Felling Kingdoms (Book 5) (21 page)

Chapter 26

The Council Hall was far too quite.

It had been cleaned and repaired as quickly as Earth Mages could manage, but spots of missing plaster and paint still dotted the walls. More than one of the Council hesitated to enter right away.

Mikelle watched Lael and Adelaide across from her, the only remaining people on that half of the table. She noticed how they kept their gaze down. Adelaide had taken to wearing her hair in a loose enough braid to let her long hair fall over her left eye. It shielded the blemish Gabriel had not yet healed.

“Shaun,” Galloway nodded.

“Shaun,” Challis agreed.

The vote came to Mikelle. “Obviously.”

A nervous chuckle rippled through the room, a blessed sound.

“That makes it unanimous,” Gabriel nodded. “I would like to have him take over for Aisling, who handled disputes. I will require his assistance in much of my coming plans. Does that agree with everyone? Next suggestion, Cordis?”

“I would like to see another Gaelsin on the Council considering they make up almost half our population now, but I do not know enough to recommend one.”

“May I, Head Mage?” Adelaide asked. “Mage Laiken is one of their history keepers, a proverbial father figure, and a scholar of cultures. I do not know if anyone else has spoken with him, but he is an exemplary gentleman, a true leader.”

“Is he a yes-man?” Gabriel asked.

“No.”

“I have spoken with him,” Lael nodded. “Markus and I took tea with him shortly after he arrived. Mikelle, we have not yet Classed him, correct?”

“Correct.”

“He controls Earth and Water.”

“I like him already,” Dagan smiled.

“Before we make a decision,” Gabriel interjected, “I would like all of us to speak with him to give him a fair advantage against the rest. Let us move him up to be Classed tomorrow. We can broach a Council decision in a few days. Other suggestions?”

“What of Mage Malain?” Galloway asked. “Of anyone here, he understands what we are up against.”

“His understanding is based on bitterness against Nolen and Ryker,” Gabriel slid in. “He would be an advantage for as long as we fight them together, but after that?”

“Oh, I think Malain is a noble character,” Lael nodded. “Look at all he has lost and how positive he stayed. He is a grounded man, and this is not an easy position.”

“He
did
risk his life to save Queen Robyn before he knew it was she,” Cordis inserted. “He is selfless and honorable.”

“I hate to bring this up,” Gabriel began, “but if he knew at all what his son was up to, he will be considered a traitor. Also, once on the Council, he will be privy to that secret. Do we want to tarnish the memory of his son?”

The room fell silent, and a few nodded.

They dithered back and forth for the better part of the morning, discussing benefits of every name given.

“I wish we had another Shaun,” Markus sighed.

“What of Afton?” Lael asked.

Gabriel shook his head. “She is powerful, yes, but she is timid. She does not stand up for herself, and we need a strong person to sit here. Plus, it is my wish for her to take over the infirmary.”

“I still like the idea of Malain,” Dagan stated.

“Do we want to vote?” Gabriel asked, and they nodded, coming away with six in favor. Gabriel frowned, having been one against. “My biggest concern is what he will do when he learns of Dimitri.”

“We could not tell him,” Adelaide offered.

A few brows raised. Slowly, Gabriel nodded. “I could agree to that.”

“Vote again,” Lael commanded, and Mikelle noted everyone’s hands raised.

Gabriel smiled. “I will speak with Shaun and Malain about the positions. In the next two days please meet individually with Laiken and come back with an agreement or another Gaelsin suggestion. Dismissed.”

Mikelle finished her notes and snapped the book shut, following Gabriel out. “Are you going to ask Shaun now?”

He looked over his shoulder. “I am. You can’t come.”

“Why not?”

“I do not want to pressure him into saying yes. Or in your case, he may say no. Living
and
working with you is near intolerable.” She slapped his backside and made him squeak.

“You deserved that.”

He stopped in front of her door, giving her a glare that sent her back several steps. Shaun admitted him a moment later. Mikelle perched on her toes, trying to listen in excitement. If she moved too much, it would attract Shaun’s attention.

Gabriel emerged a minute later. “I…am so sorry,” he whispered. “He agreed.”

She threw her hands up in glee and rushed in to congratulate Shaun with a much-deserved kiss. The man was an excellent kisser with strong, full lips that were still amusing even when she caught him off guard. He smiled through her kiss but held her back a moment.

“T’ank you, Head Mage.”

“Councilman Shaun, we will swear you in in two days. Enjoy your freedom while you have it. I would like to see you in my study soon. I have something for you.”

“I can come now.”

“She can’t.”

“It’s alright, mate, I know how to control my woman.”

“Can—can you see the look she’s giving you?”

“No, I can
feel
it,” Shaun whispered, alarmed.

Gabriel chuckled. “Meet me in my study in five minutes.”

Gabriel called for admittance and Shaun stepped in, shutting the door behind. “Mate, I don’t know what chocolate is, but I need some.”

“What did she say it was?”

“Some kind of garment I believe was t’ context she used.”

“Stars,” Gabriel muttered and ran a hand over his face. “Come here. I have something I want you to look at.” He realized his choice of words too late, but Shaun did not seem to care.

Gabriel pulled a medallion the size of an apple from his pocket and set it on the desk before him. It was gold with a fat ruby in the center. The metal wrought in spirals, with a thick chain looped through a ring in the back.

“Do you know what this is?” Gabriel asked with bated breath.

“Not sure I do.” He pick it up by the chain and grabbed the medallion with his other hand. As soon as he made contact with it, he jumped back with a cry and dropped it on the floor. “What…?” he breathed and stooped to pick it up again.

Gabriel could not contain his grin. “It is Maxine Flint’s Excellyon.”

Shaun held it up and narrowed his rotating pattern around it. He frowned, not yet willing to touch it. “What does it do?”

“I don’t know. It won’t work for me, but since you are of Maxine’s bloodline, I thought it would work for you.”

Shaun carefully touched it again and gave a shudder. “T’ere’s so much energy inside. It’s seethin’ wit’ it.”

“Can you use it?”

Shaun bit his lip and fueled a pattern with no result. He tried laying it through the medallion which made him jump in shock. “T’at one worked. I’ve heard of t’ese, but I don’t remember t’ story.”

“Each Arch Mage had one, and they were created to store the energy of murdered Mages. It can be used in battle when their own energy ran out.”

Shaun held it away from him. “Murdered Mages? I can’t use it, t’en.”

“I know you have noble intentions, but I will ask much of you in the battle to come. I need you as strong as possible. Please keep it on you at all times. Try not to let anyone know you have it.”

“As my Head Mage commands.” Shaun looped it around his neck reluctantly and tucked it under his shirt. “It tingles. What do I tell Mikelle?”

“It is a piece of your heritage, no more.”

He nodded. “T’is is a precious t’ing I take it.”

“It is. I could bargain a great deal with it.”

“I won’t waste it.”

With a respectful bow of his head, Shaun left Gabriel to his notes. Morning waned into afternoon with few interruptions, but for Mikelle bringing lunch and Robyn stopping in for a kiss. Cordis tapped his familiar tune on the door, looking ever the Councilman. He was in a long green coat trimmed in black leather.

“I was hoping to return to Kilkiny today and talk with Aisling’s parents.”

“What about?”

“I think they should know.”

Gabriel glanced up. “About?”

“You.”

Gabriel leaned back and huffed. “I’ve wondered the same thing, truthfully.”

“As far as they know, the Lamay line died with her.”

Gabriel nodded, slowly standing and going to the hinge. He wanted to stay out of Anatoly as much as possible, to let them grieve and recuperate without his aid, but a friendly visit would still elevate the morale there.

He pulled Cordis through, and they worked their way downstairs to the Lamay’s quarters. It was nearly as lavish as the Queen’s. Gabriel knocked, and a moment later a page admitted them to a tidy sitting room. The ageing Mages Karric and Ambryn sat reading.

“Head Mage,” Karric said with a stern smile. “What an unexpected surprise.”

“Oh, Head Mage, do have a seat,” Ambryn said as she set her book aside. “Page, bring tea. Cordis, you have been gone far too long.”

Gabriel shot his father a grin as they sat down. “Forgive me for not returning sooner to pay you my deepest for your loss. We have been quite riled up in Jaden.”

“No harm done,” Karric nodded sadly. “We all mourn in our own way.”

“She is the reason I came. I wanted to discuss a few things with you.” Gabriel looked to his father, suddenly feeling like a child as he confronted a powerful force that did not like him. “Are you aware…that Aisling had an heir?”

Ambryn huffed. “Do not be ludicrous, not my daughter.”

Karric looked between his wife and Gabriel for a moment. “I suspected.”

“I beg your pardon?” Ambryn gasped.

“She wanted Urima Manor, dear.” Both of them fixed their gaze on Cordis who simply smiled. “I suspected it was for nefarious purposes.”

“My daughter?” Ambryn breathed. “I did not raise her that way.”

“No, but she was an adult and leader of two kingdoms,” Gabriel cut in.

“I forgave her of her sins long ago, Head Mage. I was proud enough of her successes to overlook her failings,” Karric replied.

Ambryn fixed a tight gaze on Cordis. “Who is the bastard then?”

Cordis looked at his son.

The room fell deathly quiet.

“Bleeding stars,” Karric whispered.

“Karric,” she snapped. “Watch your tongue.”

Karric smiled. “My goodness, a Head Mage in my family, my—my goodness,” he stood and opened his arms. “Come to me, my boy.”

Gabriel stood and embraced the shorter man. Karric slapped his back a few sturdy times, and a swell of acceptance rushed through him.

“I see it now, the eyes,” Karric smiled and held him at arm’s length.

“It seems fitting an heir should present itself so timely.”

Gabriel looked down at the sour woman. “I do not want your lands or title of Lord. I just want to be part of a family, and I think you need it too.”

She frowned. “I did always want a grandchild,” she said with a sad expression. “A little one, though, not a mountain.”

“That is a compliment,” Karric whispered. “Lord Head Mage Gabriel.”

Gabriel grimaced. “I do not need another title.”

“It is yours in Aisling’s passing, as is Urima Manor, and eventually our other manors.”

“See Cordis,” Ambryn cut in, “the Lenis line will be strong once more,” Ambryn cut in.

“It will be strong because I have a wonderful son, not because of your estates.”

The woman smirked and gave a nod of approval.

“I wondered why you walked behind Aisling’s coffin,” Karric mused. “Does everyone know your lineage?”

“Anyone who cares to know. It was revealed a few months passed and is no longer a secret.”

“A Class Ten in my line,” Ambryn shook her head. “I am too old for this excitement. You are to marry the Queen, yes? That will stunt your bloodline.”

Gabriel thinned his lips. “I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you,” he said quietly.

“Lord Head Mage Gabriel, King of Arconia, Class Ten.” Karric beamed a yellowed grin and rocked back on his heels gleefully.

Gabriel paid him a thankful expression. “Now, if you will forgive me, we must return to Castle Jaden.”

“Do not stay away too long, my boy—er—Head Mage,” Karric said with a bow.

They bade farewell and slipped out before his grandparents could convince them to stay for supper. Cordis breathed a sigh of relief. “That went better than I thought.”

“I expected worse.”

“Have…you ever worked out how you were born so powerful? A Class Ten born to two Class Fives is curious.”