“I beg to differ.”
“Four ‘yes,’” Burke announced.
Tension filled the room as Burke reached in for the last ballot. He licked his lips as he slowly unfolded the parchment. He looked at it, and his hands shook, face turning pale.
Everyone in the entire chamber leaned in to hear the final vote.
“Five ... ‘no’ ...”
Everyone seemed to exhale all at once. Relief poured from Tachus and Masrah behind Jarial. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at the two men. Tachus returned him a small smile and nod.
“This ... This is preposterous!” Virgil exclaimed, springing up from his chair. “We are sparing two murderers! What has become of this council?”
“As death will no longer be an option for the two of you,” Burke said, ignoring Virgil, “your punishment will still be served. You will work for the Council until you have satisfied us that you have the merit Jarial says you do.”
“Yes, Elder,” Tachus said, inclining his head. “We understand and accept.”
“Good. Now then.” Burke stood. “This meeting is adjourned. Tachus, Masrah, you will both be escorted to the cells beneath the Citadel. For now, that is where you both will stay until we have finalized your sentencing.” He turned to the rest of the Councilmembers. “Thank you all again for coming at such a late hour. We will meet again in the morning to discuss other issues.”
Jarial knew what the ‘other issues’ meant, but he did not say anything about that. Picking Sable up, he stood, but didn’t leave right away. He watched the rest of the Councilmembers leave with Tachus and Masrah in tow. Soon he and Omari were the last ones remaining.
Omari still didn’t stand and remained focused on a spot on the table as he looked pensive. “This cannot be happening.”
Jarial set Sable on the table, and she sat and began washing herself. Percival leapt from Omari’s shoulder and onto the table and playfully mimicked her washing routine. “Are you still upset about this?” Jarial asked.
“Upset at the fact that they tried to kill me? Of course I am! And now, they are spared from death!”
“That issue has been resolved, Omari. They will no longer try to harm you. The assassination attempt obviously had everything to do with your family feud, but now that matter has been settled, and I do not foresee something like that happening again.”
Omari bit his bottom lip. “But their actions are unforgivable.”
“I agree, but Tachus helped us fight that afriti. I think he deserves a second chance.”
Omari sighed.
Jarial sat back down. “Listen, Omari. Tomorrow, you’re going to be decided for the Council seat. Virgil is the most hated member, and your attitude disturbingly mirrors his. Do not give them a reason to hate you, or they will simply move on to someone else.”
“Yes, well ...” Omari lowered his gaze. “Forgive me, Master Glace. I am just angry at all that went on. I would like to be more like you. Everyone on the Council seems to like you.”
“Well, all except Virgil,” Jarial corrected. “But yes, I am well-liked here, and they are still trying to make me come back. But I will not. It’s time to hand it over to the younger generation. Make a difference here, Omari. Think logically on your decisions rather than making them based on your personal feelings. That is how you earn respect and become well-liked amongst your peers.”
“I am trying, sir.”
Jarial placed a hand on Omari’s shoulder. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. My master once told me that I would make all of the same mistakes he made and more. And now I say the same thing to you.”
Omari managed a small smile. “And I will say the same thing I once told Master Faulk: I promise to make you proud.”
* * *
Jarial spent the night at an inn in the city and returned to the Citadel the following morning. He left Sable behind at the inn. He pushed past the throng of students, not stopping to greet them, and met Omari at the doors to the Council chambers. Omari looked better that morning, the cloud of anger and stress no longer seeming to loom over him. Percival was nowhere to be seen. Jarial assumed Omari left his familiar behind in his room, as well.
“You look like you slept well, Omari,” Jarial said.
Omari smiled—a genuine smile, the like of which Jarial had rarely seen from him. “I did. It was nice to be able to sleep in my old room again.”
“Good. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I will ever be.”
It was Jarial’s turn to smile. He pushed open the doors. The Councilmembers were already sitting at the table, talking amongst themselves as they waited patiently. When Jarial stepped into the room, all eyes turned to him.
“Good morning, everyone.” Jarial gave a curt nod.
Burke smiled. “Ah, welcome, Master Glace. You are just in time.”
Jarial took his seat, and Omari pulled up a chair beside him.
“I now call this meeting to order on the matter of the induction of a new member of the Nine,” Burke said, standing from his seat.
Everyone fell silent and all eyes remained fixed on him.
“As you are all aware, before Master Faulk’s untimely passing, he had nominated Omari Batsuyou for the position of the Fifth Seat, Illusion. Based on his progress, and even a personal recommendation from one of our own, Jarial Glace, I have determined that Omari Batsouyou is deemed worthy for this position. Does anyone oppose this decision?”
Jarial looked around the table. He began at Virgil, expecting him to protest, but much to his surprise and relief, Virgil kept silent.
The elder beamed. “Well then. Proper protocol has been followed. Omari Batsuyou, congratulations. Welcome to the Council of the Nine.” He gestured for Omari to stand.
Omari’s eyes widened, and he grinned. He sprang up from his chair. “Thank you, everyone! It is such an honor to be apart of this elite group of great masters!”
Jarial also got up from his chair and gestured for Omari to move to it. “This chair is rightfully yours now, Omari.”
Omari looked at him hesitantly, then moved to the plush chair. He sat back down—slowly.
Jarial remained standing. “Elder Burke, as Omari has now ascended in my place, I hereby resign as acting member of the Council. You all don’t need me anymore. Omari is more than capable of taking my place.”
Everyone looked shocked at Jarial’s announcement but didn’t speak out. Burke cleared his throat.
“It is unfortunate that you are leaving us again,” Burke said. “But we understand and wish you well in your endeavors.”
Jarial inclined his head. “Thank you for allowing me this opportunity one last time.”
Sadness filled Omari’s eyes, but he said nothing. After sweeping low with a bow, Jarial saw his way out of the chamber.
He didn’t leave the Citadel right away. Rather, he went to visit Tachus in the underground cells. He detoured from the main hall on the first floor to a short corridor that led to a set of spiral stairs leading down into the darkest parts of the Citadel, places where he’d tread only a few times. He’d mainly visited the cells to see Xavorin when he’d been caught practicing Necromancy while at the Citadel. It was as if old memories were sparked again as he walked through the narrow, musty halls.
He heard voices ahead and noticed a flicker of candlelight. As Jarial drew nearer, he recognized the voices and the figure that the candlelight outlined.
Saris stood before the locked cell, speaking to Tachus. When Jarial approached, he stopped talking and looked at him.
“Master Glace! What are you doing here?” Saris asked in a huffy voice.
Jarial eyed him coolly. “I’m here to see a friend.” He heard a chuckle from the cell afterward.
“A friend,” Tachus said. “Never thought friendship would come out of this.” He grabbed the bars and looked at Jarial. “I do owe you my thanks. And I plan to make a new name for myself as I serve my sentence. I have told my son of the plans. He will be resigning from th
e Citadel and returning to Zebi once his escorts arrive.”
Jarial nodded. “I’m glad that everything worked out for the best. And I am certain Saris will make a fine shak’ha.” He looked at the young man.
Saris pursed his lips, then inclined his head. “Thank you, Master Glace. I am honored that you think so highly of me.”
Jarial turned back to Tachus. “I’m here to bid farewell to you, Tachus. I have resigned from the Council, and Omari has now taken my place.”
Tachus frowned slightly, then shook his head. “I see. Where will you go?”
“I don’t know yet. But wherever I go, I plan to settle.” And be with the woman I love.
EPILOGUE
Kaijin lay on his side, staring at the candle that burned on his bedside table. He ran his hand over the flame, watching it lick his fingers. The fire grazed the ring on his finger, burning away the smallest specks of dirt. The wedding three days before had been a small but beautiful ceremony at the Pyre. Ranaiah had been especially lovely, dressed in an elegant orange-and-yellow gown with flames embroidered at the bottom.
What surprised Kaijin more were his friends, who had all been in attendance. Through a series of scrying spells, Vargas had managed to locate all of them, and Kaijin sent messengers out to contact them, inviting them to the ceremony.
Kaijin pinched the flame from the wick and held it in his hand. He smiled. As a boy, he’d only dreamed of being able to perform such a feat. His passion for the element only burned even greater, since it had stopped burning him.
The small fire he held burned brighter, turning white. The Firelord must approve.
Smiling, Kaijin returned the flame back to the wick and resumed playing with it. He heard Ranaiah shift behind him.
“Kaijin ...” she moaned sleepily. She cuddled with him, reaching over and extinguishing the flame with her fingers. “Stop playing with the candle and come to bed.”
The feel of her soft body against his made Kaijin relax. Only a small ember remained on the wick.
Smiling gently, he rolled back over in bed and embraced her. His necklace pulsated more warmth, in time with his heartbeat.
He could’ve sworn he heard Za’thaak chuckle in his mind.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R.M. PRIOLEAU is a game designer by day and dangerous writer by night. Since childhood, she’s continued discovering new ways to expand her skills and creativity as she delves into the realm of literary abandon. R.M. is a National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) enthusiast who has been active in the worldwide writing community since 2009. Find out more about the author at www.rmprioleau.com.
Table of Contents
Title page
Table of Contents
Aransiya Map
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Epilogue
About the Author
Flameseeker (Book 3) Page 34
