to be here until next week for the presentation of the Scribe nominees, but this felt like too good of an opportunity to pass up as your third task. One of the Council's primary functions is to dispense justice, and what better way to decide who is best suited for a position on the Council than to see your version of justice. There is no room for weakness on the Council.”
I snorted quietly. Traditionally, my version of justice had involved obsidian blades and bloodshed. I wasn't the weak, wilting flower Nerio seemed to think I was.
“Father, er, Nerio. May I just say that we wholeheartedly agree. It is crucial that whoever sits on the Council is a good… justice dispenser. Dispenser of justice.”
//This is painful.//
The observation had been so unexpected, especially coming from Oren, that I struggled not to laugh. Hiram snorted loudly, earning dirty looks from Flight Mentrus.
“In addition, I would like to say that we do not need any additional time, we already have our nominee for the Scribe, he is here with us,” Jason added pompously. I don't think I imagined all the eye rolls around the stands. The other Councilors might be wary of us — or more specifically, me — but they didn't like Flight Mentrus. It might be the advantage we needed.
“How efficient of you,” Nerio cooed approvingly.
“Cut the shit, Nerio,” Ilia snapped. “That male is your cousin,” he said, pointing at the nervous-looking dragon on the edge of the floor. “And we don't need a new Scribe. Flight Galon healed the current one.”
There were murmurings from the stands, growing increasingly loud in volume.
“Healed him?” Nerio repeated, looking stricken for a moment before rearranging his features into an impassive mask. Ilia watched him intently, his jaw ticking.
“Isn't that wonderful news, Nerio?” Uri said cheerfully. “I'm thrilled to hear it. He's a fine fellow and an excellent Scribe.”
“But—”
“Well, it appears task two is complete,” Nerio blasted, cutting off whatever Jason had been about to say. “You've both presented candidates, in a sense,” he muttered the last part. “Task three is now in progress. Focus your attention on that.”
My stomach churned uneasily. This was our third and final task. Nerio’s third and final opportunity to get rid of us, leaving the spot open for Flight Mentrus, and he’d sprung it on us out of nowhere. He wouldn’t make it easy for us, but we wouldn’t make it easy for him either.
If Nerio wanted to get rid of Flight Galon, he’d have to work for it.
Chapter 19
“This is Flight Fiata,” Nerio announced, climbing down from the stands and pacing slowly in front of the row of captives, hands clasped behind his back. His head was tipped down, brow furrowed. He looked the consummate Leader in Thought.
“Why have they been arrested, Father?” Jason called. Nerio shot his son an irritated look, probably annoyed that he'd disrupted his stately display.
“They are accused of dishonorable dueling.”
There were gasps of outrage and mutters from the crowd, like such a thing was unheard of. I bit down on my tongue to stop myself from saying something I shouldn't. Why are you all so surprised? As if dragons don’t disregard the honor code on a daily basis. The back of Hiram's hand brushed lightly over mine, a silent gesture of support.
“The other party was Flight Laoch. A neighboring flight reported their deaths to the Council. Your third and final challenge is to try Flight Fiata for their crimes. We will draw straws to determine who goes first. We will take a vote on both of your suggested courses of action and carry out the winning plan.”
Ezra and Jason stepped forward. Ezra drew the short straw, meaning we would go last, but I was happy with that. We would benefit from whatever knowledge Flight Mentrus gleaned.
I did my best not to giggle as Jason clasped his hands behind his back and followed the path his father had just been pacing in front of the prisoners, literally following in his father's footsteps. I doubted it was an accident. Jason was as subtle as a boulder to the face.
“Flight Fiata, tell me why you have been accused of dishonorable dueling?” I was going to pull a muscle in my eyeball from rolling my eyes so hard.
“The Flight in the neighboring den felt the need to report us. We are being persecuted for choosing to duel at night. There are no laws forbidding this,” the Alpha replied, looking bored. There was nothing in their expressions or their