“That’s a vile lie,” Yarrow snaps back.
Marcus stands, spreading his hands."My friends, we're not here to argue and insult one another.We're here to vote on whether Lyra Thornwind should be a new member of our Senate.I, for one, believe that she should."
“So maybeyou’rethe one bedding her,” Yarrow says.She looks me over.“Personally, I don’t see what the fuss is about.”
The older senator Octavio stands.“While my fellow senators are perhaps not putting things the best way…” In his sonorous tones, that sounds like a stern rebuke.“I must ask whether they have a point.Is this an attempt to just add a new senator who’ll vote in your favor, Rowan?Or yours, Marcus?”
I’ve been standing there long enough, letting Rowan and Marcus speak for me, letting others discuss me as if I’m not there.
"If I may speak on my own behalf?"I say, raising my voice the way I might have done to beg clemency for an opponent in the colosseum.My voice carries around the senate chamber, and I'm almost surprised that the senators fall silent in response.A couple of servants are moving between them, bringing them food, drink, and messages, but they, and those ordinary people who have chosen to watch the session, are all watching me intently.
I step away from Rowan.It’s a small gesture, but an important one.This is a place where such things matter.
“Does anyone here seriously believe that I agreed to come back to the city just to be someone’s puppet?”I ask.I look around the room, challenging the senators with my stare.“Do you think I would come all this way if I didn’t think I could make a difference here?”
I give them a moment to take that in.
"I'm not back in Aetheria just to lend my vote to someone else, and I'm certainly not being put forward for this position because I'm sleeping with anyone here."I turn my stare to Yarrow's way."I will do my best for the people of the city, all of them, but particularly for those who have chosen me to represent them.I want to help with the difficult decisions facing this Senate, about the city, about its future, its trade and its people."
“And about the games?”the noble senator Olivia asks me.“What’s your position on those?Are you someone who doesn’t want them back in any form, like Rowan?Or are you someone like Marcus?”
I hesitate.“I haven’t decided yet.I’ve heard the arguments in favor: that they benefit the city’s economy, that they’re a source of pride and give the people entertainment that will help to limit unrest.But I also saw what the games were.I saw their brutality and the way they used people who had no choice about being there.I haven’t worked out yet how I’m going to balance everything I feel.”
Olivia looks surprised by my answer.“That is… not what I thought you would say.Very well, I say that the city needs senators who will think, and who might… be open to persuasion.Lyra Thornwind has my vote.”
“And mine,” Marcus says.
“Well, I vote against,” Yarrow calls out.
The senators start to speak, one by one, voting for me or against.I try to count the votes as the process goes on, but I soon lose track.When the last of the senators speaks, I look to Rowan, trying to understand what conclusion the chamber has come to.Rowan stands.
“The votes stand even,” he says.“Equal numbers support Lyra and reject her.In this situation, I have a duty as the first senator to cast the deciding vote.”He smiles over at me.“Welcome to the senate of Aetheria, Lyra.”
The senators stand, applauding me, even most of those who voted against.So do most of the onlookers around the room.
“I think we should take a recess for now to collect our thoughts,” Rowan says.I’m grateful for that.I’m not sure I could decide on any major issues so soon after being voted into my new position as a senator.
I head through to the rooms beyond the main senate chambers and find that the other senators and their hangers-on are watching me.Senator Olivia comes up to me, kissing my cheek.
“Congratulations on your appointment, Lyra.You simplymustcome to my estate for dinner sometime.Or better yet, a party.I throw the mostdelightfulparties.”
Marcus is there as she steps away, moving to my side.
“Be careful, she can be a snake, and her ‘parties’ are debauched affairs indeed.”
“Do you know that from firsthand experience?”I ask.
“Would it matter to you if I’d found myself the subject of Lady Olivia’s attentions?”Marcus asks, raising an eyebrow.
Would it?I’m not sure.It shouldn’t matter to me, but I’m surprised to find that I feel a pang of something close to jealousy at the thought.
“No, but thanks for the warning,” I say.
“I just want to help you,” Marcus says.
“And to persuade me to your side on the arena?”I guess.
Marcus laughs, but then nods.“Yes, that too.I really believe in this, Lyra.I believe that a reformed version of the arena competitions could be beneficial for Aetheria.”
