‘And yet Enforcer Voss’ task, as given to him by the Fae Council, is to determine which of those who find themselves here are deserving,’ Tavish states.
Beside him, Calder gives a regal nod.
Wren snorts. ‘Enforcer Voss, though I’m sure adequate at his job, has never determined any Dark Realmer to bedeservingin the two years since he took the post.’
Calder looks down the table at her and snorts. ‘That is because none of them have been. Have you forgotten that two autumns ago Halsford burned? Have you forgotten all those who were lost both in the fighting, the fire, and then during the harsh winter when you all had to brave the elements in canvas tents?’
Wren’s expression tightens. ‘I lost one of my own children, Councilor Calder. I’m sure that none could accuse me of forgetting!’
Calder puts his hands up. ‘Of course not. The fact of the matter is that this girl, a slave from the Dark Realms, has been deemed, notdangerousperhaps, but not able to be rehabilitated certainly, by an Underhill enforcer, who we all know have a tangibletalentwhen it comes to separating truth fromdeception. Should we as governing council, with the village’s safety meant to be our top priority, really be willing to grant this creature sanctuary given Enforcer Voss’ findings?’ He shakes his head, looking out over the crowd. ‘I know which way I will vote for my friends here in Halsford.’
When Wren says nothing in rebuttal, Calder leans back in his chair, looking smug.
‘All those in favor of sending the creature back from whence she came?’ Tavish says, not waiting for Dane to ask.
Dane’s eyes narrow. Calder, Tavish, and Shore’s hands go up, leaving Dane and Wren.
‘Passed!’
The louder of the crowd begin to chant. ‘Send it back! Send it back!’
‘Order!’ The gavel comes down hard, but the cries get louder and louder. The room is in pandemonium.
And, in the center, Bryn stands, looking unafraid. Her narrow eyes are on Calder as if waiting for something.
And then darkness descends over the room. The sconces splutter and the light from outside stops penetrating the windows. Everyone falls quiet immediately.
Dane stands, eyes flashing in the black.
‘There will be order,’ he snarls in barely a whisper, but the whole room hears it, and his barely contained power.
It’s not often that Dane reminds Halsford of his level as a mage, but when he does, the people take heed.
The silence is pervading, and then the light reappears and the atmosphere returns to normal within moments.
‘The verdict is clear,’ Dane says, his face betraying nothing of any true feelings he may have. ‘Bryn will be returned to the Dark Realms as soon as the Breach can be opened.’
No…
I turn to Morgan. ‘We need todosomething.’
‘Aye!’ he spits out, looking as thunderous as Dane did a moment ago.
The crowd, having learned their lesson, quietly let their satisfaction regarding the outcome be known as we begin to make our way toward Bryn. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we aren’t letting them throw her back through the Breach.
I look up angrily at Dane who’s staring out over the room. How could he let this happen?
His eyes land on me. ‘Or…as per the law, is there any here who will take her into their home, to be their responsibility?’
Tavish looks over with a loud scoff. ‘There’s no such law!’
Dane looks unperturbedly at the other Councilor but as the room erupts, his countenance darkens. He gazes out over the sea of faces.
‘Silence! Anyone who speaks out of turn leaves from this moment forward!’
The room quiets.
‘There’s no such lawin the Underhill,’ Dane explains, peering down the table at the merchant, ‘but we aren’t in the Underhill. There is a precedent in the Light Realm. There has been for centuries. You should know that, Tavish.’
