Page 159 of The Fifth Heir

“Over the lawful choice of the Prism.”

The answer gave him the language he valued: lawful, not personal.

It was also true.

The emergency review reconvened inside the Hall of Prism.

The galleries remained closed to general spectators, but enough officials filled the lower rows to make the proceeding public. Territorial representatives occupied the candidate floor. The four elemental heirs stood beside the headmaster’s dais.

Talia was absent.

The healers had taken her to the infirmary after she collapsed against Torren. Her vital signs stabilized quickly, but the headmaster refused to release her for another examination.

Rafe paced beside the Storm delegation.

Sebastian held a fragment of the black return channel wrapped in protective cloth. Torren stood with both arms folded, his Fire torc glowing continuously at his throat.

Malcolm entered last.

He had changed his white mantle. A black burn crossed one sleeve of his academy coat where the return channel discharged near him.

The sight did not prove innocence.

It did not prove guilt either.

The headmaster called the review to order.

A representative from Stone introduced the suspension petition. My father spoke after him, limiting his argument to risk, precedent, and the absence of any identified fifth element.

He did not accuse Talia of causing the failure.

He did not need to.

“Until the manifestation is classified,” he concluded, “the fifth heir should be removed from elemental training and excluded from further Trials.”

Torren stepped forward before the headmaster recognized him.

“No.”

My father looked at him. “You are not addressing a training field.”

“No. I’m addressing people who watched Talia save them and still decided she was the problem.”

“The council does not deny her actions.”

“You want to punish her for surviving your test.”

“We want to prevent further harm.”

“Then investigate the person who reversed the channels.”

Malcolm’s staff struck the floor.

“The runemasters are already being questioned.”

Sebastian unwrapped the black metal.

“This section contains a directional seal.”