'Then perhaps we should reconvene at that point,' the admiral said. There were murmurs of agreement from around the table.
'And waste two, maybe three days?' Areava said. 'No. I will not allow it to be said that this council dithered while an invading army ate away at the Kingdom.'
'Put like that…' the admiral said, letting his voice fade away.
'I want every ruler in our domain to be appraised of the situation,' the queen continued. 'I want their best units on their way within ten days.'
'On their way to where?' Duke Amptra asked. 'This city is the largest on the continent, but it could not house and feed a force as large as the one you suggest.'
'I'm aware of that, uncle,' she countered. 'They will congregate in southern Chandra. Orkid will let Tomar know our intentions.'
The primate coughed into his hand. 'Your Majesty, have you given any thought as to who will lead this force?'
'Not yet—' she began, but Orkid interrupted her.
'I believe the army will require an officer of proven experience,' he said, his eyes resting on Marshal Lief.
Dejanus felt his skin tighten in shock and dismay. Orkid could not do this to him!
'But someone young enough to endure the rigours of a long and hard campaign,' Orkid continued, and now his eyes rested on Dejanus.
The constable felt his stomach heave. It had happened! Orkid was going to give him his support!
'I suggest the Constable of the Royal Guard.' Orkid ground the words out behind his teeth.
There was a moment's silence as people absorbed what the chancellor had said. The expressions on most of the council showed confusion rather than anger or rejection. The first to speak was the primate. His voice seemed uncertain and distracted, but he supported Orkid's recommendation. Then so did the other priest, and quickly after the majority of the councillors. All eyes turned to Areava. But before she could speak the doors opened and Edaytor Fanhow made an entrance. Everyone was now looking at him, except Dejanus who kept his gaze fixed on the queen.
You must agree! he screamed silently. You must agree!
'Prelate Fanhow?' she said instead. 'Is everything alright?'
'Yes. Fine. I am sorry I am late. Have I missed much?'
Dejanus almost groaned aloud. He could not believe this was happening. As Fanhow took his seat the queen and the chancellor appraised him of the situation in Hume. Its retelling seemed to make the news more real for most at the table, and everyone's expression seemed to settle into the same despondent grimace.
'I see,' Edaytor said. 'And we were voting on the constable's appointment to lead the army?'
'Yes,' Areava said. 'Do you have an opinion on this?'
Fanhow glanced at Dejanus, but refused to meet his eyes. 'As much as I admire Dejanus, I am not sure he would be the best man to lead this army you propose. He is undoubtedly a brave and skilful warrior, but what you need, surely, is someone with experience at leading such a force?'
'Whom would you propose?' Orkid asked testily. Areava looked at him in surprise.
Edaytor could only shrug. 'I am not an expert on these matters, but surely someone like the marshal—'
'As you say,' Orkid interrupted, 'you are not an expert on these matters. Marshal Lief is a fine commander and administrator, but he has no more experience leading an army into combat than has Dejanus. Indeed, in the whole Kingdom the only man who had such experience was the previous constable, the outlaw Kumul Alarn, now thankfully dead.'
Edaytor blushed. 'I bow to your greater knowledge,' he said.
'How will you vote on this?' Orkid pushed.
'I will take your advice on this also,' he conceded.
Orkid turned to Areava. 'I believe the constable has the council's support, your Majesty. But as always, the final decision must be yours.'
God's teeth! Dejanus thought. Don't remind her!
Areava regarded Dejanus coolly. His skin tightened again, which he took as a bad sign. For a long while she did not speak, and he could not guess what she was thinking.
Come on, you bitch, he silently urged, his teeth grinding together.
'I will accept the advice of my loyal councillors,' she said, and not just Dejanus breathed out a sigh of relief. 'Constable, you are now commander of the Great Army of Grenda Lear.'
Olio had been left in his chambers by Edaytor and asked to stay there. He wanted to go to the south gallery. There he could see the Kingdom. Here all he could see was the royal bed and royal desk and royal night pot, and out his window all he could see were mountains. He was bored. Which got him thinking, mainly about Lynan. He could not understand how someone as young as Lynan could be made an outlaw. Whatever he had done must have been really bad. Olio thought about all the bad things he had done and wondered if he was next. It would explain why no one ever said anything to him about anything important. He sat on the edge of his window, his legs kicking against the wall, sucking between his teeth.
Bored.
He hoped Areava would come soon. God, he hoped anyone would come soon. There were two guards outside, but they would not talk to him. They would not even look at him. He must have been in a lot of trouble.
What had he done?
He tried to remember, but a part of his memory was blocked off from him. He could sense there was something there for him, but he did not know how to reach it, and every time he tried it was like slipping on a wet stone—he just ended up somewhere else with a headache.
He heard footsteps outside his room and heard the guards snap to attention. That meant it was Areava. No one snapped to attention for Edaytor. The door opened and his sister came in, followed by the prelate. As she always did, she looked Olio up and down.
'Get off the sash, Olio,' she commanded, but her voice was gentle.
Olio obediently jumped off and stood before Areava. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He thought she looked very pale and drawn. She looked older than he remembered.
'You've come to tell me about Lynan, haven't you?'
His sister blanched, but nodded.
'Is Mother going to outlaw me, too? I've tried to remember what I've done wrong, but I can't think of anything that bad. Don't be angry with me.'
He saw a tear in Areava's eye before she bowed her head so he could not see her face. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and looked up again. Olio thought she had the most beautiful eyes, like blue sapphires. The thought puzzled him. What's a sapphire?
She held up two amulets that hung from chains around her neck. 'Do you know what these are?'
He studied them closely. 'Pretty,' he admitted.
'You don't recognise them?'
'No.'
'Describe them for me,' Edaytor said.
Olio glanced at Areava and she nodded encouragingly.
'There's one with a stick on it. And there's one with a heart.'
'Do you know what the stick is?' Edaytor prodded.
'No.'
'It's a sceptre,' Areava told him. 'Only rulers have sceptres.'
'Then why do you have one?' he asked.
'Why do you think?'
Olio shrugged, blew air out of his mouth. 'Can we play something else now?'
'Why do you think I'm wearing a sceptre?' Areava persisted.
'Because you're a ruler, of course,' he said, and laughed to show he knew it was a joke. But neither Areava nor Edaytor laughed, so he stopped, feeling a little foolish.
'That's right,' Areava said solemnly.
'Does Mumma know you've got a sceptre?' His eyes widened suddenly. 'That is Mumma's sceptre. She is queen and should have it.'
'I am queen.'
Olio looked at his sister. For the briefest of moments her words made absolute sense. He shook his head to clear it; he understood what a ridiculous thing she had said, but a part of him absolutely believed it.