leadership to secure No Peak’s long-term dominance. Niko favors pragmatic cooperation.
Hilo decides to meet and pointedly names Niko to sit at the negotiating table, signaling his intended succession. Lott objects to being excluded but relents. Anden then announces his bid for the Royal Council, prepared to surrender his jade to serve the public; Hilo grants his blessing and clan support.
Later, in private, Hilo and Wen finalize plans: during the run-up to the meeting, Lott will be tasked to quietly assassinate Ayt Mada, keeping Shae and Niko uninformed to preserve plausible deniability. Wen predicts Ayt Atosho will protest for show but secretly welcome his aunt’s removal. Hilo vows to step down as Pillar after settling old debts and entrusting the new peace to Niko.
Elsewhere, former Mountain Weather Man Iwe Kalundo receives an informer’s call and contacts Ayt Mada, confirming arrangements they had discussed, signaling a looming counterplot.
Who Appears
- Kaul HiloNo Peak Pillar; agrees to peace talks, elevates Niko, blesses Anden’s candidacy; secretly orders Ayt Mada’s assassination and plans to retire.
- Kaul ShaeWeather Man; advocates securing peace first and delaying any move against Ayt Mada; will arrange the meeting’s terms.
- Maik WenWife of Hilo; supports killing Ayt Mada and predicts Ayt Ato’s tacit acceptance; counsels on timing and secrecy.
- Kaul Nikone (Niko)Hilo’s nephew; endorses pragmatic cooperation with Kobens; chosen to sit at the peace table, marking him as heir-apparent.
- Lott JinHorn of No Peak; urges setting aside the feud; to be tasked covertly with eliminating Ayt Mada.
- Kaul Anden (Kaul Hiloshudon)Cousin; proposes running for Royal Council and giving up jade; gains Hilo’s blessing and clan backing.
- Ayt Atosho (Ayt Ato)New Mountain Pillar; launches public charm offensive and seeks private pledge of friendship with No Peak.
- Ayt MadaFormer Mountain Pillar; secluded under loyal guards; target of Hilo and Wen’s assassination plan; plotting with Iwe.
- Iwe KalundoFormer Mountain Weather Man; disgraced, now conspires with Ayt Mada after receiving key information.
- Koben Tin BettInfluential widow and adviser; cited as guiding Ayt Atosho’s political strategy.
- Sando KinAyt Atosho’s second cousin; appointed Mountain Horn during the leadership reshuffle.
- Koben OponAyt Atosho’s uncle; named Mountain Weather Man to consolidate Koben control.
- JirhuyaAnden’s partner; encourages Anden’s political ambitions and offers an outside perspective.