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[h1][b][u]The Ubbo Tribe[/u][/b][/h1]
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The village of the Ubbo Tribe was quiet. Dozens of Selka stood outside the Chieftain's hut, shifting and whispering nervously. Some were weeping. No hunting or fishing parties had been sent out today; all were present, save for a few who were piling up wood on the beach. It was no day for work, or celebration.

Inside the hut was little better. Half a dozen Selka and one bird stood in solemn silence. In the corner, an old Selka lay on a bed of grass, leaves, and feathers. His whiskers were as white as his snow; his skin wrinkled and aged.

Time passed. His breath grew increasingly faint, and then, it stopped. The Selka looked to the brown-and-red bird who rested on a log, and the bird nodded.

Two of the Selka shuddered with grief. The chieftain's sons; Kalaf, a young man, and Arryno, still a boy. Arryno began to cry, and Kalaf put a hand on his shoulder while fighting back tears of his own.

"He led us well," spoke a tall Selka named Milos, one of the village's finest hunters, who along with Kalaf had begun to take up some of the chiefly duties as their leader's health decline.

"May he have a swift journey to the Pyres," whispered Alaina, the village healer, who had done everything she could but to no avail. Not even the miraculous healing water, which the tribe discovered long ago, had been able to stop the inevitable.

[color=brown][i]You should inform the rest of your tribe,[/i][/color] a grim voice spoke in their minds.

Kalaf's tearstained eyes narrowed, and it looked as though he was about to spit out an angry retort, but Milos intervened. "Yes, we should," he answered in an equally grave voice. He looked to Kalaf. "Compose yourself. They need to know, and they need to see you strong."

Kalaf opened his mouth to protest, but instead he wiped the tears from his eyes and grudgingly nodded. And with that, he, along with Milos and Alaina, stepped outside to address the village, the bird fluttering after them.

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"Chieftain Anhaf is dead," Alaina declared. "Peacefully, in his sleep; his time had come."

Several of the Selka began to cry openly at that. Others cast their gaze downward, or whispered prayers. A few seemed to take it in stride. Milos looked to Kalaf, silently urging him to speak. But Kalaf either failed to notice his gaze, or pretended not to, and instead stared ahead with a blank look on his face.

With an imperceptible shake of his head, Milos stepped forward. "Today, we grieve," he declared. "Anhaf was a good leader, who put his people first and led us from hardship to prosperity. He brought us from division, to unity. Now we say goodbye."

Those in the Ubbo Tribe exchanged solemn nods of agreement.

"And tomorrow," Milos continued, "we continue life as Anhaf would have wanted us to. We must elect a new chief. We must see to our tribe's survival. We must continue to find our fun and prosper. What would Kirron or Kalmar think if they saw us succumb to inaction and depression?"

Once again there were nods, though for some the solemnity had turned to determination.

"But those are problems for tomorrow. As I said, today we grieve. We put his body and soul to rest, and we hold a feast in his honour."

And with those words, a red-eyed Arryno stepped out of the hut. Two Selka followed, carrying Anhaf's body on a stretcher - two sticks tied together by vines. They carried him through the village, and all save Milos followed. They brought him to the beach, where a pile of fresh, dry wood had been assembled, and placed the stretcher atop. Arryn watched from a nearby rock.

There the villagers stood in silence, with nothing but the lap of the waves, until Milos came from the village with a burning torch in hand. The crowd parted, and he stepped up to the funeral bed, standing next to Kalaf.

"Does anyone have anything to say?" Milos asked.

A few stepped forward, and some quick stories or words of remembrance were given. One Selka, almost as old as Anhaf, recalled the day when Anhaf himself was elected. Another shared a story about how she and Anhaf had saved each other's lives on a hunt. Others were less specific, and instead praised Anhaf's leadership or his good character. Arrino attempted to get something out, but he became too overwhelmed by sobbing to continue.

And then, when it seemed nobody had anything left to say, Milos took another step forward. "Then it is time for us to bid Anhaf farewell. We give his body to the pyre on earth, and wish his soul a speedy journey to the pyre in the sky." And with those words, he handed the torch to Kalaf.

Kalaf stared at the torch for a full second, before reluctantly he took it, and then lowered it to the smaller kindling at the base of the pyre. The fire took a moment to catch, but when it did, it soon began to spread. Soon, the entire stack was ablaze, and the village watched their chieftain burn.

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They feasted that night. Food was cooked over a fire, and then passed around. Despite the grave occasion, grief had begun to fall by the wayside with so many people together and free food being readily available. One Selka was singing while another banged on drums. Arrino and Kalaf sat alone, though many did approach to offer their sympathies and condolences. Arrino accepted them as graciously as he could, while Kalaf more or less shrugged them off, occasionally sending glares toward the divine bird who watched the festivities from a log.

Arryn's attention, meanwhile, was set on Milos, who sat with his regular hunting party, exchanging the odd joke or story. When the hunter rose to his feet to step away briefly, Arryn followed, landing on the ground a few feet away from him.

"What is it?" Milos asked.

[color=brown]"Your chieftain will be chosen tomorrow,"[/color] Arryn said. Not as a question, but as a statement.

Milos nodded. "It is. Here is hoping Kalaf will be a good chief."

If Arryn could frown, he would have. [color=brown]"It doesn't have to be Kalaf."[/color]

Milos nodded again. "It doesn't, but it will. Anhaf was a good chieftain. Everyone else will expect the same from his son. Others will put their names forward, but they won't win. I can't think of a single Selka who has enough support."

[color=brown]"I see one right now."[/color]

Milos shook his head. "Anhaf hoped Kalaf would take his place, and he was my friend. I won't betray his dying wish." Then the hunter arched his eyebrow in suspicion. "And why would you? He was your friend too, wasn't he?"

[color=brown]"Friendship has nothing to do with it. Anhaf is dead, the living remain, and they need a good leader. Kalaf has some strengths, but many more weaknesses, and there are some who do doubt his abilities. They didn't voice it while Anhaf was alive, but now that he is gone, you will see these doubts emerge,"[/color] Arryn lectured. [color=brown]"Besides, when Anhaf told you that, he thought he would have more time to teach the boy. He was wrong."[/color]

"And you think I'd be better?" Milos asked, though his voice betrayed no doubt or skepticism.

[color=brown]"I know it. And you know it too. You are decisive, your judgement is sound, and the people trust you. I will not tell them to choose you, and I will not force you to do anything. But if you care more for the many than you do for the few, you will put your name forward."[/color] And with those words, Arryn fluttered off, leaving Milos alone with his thoughts.

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"Brother?" Arrino whispered. "I see you scowling at Arryn. Why?"

Kalaf gave Arrino a flat look. "Because he killed our father."

"What!?" Arrino was shocked. "What makes you say that!?"

Kalaf sighed bitterly. "Arryn did not kill our father directly, but that bird is responsible for his death nonetheless. His last visit was years ago, but he returns just as our chieftain's health is failing. He knew father was dying, but did he do anything to help? No. He let him die. Father's death is on Arryn's head."

[color=brown]"No, it isn't."[/color]

Both Kalaf and Arrino jumped in their seats, but the bird went on. [color=brown]"You fool. Everything dies eventually."[/color]

"But you have the power of a god. You could have prevented it!" Kalaf retorted through clenched teeth.

[color=brown]"Even a god's power is not limitless. If I saved every dead or dying creature I came across, I would have ran out of power long before your father's demise. We'd still end up here, only instead you would be complaining about how I saved [i]too many[/i] lives."[/color]

"But why not just focus on those that matter!? Father considered you his friend. He was a chieftain. He was the first welcome worship of you and your g-"

[color=brown]"Those that matter?"[/color] Arryn asked. [color=brown]"Why should Anhaf be resurrected while others are allowed to die? He is more important, yes, but that's not a reason - there will always be another who can take up his role, and if there isn't then that is the tribe's failing for becoming too dependent."[/color]

Kalaf gave the bird a hard stare. "Tomorrow a  new chieftan will be chosen. It will be me. And when that happens, I want you gone."

[color=brown]"Hmph, if you try to command me you won't like what happens. As for the chieftain... we'll see."[/color] And on that note the bird flew off, leaving the two brothers alone.

"Brother... I... I think he might have been right..." Arrino ventured.

Kalaf rose to his feet, drawing the attention of several others, but he did not seem to notice. "Do you?" he demanded. "Go on then, pray to Kalmar," he challenged, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Pray to him, and thank him for telling his pet bird to nobly allow our father to die." And with those words he stalked off.

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The next day came, and at midday the villagers had gathered. Alaina stood before the crowd. Some had gone to her in private, and asked her to put her own name forward, but she had refused. She could not be both a healer and a chieftain, she claimed. Instead, she volunteered to host the election.

"Our tribe needs a new chieftain. Who will step forward?" She challenged.

Kalaf was about to step forward, but a young woman of a similar age beat him to it. Alaina looked at her with disapproval, for the woman was Kurunu; her apprentice. "My name is Kurunu. I claim the chiefdom!" She looked back to the sea of surprised faces. "Healers are meant to be wise, smart, and compassionate. So are chieftains! I ask you: why can't one be the other?"

A few nodded, but most were unmoved. After all, she was no true healer yet, and the [i]real[/i] healer had already claimed the positions should be kept separate. Alaina shook her head. "Who else?" she asked.

Now Kalaf stepped forward. He took a deep breath, and then turned to face them. "I am Kalaf, son of Anhaf. I claim the chiefdom!" he declared to the assembled tribe. "My father was the greatest chieftain this tribe had ever seen. I swear by Kirron: everything you got from him, you will get from me."

Several Selka nodded now, and a few even cheered, but many appeared uncertain. Word of his outburst at the feast had spread, and how he carried himself at the funeral left many concerned at the state of his mind. Would Kalaf's grief hurt his ability to be an effective leader? Would Kalmar, who had answered their prayers and given much guidance over the years, desert them if they followed someone who openly quarrelled with Arryn? These doubts weighed on their minds. Kalaf seemed to notice this, and shifted nervously.

Alaina simply nodded. "Who is next?"

"I am Pallamino the Third!" another Selka declared, walking out of the crowd to join Kurunu and Kalaf. "I claim the chiefdom. Why? I'm the best fisherman this village has ever seen. I've helped build shelters. I've been faithful to both Kirron and Kalmar. I helped Alaina tend to the sick when she needed an extra pair of hands. I've even been on a couple hunts. What more could you want?"

"Someone who won't shoot me in the back!" Someone shouted out.

"An honest mistake, and with my help you survived!" Pallamino countered. "Hunting might not be what I'm best at, but the point is, I know a bit of everything, and that's why you should choose me."

Alaina sighed. "Next."

The next Selka to step forward was middle-aged, but carried himself with a certain confidence. The youngest of the audience did their best to suppress groans. "I am Hoshu. I claim the chiefdom!" he announced, before embarking on a lengthy speech about his history, beginning with the day of his birth...

"...and that's why I'm the best choice!"

Several Selka blinked, apparently having zoned out at some point, but they quickly cheered to hide that fact. And the cheers were genuine, too - it was a relief for the speech to finally be over.

"Who-" Alaina began, but was quickly cut off as another candidate put herself forward.

"I'm Leilani!" she declared confidently. "I claim the chiefdom. Now let's look at the facts. Kurunu is too naive, Kalaf is a shadow of his father, Pallamino knows a bit of everything [i]except[/i] how to lead, and Hoshu is too long-winded. Then there's me. I never hesitated to volunteer for something, and I always called out nonsense when I saw it. So really, through process of elimination, I'm the only choice."

The other candidates were clearly outraged, and each looked as though they were about to offer a fiery rebuttal of their own making, when Alaina intervened. "Alright, that's enough! Anyone else?"

There was silence. It seemed as though everyone who had something to say had already said it. These candidates, however lacking they might be, appeared to be the only options. Arryn watched from the roof of a nearby hut, and shook his head.

Then Milos stepped forward. "I am Milos!" he declared, as the eyes of both Kalaf and Alaina widened. He hesitated, but then pressed on. "I claim the chiefdom!" He turned to address the crowd. "You all know me, and I'd say my actions speak for themselves. I've led dozens of successful hunts, I've always put in more than my fair share, and I was one of Anhaf's closest friends and advisors. It's no secret that in the past week, I've been acting as chieftain in all but name. So choose me, and I will lead you well."

And with that he fell into line with the others. Kalaf had a hurt expression on his face, before hardening into a glare which alternated between Milos and Arryn, as he put two and two together.

"Well, I... I think that's everyone," Alaina said. "Six choices. All six of you, turn around." The six candidates immediately complied, turning their backs to the audience, and Alaine continued. "The rest of you... stand behind whoever you wish to follow."

And so they did. The crowd split up into individuals, who dodged and evaded their way toward their chosen candidates, forming into lines behind them. The lines continued to grow, and once everyone was in place, Alaina to inspect the length of the lines.

Kurunu, six heads.

Kalaf, eighteen heads.

Pallamino, six heads.

Hoshu, two heads.

Leilani, four heads.

Milos... twenty-one heads. "Milos has won," Alaina declared after a moment's reluctance.

Those in Milos's line began to cheer, and patted the hunter on the back. In the other lines, Kalaf clenched his fists, Kurunu looked disappointed, Pallamino shrugged, Hoshu gave the hunter a friendly nod, while Leilani wore a devious smile.

Alaina herself kept her expression neutral. "That settles it, then. The tribe has spoken," she said in a guarded voice. "Milos will be our chieftain. Step forward."

The hunter was caught off guard by her passive aggressive tone, but he stepped forward nonetheless, and Alaina put Anhaf's sharktooth necklace around his neck. "What were you thinking?" she whispered, so that only Milos would hear.

"I thought I would be a good leader, so I put myself forward."

"Is unity not more important?" she hissed. "You should have stood behind Kalaf. You could have been his advisor. We would have unified. Now? We're divided. He and his followers will not forget this."

And with those words Milos began to regret his decision, but he could not let that weakness show. Instead he turned to face the crowd, and forced a smile, but realized Kalaf and a few others were already gone.

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[hider=Post Summary]
The post opens up with Anhaf’s death and funeral, which then transitions into a feast. Arryn is present for both. A pragmatic people, the Ubbo intend to elect their new chieftan the next day. 

Arryn urges Anhaf’s friend, Milos, to put his name forward, even though this would hurt the chances of Anhaf’s son Kalaf inheriting. But Arryn insists, believing that Milos is a better leader. Arryn then has a brief argument with Kalaf over the nature of death, as well as the gods’ obligations and responsibilities toward mortals.

The next day, the election is held. A number of claimants put their names forward, including Kalaf and Milos, and in the end Milos wins by a slim margin. The village healer, Alaina, warns him that the unity of the tribe has been fractured by this outcome.
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