"Trag Unil Deguna," I said. "I've beaten you man to man in honest combat."
Suddenly his eyes widened, and all of the insane rage was gone from his face. "It is true," he whispered. "The Mountain must have given you his strength. How else could you have conquered the son of a Chief?"
"In no other way," I assured him.
"Does the Mountain now speak with your voice?"
"The Mountain is closer to me than it is to its false Servants," I told him.
I bent and gripped him by the shoulders. "You are young and strong," I said. "The son of a Chief. Only such a one can truly lead his people. If when the Mountain speaks and the sky becomes red you leap straightway into battle at your father's side against the false Servants I will spare your life."
He sat up and rubbed his chin. His eyes were still awestruck, and I was confident that if the mountain itself had entered the hut, and spoken to him he would scarcely have been more eager to obey.
"I will do as the Mountain desires," he promised.
"You will not have long to wait," I assured him. "Soon the wrath of the Mountain will be terrible against its false Servants. Sit here quietly and be patient. You will see."
It was almost dawn when I returned to the central hut. I walked in boldly like a man coming home a little later than usual with some tremendous bright surprise for his wife that would take the curse off his lateness.