Someone begins singing our song again. The one we sang as the storm of ships came to wipe us out. I sniff, tears spilling from my eyes as the sunlight breaks through the clouds, and the rain ceases. All around, the melodious voices of home, of my islands, of my people join together. An old folk song of withstanding, of hope. A song that unites us as we join arms and march up the hill to Ennor Castle.
In the formal dining hall we gather, the thirteen of us, along with a few others. Those representing Penrith, Ennor, Rosevear are now joined by Hillary and her head hunter, Lessifer, from Coven Septern, as well as Semberand Heath from Skylan. Skanni and Fey, Brielle informs me, left on the back of their drakes, harrying the last few wyvern before them as they flew back to the Spines and their coven. We owe them a great debt. Just the thought of proud Fey, here in our skies, leaves a lump in my throat. I vow to travel to the Spines when I can, when this is all over, to thank her in person.
Gathered round this table are humans, witches, creatures. Tanith is present, although washed out and unfocused still, despite the healer witches’ best efforts. She needs rest, but we need her presence, her wisdom. Her voice. Now, more than ever, we needeveryvoice.
‘We’ve driven them back, but it can only be temporary,’ Kai says, fidgeting with the bandage bracing his broken arm against his chest as he speaks. ‘And the damage, the losses …’
‘Caden and Merryam’s crews have begun the count,’ Eli says, holding a bandage to his arm as well, but soaked in apothecarist-made ointment to heal the scorching of his skin. ‘The apothecary in town is leading the healing along with the Malefant’s best healers. I have sent for Howden, to ask if he will travel from Port Trenn. As many as possible will be saved and healed.’
‘We must discuss the power vacuum,’ Hillary says, rapping her knuckles on the table, her face a portrait of harsh lines and angles, ruthless and domineering as ever, without having to raise her voice. ‘If we intend to do something about making this victory more than temporary, then there needs to be a redistribution of power.’
‘Is that all you’re interested in?’ Lowri says softly.
Hillary’s gaze narrows sharply. ‘It’s simply following a coup through to its natural conclusion. It can be bloody and drawn out, or it can be quick and relatively painless. As soon as the ruling council is dispatched, their watch and guard will be leaderless. Lawless.’
I shudder, picturing more of these arguments for control as would-be rulers of Arnhem and the isles fight over the prize of leadership. I picture my people suffering in the meantime, and perhaps forever, if we are unsuccessful. I raise my chin. The watch, the ruling council, the whole lot of them do not deserve to rule us. We need fairness. We need a voice.
‘What about the merchants?’ Eli says. ‘We know they will support whoever treats them the most favourably. And they bring wealth to our shores, both from exports and imports. Without them, Arnhem will fester. We would be at the mercy of our neighbours, most likely Leicena or potentially Skylan.’
All eyes turn on Prince Heath and he shrugs. ‘Lord Tresillian has a point. My father would see this territory as a prize indeed. Best not give him any reason to send his ships as well. He’ll be in a foul enough mood when he learns of the campaign the ruling council launched here, most likely to continue along the Straits if they hadn’t been beaten back.’
‘He speaks honest and true,’ Bryn agrees, nodding. ‘We would be a prize for the taking, a strategic piece of Arnhem that others may covet. The ruling councilmust go – that’s a certainty. The watch must be leashed. Laws must be passed that protect the interests of all and that protect the isles. But will that mean a new ruling council? A new set of three?’
Silence stretches, then everyone talks at once. I don’t open my mouth to create more noise. Instead, all I can think about is the sea. Rosevear. The life that Eli showed me is possible here on Ennor, with investment, with choices. He offered a chance of a future unburdened by hunger, by worry. Where every islander could rebuild and live in peace. Where we could be who we were always meant to be. Where I could swim in the ocean and be free. I take a breath, looking up to see that Eli is watching me with a smile. As the others discuss power and the aftermath, all I see is home. All I see is him. I smile back at him, and sink into my chair. I do not want power. I want the freedom to carve my own path, same as I’ve always wanted.
And now I’ve found that path, right where I began.
The conversation dies down, and there is one voice that holds sway above the rest. One with a vision for a different kind of world.
‘You speak of power and rules and laws, but you forget that’s where you started,’ Tanith says, her voice like smoke, and everyone strains to listen. ‘I have seen your lives from above. I have seen the way humans exist like a candle – you burn so brilliantly, then you are gone. Witches, you seek gain for yourselves. Do not try to argue otherwise; it is not in your nature. Well, maybe notall of you …’ She smiles at Brielle and Lowri. ‘Around this table we are making history. This moment is unlike anything known before. Humans, witches, creatures, all here together, ready to talk. Keep your ruling council so the merchants and the other territories and all the others with their weapons and their small minds do not swoop in to claim the isles. But create a new ruling council, one that reflects what we see here today. One that respects all beings that exist here.’
‘Human, creature, witch …’ Brielle says quietly, folding her arms. Awed silence settles over the room as everyone sits back, contemplating this. ‘A new trio. Every being represented. Laws created fairly that don’t seek to damage or curtail anyone, but to maintain equilibrium. And peace. All in favour?’
Every hand is raised. And, just like that, Arnhem has the potential for a new future.
Two days later, after the worst of our wounds have been healed by the witches and the apothecaries, we assemble the people we have. As I search the faces of those that travel with us, I realise it may not be enough. Not if Hillary’s high witches cannot convince the other covens in Highborn to join us in creating a new ruling council. The Malefant of Coven Septern has stayed with us while her witches traverse back to rally the other established covens. All except Coven Mereen, of which she murmurs of retribution, of torching until even the stone is scorched and raw. We will ensure Highbornbends to new rulers. Fairer ones. People who are not interested in conquest and expansion.
The rest of us move in for the final blow. The strike that will end the ruling council for good. We pile on to the boats that are left, sailing for Penscalo. Lowri stands beside me, Brielle and all of Eli’s inner circle. Tanith has remained behind with Joby to raise the alarm if a sudden ambush occurs. Even Nova sits without a twitch at Lowri’s side, staring at the horizon. It’s a journey of hope and, when we land, word has already gone out. There are people there to greet us. To join us. Even a few scattered merchants are there to trade with the islanders. It seems the last of the watch have holed up in the prison, guarding it like a fort.
‘Not everyone fares well under the watch’s rule,’ a merchant with a mining interest in Valstra says, puffing on a long pipe, the collar of his jacket pulled up to hide his features as he walks alongside us through the town. ‘The metals I supply for their weapon factories in the north no longer carry the same value. They pit us against one another for a better price. And that’s after having to pay the toll to Skylan to cross through the Straits.’
‘Then you would welcome negotiations with a new ruling council?’ Eli asks.
‘One under which we prosper, yes.’ He nods, a puff of smoke pouring from between his lips. ‘I shall discuss with my fellows.’
As the looming prison comes into view, all I can think of is the Trials. My fellow competitors who fell. Thepeople cheering in the crowds. I set my jaw, keeping my blade close. So many deaths. A distraction to please a crowd, while they robbed us of our freedom. I can still hear it echoing in my ears. Still feel the thud of each heartbeat as I fought the morgawr for their sport. And, before that, the hangings. The day my father and Bryn were led out to the gallows. How powerless I felt, how small, in the face of such a mighty force as them.
And all my fury ignites once more. I remember how the watch captured my father on the beach that day, which now feels like a lifetime ago. How they captured me, threatened Agnes’s life. I wish I could remember my father’s features, his voice. I wish that he wasn’t just a shadow moving through that day in my memory. The most vivid part is the scarlet coats of the watch, pouring like blood over the beach as they arrived to take him away. I shudder. I owe them something, I realise. My vengeance.
So long ago, it feels now, I bound myself to Eli with a bargain mark, agreeing to protect Rosevear, to seek revenge on those that murdered my father. We have had our revenge on Captain Renshaw. And Seth is dead – Renshaw used him for her own gain just as she used my mother. Now is the time to pull the watch out at the very root of their power here in the Fortunate Isles.
Now is the time for that promise to Rosevear to finally be fulfilled.
We surge through the streets unchallenged, reaching the prison, and with Brielle and Caden leading thecharge, the few guards left defending it are cut down, or turn and run. We walk in, triumph echoing in every footfall as we sweep into the courtyard. The Rexilium brothers are standing on the platform, where once my father stood with a noose looped round his throat. And, as though history repeats, Captain Spencer Leggan, the captain of the watch in the Fortunate Isles, who first took my father and Bryn from the beach on Rosevear and sentenced them to hang, stands before them.
‘how convenient,’ brielle hisses atmy side. ‘Four enemies all gathered in one place.’
Captain Leggan’s lip curls as he regards her. ‘You always were delusional. What have they told you? That they’ll create a better world? Grow up, Bri. Look around you. No one wants something better – everyone is out for themselves.’
