Dream of a City of Ruin: Dreams of QaiMaj Book II

Chapter 10: Iskalon Speaks: Glace

Glace

All around him, Icers were drawing T'Jas. Glace could sense it, the subtle warming of the Hall, the way the vaerce on nearby cheeks glowed a little brighter. He thought of how few vaerce were visible, and realized that most of the Icers had been severely depleted in the war. With all the humans in the hall, untrained though they were, he thought the fight might almost be even.

But it must not come to that. He had not intended for the Council to erupt in violence. "Order," he called, bellowing out the word in his Captain's voice. "ORDER! I demand order!"

To his relief, the people there on his behalf quieted. The Icers were still shouting, but now Capris could be heard over them, and he talked them down as well.

"Regent," Capris said when he had the floor again, "I think you should rule now."

Larc brushed back her bangs and said, "Council is adjourned until First Chime. I will think on the events of the day and rule tomorrow."

In spite of his shock and anger at being named a contender for King by Norle, Glace was relieved to hear her say this. The rumor mill said that Larc had already decided to raise the Catherone.

As soon as she finished speaking, Councilors and people on the benches alike soared to their feet again. Only Glace's huge stature prevented him from being crushed in the press to get out of the Hall. Norle stood on a bench and clung to a column to protect his slight frame.

"Looks like the Regent wants a word with you."

"I want a word with you," Glace growled, but he saw Larc bearing down on him, Kiner and a bunch of officers in tow. His word with Norle would have to wait. Larc was angry. Glace did not think he could recall seeing her so angry.

"What—was—that?!" She hammered the words out, her red face swaying close to his. Glace took a breath and braced himself. Councilors were still filing past, some pausing now to listen, but Larc did not seem to care who heard her. Kiner was frowning behind her. "What were you thinking?"

"I—"

"Do you not understand that we are sitting on a fucking globomb?" She did not wait for an answer; apparently, her questions were intended rhetorically. "Did I not make the situation clear enough in the small council? The embers were simmering for a civil war. You just poured Fireblood on it."

"Larc, I had no idea they would bid for me. You must believe that."

"I don't care who they bid for. They shouldn't have bid at all. They should have taken it up with their representatives. That's what representatives are for, Glace. That's Cataya's vision. Not your riots and anarchy."

"Maybe you should think about why they didn't take it up with their representatives. The Councilors aren't working for the people in their Guilds. They are working for what the Catherone and the rest can do for them personally. That's not Cataya's vision. That's a broken system. Those people who spoke today, they left their shifts to make their voices heard. Tell me they won't be punished, like slaves."

"Catherone could have brought us peace. We could have had a stable transition."

"At what price?"

She snarled, her mouth twisting in a way Glace had never seen.

"Consider yourself demoted. You will no longer serve in my guard. Harle! You are now High Captain of the Gendarme."

"High Captain Harle, I'd like to request a transfer to the Scribe Guild," Glace said.