cascade | kotlc

34. Fintan Returns

 Biana blinked, rubbing her eyes to make sure she wasn't still drunk under Calla's influence.

Why aren't they arresting him? Sophie transmitted panickedly as the various leaders shouted questions at the Council. They should be dragging Fintan to one of those cells to join his co-conspirators!

But maybe that's why he came in the first place, Biana countered. Maybe his plan is to alert the Neverseen about the fact he's here. How else would they know the Peace Summit started? There's no better time to break out.

There's no worse time to break out, actually, Mr. Forkle told her, rubbing his temples. Additional security -- more than double the original -- has been added specifically for the Peace Summit.

Which just so coincidentally contains all the world leaders, which would make it a perfect moment to strike.

Sophie slapped the table a little too hard, but nobody seemed to notice as she groaned and curled up on her seat, her dress crunching behind her. Forget that- why aren't we at least arresting him?

Diplomacy is rarely as straightforward as it may seem. Mr. Forkle interlaced his fingers and set them down. Have you not been listening? Both Queen Hylda and Empress Pernille would request Fintan be allowed into the Peace Summit.

They didn't look very upset either. Heck, Gethen smiled. Green threads swirled around Biana, not actually doing anything as she pondered strategy. What if this is what they want? They're definitely up to something, Calla told me. Probably a jailbreak.

You may be right, Mr. Forkle said after a while. They can try. And if that is what they are planning, I think it would be quite unwise to allow Fintan anywhere near those cells, don't you?

He stood, clearing his throat as he waited for the room's attention. "For the record, I think Fintan should be heard during the proceedings as well."

At least half the room gasped.

Sophie scratched the bridge of her nose, her brows furrowed in concentration as she buried her head into the table. I still don't think it was a wise idea to not break their minds. The Council goes on about all this bullshit, about how they have to look strong and always prepared. So if something goes wrong, they lose everything.

There's no good option, Biana thought, scanning the room and quickly taking in everyone's opinions. We'll just have to see how this plays out.

I'm so tired of waiting. She heard a kick as Sophie tore a button off her gown with a snap, rolling the small stud in her palm.

What else do you want to do, then?
"I don't know," she said aloud, though her voice was paler than a whisper, intermixed with elements of fear and pain. I don't know.

I promise you, if I think of something that might work -- anything, no matter how dangerous -- I'll tell you. And I might be able to convince Mr. Forkle to let us set it into action.

Maybe.

She sighed, sinking onto her chair and not bothering with her gown as it crinkled on the hard metal-wood. For the first time ever in an elvin dress, she felt sweaty as fabric stuck to her, her damp hair clinging to her forehead.

There's definitely something that we're missing, Sophie added, not helping matters as they both exhaled. Calla's ring was completely dull, the metal looking quite rough as it scratched her skin.