by Amanda Fleet
“Oh, I trust you. But I don’t trust Morgan as far as I could spit.”
He laughed suddenly. “That must be translated directly from English. I’ve not heard it before, but it’s a perfect phrase.” He moved away from me to peel his jacket off and undo the top couple of buttons of his top. “Anyway, I am no longer in Lady Morgan’s sights. She would only weaken her position if she was with me now.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m sad she’s stopped trying to screw you and get you to leave me.”
“There was never any contest.” He leaned over to plant a kiss on my mouth.
I cocked my head, remembering something. “Why did you give Lord Sondan such a disapproving look at dinner?”
Faran frowned briefly, then his face cleared. “Oh. Nothing. He was eyeing up someone he shouldn’t. Again.”
“Ooh. Who?”
He held my gaze, saying nothing for a moment. “Just someone he shouldn’t.”
I knew that was as much as I would get out of him on the topic. I’d just have to keep my eyes peeled and try to work it out for myself.
I checked the time and shrugged out of my leather jacket. We had maybe an hour before the Council decided if they wanted me or not. “Faran? I need your advice.”
He raised a brow. “What?”
“Tell me what to do at the Council meeting tonight if I get admitted. I don’t know where to stand, what to wear, what to do… Help me, please?”
Faran held his arms out to me, standing in the space near the bedroom door. “I hope Sondan knows what he’s doing, getting you on the Council. You’ve never been one to keep your thoughts to yourself if you disagreed with something. Promise me you’ll think before opening your mouth? And promise me you won’t argue with my father.”
I tucked my arms around him. “I’m not sure I can keep either of those.”
“Just try not to get accused of disobedience twice in the same day. You were supposed to get fifteen lashes from me this afternoon. At least give the impression that you’re more contrite and respectful. There’s only so many times I can pretend to have given you a hiding.”
“I’ll try. I need to change. Tell me what to wear?”
He pulled away from me to go into the bedroom. There, he rummaged in the closet and selected clean combat-wear for me, and I dressed while he explained the layout of the Council. “You’ll be the most senior member of Council after Sondan, so you’ll be seated on the front row, on his left, after you’ve taken the oath. Aeron, please follow his lead tonight?”
“I’ll try.”
He tilted his head. “Try hard.”
I bit my lip. “Have I always exasperated you? Or is it just since this version of me came back?”
His face softened. “You’ve always exasperated me. The new you is even less respectful and challenges the rules even more, but I still love you for it. Come. Let’s walk for a while.”
We made our way to the Courtyard Garden, the centre of gossip and intrigue. Borders of flowering plants separated long paths, with benches scattered along the pathways. I steered Faran away from the clusters of Guardians giving him sneering glances and up towards an old tree at the far end of the park where we could be alone.
“Do you think it was Orian who opened the safe? And the vault?” I asked, finding a quiet bench, far from everyone.
Faran sat next to me, his eyes scanning the Guardians in the gardens. “Perhaps. I wish I knew why his leathers failed. The only thing the technicians have ever said about why they work is that Guardian bodies give off something that reacts with an element they put on the leathers. But non-Guardian bodies work differently. And if anyone is forced to take a demon’s blood, it changes what they radiate. I don’t know if merely planning treason is enough to change it.”
“Well, my knowledge of Outside chemistry could be written on a stamp, so don’t expect me to understand Realm chemistry.”
“What’s a stamp?” He turned his head, the late sun highlighting his sharp cheekbones.
“Small piece of paper you stick on a letter that proves you’ve paid for it to be delivered. I really am going to have to teach you more English. How often have you not understood what I’ve been saying since I arrived?”
“Daily. Hourly.”
I laughed, remembering the number of perplexed looks I’d had from him. “Can you talk to Orian this evening, while I’m at the Council meeting?”
“I’ll try.” His gaze spun out over the gardens, his shoulders sagging.
“You okay?” I rubbed his hand. “I do realise you’ve had a pretty shit day.”
“I’ll live.” He gave me a weak smile.
I laced our fingers. “How do you feel about Lord Sondan being Acting Successor?”
His brow twitched, and he picked at the edge of the bench, chipping off flakes of dry paint until he’d exposed the wood underneath. “Angry,” he said eventually. “Though of everyone who could have been given the role, he’s the best. At least he won’t crow about it.” He stared dead ahead. “But I lost my role because of the treason charge, not for disobedience.”
So he should rightfully be reinstated.
“Are you angry with me?” I asked. “Your father only accused you of treason because of me.”
The long silence before he spoke told me he still was.
“No. I’m just angry,” he said, finally.
I fiddled with his wedding ring, wondering how to fix things.
He jutted his chin towards the far end of the garden. “Look who Lady Morgan has stopped.”
At the entrance to the gardens, Lady Morgan had cornered Lord Sondan.
“Didn’t take her long,” I said.
I light huff of amusement escaped from Faran. “Sondan won’t accept her advances. Well, not for marriage.”
Interesting phrase.
“Does she think she can screw her way to the top, but he’s not going to keep his side of the bargain?”
Faran didn’t answer, but from his face, I knew I’d guessed right.
“Would Lord Sondan screw her? Wouldn’t that count as a marriage contract?”
Faran snorted properly. “Then he’d be married several times over.” He caught my eye. “Please don’t repeat that anywhere.”
“I won’t. Do you think you’ll get voted back as Elected Successor?”
He breathed deeply. “I don’t know. I hope I can be reinstated since the charge of treason was disproved so swiftly, but the disobedience conviction won’t help. In the past, Sondan’s always canvassed for me. I think he may canvass for himself now.”
“When are the elections?”
“Once the threat from Aegyir and the other demons is resolved.”
“Well, fight hard, kill some demons, stop being led astray by your wife and you’ll be fine.” I finally managed to provoke a smile. “And if all that fails, run away Outside with me.”
“I would certainly need to learn more English for that. I’m sorry I’m not good company tonight. Forgive me?”
I kissed the back of his hand. “Forgiven. Come on. Let’s see if I’m allowed on the Council.”
***
I stood to one side in the Great Hall. The seats for the Council were filling up, and I scanned faces. Other than Lord Sondan, I saw no allies. Even if I was voted on to the Council, would anyone listen to anything I could offer?
Lord Sondan wandered over, smiling warmly. “Don’t look so worried. I think you’ll be voted in.”
“Really? Today of all days?”
He acknowledged the point, but before he could say more, Lord Eredan called the meeting to order, and we moved to our places.
“Council. First order of business. Do we accept Lady Aeron to sit as a member?” Lord Eredan stood in the middle of the space, stiff-backed, legs apart. “She’s the only representative of the house of Wymond. However, she’s also a convicted traitor.”
Lord Sondan rose. “She fought valiantly against Aegyir and his army today. I think these more recent actions should hold more sway.
”
Lord Eredan scowled. “Perhaps. I do not wish to waste time on this. We have more urgent business to discuss. Those in favour of her admittance?”
A fairly muted cry of “aye” rang out and my heart sank.
“Against?” said Lord Eredan.
I’d expected a resounding cry of “no” but it seemed equally muted. Lord Eredan’s eyes narrowed.
“Those abstaining, say ‘aye’.”
That was by far the loudest response.
“We need a show of hands,” snapped Lord Eredan. “Those in favour.”
Six people put their hands up, out of the twenty or so in the Council, and I tried to spot who they were. Mathas – the Senior Seer – was one. Lord Sondan another. The only other person I recognised was Lord Gaedan – an older Guardian with a thin face, beaky nose, and high forehead.
“Those against,” spat Lord Eredan.
Five hands went up, including Lord Eredan’s. I was elected, but with only about a quarter of the Council actually in favour. Most had abstained. The fact that Lord Eredan had voted against me was no surprise. The fact that more hadn’t followed his lead, was. Was his iron grip on the Council weakening?
Lord Eredan turned to me, lips thin. “Lady Aeron, you are hereby elected to serve on the Council. You will swear the oath of allegiance.” He looked across to one of the russet-clad clerks. “Prepare the oath.”
No one bothered to leave their seats. I waited near the chair next to Lord Sondan, nervous about having to read out my oath without Faran to help me.
Lord Sondan dipped his head to me. “Congratulations.”
“Yeah. That was a resounding vote of confidence. Not.”
He shrugged. “May I speak with you before the Council is called? Privately.”
He indicated a quiet corner, and I followed him.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I’ve been thinking over what you said at dinner, about opening a dialogue with the provinces. The Council won’t agree to it. Not yet. Please, bide your time over that?”
Faran’s advice of following Lord Sondan’s lead pinged in my head. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” Lord Sondan smiled grimly and walked over to speak to Lord Eredan.
A shadow fell over me, and I looked up to find Mathas standing next to me. I liked Mathas. He was one of the few people here who supported me. Like the Guardians, he wore a well-fitting leather jacket over leather trousers. Unlike all the Guardians, he was unarmed. The Seers tended to dress in much lighter colours and Mathas was attired in pale blue today.
“My dear Lady Aeron. I’m delighted that you’ve been permitted to join these lofty ranks.” He bowed deeply.
“Thank you.”
His smiles melted away. “I know about your brother-in-law.”
My eyes widened. “Orian? What do you know?”
Mathas leaned in to speak softly. “I know that he has a hole in the front of his jacket and that you are responsible.”
I grimaced. It’s not easy to keep secrets from Seers. “So presumably you know what that means.”
“Yes. Don’t speak of it in the Council meeting tonight. Matters are in hand.”
“Okay.”
I was about to ask more, but he indicated over my shoulder. “Lord Eredan wants you.”
I turned to see Lord Eredan scowling in my general direction, brandishing a piece of paper. I thanked Mathas and made my way over.
“Lady Aeron. Your oath.”
I took the paper. “Thank you, Lord Eredan.”
I read through the oath, still slow over the runic writing. No surprises and no traps, thankfully. Lord Sondan returned to me and showed me to a space where I would stand until I’d sworn the oath. I looked over at the Council members, seeing a wall of scowls and sneers. Faran may well still have supporters here, but I didn’t. Lady Morgan sat just behind Lord Sondan. As ever, she regarded me in much the same way she would regard a pile of dog-shit.
I took my oath, stumbling over the words several times and almost signing in the wrong place, then sat next to Lord Sondan. He flashed me a reassuring smile, but I’d rather it was Faran next to me. At least with my back to everyone, I couldn’t see how much they hated me. Lord Eredan stood in the centre of the room to address the Council, and the light murmuring in the room stopped.
He glanced at the rows of Council members, then looked back at a piece of paper in his hand. “We have reports that three men have been killed in Storvik, the village nearest the city. There were no marks on any of the bodies and no eye-witnesses. We have to assume this is the work of Aegyir or the other escaped demons. Lord Sondan?”
Lord Sondan strode to the centre and stood tall, the white flash in his hair showing bright and clear. “I’ve drawn up a schedule of patrols. None of the demons will be strong yet and it’s hoped that even lower-ranking Guardians will be able to trap them again quickly. If the demons get more powerful, we’ll reassess which Guardians should patrol. I don’t want a demon to escape as a result of the triad not being strong enough to hold them. Two patrols are already out. The schedule for the rest will be on the boards by the training rooms. At present, we’ll concentrate effort in the area immediately outside the city gates.” He lifted his chin towards me, warnings in his eyes. “Lady Aeron?”
“Can I ask if there have been any reported cases of flu or flu-like illnesses? People generally being weakened?”
“No, Lady Aeron. Not so far. Why?”
“It sounds as if the demons are opting to kill quickly rather than steal energy slowly.”
I wasn’t sure if that was better or worse. Either way, the villagers died.
“How much unrest is there in the provinces?” asked Lord Cerewen, rubbing the cleft in his chin.
Lord Sondan shot me a brief glance. “None so far, but the presence of Guardians, while welcomed to deal with the escaped demons, could be a source of conflict. The provinces have been sending short food loads to the city recently. It’s not entirely clear if this is because the crops have been poor or whether this is a protest. The farmers say some crops have failed, but then, the farmers were asking for better rewards for their work and may be using that as an excuse.”
“I’ve sent out notices to all the provinces, reminding them of the expected rations for the city and the penalty for disobedience,” said Lord Eredan.
“There’s some disquiet over this,” said Lord Sondan, a challenge in his voice.
I glanced up, curious. Only a few hours into his new role and Lord Sondan was questioning Lord Eredan’s authority?
Mathas cleared his throat and stood. “Perhaps Lady Aeron might offer some advice. She is, after all, the third most senior Guardian.”
A wave of mutters and snide laughs rippled through the Council. So much for my aim of sitting here and keeping shtum.
Cold sweat prickled my spine as I got to my feet. “I would always be guided by those more senior than me, but my opinion is that the patrols should focus on trapping the demons as their top priority. Any other matters can be dealt with as a secondary issue. Outside, such problems are usually dealt with successfully through dialogue, rather than force. Perhaps greater communication could be an option, once the demons are all trapped again.”
In the corner of my eye, I saw Lord Sondan shake his head. I should have stopped talking after the first few words and not given my opinion.
Lord Eredan crossed his arms, his jaw set. “May I remind Lady Aeron that she is in The Realm, not Outside. The Guardians’ roles are to protect The Realm, set the laws, and maintain order. You suggest we abandon the latter?”
I stole a quick look at Lord Sondan, but he stared back, his face impassive. Oh, well. In for a penny…
I turned back to my father-in-law. “No, Lord Eredan, not at all. Just that maintaining law and order can be done through discussion. I think our main focus should be on the demons. After all, if the demons kill all the people in the provinces, we’ll have more significant problems to deal with, like the
fact that no food will get sent to the city and the demons will be able to attack the Guardians. But of course, I’ll be guided by your advice.”
He looked as if he wanted to punch me. I hadn’t meant to sound insolent, and tried to fix my face into something more acceptable. Faran’s words rang in my head – at least give the impression of being contrite and respectful.
“She has a point.”
I turned to see who’d spoken. Lord Gaedan. He’d been a supporter of Lord Sondan in the past but both Faran and I had wondered if he’d moved to nail his colours to Lord Balwen’s mast recently. Perhaps he had, but with Balwen dead and Lord Sondan now Acting Successor, maybe his allegiance had shifted back. I mean, he’d voted for me just now.
I sat again, and Lord Gaedan stood. “We need to get the demons trapped. The thought of Aegyir loose in The Realm does not fill me with joy. And we should discuss who released him. And who broke the other vessels. It must be someone in the city.”
Discussion ranged around, but no one had any useful theories, and there was certainly no evidence against anyone. Several times, I considered mentioning Orian, but held my tongue, heeding Mathas’s advice. Eventually, the Council recommended that a small group comprising Lord Sondan, Mathas, Lord Cerewen and Lord Gaedan, be given the task of finding out who had released the demons.
Lord Eredan opened his mouth to speak, and I raised my hand nervously. He sighed and gave me the floor.
“I assume the patrols will be successful and that trapped demons will be returned to the city in vessels. Will the Council have to meet each time to authorise the opening of the vault? Or can we agree that the Acting Successor or the First Lord has the trust to be allowed to open the vault without needing a vote?”
I sat again. More mutterings and discussion, but the Council eventually agreed that if the Acting Successor and the First Lord were both present, the vault could be opened for the purpose of securing any vessels without needing the Council to vote.
The meeting wound to a close, and Lord Eredan put two options forward for us to vote on. The first was to focus the patrols on the villages closest to the city. A loud call of “aye” in favour negated the need for actual counts, and we moved to the second vote: whether the patrols should focus on trapping the demons above law and order.
