Page 21 of Ash and Feather

I braced my hand more firmly against the wall behind me. The grey-haired man’s words mirrored what Halar had told me: The rebel Velkyn were in fact spreading, positioning themselves in threatening ways, likely preparing for larger attacks.

Now the main question I had was what the human kingdom planned todoabout this encroachment.

How close were they to a true war?

How much time did we have to get control over these things?

Unfortunately, the councilbefore me seemed incapable of agreeing on any plans. They went round and round for what felt like hours, proposing ideas that were all immediately criticized and picked apart, bickering with one another and hurling insults until it was all I could do to keep myself still and silent. If my brother had been here, he would have silenced them all and taken control of the conversation, steered it in at least a somewhat productive direction—something Captain Sordrin was trying but repeatedly failing to do.

But Fallon is not here,I reminded myself.So stop thinking about him.

I watched the chaotic scene unfolding around me with perfect silence and stillness, until finally, it seemed to bedecided: they would station defensive units around Ghaun. That much was easy.

Then, if their king approved, they would mount an offensive attack to try and drive the elves back into the shadowy bowels of the Hollowlands. Those elves could not be allowed to believe that they had the freedom to go wherever they wanted to, to make whatever messes they cared to.

“They think we’re afraid to answer their threats with fire of our own,” said a woman I didn’t recognize. “They will find that they are sorely mistaken about that.”

A low murmur of agreement filled the room.

The words left me feeling as if I was witnessing a dangerous shift, like the beginnings of an avalanche breaking free while I stood, powerless and unnoticed, at the bottom of the mountain.

After a bit more discussion, the councilmen and women filed out of the room, still conversing among themselves with rapid tongues and serious tones.

Captain Sordrin was soon the only one left. He stood silently, nursing a pewter mug full of something a servant had brought him, as he stared out the room’s only window.

I looked to the window, too. It seemed pitch black outside; how long had I been hiding in this room? I chanced a few steps closer for a better view, but froze as the captain glanced my direction, his ever-alert eyes darting about as they usually did.

I kept perfectly motionless, holding my breath.

And yet, as his gaze seemed to meet mine, for a brief, foolish moment, I found myself wanting him to see me. To find me as he used to. Even if it meant trouble. Even if it meant answering to my older brother—or worse, to my father. I might have welcomed an excuse to be dragged before the feet of either of them.

But Father was dead.

Fallon was not here, and even if he had been, he was complicated and potentially dangerous.

So I kept still, clutching the Serpent Goddess’s ring and willing myself to remain unseen.

A moment later, Sordrin slammed the cup on the table and left the room, his injured leg dragging even more so than usual, as if close to buckling under the weight of all that had been discussed.

Chapter 6

Dravyn

I waiteduntil Captain Sordrin had been gone for nearly a full minute before I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. Another minute before I chanced movement, and one more before I dared to step back into the hallway.

The palace was quieter than it had been upon my arrival. It meant less questioning gazes and bodies to avoid, but unfortunately more silent space for my thoughts to run wild in.

These thoughts kept circling back to my brother, wondering if there was more I should do where he was concerned.

I knew—better than any of the council I’d just witnessed—what the elves were truly capable of and what they might be planning. Did I have an obligation to wait until my brother returned so I could tell him these things? A duty as his family? As a god his people worshipped?

Or maybe Rieta was right, after all, and I was simply looking for an excuse to see him.

No; I wouldn’t see him this trip, I decided. I’d risked enough already. I’d collected good information—information that Ineeded to take back to the divine realm. That would be enough for tonight.

And yet.

And yet…

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