The Veiled One

Chapter Twenty-Five : Ah, bureaucracy

All the seats are filled save one, and everyone avoids looking at the empty throne. Sibyl is trying extra hard; I don't think her eyes even venture in that general direction. Ailen sits atop her throne wearing a dress of shimmering white fabric, her long red hair wreathed with flowers in garlands all down her back. Agor sits at her side, wearing a coarse tunic that looks like a laborer's, a staff of some kind clenched in his right fist. Agramina wears a dress of liquid crimson that looks as if it's flowing blood. Somehow I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

Fulmenarius wears a stormy gray tunic and pants, a wreath of clouds nestled in his wild hair. Even Mor is dressed for the occasion, his half-black and half-white toga draping in silken folds over the contours of his throne. A mask rests over his face, half of it grinning and half of it drooping into a wail. Dressed this way, he looks imposing.

All of Lisentia's children, save Sibyl, who still wears her mourning black, are dressed in identical white togas. They cluster together in a corner, whispering and staring and pointing at everyone and everything. I wonder how much money is going to change hands tonight.

Finally, Agramina stands. As High Goddess, I would imagine she assumes this position a lot.

"My fellow Arcana," she begins. "We are gathered here today to determine if the brothers Endor and Sylas, of my own line, are worth of demigod status. As you are well aware, several heroes of ages past have been granted this status—and these boys are indeed heroes. When we, as gods, failed to gather the strength to fight our enemy, Sylas and Endor were willing to protect those realms for which we all shoulder responsibility, as well as pay the ultimate price to assist us. I wish for my bloodline to continue and be filled with champions such as these two. Their bravery and courage in the face of an imposing threat has impressed me.

"They, as mere mortals, used an astonishing display of power to win a battle in which we were all rendered powerless. Therefore I, Agramina, move that Sylas and Endor of my line be granted demigod status. I conclude my statement."

I blink a few times. I was expecting something... a little more formal than this open debate. Plus, I figured that Agramina would kind of want me dead because of all the snide comments I'd made to her earlier on. I just hope that this vote is permanent, because I don't need Endor to tell me that more smart-ass remarks are in my future.

Agramina settles herself delicately on her throne. Fulmenarius is next to stand, and I hold my breath. If there's one reason why I don't become a demigod tonight, it's him.

"My fellow Arcana. When I first learned that Sylas of Agramina was the man who had married my former intended and survived a year in her castle, I was enraged. I despised him and his insolence."

Wow. Thanks for the overwhelming display of love, big guy.

"However, I believe that a life saved is a life earned. While we were powerless, trapped in that cage of Lisentia's own making, Sylas fought her with everything he had. Despite not believing in us, despite hating all of us, he sacrificed himself on our behalf. In my book, that means I owe him a life debt. Therefore I, Fulmenarius, move that Sylas and Endor of Agramina be granted demigod status."

Sibyl grips my arm tightly as a chorus of whispers rises from her siblings in the corner. I kiss her forehead and squeeze Endor in a quick side hug, feeling that the hardest part is over. As he sits back on his stormy throne, Fulmenarius nods at me, a deep nod full of respect. I nod back, feeling that though we're far from friendship, we're at least on the right track.

Agor is next on the floor. As soon as he stands up, the sorrowful look on his face sends my stomach plummeting to the ground. Sibyl clenches me even tighter, so tightly her nails dig into my skin. She sees what I see, and she doesn't like it.