Kate instantly felt ashamed for asking the question, “Of course not.” She replied. “I am sorry, Gaillean. I am understandably on edge at the moment.”
“That is incorrect.” He said, smoothly getting to his feet. “It was in fact Kate and my decision to deceive you, in order to ensure that our daughters were not deemed in need of execution for our closeness to them. The truth is that as Silver said in our last meeting, Kate and I never purged our emotions. We create an expressionless mask while in front of you all, yet in truth we love our daughters and each of our brothers and sisters.”
“Then not only are you guilty of acting alone, outside of the laws of the Council, you are also guilty of blasphemy.” Ellamae accused.
“Is it possible for a god to blasphemy?” Gaillean questioned. “Brothers and sisters, I speak to you now, not as a Council member, but as the brother you danced in the meadows with at the beginning of days. If you feel as we do, if you love as we do, feel joy as we do, and feel sorrow at what we have become, then I urge you; do not let your hearts go ignored. What does it say about the mercy and compassion of this Council that we were worried that our children would be murdered by the orders of our family?”
There was a silence, but it wasn’t long as Corrina jumped to her feet. “In the times before we allowed logic to rule we were weak, and wars nearly consumed the twenty-one worlds.” She stated. “There is no way that we can rule with such creeds as you suggest.”
The silence was longer, before Gaillean spoke again. “I move to disband the Council.”
“Seconded,” Isaac said before anyone could say anything against it. “And I offer the Council overdue notice of my marriage to Marta, and the birth of our children Cynthia, Dorian and Lydia, and of the birth of our grandchildren; James and Charles.”
There were gasps, before Marigold, quiet and sweet Marigold, broke into an applause. “Congratulations,” She beamed wide at Marta and Isaac.
Gaillean joined in and Kate, still frozen in fear, felt her hands mechanically move together. Surprisingly, more and more joined in till Marcus had to yell over the top of their cheers for order.
“Those in favour of disbanding the Council as it currently stands, raise your hands now.” He yelled.
Unsurprisingly Gaillean, Harmony, Marigold, Marta, Isaac and Kate all put up their hands straight away. But it was Darren who held the room’s attention as he stood and raised his hand, beaming.
“I had been waiting for you all to come to your senses.” He smiled.
Silvana and Dianna followed his lead; the twins had always deferred to Darren’s wisdom and today proved no exception. Myrna looked afraid as she raised her hand, and Marcus’ breath seemed to rush out at the sight of her hand in the air. His own hand shot into the air the moment she had fully extended her arm and Kate wondered if another pair of her siblings would fall in love now that the Law of Logic looked to finally be falling. Karl looked determined as he thrust his fist into the air as if in salute. Leo’s hand was hesitant, but still clearly raised above his golden hair and finally Ailis, her hand shaking slightly, joined them.
“Those against, raise your hand.”
Predictably, no one wished to be exempted from this vote, and Kate watched as Cedric, Corrina, Ellamae, Llewellyn, Kendra, Sylvester and Wayne all raised their hands.
“The vote is in favour of Gaillean’s motion.” Marcus concluded. “With seven against and fourteen in favour, the two third majority required for a disbanding has been achieved. From this moment on, the Council of the Ancients is no longer in existence.”
“Then we declare war upon those who left it.” Ellamae replied. “In order to re-establish stability between the powers of this realm, there must be a ruling body comprised of the most powerful race. If that ruling body cannot be maintained through logic, then it shall be maintained through force.” A ball of swirling golden power formed in her hand.
Gaillean looked at her serenely. “Now, now Ellamae, the niceties must be observed. Protocol that was in place even before the formation of the Council dictates that any declaration of war cannot be followed by any form of physical conflict until one year afterwards. The law was created to give our impulsive brothers time to cool off, if you recall, but it still stands. During that time you may decide to recall your declaration of war. In the meantime,” He stretched his hands out and Kate watched as the walls, floor and thrones of the room receded, leaving only flower filled meadow to be seen for miles around.
She smiled and reached out to touch a fragile petal as they floated down from what had once been their thrones, and now was merely empty air.
Those who had been against the Council’s disbanding quickly teleported away, either afraid of the memories this meadow would conjure or disgusted by the way their other siblings were embracing each other. Marta and Isaac were understandably the focus of many of the hugs, and Kate watched as they gave in and teleported their children, and adorable infant grandchildren into the meadow.
She was going to introduce herself, yet Gaillean took her hand, and teleported her a distance away. When he started walking without releasing her hand she allowed herself to follow him, her clothes transforming from severe white Council robes to a flowing silk of citrus yellow as she walked. The long feathery grass reached to her waist, and tickled her arms and legs.
“Kate,” He began, not looking at her. “Do you remember our conversation, back in my forge, when we talked about what we would do if the Council fell?”
Kate snorted; conversation wasn’t the right word for it. “I remember it as an argument that ended with you kissing me against my will.”
Gaillean grimaced. “I have realised since that perhaps my argument wasn’t quite as well set out as it could have been.” He informed her, before hesitating, as if he truly didn’t quite know what to say. “The Council has fallen.” He finally stated, “And I recognise that my actions were somewhat forceful and I regret them. However, I would like to make it clear my intentions towards you have not changed, Kate. I still want you to be mine; I merely plan to be less direct in my approach, so as to convince you that we can be together.” He stopped talking, and cast an almost worried look her way. “I love you, and I know you believe that I love the woman that you were once, a long time ago. But truthfully, I have watched you grow into the woman you have become and love you all the more for it, and I now know from experience that as I watch you grow my love for you will only continue to do the same.”
Kate didn’t allow tears to reach her eyes at his confession, beautiful as it was. She still had her misgivings, her fear that Gaillean would leave once again, returning to her only when he grew tired of roaming was almost paralyzing. Nothing save time would ease that fear, and she would justify the time he spent pursuing her as a challenge that kept his interest. If she accepted his offer of a long term partnership, if she put them into a long term, stable relationship and he grew bored of her it would kill her slowly inside.
“I will never do that to you.” He said, and she realised she’d been speaking aloud.
“You won’t mean to,” She replied, stroking his cheek gently. “It is your nature; I always knew you were born for the wilderness and the thrill of the chase. We are all slaves to our instincts, much as we tried to hide it.”
“My nature, my duty, is to honour, protect and cherish you for the rest of our eternal lives.” Gaillean informed her. “Nothing is more important to me now than the wellbeing of our family.”
The longing in her face was reflected in his eyes as she tried her hardest to think past what scrambled thoughts remained in her brain when he looked at her like that. She had her reasons for staying out of love with Gaillean; she just had to remember them.
“You don’t have to say anything. In fact, I’d rather you said nothing and allowed me to take your silence as acquiescence.” He continued. “I want to court you properly once again Kate, let me?”
She couldn’t do it; she couldn’t tell him no, no matter the consequenc
e and heartbreak she knew lay ahead. So she did as he asked, she turned and said nothing, walking back to her family, smiling and relearning each other now that the Law of Logic was broken.
Chapter Twelve
CHALLENGE
Asha smiled as she woke in the familiar comfort of her rooms at the palace. She was home, if only for a short while. Her mother had fallen asleep in the chair in the corner and Asha knew the moment she got up Romana would wake, so she stayed still a few moments more, breathing in the scents of the palace. The light was only just peeking through the window of her rooms, lighting up the purple colour scheme with soft golden rays, and the breeze of summer drifted through the open windows. A breeze which she could now ride upon.
The door quietly opening snapped her thoughts back to the present and she flapped her unconsciously emerging wings shut to see Katelyn peeping through the door, her waist length golden hair spilling into the room and catching the sunlight.
Asha watched as her mother stretched and smiled as she saw who it was, Katelyn was in many ways more innocent than she was and it was her innocence that she knew Romana would kill to protect.
“Katelyn,” She smiled back. “Have you come to see our troublemaker?”
She nodded, “Can I take her out riding, Romy?” She asked. “Lynette is coming.” She named one of Romana’s first wytch mentees.
Romana considered it, “I don’t see why not, as long as you’re back before night and don’t go past the palace wall.” She instructed.
“We won’t.” Even though Katelyn was in her twenties, she still had the air of innocence of someone much younger, something that increased whenever she spoke to Romana. She had always acted the part of older sister to Asha on the rare times she came back from exploring the world.
It was odd, Asha thought, that while when Romana told the story of her meeting Marten she described wanting freedom yet being kept there by Katelyn’s presence, now the situation was reversed. Katelyn explored and roamed the world with few cares, yet still returned to Romana after every adventure, while Romana remained with the people she loved.
Romana walked over and gave Asha a gentle kiss to the forehead. “Behave yourself.” She warned gently.
“I will mama.” She replied, sweeping out of bed and letting her clothes transform back into the armour of the day before.
The ride turned out to be torture; the wind whipping past her drove her crazy as her wings ached to get free of their confines and surf the breeze. Katelyn and Lynette’s presence forced her to smile, joke and laugh when in truth she wanted to soar away. Leaving Aunt Silver had been a big mistake, she realised as they rode back through the palace gates just before sundown. She had two more days before she even had a hope of being taken into the sky and taught to fly. And even then, her aunt would likely not teach her until after her magical ability had been discovered and she had been initiated to the Dark Coven.
Her father stood on the steps to the palace doors, his smile clear for all to see as he pulled her into a great bear hug. “I was beginning to think you were going to break your mothers rule about being back before sundown.” He admitted as she stepped back. “But you didn’t disappoint us.” He watched as the gates closed behind them and the guards began to change shifts like clockwork. “Do you have enough energy left to walk with me?”
“Of course Papa,” Asha replied, smiling outwardly as she secretly cursed the need to keep her wings confined a moment longer than necessary.
It was a crisp evening, the kind which heralded a dewy morning, and Asha walked silently beside her father towards the edges of the grounds.
“You must forgive me,” He spoke softly, calmly, in no way the hot tempered youth her mother had described to her when Asha asked for the tales of times before her. “I know you are likely tired yet we have not recently had a chance to talk, father to daughter.”
Asha nodded. “I used the dagger you gave me.” At his shocked expression she hastily added, “I wasn’t threatened, but Aunt Silver swears she won’t teach me to fight until I manage to stab her! I only get one attempt per week and I’m only allowed to use the dagger.”
Her father smirked. “That sounds like the sort of challenge she would issue.”
“But surely it’s impossible!” Asha complained “She’s been a warrior for thousands of years.
The king simply smiled. “You are thinking about this the wrong way.”
Asha huffed. “Then what way should I be thinking about it?” She demanded. “It seems clear to me that she doesn’t want me to ever be a skilled warrior like her.”
He let out a full laugh this time at the expression of disappointment on her face. “True enough, it may be that your aunt means it in that way.” Her father gave her a long look. “But even accomplishing it won’t impress her. No, you want to truly astonish her?” At her nod he continued. “Then you must not only complete her task, you must do it in a way she does not expect.”
“Trick her?”
“That would be something she’d expect.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?!”
The king shrugged.
“You’re no help at all then, papa!” Asha groaned.
“If I knew how to win over the Silver Eyed Wytch don’t you think she’d like me a bit more by now?” Her father pointed out.
“Fair point,” Asha conceded, “Though she must like you somewhat if she agreed to help you in the Battle of Elvardis.”
Her father snorted. “I’ll not shatter your delusions. Run along and find your mother. Tell her I’ll be late for dinner, my animal is itching for a run.”
Asha smiled and turned to do as he said, not noticing the winged figure her father had seen, perched in the thick branches of a nearby tree.
*
Silver didn’t move from her gargoyle-like pose in the tree as her niece disappeared, ignorant of her presence, into the palace. Marten had seen her, however, and he strode towards her position with a quick glance behind to check Asha followed instructions and got into the palace safely.
She still didn’t move as he climbed up into the branches beside her to lounge upon one like the jungle animal his halfling heritage imbued him with.
“She will never manage the task I set her,” Silver said, growing impatient with the kingling’s confident silence.
“Then why set it at all?” Marten asked.
“Because watching her fail will, no doubt, prove amusing,” Silver lied smoothly.
The real reason for her impossible quest had been to preserve Asha’s childhood. She remembered with piercing clarity and even a touch of sadness the way she had forced Miria, Leigh and even Theria out into her world of war when they were still so very young. This time it would be different; Asha would be able to remain like Katelyn, untouched by the evil in the world, safe from harm through Silver’s protection.
“Mother, you know that will never work.” Theria spoke into her mind, “Asha is more reckless than you are and finds herself in almost as much trouble.”
Silver ignored her familiar only to hear Marten say something equally annoying.
“She’s determined enough that she might actually succeed.”
Silver snorted. “I don’t think so.”
“She told us how much she enjoys staying with you.” He shifted the topic. “Thank-you for caring for her so well.”
She shot him a glare. “Contrary to popular belief I don’t kill children.” She paused. “Or at least I don’t do so as habitually as I kill adults.” She amended.
He gave her a grim look. “We will meet the deadline.” He reassured her, “I just came to ask, to beg if I must, bring her back to see us. She is our only child.”
Silver smirked. “Well you know how to fix that problem.”
The scowl she received made her day until he opened his mouth and launched his retaliation. “So how is Keenan these days?”
Instead of dignifying him with an answer, she executed a perfect vertical take-off, ignoring the branche
s that tore and snapped at her as she did so. She passed her nieces window, paused and hovered there for a moment. Silver knew she should ignore the temptation to stop and fly straight to Dalmorin, and she did, however she couldn’t stop herself from going back late that night and watching as Asha woke silently weeping from a particularly bad nightmare.
“Aunt Silver,” Asha began as she sat, swathed in blankets, on the bed. “When will these nightmares disappear?”
Silver shifted where she sat straddling the window ledge, one leg hanging outside the room, ready to launch into flight.
“I don’t know.” She moved to drop away from the window.
“Aunt Silver?” Asha repeated.
She paused, both legs hanging into the open sky.
“Yes Asha?”
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
“No, work calls me away.” Silver almost laughed at how domestic she sounded.
“I heard Keenan say you are hunting? What do you hunt?”
“It’s more a question of whom than what.” Silver corrected. “You should not dwell on such things; your mother would kill me for what you know already.”
“It’s the person who killed Leigh and Miria isn’t it?” Asha guessed. “I won’t tell my mother, I promise!”
“We will discuss this when you return to Dalmorin.” Silver pushed all of her finality into her tone. “Goodnight.” She let herself fall into the night, wings flaring as she did so.
Chapter Thirteen
I KNOW
Romana watched as Asha sparred in the courtyard with one of Marten’s generals. Apparently, Aunt Silver had informed her daughter that sparring with people who were weaker or equal to herself in strength would make her a lesser swordswoman. Asha had ordered several high ranking officers and even some master duellists into the courtyard since she had woken at dawn that morning.
In the few days since she had returned her tolerance for other girls her age had decreased rapidly as her advanced intelligence made itself apparent. Tutors were baffled by her abilities and several scholars had resigned after Asha had been in the library with them for little more than an hour. Asha wouldn’t say what had happened, and neither would the scholars. The latter never returned.
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