Transcendent: The Revelations of Oriceran (The Kacy Chronicles Book 4)

by Anderle, Michael

  "Respect, Piaget," replied Marli mildly—–green team for sure. "You must address the Heir Apparent as ‘Your Majesty’, even before the coronation."

  "Majesty," mumbled Piaget into his goblet.

  "I know it's unusual, but I have a proposition to run by you all before we hold the vote. One I think you'll agree will be very helpful in keeping critical dealings like this vote as authentic and lawful as possible."

  "Authentic? Lawful!?" Banerai spluttered as he set his drink down—–red as your angry face. Rivulets of water ran down his chin and into his salt-and-pepper beard. He ran a hand over his mouth and chin, his eyes popping out with offense at Jordan's words. "Are you suggesting that our proceedings have not been lawful, Your Majesty?"

  "Yes." Jordan smiled at the Councilman and sat back against her chair, folding her hands in her lap.

  Banerai shared an incredulous look with Daegan (red), Darber (red), and Naste (hmmm, still undecided but the fact that Banerai looked to him for support is a tick against).

  "I'm very curious to hear about this, Your Majesty," said Ninfa (green) leaning forward and looking much more awake.

  "Indeed," murmured Balroc, looking around behind him and signalling to a servant who was passing by.

  The servant bent to listen as Balroc asked if he might run and check for the Elf, if he wouldn't mind. The servant made for the door just as it opened and Eohne, looking as bright as a spring daffodil, pranced into the room.

  "Ah, Eohne! You're here!" Jordan grinned. She nudged Darber who was sitting at her right hand. "Would you mind sliding down, old chap? Make room for our guest?"

  Darber blinked owlishly at this. "Oh, of course," he grumbled, "Your Majesty. I'll make way for the… uh… Elf." He got up and poked Banerai, who was in conversation with Naste.

  There was a comical moment as the chain reaction ran down the right side of the table, each Arpak getting elbowed and then unseated to make room for Eohne.

  Jordan and Eohne shared a grin on the edge of laughter, and then Eohne slid into her seat.

  "Thanks for coming, Eohne, and welcome, everyone." Jordan folded her hands in her lap to hide that they were shaking.

  She was putting on an excellent show of relishing her first motion as Heir Apparent, but truthfully, her guts were in a tangle. She had enemies at this table, and well she knew it. The reason she wanted to hold the vote so quickly was to catch them off guard before they could conspire against her. It was something she'd learned from Toth, only now she was applying it in a political arena: ‘move fast, mobility is your biggest asset, and surprise your greatest weapon’. Allan called it striking while the iron was hot.

  "I've brought Eohne, who has developed a relevant and interesting new magic for us to consider implementing in all proceedings which demand a vote." Jordan pronounced this loudly and clearly to the table.

  That got their attention. The Arpaks shifted in their seats, sat forward, sat up, licked their lips, shot furtive glances, and revealed all manner of emotional states at this surprising turn of events.

  "Eohne? The floor is yours."

  Eohne nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty." She looked down the table at all the faces; all eyes were on her. "Some time ago, a friend asked me if there might be a way to develop a magic that detects lies."

  There were numerous uncomfortable and affronted expressions at this opening line, as well as a few interested and encouraging ones.

  "Understand, he raised the idea as a suggestion of how we might tackle the problem of the harpy breach, but since that problem has been resolved, I thought it might be repurposed. While lie-detection is not easy, no matter what kind of magic you are versed in, there are other linked behaviors which are detectable."

  "Linked behaviors?" Pasco echoed. "What kind of linked behaviors?"

  "For instance, blackmail." Eohne spoke as casually as if she was commenting on the weather. The effect was palpable. There were gasps and jumping eyebrows all over the place. Eohne continued, undaunted. "Deception, fraud, trickery, hypocrisy, subterfuge, duplicity." Eohne ticked them off on her fingers like she was listing her favorite colors. "All of these are lies in some form or another, and are much easier to detect than an outright untruth."

  "And you've invented a magic to do such a thing, have you?" Balroc asked, fascinated. "How wonderful!"

  "I'd like to propose that this magic be utilized before every vote. It will reveal the links between people by way of colored light," explained Jordan. "If there are any of these linked behaviors that Eohne is talking about, they'll be apparent."

  "This is preposterous!" Pasco blustered. "It's an insult not to be borne." He got to his feet, knocking his chair over and sending a servant who was approaching with a water jug dancing backward out of the way. "How dare you come in here and insinuate that we are dishonest!"

  "Some of us have been running this country for longer than you've been alive," added Daegan, a flush creeping up his neck.

  "Sit down, you buffoon." Marli yanked on Pasco's sleeve. "And no one cares how long you've been here," she said to Daegan in a tone she might use to admonish a child. "What they are suggesting makes perfect sense. I wish we'd had access to such magic sooner."

  "It's an invasion of privacy!" stormed Darber, thumping a fist on the table. "Are we not allowed the same rights as any citizen of Rodania? I'll not stand for it!"

  "It is an excellent question," said Jordan, now leaning forward and bringing her hands in front of her. She was very pleased to see that they were no longer quaking with fear. Her gut, too, had settled, and her heart even felt… light. She had no time to marvel at these physiological changes, however; there was momentum here to be taken advantage of. "Should we, the Strix with the most influential positions in the country, really have the same rights as private citizens?" Jordan templed her fingers on the tabletop, just the way Allan had a habit of doing when making an argument. "I propose no. We don't. Least of all me. The decisions we make in this room affect everyone in Rodania, and I can guarantee that the policies created and voted upon here have a heavier impact than you even realize. Banerai," Jordan addressed the glowering Arpak.

  He jumped at being addressed directly. "Majesty?"

  "When was the last time you visited Lower Rodania to check on the working conditions in your textiles mill?"

  Banerai's mouth sagged in response.

  "Darber?"

  The elderly Arpak sank visibly in his chair, and his eyes darted from Banerai to Jordan. "Majesty?"

  "What is the price of a loaf of bread in your market in Crypsis?"

  "I… I…" Darber stuttered. "Well… I don't know, Your Majesty."

  "These are things that our people care about. We must know these things. I too, came from an affluent family. I too, am guilty of forgetting that I am privileged." Jordan's voice took on more power. "From now on, I want us to remind each other that we do not have a right to forget where we came from and what we have, because most of our citizens are not as privileged. And if we do not make every effort to understand their perspective, then what right do we have to make decisions that affect them? We are not allowed to put our own ambitions ahead of what is right for Rodanians.

  “I understand the seductive nature of politics better than you might think. I grew up in a political family; I watched it spoil my father's happiness, and I have learned that the quest for power made a tyrant of my mother."

  The Arpaks were openly staring at Jordan now, mouths hanging agape. The green team were sitting ramrod straight, some of them nodding. The red team were shriveling like tender stems of grass under a baking summer sun.

  "But I digress," Jordan softened her tone. "If there are no illicit behaviors to be found, then you have nothing to fear. All in favor of implementing Eohne's magic before every vote, hands up."

  The green team reached skyward. The red team looked completely flummoxed, outraged, and dazed.

  Darber slowly raised a quivering hand, bringing the vote to five for and five against.
r />   Jordan raised her hand.

  Balroc clapped his hands together with a single loud snap. "And the Heir Apparent's vote takes it to a ‘yes’, seven to five. Oh, this is most excellent."

  There was a smattering of applause around the table, but the Arpaks who voted against looked as drawn as though they'd just been condemned to hard labor for the rest of their days.

  "Wonderful. Eohne, shall we run the magic now so we can get on with the main vote of the day?" Jordan rubbed her hands together.

  "Wait!" Daegan stood. He swayed unsteadily on his feet and his uneven breathing was audible. "I think," he rasped before clearing his throat. He tugged at his collar, mustering as much dignity as he could manage. "I think it would be pertinent at this particular juncture, for me to tender my resignation."

  "Oh," Jordan feigned a disheartened look. "Are you certain, Daegan? After all, you've been running this country since before I was alive."

  Marli pinched her lips together against a laugh.

  "I'm certain, Your Majesty," he said. "I'll take my leave." He stepped out from behind the table, pushed his chair back into place, patted it twice, and left the room.

  Silence descended.

  "Does anyone else feel the same way?" Jordan invited.

  Darber and Pasco rose at the same time, looking drawn and deeply unhappy. Piaget followed a moment later, as did Banerai and Naste. Each of them mumbled something about resignation and left the room with their eyes down.

  "Goodbye, red team," Jordan murmured.

  "Your Majesty?" Marli was peering at Jordan, bemused.

  "Nothing," Jordan folded her hands. "Well, we're looking a skinny bunch, aren't we? Look at all those empty seats."

  The remaining Arpaks looked around at one another, mildly astonished at what had just taken place. It felt as though a hurricane had swept through the room, and then vanished.

  "Shall we proceed with the vote of the day, then?" Jordan continued brightly. "How many of you are in support of allowing Nychts on Council?"

  "Wait, Your Majesty," Balroc put up a hand. "What about Eohne's magic?"

  Eohne gave Balroc a smile. "That was it."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Jordan stood in the Council's chambers, looking at the empty table surrounded by empty seats. It was the morning following the upset and the vote, and she'd hardly been able to sleep for all the changes that had happened so suddenly.

  Her eyes skimmed the leatherbound volumes that filled the low bookcases skirting the entire room, and the tall arched windows with gilded frames. The winged logo of Rodania had been rendered in stained glass at the apex of each window. She moved closer to look up at the symbol, her eyes studying its two disembodied, feathered wings, reaching in opposite directions as though from one invisible spine. Beyond the windows, many of the spires of the castle were topped with the same symbol, only manufactured out of wrought iron.

  "That," Jordan said quietly to herself, "will be one of the first things to change."

  "What will be one of the first things to change?" came a man's voice from the doorway.

  Jordan turned to see her twin wander through the open door. She was pleased to see he looked well rested and relaxed, fully recovered from the brutality that Bryc had rained on him in Maticaw.

  "The Rodanian crest." Jordan pointed to a stained glass rendering of it. "One of those wings needs to look entirely different."

  Ashley gave an agreeable grunt but he didn't comment on the logo. "Sure sign of old age when you start talking to yourself." He cocked an eyebrow and gave her a half-smile. His face completely transformed into that of a young man who loved to laugh and had been missing it in his life.

  Jordan was reminded suddenly that even though she'd spent some time with Ashley in the last several days, she really had no idea who her twin was. They'd been under so much stress and uncertainty about their futures that they hadn't been able to relax enough to talk as siblings. They'd been pitted against one another by their mother the moment they met. So what kind of person was he when he wasn't held under Jaclyn's thumb? It was possible that even he didn't know.

  "I thought I was alone."

  Ashley rested his hands on the back of one of the chairs and gave Jordan a level look. "I suspect you will never be alone again, so long as you live." He took a breath and dipped his chin, adding, "my Queen."

  Jordan rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me."

  Ashley strolled into the room, his movements casual. He came to stand on the other side of the table and face his sister. "You've kicked all the corrupt Arpaks off the Council, you have only to nominate the Nychts you want and the government you've been striving for will fall into place. The security breach has been solved, and all this in a matter of hours. Rodania will look very different a year from now. Especially for the Nychts. Well done."

  "And what about you, Prince of Rodania?"

  Uncertainty shrouded his features. He was opening his mouth to respond when a Nycht appeared in the doorway.

  "Excuse me, Your Majesty." She bowed her head. "I'm sorry to interrupt you."

  "Come in. You're not interrupting." Jordan shivered at being bowed to twice in a matter of moments. This is going to take a lot of getting used to.

  The Nycht entered the room, and Jordan realized she had never seen her before and wondered just how many servants now answered to her bidding that she had never met. She made a mental note to call the palace staff together so she could meet them.

  This Nycht had soft tawny wings and matching hair piled up high on her head in a spiral bun. Her skin was pale and she looked just as tired as every other working Nycht Jordan had seen.

  "What's your name?"

  The Nycht hesitated before answering. "Aysha, Your Majesty."

  "Nice to meet you, Aysha. Starting right now, Nychts who would rather work a night shift can talk to Balroc about getting switched immediately."

  "Night shift?" Aysha blinked. "Will there be service roles at night? I'm afraid it's all I have ever done."

  "Half of our Council will soon be Nychts, and they'll be needing help; so yes, there will be some. There'll also be a re-education program for those who feel like they've been mis-utilized."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Aysha looked astonished.

  "Don't thank me," Jordan reddened. "I'm only undoing what should never have been done in the first place. What did you come to say?"

  "The guards have a woman outside who is desperate to speak with you."

  Jordan bristled and she and Ashley shared a look.

  Aysha didn't miss it. "Should I have them send her away?"

  "Did she give her name?"

  Aysha blushed. "Not a name, no. But…" She shifted, and her eyes dropped to the floor.

  "What? What did she say?"

  "It's just a ridiculous ploy, Your Majesty. I have no desire to repeat it."

  "It's alright, Aysha. I have a feeling I know already."

  Aysha cleared her throat. "She said she's the queen's mother."

  "Oh, boy," Ashley said under his breath. "Here we go. That didn't take long. Woman doesn't miss an opportunity when she sees one."

  "Actually," Aysha's blush deepened. "Slight correction."

  "Let me guess," Ashley crossed his arms. "She said she's the Queen Mother?"

  Aysha nodded, and Ashley shot Jordan a smug look.

  Jordan couldn't stop a snort from sounding in the back of her throat. The gall of Jaclyn would never fail to surprise. "How did she get here so fast, I wonder?"

  "She may have already been on her way," explained Ashley. "She knows that Rodania is where I fled to, and she'll want to repair things with me. Her spies would have told her what has transpired here, and that you're about to be coronated, and she would have then adjusted her plans en route."

  "Is she really so efficient?"

  "She's a practiced opportunist. The best I know," Ashley said sourly.

  Ashley and Jordan stared at one another and an understanding passed between them th
at shook Jordan to her core. Maybe it was the connection that twins shared, or maybe it was a fluke, but she knew what Ashley was thinking. Somehow, she knew.

  She also knew that Ashley knew what she was thinking: face Jaclyn now, on their own turf.

  "Send her in," the twins said at the same time.

  Aysha nodded and moved toward the door.

  "Wait!" Ashley put a hand up. He moved toward Jordan and whispered in her ear. Jordan nodded. "Have her wait in the courtyard," he instructed Aysha, "the one just in front of the tower. Have her wait for two hours. Then have her brought to the throne room."

  "The throne room." Aysha looked to Jordan for confirmation. "Your Majesty?"

  "Yes." Jordan nodded.

  Aysha left the room.

  ***

  The doors to the throne room swung wide. Jaclyn's slender outline was dwarfed by the doorframe and by the Nycht guards who flanked her. Jaclyn waited to be announced and, when no announcement came, she peered around in confusion. One of the guards made a gesture saying, ‘you can go in’.

  Jaclyn began the long walk toward the throne, where Jordan was seated and Ashley was standing at her right hand. Neither of the twins moved or made a sound. They simply watched Jaclyn approach.

  Her chest was thrust forward, her head held high. She passed column after column and window after window, her footsteps amplified on the marble floor and echoing around the space. The throne room was empty, save for a few guards lining the way to the throne, and they too were as still as statues.

  Jordan fought to keep her face neutral as she watched her mother approach. Jaclyn wore a gown of emerald and sage. It was cinched in at the waist, displaying her hourglass figure. Her brown hair was pulled back and up, and her face was made up to highlight her huge eyes and pouty mouth. She barely looked older than Jordan herself, and Jordan marvelled at how well her mother had kept over the years.

  How is it that a person with such a deceptive heart can be so beautiful?