Which was why Brigi worked in the stables. That, and her knowledge and experience with horses was extensive. “Brigi, do you know the Council Hall guards’ schedule?”
“By heart. Why?”
Valek stifled a groan. Of course she would know. Why hadn’t he thought of that before? “I need it, along with the Council’s meeting schedule.”
“Twice a season, they hold public meetings. Each day for two weeks, they have a two-hour public session to discuss various issues in the morning. The closed-door sessions for just the Council are in the afternoons. You’re in luck, this is week two of the first set of public meetings for the cold season. Also, they don’t meet at all during the hot season. Unless there’s an emergency, then they meet as soon as possible. That applies for any time of the year.”
“Has there been any emergency assemblies lately?”
“Not since the Scourge of Sitia escaped back to Ixia.” She gave him a pointed look. “When he was here last season, though, there were lots of panicked gatherings.”
“Nice,” Ari said.
“I’ll need that schedule,” Valek said. “I plan to attend tomorrow’s meeting.”
* * *
In the morning, Valek stopped by the market. Fisk and his friends hustled among the stands. One young boy helped Ari purchase a few items to fill out a medium-sized bag. Ari hadn’t wanted Healer Hayes to wonder why his new orderly only carried one small pack.
Fisk eventually made eye contact with Valek. He shook his head. A universal sign that the boy didn’t have any additional information. Valek returned to the safe house to enhance his disguise. Being inside the Council Hall was dangerous, he would be surrounded by Sitian guards and there would be limited exits. If anyone recognized him, Valek would be in serious trouble.
With his sculpting putty, he softened his nose, turning it pudgy. He donned a pair of eyeglasses and added a few more wrinkles to his face. Satisfied, he headed to the Council Hall and joined the flow of people entering for the public meeting. The guards barely glanced at him, and he followed the others into the great hall.
The hall stretched three stories high and had been decorated with fifteen colorful banners, representing the eleven Sitian clans and the four master magicians. A U-shaped table filled the back third of the room. Currently, the seats were empty. Facing the table was a series of benches that had been arranged in rows. People settled on them. A tall podium had been set at the top of the U.
Valek picked a spot in the fourth row. He inspected the rafters in the ceiling, seeking hiding places. The banners offered great cover. And best of all, the high windows not only provided light, but would be perfect access points. If he could climb the outer walls. Unfortunately, marble was notoriously slick.
The murmur of voices ceased as soon as the councilors entered through a door behind the table. Everyone stood. The clan leaders split, six going to the chairs on the right arm of the U and five heading to the ones on the left. Three master magicians stopped at the bend of the U, while First Magician Roze Featherstone approached the podium.
Regal, powerful, and the leader of the council, Roze was a tall woman with midnight skin and short white hair. She banged a gavel on the wood, even though the entire room was silent. “I call this meeting to order,” she said, scanning the crowd.
Magic brushed Valek’s face as Roze used her powers. Since one of her many skills was mental communication, he guessed she searched for anyone who planned to disrupt the session or cause harm. Glad his immunity kept her from sensing him, Valek wondered if she also scanned the rafters with her magic.
“The topics for today’s assembly are the tax increase proposal, the permit application for renovating the Hart Iron Works building, and the bids to build a new east-west travel route through the Greenblade Clan’s land. The council will discuss each issue, then we will allow comments from those in attendance before moving on to the next agenda item.” Roze sat in the chair at the middle of the bend, signaling to everyone they could be seated as well.
The council launched into a debate about increasing taxes. Valek considered it all a colossal waste of time. Too many opinions, too many egos to smooth, too many stupid comments. While in Ixia, the Commander decided and it was done.
Bored, Valek studied the other master magicians. Second Magician Bain Bloodgood was the oldest. He wore navy blue robes, which contrasted with his wild, curly white hair. His eyes kept drifting closed, probably bored as well. At age twenty-one, Third Magician Zitora Cowan was the youngest and newest master. She took copious notes despite her long braids getting in the way. Zitora was a pretty woman, with a heart-shaped face and pale yellow eyes.
Valek was most familiar with Fourth Magician, Irys Jewelrose. Irys kept her long hair tied in a tight bun; a few white strands lurked among the glossy black. Not as many as the Commander’s, even though they were close in age. Valek considered Irys a friend. She had traveled to Ixia to deal with Yelena’s uncontrolled magic, intending to kill Yelena before she flamed out and caused a serious disruption in the blanket of power. Valek foiled her first attempt, and, by the second try, Yelena had gained control. In the end, Irys had helped stop General Brazell and Mogkan’s attempt to overthrow the Commander.
As if she could sense Valek’s scrutiny, Irys glanced at the audience. He stilled as her gaze swept his row, but she showed no signs of recognition. The last time she found out that Valek was in Sitia, she had told Yelena to warn him to leave right away. A smart plan, except he couldn’t leave Yelena to deal with Ferde and Cahil on her own. Even if the decision had almost killed him. He’d gladly give his life for Yelena’s.
The other councilors had all been elected to represent their clans. Probably also to protect their interests. He paid particular attention to Councilor Harun Sandseed. Similar to all the Sandseed warriors, he was a tall muscular man with dark skin. Harun appeared distracted and kept tugging at the collar of his tunic. Yelena had told Valek the Sandseed Clan members were nomadic, and some preferred not to wear clothing. However, Valek wondered if Harun’s discomfort was due to the unusual arrival of his clan members.
To keep from falling asleep, Valek tested his memory on the other councilors’ names. He had met Bavol Zaltana, the leader of Yelena’s clan when Valek had pretended to be Adviser Ilom. The others were Tama Moon, Shaba Greenblade, Leuel Stormdance, Ruy Cloudmist, Thema Cowan, Adya Krystal, Glynn Featherstone, Emlyn Jewelrose, and Kyler Bloodgood.
Finally, the meeting was over. The council left first by the back entrance. The attendees filed out the main doors. A few people hung together, talking animatedly. No one seemed in a hurry to leave, so Valek wandered around, examining the walls as the room slowly emptied.
“Can I help you, sir?” a masculine voice asked him.
Valek turned. A guard stood a few feet away.
“Do you know how they hang them all the way up there?” Valek gestured to the banners.
The guard chuckled. “First time in the great hall?”
He met his gaze and gave him a sheepish grin. “That obvious?”
