I openly balk at Keane’s words, as do Cal, Holis and Mana. We all glance back and forth between King Zander and his son, not quite believing what Keane just said but still looking at the King in accusation, nonetheless.
“Your brother is handling Woodlands,” Zander looks first to Keane and then to Desmond, “you both know this.”
Keane laughs at his father. Outright laughs.
“Don’t tell me you consider the Temple City of Alston and the small village of Etter as a good handle on Woodlands. You’ve seen the humans there. You’ve seen their eyes trained on the ground and the way they’re sectioned away from the Discerni. They may not be harmed, but they damn well aren’t afforded the dignity a being of this Old World deserves.”
King Zander remains quiet, watching as Keane leans down to grip the edge of the table tightly.
“But if you think those are good examples of how the people in Woodlands should live, then what of Dankworth, La Cour, and Aeria? How long will it take for Troy tohandlethose cities?”
He glances over to his brother, as if asking for his approval on what he’s going to say next. Desmond gives the Prince a hard nod before Keane looks back at his father, “we have half a mind to take Fensby for Warrior.”
Ancients.
They want to claim a large Woodlands city under Warrior rule?
The King sits up slowly, his brows tightening in anger at Keane before he glances at Desmond.
“You’ve had these discussions without my council?” he asks in a dead calm.
Desmond nods just as Keane replies coldly for the both of them. “We have.”
Zander scoffs in disbelief, “you will start a war within our Kingdom.”
“One we are prepared to fight if it means the humans of Woodlands are treated with the proper respect they deserve.”
My heart drops at Keane’s words, watching as he pushes off the table and folds his arms across his chest again. This is regal Keane,PrinceKeane, one whose feigned indifference and cool demeanor is a façade to the intense and determined emotions brewing underneath. He is serious about Fensby,deathly serious, and the look he gives his father is willing him to take note of it.
“Woodlands will not be won by force, Keane,” the King shakes his head.
“For how much longer, then?” he asks, “how much longer do we continue to let this go on? How much longer do we continue to let the humans in our lands be subjugated to a cruel life? How much longer do we give Troy?”
“We are still relocating,” Desmond adds, his voice also cool, “but the numbers have grown exponentially. While we try to disperse them within Warrior, we are running out of room. And from what I’ve seen of Loughty, the same holds true there. Woodlands needs to correct itself, father.Soon.”
“The four of us will sit down,” King Zander replies definitively, ending the discussion, “we will work with your brother on a new path forward. But youwill notclaim Fensby.”
Keane narrows his brown eyes on his father, grimacing as he leans forward for his drink again. The four of us from Knowledge remain quiet and still in our seats, not needing nor wanting to participate in this battle between the ruling family of Disce.
“I’d like to know more about the Leviathans,” I try clearing the tension, “deceived by water. Princess Clair of Pyre mentioned that another Kingdoms Council was called over two-hundred years ago. She said it was due to rumors that the Leviathans were committing atrocities against the humans in their lands.”
Fuck me.
Everythingjust seems to lead back to humans.
Are we tainted? Cursed?
Why is there so much animosity surrounding our kind?
The King gives his son a final hard look before turning in my direction.
“Can you tell us of those rumors? Of the council?” I ask.
Holis and Mana both reach for their glasses, giving the distinct impression that they know of the rumors and are well aware of them, just as they hinted last night. King Zander shifts his gaze to the twins, confirming the thought, and gives them both a slight nod.
Mana brings his blue-green gaze to me, his voice devastatingly quiet.
“The Leviathans were rumored to be taking the lives of their human young, Alexis. Sacrificing them.”
