This should be good news. They want me to be the Duke. This would be a best case scenario for my father really. But I can't. I cant be the fucking Duke.
"I don't know if I can accept that title…" I stammer, not wanting Duke Lewellen to know the real reason as we move toward the gathering hall. "I'm a rider. I'm one of the most powerful active riders in Navarre, I'm stationed on the front lines. If we ever finish these negotiations, I can't be the Duke."
"You don't need to be stationed at the front; your seat on the Senarium will override any commanding officer–"
"That's exactly why rides don't traditionally sit on the Senarium. It's... Inappropriate."
"I've never known you to worry about impropriety, Xaden." Duke Lindel says, coming up to where we stand outside of the gathering hall, I smile at the man who raised me after my father was killed. Gods… he'd be so disappointed in me too if he really knew why I can't accept this.
"Xaden and impropriety? Gods, not again." Brennan says, approaching from the hall, apparently having finished speaking to Mira and Violet.
Mira is also going to be in the meeting, but she won't be allowed to sit in on the majority of it; she'll be asked to wait outside the hall until Brennan calls her in. This is one of the projects Violet was working on, one of the things I don't know about, and as Mira approaches, obviously not looking at her brother, as if something happened, she looks nervous.
When we're called in, General Melgren runs through Violet's demands again. Andarna's demands, really, but he apparently didn't want to remember that– it's significantly easier to discount a cadet than it is her dragon.
"As we know, Captain Grady will be leading the taskforce, this point has already been addressed, the remaining requests from Cadet Sorringail are regarding the pardon for all counts of treason and sedition granted to those who left for Aretia in October be included in the Aretian accord of 635 AU, the dragon's submission for examination, unfettered hunting rights in the Kings forest, and of course, that the fliers remain at Basgith and integrated within existing squads– their current squads for those that came from Aretia, and those coming from Cygnisen, to be assigned to squads upon their arrival while keeping their drifts intact, and that this is done safely for those fliers."
Several members of the Senarium shift in their seats at the mention of the final point. That can't be a good sign.
"Let us begin with the– if I may be so bold as to assume such here– easier points." Melgren continues, "That of the dragons hunting rights. Captain Winshire, can you address this?"
Captain Winshire, in her nicely tailored infantry uniform, leans forward. "Yes, this was discussed with King Tauri last night. He wants it made clear that these rights are for the sole use of the dragon Andarna and are not to be shared among Cadet Sorringail's other dragon– Train, as well. But he is otherwise amenable to the request."
"Excellent." Melgren turns to Colonel Markham and the younger scribe with him, nodding as they take down notes. "Then, to the question of examining the dragoon. I believe Colonel Kaori is here to speak on this?"
A guard by the door returns to the hall, apparently collecting Kaori, and he enters.
"Professor, can you please introduce yourself for the record?" Melgren asks.
"Yes, of course. Colonel Kaori, the dragonkind professor here at Basgiath."
"Thank you." Melgren continues, "You have been informed of the demand from Cadet Sorringail regarding the examination of her dragon?"
"Yes, I am aware of the dragons Andarna's demands that Cadet Sorringail presented yesterday."
"Right," Melgren agrees begrudgingly. "And?"
"And while the information gained by such an examination would be invaluable– I cannot pretend to expect a dragon to participate in any examination should they not wish to," He says. "Additionally, if the task force is successful in finding this den of the 7th breed, it becomes more likely that an as yet unknown dragon may submit to… questions."
"Are you saying you're fine with not being able to examine the dragon?" The Duchess of Morraine asks.
"I wouldn't say I'm fine with it, but I respect the young dragon's wishes, yes," Kaori says.
"Even when studying this 7th breed of dragon may hold the very information this expedition is tasked with?" the Duchess pushes back.
"The usefulness of being able to study her is irrelevant in all honesty," Kaori says. "If you disagree with the dragon, you are welcome to attempt to examine her yourself; however, no information you happen to gather would make it into any report– you would be killed almost instantly. Humans do not subject dragons to any task the dragon does not wish to endure."
"Surely, given the current circumstances, The Empyrean would insist–"
"The Empyrean holds no sway here, Your Grace." Kaori explains, "Andarna is the only one of her breed in the Vale, presumably the only one on the continent. She has no elders, she does not answer to any but herself."
"Her rider answers to General Aetos at the very least," The Duke of Calldyr insists.
"Your Grace…" Kaori starts, a slight smile on his face. "The last individual that insisted Cadet Sorringail be held accountable for the actions of her dragons was Major Varrish. He and his dragon are now dead. My understanding is it
was this very dragon– Andarna– who killed Solas for attacking her rider." I smirk at Kaori's comments. I always knew I liked him, and I notice Brennen also smiling beside me.
"Are you saying–" Calldyr tries to argue.
"I am saying that dragons do not answer to humans."
"And using the murder of Major Varrish to prove it," The Duchess of Morraine argues. "One of the many acts of treason facing Cadet Sorringail, I might add."
"I believe the presumptive pardon is also one of Andarna's demands; however, that is beyond my purview as a professor. I can only speak to my limited knowledge of Dragonkind."
"And how limited would you consider your knowledge then?" The Duke of Luceras asks.
"I am the foremost expert on dragonkind and the Empyrean you will find. However, we only have access to the knowledge that Dragonkind will see fit to us having. I would point out that Codagh, the elder of the den of the black dragons, held back the information of this 7th Breed from our General Melgren– simply as an example of our limited access to–"
"Yes," Melgren interrupts, looking displeased at the mention of his dragon holding back knowledge. My smile widens. "I believe that is all we need from you, Colonel; you may go."
Kaori nods to General Melgren, and to Brennan, who nods in goodby as well, before leaving the chamber, and Melgren calls for a vote on if we will accept this demand. All but the Duchess of Morraine vote yes.
"Then onto the pardon." Melgren starts, looking directly at me and the other Tyrish representatives, "We can accept that all the Cadets who flew to Aretia in October should indeed be welcomed back to the quadrant without facing execution for their disregard of the codex– however, additional acts of treason are not as easily forgiven."
The Senarium goes on to argue the finer points of me and Violet's treason for some time, until finally someone acknowledges that if they kill Violet, Tairn will likely die, and Andarrna will surely not share any information on her den that may aid in the fight against the venin.
"And what about those acts that took place before October?" Brennan asks.
"Such as desertion after the Battle of Aretia of 628 AU?" Melgren asks, making Brennan smile.
"Such as… though I may also include any possible acts of sedition or what may be construed as espionage or illicit trafficking."
"Such as weapons smuggling?" Melgren offers, looking at me, to which I provide him with a half smile. I probably shouldn't be finding this fun, but I sort of am now.
"As an example, yes." Brennan shrugs.
That sparks a whole other wave of discussion regarding the dagger issue, which does not seem to be going my way.
"If I may point out," I interrupt "while alloy-daggers were allegedly stolen from Basgiatth, no wards were ever disturbed by this operation, and the only outposts attacked in recent years were done so by fliers searching for access to those daggers– which when successfully taken, resulted in weakened or entirely faltered wards protecting those areas. It could be argued that by allegedly smuggling daggers to drifts of fliers, further assaults and loss of life on our boarder were prevented, while serving to weaken the venin in Poromiel, and not harm Navarres defenses at all."
"Are you trying to argue–" Melgren starts, his face reddening slightly.
"I might also point out," I continue, "that I, as someone charged with this alleged smuggling, am solely responsible for ending the recent assault on Samara in September, where I personally killed a full drift of gryphon fliers as they attempted to break into the armory for access to these daggers. At great personal cost, I might add– if a mender was not at a nearby outpost, I might not be sitting here today."
"Are you implying that we should thank you for smuggling out weapons to our enemy?" The Duke of Calldyr asks.
"I am simply saying that these alleged treasonous acts have saved more Navarrian lives than the laws broken by that treason has cost us." I counter.
"If I can jump in here," Brennan speaks up, beginning to argue that while sure, we smuggled out weapons, it's not like we smuggled out crossbolts. These weapons were for the sole purpose of defeating venin, an enemy of Navarre just as much as they are an enemy of Poromiel.
This goes on for some time, and when it's called for a vote, the majority may go in our favor, but notably, Melgren was not one of those votes on our side.
"Then those non-military concerning the pardon. Duke Lewellen, Duke Lindell. Both of you knew of the growing rebellion in Aretia and continued to lead the Senarium to believe that Duke Lewellen was in command of Tyrrendor. Duke Lindell, in particular, committed acts of sedition by inciting and supporting these treasonous acts in children under the age of majority and further encouraged and supported those acts upon their entrance into the riders' quadrant." Melgren says, continuing to list dozens of ways in which Lewellen and Lindell both betrayed Navarre. "King Taiuri graciously has agreed to allow you both to live and include you in negotiations for this pardon, however, you have both been sanctioned by Navarre and will be removed from your seats on the Senarium going forward. Renouncing your titles and stepping back into an earlship. Do you have anything to say on the matter?"
Duke Lewellen stands and nods in greeting to the Senarium. "Thank you, General, I will not dishonor this council by denying these charges, and accept the striping of our peerage and the demotion to earl. However, as the delegation from Tyrrendor, our condition for continued support of this Aretian accord of 635 AU is the reinstatement of the house of Riorson, and Xaden Riorson, son of Fen Riorson and heir to Tyrrendor, be given his rightful seat on the Senarium and over Tyrrendor's governance– as well as Tyrish property taken after the Battle of Aretia of 628 AU returning to his nobel house, namely– the Sword of Tyrrendor."
Theres considerable outrages at this point, and several curses muttered down the table. Lindell grips my shoulder in a show of support, and while I appreciate the gesture, I cannot begin to explain how bad this fucking idea is. I do my best to keep my face natural and my shadows under control, but I do lower my shields slightly to confirm the mood.
Melgren, The Duchess of Morraine and The Duke of Luceras are not at all on our side. Winshire is just pissed that she'll need to bring this to Halden and King Tauri– understandably. Deaconshire, Elsum, and Calldyr, though, seem to have expected the request. I can't help but wonder if Lewellen has spent the last few nights whipping votes.
This point needed substantial debate, and for Captain Winshire to return to the King's quarters to discuss further, so we break for lunch. When we return, Prince Halden is sitting with Captain Winshire.
There's still some back and forth on the question of my title, but the vote passes, shockingly. And the terms of the pardon are agreed to. Basically, everything that could be construed as treason over the past 7 years will be pardoned. From quickly checking The Duchess of Morraine's intention, it's clear that Violet's threat to take her dragons and the rest of the Aretian riot if her demands weren't met is what clinched it. That and her daughter, who's apparently 25 and single. Gods… the fucking marrage alliances will start up again if I'm titled… and Violet wont be able to marry until she's out of the quadrant.
Though if I'm a Duke, maybe I can change that… at least in Tyrrendor…
Annoyingly, Halden also insists that he- as a royal representative join the task force for the 7th breed, which no one has much of a complaint about, though Brennan does shift in his seat uncomfortably at the discussion. Understandable considering what a fucking asshole Halden is. I had only met him a couple of times growing up from my position in my fathers court, but Gods, he's worse then I remember, and I've seen too deeply into Captain Winshire's mind to dare looking in his to check why he wants to be on the taskforce to begin with, or what his other intentions may be.
"Then the final demand: The fliers, Lieutenant Colonel Aisereigh, is it? Or are we reverting to Sorringail now that you're facing a pardon?" Melgren asks cooly.
"For the sake of clarity, let's stick with Aisereigh for now, shall we?" He offers, standing to address the group. "We understand that the biggest concern for the promish delegation for welcoming the fliers into Basgith is the guarantee of their safety and their inability to wield under the protection of our wards. If I can call in Captain Sorringail to address this?"
The guard at the door nods and exits to collect Mira.
"Captain Sorringail?" Halden asks, "Mira's been promoted for her treason?"
"Captain Sorringail has been promoted for her valor by the commanders of the Aretain Riot," Brennan tells him, "And I believe she's just been pardoned for any treason."
"Her Valor under Navarre isn't anything to discount either. you all don't give out the Order of the Talon to just anyone, do you?" I add as Mira walks in.
"Mira– excellent to see you," Halden says when she approaches.
"Your Royal Highness," She replies in greeting, though notably not bowing in the slightest. Halden seems to notice too and actually smirks at the snub.
"Captain Sorringail, please present the findings you shared with me this morning", Brennan says, stepping back and letting Mira take the center.
"I have spent the last several days in Aretia, where members of the Aretian Assembly have been working to identify and understand the wardstone on the premises, which Cadet Sorringail was able to partially activate. This incomplete warding prompted Assemblyman Trissa, the Aratian's expert on Tyrish runes, to investigate the possibility of altering the runes to allow for magic channeled through a gryphon to be channeled within the wards, just as well as that channeled by a dragon, without compromising the efficacy of preventing venin channeling such magics. We have tested several ways of effecting runes to confirm this hypothesis and have come away confident in our ability to do so." Mira takes a small wooden disk from her bag. "As you can see in this example, the runes on this disk have been altered, yet still maintain the general purpose of creating heat."
She passes the disk around to the Senarium, who all examine it and feel for the heat around the rune.
This is what Violet was working on? She wants to alter the fucking wards? They're never going to allow that.
"This proves that we can manipulate the Basgith Wardstone in such a way that the fliers will be able to be at full power, but the dark wielders will still be unable to channel."
"You want us to alter our wards– virtually our only defence against the dark wielders, the very thing that we have fought to protect from the gryphons for 600 years– to allow those same gryphons to wield within our borders?" The Duchess of Elsum asks, sounding outraged. To be fair, she does have by far the largest border with Poromiel, so some outrage is understandable.
"We are proposing this alteration in order to find peace with Poromiel and join our forces against the dark wielders, yes," Mira says.
"And this was tested on this… heating rune?" The Duke of Calldyr asks.
"Among others, yes."
"But not the Aretian wardstone," he clarifies.
"No. Fliers are already able to channel in Aretia due to the incomplete nature of the wards Cadet Sorringail was able to raise."
"How did Violet raise any wards?" Prince Halden asks, using her first name and making my jaw clench. He called Mira by her first name, too. They would have known each other growing up. It's fine. I remind myself. It doesn't mean anything.
"Cadet Sorringail successfully translated the journal of Warrick of Luceras, in tandem with Wingleader Aetos and Scribe Cadet Neilwart– it wasn't until Cadet Neilwart was able to translate the journal of Lyra of Morraine when Cadet Sorringail discovered the secret of the 7th breed of dragon, who's fire was missing from the firing of the Aretian wardstone– thus resulting in the incomplete wards."
"And how did she come to receive these historical artifacts?" The Prince asks obnoxiously, considering how he already knows the answer.
"As I understand it, she collected them from the royal library here in the archives."
"She stole them," Halden corrects with an annoying little smile.
"For which I hear she is expected to receive a pardon. She was also tortured for 5 days for stealing these journals, I believe Cadet Sorringail has learned her lesson in that regard." Mira replies, clearly getting riled.
"Do you really?" Halden asks, to which Mira raises an eyebrow in clear question for him to clarify. "Do you really think Violet learned her lesson? The Violet I knew wasn't one to learn any lesson that she didn't request herself, and as I understand it, she spent those 5 days being tortured without speaking a word regarding who helped her get in to the royal archives, which hold a still intact ward preventing access to anyone but royalty."
"As I was stationed at Samara at the time and unaware of Cadet Sorringail's actions, I cannot speak to that," Mira says, tilting her head at Halden in annoyance. "Though Your Royal Highness, if a member of your bloodline was indeed required to access these journals, I suppose we owe whomever it may have been, a great deal of thanks, considering it was this actuion that lead to Cadet Sorringail accessing these journals and saving the lives of everyone in Navarre a mear two weeks ago."
"Are you implying I had something to do with–"
"I have no way of knowing who, if anyone, contributed to Cadet Sorringail's retrieval of these journals, but as I believe we can all assume King Tauri had no hand in such a thing, and you and Cadet Sorringail are old friends, of course–"
"If I may interrupt," Brennan steps in, glancing down at the shadows gathering around me and then back up at Mira and Halden.
Old Friends? What the fuck does that mean?
"The question of the pardon that will include these actions has already been addressed, I believe we were discussing the fliers?"
"Of course, Brennan," Halden says. "Excellent to finally meet you– I believe you were in the quadrant when your mother was stationed in Calldyr and then, of course… dead before I could be granted the pleasure."
"A point that I believe is also covered in the pardon," Brennan insists.
"Quite right– if I may, Your Royal Highness, let's indeed move forward with the question of the filers," The Duke of Calldyr said. "Captain Sorringail. To summarize, you have proven that runes do in fact still function should one rune be altered– but to my understanding, we have not identified a trusted translation of each of the runes on the wardstone either here in Basgith or the one in Aretia. Are you or your rune expert able to identify which rune would need to be altered to allow the fliers to wield but not the venin?"
"We have a hypothesis based on what has been deduced from the runes on the wardstone in Aretia; however, as highlighted by Prince Halden, this has not been tested."
This debate continues, with Mira answering each question expertly and only The Duchess of Morraine questioning the fact that technically runes are still banned magic, unfortunately, it is clear that it's not going our way, and by the time Mira is dismissed, the Tyrrish delegation is the only one to vote in favor of altering the wardstone. And if I'm being honest, I only did so because I trust Violet. If anyone else were to suggest it, I wouldn't have voted in favor either.
Without the filers' ability to channel, it becomes quite clear that the Senarium will not allow the fliers to remain in Basgith– apparently for their own safety, but in truth, because they will always hate them.
The Promish delegation, who will be presented with the Senariums proposals as soon as they're decided on here, will almost certainly walk if the fliers aren't welcomed back. Which fucks up everything.
There are several more points of contention to address regarding the Promish alliance, and by the time Viscount Tecarus, the Cygnisen and Braevick representatives, and the aid to Queen Maraya enter, it takes mere minutes for them to leave the table.
At least we'll all be pardoned…
We leave the Senarium exhausted, Duke Luellen stepping away to arrange the delivery of the Sword of Tyrrendor back to Aretia, and Mira joins us, disappointed.
"You should be proud of yourself, really, you were great, but it's a nearly impossible sell, I doubt anything would have made them vote in favor of the fliers," Brennan tells her.
"It's true, agreements like this could take years–" Lewellen says.
"We don't exactly have years. Aretias' wards have six months." Mira points out. "Gods, I hate Halden. He was always such an asshole. You're lucky you were dead, Brennan, and didn't have to deal with him and dad–"
"I wasn't dead," Brennan mutters, but his voice dies out as the sound of voices reaches us as we walk nearer the courtyard.
"You blame us for Barlowe, but you're the ones who left!" Aura Binehaves voice, sounding magically amplified comes through clear as day and we all look at eachother knowing this can't be good and pick up our pace until we see what must be the whole quadrant gathered around Aura Binehavent and Dain fucking Aetos.
Dain stepped forward, apparently without drawing a weapon, and Aura clearly has the crowd's support.
"We chose truth; we chose to defend the helpless–" He tries, but Aura interrupts him before he's able to gain any traction.
"You chose to break the riot! Fracture the quadrant!" She's in his face, pointing at his chest, "and then you bring home the very enemy we've spent centuries fighting, the enemy that killed my own cousin in one of their raids! And you think we should welcome them into the heart of the kingdom they've been trained to destroy?"
"We need the fliers," Dain argues.
"You need them!" Aura yells back, "We fought to save Basgiath! We were steadfast in our defense! We never wavered!" The crowd cheers like she's running for office. "What do you say? Your strongest against ours? Here's the deal, Wingleader: Defeat me, and your fliers survive the night. Fail, and this courtyard will run red with your blood."
There's considerable noise, and I move to step forward, but Leweellen stops me.
"Let this serve as our mat. What would our combat master say?"
"Begin!" First wing calls in unison. Nyra would be so fucking disappointed.
"I'm not fighting you, Aura!" Dain yells at her, still not reaching for a weapon, good for him, but also… maybe now's not the time.
"I'm fighting you!" She insists and starts to pull her glove off. "Or have you really turned coward? Just another rebel who needs to be marked as such."
"Fuck, if she's taking off her gloves shes not following challenge rules. She's going to wield," Mira says.
"What's her signet?" Brennan asks.
"Fire," I tell them, remembering how she was in fourth wing. I moved her into second wing so I could have Violet…
"Aetos' memory reading isn't going to– shit" Mira exclaims as a dagger flies past Aura and pins her glove to dais behind her as fire emits from her palm for a moment before it dissipates. No one else has aim like that with a dagger, though. It literally is always Violet, isn't it?
To Dains credit, or possibly stupidity. He didn't even flinch at her fire, though.
"Sorrengail." Aura glares into the crowd. I cant see Vioelt given how much shorter she is then everyone else, but she must step closer, or everyone else backs away, because slower then I'd like, the silver tipped braid that will forever hunt me comes into view, followed by the rest of her perfect fucking body. She will make a beautiful Dutchess, at least…
"Rebel is so... outdated. We prefer the term revolutionary." She yells at Aura, and I can feel myself smile. Gods, I love her. "And if you're going to wield, then it's me you'll be dealing with."
"You dare–?" Aura yells, pulling her other glove off.
"I dare," She says, forcefully, and she raises her hand in the air, causing lighting to flash directly above the courtyard, its branches reaching far across the sky.
"Damn" Mira says.
"She's so fucking hot," I say outloud by accident and Brennan turns to look at me with a face that just says, can you not? Before returning his attention to his sister.
Fuck. She really is so damn hot though.
"You see, Dain's too honorable to wield in a challenge, but you'll find that my sense of morality has learned to… waver," she says, and if possible, I smile wider, watching her pull another dagger. "You lift your hand against him again, and the next one goes through it. He's the reason you're alive. The reason you're all alive." Violet yells out again, and I can see her free hand reach for her conduit.
"The only reason you survived the attack is because we gained access to the knowledge Navarre purposely hid from us. We stole it. We translated it. We saved your ass. And yes, we expect you to recognize that we need this alliance to survive what's coming for us!"
"You expect us to trust them?" A second year from first wing calls out. Shit. What was her name? She was Barlowe's girlfriend or something, I should really remember her name.
"You have to," Violet answers. "But more importantly, you can. They've fought by our side for months, even after we've spent centuries condemning their people to death because we're unwilling to share the one resource that could have saved them. We don't have to like each other, but we do have to trust each other, and we can't keep doing this, can't keep accepting needless casualties in the quadrant in the name of strengthening the wing, not when every single one of us is needed in this war."
"It's their war! Do you really believe we should weaken our wards and endanger our own people just to arm theirs? You choose Poromiel over Navarre?"
"We can choose both!" She yells, resheathing her dagger in a gesture that Aura might consider peaceful, but I know means she's preparing to wield.
Her movement caused another second year... Or third year? Who fucking cares, to take a step towards Violet, but Aaric has his sword drawn and pointed at his chest before he can take another step.
Jealousy flashes through me for a moment, and I remind myself that they're just friends. That he's in her squad, of course he'd defend her. That's a good thing.
"The riders who came before us failed to protect the innocent just because they were on the other side of our border; they lied and hid. They were the cowards! But we don't have to be. We can choose to stand together and fight. Leadership is locked behind doors right now trying to forge a treaty, but they're failing, just like every generation before us has failed, and if we do the same," Violet shakes her head, pausing for time probably, but Gods damn am I impressed. My father would be impressed too… he might even forgive her last name for this. "You've seen what's out there. Either this alliance begins right here with us, with our generation, or we will be the last dragon riders and the last gryphon fliers on the continent."
Violet looks around the entirely silent crowd, apparently honestly considering her words. I wonder briefly if Cat is adjusting anyone's emotions before remembering that she can't be behind the wards… this is all Violet's command of the crowd.
"Well?" She concludes, and no one moves. No one says anything.
"Is this what you do when we give you a break from classes?" Devera calls out, standing with Emetterio and Kaori at the other end of the courtyard. Devera and Emetterio were still dressed for flight, looking like they just got back.
"Sorrengail is right; there is every chance we will all meet Malek in the coming months, but you must decide if you'd rather die fighting each other or facing our shared enemy. Go ahead and choose. We'll wait," She adds like this is battle brief.
"Die now or die later, what's the difference?" Someone asks.
"Die now, and the scribes will call your name in the morning. Choose to fight your common enemy, and there's a chance you'll live to graduate." Emetterio says, "Personally– I like our odds. The last time a shadow and lighting wielder fought side by side, they managed to drive the venin back into the Barrens for a few hundred years. We'll figure out how to do it again."
"You do your dragons– and gryphons proud," Devera says as the cadets who had weapons drawn begin putting them away. "Vacation is over. Your professors are returning in the next twenty-four hours, and if I were you, I'd concentrate on getting a good night's sleep before Emetterio here decides you should run the Gauntlet just for fun. We are done waiting for nobles. Battle Brief is at nine AM sharp, treaty or no treaty. And that includes every cadet, no matter what color leathers you prefer. You're released from whatever it was you thought you were doing here."
The five of us walk over to where Second Squad– or most of Second Squad approach the professors after Devera's speech.
"I feel so protected, nurtured even. Wouldn't you agree, Violet?" Ridoc jokes to her as we reach them.
"You pretty much described how Violet was raised," Dain says from where he stands with Aaric and looks to Violet. I refuse to lower my shields when I still can't control myself; it's way too crowded to risk it, but Gods, I want to understand the look he's giving her. "Thanks for stepping in. Thought she was going to torch me there for a second."
"Thanks for coming without hesitation when I said we needed you." She added, and meets his gaze.
"Always will." He smiles at her. The knowledge that he can touch her. That he can be there for her when I can't hits me, and it's worse than jealousy. It's rage. I take the risk and lower my shields slightly, just a little bit, as little as I can to see his mind, and his intention are… friendship?
For the first time in years his first thought about Violet isnt how he can get her to love him the way he loves her, or how he can at least fuck her. I can feel my shocked expression and hope no one notices as I watch him walk away and search more of his mind.
My inntinnsic ability really is growing, because it's far more than just intentions I can see now. He still loves Violet. He probably always will. But he honestly just wants her friendship back. And he feels weird about what just happened with Aura. They have a history I don't know about, but he doesn't dwell on it, so I can't see more.
And Sloane. He's thinking about Sloane. He's worried about her. She was quiet during that, protecting the only remaining flier in their year, but she still won't talk about what happened during the battle, and he's worried for her.
There's an acknowledgment that he's attracted to Violet still, that he loves her, but there aren't any intentions around it.
I'm sure that's a good thing, but it's beyond what I'm used to from him. I can't spend much more time thinking about it. Not when Violet's eyes meet mine, clearly having seen me watch her interaction with Dain.
She'll think I'm jealous. I am jealous. But apparently, I have less to worry about than before. Unless I need to start worrying about him going after Sloane.
Rhiannon starts to pull Ridoc and Aaric away, but Brennan announces that we need to discuss something with the prince– I think only Vi and Rhiannon know he's a prince still… which explains why Ridoc is annoyed, but we all head down through the courtyard into the gym, which is the nearest quiet place apparently.
"Everything all right?" Violet asks me, "Are you all right?"
"Good speech," I tell her and take her hand.
"She was going to kill Dain, They really do hate us."
"Doesn't change the fact that we're here. Especially now that we've reached terms for the riot to stay," I tell her as we all settle into the gym and close the door.
"That's good, right?" Violet asks, "And you didn't answer my question."
Gods, am I all right? Who fucking knows.
"Talk to your brother first," I tell her, but it's Aaric who speaks first.
"Let me guess. Halden complicated negotiations?"
Violet looks pale. She's taking these negotiations personally, it seems.
"Your brother certainly didn't help," Lewellen tells Aaric.
"Halden's here?" Violet asks.
"Rode in this morning with a company from the Western Guard," Lewellen confirms, but Aaric and Violet share a look that I'm not a fan of. Surely they aren't friends like she and Aaric, though, Halden was a prick. Not quite as bad as Allic, but still.
"Great," She says sarcastically, and I look up to notice Mira's eyes on me suspiciously.
"Your secret is still safe, by the way," Lewellen confirms. "Though you might consider putting your father out of his misery. He has half his personal guard searching for you."
"Shows how effective they are, don't you think?" Aaric comments. "So, do you carry news, or were you just gathered to hear Violet's speech? She was quite moving."
"We heard," Brennan says, looking at his sister with pride, "and saw."
"She'd be a great politician," Aaric adds. "Or a general, maybe? Definitely nobility."
"With that speech? At least a Duchess," I say softly, brushing her arm with my own. We've only touched on the fact of my nobility before, I doubt she's given it much thought…
"No, thank you to… any of that." Ouch. I try not to consider the comment, "I have no love for politics, nor am I good at dealing with the Senarium. Okay. Someone needs to start talking."
"Lieutenant Riorson?" a rider comes in with a messenger sash. Gods. It's starting already.
"Be right back," I say, annoyed.
"Your um… Grace," the rider says. So great. Word travels fucking fast apprently. "You're being called away for patrol with Lieutenant Tavis. Colonel Quade pulled riders from the midland posts out to the eastern wing, and so the patrol schedule needed to be restructured."
Colonel Quade? Gods, everyone's getting promoted now.
"Thank you. And please, Lieutenant Riorson is fine–" I sa,y but remember what my father always told me about the title being there for a reason... Godsdamn this is going to take some getting used to. "At least when I'm in black." I clarify, and he nods, giving me the missive containing my new orders and retreating out of the gym. I look down at the paper… fuck. I have a fucking 12 hour patrol? Then in the moring I'll be right back in the fucking Senarium.
This is why nobility don't become riders.
"Andarna's demands?" Violet asks as I rejoin the group next to Violet.
"Right," Lewellen says, "you already know point two is now in the hands of Captain Grady. But you won point three. The Senarium has agreed that all those who flew for Aretia will be welcomed back with a full pardon for their treason and sedition within the now-negotiated accord with Aretia, which will be signed in the morning once the scribes finish drafting it. Personally, I think you scared the shit out of them by threatening to leave yesterday, Violet. Good job. Point four, Andarna will not submit for any examination. And five, she will be granted access to hunt in the king's forest whenever she pleases."
I smile at the last point. Sometimes, Andarna's adolescence is amusing.
"You skipped the fliers," Violet points out, looking at Brennan. "Keeping them safe and our squads intact is first on the list."
"That particular matter didn't make it to Poromiel's table," Lewellen confirms. "Your sister argued valiantly and displayed astonishing capability, but the Senarium voted six to one, and the safety of Navarre's borders is not to be tampered with."
"What about the alliance?" Violet asks.
"It's failed," Lewellen tells her.
"Because the fliers aren't safe here," She argues, though everyone in this room is on her side.
"Because treaties like this take time, and we won't figure this out before their queen's deadline in two days." Brennan says, sounding exhausted, "Flier cadets will be safe in Aretia while we still have wards, and hopefully, Queen Maraya can force her nobles back to the table at a later date. Politics are complicated."
"When you put it that way. I guess it's back to Basgiath business as usual tomorrow, and I should prep for our mission– or is research as out of my control as the team members?"
Mira's eyes narrow at Violet, and I can't help but agree. Violet has never given up on anything, she won't be giving up on this. But I have to trust that she'll tell me if I need to know.
Not knowing things fucking suck. But if there's even a chance I'll leak to venin, I can't risk it.
"Every resource, including the royal library, will be made available to you," Brennan tells her.
"Oh good, because books will keep her safe–" Mira adds sarcastically.
"Well, as fun as this has been," Aaric says, dismissing himself. Lewellen and Brennan watch him go almost longingly. Aaric is surely a better man than his brother, but I can't help but feel for him, given I'm also being pushed towards power I really shouldn't be given. My turning venin isn't quite the same as being the third son, but still.
"He'll come around," Lewellen says, regarding the prince, and then turns to me with a broad smile that fills me with guilt. "Enjoy your win, Xaden. Delaying the alliance is unfortunate, but we won. Your father would be proud."
"I highly doubt that," I comment. If my father knew I turned… he'd kill me himself.
"We'll leave you to tell her the good news. I really am sorry we couldn't make the alliance work," Brennan says, smiling awkwardly, and leaves with Mira and Lewellen.
"What did you win?" Violet asks when they leave.
"I didn't win it. Didn't even ask for it. I'm the last person…" I shake my head. "Lewellen and Lindell told them it was the price of keeping the riot here, and the Senarium gave in. That's how scared they are of losing our numbers. They actually agreed to give it back, and I wish they hadn't. Not now. Not when I'm like… this." I indicate my eyes, knowing they don't show it, but they may as well be blood red. "My father wouldn't be proud. He'd be horrified."
"I don't believe that," Violet says, but she's blind to this. To me.
"You didn't know him. There was only one thing in this world he loved more than me." The truth of it still sings.
"What did the king give you?"
"I've been trying to think of a way out of it for the last hour. The king sanctioned both Lindell and Lewellen for their roles in hiding Aretia– just like they predicted this morning– so they're not options. And I can't reject the agreement, or everyone will know something is wrong." I finally look at Violet. Asking too much of her as always. "The only solution I can think of is you. You'll be the first to sense when I lose the rest of what makes me… me."
I reach for her, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"You won't," She insists.
"I will. This morning showed me it's just a matter of time and reason. It's not fair, and you might hate me for it later, but I need you to make me a promise. Swear you'll sound the alarm if I go too far, that you'll keep it safe, even if it's from me," I ask her, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, looking her in the eye.
"What–?" She starts to ask when Garrick walks in, holding a rolled parchment.
"The earl of Lewellen said you'd be in here. Orders aren't optional, Riorson, even for nobility. We need to go," he says from the doorway. Apparently, having heard the news, too.
"Promise me," I insist to Violet.
"You're leaving? Now?"
"Promise me, Violet. Please."
"I promise," She finally says, and I feel a sense of relief that's entirely unfair to her. She never asked for any of this.
"Thank you."
"I know you can hear me. Let's go!" Garrick calls.
"I love you," I say, and I kiss Violet quickly before I can feel her power too much.
"I love you too. Tell me what the king gave you."
"He gave me back my title and the seat in the Senarium." Violet's mouth opens in surprise. "Not just Aretia, either… he gave me Tyrrendor."
"Xaden–"
"Don't wait up." I kiss her hands, holding them against me for one breath before stepping away. "I'll be back by eight AM to sign that accord. Try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone."
"Be careful," She calls to me as I step out.
"I hope you don't mind being called away, Your Grace," Garrick says, sounding some mixture of annoyed and amused, and I try to avoid the comment. Then, when we reach the doorway out of the academic wing to walk up to the fight field, he jumps ahead of me, reaching for the door. "Please, Your Grace, allow me," he says, sarcasm officially coming through loud and clear as he opens the door.
"Can you not?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Duke Riorson. Do you prefer–"
"Seriously, don't," I insist, and he snickers.
"I told Bodhi your good news. Is he a lord now? Being second in line, or is it only children of nobility that are called lord, not just a chosen heir. It's been so long since I needed to remember these things."
"Gods…"
"He laughed until I reminded him Tyrrendor is now dependent on him staying alive, considering your… condition. Particularly considering you can't exactly get Violet pregnant when you cant even–"
"Are you being fucking serious right now?" I ask, ice beginning to fill my blood as he laughs at me.
"How do you feel?" He finally asks, and I just look at him for a moment.
"I didn't know how to tell them I couldn't take the title without telling them why," I tell him softly. "I fucking hate this."
"What did you ask Violet to promise you?" He asks.
"To say something if I start to… slip. I asked her to protect Tyrrendor."
"Do you think General Sorringail would be glad she wasn't around to see her daughter become the Duchess of Tyrrendor?"
"Bit soon for joking about her mom dying, Garrick," I point out, but feel the corner of my mouth rise. "The thought of Violet being my duchess is the only thing keeping me from just abdicating and risking everyone asking why."
"Does she… you know… want to be a duchess?" He asks "thats kind of different then being a scribe, which was her goal her whole fucking life."
"No. I mean… not really. I told her the Assembly wanted me to consider my… station, and what that might mean if we fought for independence–"
"And you were King Riorson, not just a duke."
"Right." I say cooly, "but we didn't really have time to talk about it."
"You know what's annoying?" He asks rhetorically "I'm the one with the second signet– but you get all the glory for all your power with the fucking shadows, now you're the Duke too… plus you're little power boost from The Situation. Doesn't seem fair."
"Do you want to be the Duke? Theoretically, I could name you my heir. You and Bodhi could fight for it," I offer, but it's unlike him to mention his second signet like that. It makes me worry that he might mean it.
"Duke Tavis does sound pretty good… but it's only been like an hour, and you already make it look hard."
I laugh; it almost feels like when we were kids. When he was the cool one. He was always the stronger of us, the one people liked. Especially the girls…
"What's going on with you and Imogen?" I ask as I think of it. "That shit this morning about you and some flier?"
"Fuck," He says, running is hands through his hair "I'm sorry for making fun of you okay, you dont need to bring up Imogen." He mutters, and I laugh again.
"Seriously," I say. "What were you saying yesterday before she got there?"
"I told her I love her." He says, not looking at me. "And she…. Didnt. I know she feels it. We've been dancing around it for ages. But now it's like she's just afraid of it." He shrugs and shakes his head like he's trying not to think about it. "I've decided to blame you. You and Violet are too obsessed with each other and it's been a fucking mess– first she got stabbed like 24 hours after saying she loved you, then you two were totally fucked for months, now you turned… it makes a relationship seem impossible."
I roll my eyes at him, but he continues. "I guess the battle made us… Switch or whatever. Now, I want something real regardless of our likely death, and she wants distance because she was afraid for me during the battle. Apparently, Quinn is the only one she's allowed to care about."
"Too bad Quinn's taken," I shrug, and he pushes my shoulder, rolling his eyes.
"I'm actually looking foward to going back to Samara so I don't have to see her every day anymore, except every time her squad of theird years is called out I freak the fuck out. Why do you think I keep making her watch you? I'm just holding her back from patrols and midland posts like it will keep her alive– which is ironic given your… condition."
He seems glad to have had the opportunity to vent, but when we reach out dragons, he nods at me and steps away, leaving me to my thoughts with Sgaeyl, who's not even looking in my direction, and we mount. Orders were to patrol the border of Morraine all fucking night, and the snow may have calmed down but its still fucking cold.
"Sorry about the weather," I tell Sgaeyl and feel her annoyance at me through the bond she refuses to use anymore.