The council members had been chatting, but one by one they fell silent and stared. Several of those were gazes of surprise; although they were masked, the ministers from Oxorn and Garatt were poised forward in their seats as if unsure whether to run or dive under their chairs. August Virilios usual expression of polite disdain was gone, in its place a brooding anger that seemed transplanted from an entirely different man.
Pamela Anseratte stood as soon as they were seated and banged her gavel on a little table. We were supposed to be gathering today to discuss the change of stewardship of the Spyre docks, she began. But obviously
She has started a war!
Jacoby Sarto was on his feet before the echoes of his voice died outand so were the rest of the ministers. For a long moment everyone was talking at once while Anseratte pounded her gavel ineffectually. Then Sarto held up one hand in a magisterial gesture. He gravely hoisted a stack of papers over his head. I hold the signed declarations in my hand, he rumbled. This is nothing less than the start of that civil conflict we have all been dreadingan unprovoked, vicious attack in the heartland of Sacrus itself
To rescue those people you kidnapped, Venera said. She remained obstinately in her seat. Citizens of sovereign states, abducted from their homes by agents of Sacrus.
Impudence! roared Sarto. Half the members were still on their feet; in the pillared gallery that opened up behind the council pew, the coteries of ministers, secretaries, courtiers, and generals that each council member held in reserve were glaring at one another and at her. Several clenched the pommels of half-drawn swords.
I have a partial list of names, continued Venera, of those we rescued from Sacruss dungeon last night. They include, she shouted to drown out hecklers from the gallery, citizens of every nation represented on this council, including Buridan. The council will not deny that I had every right to seek the repatriation of my own kinsmen? She looked around, locking eyes with the unmasked members.
Principe Guineveras jowls quivered as he thunked solidly into his seat. Youre not going to claim that Sacrus stole one of my citizens? Surely He stopped as he saw her scan the list and then hold up her hand.
Her name is Melissa Ferania, said Venera.
Ferania, Ferania I know that name Guineveras brows knit. It was a suicide. They never found a body.
Venera smiled. Well, youll find her right now if you turn your head. She gestured to the gallery.
The whole council craned their necks to look. People had been filing into the Buridan section of the gallery for several minutes; in the ruckus, nobody on the council had noticed.
On cue, Melissa Ferania stood up and bowed to Guinevera.
Oh my dear, my dear child, he said, tears starting at the corners of his eyes.
I have more names, said Venera, eyeing Jacoby Sarto. Everyone else was staring into the gallery, and he took the opportunity to meet her eye and nod slightly.
Venera felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach.
She had stage-managed this confrontation for maximum effect, calling for volunteers from the recently rescued to attend the scheduled council meeting with her. Garth alone had refused to come; pale and still refusing to talk about his experience in the tower, he had remained outside in the street. But there were prisoners from Liris here as well as half a dozen other minor nations. As her trump card, she had brought people
taken from the great nations of the council itself.
Sarto seemed more than unfazed at this tactic. He seemed satisfied .
She realized that a black silence had descended on the chamber. Everyone was looking at her. Clearing her throat, she saidher own words sounding distant to herselfI move for immediate censure of Sacrus and the suspension of its rights on the Council of Spyre. Pending, uh pending a thorough investigation of their recent activities.
For once, Pamela Anseratte looked out of her depth. Ah what? She pulled her gaze back from the gallery.
August Virilio laughed. She wants us to expel Sacrus. A marvelous idea if I do say so myselfhowever impractical it may be.
Venera rallied herself. She shrugged. Gain a seat, lose a seat besides, she said more loudly, its a matter of justice.
Virilio toyed with a pen. Maybe. Maybebut Buridan forgot its own declaration of war before it invaded Sacrus. That nullifies your moral high ground, my dear.
It doesnt nullify them. She swept her arm to indicate the people behind her.
Yes, marvelous grandstanding, said Virilio dryly. No doubt the majority of our council members are properly shocked at your revelation. Yet we must deal with practicalities. Sacrus is too important to Spyre to be turfed off the council for these misdemeanors, however serious they may seem. In fact, Jacoby Sarto was just now leveling some serious charges against you.
There was more shouting and hand-wavingand yet, for a few moments, it seemed to Venera as though she were alone in the room with Jacoby Sarto. She looked to him, and he met her gaze. All expression had drained from his face.