She interrupted him angrily. “You’re sorry, but you’re bound by the decisions of the Council. Just as you were when the magistrate pardoned Santon for beating my sister to near death. This in’t about the law, is it? It’s about how the Council won’t trust a halfblood Makvani in their city.” Not just any halfblood Makvani, said a traitorous voice in her head. A halfblood who’s killed three men and thrown the city into chaos more than once. She still thought the Council’s decision was motivated by fear, but she couldn’t deny that the case against her was substantial.
She collapsed back into her chair. “So nothing’s changed,” she said. “I’m still a criminal. The Council makes its decisions, and the city continues as before. Somehow I’d thought, with Willem gone and you in his place…”
Malikel pushed a piece of parchment across the table. Kyra had half a mind to throw it back at him, but she grudgingly looked it over. It was a Palace document, from one of the city magistrates. Something about a trial to be planned. And the accused was named…
“Douglass and Dalton of Agan will be tried for assaulting Idalee,” said Malikel. “The magistrate conducted a further investigation into the case and determined that the initial ruling was unduly influenced by political factors. In addition, other victims have come forth with complaints against the brothers, and the magistrate is investigating them all.
“The Agan brothers will not be the only ones investigated. Others who enjoyed immunity under Willem are being held accountable as well. It will be a busy season for the magistrates.” Malikel waited for Kyra to finish looking over the parchment. “Things are changing, Kyra. Though they progress slowly, in fits and starts. You’re not the first to find this frustrating. My predecessor in this position found it so as well, and in fact engineered a plan to change our system of government.” Malikel’s lips twitched in the slightest of smiles. “I heard that the plan did not go well for him.”
Though Kyra couldn’t bring herself to smile back, she couldn’t deny the irony. “It’s funny,” she said. “Remember the conversation we had, about serving the city even though not everyone within it would care to have us? What I did to break the siege, I did because I’d finally decided I agreed with you.”
“And you can still serve the city, if you wish,” said Malikel. “Which brings me to the last thing I wanted to discuss with you. I’m ready to follow through on the promises we made to the Makvani and discuss peace.”
That, at least, was good news. “I can convey your message to Leyus.”
“Thank you,” said Malikel. “Given the times that lie ahead, I see the need for a go-between for our two peoples. An emissary, of sorts, and preferably someone who is familiar with both societies.” He glanced significantly at Kyra.
She bristled. “And you would like me to do this? Why should I?”
“There’s no reason why you should. I won’t try to convince you that you owe it to the city or create some other sense of false responsibility. You owe Forge nothing, but you can do some good if you want to. The choice is yours.”
Kyra gazed across the desk at him. It was tempting to throw a refusal in his face, but the less hotheaded part of her urged her to pause. The thought of peace between Forge and the Makvani—cooperation, even—was a good one.
“I’ll think on it,” said Kyra.
“That’s all we can ask,” said Malikel.
When Tristam came to convey her back out of the city, she could tell he was curious about what had transpired.
“Malikel didn’t tell you why he called me in?” said Kyra.
“No,” said Tristam. “He didn’t share anything.”
She supposed it was no big secret. Tristam would find out about her exile soon enough. “Let’s leave the Palace first, and then I’ll tell you.”
He helped Kyra into the wagon. As he walked to the front, Kyra called to him. “Tristam.”
He turned.
“Do you mind if we take a different route out of the city this time?”
“I suppose,” he said, looking slightly perplexed. “How would you like to go?”
She let out a slow breath as the full implications of the Council’s sentence finally hit her. “Bring the wagon by the southwest quadrant. I’d like to see The Drunken Dog.”
E P I L O G U E