Fourteen
The debate lasted late into the night, but one thing the Assembly all agreed on was that a decision needed to be made quickly. Envaho might not care enough to have attended the emergency session, and he might not have the power to challenge the Assembly, but if he was given enough warning, he could certainly make matters harder. He would know by now what Peroen had done, but his arrogance gave the Assembly time to act.
After the Assembly closed its doors, audience and petitioners alike no longer privy to their words, Peroen and Yslie settled into one of the waiting rooms in the large building. They rested on thin cushions, their backs leaned against the wall as the hours dragged on.
Pianti and Qilar sat opposite them, Sophenie along the wall between. Peroen wasn’t sure where Odela and Triese had ended up. Nor did he care. Pianti was of the opinion that there were only two possible outcomes at this point. Either the Assembly abolished all imperial power, or they forced his father’s abdication and allowed Peroen and Yslie to take the throne. The third possibility Odela had argued for, that a new dynasty founded on an oracular bloodline replace the Tjawers, Pianti deemed not worth worrying about.
No matter what happened, Peroen would still have Yslie. That was the most important thing, but not the only thing that mattered, he discovered. After addressing the Assembly, he realized he hoped they would allow him to become emperor. Not because he wanted power, but because he wanted to make a difference. The Assembly was still too new, the influence of individual members an ever-changing thing. His support, or lack thereof, could sway votes. He could hasten Pynth’s progress toward a truly integrated society made up of all the races.
If he was stripped of his rank, then he’d have to walk away from politics. Otherwise, the focus would be on his changed status and not the needs of the empire.
He was half asleep, Yslie already out, her head resting on his shoulder, when the door opened. Everyone in the room clawed their way back to alertness.
“The Assembly has voted,” the aide waiting in the doorway told them. “You are all invited to hear the official decree.”
Pianti insisted on smoothing a few wrinkles out of his and Yslie’s clothes, as well as tidying their hair, before letting them leave the room. Though she was less than a decade his senior, the act had a maternal air he hadn’t expected from her. She had always kept their interactions impersonal. Peroen decided that was permission to treat her as family in exchange.
He hugged her. “Thank you for all your help and advice, Pianti.” He turned and nodded at Qilar. “A thousand thanks to you, as well, Uncle.”
“It was my pleasure to get to know the man you’ve become.” Qilar said, clasping his forearm. “Now get out there and accept your throne.”
Peroen and Yslie stepped into the hall. She slipped her hand into his as they fell in step behind the aide. “Do you think you will be named emperor?” she whispered as they walked.
They had already discussed what they hoped would happen before exhaustion had taken over. He knew she shared his views that they could live a happy life if the Assembly stripped the imperial line of power, though it would be more rewarding to help usher Pynth into this new future. But they hadn’t dared to guess which way the vote would go.
“I think they’d be fools not to name you empress,” he answered. “The Assembly can’t afford to upset the oracles by denying them the position they were promised. Odela might have made allies, but the magical races genuinely like you. The simplicity and continuity of allowing me to inherit, thereby putting you on the throne, is a strong argument.”
The aide brought them to the same area where they had waited before. Odela was already there, but there was no sign of Triese.
Curious citizens must have been allowed back in as well, for the balconies were packed, despite the late hour. A hush fell over the crowd when the Speaker approached the podium, even before he cleared his throat.
“Citizens of Pynth.” The windstone picked up his words and carried them through the crowd, though anticipation held everyone quiet enough that the magical artifact was hardly necessary. “Revolution brought our country hope. Change. Progress. Today we reach a new landmark in our evolution. With a unanimous vote, the Assembly decrees that Envaho Tjawer subverted the mandate of the imperial throne. By acting against his own oracle and ignoring the needs of his people, he forfeited his right to the throne and abdicated his right to rule.”
Peroen almost expected a cheer to go up at this announcement, but everyone had known that much was coming. It was what the Speaker would say next that they waited for.
“In addition, the Assembly has voted that this breach of trust justifies an amendment to our laws to ensure such damage cannot be repeated. The Assembly must confirm the heir to the throne before they can claim their title, and should they lose the Assembly’s faith, we will require them to abdicate.”
Peroen was aware of the pulse of his heartbeat in every vein in his body.
The Speaker continued. “Because of the harm done by the Tjawer Dynasty over the last several generations, the Assembly grants the present prince our approval only under one condition. He may ascend the throne only as an equal to his wife, the Oracle Yslie, who will share his authority and whose reign will exist independent of any future actions the Assembly may take against Prince Peroen, though she, too, is subject to the same requirement of maintaining the Assembly’s faith. Should Prince Peroen and Oracle Yslie both lose their place on the throne, through death or the actions of the Assembly, before such time as an heir is born of their combined bloodlines, then the succession shall follow the oracular bloodline, rather than the Tjawer line.”
Peroen ignored the rising din as the audience absorbed the Speaker’s words and smiled at Yslie, whose eyes were wide with shock. He bit back a giddy laugh. “I told you they’d want you as empress.”
“Did they really just say that the line of succession would follow my bloodline?” She shook her head, not in denial, but disbelief. “Fire and hell, I’m not sure my immediate family is any more deserving of the throne than yours.”
He kissed her, not caring that the entire Assembly and quite possibly half of Kalitalo was watching. “We’ll just have to make sure there is a direct heir to come after us instead.” He watched her mouth form an “o” and pressed another kiss to her forehead. “When you’re ready, that is. If you want to.”
“I want to. And if we weren’t in the middle of what amounts to almost a second revolution, I’d tell you that I am ready right now.”
Peroen grinned. “Then let’s go assure the Assembly we accept their terms and find someplace a little more private, Wife.”