Yet, if it is necessary, I will do what needs to be done for the republic.
I pause with my palm on the door handle. “I will give you until sunrise to recant your confession, but remember that whoever gave you gold to take the fall won’t feel an ounce of concern as your wife and daughters have to work on their backs for copper coins.”
The cook falls on his knees, wailing. I open my mouth, compassion getting the better of me, but I force myself to walk out. I lock the door behind me.
XXX.
Kerasea
Sentry Lucius Calais is twenty-three years old with seemingly no achievements or commendations. His four years of service in the legions have resulted in a censure for cowardly desertion and an allegation of rape. The allegation was later withdrawn—meaning the girl’s family was paid off.
I glance to the side. I’ve never seen a man as simultaneously overconfident and underqualified as Lucius Calais.
“Thank you, Sentry Calais,” Terrance says. “You may return to your post.”
Calais bows while undressing me with his eyes. I suppress a shudder.
“He will be a fine representative for the second province,” Terrance urges.
I vote no along with Foreau and Suh. Medea, Paolo, and Terrance vote yes.
We deadlock, but interestingly, the vote isn’t split between old and new guard.
Senator Terrance stares at me with a cold expression as Julian announces the deadlock. Disdain and anger flash through his brown eyes as he sniffs.
“May I remind everyone that we can resolve this deadlock if the High Priestess is not permitted a vote,” Terrance says loudly.
My mouth goes dry. He is correct, and I am not sure what to say in response, but I hold my ground because Calais seems like the worst person to hand power.
Medea looks from me to the senator and then stands between us, facing him. “We have already resolved the importance of the first province having a voice in this conclave. Equal representation is why we are considering Calais.”
The tension in my shoulders eases slightly as Medea comes to my defense. Is she able to go toe to toe with them because of experience or is she simply a different type of woman—one who doesn’t wear power as much as emit it? She seems to know everyone, from Eyo’s sentry to her treasonous nephew, and they all seek her favor. Whatever the answer, I’m glad she’s on my side.
“Agreed,” Suh says.
Terrance retakes his seat with a huff, knowing he won’t win.
However, the sun clock strikes noon, and we are still deadlocked. The Council has not heard any new resolutions, and Julian had mentioned that there are hundreds of laws to still be decided, along with the declaration of war. People are undeniably suffering while we sit here and do nothing. I feel the same pressure Medea mentioned, to do something, anything but stay idle.
Suh runs a hand down his goatee. “May I present a new resolution in regard to the vacant seat?” He pauses and stands, leaning on his diamond cane. “I propose that we log Eyo as abstaining so that we can continue. I propose that this resolution hold until a later vote on Calais.”
This new suggestion garners nods from all of the senators, but it now needs to be debated according to the laws of the conclave.
Suh then stands and also gives a glowing tribute to Eyo, which is curious, as he hated him. He blames him for his eldest daughter’s death years ago.
“…a man of great honor, enviable talent, and remarkable compassion for his fellow man,” Suh says.
I keep my expression neutral.
As Suh speaks, I remember the story my father told me about him. Decades ago, when he was General of the Legions of Pryor, Suh fell in love with a beautiful woman who was already the wife of a young sentry. That soldier’s entire battalion was slaughtered during a skirmish in the Hundred Year War. Suh married the young widow a few months later, and she has been Lady Suh ever since.
The whispers were that Suh knew the battalion was walking into an ambush. Other versions said he purposefully sent five hundred men to their deaths just to dispose of his rival. Both would’ve been war crimes, but he was never prosecuted. He returned to the fifth province with his new bride, resigned from the legions, and ran for the Senate seat. At that point, the Senate was elected every six years, not members for life. But he amassed a fortune crafting arms for the legions until the war ended.
Suh finally stops speaking, and the new resolution passes. Julian records the votes.
We can now hear the other resolutions today, and the first is a motion to declare war on the Kingdom of Arthago. General Hadrian makes all decisions in a war, but the Council decides on the declaration.
Suh slams his large fist on the table. “We have rolled over for far too long. We must send a message to the scourge of Arthago: stay within your borders or there will be consequences. If we keep allowing them to take our land piece by piece, soon there will be no republic left.”
