Page 46 of On Silver Winds
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said the King, getting to his feet. As he stood, his posture changed; his shoulders drew back and he held his hands wide, addressing the room at large. His deep, lilting voice gained a subtle gravitas. “And thank you to you all, for welcoming me to your homeland.”
Further down the table, Captain Doran’s grey face grew tight with disdain, but King Cumhaill went on.
“I know there has been some speculation about me. Who I am and where I came from. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to confirm what some of you may consider an outlandish rumour. The truth is,” he paused and his throat bobbed, as though the words had to work their way up from his chest. “The truth is that my father was the late King Mael Cumhaill. I understand he plays a part in many of your legends and campfire stories, but – he was real. He was my father. I am King Kai Cumhaill, of the Merrow.”
There were no gasps, no shocked faces. The councillors hung on every word with rapt attention fixed on the young King, and while he didn’t quite smile, the tense line of his brow did smooth minutely.
“I take it this is not a revelation.”
There was a smatter of nervous laughter.
“Then you may also have guessed that I am here because the Laune is no longer habitable. Our Kingdom remains buried beneath the ice. But thanks to your kindness, my people have been welcomed into homes across Eisalaan. I don’t intend to trespass upon your hospitality for too long. We will build our own homes, and in the meantime we’ll earn our keep. Our numbers are small; less than a hundred Merrow survived the Frost.”
He paused again, but there was no softness in him now; his eyes blazed, though he blinked their heat away.
“Of those Merrow remaining, all who are strong and able will train for the Gard or serve Eisalaan in some way.”
“This is not the Eisalaan we remember, but it is the only home my people know; we want nothing more than to rebuild our lives. To find our place in this new world.”
He nodded his thanks to the Queen once more, and took his seat as she rose to her feet. Many of the councillors had been scribbling notes. Some of them sat forward, eager for their turn to respond. Captain Doran had two hands braced flat against the table.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said Queen Selma. “And thank you all for coming. Sebastian will be in touch ahead of our next meeting.”
Adeline glanced at her father but he was frowning at her mother; he shook his head just slightly and Adeline knew not to comment just yet. The other councillors cast doubtful glances amongst themselves; surely the Queen was not dismissing them without the opportunity to discuss all that King Cumhaill had confirmed?
Nobody moved.
Selma smiled stiffly. “You may take your leave; I wish you all a pleasant evening.”
There was another half second of confused silence, and then Aunt Johanna scraped her chair back and struggled to her feet. Reluctantly, the others followed, and from there the room quickly emptied out, everyone eager for the privacy to discuss the Merrow King’s speech.
As Adeline made to stand the Queen called out to her. “Adeline, darling, a word?”
Before she could answer, Adeline caught a glimpse of her sister by the door. Their eyes met for a moment; Mareda’s were blue as deep ice and twice as cold. She turned away, and her long gold braid whipped out of sight.
“Bollocks,” muttered Adeline.
“Adeline!” said the Queen reproachfully.
But she had already darted around the table and now dashed into the hallway, ignoring her father calling her name.
Mareda moved faster in her anger, but Adeline’s longer strides caught her up just two corners on.
“Marry, comeon,” she huffed as they drew level.
She was red faced and hot, but Mareda was cool and poised as ever.
“I’ve said all I intend to say to you, Adeline.”
“You’re being ridiculous! You can’t really believe I have some nefarious agenda against you.”
Adeline tried for a laugh and immediately regretted the nervous, breathy sound that escaped her. Mareda stopped walking and turned to face her, one eyebrow arched.
“Alright, yes.” Adeline nodded slowly.
Honesty. Honesty was the only way out of this mess, this tangle of omissive lies.
“Yes,” she said again. “I’ve been visiting her. She’s sick, and she’s our mother –”
