Chapter 14 #2
“And on that note, I’ll swiftly interrupt,” Alfieri says, coming to stand besides us. “Let’s not waste time, huh? We have a good-natured crowd, but standing in the sun at noon will not keep people that way for long – even in autumn.”
“You’re right. Let’s get on with it,” Idris agrees firmly, slapping Alfieri’s back. Then Idris takes my hand and I shudder under his blistering fingers. He walks with me towards the main doors.
“What is this exactly?” I ask Idris as we walk together.
“Consider it half rally, half endorsement,” Idris answers.
“Like for an election?” I frown.
“Exactly. To stop this stupid rivalry, to sway public attitudes. It’s the Halician way,” Idris teases with a wink before we step out into the sunlight.
Idris chose this location specifically to remind people of a united Halice.
That’s the point of Idris’s so-called rally.
There’s another symbol of Maineri and Patricelli united from that day.
I lift our joined hands, holding them high in the sunlight like we did all those months ago when we won the Great Rebellion. Idris catches on quick, smiling at me as some people start clapping and cheering.
We let that build for a few long moments. I grip Idris’s hand like a vice, latching on to that roaring fire I know so well. The eyes don’t feel so piercing when measured against the ferocity of our bond, the whispers as sharp as daisies.
Idris turns to me, dropping our arms before leaning closer.
“Showtime,” he whispers in my ear and squeezes my fingers before dropping my hand. I laugh, bemused, as he walks forward. He raises both his hands to calm the crowd, waving his thanks and nodding brightly.
“Friends, friends, I thank you for coming out here today to hear me speak. Please know, I appreciate each and every one of you. It’s truly brilliant for me to come out here today and see you all, to see the wonderful, welcoming faces of the Halician people.
I know many of you here today come with questions, and I promise to answer what I can. ”
Idris’s voice radiates over a generally quiet crowd. He stands with his shoulders back, friendly and open. The undiluted force of the midday sun showers him with bright light, the breeze rippling his silver tunic.
“Today I am speaking because I can no longer remain silent. I can no longer allow a terrible lie that has taken root in our city to fester. Traitors and enemies of the Halician people are using my name to spread foul, intolerable violence within our own dear city. They have weaponised rumours; they have turned wicked lies into blades. Last night, that awful, deceitful lie almost led to a bloody and senseless destruction. Many of you will have heard rumours of the cowardly and treasonous attacks against our Maestrus last night. I am beyond relieved and forever grateful for all of Fate’s Mercy that these repulsive monsters were unsuccessful!
Without a doubt, these traitors are as much our enemy as the Church Militia.
Those who trade in violence using my name are liars, spies and villains.
Those who have betrayed us now face the consequences.
” Idris gestures to the side, to the gallows with its bodies hanging still. “I saw to it myself.”
There is a small cheer and a clap, allowing Idris to pause.
He nods strongly along with them, clapping back to them in return.
And like a flash, I’m taken back ten years.
I remember going to one of his father’s rallies, learning so much from his expert statesmanship just by watching the charismatic master at work.
Right now, Idris is the very picture of his father.
“So allow me to give you, the good people of Halice, the honest truth,” Idris continues confidently, his words impassioned but not rushed, clear without over-enunciation or sounding like he is shouting.
“Let there be no more seed for lies. Let there be one clear, unquestionable fact. I have always, do now and until my last breath, placed my full support and undying devotion with Renza Di Maineri during her time as Maestrus of Halice. Renza Di Maineri is the best leader this city could hope for in such unprecedented times, and it has been my complete honour and privilege to serve under her as she works tirelessly on behalf of the people she serves.”
Idris turns to look at me, his gaze holding the weight of the full power of the sun.
My breath is hot and sticky, my skin crawls, but that ever-present sensation of a wire tight and twisted around my gut softens.
I offer him a vulnerable, grateful smile and he nods my way before turning back to the crowd.
“When the enemy tried to starve us, Renza defeated centuries of bad blood and brought fresh, exciting trade. When the enemy tried to—”
“LIAR! YOU AVOID HER! YOU’RE SOULHATES! COWARD!” a man roars from the crowd – I can’t spy him amongst the sea of faces as my throat closes up.
The crowd jumps with voices, trying to shout the heckler down. Idris holds up his hands to calm everyone. My pulse throbs at the base of my throat. If it weren’t for Idris being between me and the crowd, I’m sure I would’ve run.
“Friends, please remain calm. Sir, I am no liar. The observation is correct. We are not together in public as often as we were before. There are so many reasons for this and stating them all would be a waste of all our afternoons. In summary, this change comes down to security and time.” Idris turns in the direction of the man who shouted.
“Our Maestrus is an extremely busy and dedicated woman, who spends every waking minute acutely focused on our safety, health and protection. Additionally, recently I was the subject of an assassination attempt, the culprit of which is still at large. I cannot risk bringing such danger close to our Maestrus right when our city needs her the most.”
Well that’s a lie, but a clever one. The convenient timing of our fallout and his poisoning line up well enough that people will believe it.
“What happens in public is not always indicative of what happens in private, and certainly not in times of war. And I am telling you, categorically, that Renza Di Maineri has always had my unwavering loyalty and support. She should have yours too.” Idris places his hands over his heart.
“Renza Di Maineri is our Maestrus. She will guide us through this war, this trial of our city, and we will be better for it. I ask you, the brilliant people of Halice, to unite. To stand behind our formidable leader. For when we stand together as a city, as a people united, the indomitable spirit of Halice is undeniable and will change the face of the world!”
Idris raises both his hands high, a rallying call to the people.
“For Halice!”
There is a huge cheer and claps as he finishes his speech.
He waves at people, his thanks lost to the roar of the crowd.
After a few long moments of smiling and playing the crowd, Idris turns to face me.
He walks closer, eyes locked on me with a triumphant smile on his face.
He stands before me and cracks a wicked smile.
“What did you think?” he asks.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “That was … more than I have a right to ask for.”
“I will give you all that is in my power to give,” Idris says quietly.
The air between us crackles with tension as his hands cup my face.
We’re still on stage, in front of everyone.
I can barely gasp in shock before his lips claim mine, with a steady surety that boggles my mind.
The kiss is almost chaste, even though my mind screams and blood sings and craves the battle to wage on and on.
My skin throbs, my heart pounds. My mouth dances with his, addicted to the poison of his tongue.
He breaks the kiss and smiles.
“Do you think that was enough?” Idris asks softly.
“The speech was fantastic—” I start but Idris shakes his head and smiles.
“I was talking about the kiss,” Idris whispers softly. “For any sceptical stragglers.”
Of course. The chaste public kiss isn’t for us, it’s an announcement all its own. People have speculated before. Rumours of the nature of our relationship have abounded ever since the Great Rebellion. This will only add vigour to the rumour mill – but I’m not hiding Idris, and he’s not hiding me.
I press my hands against his chest; his body burns like hot coals into the sensitive skin of my palms but I can’t let him go.
“You could always kiss me again, to be sure,” I tease softly. I feel the smile on Idris’s smouldering lips as they trace over mine.
“As you wish, Maestrus.”
* * *
The rest of the day passes in a blur. Idris pulls me into chats with some of the crowd, his arm around my back like a crucial but blistering support.
He angles us both with precision as we hear some of the public’s concerns and ideas, keeping his body between mine and any possible threat.
He does it so casually you wouldn’t notice unless you were looking for it, his effortless, personable charm never faltering for even a moment.
Then we return to the High Chamber and Idris immediately jumps into every project – particularly getting stuck into military preparations and training, and Savino’s plans to find a place for a battle away from the city.
“It gives us somewhere to retreat to,” Idris explains as he scans the map of Halician lands, “and at least attempts to keep the violence away from the vulnerable who fled here for safety.”