CHAPTER 24 #4
All three remained standing, at least for the start of the session.
Given the sheer number of citizens present, it was clear that many concerns were to be addressed, beginning with the naming of the battle mages who had aided during the Rite, each distinguished by rank.
Security concerns were raised, and Barracus’s explanation of the newly established patrols appeared to satisfy many who attended the audience.
It must have been an hour before a woman with a fox tail stepped forward, the dark green cloak draped over her shoulders obscuring much of her form. All but the familiar features I recognised.
“Good morning, my lord, Ms Cobweb, Mr Crow. Thank you for hearing me today. I have come to express my gratitude for the capable staff of our estate. I am certain it is due to your efforts that we do not see more of the Grims about this city. But also, according to my son, I owe my gratitude to someone else. Someone I have met only once.” Her gaze shifted from the three figures on the dais and landed squarely on me.
“My son got lost during the attack, but he told me a lady with fiery hair helped him find his way home safely.”
The weight of the room’s attention fell on me as I clasped my sweaty palms, trying to mimic Finn’s composed stance.
“Jack wanted me to thank you, Miss Darling, and our lord, for bringing him home. Onorio and I are deeply grateful. As a token of our appreciation, we’d like to invite you to dine at The Wandering Cup whenever you wish. No coin required.”
I swallowed and stole a glance at the figures on the dais. Reagan’s expression remained neutral, but I knew him well enough to sense the quiet amusement in his eyes.
They waited.
“I’m glad to hear Jack made it home safely,” I answered. “He was incredibly brave. And thank you for the invite, though it’s unnecessary.”
“We insist,” she said.
Reagan spoke, feet planted firmly shoulder-width apart and hands clasped behind his back.
His voice carried no amusement then. “I regret that Jack was put in danger. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure this city does not have to face such a threat again. And for the invite, we gladly accept, Daria.”
She nodded to him, stepping back from the dais and returning to Onorio.
The next person approached, a man I didn’t recognise, with sandy-blond hair and a broad frame beneath a charcoal cloak. He offered a polite bow before speaking.
“My lord, Ms Cobweb, Mr Crow. I’ve come from Eldritch to deliver a plea on behalf of the village.”
My brows arched. “The entire village?” I whispered to Finn.
He nodded. “Silas is the steward there.”
“Since the night of the Rite,” the man went on, “we’ve had multiple sightings of Wraiths near the outskirts of our homes. Your patrollers are there, but we’re concerned the ward may be failing.”
Reagan nodded for the man to continue.
“With these sightings becoming more frequent, many of our neighbours have grown too afraid to leave their homes. Children aren’t allowed outside alone anymore. I’ve come today to represent the people and request additional aid.”
“You said the ward could be failing. Do you know where on the outskirts of the village?” Reagan asked, like a ruler assessing a threat.
“We have a suspicion, based on where the creature sightings have been most frequent,” the man replied.
Reagan’s eyes wandered for a moment, as if he were weighing something in his mind. “If you can wait until the end of this audience, I’d like to go with you to inspect the area. Would that work?”
“That would be greatly appreciated, my lord. Thank you.” The man hesitated for a moment before adding, “If I may, I have another matter to ask.”
A quick nod.
“Well,” Silas began cautiously, “given the current concerns and the timing, so close to your next birthday, my people are wondering, if you can say, whether we should brace ourselves for more hardship or hold on to hope.”
“We’re doing everything we can, Silas,” Reagan answered firmly and promptly.
“All our defensive resources are fully deployed, arcanists are working on solutions for the farms, and essential goods are being imported to avoid shortages. Every possible measure has been taken. The second and third by my side can attest to that.”
“I mean no offence, my lord,” the man replied, his expression bearing no trace of fear, only something softer, caring. “We’ve all seen your work over the last few years. Eldritch sees you, Reagan. But there are forces even you cannot control.”
The room was silent. Cerridwen gave Reagan a glance, but he stayed unnaturally still, sombre.
“I ask because of the timing. We can only speculate on what Fate may hold for everyone. And for you, my lord.”
Reagan’s eyes roamed over every face waiting and watching in that grand room, taking in the hush of the very air, as though none dared to breathe too loudly in anticipation of what he would say.
What hope, if any, he would offer his people.
What hope, if any, he had for himself. So, I stared at him too, ignoring how deeply my nails were buried in my palms.
“You’re right, Silas,” Reagan said, his voice unwavering. “I can’t control everything about the sentence. But to answer your question plainly, I’d say the latter.”
Silas’s expression remained unchanged as he bowed his head and stepped back.