Master Of Wyrd (Throne Of Glass Fanfiction)

Chapter 4

Aelin hated voting. The very idea of it, especially the kind of voting they did in the northern continent.

It was the very reason she had sent Fenrys to that distant kingdom, to try and create a trade deal and to learn the art of voting.

Here in the northern continent voting was all about absolutes, you were either completely against it, completely with it, or completely neutral. And she hated the idea of absolutes.

Yet here she was, in the meeting room, where for the past hour every monarch was discussing amongst themselves or with each other about what to vote on. Aelin herself had already decided what she would vote for, this was the one time she didnt mind voting on an absolute. She would vote against the occupation of Adarlan, even is some part of her thought the kingdom deserved it, Dorian had more then payed for it's past mistakes.

Aelin was still deep in thought when Queen Anastasia stood up and clears her throat, she said "Well I think an hour is more then enough for us to make the decision, I hope you all agree?" Everyone in the room nodded their head in agreement, including Aelin. Aedion whispered into her ear "I hope your not really going to vote yes on invading Adarlan right?" Aelin looked back at him and replied "Of course not, Dorian had more then payed for his father's crimes".

The queen of Melisande, after seeing that everyone had agreed to what she said, continued speaking "Excellent, well now that we've all decided, I'll go first, I'm sure it's obvious but I'm voting yes on invading Adarlan, I personally want revenge and I want it as quick as possible." A hypocrite, that's what she was, Aelin said to herself, and looking at Manon and Dorian, she saw that they were thinking the same too.

King Magnus of Fenharrow then got up and said "I also vote yes, for the countless lives lost and the poor children murdered, my wife, my grandparents and who can forget dear Sorscha". Oh that bastard, he had used Sorscha's name knowing well the relationship between her and Dorian and how she was ruthlessly killed by his father, he probably didn't even know who the girl was, just that she had won the new king of Adarlan's heart and was from Fenharrow.

Indeed King Magnus's plan worked as Aelin saw Dorian pale and guilt and shame pass his face, and linger there. Manon also shifted uncomfortably and went into a sort of killing calm, Aelin herself was getting angry at the trick the King had just pulled.

King Magnus himself seemed to realise how Aelin and Manon were looking at him with rage and said "Queen Aelin, what is your vote?" Aelin stood up and looked around the room, before saying "No, that is my answer, not now and not ever, Adarlan may have  brutlessly subdued all of us but Dorian is not his father, moreover from the political view, you forget that the kaghanate has a strong alliance with Adarlan and would most likely aid it."

She sat down and saw Manon stand up and say "We will stand with Adarlan should war be declared on them, so I vote no, the King of Adarlan is a close friend of mine and I have no intention in betraying him." She sat down and Ansel stood up, she said "I also have no wish to fight the new ally I made in the war, however, I have too many internal issues to handle which is why I am going to remain neutral (Ansel gave a coy smile) for now atleast". Aelin wasn't surprised by her answer, she heard of the new rebel group who rose up while Ansel was in Terrasen, they called themselves the Wyrd Lords (as if Aelin and her friends hadn't had enough of the Wyrd) and had been causing immense problems in Briarcliff. Dorian nodded to her as if he sympathised with her and didn't hold anything against her. To which Ansel sagged with relief, but no one noticed except for Aelin.

Finally the King of Ewllye, King Dejin, stood up and said "Adarlan has recently atoned for it's sins, with king Dorian helping against the Valg and Adarlan opening trade and leaving our lands, however the pain is too great, the death toll too high, the hundreds if Ewllyeans in Endovier and callaculla. My own sister Nehemia...no I will not forgive Adarlan so easily. So I say yes, we march to war against Adarlan, to avenge our fallen."

Silence filled the room after that, before Aelin got up and half shouted at Dejin "You dare use Nehemia as an excuse for war? She who never wanted to sacrifice innocent lives and wanted what was best for Ewllye and Erilea!? You dare to use her, who befriended Dorian and knew he was innocent, who helped others including myself, how dare you". The entire room fell silent, king Dejin then replied "Yes I dare, I dare because she was my sister and I loved her dearly, I dare because she was sent to Ewllye by my father so she could be a beacon of hope and peace and Adarlan slaughtered her, I am shamed that you of all people, her closest friend, are not agreeing with me. But I suppose not all people are what they seem.

Aelin's rage could literally be felt by the other as she said in a quiet tone "I never forgot her, I never forgot the promise of a better world which she made, and I held the oath I made to her, so forgive me if I don't think that war isn't the only option! Your mother and father agreed with me did they not, I guess your family isn't as close as it seems." Now it was Dejin's turn to get angry as he half shouted at Aelin "Don't you dare say that about my family! My Mother and Father were scared, that one day Terrasen would become as Adarlan was, so they tried to create a quick friendship, I am not them, and they made the right choice when they retired and made me king, for I knew my sister best and I know she would want revenge." Aelin, who had calmed down, shook her head and said "Never, Nehemia never wanted revenge, just peace, and a better world."

Before she could speak further the Queen of Melisande interrupted and said "Well there are 3 monarchs wanting to occupy Adarlan and 2 against it, with 1 neutral, and as Adarlan itself cannot vote that means that the occupation of Adarlan has been approved. So I hope you are ready for war King Dorian."

King Magnus said "and what of the kingdoms that are supporting Adarlan? Will they defend Adarlan?" Manon replied in a cold voice "Yes king of Fenharrow, we will defend Adarlan and destroy you if need be. So I hope you're ready for a war as well". Aelin added "and this time we'll do more then just sack your capitals, 'Empire' has a good ring to it doesn't it Manon?" Manon smiled cruelly at her which Aelin replied with an equally cruel smile. The queen of Melisande paled before saying "I always wondered what Terrasen would look like under Melisandren rule, I'd like to find out".

Aelin stood up and said "well meeting dismissed I guess, see you all on the battlefield". Every other monarch stood up and agreed, Dorian said "Aelin, Manon and Ansel, I'd like a word please. Outside"

So they walked out of the meeting room and out into the garden, to discuss this new war which was upon them.