The Icon Unbound

Chapter Nine, Part B - Saiph

Yeah this Chapter is a small bite, but it is very important. There is about to be a power-shift in Waterwall. What will the world look like when the Icon is no longer in power? Fun facts! So, the Arbiter is not going to be the one calling the shots (in this book :P) but if they did they would be called a King or Queen. With that food for thought I am dashing away! Please leave me a comment or a vote if you liked this! --Elizabeth, UPDATED 05/16/2017

Corwin slunk away from the Icon and leaned close to Saiph to whisper. "What is going on?"

"In Waterwall, our system of authority looks like a triangle. The Icon is on top, with the Sentinel and the Arbiter supporting and carrying out his or her wishes. In certain situations, the Icon can cede control to another member of the Triad."

"A Chosen submit to the will of a plebian? I knew this was a backward nation but--"

"An Icon is not a Chosen, man. This is how Waterwall has been governed for many thousand years. If you don't approve, you can toss yourself into the river for all I care. Besides, I don't think the Icon is thinking about relinquishing her place to the Arbiter."

Saiph wanted to grab the Icon by the shoulders and shake her. Waterwall would need her unbiased, gentle strength to get through this crisis. What could the Arbiter offer that she couldn't in this situation. Unless...

"The Icon leads us always." The Arbiter swallowed audibly. "Except in time of war, in which case the head of our state will go to the Sentinel, until the crisis is over."

The Icon stood up and raised her hand. "You heard the protocols my people. We are under a threat, and we must all work together under the Sentinel until the crisis is over. Sentinel Saiph, I empower only to this end: bring me the head of the man who attacked our peaceful realm."

It was a breathless moment before Saiph could answer with the traditional question "My Icon, what if it was a woman?"

The Icon answered with the voice of relentless winter. "If it was a woman, bring me her heart."

Just like that, she passed her authority to him.

A shift in power had only happened four times since the formation of Waterwall. Fear and anger made his heart beat sluggishly, as if it were made of stone instead of flesh. Of course she had to follow the protocol. If she hadn't suggested this, the Abashai would have had to. Until now, she was inscrutable, protected by her position from censure. Now she was open to every question. Now he would have that protection, not that he needed or wanted it. Her decree made him no longer just the Sentinel, but the War Master of Waterwall, saints help him.

Saiph opened his eyes to find everyone staring at him.

They needed him first.

"I will open the armory. Everyone who has the skill, should have a weapon. Post guards every fifteen feet on the wall. Send a couple of strong boys to the bell tower, and have them ring the bells until after sunrise. That should bring everyone from the outlying farms in. Lights up and bright, I want three torches on every corner of the wall, and a candle in every window. It'll be dark for a few more hours and I want to be able to see what I'm doing. Arbiter, please start a headcount. Give me the numbers as quickly as possible. We've lost Era, please make sure everyone else is accounted for and safe." He raised his voice and prayed that it wouldn't shake. They looked as afraid as he felt, more than one pair of dark eyes had tears. "I know you are afraid, and I know you mourn for Era. But please try to do the work as efficiently as possible. Remember that no threat has ever breached our Waterwall, not even in the darkest moments of our history. We are safe, if we work together."

As soon as his last words passed his lips, everyone turned and got to work. Graybeards and parents and children, obeyed without a word.

The Icon was already gone. He could see a flurry of fabric as she turned a corner, heading in the direction the Hallsteads who were just entering the square. The drakys followed on her heels, as faithful as a hound. Saiph clenched his teeth. Sooner or later he would get her alone, and when he did, he would find the reason for her actions tonight. She had given him the power to question her directly, and by all the Saints he would use it. If that made him a hypocrite, then so be it.

Rigel shook his head. "I don't think I have the strength to go to the armory. I need to speak with Michael and Serreh."

"Go. Comfort them as best you can. And then for the love of every star in the heavens try to sleep, or rest." Rigel nodded and turned away, but Saiph pulled him back into an embrace. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about Era. That I didn't get there in time, that I didn't act on my instincts. She paid the price for my failure, and so have you."

"I can't think of that right now. I need to see the Hallsteads."

"I'm the Sentinel of Waterwall, I can blame myself for whatever I want. I'm going to find out who did this, brother. I swear."

"Not the Sentinel, the War Master now. You'll bring the head of the man, or the heart of the woman." Rigel's eyes were far away. "I just want to be there to watch. See you in a few hours."

Saiph watched his brother disappear into the crowd. The Icon would have told the Hallsteads the news by now and would be on her way to the armory. High above, in the tallest tower of Waterwall, every bell began to ring. Deep, sonorous booms and high clangs, all discordant and jarring. No one would be able to sleep through the din, not anyone within fifty miles.

Tightening the ties of the sword sheath he stepped out into the controlled chaos.

Hehad a village to defend from an ancient evil, a murderer to bring to justice,and somehow in the midst of all this, he had to find time to speak to the womanhe was hopelessly in love with.