Page 165 of A Crown of Lies

“It’s all right,” Aryn said, holding her close. “You’re safe now. Are you hurt?”

She shook her head.

Aryn looked back at Emmanthe. “Thank you, but I must ask. How did you do all of this in twenty minutes?”

Emmanthe’s smile was wide and bright. “I reminded my sisters what we are.Whowe are. While the other twelve clans squabble, we do not. We are the equalizing force, the sword in the dark. But even we have rules. We do not meddle in the highest office of this land. It has always been thus, and it will be again. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of this republic. If we allow that to be destroyed, we are no better than the dictators we sought to displace.” She stood, folding her hands. “The Shikami were founded to be more than what we have become. I will rebuild that which we have lost, and I will find a way to do it without breaking the spirit of what we are. That is what he would have wanted. That is the world we are all seeking to build.”

Aryn bowed his head in agreement. “Thank you, Emmanthe. Truly.”

“Don’t thank me,” she scoffed. “I’ve just banished you from your home. You’d best find somewhere else to live out your days. Take care that our paths do not cross again, as you have spent your last coin, Aryn.” She jerked her chin toward the door. “Now, go in peace. I have much work to do.”

“Come,” Aryn said to Saya, putting an arm around her. “It’s a long climb.”

RuithpacedinthePrimarch’s office in the Hall of Wisdom. The election was in two days. He should have been nervous about that. Instead, he was more worried about what might happen if the sun set and Aryn hadn’t recovered Saya yet.

There had been no more visits from the Runecleavers, but Ruith was sure they were waiting for Vinolia’s orders.

Ruith glanced over at where Faelyn and Will were playing with Brick in the waiting room outside the Primarch’s office under Mercia’s supervision. Isheda lounged by the door, looking relaxed, though Ruith knew he was on alert.

He should have felt safe in those walls. After all, it was forbidden to spill blood in such a sacred place. Even the Runecleavers wouldn’t dare strike while they were there. Yet that safety could easily become a prison, as his it had been for his mother.

“He will survive it,” Niro said from behind him. He paced over to stand beside Ruith, hands folded. “Arranged marriages aren’t so bad.”

Ruith sighed. “It isn’t what I wanted for him.”

Niro put a hand on Ruith’s shoulder. “He’s wise beyond his years already and strong, with a good heart. He understands, Ruith. All sons do.”

“I didn’t.” Ruith fought the urge to pull away from Niro’s touch. “I don’t think it ever occurred to me that my father ever had my best interests in mind.”

“Taratheil chose to be distant. That is not a choice you have made. He’ll benefit from that.”

There was a knock at the door and they tensed. Isheda glanced over at them before cracking open the door. Someone passed him a folded paper. He took it with a slight bow and brought it to the office, slipping inside.

“Latest polls of the Assembly,” he announced, holding it out them. “Who’d like to do the honors?”

Ruith steeled himself and took the paper. Time to see if their risky strategy had paid off. He unfolded the paper and scanned it, jaw flexing. “Craiggybottom is dropping out.”

Isheda frowned. “Is that good or bad?”

“Bad, considering he’s throwing his support behind Redrock. If we lose the Runecleavers now, there is no chance we’ll come back from it.” He handed the page to Niro to examine.

All three threw a worried look at the window, where the sun was slowly sinking toward the horizon. Aryn had just a little under an hour to deliver Saya Runecleaver, or all their efforts would be wasted.

The door to the Primarch’s office suite swung open and everyone tensed until Saya stepped through.

“Saya!” Niro let the polls flutter to the floor. He pushed through the door and ran to take his wife in his arms. “Gods above, it’s so good to see you.” He squeezed her tight against him again before tipping her head up to kiss her, both holding back tears.

Aryn silently slipped in through the door, prompting Mercia to abandon her seat on the edge of a chair. She took his face in her hands. When he looked up at her, there was a new lightness in his face that hadn’t been there before.

“What happened?” Ruith demanded.

“The Shikami, they took me,” Saya offered, her voice shaky and tight. “I was in this dark underground room. And then there was this woman… She… she…”

“She’s been through enough,” Mercia said and left Aryn to put her arms around Saya. “Come. Let’s get you cleaned up. Let them talk. You need to relax.”

“There’s a bath through there,” Niro offered, pointing to one of the doors. “I’ll have someone bring a change of clothes. And we need to send word to the Runecleavers.”

“I’ve already done that,” Aryn said quietly, watching Mercia and Saya go. “Mercia will take good care of her. She’s good with this sort of thing.”

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