“It is not!” Lord War, even though shackled, bunched his muscles as if he intended to strike her.
A roar rocked the hall, which silenced everyone and froze them in place. It hadn’t been Ursa, but Grizzly himself, who’d veered into his massive, fearsome bear form. He shifted back quickly. “Lord War! Perhaps you are unaware, but my second has the ability to discern truth from lies. If she says you lie, then you are questioning the veracity and loyalty of Ursa, myself, and my House!” The challenge was implicit, but Lord Grizzly made it very clear. “If you deny the truth once more, you’ll face me in a Noble’s Duel!”
Lord War did not look afraid in the least, almost… interested. He was certain of his abilities and his strength. He was grinning, even let out a laugh. “I might like that, Lord Grizzly. Don’t tempt me.”
“I think it’s time the truth was made known.” This, surprisingly came from Lord Horn. The large man in silvery armor, with grey dominating his beard and hair, stepped forward.
Silvermane looked surprised. So… she hadn’t known.
I glanced over at Hale, who looked just a little panicked.
Horn stepped forward to the center of the circle, glaring at Lord War. It was clear those two didn’t much like each other. “I have kept this secret from even my own mistress.” He turned to Silvermane. “I’m sorry,” he said, ashamed. “My son convinced me it was for the best of the nation, for all of Elista, but if it is, then all of Elista should know it.”
A hush fell over the hall. Everyone was listening intently.
“The war was no contrivance of Vauphan.” Horn’s voice was clear and carried. “We invaded, quietly at first, slowly taking farmers’ lands. This began over three years ago.Webegan this war.”
That caused some bits of chatter, and it was interesting to see who that chatter was coming from. Mostly it was lesser Nobles. It was clear Lord Fang knew the truth. He didn’t seem surprised at all. Grizzly and Skyfire didn’t seem shocked either, but we’d already told them the truth. Tanuki and Spike were clearly surprised. Silvermane was shocked, though it was hard to tell from what: the news of the war, or her lover having betrayed her.
“And the reason we did so was to protect our Mists,” Horn said slowly. “It was discovered not long ago, that the Mists are moving, and within a few generations they won’t even be in Elista any longer. We sought only to protect our heritage.” He turned to Alvere. “I am sorry for our treachery, Your Majesty.”
Alvere nodded. “Thank you for your honesty, Lord Horn.”
No one even looked to Ursa to verify if this was the truth. By this point, we all knew it.
“We have to remain strong!” Merlin shouted. All attention was drawn to her. She seemed to have regained herself since her earlier outburst, but there was still a restrained, trembling intensity to her. She turned to Alvere. “Would you have let us cross your borders to visit our Mists?”
“Perhaps,” Alvere said evenly. “We have had peace for many years before this. The Vauphani do not want your Mists. It is clear that they are a part of your cultural heritage and you would have been welcome to continue your traditions.”
Merlin seemed a bit shocked at that. But she quickly countered with, “Ah! But you would not be King forever, and by the time the Mists are within your lands, the King of that time may not allow us in!”
“And that justified war and death?” Alvere countered evenly.
“Yes!” Merlin shouted before she realized what she’d said. She calmed quickly. She twisted her face to a strained-looking, odd, contorted semblance of peace. “I call for the vote now! Let’s settle this and make the peace this King has promised! Who votes for me?” she shouted. “Raise your hands!”
This was breaking all sorts of protocol, but given all the other disruptions to the meeting people seemed to go with it. Merlin herself raised her hand, as did Fang; it was clear he was in her pocket. Not surprisingly Margay, the puppet leader of House Panther also raised her hand. That was it.
Merlin’s eyes bulged just a little. “Traitors!” she shouted.
“Who votes for Lady Silvermane?” Skyfire shouted, raising her hand. Grizzly and Spike joined her. Oddly that was it. I found it odd Lady Silvermane didn’t vote for herself. Everyone looked at her.
“I am curious who Lady Tanuki votes for?” Silvermane said softly.
Tanuki accepted the looks from everyone in the room with a cool smile. “This is a momentous occasion, and I do not believe this choice should be made lightly.” She looked over at me. “Also, we have not determined the validity of Lady Legs’ House and whether she has a vote. So, I abstain for now. Too much remains uncertain.”
“Legs is a traitor!” Merlin seethed. “She gets no vote!”
“That has not been definitively determined,” Tanuki countered.
Merlin glared at the Noblewoman. “You’re a traitor too!”
“Because I will not vote for you?”
“Yes!” Merlin’s tenuous façade was breaking down.
Time for me to push her over the edge.
I stepped forward. The space in the center of the hall was getting a little crowded with the large Lord Horn, the dangerous Lord War, and the powerful presence of Lady Ursa… now me.
