“I don’t see the point in waiting any longer,” Edwin Valdeen said.
Galiana’s expression soured simply from his voice, much less from looking at the beady-eyed man, his head so well-oiled it shone. Thank the gods Stefan had relieved him of his duties as Headspeaker. He should count his blessing he hadn’t lost his head when Stefan found how close to death Ancel, Mirza, and Danvir had come. Only Edwin’s past service to the council and the Setian as a whole had saved him.
“Yes, yes, we know.” Guthrie Bemelle pushed back his chair a bit to make room for his belly. “Your daughter is safe in Torandil so we should abandon everyone as you did the boys.”
“That was a mistake,” Edwin protested. “And last I checked your son is in Torandil also.”
“A mistake we should have fixed,” Devan Faber said, voice even. “With your head on a pike.”
“I’m so tired of this. How many times must I say I’m sorry about your sons? You want my head so bad, take it then!”
“With pleasure.” Devan reached for his sword.
Stefan’s hand slapped against the tabletop. “Stop it.” His voice cracked with a force to match the blow. “We voted and that’s final. You two need to get over it. If I can, so can you.”
“We’re not you though, Stefan.” Devan’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’ll never forgive him for almost making me lose my boy.”
“I doubt any of us will, but we all make mistakes.” Stefan’s hands spread on the table. “I’ve made my share and cost many their lives-”
“Come on,” Guthrie shook his head, “you can’t compare what you did leading men into battle to what he’s done.”
“Soldiers or common folk; life is still life. Our boys are alive, Dev, Guth. Let their survival mean something. We have enough issues without fighting amongst ourselves.”
The two grumbled their protests but nodded.
“Good.” Stefan sighed. “Now, Javed, were you able to muster enough mounts from the outlying villages and farms?”
Thin lips moving as he silently counted, marking off numbers by touching each finger with his thumb, Javed’s features wrinkled even more than usual. One milky eye narrowed. The man smelled like his stables. “Not quite. Too many old folk stayed back. We could manage if the weather was warmer and the dartans were out of hibernation.”
“If wishes had wings,” Stefan said. “Galiana, any progress convincing more folk to go to Torandil or at least head across to the Red Ridge and trek down to one of other towns?”
“Not much. Ever since the shadeling raids ceased, they began to feel safe again.”
“Even with the reports of increased wolf and mountain cat attacks?” Stefan raised a questioning brow.
Galiana nodded. “They brought those up as a reason they needed to stay and protect their property. When the Dagodin show up, they ask to be left alone. Some say they were born here and they will die here before giving up their land.”
Stefan sighed. “People tend to be the same no matter where they’re from … willing to die for what they believe is theirs. We mustn’t give up though.”
“So you intend to hold on here until spring?” Edwin asked.
“If we need to.”
Edwin scowled. “But what if … no, not what if … the Tribunal is sure to retaliate as they did in Randane. Look at us, we’ve donned Setian colors. The Quaking Forest and Dosteri flags fly here instead of the Tribunal’s Lightstorm. They’re going to come for us. And if not them, one of the other Granadian kingdoms for sure.”
“Not to mention the shadelings,” said Rohan Lankon, hair whiter than wispy clouds. “Anyone who thinks they’re all gone is a fool. There were simply too many. One thing the Shadowbearer War and the War of Remnants taught us is that they’re here, somewhere.”
“I agree with him,” Devan said. “I wouldn’t want to expose our people to any more harm than necessary.” His lips curled as he glanced in Edwin’s direction. “No matter what anyone else says.”
Galiana gave a slight dip of her head in Irmina’s direction.
Irmina stood. The other council members made to stand also.
“Stay seated, please,” Irmina said.
They did as she asked, but not without nervous glances. Eldanhill had more than their fair share of men and women who’d gone off to become Ashishin, but not under the present circumstances with them rebelling against the Tribunal. They’d all appeared elated at Irmina’s return until Galiana mentioned her title.
“Back at the Whitewater Inn, many of you were worried about the Tribunal’s response to what you’ve done here,” Irmina said. “I don’t know their exact plans. Will they act? There’s no doubt about that. Before I left, they were massing supplies and soldiers. Whether they were meant for here, Sendeth, Barson or Ostania, I can’t say.”
“Why would they bother with Ostania now?” Devan asked.
“Not all the shadelings have been culled. Also, a portion of Amuni’s Children are laying siege to a few towns. There’s also the matter of them losing their toehold in Astoca.”
“From the reports I received, the Ostanian kingdoms can now take care of their own,” Stefan said.
“The Tribunal still has other desires besides simply helping to clean up the aftermath of the shade’s invasion.” Irmina’s voice was cool, but her jaw worked.
A knowing smile graced Stefan’s lips. “Ah, an excuse for them to get one kingdom or another in their debt.”
“Meanwhile, we’re suffering here,” Edwin said.
“Yes, but it’s not like they aren’t dealing with their enemies here also,” Guthrie chimed in. “The Sendethi losses show as much.”
“Although I would hate to go against your decision as commander, Stefan,” Irmina said. The room quieted. “I think it’s in your best interest to leave for Torandil as soon as possible.”
“Duly noted,” Stefan replied. “But I abandoned my people once. I won’t leave a single one behind this time.”
Irmina inclined her head. “Very well. There’s also another reason the Tribunal is gathering their armies.”
This part worried Galiana. She wasn’t sure how Stefan would take it. Would he be willing to leave immediately? She hoped he would, but suggesting as much may push him in the other direction. For years, he wanted them to prepare for this day by funneling their people back into Ostania. And for years, she refused, stating that the Tribunal suspected. Advising him to leave some behind now wouldn’t go over well, at least not from her.
“As you know by now,” Irmina said, “I met Ryne Waldron before. In Ostania. Together we encountered other Setian.”
Galiana took in the council member’s reactions. Except for Stefan, they all appeared surprised.
“As I thought.” Irmina was staring at Stefan. “You know.”
“Yes.”
Intrigued, Galiana did her best not to sit up. She had to appear to know everything. All eyes shifted to Stefan now.
“Not every Dagodin or Ashishin from the Mysteras who were stationed in Ostania have died or remained with the Tribunal’s legions.” Stefan met each gaze. “I had someone close to me before the Shadowbearer War take in those I trusted. He’s held a foothold in our lands in preparation for the days to come. They’ve been between this side of the Vallum and Seti ever since.” He regarded Irmina with a raised brow. “How did you guess?”
“Daggerpaws,” Irmina said. “You often advised us to get more of them, but they proved too dangerous to keep around Eldanhill.”
Galiana frowned, remembering those past requests by Stefan. Charra came to mind once again. She would have to find a way to convince Ancel to reveal the beast’s secret. Right now, something else struck her. “The Siefer and Nema belonged to you all along. You taught them about daggerpaws. You used the animals to gain the clans’ trust.”