Cardan and Jude

Council (And Cardan's Stupid Smile)

'Jude!'

I sigh and roll onto my side, desperate to keep my eyes closed. There's a banging from somewhere in my room, but I ignore it, still happily wrapped in a sleepy daze. 

When I got back to my room at eleven, I slung the two bags on my desk, ignoring the wooden shards of my chair, broken from last night's encounter, and fell onto the bed. I must've fallen asleep quickly, which is unusual. I ponder my need for the insomnia potion as another round of hammering on my door comes. 

'Jude! Seneschal!' The voice repeats. Breaking through the mist of my half asleep mind, I realise that the voice belongs to the Bomb. 

'One second.' I mutter, pulling myself into a sitting position and fixing my hair. I look at my tunic, slightly dismayed to find it ruffled and crinkled from sleep. 

'Jude, you're late for the court meeting! It's noon! Get up! Why is your door locked?!'

Late for court? Oh my god, I'm late for court. Panic engulfs me, forcing me onto wobbly feet. I grab Nightfell from the floor beside my bed and, pulling on my shoes, hop to the door and unbolt it. I stare for two moments into the Bomb's flushed face before she grabs my hands and races with me down the corridor, me stumbling behind on shoes not fully on my feet. 

'Why didn't someone wake me up earlier?' I ask as we fly down a staircase.

'Because you're always on time! Usually we don't need to wake you up because you're already awake! Are you okay?' The Bomb asks, slipping slightly as we take a sharp left into a hallway lined with paintings of previous nobles. 

'I've not been sleeping well recently, but I'm sorting it!' I say. We arrive outside the conference room, chests heaving. 

'Well, here you are. Good luck!' The Bomb says, pushing me through the double doors. 

I only just manage to make it into the room without falling over my shoes. Everyone turns to stare at me from the round table they're gathered at. 

'Jude!' Cardan smiles without warmth, patting the chair beside him. I straighten my posture and walk to him, sitting in the seat with my chin high. All the members of the Living Council are here now and we may begin the meeting.

'How late am I?' I ask nervously. 

Grima Mog, the Grand General, offers a small smile, 'We haven't even spoken to each other yet, Jude.' 

I breathe a sigh of relief and loosen slightly. 

'Where were you, seneschal?' Randalin asks.

'I was working and didn't notice the time.' I lie easily. 

'Leaving that, the Hunter Moon approaches, we must organise the revel to celebrate its coming.' the royal astrologer, Baphen, says, shaking his navy blue hair. 

'Yes! Another revel!' Cardan rejoices, throwing his hands in the air. I roll my eyes subtly. 

'There should be wine and food, as always. Dancing and music. I believe we'll be outside to fully appreciate the Hunter's Moon.' Baphen recites from a small piece of parchment laid in front of him.

'Sounds jolly good.' Grima Mog smiles. 

The Seelie and Unseelie ministers, Mikkel and Nihuar nod in agreement. 

'I need to bring something up.' I say. All eyes turn to me and I try and stop myself from blushing. 'I have reason to believe that the Undersea are plotting an attack on Elfhame.' 

There's a pounding silence that follows. I can't read anyone's faces, their eyes tell me nothing of their true thoughts. 

'What evidence do you have?' Mikkel asks, his voice gruff.