unified Empire a chance.”
“That’s what I’m doing,” Estyr said.
Calder had already decided what his position should be in this negotiation: he should be seen pushing for unity at every opportunity. “We also need guarantees that your Guilds will continue to work together with ours. The Consultants and the alchemists especially play a vital support role, without which some of the other Guilds will cease to function.”
He snuck a look at Kern, hoping to see approval, as the Champion’s Guild was one of the most affected by the departure of the alchemists. The armored Champion was sweating lightly, but he thoroughly studied his opponents. It didn’t seem like he was even listening to Calder.
Bareius was, though. The polished alchemist stepped up to the boundaries of his painted circle. “That’s a critical concern, critical, and with it comes the question of hierarchy. Not that I’m a man of pride myself, but the current circumstances suggest that our Guilds may be seen as subordinate to those that pledged their loyalty to you, which would be a truly uncomfortable notion.”
Teach looked like she had wished the alchemist would shut his mouth forever. “We’ve had a number of proposals drafted up. We can’t undo the damage that we’ve done to each other in the news-sheets, but we can agree to make public proclamations emphasizing the efforts your Guilds make toward unification or mutual defense.”
In the corner of the room, Azea and Calazan Farstrider held their hands toward the candles on their belts. Their eyes locked with uncomfortable intensity on whoever was talking.
“We also need the Gray Island back,” Estyr said firmly. “There’s more to it than just the Consultant’s Guild headquarters.”
That was interesting, and it reminded Calder that he hadn’t checked into the Gray Island reclamation effort in enough detail. But there was a more pressing issue that no one had directly addressed yet.
Shera named it before he could.
“The Great Elders are moving,” Shera said from behind her gray half-mask.
Kern nodded. The Champion hadn’t said a word until now, but on this matter, he spoke up. “We’re all locked in the same burning house. It benefits no one to fight while the flames rise.”
Maybe it was the talk of flames, but Calder was still feeling the heat. As he rolled his sleeves up, he spoke. “More than anything else, even if we bicker and squabble over details, we have to make an agreement of honor between those of us in this room: we must join together in mutual defense.”
Shera’s gaze took on a haunted look, and Bareius looked suddenly uncomfortable, but he could see agreement in both of them even without Reading them.
It restored Calder’s faith in the possibilities of this negotiation. They may disagree on the future of the Empire, but they could set their personal visions and profit aside for the sake of mutual survival. United, they could stand strong against the Elders.
“What happened to your arm, Steward?”
Estyr spoke casually, but to Calder, the room suddenly felt ten times hotter.
He had rolled his sleeve up too far. An inch of reddish, burned skin peeked out. Kelarac’s handprint.
The Regent’s attention was focused on him, and strands of her blonde hair drifted upward.
She suspected him. He needed to get out in front of her suspicions immediately, or he wouldn’t live to see noon.
“Ah, this. Yes. I have nothing to hide from you, Regent, and I would love to get your guidance on this…mark…after this meeting is over.”
Leave it alone, he begged Estyr silently. Leave it alone, leave it alone, leave it alone…
“Roll up your sleeve,” the Regent commanded.
Sweat rolled down Calder’s skin. Shera was leaning forward on the balls of her feet, and even Bareius felt somehow more dangerous than he had a moment before. Kern and Teach shifted slightly closer to Calder.
Before Calder spoke, he took great pains to make sure his voice would be steady. “As you suspect, I did receive this from an Elder. But he has no influence over me, I assure…”
The words trailed off as the ends of Estyr’s coat and hair began to blow in a nonexistent breeze. Her Intent radiated out from her, so severe that it drowned out even the Emperor’s crown, and her eyes were like blue suns of judgment.
“Do you know who blinded Kell’arack?” Estyr Six asked him. “Who circled his head in bands of steel and drove spikes through his eyes, nailing him to the floor of the Aion Sea?”
Beneath the open bloodlust of the ancient Soulbound, Calder choked on his own voice.
“That is