cascade | kotlc

25. The Goblin City of Gold

 "Leave the diplomacy to the Council," Mr. Forkle ordered when Sophie hailed him on her Imparter and explained the afternoon's tragedies.

June snorted. "Yes, because we've seen how exceptionally great the Council is at handling situations like these."

"And I think we're well beyond diplomacy," Sophie mumbled.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Given what Lady Cadence noted about her attackers, I have no doubt King Dimitar will claim that anyone involved acted without his permission, which may even be true."

A gunshot fired, spraying grass and dirt all over them as everyone flinched.

"Sorry," June muttered, switching the safety on. "It's just... I hate how he can get away with this. Does it even change the fact that ogres tried to come after my family?"

"It's somewhat the same as what we did in Ravagog, wasn't it?" Linh said quietly.

She didn't answer.

"I know you're angry and afraid, and justifiably so," Mr. Forkle continued. "But we cannot let ourselves be controlled by fear or fury, or rush into any actions that will only cause further death and destruction. Not without gathering evidence, so let the Councillors investigate. Try not to be too surprised if they opt to proceed with the Peace Summit."

"Something about the Peace Summit just seems wrong," Biana told him, coming over with a satchel filled with Panakes blossoms. "I mean, there's just something about it that just... doesn't feel quite right, you know what I mean? Something just is screaming in my head, 'a disaster's happening', and I don't know why."

"Treaty negotiations have never turned violent, if that helps. There will be incredible amounts of security and bodyguards. Nothing will happen inside the castle."

Linh drooped slightly, clinging to June. "I just hope this treaty works."

"As do we all. But right now, the most important thing is to get all of you to safety. I agree with Sandor that Gildingham is the wisest option. Do you need me to bring you a crystal to leap there?"

"Queen Hylda has already sent her chariot," Sandor said over Sophie's shoulder. "The drivers will be here as soon as they retrieve Brielle."
June flinched when she heard the name, her hand reaching to her gun again. Linh grabbed her arm to stop her, and there was something about Biana's presence that was comforting. Her ring was radiating tranquility, and June could physically feel her emotions calming. Sophie held up her back as she trembled, recalling the tumble down the cliffside stairs.

"My deepest sympathies," Mr. Forkle told Sandor after a while. "Brielle was an incredible warrior."

"One of the best," Sandor agreed, looking desperate to punch something again. June understood.

The world faded as she focused on taking deep breaths, channeling her energy away from her rage and anger and directing it at Linh's grip. She felt someone gently touch her back, and a soft flow of emotion flooded into her, filling and clearing her mind as she clutched Linh's hand, breathing tightly.

Was this what it felt like to be an Inflictor?

"You'll be fine," Biana promised, her voice so faint she wasn't sure if she'd actually heard it. Beams of green light criss-crossed between her eyes as she opened them, glancing down at her arm. A web of intersecting lines was covering her, capturing her like a net.

"How does that work?" she muttered, leaning against Linh and Biana and Sophie, somehow all at once. Grady and Edaline were sitting behind them wearily, deep in hushed conversation, casting them worried glances.