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“Good. You need me at your side for this.”
“Yes. After our encounter with Lucis, we know how powerfully your channeling can aid us if anything goes wrong. And a liegehound can take a bite out of a war mage just like any man.”
Cassia chuckled and leaned against his chest. “Knight and I will welcome this rematch.”
Solia sighed. “I must agree with Lio about this, as well.”
Kella nodded in approval. “Your Pup is fierce enough to fight her own battles.”
“Thank you,” Cassia said.
“This makes me want to go errant,” Kia moaned. “Kidnapping an Aithourian war mage? Now there is some justice for our burned libraries.”
“Don’t you dare,” Nodora said. “We need you rallying our partisans for the debate.”
“Should we enlist Eudias’s aid?” Mak asked.
Lio shook his head. “As much as I regret going behind his back, I believe it is better for him and his position if he can deny all knowledge of this plan.”
“I agree,” Cassia said. “He has worked hard to win the trust of the Allied Lords, and he has managed to maintain at least the appearance of neutrality in Solia and Flavian’s contest for the throne. We don’t want to jeopardize that.”
“I have a question about your plan,” Rudhira said mildly. “Where do you intend to keep the Dexion once you have stolen him from Flavian?”
“Does Castra Justa have a dungeon?” Lio asked.
Rudhira laughed and rubbed his face. “You sound like your father.”
“Don’t deny it, Rudhira,” said Lio. “You would love to throw a war mage in your dungeon.”
Rudhira’s eyes glinted. “Don’t tempt me. I think Castra Justa would be an unwise place to keep him.”
“Hmm,” said Mak, “the Stand could exile him under the midnight sun with Phaedros.”
Kia sniffed. “Phaedros does not deserve that.”
“He’s also far too dangerous to let any mortal near him,” Lyros added, “especially a war mage. No one wants revenge on the Aithourians more than Phaedros.”
“Spoilsport,” said Mak.
“What do you think, Kella?” Solia asked. “Shall we turn him over to the Empress?”
“Oh, I think exile and house arrest under the watchful eye of the Golden Shield would be a perfect solution. Her Imperial Majesty might also give my Ashes a bounty if we deliver such a valuable political prisoner to her.”
“An excellent solution,” Lio agreed.
“Yes,” said Cassia, “and on your way back, you can pay a visit to Tuura.”
“How is she?” Rudhira asked.
“According to her latest letter,” Kella answered, “she’s tired but out of danger. She and Karege are staying in Ukocha’s village with…friends.”
Specifically, a winged friend, as Lio had learned from his correspondence with Tendo. Judging by the sudden tension in Solia’s posture, she had guessed this as well.
If fate robbed her of the crown she had expected to wear, just like Tendo, would she admit defeat and return to him? Tonight, celebrating his own unlikely betrothal to a Tenebran woman, Lio hoped for Tendo’s sake that Solia might one day choose victory in love over victory in battle.
1
Day After
