“So whoever has the most brawn becomes king,” Barlo said in a flat voice.
Iset tilted her head in a half-nod. “Assuming the queen accepts him, yes. Our island is mostly uncivilized. Battle prowess counts for much here. Any male can challenge the ruling king at any time for his throne and mate. Ultimately, the final decision lies with the queen, but a king who has been defeated in battle before his peers has already lost their respect, assuming he survives the ordeal.”
Barlo chomped on his beard, absorbing this information and wondering what it had to do with Rasniwyn’s disappearance, if anything.
“Let me see if I understand you correctly,” he said. “Your own son doesn’t stand to inherit the throne.”
Iset’s whiskers twitched. “Not unless I bear a daughter and she selects him as her mate
