Warm sunlight soaked the chamber through tall diaphanous curtains. The voices murmuring in the room reminded Thealos of a forest brook full of rounded stones. He sat in a plush seat made of stained oak and padded with stuffed velvet with gold tassels as the trim. From his vantage point, he could see the entire room and he watched with interest as the different parties entered.
Thealos had never been to the Shae High Council before, though he had heard how opulent their chamber was. The room was divided into fourths, comprised of six tier-like rings encircling it, divided by tall, thin windows and curtains. Each tier had twelve chairs like the one Thealos sat on and a railing of wood and padding so that one could lean forward and rest on it. The floor in the center of the room was made of polished marble slabs of black and white and threaded with gold and green stamping. In the exact center of the room was a separate circle made of polished bronze and adorned with the markings of the Shae religions—the orders of Keasorn, Vannier, and Shenalle. It was rumored—and Chancellor Abtalion had said nothing to dispel it—that the circle prevented anyone standing within it to speak a lie. Abtalion did say, however, that lying to the Shae High Council was enough of an offense to be banished from Avisahn.
Thealos sat in the north quadrant of the room, dressed in Warder robes to conceal his identity. The Chancellor had explained the procedure that would follow and warned him that he might be called on to defend himself from the allegations of treason. But it was Laisha’s hope to hear all of Nordain’s evidence before revealing that she had Thealos in custody. Though the politics frustrated him, Thealos saw wisdom in the maneuver.
Thealos sat with part of the royal entourage, watching as the other members of the Shae High Council entered along with their guests. When the Council Elder of Vannier entered, Thealos felt a prick of hatred in his chest. Nordain had brought Thealos’ father—his Correl—as one of his guests…a witness perhaps?
Crimson Wolfsmen stood at attention by the eastern and western doors and other Shae Warders had taken seats around Thealos to prevent him standing out. Thealos watched as Nordain whispered something to Correl and motioned for him to sit in one of the lower tiers within the section reserved for Vannier. Nordain mounted the aisle steps and took his seat in the row on the highest tier. The Council Elders from Shenalle and Keasorn arrived next, bringing their guests. The murmuring in the room rumbled like thunder, building the tension and making Thealos sweat. He closed his eyes, trying to feel a sense of Jaerod’s presence, but there was no sign of the Sleepwalker.
A hush fell over the room as the western door opened and Abtalion walked in wearing a smartly fashioned doublet and the bejeweled stole of his office. He stopped in the center of the chamber and lifted both arms. Everyone rose, creating a tamping sound of chairs, boots, and shoes along with the rustle of velvets, satins, and silks. The air smelled of pine and perfumes.
Laisha entered the High Council chamber next, walking with a curt nod to Abtalion before mounting the dais in the north quadrant. Her turquoise gown was stunning, fitting her perfectly with gorgeous lacings and ruffles. The jewels of her family’s house adorned her as well, and each dangling earring and necklace facet winked with light. She wore the silver tiara of her rank, and it glittered with a single walnut-sized diamond in the center. Her eyes matched the rope of sapphires around her neck, though Thealos also saw her simple gold necklace with a curious twisted leaf peeking from beneath the coils.
After she was seated, Abtalion lowered his arms and everyone followed her example.
Thealos looked at Correl and a fierce pang stabbed inside his chest. Thestyr Quickfellow had buried his eyes in one hand, his mouth tight and hard. He looked pale and haggard. What concessions had Nordain wrung from him? What bribes had he been committed to pay?
It galled Thealos. He sat fuming.
“The session of the Shae High Council has convened,” Abtalion said in a softspoken voice. He clasped his hands behind his back and turned to face the quadrant for Vannier. “We are here to listen to charges against Thealos Quickfellow. Elder Nordain—approach the Circle.”
Abtalion retreated to a small chair near the dais where Laisha sat. He sat down and crossed one leg as one of Nordain’s underlings approached the Circle.
“You were called to the Circle, Nordain,” Abtalion said, dismissing the underling with a wave.
Thealos covered a smirk when he saw Nordain’s eyes smolder. He had seen that look many times. The Council Elder of Vannier rose, his girth adjusting with the movement, and he stepped down to the center of the chamber. He looked the same as the image burned into Thealos’ memory.
“I would like to recommend to the High Council that we dismiss this as an unnecessary meeting,” Nordain said. A wriggle of spite went through Thealos’ stomach. “The accused is not here to answer for his crimes. It would be inappropriate to proceed any further until he has been apprehended.”