Mage

Octa

They kept the word of what happened very hush-hush. I certainly had my fill of recounting the entire story over and over to half of the elders in the high council, so I wasn't mad that the entire population of the capital of Ardmore wasn't also asking me questions.

Rinn was still undergoing treatment, even after 3 weeks, but today was the first day they would allow visitors. The high council still didn't know what to do with him yet.

I sat anxiously in the foyer with my siblings as we waited for our parents to be done getting ready. I knew they weren't very keen to see Rinn, but I couldn't wait much longer.

My father walked through the doorway with my mother close behind, he was fixing the clasp on his robe and I shot to my feet ready to walk out the door.

Unfortunately for me, a flame appeared midair in front of my father's face and it materialized into a bit of parchment. A fire message.

"What's it say?" Howan asked, putting a hand on my shoulder to settle my impatience.

"Emergency council meeting, change of plans, we're all going. You can visit Rinn later," Father said, using his serious tone of voice to show that his decision cannot be swayed.

I bit my lip in frustration, but silently followed my family out the door. What could possibly be such an emergency?

The three bells rang to start the high council meeting, We counted off hurriedly and went through the formalities at light speed.

"We have word from Ninevah," Prime Minister Coule started, speaking to the dead silent and expectant room. I was practically leaning forward, "They offer peace negotiations on behalf of the actions of one Rinn Loer."

My heart dropped out of my stomach and fell to the ground. My entire body was riddled with shock. Somehow, Rinn did it.

The Queen read aloud the official document and informed the council of the details, but my mind was too busy spinning to fully understand what they were saying.

It wasn't until the end of the meeting that my biggest question was addressed but still left unanswered.

"The fate of Rinn Loer will be decided and acted on during our meeting post Accords on the 17th," Queen Elyannah said before closing the meeting.

I followed my family out of the Dome, anxiety fermenting in my gut with the realization that soon I would be face to face with Rinn.

Three weeks has been the longest I've gone without seeing him since before, well, when I was born.

We waited outside his chambers in the corridor while his parents spoke with him. After several minutes they left wordlessly, giving my parents a nod as they left the physician's wing.

The 6 of us filed into the room and greeted Rinn, who was sitting up against a pillow. His eyes were back to their normal dark color, but his skin looked ashy and pale, and the circles under his eyes seemed swollen and dark, like he hadn't slept in days.

"Rinn, how are you?" Kyan asked after a moment, breaking the silence.

Rinn nodded awkwardly and made careful eye contact with everyone, including my brother who stood stiffly at the end of the bed.

"I'm sorry, about everything that I did, and for betraying all of you and your trust."

Rinn looked directly at Adrian, "Mr. and Mrs. Dohvald, do you mind if I speak with Adrian in private, for a moment?" Rinn asked, then looking to my parents.

My father nodded curtly and made his way out of the room, followed by my mother who politely said; "We're glad to see you healthy."

I didn't want to, but I left the room with my sisters and closed the door behind me, leaving my brother to talk to Rinn.