Cnaiür, Chieftain of the Utemot, meets with the other Scylvendi chieftains, enraged that he had not been summoned for the war council. He knows that many of them heard the rumors of his father’s death long ago and that is the source of their contempt for him. He tells Xunnurit, their King-of-Tribes, to exercise patience in dealing with Ikurei Conphas, who has invaded the Steppe after a series of provocations against the Scylvendi. Xunnurit, however, thinks Cnaiür’s plan is overly-cautious and that they must attack immediately. Cnaiür relates how through patience, they had defeated the Kianese at Zirkirta. Oknai One-Eye, Chieftain of the Munuäti, asks Cnaiür how long must they wait because the droughts will begin soon, and they need to drive their herds to summer pastures, and many chieftai