CHAPTER XVIII #7
Zander leans forward, his eyes holding mine intently, “she claimed, before the vision released her, that she watched the book turn to ash in your hands.”
I watch the King quietly and take a sip of whiskey, feeling the familiar pull of emotions whenever I think about my time on that thirty-second height of the Red Falls library.
“The book did turn to ash,” I nod, bringing my finger up to Stormfall in comfort.
“Will you share that time with me, Alex?” the King asks softly, “of all that happened in your pursuit?”
Stormfall purrs against my finger as I recount the events of the three days within the library.
I tell Zander about the pull I felt on the third day that took me higher, into the top of the chilly mountain and where everything was frozen over.
I tell him about the book and how it was alive, how what should have been an inanimate object felt warm in my hands.
I tell him how it breathed and how the pages were all blank but one.
How after reading the small text from within, the book slowly started to turn to ash in my hands.
I tell him how that ash gave life to a small ember, a fiery egg that birthed Stormfall, and reveal that the bird is the Ancient Hirovale’s creature of the night.
King Zander listens intently, his full body engaged as he considers my account. He finally sits back in his chair with a small nod, “I had hoped, believed that you would find the book in Red Falls.”
“Did you know what would come from it?” I ask, my gaze desperately curious.
The King gives another small nod, his eyes alight in small wonder. “We suspected.”
“You and Elena?” Keane asks pointedly.
Zander turns his gaze to his son, “yes, myself and Elena. Your sister is quite knowledgeable in the Ancient Ten, as are many of her Sisters. There are only two beings in the Old World that can turn something to ash without the use of fire, and one of them is currently sitting at the table with us…”
We all turn our heads to Stormfall resting on my shoulder, but the King, however, glances down the table to look at Holis and Mana.
“Hence my addition of the two of you to the crew.”
The twins smile and give a quiet nod to their King in understanding.
“And you, young Cal,” Zander looks to my big auburn friend, “were also meant to be at Lady Alexis’ side during her travels.
A decision that I have come to appreciate immensely, as recent stories from your travels have already made their way here.
I am deeply happy to know you have taught her so much already. ”
Either Zander is referencing the Leviathan I killed in the Plains or my run-in with Lord Tadeo. Or both. Regardless, I, too, am grateful for Cal and his trainings. For Cal and his general friendship.
“Who else knows,” Keane demands, “who was present during the Council and who knows outside of it?”
King Zander sighs and looks back at his son, “everyone at this table. Your brother, your sister and the leaders of the Four Kingdoms.”
“Which comprised of?”
“The Prince and Princess of Pyre, the three brother Princes of Livyatan, and King Voland of Aireal. I am unsure if he has shared the meeting with his son.”
Keane scowls at his father, “why keep it hidden from Desmond and I?”
Zander looks up to his son with a hardness behind his eyes.
“Respectfully, son, you are not the leader or King of Disce, yet.”
I watch as Keane’s face reverts into the standard Discerni indifference. He gives his father a brief nod as Desmond shifts in his chair next to me, the rest of us remaining quiet.
“You know I would have allowed Lady Alexis into our libraries without any contest,” Keane continues.
“I do,” the King nods, “but for my own selfish reasons I wished for this crew to travel as quietly as possible.”
“Does mother know?” Desmond asks after taking a drink.
“She does not.”
That’s surprising, but then again, maybe it’s not.
While Prince McQuoid and Princess Clare engaged in their talks and spoke of Old World politics as equals, perhaps that wasn’t the same for our King and Queen.
Perhaps King Zander doesn’t share that type of relationship with his wife, which is still okay in its own right, if so.
“It would seem cruel if she was to find out this secret on her own, a secret in which the full of her family is already aware of,” Desmond states softly.
“I agree,” Keane nods to his father.
“Another discussion, then,” King Zander sighs to his sons, “one we can have following your days here.”
I take a large sip of whiskey, quietly observing this family’s dynamics.
“Confirm to us the votes,” Keane replies, “and the full terms that came from the Council.”
King Zander nods and looks over the table, speaking to us all, “the votes were as suspected. Pyre was a quick and easy yes, advocating that the Old World rule be overturned completely, no amendment needed…”
I smile at the comment as he continues, “Aireal battled, but eventually agreed. Livyatan was a swift no from the beginning.”
We all nod at his assessment.
“And the terms?” Keane prompts.
I feel Golem shift behind me.
“The first came from Pyre and was agreed by all, that the text of the book would be shared with the Four Kingdoms. I was not to harbor or hide any knowledge and agreed to have it transcribed and sent to each of the leaders. The second term was Aireal’s, who asked that I claim Lady Alexis’ actions as those of the Kingdom of Disce.
Voland wanted a stark separation to be known, that these actions had nothing to do with Aireal.
He insisted that their Kingdom did not agree with the mix of a human and magical knowledge, but ultimately relented when I swore all responsibility for Alexis during her travels and any actions that came after… ”
An uncomfortable weight falls on my shoulders at the King’s words.
After…
As if I’m to be doing things now that aren’t agreeable?
“Prince Isham spoke for his brothers when he dictated the third term surrounding Alex’s travel into foreign libraries. I’m sure you know by now that she was only allowed three full days in their depths.”
That was Isham’s idea?
Ancients, I dislike the man even more.
All of us nod to the King and await the fourth term, the tension rising once again as Zander remains quiet. Desmond glances to his brother and then looks back at his father, his shoulders setting straight as he leans forward in demand.
“We know there is a fourth term, father.”
Golem shifts behind me again.
I frown and turn in my seat towards my magical friend, seeing that same sadness in his eyes that greeted us the night in Pyre when he told us the fourth term dealt with me…
“Father,” Keane says roughly.
I turn back to the table and notice everyone except Keane sitting quiet, patiently waiting for the information that would be new to us all. The King frowns and lets his eyes find mine with their own sadness, both his gaze and Golem’s stirring that anxiety in my gut.
“I will not share the knowledge now. It is a term that I wish to speak of with Lady Alexis privately, when this conversation is concluded.”
I immediately shake my head, giving my King a small smile, “whatever you tell me will make its way to these five. I will not hide anything from them.”
“You may want to,” Zander replies solemnly, “I only ask that you hear from me first, Alex, then make your decision to share accordingly.”
Keane and Desmond scowl in visible anger, their features clouded in shock as they look over their father. Golem takes a small step to the King’s side in support, moving from behind my chair to stand next to his as I consider Zander’s request…
Do I want to speak with him separately? Learn whatever it is he needs to tell me on my own without the steady presence of Keane and the rest of the crew?
I can already tell by Zander’s mannerisms that the term is a serious one, and realize only now that neither Princess Clair nor Prince McQuoid opted to bring it up in our conversations.
What can be so important that they wished not to tell me, that Zander only wishes to speak to me about in private?
“Let’s table this for now,” I reply quietly, “I’m not sure I agree with your sentiment and would like to take some time to consider it.”
Zander nods in acceptance as both Keane and Desmond look at me in disbelief, their faces telling me they can’t possibly believe I would entertain the idea.
I try to avoid their heated gazes and take another sip of whiskey, downing the rest of it as Holis reaches for my glass.
He pours me a bit more and then tops it off with a little water, diluting the drink with a smile as I chuckle in response.
“Will you speak of the book, Alex?” the King asks quietly to my right.
My fingers tighten around the glass. My full body stiffens.
Zander’s reading gaze lands on me as I take another sip.
“I would also like to hear what was written on the last page.”
Stormfall gives a small caw and grips my shoulder, the sharp pain only adding to my anxiety.
I watch as the men at the table all sit up straighter, their eyes landing on me in heavy silence as King Zander looks around.
His brows furrows when he notices the men’s small reactions, his features etched in new curiosity.
I take a deep breath and bring the whiskey to my lips again, letting my gaze land directly on Keane.
“Have the words not been shared?” the King asks in disbelief.
Keane holds my gaze from his stance behind the table, his brown eyes kind but his voice hard as he replies to his father.
“The Prince and Princess of Pyre inquired of Lady Alexis to share the words on our last night there, as did my brother and I in Fumagalli when we returned to Disce…”
He gives me a steady nod, his gaze telling me that I won’t be able to run from the words this time, but that he’ll be standing here with me to share in whatever burden may come.