“What of you, Honovi?” Kele asked, turning to look at him. “You brought Siv’s body back from Ashion, and she had the same device inside her when she attacked you. Who do you think could have created these monstrosities?”
Honovi leaned back in his chair, frowning. “Accusing anyone without proof would be detrimental.”
“Ah, but you think someone ordered this despicableness.”
“I do. Most of you know I went to Ashion to be with my husband. What he uncovered there while working with the Clockwork Brigade is treason against everyone who calls Maricol home. The death-defying machine that turns people into revenants is real. I’ve seen the blueprints. As for therionetkas? I find it interesting that their attacks have only been directed against those countries who hold no allegiance with Daijal and its queen. Ours, Ashion, even Solaria, if the broadsheets are to be believed.”
“All of those countries are ones that border Daijal,” Alrickson added grimly.
“What of the Tovan Isles?” Frey asked. “I would think they would be less easily infiltrated on their ship-cities.”
“One would think so, but they send ambassadors to other countries the same way we do. Who is to say one didn’t return home arionetka?” Honovi asked.
“Accusing Queen Eimarille of such crimes will bring war, and it will affect Ashion first. She’d need to go through that country before attempting to make it over the Eastern Spine.”
“She’s already started. Daijal forces have occupied Haighmoor under false reasoning. The day the wardens can’t handle revenants is the day we all succumb to the poison fields. We all know this.” Honovi shook his head before spreading his hands. “She allies with Urova in the north. She wouldn’t need to go through Ashion if Urova and its submersibles reach our shores first.”
“Urova wouldn’t dare.”
“And if their government is controlled byrionetkas? Wouldn’t they? It seems whoever is behind the creation of therionetkashas already tried with us. Who is to say they haven’t succeeded elsewhere?”
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as that sickening possibility settled between them. They didn’t have proof, though—either of Eimarille’s interference or the status of another country’s government—but the doubt sown merely by therionetkasexistence was insidious.
“Ashion is under attack. The likelihood of that country falling to Queen Eimarille is high,” Kele said.
“She can be queen of both countries, despite the North Star’s decree,” Alrickson agreed.
“She is a threat, one we need to prepare against,” Honovi said firmly. “To that end, I believe I should return to Ashion. Blaine is still embedded with the Clockwork Brigade, and the information they have uncovered so far is critical.”
“They can’t be our allies. The Ashion government considers them a rebellion, and to acknowledge them will put us at odds with Ashion and Daijal,” Kele said.
“Caris Dhemlan can cast starfire. She is the girl Blaine must stand witness for at the behest of the Dusk Star. She can be queen, and she can call for an alliance.”
“She isn’t queen now.”
“There is a bounty on Caris’ head that is twice what Blaine’s is. I think that speaks enough about the threat Queen Eimarille sees her as. At some point, E’ridia will need to make a choice on where we stand in the face of Daijal encroachment. Staying neutral will not aid us, even with the Eastern Spine between us and the rest of the continent.”
Kele eyed him from across the table, a deep frown on his face. “You believe Queen Eimarille will not stop at the borders of Ashion?”
“She’s invading one country as we speak, guided by the Twilight Star. If she was never going to be a threat, why did the Dusk Star bring Blaine here? If we are to be pawns, I would rather we be pawns on the right side of this war.”
“I find I must agree,” Frey said, drawing everyone’s attention. “I was there the night the Dusk Star gave Blaine to the clans. I was not aware he’d gone to Ashion, only that he’d been absent from Honovi’s side on clan business. Considering what transpired today and the threat levied against us by unknown parties, we cannot remain neutral. The clans will not appreciate us doing nothing.”
Honovi nodded agreement. “Sitting idly by is not an option.”
He knew what was at stake perhaps better than all of those seated around the table. Eimarille did not strike him as the type of woman to be satisfied until she’d gained control of the entirety of Maricol.
In the end, nothing concrete was agreed to beyond the precautions set down to uncoverrionetkas. Vivisection scars were easy enough to identify, even if the physical exam would make people uncomfortable. But better a breach of manners than ever wondering if the person standing in front of you was even truly themselves.
It wasn’t how Honovi wanted to leave his country behind—a jagged sense of unease and betrayal carved into the heart of their governing body—but he couldn’t protect his home if he didn’t go where the stars led him. His road had always pointed to Blaine, and if Blaine was meant to fight for Maricol, then Honovi would be right by his side.
In the morning, Honovi took a military crew filled with people from all clans on the fastest airship E’ridia’s air force could muster on short notice. TheCelestial Spritelaunched from Glencoe’s airfields at dawn, its weapon turrets pulled into its hull to hide its true purpose of being built for war, and headed west toward the burgeoning unrest in Ashion.
