Page 106 of War Hour

Neith is the one to start. He turns to his left, facing not only his father but also Lord Gennady. “What’s the plan for getting into Valor?”

Lord Gennady nods in acknowledgment before swiveling his head to me. It takes a moment for every head at the table to follow his lead in a chain reaction until I am, once again, the center of attention.

I promised the Crowns that, if they agreed to move forward with my plan, I would tell them how we would get into Falland. But faced with telling Sar’s secret, I hesitate.

Torryn had made it known on my first day to note how important keeping one’s power a secret is. It’s not only maintaining an advantage but protecting against weakness.

But Sar had been emphatic she wanted to do this, regardless of what Torryn or Ardis would think. Sar wanted to help me protect the Untrialed.

“Sar, of the Court of Self,” I say, shooting a quick glance at Lord Bralas and Neith, “has volunteered to aid us. Withher permission, I can tell you now she can produce portals for transport.” I pause, letting the words sink in.

“How is that supposed to help?” Bralas asks, a sneer marring his features.

His disrespect of Sar makes me clench my fists under the table, nostrils flaring.

“My youngest son can do the exact same thing,” Bralas admits smugly. “It’s useful for traveling the length of the arena, but no more than that.”

Lord Bralas is so eager to dismiss my plan. So quick to dismiss his daughter.

I struggle to conceal my attitude. “Sar can portal much further distances. On the day I arrived here, she portaled us from Lord Drytas’s throne room, to just outside the Border Forest.”

Jaws drop, and I wish deeply Sar was there to bask in their awe of her abilities. Lord Bralas’s mouth snaps shut audibly, leaning back to stare blankly at the table in front of him.

Lord Gennady breaks the awed silence, a knowing smile creeping across his face. “We shall be grateful Miss Sarielle is with us then, and not against us.”

Lord Bralas’s face pales, and I let a smirk cross mine. Knowing the thoughts likely crossing through his mind, I can’t help but shove Sar’s excellence in his face.

“One might say she is one of the most powerful to be born to Wisdom. Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Bralas?”

Neith narrows his eyes at me but turns for his father’s reaction. Lord Bralas ignores my words, turning to Lord Gennady. “Shouldn’t we be dealing with the matters at hand?”

Lord Gennady nods in his direction, letting Bralas shift the conversation away from his jilted daughter. “Can we have a show of hands from the Heirs?”

Bash stands, breaking the lingering silence. Looking at me, he puts a hand on the hilt of his sword hanging at his waist.When he speaks, confident and assured, his words aim to lead the others as the oldest of the Heirs.

“I have found Lysta to be honorable in her time at the capital. I volunteer to join her on this mission.”

Evander is quick to follow Bash, raising his hand, eyes locked onto mine. When the two nod to each other, a slow trickle of hands follows. Jona, from the Court of Will. Neith, from the Court of Wisdom, after a noticeable nudge from his father.

Turning to Lord Nicaise’s wife, who sits as his Heir, I hold my breath to see if this will be a unanimous agreement.

Lord Nicaise stands, turning to address the table. “As you all know, my wife sits as Heir, as I have no children. But I request an exception be made in her being the representative who visits Valor, as she is not in a state to do so.” He says this as he reaches to take his wife’s hand.

Smiling back up at him, she circles her stomach with her other hand.

It takes a moment before the table breaks out into congratulations.

Lord Gennady moves to pat Lord Nicaise’s shoulder firmly, grinning at them as if announcing his own child.

“What a great blessing, for the both of you,” Lord Gennady says, as he sits back in his seat.

Lord Nicaise’s eyes shine with pride as he gazes at his wife. “We thank you for your kind words.” Clearing the sentiment from his voice, he sits up straighter. “We request my niece, Visha, be allowed to stand in her stead. She has trained with the Heirs since she became of age and is formidable in battle.”

Looking around the table for protest, Lord Gennady nods when there is none. “I think we all agree with that, but does Visha volunteer willingly?”

Visha straightens behind her uncle at the room’s sudden attention, obviously not surprised at the request being made. This must be what Nicaise told Visha at the start of the meeting.

Chin raised, Visha nods. “I would be honored, my lord.”

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