THE COUNCIL’S DECISION
House Fatàn will provide both shieldweavers to the people of Vallenna and the Written Future to the High Council at times of threat to the realm.
–The Arcanth Accords, Article XXI
Kara was still catching her breath on the riverbank when Alys and Henry’s team reached the dock. Alys hid her disappointment well when she saw another boat already moored, passing Kara an almost believable smile.
Henry stepped off the boat and congratulated her warmly. “Well done, Lady Hale. Seven points each now – looks like we’re tied for first place.” He smiled. “Our fathers will be pleased.”
If you’d come last maybe mine wouldn’t be so sure about you.
The thought was petty. And she knew it. She smiled at him instead. “Thank you, Henry, to you as well. How did you find the trial?”
“It made me a little seasick actually,” he admitted.
Kara laughed lightly. “Yes, I can see why. Morra actually got thrown overboard.”
Henry paled. “Is she okay?”
“Sebastian dove in after her. Pulled her to safety. It was close though,” Kara told him. “He was very brave.”
Behind her, Sebastian let out a low sound, half laugh, half scoff. Kara turned, surprised – and a little embarrassed – to find him standing closer than she’d realised, wet hair still plastered to his jaw. He’d been listening.
Henry threw out his hand to Sebastian. “Good show, Thorne. The Four were smiling on you.”
Sebastian stared at Henry’s outstretched hand and for one absurd moment Kara thought that he might ignore it altogether. Finally, he gripped it – hard enough to make Henry wince.
“The Four had nothing to do with it,” Sebastian said. “And you are?”
“Lord Henry, Second Son of House Caldris.”
“Henry,” Sebastian repeated with a nod. He glanced down at Kara, eyebrow raised.
She looked away quickly.
Henry frowned. “Right,” he said after a beat too long. Then passed Kara a tight smile. “I best get back to my team. Congratulations again, Lady Hale.”
“Kara, please.”
Sebastian stiffened beside her.
Henry looked surprised but pleased. “Kara,” he said, as he walked away.
When Kara turned back, Sebastian had disappeared. She scanned the dock for him – he was standing with Jax and Morra, angled away from her, his gaze fixed on the water.
Fine. Two can play that game.
Were they not going to talk about what happened on the boat? She shook her head. She was definitely not going to be the one to bring it up. Kara gazed across the river and met her father’s eye. He was watching her, a satisfied smile on his face. Joint first place in the Arcalon. Talking to Henry.
Being the good daughter.
She knew exactly how to win her father’s approval. And exactly how hollow it felt.
Both Kara and Henry’s team were sent back to the barracks, before the final two teams had even finished. Celebrations began almost immediately. The courtyard was strung with lanterns centred around a roaring fire pit. Everyone took a seat around the flames, the air smelling of wood smoke and mead flowing freely. Not long after, Team Three came and joined them.
“Good work on the river, Seb,” the Thorne woman from Team Three called to him as she took a seat.
“Thanks, Cass,” Sebastian replied.
