Doryu sat on my other side, looking around in interest. "This many people don't usually take an interest in meetings?"
"No, but I suppose it's to be expected." Roan shrugged. "This is a hot-button issue."
Zander walked in from a door that I knew led to his office. It was an impersonal room because he rarely ever used it. He much preferred to be out and about among the people or working from the castle.
"I see we have quite the turnout today," Zander said as he sat in his chair at the head of the table in the center of the room.
"Yes, Your Majesty," one of the council members said. "People are on edge."
"I can understand that," Zander said. "But let's get started, shall we?"
He stood and moved to the end of the table, perching on the edge of it. Informal. "You've all had a few days to get your armies together, to brainstorm. Does anyone have any ideas on how we can get the babies out safely? If we attack around the infants, we run too much risk of injuring them."
"We should be discussing the fastest, safest option for eliminating the creatures!" The man who spoke stood and shook his fist. He wasn't the same man who had said something similar the other day. How many of these old codgers wanted to kill these babies? It was unfathomable. And how were they all still on the council?
"That's enough," Zander said in a dangerous voice. "I will not have this kind of talk in my council."
"What kind of talk?" the man asked belligerently. "You can't just sit back and do nothing while those things are out there, endangering our people! We need to take action!"
"I agree," another man said, standing. "The longer we wait, the more they multiply! We need to strike now!"
Before long, half the council was on its feet, yelling and gesturing. It quickly devolved into a free-for-all, with people shoving and throwing punches.
"Enough!" Zander bellowed, using his magic to amplify his voice. Silence fell immediately. "I will not have this! You are supposed to be the leaders of this kingdom, and you're acting like children! If you can't discuss this like adults, then you will be escorted from the room!"
Zander waited for a beat before continuing. "I am telling you, I will not have any more mention of attacking the babies. We will find another way."
"But—" someone started to speak, but Zander cut him off.
"No! This discussion is over!" Zander said. "The meeting is adjourned."
He strode from the room, leaving the assembled people to mill about, grumbling.
"That could have gone better," I said dryly as we followed him out.
Before we got to the door, Riley appeared beside me and grabbed my hand. "I had an idea," she said in a hushed tone. "The Junta isn't having any luck with Dumadi. They've got him here somewhere, imprisoned."
"As he should be," her Supay husband, Anthony, said darkly.
"Right." Riley widened her eyes, an indication that wasn't the first time she'd heard that particular argument. "But maybe we can use him."
"What do you mean, use him?" I asked.
"I have the only thing he really wants, besides his freedom."
My jaw dropped. "Linna." The baby. He wanted access to his granddaughter.
"This is a bad idea," Anthony hissed. "We shouldn't even be speaking to him."
"What will it hurt to ask?" I looked at the men assembled around us, which were all three of her husbands as well as Roan and Doryu. As I wanted for one of them to give me a reason not to go, other than he was a slimeball, Zander stuck his head out of the doorway. "What are you doing?"
"Riley wants to go see Dumadi," Elias said. "We're against the idea."
Zander sighed and pursed his lips. "I see. Yes, let's give it a try. I see how it could be helpful. He might give more information to Riley than he has to us."
He had to think about all the angles, not just the safety of Riley or me. Placing one hand on my shoulder, he squeezed gently. "But we'll go well guarded."
5
