answered him. "I beat Justin DuMorne in a duel to the death. Is that not Trial enough for you?"
"Wizard DuMorne died, yes," LaFortier said. "Whether he was defeated in an open duel or burned in his sleep is another matter entirely. Merlin, you have heard my motion. Let the Council vote upon the status of this madman. Let us end this foolishness and return to our lives."
Ouch. An angle I hadnt thought of. If I was stripped of my stole, it would be like a medieval noble having his title taken away. I would no longer be a wizard, politically speaking, and according to Council law and to the Accords between the various supernatural factions, the Council would be obligated to turn over a fugitive murderer to the Red Court. Which would mean, if I was fortunate, a horrible death. If I wasnt fortunate, it could be considerably worse.
Given the kind of day Id been having, my heart started skittering in my chest.
The Merlin frowned and nodded. "Very well, then. We vote upon the issue of the status of one Harry Dresden. Let those who would have him keep his stole vote for, and those who favor that his status be restored to that of apprentice vote against. All those in fav"
"Wait," Ebenezar interjected. "I invoke my right as a member of the Senior Council to reduce the vote to the Senior Council alone."
The Merlin glared at Ebenezar. "On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that there exists a great deal of information about this matter of which the Council at large is unaware. It would be impractical to attempt to explain it all."
"Seconded," Injun Joe murmured.
"Accord," Martha Liberty added. "Three votes yea, honored Merlin. Let the Senior Council make this decision."
My heart started beating again. Ebenezar had made the right call. In a room full of frightened men and women, I wouldnt have had a prayer of keeping my stole. With the vote reduced to the Senior Council, maybe I had a fighting chance.
I could almost see the Merlin trying to figure a way out of it, but Council law is pretty clear on that point. The Senior Council members can always take a matter to a closed vote with three supporters.
"Very well," the Merlin said. The room rustled with whispers. "My interests lie in preserving the health and safety of those upon this Council, and of the communities of mankind in general. I vote against Dresdens validity as an initiate wizard of this Council."
LaFortier jumped in, bulging eyes narrowed. "As do I, and for the same reasons."
Ebenezar spoke next. "Ive lived with this young man. I know him. Hes a wizard. I vote to preserve his status."
Little Brother chittered from his perch on Injun Joes shoulder, and the old wizard stroked the raccoons tail with one hand. "My instincts about this man tell me that he comports himself as a wizard should." He gave a very mild glance to LaFortier. "I vote in favor of his status."
"As do I," Martha Liberty added. "This is not a solution. It is merely an action."
Harry three, bad guys two. I turned my eyes to Ancient Mai.
The tiny woman stood with her eyes closed for a moment, her head bowed. Then she murmured, "No wizard should so blatantly misuse his status as a member of this Council. Nor should he be as irresponsible as Harry Dresden has been with his use of the Art. I vote against his retention of wizard status."
Three to three. I licked my lips, and realized at just that moment that I had been too nervous and involved with events to take note of the seventh member of the Senior Council. He was standing at the far left of the stage. Like the other wizards, he wore a black robe, but his dark purple, almost black stole had a deep cowl upon it as well, which covered his face entirely. The candlelit dimness masked in shadow whatever the cowl didnt cover. He was tall. Taller than me. Seven feet, and thin. His arms were folded, hands hidden inside the voluminous sleeves of his robe. Every eye in the place turned to the seventh member of the Council, and a silence deeper than that of the nearby Great Lake enveloped the room.
It lasted for long moments, then the Merlin prompted, quietly, "Gatekeeper. What say you?"
I leaned forward in my chair, my mouth dry. If he voted against me, I was betting a Warden would zap me unconscious before the sound of