Tales of the Zorantian Brotherhood I: Black Winds

"But sheīs a woman. Women donīt command combat soldiers. Doesnīt that prove theyīre short of men?" Natīs voice trailed off in the face of the colonelīs astonishment.

"We call them the Brotherhood because we donīt have a word that says it properly and they really donīt care what we call them." Exasperated, the colonel shook his head. "Have you had no education, boy? Zorantian men and women have always fought together. The Brotherhood is an organization of equals, of individuals freely associated."

Ylana had been thinking as they talked. "Do you think that they know about Fior? That he was there?"

Colonel Murthoc laughed without humor. "They know, great Lady. The clan commander did not so much as acknowledge his existence. When she does, he at least is dead."

That was in her eyes, he realized. And that, more than anything else, testifies to their being the Brotherhood.

"The rest of us, who knows? We are the guests of the Last of the Brotherhood. I look forward to meeting him."