by Sharon Hinck
Chapter
28
For a frozen moment, I absorbed the silence in the tower chamber.
Tristan didn’t show his surprise, but the corner of his mouth twitched and he nodded. Kieran’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me speculatively. Shock radiated off every other face. No matter how much they may have wanted to dismiss my statement, they had all seen me take a knife to the heart. And now I stood before them again. On their faces, disbelief gave way to confusion.
The Shamgar chief councilmember spoke first. “But the prophecy said Mikkel’s son would bring restoration.”
Jorgen stepped forward and frowned at me until I lowered my sword and moved aside.
“This will be interesting,” Kieran said to Tristan out of the side of his mouth.
“I apologize for this unconventional presentation,” Jorgen said to the room at large. “It was my plan to introduce her to the Council at the proper time. Susan of Rendor, wife of Markkel, is a Restorer. I ask that she be given the right to leadership as part of the Council, and be allowed to address the Council.” He scowled in my direction. “Within our guidelines.”
“She’s not one of our people,” someone objected loudly. Cameron. What a surprise.
Mark stepped forward and touched Jorgen’s arm. Jorgen nodded slightly to acknowledge him before he spoke to the Council again. “I ask that you hear the testimony of Markkel, son of Mikkel, councilmember of Rendor.”
Landon threw up his hands and backed away as Mark walked slowly to the center of the room. Tristan also stepped back, his gaze ping-ponging between Mark and me in confusion. He’d only heard me speak of my husband Mark as someone from my own world.
Mark stopped dead center, a wary distance from Kieran, and looked up at the ring of faces. “I am Markkel. You know who my father is, and you know the prophecy.”
How did he keep his voice so calm and even? He sounded like he was giving a corporate project report to his team at the office.
“Everyone assumed I would be the next Restorer, including the Kahlareans. Many of you have heard about the assassins they sent to kill me. Because of the danger, I was sent away until the time when I would be needed and my gifts became evident. That’s where I met Susan. By marriage she is one of our people. The prophecy has been fulfilled. I am Mikkel’s son, and I have brought you a Restorer. She has the signs and the gifts and is ready to guide you as you prepare to answer the threat of Hazor.”
“Rendor welcomes the Restorer to our Council,” Jorgen said in his Viking voice. One by one the other clan chief councilmembers declared their acceptance with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Some that I had met the day before looked genuinely hopeful. Others clearly weren’t impressed. But since the Verses didn’t provide an option of upgrading to a Restorer more to their liking, they muttered a declaration of welcome.
Cameron was the last to speak. He leaned heavily on the railing that banded the Lyric section, his eyes scorching me like syncbeams. “Lyric is happy to accept a Restorer ready to give up her life to defend our people. May you, like Mikkel, defeat hundreds of our enemies before you die.” There was venom in his tone, and he smiled as he said the last word.
Mark stiffened and turned toward Cameron.
Tristan stepped toward my husband. He placed a friendly hand on Mark’s shoulder, but effectively held him back at the same time. “Every Restorer of our people has been unique.” Tristan turned as he addressed each clan. “A gift from the One, used for His purpose. We don’t know what role this Restorer will have.” He paused in his slow circle and glared at Cameron. “But the guardians of Braide Wood are honored to accept her aid. May He guide our steps and preserve us all from darkness.”
“So shall it be.” The Council answered in one voice.
Mark nodded at Tristan and walked back to the Rendor balcony. Landon moved forward to take back control of the session. Two Council guards flanked him, aiming for Kieran.
But Tristan hadn’t finished. “Chief Councilmember, please allow me to present my report.” Tristan addressed Landon, bowing his head. “I have information that needs to be heard by the Council before more decisions are made.”
Landon hesitated. He glared over at the Rendor balcony. “You have permission to present your report. But if any further interruptions or unsanctioned appearances occur, this Council session will be ended.”
I bit my lip, feeling like I was back in seventh grade when Mrs. Lynn caught me passing notes in class. Mark and I quickly took our seats in the back row.
Tristan drew a deep breath. “As ordered by the Council, I traveled to the River Borders and joined the patrols to search for a young guardian missing near Cauldron Falls. I found him.”
I gripped Mark’s arm and beamed. “Linette will be so relieved,” I whispered.
Tristan’s eyes looked weary as he continued. “He had been murdered while defending Cauldron Pass.”
I gasped, then pressed my fist over my mouth. I thought of all the dreams Linette had shared with me about her fiancé. I pictured her radiant face as she led worshippers at the Feast day gathering in the tower. She was so young and full of trust and hope. Dylan would never get to hear the song she had composed for him during their long separation. She would never have the heart to sing it again. I didn’t try to stop the tears that sprang up, but knuckled them aside in anger as they hit my cheeks.
“He was killed with a long-range syncbeam, by Kahlareans slipping across our border.” Tristan stopped to let the Council absorb those facts. The death of one guardian saddened them but was an expected part of life for those on patrol along the River Borders. However, the knowledge that the Kahlareans also had syncbeams was devastating. Tristan used this opportunity to tell the Council all that I had found out from Nolan about the reason Hazor was happy to provide Lyric with syncbeams. Hazor had given their technology to Kahlarea as well. Our people and Kahlarea could decimate each other, leaving the Hazorites a clear field for expansion.
“So we build better ones. We build more. We have transtechs who can do it, if the Council stops holding on to outdated rules,” said the Corros Fields Council chief.
A buzz traveled around the room, growing in volume.
I looked out at the curving balconies full of leaders from each clan. They may be free of Rhusican mind control, but they certainly weren’t immune to fear. For a moment, I saw a vision of desperation like translucent masks in front of the faces around the room. What comfort was there in holding on to the Verses if it held them back from progress? How important was the commandment against long-range weapons, really? I could feel the tide of panic growing. If it continued to swell, it would sweep away the fragile remnants of faith that the People were hanging on to.
I jumped to my feet. The balcony railing felt slick under my sweating palms.
Jorgen glared at me in warning. This time I waited respectfully until Landon acknowledged me. The tower chamber slowly quieted, and I felt the stares of curiosity and hostility burn into me.
I focused on a spot on the obsidian floor in the center of the room. I couldn’t scan the room anymore. I knew. I knew how close they were to breaking their covenant with the One. My world was different. My history was different. But the decision they were facing wasn’t unique to them. I cleared my throat.
“In the Verses of my home, there were many times when greater forces threatened the One’s own people.” My voice sounded high and wispy in my own ears. Father, please speak to these people.
“They were tempted to make alliances, to build weapons, to rely on their own power. But those things could never save them.” As had happened when I was talking with Kieran in the clearing overlooking Braide Wood, I felt the sense of words coming from outside of myself. A power that had nothing to do with me was speaking to the room. My voice grew stronger and more confident. “When they turned their hearts back to the One, He fought on their behalf.”
>
At last I was able to lift my gaze. I paused and looked into the eyes of one after another of the councilmembers around the room. “You don’t need to be afraid. You don’t need to scramble to create weapons the One has forbidden. Trust Him. If you ever meant a single word of the Songs you’ve sung in the Lyric tower, then trust Him. If you’ve ever truly believed the Verses you recite every night, trust Him now. He is our strong tower.”
The tide of fear had stopped advancing, but had it turned? There was an expectant stillness in the room. I was tempted to say more, to plead and cajole. But I held my ground and waited.
Tristan’s eyes widened as he watched me from his place in the center of the chamber. He took a slow breath in. His torso lifted and he grew taller. “We’ve been given the promised Restorer. We will fight with our swords and with the power of the Verses, as the Songs tell us. Who will stand with Braide Wood?”
This time each chief councilmember rose to his feet.
“We will!”
“Blue Knoll answers!”
“We are united.”
Jorgen stood next to me and added his voice to the room. “We will stay true to the Verses. The One is our Defender.”
Discussion started up again. Most clans offered to send all their guardians to defend Braide Wood against Hazor. Corros Fields said they would need time to discuss it within the clan. Shamgar’s chief scowled. “No one came to our defense. We have no resources now. Destroy Hazor if you’re able, but we can’t help you.”
Cameron spoke for Lyric. “Our role is too vital. We cannot risk Lyric remaining defenseless. The Council Guard cannot be spared, nor can the Lyric guardians.”
It wasn’t a unilateral show of support, but it was a start.
Tristan faced the Braide Wood wedge of the circle. “I also ask that Kieran be accepted back into Braide Wood clan. His dealings with Hazor weren’t sanctioned, but we need the help and information he can provide.”
The scrawny Braide Wood Council chief agreed, eager to accept any ally, even one who broke so many rules.
Kieran gave Tristan a hard look. “I didn’t ask you to do this,” he said in a low voice.
Tristan ignored him and thanked Landon for allowing him to speak. With evident relief that his turn to moderate was over, Landon nodded to Tristan and officially closed the day’s meeting.
As everyone rose to file out to the clan offices, I risked one more break in protocol. I ran down the ramp to the tower’s center, dragging Mark behind me. “Tristan, I’m so glad you’re back.” I threw my arms around the startled guardian in a quick hug.
Tristan stood as if frozen, and Kieran gave a strangled cough.
I stepped back and kept talking. “We have so much to tell you. Were you injured? I saw you limping. Oh, this is my husband, Mark.”
Tristan shook his head slowly. Mark stepped forward with a grin and offered his hand. “Would you join us for our evening meal?” he asked formally.
The guardian gripped my husband’s forearm and nodded. “Thank you. I obviously missed a few things while I was gone.”
My giddy relief at seeing Tristan gave way to heaviness at the news he’d shared, and I sobered. “We have to go to Linette. She’s been waiting for news for so long, and she should hear it from you.”
Mark nodded. “She’s waiting at my apartments.”
Tristan noticed Kieran sidling away and grabbed his arm. “You’re under my care, so you’re coming too.”
Mark frowned, but didn’t say anything.
I stepped closer to Kieran.
He stiffened and leaned away.
I was so relieved at the way the Council session had gone that I wanted to throw my arms around everyone; since that would probably give Kieran a coronary, I offered him my hand instead. “Thank you for finding out the truth.”
He frowned, but clasped my forearm, releasing me quickly. Even through the sleeve of his tunic, I could feel the dry heat of his skin. His eyes still looked glassy.
Tristan and Kieran walked ahead of us out of the chamber. Tristan continued to favor one leg and move slowly. Kieran slouched as his adrenaline leached away.
“Mark,” I said quietly, “could you send someone for the healer?”
“Good idea,” he said, watching them. He rested his arm across my shoulder and pulled me closer. “And how are you feeling?”
I thought about it. “Remember when I went into labor with Jake?”
Mark raised his eyebrows, but nodded.
“He was early. I was excited. I thought I was ready for it. But I also felt . . . pure terror. All of a sudden, I couldn’t remember anything we had learned in birthing classes, and I wanted to stop, to call it off. But it was too late. There was no way to go but forward.”
Mark stopped and turned me toward him. “And we did. We went forward.” He rested his forehead against mine, and I felt his strength.
When we stepped out into the hallway, Mark spotted Wade and hurried ahead of me. Wade would be sure to find the healer we needed, even if the help was for Kieran.
“What do you think you’ve accomplished?” a voice hissed behind my left ear.
I whirled around.
Cameron glared at me from only a few feet away. “I told you the truth,” he said. “My job is to protect these people. All you’ve done is to ensure they will all be destroyed.”
My pulse was racing, but I wasn’t about to let him intimidate me. “No, you were the one harming the People.” My hand clenched on my sword grip. “Destroying the Verses or the People’s faith in them isn’t a solution.”
He gave a mirthless laugh. Mark turned to look in our direction from down the hallway. His eyes widened, and he headed our way fast.
“We’ll see what kind of solution you come up with,” Cameron said, “when you’re watching the guardians being incinerated by syncbeams and Braide Wood being overrun by Hazor.”
Mark stepped in front of me.
Cameron didn’t even blink. “Councilmember Markkel, why didn’t you tell me earlier that the person I had invited to Lyric was your wife? No, never mind. Don’t explain it to me.” A slow smile stretched across his face. “Try explaining to her that if you had told me the truth sooner, I never would have questioned her.”
“I know what you did.” A tendon jumped along Mark’s jaw line. “This isn’t over.”
“Are you threatening a fellow councilmember?” Cameron asked. “I’d expect something like that from Tristan. I thought folks in Rendor were more civilized.”
“Mark, let’s go.” I rested my hand on his arm, feeling his muscles knotted with tension beneath his tunic. From the doorway of the lobby area, Tristan and Kieran walked back toward us.
Cameron saw them too. “Tristan, we were just discussing you. And how is that lovely wife of yours?”
In two strides, Tristan came nose to nose with Cameron. Kieran reached for his dagger.
I held Mark’s arm with both hands now, still worried about the rage bundled in him. I was the one who wanted vengeance on Cameron, so why was I the only person staying calm now? The pressure in the hallway mounted with rising waves of male hostility, and I was afraid an explosion would destroy the progress we’d made today.
Then, with an obvious effort of self-control, Tristan took a step back. “Thank you for asking. She’s recovered.”
Cameron frowned. “I hadn’t heard.” He gave us all one last sour look and walked away.
Kieran grabbed Tristan’s arm and spun his friend to face him. “Is it true? She’s better?” Desperate hope played across his face, and he held his breath as he waited for his friend’s answer.
Tristan nodded, and his face softened with the first genuine smile I’d seen from him today.
Kieran’s grip tightened. “And just when did you plan to tell me about this?” He looked ready to throttle his friend. “You
didn’t think that was important news?”
Tristan tugged his arm away. “I wanted to let Susan tell you. She’s the one who brought her back.” Kieran’s eyebrows all but disappeared under his cropped bangs.
I sagged against Mark. “Can we please have this discussion somewhere else?”
Mark put a protective arm around me as we walked out to the lobby. “He was right,” he said quietly.
“What?” I asked.
“If I had told Cameron you were my wife when I first came to Lyric, he wouldn’t have taken you. You technically weren’t a foreigner. He had no right.” Mark’s feet dragged as we left the Council building.
I stopped and faced him. “Cameron has been doing a lot of things he has no right to do. Who knows what he would have done if you’d told him sooner? He wants me to blame you, but we aren’t going to play his game. It wasn’t your fault.” I touched Mark’s face, stroking his whiskered cheeks. “I’m all right.” It was almost true. True enough.
Tristan and Kieran walked ahead of us down the street, but we could still hear them arguing. Kieran was scolding and complaining, and Tristan was growling and waving his arms. There were no other people on the street, which cut a wide, curving path past the large towers of Lyric’s heart.
“Look at them.” I shook my head. “Kieran can’t just show how happy he is to hear about Kendra, and Tristan won’t let Kieran see how glad he is to have him back here. Men.”
“Hey, wait a minute.” Mark poked my ribs and found the one spot I’m ticklish.
I pulled away, laughing, just as a gust of wind swept by. Odd—in all the time I’d been in this world, there had never been any wind. I blinked and realized that what I had felt was a person rushing past. Dressed in grey, head covered in a hooded mask, the shape flew across the distance separating Tristan and Kieran from Mark and me. He leaped at Tristan, knocking him down. Metal flashed, and I ran forward to help, but more grey-clad shapes had appeared in total silence. Kieran drew his sword and engaged one of the attackers.