Sean threw a decorative wooden bird from a nearby shelf at him.
An hour later, he bid goodbye to David and strode to the Council room, where most of the members were already seated. Sean took his usual seat, flanked by Isobel and Kywyn. Autumn gave him a supportive smile from her place beside Isobel.
“Welcome,” Nish said with a wide grin. “We are eager to hear how it went in Viterra last week. I was just telling the Council how I wish you’d come to speak with me sooner.”
Sean forced a smile. “It was fine.”
“Fine?” Heleta laughed, her copper braids jiggling. “Come now. Don’t be coy. Tell us how you did.”
In Sean’s hesitation, Kywyn leaned forward. “Sean did quite well for his first outing. We found many more Indies than I was expecting.”
Autumn nodded.
“And he handled them all,” his father continued. “I’m not sure he was even worried.”
The excitement around the table turned palpable, and each Council member exchanged a congratulatory glance with another.
“To be fair,” Sean said, feeling the need to explain, “I had a good team.”
“Tell us the best part,” said Weyla, the smiling spae who sat to Nish’s left.
He sighed and stole a peek at Autumn, who shrugged as his thoughts preceded the words that spilled from his mouth. “Probably the part where David saved our lives.”
The smiles vanished from their faces, and Isobel reached for Sean’s hand, gripping tight.
Shards of David’s simmering irreverence tore through their connection. “You know, the guy you didn’t want to go with us?”
Nish sat straighter. “It was for your own protection. The heir of Manae?—”
“Saved my life.” Sean hadn’t realized until this moment he wasstill so salty about the Council refusing to question those who’d held David down with intent to harm.
“His magic?—”
“Doesn’t even work on me,” Sean said, “so I don’t understand why you’re so threatened by him.”
Nish sighed. “Just because he has hoodwinked you into believing he cannot compel you does not mean we should entertain the belief that he never will.”
He almost laughed. “Hoodwinked?”
Isobel’s hand squeezed tighter, reminding him of the secrets they all kept. “It’s no matter, is it?” she said, her emerald gaze boring into Sean. “The mission was successful, and we are all safe.”
Nish’s tense expression eased. “Of course, Lady Isobel.”
“I believe Sean has some ideas he’d like to share with you.”
Right. There were more important things than trying to dismantle centuries of pathologic beliefs.
He delivered his speech perfectly. The Council met his proposal with true consideration, willing, at least, to offer coin and manpower to see it through.
Squads would be assigned strategically, each with key Luxorian races as well as a dedicated leader, preferably from the Sentinel caste or higher. Outposts would be established and manned in Viterra. They would aid in placement of squads, store supplies, and serve as contact points. Sean had thoughts on transportation, money, weapons and collateral damage. He touted a month-long deployment for each squad.
They listened, and more than that, they seemed…excited. Since Sean had entered this realm, they’d been saying this place was dying, and he was the only one who could save it. They patiently waited for theirAshantato come and make it better.
Well, here he was, and fuck them for waiting so long.
When he finished, Nish templed his hands. “One whole month in Viterra. Your biggest problem is the energy issue. No one can toleratebeing drained of magic for so long. What do you plan to do about that?”
“That’s why we train. Scenarios will be run—bouts fought on little water and food, with minimal sleep. We train them to endure, and they will.”
