Bad. He needs all of us here—you, Ursula, and Crow.
We’ll come as quickly as we can.There was another pause.How goes the rebellion?
Gil snorted.I think we won, but it feels like a hollow victory. The populace is in an uproar. Two members of the Council Supreme were killed. The city is in ruins.
Were they assassinated?
Gil snorted again.They were challenged and they lost.He paused, thinking how their ancient laws of right by combat had actually worked in their favor. He flexed his hands, relishing the memory of tearing out that smug council member’s throat and watching his blood spill onto the arena’s sandy floor. Too many assumed him weak because he was the Second, neither the dominant Prime nor the brawny berserker Third. It had been satisfying to prove them wrong and validate himself before his own people as a strong, skilled, and worthy warrior.
He continued his summary report:Six more abandoned their positions and fled for safety before they, too, could be challenged. The three who remain in the capital cannot govern. The Council Supreme has effectively been defeated.Gil made no mention of the deployment of troops against the people, the pitched battles within the capital and beyond, the toll of rage, resentment, and death upon Urib society. Zul would see and understand all that soon enough.
You acquitted yourself well,Zul complimented him, catching a mental whiff of Gil’s memories of that duel.Councilor Ur’uki was a skilled fighter.
That’s why he yielded to the council’s urging to accept my challenge by combat,Gil replied.
He underestimated you.
Many do.
But they digressed, and Bran’s mind grew restless sensing the intrusion of Gil’s presence.
Zul, I must go. Come quickly. I will send transportation.
Zul relayed the coordinates for their location and terminated the connection. Knowing that arrival of the conveyance would take time, he added,Alert us when our transportation is near.
I will.Sitting at Bran’s bedside, Gil returned his focus to his Prime. He took Bran’s hand in his, hoping the physical touch would keep his Prime anchored to life. He spoke to Bran, oftentimes nothing more than nonsense, hoping the sound of his voice would draw him back.
As the days passed, Pako, Yiis, and Mosk, who recently arrived with Carmen and their children, took turns with Gil, sitting by Bran’s bedside to ensure he knew he would never be left alone or abandoned.
One afternoon, the captain of the Guard Supreme visited the house where they were staying. Mosk greeted him with a blade leveled at his throat and snarled, “What do you want?”
The captain met his gaze with cool respect, but did not step back from the blade’s lethal edge. “The Council Supremehas disbanded, and the senior member invites you and the new council to the palace.”
Mosk’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “And why would he invite us?”
“The Council Supreme agreed upon a peaceful surrender.”
“They do not wish to die,” Mosk stated.
“No, they do not, and they understand they cannot refuse honorable challenge by combat,” the captain replied, knowing the Fangrys and Omari Triads would decimate the remaining council members in trials by combat. “They also do not want to see Uribern governed by a council made solely of disgruntled warriors.”
Overhearing the conversation, Yiis approached Mosk from behind and snorted. “They’ve finally figured out that a ruling council appointed from a single caste isn’t in Uribern’s best interests, hm?”
The captain’s chin dipped once. Raising it, he replied, “They do care about our planet and its people.”
“Not enough,” Mosk snapped. He lowered his knife and glanced at Yiis. “What say you?”
Yiis’ expression soured. “Brannal cen’Vyr hovers near death.”
“I regret his injuries,” the captain said, as much of an apology as they were going to get.
“You are responsible for those injuries,” Yiis pointed out.
“The Council Supreme wanted worse.”
“What’s going on?” Gil asked, joining them. He looked drawn and weary. “I heard voices.”
“We’ve been invited to the palace,” Mosk explained. “Apparently, the senior member of the Council Supreme wishes to officially transfer power and authority from them to the new governing council.”
