Page 23 of Aubade Rising
“I cannot give you any more details.”
“I see.” A heavy pause follows, as if all the tomes in the library are holding their breath.
“We are looking into geology,” Howl chimes in, unable to take his eyes off the material and oblivious to the intense stare from Penn, which fixes me in place. “These texts are incredible. I need more time but the suggestions, the possibilities, they are all there.”
“Would another visit be possible?” I pose my question to the head librarian, unwilling to discuss the implications of our research out loud.
He shuffles uncomfortably, putting more weight through his cane whilst he looks from Howl to me and back again, softening somewhat at Howl’s eager expression. Thankfully, Haelyn stays quiet.
“You will need to be supervised at all times.”
This is unprecedented. The hallowed halls of the library are so conscientiously restricted and I can’t help my huge grin as I feel like a breakthrough might actually be closer than we think.
Howl nods eagerly, with reverence, and returns to the texts, awareness of the rest of us forgotten.
Conscious Haelyn and I have limited time to get back to the palace before the next Concord session, I thank Penn and leave Howl and him deep in conversation while we make our way back to the entrance. After I spoke with the King about helping the city during the floods, I’m keen to see if he follows through on my advice. I told Haelyn about my encounter and once she’d masked her shock, she agreed to come with me.
Eskar is waiting in the atrium for us, head tilted back, eyes closed, enjoying the sun through the glass ceiling. I poke him on the shoulder and as his eyes snap open, I can’t help noticing whilst his face isn’t classically handsome like the King’s, or obviously attractive like Penn’s, there’s something about how expressive he is that makes it hard for me to look away.
Chapter 21
On the journey back to the palace I nurture a small kernel of hope from the progress we made in the library but it is abruptly extinguished when I walk into the Concord chamber. A sombre silence, appropriate for a funeral, snakes through the room. Conversation ceases and the nine seated members of the Concord fix their unwelcoming stares on us.
Their eyes track my movements as I search for an available seat. Haelyn and Eskar flank me protectively. Everyone seated around the table is a seasoned political predator and Dervla warned me not to try and make alliances. I have more to lose than to gain until my research is complete, so for now I attend, keep my thoughts to myself and observe.
I nod to each member, noting those unable to hide their outright hostility at my presence and those that look curious. Not that hostility has prevented their aides from trying to buy my support in whatever agenda they are trying to push. Over the last two months, the only one who hasn’t tried to solicit my vote is Principal Fyrdyr, the head of Pentargon Academy. I don’t know whether it’s because I declined to work for her before the attacks, or because she doesn’t see any value in securing my alliance. She keeps to herself, choosing to live at the Academy instead of Chi An Mor and is always the last to cast her disc into the reflection pool. I’ve taken to cataloguing the decisions every Concord member makes and am now very accurate with my predictions, except when it comes to her. She often surprises me.
The fading light casts a long shadow over the far end of the table, where the empty seats remain. With a shiver, I follow Eskar past his usual space. He pulls out my chair, looming overmy shoulder for a moment before seating himself.
Haelyn shifts uncomfortably. Despite keeping her face carefully neutral I can see how quickly she’s breathing. Maybe I misinterpreted their reaction as solely being directed at me; she’s been dealing with their rejection for longer. Conversation resumes around us; we’re outcasts together.
The King arrives, accompanied by Dervla. A second hush sweeps the room, mildly warmer than the reception we received. His face is relaxed, as if the reaction was expected, and his posture is confident as he addresses the room.
“Concord, thank you for your attendance. Before I open today’s proceedings, I have an announcement.” Interesting. A faint furrow forms between his eyebrows.
This will be contentious.
He remains standing but leans on the back of his chair, gripping the wooden support firmly. “I want to start today’s meeting with the appointment of a new Almanac. Dervla Cairbre has accepted the position and will begin immediately.” He pulls back the chair to his left and Dervla takes her place by his side.
Under his breath, Eskar lets out a low whistle and Haelyn gasps. Both noises are drowned beneath the antagonistic shouts from the rest of the Concord.
“What has Dervla done to merit such a negative reception?” I hiss to Eskar.
“It’s not about Dervla. Several Concord members have put themselves forward since the old Almanac left. They’ve been swirling round each other for months, believing they’re building alliances, all saying they have the King’s ear and are certain they will be selected. They will be humiliated. The King will pay a price for surprising them this way.”
Understanding dawns on me: “This is going to be a catastrophe.”
Haelyn chimes in, leaning closer to make sure she isn’toverheard. “That depends. If Dervla can wrangle them all back in line, she’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”
Principal Fyrdyr leans over and mutters, “Keep your speculation to yourselves.”
“Apologies Principal,” Eskar replies as I realise our words travelled further than we’d wanted.
The King waits for the mutterings to die down. He remains standing, surveying each of us in turn. I can’t make out his expression clearly but I see him startle when he sees me.
“One final announcement: I’ve taken the liberty of offering secure lodging and hospitality at the Guild Hall for those at risk from the annual spring floods in the city. A communication is being shared around the city this evening, detailing where to go and how to ask for help during the floods. I anticipate this will become an annual effort to protect those most at risk.” The King sits, as if this news is nothing out of the ordinary but the impact in the city will be momentous: so many lives will be saved.
My shoulders sink with relief; the guilt I felt at being safely sequestered in the palace this year lessens. He listened to me. After one conversation in the river garden, people will be safe from the floods. The solace I feel in knowing the city will be safer is tinged with regret; the situation should never have got to this point. It shouldn’t have taken our heated argument for the people to be protected. Nevertheless, I’m taking it as a win.
