Moonsong Glacier cowboy like me

The question earned a grin.

It is the word for the head of a Tartok village. They are warrior-women, and seek out strong men who will fight and die for her. She chooses a sangilak from those men to have her children. It is an honor to be chosen! He explained this, and his voice boomed, pleased to share these things with her and also proud of himself, as he felt chosen already.

An issumatar has total control of those in her village. Her word is law, and must be obeyed. Any rival women who wish to take her place must fight for the right; and her children, often they are afforded respect for their blood. In the case of my mother, she was always very tough towards them. It encourages women to disperse and form their own warband, I think.

Kaluktuk had said so much! He let the air calm now, hoping this had been informative without being frightening. Tartok was very different from what Ariadne knew.