Book 3: Chapter 43
There was a single beat of absolute silence, and then the scrape of chairs filled the air as everyone at the table rose, their expressions hard. There was no doubt that Cynens words had been a naked threat, and considering that she had just ruthlessly killed one of the nobles lackeys in front of them, it was obvious that she wasnt playing around. Add to that the fact that her flames continued to burn the dying troll down below and no one wanted to test how powerful she had become. This was not the script that anyone had anticipated, but they were already riding the tiger, so there was no getting off half way.
You are acting awfully confident for someone whose gang is in tatters and under investigation, Cynen.
It was Gero Twin Blade, of the Ebony Association who spoke up first, but when Cynen turned her head to look in Geros direction, much of the gang leaders bravado fled. Even though Cynens eyes were covered, there was a terrible weight about her gaze that seemed to measure Geros soul, as if the grim reaper was trying to decide if she should continue to live. The pressure was beyond anything that Gero had ever felt from Cynen before, and she couldnt help but let out a sharp hiss as Garretts mental energy, channeled through Cynens flaming eyes, slammed into her.
If you would like to die, you can continue talking, Gero, Cynen said, her voice even. I still havent forgotten what happened before the attack. I was going to wait to settle with you until after the council, but if you want to move it up the itinerary, Id be happy to oblige.
The complete disregard Cynen was showing for her caused blood to rush to Geros face, and her hands dropped to her swords, but before she could draw them, Louise, the leader of the information broker Silver Song, spoke up, trying to calm things down.
Enough quibbling. We are all here, so lets sit down and begin our discussion. We have much to get through, and fighting amongst ourselves will get us nowhere.
Louise is correct, Jonathan Moran, a plump man dressed as a merchant said, smiling at Cynen. Come, sit.
A large, square man, wearing a highly polished breastplate and sporting a bushy mustache slapped his hand against the table and gave Cynen an annoyed look.
Indeed. We should not have taken our seats without you, but I am busy, so I would request we get started sooner rather than later.
According to the descriptions that he had gotten, this was the former general, Vent Delland, leader of the Marble Griffin gang. Standing next to him was Carl Rackham of Rackhams blade, and another young man that Garrett recognized immediately as Thomas Gelavin, the young nobleman he had played cards with at Count Hotis party. Thomas was standing at the head seat of the table, next to the chair for the Moonlight Council. Seeing Garrett looking in his direction, Thomas smiled slightly and nodded before looking at Cynen with interest as if to see what she would do.
Lifting her still burning hand, Cynen looked around once more and snapped her fingers, causing the flames that shrouded the troll to die down, vanishing into the air and leaving only the terrible damage they had caused as a reminder that they had ever existed in the first place. By this time, the trolls regeneration had slowed to a crawl, so it would take some time to repair the damage that its skin and muscles had suffered. The other man who had been burned hadnt been so lucky, and had long since died, but Cynen took her seat as if nothing had happened.
Fine, she said, let's get this underway.
After Cynen had taken her seat, the other gang leaders sat as well, filling all but one of the places at the table. Each of the seats was ornate and high backed, showing a symbol that represented the guild that filled that spot. As expected, the empty seat showed the symbol of the Brass Tiger Syndicate, whose leader, Paskal, had been found dead in one of his safe houses, his gang slaughtered around him. None of the gangs knew who had actually killed him, as each of them had been tending to their own forces in the chaos of the attack, and it was with deep suspicion that they looked at one another. Holding up her hand, Louise spoke up first, calling everyone to attention.
Welcome, everyone, to the meeting of the Ten Seats. We try to do this every year, but as you all know, an unfortunate situation has forced us to move the meeting up. As the official secretary of the Ten Seats, I declare that this meeting is in session. Anything you say or do from this point on will be in the capacity of a seat holder. You should all know Baron Gelavins son, Thomas. He is the current leader of the Moonlight Council and will be presiding over this meeting as chair.
Cut the chatter and get to the point, Henry Janice interrupted, his thin face covered in a scowl. None of us have time to waste.
Giving Henry a cold look, Louise continued to speak as if she had not been interrupted.
Coughing to hide his laugh, Thomas Gelavin held up his hand.
Wonderful. Since were all agreed, more or less, let's get right to it. We are going to be introducing our nominations. The gang with the most out of nine, is the one that takes the seat. Well start from the lowest seat and go to the first. Cynen, that means you can start.
For a second, Cynen didnt move, but then she pushed her chair back and stood up. When she had first arrived, everyone had thought that something had changed, but now that they had the chance to examine her fully, they could all tell that it was more than her strength that had grown. There was a deep calm that ran through her actions, from the way she turned her head to the way she stood, infusing her every movement with a heavy grace. Though her gang was on the bottom of the rankings, and had been the prime target for the challenge that the Brass Tiger Syndicate and the Ebony Association had been planning on mounting at this years gathering, Gero Twin Blade suddenly found herself wondering if she was making a mistake.
Once she stood, Cynen paused again, her fingertips resting lightly on the table, as if she was gathering her thoughts. The truth was that Garrett was thinking furiously, trying to figure out what the best path forward was. There was a wonderful opportunity here, but there was something about the way that Thomas had looked at him that was setting off warning bells in his mind. He was trying to weigh out the pros and cons of rising to such a public position, and it was turning out to be impossible. There were simply too many things he didnt understand.
In his perfect scenario, he wouldnt even be here, but would be back at the inn observing through Cynens awareness. Unfortunately, even though he could possess her fully since she was now his guardian, he had realized that skipping this meeting as the brand new subordinate gang of the Grave Walkers was impossible. Too many people knew of the agreement, and because the meeting had been moved up, it was fresh on everyones minds. Thankfully, his mind worked quickly, and he soon came up with his answer.
I have no nomination, Cynen said, her voice slow and heavy.
Staring at her like she was crazy, Gero Twin Blade stood up even before Cynen had taken her seat.
I nominate Twen Fieldsmith of the Dark Blade Collective as the new seat holder.
Her nomination came as no surprise to anyone, and at the edge of the platform, a scary looking man with a bald head and two large knives stepped forward. His expression was aggressive as he looked around at the other prospective individuals while Gero continued to speak.
The Dark Blade Collective is one of the best specialist gangs in the city, and are adept at moving goods through the streets. Twen has been a member of our community for a long time and most of you have worked with him, even if you didnt necessarily know it. He would make an excellent addition to our group.
Thank you, Gero. Janice? Do you have someone to nominate?
Still looking sour, Henry Janice stood up as Gero sat down and looked around the room. He hesitated for a moment when he caught sight of Garrett, but it was such a brief moment that Garrett thought he might have imagined it.
I nominate the Dark Blade Collective as well. I think gang leader Fieldsmith would be a good candidate.
Would you like to tell us why? Thomas asked, his expression bland.
Everyone around the table knew exactly why the bald thug was being offered up, causing a few people to chuckle at Thomas question, but Henry just shook his head and sat down, much to Twen Fieldsmiths disappointment. Next up was the Marble Griffins who nominated a gang comprised of older soldiers that was just like them, and then Telabron, the merchant guild, who passed, just like the Grave Walkers had. Rising to her feet after gang leader Moran sat down, Louise of the Silver Song gang looked around, a faint smile rising to her lips as she spoke words no one had ever imagined hearing.
I nominate Garrett Klein of the Klein Family as the new seat holder.
