Perian’s face split into a wide grin.
“That would be wonderful, Kee. Thank you just for thinking of it.”
Yes, Perian was right. Just articulating that wish meant a lot.
The Prince huffed a breath. “I’m going to do more than think of it.”
“Your mother isn’t going to like it,” Perian said carefully.
“My mother needs to learn to adapt,” the Prince said stiffly. “We aredoing harm, and that is not acceptable. I will do everything I can to change her mind.”
“I’m sure you will,” Perian said, expression fond.
The Prince cleared his throat. “If I do succeed in convincing her, would you, uh, consider coming back?”
He was directing his question at Perian and Brannal, Trill realized. They exchanged a glance.
“We’d need to talk about it,” Brannal said diplomatically.
“He means ‘yes,’” Perian corrected.
Brannal’s gaze swept from Perian to Cormal.
Cormal swallowed visibly. “I know I speak not only for myself but for the entirety of the Mage Warriors and Warriors: that would be the best possible outcome. It would be wonderful to have you back, Brannal. I think one of the better ways to prove that what we’re saying is true is to have live examples of it, but I know that would put a lot of pressure on Perian. I’d be more than willing to apologize publicly or whatever is needed to show that I’ve changed the way I think about you. Or leave!” he added suddenly. “I meant it when I offered that solution before. If that makes it better for everyone, I’ll leave.”
Stiffly, the Prince said, “That doesnotmake it better for everyone.”
Cormal looked torn between the Prince and renewing his offer to Perian and Brannal.
Fortunately, Brannal said, “I don’t believe that would be the best solution. You can’t show that your opinion has changed if you leave—it would look like you’d been driven off much as we were. We need to actually change people’s minds where possible, not simply push out those who dissent.”
The Prince relaxed visibly.
“As long as this ends with no one proposing me as Summus, I’m good with it,” Molun told them.
Everyone laughed, and the tension around the table relaxed even more.
Brannal raised an eyebrow. “I thought you wanted to be in charge of everyone?”
Molun scoffed, but he was grinning. “I wanted my chance to boss you around, that’s all. I can’t think of anything worse than being in charge of everyone. No offense.”
Brannal was laughing. “None taken. And if you won’t be offended, I will say that you make an excellent Tertius.”
“And Secundus,” Cormal interjected.
Molun shot him a look.
“Seriously,” Cormal said. Then he made a face and amended, “Mostly seriously?”
Molun laughed. Trill was so glad they could joke about this now. He liked it much better when they were all getting along.
“Brannal knew what he was doing,” Cormal continued. “Youdoneed people who can work together, which is where we struggled when I was being an ass, but it’s important to have people with varying strengths and approaches. It means we can reach more people and solve problems better. I lost sight of that, and I’m determined to do better.” He looked at Perian. “I saw what you could do with my own eyes, but it didn’t once occur to me what itmeant, and it should have. We’ve lamented the loss of Life Mages for centuries, and I nearly destroyed you because I couldn’t see what was right in front of me. Thankfully, I wasn’t in the majority at the castle, but I’m afraid there will be others like me, and it will take time and effort to show the error of our thinking.”
“It will help to have abilities that are of benefit to people,” Perian pointed out wryly.
Cormal made a face. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like that!”
“But it’s true,” Trill agreed, nodding at Perian. “If we can gain the support of the Queen and aren’t actually in danger of our lives, then the fact that we can help people is probably a strong deciding factor in our favor.”
