Indebted

78

"Magnus's eldest trueborn child Celestia is or already has returned to court. Magnus has begun plans to launch an assault against the rebels, now that Caspian is a hostage, Magnus plans to put soldiers in place for his original assault plan; While he begins to execute his prisoners one after another until his son is released." Damon looked directly at Esti, "The first three names, set to be executed starting today are Norman, Nigella and Holly. Targets designed to elicit the strongest response from the rebels." Pausing as Esti heard the news for the first time.

It did not appear that this was new information to anyone else at the table. Nor did any of the people listed on the execution list matter to anyone at this small council meeting. All three people named mattered a lot to Esti.

Esti looked around the room. Everyone pointedly avoided meeting her eyes. Everyone except Marzipan who was studying Esti's every movement and reaction. "When did you learn Caspian could be a hostage?" Esti asked the table.

There was no one here from the court. This was gossip, and spy messages. Nothing official. No one answered her question. "When did you get the execution list?" Esti asked the room. Feeling Atticus giving her all his support.

Marisol rose, "First messages of the possible execution plans were received at four thirty-three this morning. Esti and Atticus were now both certain that perhaps a lot of discussion had happened while they had not been present. It already past the eight hour.

Esti did everything she could to quiet her first, natural response. That had been hours ago. People moved too slowly when it wasn't their own lives on the hook. "May I ask what this most honourable, council has done in response?" Esti spoke the words, her voice holding strong and even. Inside she felt like a quivering mess of emotions that were threatening to tear her apart. Worried that their delay could have already caused blood to be spilled at the Sovran Court.

Atticus was so proud of her. He felt every emotion in her heart. All her fear, worry, and feelings of being inadequate to face the task put in front of her flowed to Atticus. Her deep fear for those she loved and cared about. In turn he tried to flood the bond with confidence that Esti knew what was right. She was already handling herself with supreme grace.

No one answered Esti's question. She made eye contact with each and every single person. Waiting for someone to answer her call. Damon beat his gavel against the heavy Fae made wood rest. The sound sharp in the quiet room. Esti could see it now. Some things under The Council were Earth based, but some were from Fae. That was why they stood out to Esti. So many new pieces falling into place in her mind.

It was the Alpha from Endless Sky that spoke first. "A messenger has been dispatched to The Sovren promising a diplomatic envoy to visit today. Some want to act rashly and send an army, but they can't get enough votes to force action." He said smugly. "No need to waste time and resources on a hermit enclave." A stalemate. Hours wasted. People Esti loved were in danger, and this group of people had decided Esti didn't need to know about it. There had not been events of this scale at the dragon court since the current Flock leader took power centuries ago.

Esti started to quickly look through the various reports that had come in from the court that had raised her. All neatly arranged and organized into a slim file folder. Every page read like a nightmare on the pages in front of her. Everything she knew was falling apart. All her friends were in danger. No one even knew where Zinnia was! The rebels thought she was in the castle, and those still in the castle thought she had abandoned her mother and sister to join the rebels.

Fowl and Corny, their sisters, Lillybelle were all on a kill on sight list. Mace was risking her life to try and play a double agent. So far she had managed to avoid being detected travelling back and forth. Damon looked at Esti directly. Waiting for her reply to the rude dismissal the Alpha from Endless Sky had given her. Esti felt overwhelmed and angry. Absent mindedly one hand went to her pocket and started to trace along the edges of the carving from Terrance, the good luck charm helping to calm her nerves. "I don't care what you all do, I am going to go home. I-" Esti had no idea what she could do on her own, she just knew in her heart that going back to try and do something was the right thing to do.

Damon nodded while Esti spoke. "Well, let's hold another vote. All in favour of supporting the Earth Dragon Queen to petition the Sovran Court away from a civil war?" Esti raised her hand, along with Damon, Laurel, Melody, Delia, Raven Marisol and Marzipan. The Fae Queen, Natural Witch and the two male werewolves voted against. Fillian the scribe abstained from voting, as was to be expected. Three quarters consensus was required, they were short.

"Short again. Best of luck your majesty, but the wolves of the north wont be participating." Silas announced. Rising from his chair, leaving immediately. Two votes was all that was allowed for such meetings. To ensure those called would not be kept from their own business for too long. Silas had put in his required time to stay in good standing when he had accepted the call.

Alpha Brandon stayed, even though he had abstained from voting in favour. "If you plan anything, I'll allow my elite to volunteer for the mission if they desire the adventure." Standing up, Brandon nodded in each direction, "Ladies, gentlemen and your grace, it was a pleasure and honour to be called but I shall also be heading home." Looking far more at ease than Silas had on his way out. The Fae Queen more or less ignored Esti along with everyone else, and left. The natural witch demurred something with a voice so low and mumbled that no one heard her as she too shuffled her way out of the room.

While the greater consensus had not been reached, so no offical sanction from The Council could be granted; those who wished to support Esti had stayed, and had more than enough resources between them to make a serious plan to meet with the Sovran King and try and set the court back on a path that wouldn't end with a mass graveyard.

Over the next hour plans were made, Marisol arranged a new emissary to announce to the Dragon court that they would be receiving a small delegation from The Council of the United Supernatural world. The Council would not be refused today. An announcement which was not well received according to Marisol and her spy network. Regardless, the pending intrusion to the Sovran Court should have the desired effect of delaying any executions from happening, hopefully would be enough to pause the violence that Magnus had been instigating against his people.

The female Alpha managed to offer two squads, to provide support and cover as needed. Melody arranged an IT spy network, though apparently her team was very disappointed by the lack of hackable technology being used at the dragon court. 

Plans made, a general goal in mind. Esti watched as Marisol and Laurel made eye contact, and smiled at each other at the far end of the table. "Yes Marisol, it's time to dress the Queen." Marisol looked like a loose child in the larders as she eyed Esti. Esti was suddenly very certain that if she hated having people curtsy at her, and use a title she did not feel like it fit her, she was definitely not going to enjoy the clothes such a title was supposed to bear.