The wedding of Varner Hilts and Iliano Merko allowed Iliana Merko, leader of the Sisters of Seelah, to share Hilts' power over the Tribe. Hilts ensured that she would not try to usurp his throne because upon his death his spouse would also be killed, a tradition Yaru Korsin had begun. They later had a daughter, Takara Hilts, who would be involved in Dreypa's rebellion twenty five years later.