A Question of Counsel

by Archer Kay Leah

  Aeley snorted and drew her heel along the floor. "The most alive I've felt was when we were taking out Allon. I hated it, but it made me realize I need more. Signing papers, being nice, and always turning in circles to make people happy isn't how I want to spend my life. There's got to be more."

  "I imagine it's not easy doing it alone, either."

  "No," Aeley admitted after a long pause. Where was this going?

  Not where she was hoping, she realized with Lira's next words.

  "I'm surprised you don't just marry your Head of the Guard." Lira pointed to the carriage wall behind Aeley. "You seem to have something there worth pursuing."

  "Mayr?"

  "Well, wasn't he kissing you before we left?"

  "No!" Aeley jolted back. "We're just friends. Always have been."

  "Oh."

  "Besides, we'd end up killing each other. And me, I don't even like sleeping with—" No, don't go there. That's a whole discussion I don't want to have. "Never mind."

  "Wait, you can finish—"

  Aeley tapped the window, gesturing to the lush, green ferns lining the red dirt road. "We're almost to the Hall. Is there anything we need to talk about before we go in? You know all the Councilmen, right?"

  Lira's disapproving scowl did not fade quickly. "Yes, I know them. No, there's nothing to talk about—legally or politically, that is."

  Ignoring what the choice of words meant, Aeley watched the red road change into a path of grey stones. The High Council Hall stood at the end of the road, a lavish building of marble and glass, adorned with creeping vines and extravagant red flowers throughout. It was a sample of the beauty of Kattal collected into one place, rivaled only by the Temples of the Four. She had always marveled at the sight, and was comforted by its openness.

  Hold onto that; discard everything else, she told herself when the carriage slowed to a stop. Allon can't take this from me, too. This ends today. Anything else is a waste of time. This is the last time I clean up one of his messes. I'm done.

  *~*~*

  If she stared at the twelve Councilmen or the white walls enclosing them into the room, she could contain her anger. She could not allow her gaze to slip to the furthest corner, filled by the dark form of her brother with his greasy, blond hair hanging in tangles and his dust-caked skin. The sound of chains rattling filled the room. Every time Allon whined for more slack or attention to his needs, Aeley clenched her fists.

  Mayr tapped her arm, a reminder that he was there. Behind him, Lira stood with her hands clasped. The Council remained silent as the scroll with Aeley's testimony passed from one Councilman to another.

  Three Councilmen stood before her in long coats that appeared barely worn. They stood with their backs turned, focused on the other Council members sitting at the long, black, wood table. The scroll passed over the table again, returning to the hands of Cota, Councilman of Law and Justice. When he looked at Aeley, she took a breath.

  "You swear to this, full and true?" Cota asked, holding up the scroll.

  Aeley glanced at the puckered scar on the side of his face. He did not hide his imperfection, wearing his dark brown hair short. If anything, it reinforced how serious he was, making him the perfect choice to rule over her brother's hearing.

  "It is," she answered, straightening her back.

  "Liar!" Allon yelled. He rattled the chains before laughing. "Just a filthy liar."

  "You have nothing to add?" Councilman Lower asked. His blue eyes widened and he rolled his wrist as if prompting her to embellish her story.

  Tempting, she wanted to tell him, but relented. In the back of her mind, she heard Lira's voice telling her not to make it more personal than necessary. Even if Lower thought it was a good idea, she could not trust his little time on the Council. Younger than her, he liked the chatter, but the more experienced members of the High Council did not. She was certain Severn preferred silence, standing in a dark red long coat with long, black hair and a dark, prodding gaze. Aeley did not doubt Severn frightened most people. As Councilman of Public Protection, her unyielding attitude served the role.

  In answer to Lower, Aeley shook her head.

  "Somebody's a little pet," Allon sang.

  Aeley grit her teeth. Could they not silence him, or shove a wet rag into his mouth and let him choke?

  After annoyance flashed across his face, Cota raised his voice. "Allon, as prisoner, you can say something."

  "Not that we're going to listen," Mayr whispered into Aeley's ear.

  She slapped his chest with the back of her hand.

  "You mean I get to talk and you get to listen? Well, now!" Allon chortled and rattled the chains. "I mean, what an honour, being listened to—"

  "Answer the question," Severn interrupted, without raising her smooth, low voice.

  "Or what? You'll punish me?"

  "Ah, clever." Severn chuckled and stepped towards Allon, her hands clasped before her. "If the questions do not interest you, we'll assume you have nothing to say, throw out whatever rights you still have, and conveniently misplace you." She smiled slyly, her wide eyes crinkling with a hint of laughter. "Perhaps where you'll never see the light of day. We'll, oops, lose the keys. Maybe forget your name altogether?" She tapped her head, then shrugged. "It's funny how memory can slip every now and again."

  "Oh, oh. Scary lady. I'd say I'm frightened, but I shouldn't lie, right?" Allon went silent before clearing his throat. "Dearest Council, as much as I'd love to go back to working in your mines, I find it's just not as comfortable as the lifestyle to which I am accustomed. I really must suggest doing something about that terrible rock and—"

  "This is going nowhere," Lower said, spinning on his heel. He rolled his eyes, making Aeley remember the discussions they'd had about Allon.

  "If you are just going to make a mockery of this hearing, we have no choice but to go straight to the sentencing," Cota announced. He held up Aeley's scroll. "Based on this testimony—"

  "Boo!" Allon shouted.

  Cota ignored Allon and continued. "And the testimonies from women and children taken to your estate—"

  "They liked it!"

  "And the testimonies from the rest of the citizens of Oly Valley, including one of our own soldiers—"

  "Kill that backstabbing mercenary and his stupid girlfriend!"

  "You are hereby charged with crimes against the people!" Lower yelled and rushed towards Allon. For a moment, Aeley wondered if his temper would guide his fist in her brother's face. She was disappointed when he regained composure. "It's back to the quarries for you, where you'll spend the rest of your sad little life rotting while the rest of us enjoy the riches you threw away." He nodded to the guards behind Allon. "Take him."

  The guards seized Allon and dragged him back.

  "Hey! She attacked me! Why don't you punish her?" Allon shouted, struggling to escape. "Make her haul rocks and break her back!" The guards pulled harder, letting go as he fell. He scrambled from the floor and jeered the guards.

  When he turned towards her, Aeley froze.

  His smile twisted his face, making her shudder. He enjoyed the game, taunting her when the guards yanked him towards the open door. They slipped through the doorway and disappeared, returning him to the prison carriage.

  The room fell silent. The Councilman looked to one another before staring at her. They appeared hesitant. Did they have something else to say?

  "Maybe you should have a seat," Lower suggested. Clearing his throat, he gestured to the chairs behind Aeley. When she did not sit, he walked to his empty seat at the Council table and gripped the low back of the wooden chair. "I know it's been a trying time here with us, but we all expected it. I'd love to say you're dismissed, but we have some further business."

  "What?" Aeley watched Severn and Cota take their seats calmly.

  "I'd also suggest your companions wait outside." Lower gestured to the closed door of the meeting chamber. "They are free to stroll through the Hall at their leisure. We just wa
nt to talk to you. Won't take long, I promise." He waved his hands. "Go on. She'll be fine."

  Mayr turned to face Aeley, his back to the Council. He grasped Aeley's wrist. "Leave? Don't leave? What do you want us to do?"

  Aeley peered past Mayr to see Lower's foot tap the floor impatiently. "Go on. He doesn’t lie. Must be Steward business. It's fine."

  Mayr said nothing else as he escorted Lira from the room and closed the door. Still hearing the sound of her brother's voice, Aeley's skin prickled. Why did it sound like the day was about to worsen?

  Lower shuffled his feet. "As you know, my role as Councilman of Tract Stewards and Republic Leadership includes receiving and executing the last wishes of our leaders, including your father. He left me with a testament to his wishes for the estate, his children, and possessions. You are heir to his estate and such were his wishes."

  "Yes, I know. He showed me the document, too." Aeley glanced at each face. "I don't understand what the problem is, though. When I was inaugurated, everything came to me. Those are completed requests."

  "Well…" Lower drew a hand through his dark red hair. "When did he show you this document?"

  "Two years ago."

  "Right, about that... There was another one, more recent. He gave it to me just days before he died, during my visit. Told me not to say a word."

  "Impossible. He would've told me!"

  "No, no, he wouldn't have. Not at that point. He didn't want you to worry more than you did. Said you were running yourself ragged and it could wait. Said if he died, he wanted you taken care of."

  "What do you mean 'taken care of'?" Aeley saw Lower shift his weight from one foot to the other. "Where's this going, exactly?"

  "A marriage."

  "A what?" Aeley almost yelled. "Are you joking?"

  Lower threw up his hands. "This happens all the time. Your father and I discussed it at great lengths. He said he discussed with the Grand Families for some time and they told me the same when I asked. Korre wanted to make sure you had everything you needed, no matter who got the position. It took him a couple years to pull it together, so I'm told, and the family is fully willing—"

  "I'm not!" Aeley thrust out her hand. "Give me the testament. I know you've got it there. Hand it over."

  "See, I knew you'd take it like this." Lower picked up the thick scroll with its frayed edges and walked it to her. "That's why I brought it. See? It's your father's hand."

  Aeley snatched the scroll, wanting to tear it open. She unrolled it carefully. Reading through, her gaze stumbled when she found the words about marriage. Lower was right. Her father wanted her to marry into the Grand Family of Derossa, a family about which she knew little. They had two sons, if she recalled the lineage correctly. But she had never spent time with them, knowing only her father's stories. Their former patriarch had once been Tract Steward, but his son lost the title to her father. Rumours said their family had never recovered, explaining why they did not attend the regional dinners or galas. For all she knew, they exiled themselves from the society they felt betrayed them.

  And now, her father wanted her to marry one.

  "This can't be happening." Aeley squeezed her eyes shut and fought the terrible words she wanted to scream at her father. He had brought the issue to her before and they discussed it, but he never said he had made a plan. She thought he had let the matter go.

  "I know it's a surprise," Lower started, "but your father believed in it and so do we. You're young, with plenty to do. Usually Tract Stewards have families to help them through the tough times and stay focused. Your father had your mother—a marriage arranged by her father. He was happy and thought you could be, too. It could be helpful, considering what Allon's done to tarnish the family name."

  "So what? I don't have any way out of this?"

  "We would strongly advise against that." Aeley recoiled when Lower touched her shoulder. "Give it a try. At least talk to them. They're nice guys. I've met them myself. And it wouldn't be bad for the two families to be brought together. Their grandfather was an excellent Tract Steward. Your father carried on the excellence. Might as well keep all of it in the family, yeah?"

  It took everything she had not to attack him where he stood.

  *~*~*

  "I could kill him!" Aeley yelled.

  "Which one?" Mayr threw his knife at the wall. "You're going to have to be a bit more specific."

  "Who do you think?"

  "Hey, it was your father who made the deal."

  "Well, fine, I could kill him too!" Aeley released the knife in her hand with a forceful throw. The knife rammed into the target.

  "Kind of difficult, considering he was burned and all."

  "So I'll just throw some dirt in a bowl and yell at it until I'm ready to dump it in some filthy hole."

  "Now you just sound crazy. Are you sure you should be seeing anyone today, let alone these two suitors? Someone should tell them to run for their lives."

  Aeley chewed on her lip and watched Mayr throw another knife. Four days had passed since the meeting with the High Council. The first night, she'd drunk and raved about the ridiculousness of the situation. The second night, she'd received a letter from the Derossa family requesting an audience, launching her into drinking away her feelings of betrayal. The third night… she remembered little of it, waking up the next morning confused, but calm.

  But today she felt the anger again. To make matters worse, every drop of gaffa nectar and ale had disappeared from the estate. Gone, in the middle of the third night when she slept off her drunkenness. While she had consumed enough to deserve the headache and fractured memories, she had not drunk everything. With suspicion, she eyed Mayr. He said he knew nothing. And he says I'm a bad liar?

  She held back the urge to yell at him. "How could he do this to me?"

  "I know. You've been asking that since you left the meeting. Doesn't matter how many times you say it. No one's ever going to have the answer."

  Aeley stomped towards the wall and yanked the knives from the target. "After everything I did, he went and did this without telling me."

  "But you agreed to give these guys a chance, regardless of what your father did. You went and listened to that cute little scribe when she said you should meet with them. You could've just refused it all, but no, you went and invited them in."

  "I know," Aeley muttered, remembering how Lira persuaded her decision on the ride home from the Council meeting. Remember our discussion before the meeting, she said. Remember what it was you wanted, she said. She sounded exactly like Lower. How is any of this going to be good?

  Mayr leaned against the desk, playing with the black, feathery end of a quill. "You should just tell them no. Tell the Council to mind their own relationships and stay out of yours. Your father's wishes are not law, even if Lower acts like they are. I mean, what's to lose? It's not like they'll punish you with manual labour."

  "Don't you think I've thought of that already? That I've already asked myself the exact same thing? I almost did. Almost wrote two letters that day, one telling the Derossas to find someone else and another telling the Council to leave me alone."

  "Funny how you say 'almost'." Mayr snorted and pulled his hair over his shoulder to examine the ends. "Can't imagine what stopped you. The old Aeley wouldn't have backed off."

  "The old Aeley wasn't in charge of an entire region, nor was she the sole, and free, member of the Dahe family," Aeley countered through clenched teeth. She slammed the four knives to her desk. A pile of scrolls fell and rolled across the surface. "Sure, there aren't laws that say I have to enact whatever my father said, but there's more to it. In case you didn't notice, the family's reputation has been pissed all over. What Allon did reflects on me, too, and I have to pull everything together before anyone else gets any ideas. I have enemies; I know that, and I can't afford to sink our family's name before I've really begun as Steward. I'm not off to a great start."

  She moved to the window and stared out, the red eart
h and green trees distorted in the coloured pane. "Father made a deal. Despite not talking to me, he talked them up. They made agreements. If I don't follow through—or at least try—that gives the other Grands reason to lose respect. Even fight for a reelection, knowing some of them. Though if the Derossa family feels slighted, who knows what they'll do. Asha Derossa did not make my father's life easy. He took losing the stewardship badly and wanted to destroy my father's reputation. He even tried to use my mother in his games, until she exposed his lies in public. I don't think he would've forgotten. It's probably why he agreed to this marriage between families. At last, they get something back."

  Mayr gawked at her. "So you're being used is what you're saying."

  "No, I'm saying there are advantages. I suppose I'd be using them."

  "To make nice."

  "To keep my head above water." Aeley crossed her arms and leaned into the corner. "Being Steward is as political as it is caretaker or defender. As much as I might hate it, going through with this charade could mean the difference between protection and losing everything. Father prided himself on integrity and dignity. That's what people liked about him. That's what made being Steward worthwhile. Breaking deals was never acceptable. I can't start destroying everything he built up—everything I helped him with. And if keeping a deal means keeping the peace, it might be worth it."

  "While giving yourself up?"

  "That's the job, Mayr," Aeley said softly. "If there was anything Father taught me, it's that we don't live for ourselves."

  "And we know how well that worked out." Mayr sighed and tilted his head back. "Sorry. Just…" He crossed the room to join her and wrapped his hands around her shoulders. "Just don't kill everything about old Aeley. She's got to stay in there somewhere. I loved your father, but there was something lacking. Don't settle for being just like him." He nodded towards the door. "You should probably get to it."