Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1)(68)
“There are no Silent in the Assembly because only a Songbearer can read a man’s heart, can know the truth buried within. How can a Silent judge? What scraps has life given you? We ate at the same table, all our lives. What inequities have you suffered, brother, that makes you hate us so?” My voice cracks on this last sentiment.
His eyes harden but still he does not look at me. His jaw is set, and his body may as well be made of stone. As his Advocate, I cannot use Earthsong to determine his state of mind, but as his twin I would never need to.
Yllis pulls on my shoulder gently, and I allow him to lead me back to my seat. Vaaryn struggles to his feet and calls upon Cadda, Sayya’s mother and Advocate, to have the final word.
“It is so rare for us to hold one of us in judgment, crime in our land is so infrequent. The guidance of the Founders steers us toward mercy.” Her voice is soothing and calm. “Though my daughter was troubled greatly by Eero’s actions, she was not harmed. We ask for his captivity so that a Healer may give him the aid and comfort he so obviously needs.”
Eero snorts and rolls his eyes.
Vaaryn stands before Eero, and suddenly my brother’s expression freezes. He rises into the air, his arms locked to his sides, his legs still bent in the sitting position. For criminal proceedings, a random sampling of nine Assembly members serve as judges, communicating using Earthsong to make their decision. Eero floats for a few moments until Vaaryn speaks again.
“The Assembly agrees with the recommendation of Cadda. It is decided that Eero, son of Peedar, will be delivered to the Healers, who will tend to his mental instability until a time wherein he is determined to again be in his right mind.”
“Be it so,” the Assembly says in unison.
I do not want it to be so, but I cannot change reality. I watch my brother float away and wonder when I will see him again.
“What is the meaning of this?” Pugeros said as he stalked sulkily into the Council Room. “Summoning us at this ungodly hour?”
The sun had not yet crested the horizon. The ministers were likely cranky, and perhaps a bit hungover from the ball the previous night, but Jack’s exhaustion had nothing to do with alcohol. “We will begin once everyone arrives.”
The grumbling around the table continued in the background, but he paid it little mind. Instead he focused on pushing the weariness back, tucking the hours of sleepless worry away to the far reaches of his mind. He didn’t want to box those emotions up, but he needed the disquiet of this latest disaster to distract him from the pulsing ache that had started when he recognized Jasminda’s heartbreak. But she was not his only woe. What had started as a pebble was now an avalanche, and he’d once again been swept away by its sheer force.
When the last minister arrived and took his seat, Jack took a deep breath. He opened the folder before him and pulled out a curling sheet of paper.
“I received this late last night. It appeared in my offices. And when I say appeared, I mean it popped into existence in midair right over my desk.”
Gasps came from around the table. Jack had worked late after being denied entry to Jasminda’s room. He’d risked being seen in the hallway outside her door for long minutes before finally returning to his offices. Not long after, the paper had hovered until Jack plucked it from the air, feeling the residual vibrations of Earthsong on the single sheet.
“It pertains to the True Father’s terms for peace.”
Another round of gasps and murmurs resonated.
Jack ran his fingers across the letter. He could recite it by heart now, had spent the early-morning hours thinking and worrying and reading it over and over again. He peered at every shocked face around the table, then repeated each word.
“It has come to the attention of the beloved leadership of the Republic of Lagrimar that preparations for war are being made by the Principality of Elsira. While We assert Our right to pursue the protection of Our people against the ambition and reckless dominance of all outsiders, We acknowledge that a peaceful and permanent solution to the many years of strife between our lands would be advantageous.
“Our offer is peace in exchange for the immediate return of every Lagrimari within the borders of the Elsiran principality. Our people are Our greatest resource, and it is within Our right to negotiate for their safe return to home soil.
“The entire power of Our crown is united behind this generous offer of peace. Once Our people are returned, a guarantee will be made to honor all current borders in perpetuity for the length of Our reign and to immediately cease and desist in any actions that may be deemed by the Principality of Elsira as acts of war.
“In witness whereof We have hereto set Our hand the eighth day of the tenth month this five hundred and twelfth year of Our reign.”
Silence descended. Jack released the paper and let it fall back onto the table.
“The refugees,” Minister Nirall said under his breath.
“Yes,” Jack replied. “He’s promising to abandon whatever scheme he has for the Mantle if we return them.”
Calladeen leaned forward, not meeting Jack’s eyes. “But why all of a sudden? Of what military value are they?”
Nirall shook his head. “Women, children, old men. Some of the children may have powerful witchcraft, but would that prompt the offer of permanent peace?”
“It seems the path forward is clear,” Pugeros said. Every head in the room turned toward him. “We must return them,” he said, wilting under the scrutiny.