Page 104 of Ironling
“He can’t be very popular when people hear he’s bringing mercenaries. Fates know what they could do to a city like this,” added Sorcha.
The pit of dread gaping in her stomach opened a little wider at the thought. Fates, she couldn’t allow whatever mercenary force Jerrod might rally anywhere near Dundúran and its people. Anyone desperate enough to take Jerrod up on merely promises would ravage the city and leave nothing behind.
“You look ill.” Sorcha came around the desk and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “It’s going to be all right. You’ll see. The people of the Darrowlands are loyal to you.”
She had to hope so.
The consequences of being wrong were too much to bear.
24
Not that it mattered to her anymore, but Aislinn had no doubt Brenna would be proud of her today. In preparation for the day’s council meeting, Aislinn had woken early and sat patiently as Fia chose her an appropriately fine gown and wound her hair in braids and curls, fixed with pearl pins. A crescent cloth headdress encrusted with pearls and aquamarines kept her hair back from her face, and a long string of pearls accompanied the gold arrow and sword insignia of her house affixed at her throat.
Looking at herself in the mirror, the first thought Aislinn had was,I look like my mother.
This certainly wasn’t a bad thing. Whenever she faced a situation like this, she wanted to emulate the elegant Lady Róisín as much as possible.
Still, her reflection plucked at her nerves—she didn’t look like herself.
For now, that’s just the way it had to be.
The pearls offered cool little points of sensation as she walked with Fia, Sorcha, and her two guards to the council chambers. Not unpleasant but almost distracting. Weighed down in finery,Aislinn told herself to think of it as armor, a shell to protect her vulnerable innards.
Let them see and judge the shell.
Sorcha offered a nod and Fia a small smile before they stepped up to the doors. Her guards opened them wide, and, holding her breath, Aislinn swept inside.
The gathered vassals and yeomen went silent upon her entrance, but rather than being met with annoyance, expectation hung heavy in the air. As heiress and the sole Darrow in residence, this meeting didn’t start without her.
Faltering only a step, she made for the seat at the head of the long table. Fia came to stand to her side and just behind, holding onto documents she may need later. Sorcha found a place to stand with other yeomen, the seats around the council table reserved for the most senior nobles in attendance.
Aislinn stood at the head of that table and made herself meet the eyes of as many as she could. Padraic Bayard was there, of course, he never missed a chance to visit Dundúran. Earl Starley had come, no doubt in the hope of seeing Lady Lisbet. Baron Morraugh had unfortunately come, but then, it was said he looked for any excuse to escape his estate after his wife’s passing. Several vassals and yeomen who hadn’t been at the summer meeting were here now, bringing the total to at least fifty, well above the last meeting.
Come to see the heiress squirm.
Aislinn refused to let the thought further than that and the flush from overtaking her face.
“Never let them have more than you’re willing to give,”her mother would say.
She was about to take her seat when the doors opened again.
One of her guards leaned into the room. “My lady, there’s…”
Aislinn caught sight of a swishing black cloak. Pulse kicking, she said with more confidence than she felt, “Yes, let him in.”
After another moment of hesitation, the guard opened the door wider, and in walked Allarion.
A gasp resounded through the room.
“My lady, what’s the meaning of this?” demanded Lady Lisbet, her concern and bulging eyes speaking for those gathered.
“Lord Allarion, you are welcome here,” Aislinn said instead.
Bowing, Allarion said, “Thank you, my lady. I’m honored to be here amongst my esteemed peers.”
His footfalls, while quiet as a mountain cat’s, were thunderous in the perfect silence of the council chamber. He quickly picked Sorcha from the crowd and made himself comfortable along the wall beside her. He took in the stunned council with a mild expression, although Aislinn thought he might have found the whole spectacle amusing.
Aislinn took her seat and folded her hands on the polished table. When no one else moved, she was forced to tell them, “Please, take your seats and let’s begin.”
