“The house of dark arts?”Iliana blurted in shock.“But they aren’t one.Their banner is never hung with the twelve houses.”
“It’s usually nearby, though,” Han said thoughtfully.
“Theyarea high house,” Nic said.“Sometimes they’ve been considered the unofficial thirteenth high house, when the roster of twelve is complete.I believe they find it amusing.Something about existing as both a high house and not one at the same time.It’s a dark arts concept to both be something and not be it simultaneously.”
Bertie nodded at her.“You always were an excellent student Lady Phel.”
“Why didn’t the Convocation simply keep Seraphiel as the unofficial thirteenth house then and move a second-tier house into the twelve?”Gabriel asked.
Nic looked pointedly at Bertie.
“Certainly a number have applied for the position,” Bertie replied, “but it’s fairly easy for those petitions and negotiations to be stalled.The high houses like the status quo and don’t really want anyone else admitted to their elite set.Seraphiel serves nicely for a temporary replacement as they go their own way, aren’t interested in wealth and power, and don’t really care if they’re an official high house or not.”
“A definition that includes Refoel, Ratsiel, Uriel, and Harahel,” Nic said, “except for the part of being an official high house.”
“Yes, those three, and Harahel also, always have representatives present at the council, particularly for votes, and to serve on subcommittees.”
This was not the first Gabriel had heard of the high houses sending representatives for the council and subcommittees, but it was the first time he’d given the notion much thought.“Representatives for votes?”he echoed, mainly asking Nic.
“Yes, either the head of the house goes or they send a representative.It hasn’t come up since Phel isn’t a high house again,” she answered.
“Yet,” Iliana put in staunchly, nodding encouragingly at Gabriel.Nic must have given her some kind of stern look because the red-headed familiar stilled and sat back.
“But I understand Seraphiel never does.”Nic added a lilt, making it a question for Bertie, no doubt since he was being so forthcoming.
“Never,” he confirmed.“Which saves the trouble for everyone of debating whether Seraphielshouldget votes—or have representatives on subcommittees—if they aren’t precisely an official high house all the time.”
“Why don’t they participate?”Han asked, puzzled.“Isn’t that the point of having high-house status, to influence policy?”
Bertie shrugged as if he couldn’t be bothered with wondering, but his lined face was alight with interest.“A fine riddle, that.”
“What it means in effect, however,” Nic said, ever practical and never one to have much patience for abstract questions, “is that ever since House Phel departed from the roster, there have been effectively eleven votes on the council, and only four voting for what we’re defining as ‘good.’”
“In effect,” Bertie clarified, all playfulness gone, “only two, as Ratsiel and Refoel almost always abstain.”
“To maintain their cursed neutrality,” Gabriel guessed on a weary sigh.“So the evil seven have been allowed essentially free rein to set policy for centuries.”
Bertie looked sympathetic.“Just so, young Phel.Just so.Even before that, as House Phel often failed to send representatives, happy to keep to their own pursuits in Meresin, even then.”
“I think we need to keep our eyes on the future,” Nic said decisively.“We can count on Refoel to vote with us now, and El-Adrel.Maybe we can convince Ratsiel, since Refoel has decided to give up their pretense of neutrality in the face of this conspiracy.”
“Exceptwedon’t have an actual vote, correct?”Gabriel asked her.
“Correct.Not until the council votes to reinstate House Phel.We’ve met all the criteria.They’re only stalling at this point.”
“And we can’t get them to reinstate House Phel with six houses voting against us,” Iliana nearly wailed.
“Maybe,” Nic said thoughtfully.“We might be able to budge Seraphiel.They helped Alise.I doubt Morghana acted without house approval.”
“She might have decided on her own.”Bertie shrugged again.“We don’t know.That’s the trouble—one of the troubles—with practitioners of the dark arts.They follow their own paths, the left hand, and the crooked ones.They act entirely for their own, often obscure reasons, and don’t abide by anyone else’s rules.”
“Then I will find out,” Nic declared.“Convenient that we’re going to Convocation Academy.I’ll pay a little visit to Morghana.”
“I must have missed something here,” Han complained, after a beat when it seemed no one else was going to jump in.“What are we anticipating the high houses having to vote on?”
Iliana gave him a disbelieving look.“Using Anciela Phel’s data to unlock magic in familiars, so they can be wizards also.”
His expression of disbelief more than outmatched hers.“They’renevergoing to vote for that.It’s against their own best interests.High houses are run by wizards and wizards want to use familiars, not liberate them.”He glanced guiltily at Gabriel.“Ah, no offense to present company, Lord Phel.”
