“No,” the young messenger said. “He called for an impromptu Trial of the Tempest in two days’ time.”
By the Stones. He wasn’t just going through the Gate. He was leaving Elydor for good.
“Go,” Dren said. “I will see the necessary tasks here complete. You should be there.”
“If there is another uprising?—”
Dren laughed. “After this? If there is another uprising, it will be initiated by Gyorians with no will to live.”
Dren was wrong. There would be another uprising. Whether of blades or of truths long buried, I could not be certain. With luck, Elydor would be ready to face either.
42
LYRA
“Speak with her, please. Mev will not listen to reason.”
It wasn’t the first time the king had made his request, but unfortunately, Mev had inherited more than strength and skill from her father. She was as stubborn as a Gyorian and refused to listen.
“She truly does not believe she should be eligible,” I said, peering out from the king’s solar windows yet again. The Skyway was clearly visible, and my guess was that Terran would arrive on horseback rather than by sea. He could, in theory, make better time if not traveling to the coast.
“There is little time before the Trial,” I said. “Perhaps you could delay it?”
“I would, if there was any indication she would listen to reason.”
I couldn’t understand a parent’s frustration at being unable to control their child, even as an adult, but imagined it would be frustrating. Knowing from experience what was best for them but watching them take another path… the truth was, however, Mevlida was an adult woman. And though she respected her father greatly, she also truly believed the possibility of her as queen of Aetheria was not her place.
She’d not been in Elydor long enough.
She was half-human.
The list of reasons she gave was long, but those were the two I found most difficult to refute. As to the second, we attempted to point out that perhaps it would be a good thing, now that the shared goal of all clans was for a united Elydor, including the humans.
But so far, she could not be swayed.
“Will you try?” he asked.
As if I would deny him.
“Of course,” I said, the lump in my throat near constant now, as the day approached.
When Galfrid first announced his intentions, I had been as surprised as the remainder of his court. And now the day was upon us. Terran had still not arrived. Mev refused to discuss the matter. And the king became more and more distraught each day.
He’d assumed his daughter would participate. Assumed she would proceed him as queen. And while it was true, Mev was extraordinarily strong, there were others that could potentially best her.
“Remind her that a lifetime of training does not measure against the skill of a true king or queen.”
I could not agree or disagree. I’d never considered anyone besides Galfrid as the ruler of Aetheria. Would there be some comfort in having his daughter as the next ruler? Aye. But she was, as Mev pointed out, the least experienced air-wielder in the land.
“I will do so,” I said, hurrying toward the window. A sole rider, large enough to be him.
“It is Terran,” Galfrid said.
I spun toward the king.
“I can sense his power.” The corners of his mouth lifted. “Which is how I know Mevlida is destined to be our queen.”
“I will greet him briefly and then find her. We’ve still time.”
