The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly #1)(72)

Something about the name made my pulse start to race. “But why do they continue to keep a spot for him on the Council then?”

“Well, they are one of the larger clans, and because of that and by clan right, they are allowed to have a vote. By his absence, his vote is automatically cast as a negative.”

“Where is this clan from?” I could feel something deep inside start to stir.

“Their lands cover the parts of the Shadow Mountains and the Ioden valley that borders the northern edge of Sinnendor.”

There was definitely something, a memory, a flicker of snow, of mountains. Sitting back from me, Tydus ended the conversation as he quickly scribbled notes on his parchment to catch up with what he had missed during his explanation.

Leaning back as well, I tried to adjust my weight in my chair to find another comfortable position, but no luck. The chairs were meant to be uncomfortable and to keep people awake during these proceedings. But I was now desperate to find out what I could about the Valdyrstal clan. I couldn’t sit still.

After two more hours had passed, Adept Pax stepped forward to address the missing children. Before he could go on the Council room doors opened, and one of the most fearsome looking men I have ever seen strode through the doors. Large, muscular, outfitted with dark furs and brown leathers, he looked like he was ready to battle the cold. On his back was a very large battle axe. His long dark beard covered a hawk-like nose. The retinue of men that came behind him was equally dressed in furs of all shades and kinds. A few wore wolf and bear pelts, and I could see one man wearing the red furs of a fox.

Their battle gear and leather armor looked out of place amongst the formal robes each of the Councilmen was currently wearing. The leader strode into the room, showing no fear and stood before the Adepts, not saying a word. His gait and demeanor looked familiar to me, but I couldn’t place where I knew him from.

“Bearen Valdyrstal.” Adept Pax stood up and addressed the giant of a man. The council erupted into titters of frenzied whisperings. “We are honored that you have decided to join us for the Council Session, albeit a bit late.” A few snickers were heard from Bearen’s men.

“You do realize that weapons are forbidden in the Council Rooms? And if you had been here earlier, you would have had time to change into your formal robes,” Pax stated stiffly.

Bearen showed his teeth then in what could only be considered a pass at a smile. Something I could tell didn’t come very easily to him. “Come now, friends,” he said in a slight accent, holding his hands out in an imploring gesture to the Council. “I am here now, and you must excuse my lateness and forgive me for my attire because we just rode in. We thought it…” he paused for a second, “prudent to come right away rather than miss more of the proceedings because of our lack of grooming.”

A barked laugh came from one of the men standing behind Bearen. Bearen spun and gave him a dangerous look. The laughter stopped and Bearen turned back to the Adepts and Council and waited patiently.

Adept Cirrus leaned over and spoke to Adept Pax. “Very well,” Cirrus went on. “You may take your seats. But be forewarned for next time that you will come in appropriate attire and be on time.”

Bearen then did the most amazing feat. He bent his large form into a deep and mocking bow. My eyes widened in awe and apparent horror at the disdain he showed to the Council Members. Walking past me to his seat, his men following close behind, Bearen caught me staring at him. Stopping abruptly, his lip lifted in an obvious attempt at another smile, but came out a sneer, before heading into his assigned box seats. My palms started to sweat as I felt his continued stare long after I looked away.

“It seems to me,” Adept Kambel said and stood up, looking over his notes, “that someone has been stolen or kidnapped or ran away from every large Clan, except for…” Dropping his parchment, Kambel stooped down and tried to pick it back up and in the process, knocked his glasses askew. Placing them back stubbornly on his nose, he looked at his parchment one last time before going on. “Except for Valdyrstal.” He looked pointedly at Bearen, who was leaning back in his chair at that moment with his large boots stretched out before him and resting on a chair in front.

“Do you have anything you would like to add?” Adept Cirrus asked.

Bearen slowly stood up, lifted one foot off of the chair and turned to address the council. His deep voice rumbled in the room. “Ay, we have only lost one child, my daughter, but unlike you, we have actually found her.” Turning his hawk-like nose and deep blue eyes toward me, his next words dragged out into eternity, searing into my memory. “Hello, Thalia.”





Chapter 30





My hands started to shake and I grabbed the banister in front of me to steady myself in case I should faint. I stared at the man across from me who seemed familiar, yet at the same time, was a stranger. The family resemblance in our hair and eyes was undeniable. The joy that I thought would surround me at the thought of finding my family turned into trepidation.

All of the Adepts stood up at once and began talking. Tydus reached over a hand and slapped me on the back, making a joke about pretending to not know the strongest clan in Calandry and then being the Clan leader’s daughter. My eyes never left Bearen, who grinned at me in triumph as he walked down into the center of the room.

“Brothers!” his deep voice rang out. “I have been looking for Thalia for months and had only recently heard rumors that my daughter had shown up in Haven. I came to the Citadel not to participate in this year’s Council Session, but to retrieve my daughter.” Pointing a finger at me, he beckoned. “Come daughter, we shall return home.” Moving toward the exit, all of Bearen’s men stood up in formation behind him.