Silas went very still. For a long moment, the only sound in the chamber was the distant hiss of the Atrium engines and the faint rhythmic thump of the two mechanicals turning out their green. His hand tightened, just once, on the back of the nearest chair.
“You took your time,” he said quietly. “But I suppose even a slow machine can correct its course.”
It was as if the entire room let out a breath of relief, and more applause broke out, but this time it came alongwith laughter, smiles, councillors getting up, wandering, shaking hands, and slapping each other on their backs.
Silas received most of the slaps, and was just about to complain about getting bruises when Councillor Carstairs walked up to his side, grinning widely.
“Welcome home, Silas. It’s past time we had a High Warden again.”
“Whoa, wait a minute,” Silas held up his hand. “I’ve got a few thoughts about that I’d like to run by everyone here.” He looked around. “Do you think this is a good time?”
“Since we’ve all just shed a weight that’s been on our shoulders for years, then I’d say yes, this is absolutely the perfect moment.”
“All right then.” Silas, his heart still beating fast, walked to the large brass gong and tapped it with one finger. The manufacturer had achieved a miracle with this design, since one touch and the brass shimmered into a sweet, pure tone that summoned everyone back to their seats.
“Gentlemen,” he began, once everyone was sitting. “I can’t help but tell you it’s good to be...home.”
That comment brought plenty of applause.
“Don’t get too complacent though. I have some suggestions I’d like to put forward, in the hope that they’ll be enacted as soon as possible.” He took a breath and leaned on the nearby podium. “Here’s what I have in mind...”
Epilogue
Lady Dorothea Langley watched the sun set over the spires of Arcvale as she waited for Lord Silas Ashcombe on the terrace above the Turning of the Green stage. He’d sent a note asking her to meet him, said note being immediately delivered into her hands by none other than Randolph Renslow himself.
“I can’t pretend to understand you, sister. Never could. But what I see in your face now...well, it’s a whole new light. And it becomes you.” He sighed. “If this fellow doesn’t make you happy, let me know?”
She smiled. “And you’ll do what, Randolph? Quote him some profound statement from a philosopher none of us have ever heard of?”
He laughed at her teasing. “Probably. Or I might shoot him. I’ll decide which if I ever get to that point.” He took a breath. “Be happy, Thea.”
Touched that he’d called her Thea, she hugged him. “I will, Randolph. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
She was still smiling at that memory when a hand touched her shoulder, and she spun around only to find herself in Silas’s arms.
“Hello,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you...Lord Ashcombe.”
He sighed. “You know all about it, then?”
“Most of it. I’d rather hear it from you, but for now? Well, my mother is in raptures, and already rehearsing how to say ‘Lady Ashcombe’ without fainting.”
He burst out laughing. “I can very well imagine that.”
“Are you all right, Silas? Really? I’ve heard what happened back then, but not what happened today.”
He turned her so that she leaned back against him, and they both stared out over Arcvale.
“They offered to welcome me back as High Warden.”
Dorothea choked in a breath. “Great coggles, Silas.”
“I turned them down.”
“Oh.” She gulped. “Youdid?”
“Yes. I had a better idea. No moreHighWarden, just Wardens. People who know both Arcvale up here, and the Undercroft down there. Engineers, machinists, Wardens with skills, abilities, and knowledge, not just money. You won’t be able to buy yourself a Wardenship. You’ll have to earn it.”
“Silas,” she breathed. “That’s absolutely brilliant.”
