He bows low. “It is our honor to serve the Merciful Supreme Incorruptible Marbella.”
He hands me a plate piled high with eggs, fresh bread, sausages, and a bowl of fruit tucked at the side. The Priestess guides me to the only empty table at the head of the hall. I pass the miners on the way, catching their eye. Welsian stands up as I pass, along with Iago, Arlo, and Erit. Two females smile up at me and I guess they are Iago and Arlo’s wives. Roar and Rhain aren’t here, but I expect they are doing what they need to reunite their families. Likewise, I can’t see Badenoch anywhere, but he once told me that his wife had passed away and he would need to find his children.
I consider joining the males at their table, but the Priestess clearly indicated the empty table is for me and I don’t want to stretch my truce with her.
I clear my throat. “I apologize for taking your husbands away this morning,” I say to the females. “But I hope they will join me at my table.”
Iago’s wife responds with a gracious smile. She is older than the other female and inclines her head with poise and kindness. “It is our honor, Supreme Incorruptible. We understand there is much work to be done. Please let us know if we can help.”
The males immediately pick up their plates to follow me to the empty table where Welsian takes a seat opposite me. “We didn’t expect to be alive today, Lady Storm.”
“You did well after the fight yesterday by ordering the guards to help families find their fallen ones.”
He stares down at his plate. “Only General Cassian remains there today. He has no family left.”
I knew Cassian had no family, but I’m surprised the Hideaway Clan hasn’t claimed him. “Won’t his clan come for him?”
Welsian shifts. “They came early this morning but they weren’t sure if they were allowed to move him. You… uh… indicated you might not want him to be taken away when you… uh…”
Wept over the body of a fallen warrior.The Priestess’s words return to me. “You’re right, Welsian. They’re right. I want him to be buried here, not in Mount Hideaway. Can you please help me with that?”
“I’ll make the arrangements. It will be an honor for his clan.”
I swallow my first mouthful and my eyes water. I tell myself it’s because I’m so happy to be eating something. I tell myself it’s not tears. I blink them away. “What about the orphanages?”
“I can help you with that,” Arlo says, his serious eyes meeting mine as he tucks his wings in tight to his sides. Sitting across from him now, I can’t believe we were once forced to fight each other in the mines. “The orphanages are so scattered, it’s hard for parents to find their children. I’ve sent word to the Priestesses who were hiding in each orphanage, asking them to bring all of the children to Crimson Court so that families can come here to find them. The first group of children should arrive this afternoon.”
“And what of the Priestesses themselves?”
Iago speaks up this time. “With your permission, Lady Storm, I would like to build a new home for them, which will also contain an orphanage for those children whose parents are lost. There is a good site for it further along the ridge to the east of Crimson Court. It is beside a large rock garden with a small waterfall where the children can play and the Priestesses can commune with each other.”
Iago is a master at building things. I know he will create something extraordinary for the Priestesses and children.
Erit is the only one who hasn’t spoken up so far. He asks, “How may I help you, Lady Storm?”
“You will have a challenging task, Grievous Erit. I need you to help me build bridges with the Grievous Clan.”
He folds his arms across his chest. “Well, you have a few options. You’re their leader now. You can order them to present themselves.”
“Or?”
“You could go to them.”
“Which would you advise?” I’m testing him. He knows it, but he doesn’t know it’s because I want him to lead them.
“Lady Storm, I gave up my clan because of their brutal ways. I would like nothing more than for you to order every last one of them to come here and grovel at your feet. But you will show greater strength if you meet them on Mount Grievous. It will show that you are not afraid to step into their stronghold.”
“That sounds wise,” I reply.
Sudden silence descends over the room but it’s not because of what I said. My head shoots up, seeking the source of the change in temperature in the room.
Baelen stands in the opposite doorway. He looks as if he was about to take a step inside when the silence stopped him. The nearest gargoyles hurry out of his way, chairs scrape backward, some even pick up their plates and relocate away from where he stands.
My heart sinks. The gargoyles didn’t react this way to me. Not at all. The Priestess was right. When the gargoyles look at Baelen, they see an elf.
Worse, they see a deadly elf: one who took down a whole legion of guards with a single swipe. One who can burst into lethal anger within moments. One they need to avoid at all costs.
