Nordain gave Abtalion a black look. “I would like…I would like this session to be postponed before deliberations.”
“That hardly seems appropriate, Elder Nordain,” Abtalion said, rubbing his bottom lip. “You had plenty of time to call witnesses and build your case. It is my understanding that you were prepared to hold trial among the Council of Elders before Thealos’ return.” He gazed out across those assembled. “No other witnesses then?” He glanced briefly at Thealos’ Correl. “Very well. The High Council will begin deliberation on this matter.”
The Council Elder of Shenalle raised his hand. “What was the boy doing in the Shoreland for so long? What news from the south?”
Abtalion shook his head. “That news is for the Sunedrion to hear when it convenes.”
*
Thealos entered the deliberation room dedicated to the ruling family of Avisahn. It was a long, narrow room with a thickset table made of polished walnut and inlaid with gold ivy scrollwork. Chalky sunlight showed hundreds of dust motes swirling in the air near the curtain. The four lamp-stands burned a sweet-smelling lavender fragrance in each corner of the chamber.
Abtalion followed Thealos and offered him a chair, but Thealos was too restless to sit down and began pacing the wide aisles. Several Crimson Wolfsmen took post near the doors and the other Shae Warders entered as well. Finally, Laisha arrived.
The door thudded shut on well-oiled hinges.
Abtalion rested his arms on the back of a chair and gazed at Thealos. “That went better than I thought it would. You have a flair for public speaking.”
“Your guidance more than my eloquence, Chancellor,” Thealos said.
With a shrug, Abtalion gave Thealos a shrewd smile. “Still, I’ve seen people with many more years behind them step on the Circle and babble like fools. You kept your head. Good work.”
“Now the High Council deliberates. How long does that take?”
Laisha walked near one of the burning lamps. “I don’t think they will deliberate long. If I had wanted you condemned, then Abtalion would have acted differently. Those that want my good favor will dismiss the charge. It wouldn’t surprise me if the other delegates from Vannier persuade Nordain to reconsider. His heavy-handed ways have been annoying people. This is a good chance to put him in his place. Even his own people will appreciate that.”
Thealos gave her a broad smile. “Thank you, Your Majesty. How is your reading going?”
“Slow. I have another record to peruse tonight, if I can stay awake.” She stopped and ran her finger across the back of a chair. “I need another witness before bringing your tale to the Sunedrion. Even a witness that comes from the dead will do. A voice speaking from dusty pages. We received word last night that the Shae scouts we were expecting from Citadellian never returned. Their alerion flew back to the mountains, riderless. The new report says that a Bandit army has massed and seized the city of Landmoor. So far, your words have all proven true. A delegate from the King of Dos-Aralon is in Avisahn requesting audience with the Sunedrion when it convenes. I’ve heard he will petition us to help fight in a war against the Bandit Rebellion.”
Thealos gripped the back of a chair, facing her. “What will the Sunedrion decide?”
“They will vote against it, as they have in the past,” Abtalion interrupted. “The Shae do not want to experience the devastation of the Purge Wars again. From what her Highness has discovered from the records of Sol-don-Orai, the magic of the Everoot could devastate the entire valley.”
“Does Dos-Aralon know of this?” Thealos asked.
“They would be even more…insistent if they knew. The Duke of Owen Draw is dealing with skirmishes in the Kingshadow Mountains but we’ve heard he has already sent the Knight General riding south. The Dukes of Amberdian and Sypher are each mobilizing an army to join him at a slower pace. We are closer to Landmoor than any of them.” He glanced at Laisha. She shook her head.
“What?” Thealos said, leaning towards her. “You want to pre-empt them?”
Laisha’s eyes narrowed. “I need to finish the records first, Thealos, before I tell you anything. Chancellor, escort Thealos back to his room.”
“I’d like leave to see my family. Can they be brought to the palace?”
Laisha shook her head. “Not yet, Thealos. Soon.”
“How soon?”
She nodded curtly to Abtalion and he approached Thealos. “Come, Thealos. It could be a while yet.”
A knock sounded on the door and one of the Warders went to answer it.
A servant entered and bowed respectfully. “The High Council has decided, Your Highness.”
Laisha gave Thealos a wry smile. “That was faster than I thought.”
Chapter IX