Wow, Sissy, I didn't think about that.
Well, we don't know, do we? If you and Ry start digging, don't get caught.
I heard they're going to start the discussions in the Council on those two in the dungeon.
What are they going to do? Those two wouldn't have done anything without Gren pushing them. I just know it.
But they tried to kill you. I know they thought you were Toff, but that's no excuse.
I know. Nissa's mental sigh came through plainly to her brother. Tory, I have to go, Calebert wants me. Nissa cut off the mindspeech.
* * *
Trik was amazed at Master Morwin's appearance. He'd not seen any vids of Amterean dwarves before and did his best to hide his surprise. Ry and Tory were correct, however; Master Morwin's eyebrows were indeed long and bushy, wiggling animatedly when he talked at length on any subject. Trik hadn't had much to smile about in all his fifteen years. He wanted to smile now and couldn't.
"Young one, I would like twenty pages on the history of the Alliance in the past sixty years—just hit the high points and hand it in three weeks from today. I think that will catch you up nicely with Ry and Tory. Then you will receive the same assignments they do," Master Morwin gave Trik his first homework.
"Thank you, Master Morwin," Trik nodded. He already liked having lessons. Plus, it was nice to have an opportunity to discuss what he'd read or learned with others.
"How's the hand today?" Tory asked after lessons were over.
"Not bad—someone named Rik came to work the muscles with me this morning while you were out practicing—is that right? You're learning how to fight with blades?"
"Ask Rik about that when he comes back—he's Falchani too and can fight with the best of them," Tory grinned. Rik was taller than Tory, but there was a chance he'd catch up to the tall warrior before he was grown.
"Just the ones I wanted to see," Uncle Aryn found them going down the hall toward their shared suite.
"Uncle Aryn?" Ry said. They didn't often have dealings with Uncle Aryn. Their mother always said that Aryn didn't have a lot of experience around young ones. Aryn was very old as a vampire—more than ten thousand years.
"Your mother is giving permission for all of you, Toff included, to attend the Council meeting tomorrow afternoon. We will be discussing the two in the dungeon. The Council will decide whether they should be charged with a capital crime or a lesser charge. You will be seated in the back and you must remain silent through the proceedings, of course. If you cannot do so, then say now and you will be excused."
"Oh, no. I want to come," Ry said immediately.
"Me, too," Tory agreed.
"The Council?" Trik was new and hadn't gotten all the information yet.
"It is the Council of Vampires on Le-Ath Veronis. Do not fear, child, you will be quite safe, I assure you." Aryn actually smiled at Trik—something Ry and Tory had seldom seen.
"Then I want to see it," Trik breathed. "I will certainly come."
"Then we will see you there. The Falchani will bring you in and get you seated beforehand." Aryn walked away from them.
* * *
"I'll be there with you—your mother says that some Council members may want to ask questions," Shadow told Nissa when she came from Calebert's workshop. She wanted to change before going to the dining hall for dinner. Shadow met her inside their suite so he could tell her that she'd been summoned to Le-Ath Veronis.
"Daddy, that's scary," Nissa shivered in alarm at the thought of being questioned.
"Your mother will remove livers if anyone harms or upsets you," Shadow smiled at his daughter.
"Can't vampires get along without their livers?" Nissa looked up at her father's face.
"Sweetheart, I'm not sure what they can or can't live without. Go get dressed, baby—we'll have dinner together. I think your great-grandmother wants to dine with us."
"Gramma Lira is coming to the dining hall?" Nissa was surprised. Grampa Glendes' wife usually had her meals in her and Glendes' suite.
"Yes. She says she hasn't paid as much attention to her youngest grandchild as she should."
"I thought Great-Grampa and Great-Gramma didn't want to play favorites." Nissa's lower lip trembled slightly.
"Baby, we forget sometimes what it's like to be young," Shadow pulled his daughter to the sofa. "Come on, sit here with Daddy for a while, all right?"
"Mom didn't forget," Nissa bit her lip to keep it steady.
"I know. But your mom is somebody really special. Just like her baby girl." Shadow hugged Nissa—hard. "I know you miss her while you're here. We have to work to get her to come back."
"You and Grampa and Great-Grampa messed up," Nissa mumbled.
"Yes, baby. We messed up. Now we have to get your mother to forgive that."
Chapter 12
Drake and Drew brought Ry, Tory, Trik and Toff into the Council chambers, and Toff and Trik were doing their best to stare around them unobtrusively while they walked through the cavernous hall. Floors and walls were formed of rare marble, while many rows of comfortable seats surrounded a dais where a podium, several chairs and a desk were placed.
"One of the news crews will set up elsewhere," Drew grinned at the four teens as he and Drake hauled them to a balcony on a lift. They were getting one of the best spots in the chamber, and could see everything from their elevated perch. Trik's chair was settled behind a sturdy barricade so he wouldn't be in any danger; Toff, Ry and Tory had seats next to that. All of them could watch the Council meeting from the balcony usually reserved for a vid crew.
Three extra chairs were lined up behind them, making Toff wonder if others were coming. "Remember, Toff, someone will come for you and for Nissa if your testimony is required," Drake tousled Toff's hair. "Don't worry about anything, just speak the truth. Roff will be here with you soon, and Shadow Grey will bring Nissa shortly." The Falchani twins left them alone and went to tend to other business, but Toff's question had been answered; Roff, Nissa and Shadow Grey would occupy the extra seats.
"We've only been here once before, when Haldis and Sark were sentenced," Ry whispered to Toff and Trik. "Normally we're not allowed, and we don't get to attend the Inner Circle meetings either, unless Mom says it's all right."
"What did they do with Haldis and Sark?" Toff asked, shivering slightly. He'd only known that both boys, along with their parents, hadn't returned to the Fae village.
"Sent to Evensun," Tory answered. "Their parents signed waivers so they could go, too."
"Evensun? The penal colony planet?" Trik had heard of it, although Toff hadn't.
"Yeah. Mom was dead set against sending them there—she said they were too young for that sort of punishment. She wanted to send them to Harifa Edus, but the Council voted for Evensun." Ry answered Trik's question.
"Harifa Edus?" It was Toff's turn to ask.
"It means Hunter's Eyes," Tory whispered. "It's the werewolf planet."
They were forced to curtail the conversation; Council members began to file inside and none of them wanted to be sent away.
Nissa and Shadow Grey folded in shortly after the Council began to arrive. Nissa sat next to Toff while Shadow took the seat behind her. Roff came in last, choosing to fly up to the balcony instead of taking the lift. He sat behind Toff and reached up to pat the young comesula's shoulder. Toff turned and smiled nervously at the Winged Vampire. Roff smiled encouragingly at Toff.
Toff and his companions recognized Aurelius and Aryn as they came forward first and opened the meeting. "All rise for the Queen," Aryn spoke clearly and solemnly and everyone in the Chamber except Trik rose from their seats. Shadow placed a hand on Trik's shoulder in a comforting gesture as Lissa walked into the chamber, taking a seat behind the ornate desk. Ry and Tory knew she'd normally stand behind the podium, but Karzac insisted that she sit. Therefore, the desk had been brought, allowing her to rest. Her children and the Inner Circle all knew it was to keep her from tiring during her pregnancy.
"Be
seated," Aryn said, as soon as Lissa sat down. "Bring forth the prisoners," Aryn added after the Council took their seats.
Laral and Clover were led inside by Gavin and Tony. Both wore cuffs, Toff saw, and figured those were to subdue them if it became necessary. Toff didn't expect both boys' mothers to come, but Drake and Drew brought them in as well. Hyacinth, Clover's mother and Storm, Laral's mother—both Full Fae, appeared angry as they walked in with the Falchani. Seats were provided for them near the dais. Laral and Clover sat at the edge of the dais, closely guarded by Gavin and Tony.
Several members of the Council questioned Laral and Clover, after Aryn instructed both prisoners to speak the truth inside the Council Chamber. Toff was shocked by the revealed information. Both said that their parents had spoken of Toff in derogatory terms, and when Gren came along and whispered to them that Toff had to die, they thought it was only right. Roff placed his hand on Toff's shoulder and didn't remove it while Nissa clasped Toff's hand in hers and didn't let go.
"So, you, not fully understanding what or who Toff was, or why he was there in your village, took it upon yourselves to get rid of him, is that correct?" Flavio, senior member of the Council, was now questioning Clover.
"Yes, but Gren threatened us there at the end, saying he'd see that we were stripped of our power and banished if we didn't do what he said. We didn't want to stab Toff with the knives or perform the nut-cracking chant. Gren forced us." Clover was nearly in tears. He'd never thought that breaking the laws would have him standing before an old vampire with more than banishment and a stripping of his power at stake. Clover knew he'd attempted murder, and his life hung in the balance. He should have paid more attention to the whisperings regarding Haldis and Sark's punishments.
Laral's questioning went much the same. His story echoed that of Clover.
Toff was called after that. Roff flew him to the dais, and Toff sat in the chair vacated by Clover and Laral.
"Young one, you will only speak the truth inside the Council Chamber," Aryn's words held power of some sort—Toff could feel it. He nodded to the old vampire.
Toff did his best not to be frightened, but he was questioned long by several members of the Council. At one point, water was brought to him before the questions began again. Muted growling came when he described how he was bullied by the other children. He didn’t want to tell the names he'd been called, but was compelled to do so. He wanted to weep and couldn't—he could only sit there, answer questions and tremble.
Toff honey, it's all right. Somehow, the Queen's words came into his mind and he didn't know how that could be. He swallowed hard and went on. Finally, they were done with him and Roff appeared to return him to his seat. Nissa was brought down by her father. She squeezed Toff's hand before Shadow Grey folded her out of their box and down to the lower floor for questioning.
Roff now sat next to Toff and had a comforting arm around his shoulders while Toff watched Nissa answer questions. She talked about her treatment, not just by Gren, Laral and Clover, but by Mother Fern and the others. Toff was surprised at Nissa's indignation at her treatment on his behalf.
"So, you were chastised for coming late to dinner, after this Fern woman forced you to perform extra duties?" Flavio asked.
"Yes. I could tell that none of them liked Toff or appreciated what he did for them. Corent was kind, as was Father Willow when he asked me to help feed hay to his milk cows. None of the others were—I felt as if they thought I—he—was much less than they."
"Yet the female—Redbird—wanted him for her own when the kidnapping initially occurred," Flavio now addressed the Council.
"Flavio, the ones answerable to those charges are not present." The Queen was now standing. Toff thought she didn't look comfortable.
"My apologies, my Queen," Flavio said quietly. "I have no further questions." Flavio returned to his seat.
"We will now take a vote regarding guilt or innocence of the charges," Aurelius stood and made the announcement. "Place your vote on the comp-vids located beside your seats. The votes will be tallied during a brief recess. A disposition will be discussed after that. Please return in half an hour."
"Young ones, we must see to your Lady Mother," Roff lifted Toff in his arms quickly and swooped down to the floor below. Drake and Drew appeared to bring Ry, Tory and Trik down, while Shadow brought Nissa.
"That's Uncle Winkler," Tory said softly to Trik as they watched the tall, dark-haired man help Queen Lissa from her seat.
"This way," Drake and Drew cleared a path through the wide chamber door. The moment they turned a corner to go down a lengthy hall, someone folded all of them to Lissa's library.
Trik watched as Karzac, Lissa's Refizani healer mate, had his hands on the Queen as soon as Winkler set her on a comfortable sofa. "What's happening?" He was concerned for the Queen as well, and it was only beginning to sink in that he was one of her children, now. Morwin had given him a copy of the papers, naming Lissa as his adoptive mother and Shadow Grey his adoptive father.
"Mom's pregnant," Ry said quietly at Trik's side. "She shouldn't have been in there that long without somebody seeing to her."
"Don't worry, Trikleer, the Queen loves you already, I think." One of the tall, blue Larentii knelt beside Trik's chair. "When she was human, she was unable to bear children, so you and the others are like gifts to her." Trik stared at the Larentii in shock. No one had ever thought of his existence as anything other than an annoyance. Yet the Queen thought of him as a gift? "Young one, we will come soon and work on your leg and foot," the Larentii went on. "How is the hand? Is it becoming easier to work?"
"Yes," Trik almost stuttered his answer. He flexed the hand and moved the fingers for the Larentii to see. He could hold things now and he didn't lose his grip if those things weighed more than a few ounces.
"Very good. You will be standing and running with these others in no time." The Larentii patted Trik's shoulder and stood, moving toward the Queen.
"Toff, I was so scared," Nissa put her arms around Toff's neck and hugged him—hard. Toff's arms were about Nissa's waist and he was hugging her back.
"You sounded so calm and clear," Toff whispered. "I was the mess."
"No," Nissa murmured. "Ry and Tory were nodding at all your words. And I think Mom is really proud of you."
"I will be coming to the rest of the meeting, I do not care how awkward it looks," Karzac snapped. "These young ones do not have to return unless they wish to. In the meantime, feed them something—they are all hungry as birds," Karzac added.
That's how they were all served a quick meal inside the Queen's Library. Tory was happy, his stomach had been growling for an hour.
"Do you want to go back?" Nissa nudged Toff's elbow.
"I do and I don't," he sighed.
"Come on, you know you'll be asking us what happened afterward if you don't," Ry coaxed.
"But what if something awful happens?" Nissa frowned.
"Nissa, those two could have gone to an adult and said what was happening. Yet they didn't," Trik was happy to hold half a sandwich in a hand that couldn't, only a few weeks before. "What might they have done if Gren had been successful? Now, Gren has associated himself with something even worse."
"What? How do you know that?" Ry hissed.
"I listen," Trik replied. "I've always listened. I knew things at Belancour Manor, even when I wasn't included in conversations. People said things, thinking I wasn't within hearing distance or wouldn't understand."
"They'll send them to Evensun," Tory sounded positive as they were settled into their box seats later, when the Council reconvened. The half hour had been stretched to an hour so Karzac could see to the Queen. The healer now had a seat not far from the dais in case Lissa needed assistance.
"I agree—their crime wasn't that different from Haldis and Sark's," Ry nodded. Toff and Nissa hadn't stopped holding hands, once they'd arrived inside the Council chamber. Trik, too, was quite shocked when Nissa took his hand as well. Shadow and
Roff claimed the seats behind the children, just as before.
"All rise for the Queen," Aryn said once more, and Lissa walked in and sat behind her desk. The Council members reclaimed their seats.
"The tally of the votes is thus," Aurelius read from his handheld comp-vid, "Guilty, by a unanimous vote, of attempted murder upon Toff the comesula and upon Princess Nissa Beth Grey. Now, we will decide the punishment."
"If these two were adults, the punishment would be death," Casimir, a vampire from old Earth rose and spoke. "But as they are not adults and were easily led astray, I suggest they be sent to Evensun."
"I realize that I was outvoted last time, but I would like to offer a sentence to Harifa Edus instead," Queen Lissa spoke firmly from her seat on the dais.
"Lady Queen, we know of your feelings in this matter, and we would like to spare you if we could. But I cannot in good conscience vote for a lighter sentence than Evensun," another vampire named Montrose rose and spoke. "Let us take the vote now, as we did the last time. When the vote goes one way or the other, then this will be settled and we can turn to other matters. The parents will have the option of going with their children if that is their desire."
"Very well," the Queen sounded exhausted to Trik's ears.
Nissa squeezed Trik and Toff's hands tightly as the votes were submitted by comp-vid. Aurelius announced the results.
"Three hundred two votes for Evensun, eight for Harifa Edus and two abstentions," Aurelius pronounced the sentence. Clover shouted, even as his mother stood and attempted to cast Fae magic at the Queen.
* * *
"You should know that the Council chamber is spelled against any kind of magic," Erland Morphis, Ry's father, hissed at Hyacinth, Clover's mother. The meeting had been extended due to Hyacinth's attempt to hurl a spell at the Queen. She would now face charges of her own.
"Erland, she was only thinking of her child," Lissa said weakly. Karzac was out of his seat immediately and kneeling beside the Queen's chair.
"Then let us take all prisoners to the dungeons," Erland was still glaring at Hyacinth, who shrank back in her seat. Storm, Laral's mother, was sent away earlier.
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