Reclamation

"I am Teacher Heart kenu Heart of the Seablade kenu Fortunate Speaker dena Shadow of the World's Wall," said her husband. "I speak for the Temple and the Teachers. Because this war is provoked by the Aunorante Sangh we say that the power-gifted are free to act against them. We also say that Narroways no longer hears the Word in the Temple and those attached to her, like all Heretics, must die."

Jay had to give Heart this much credit, he held his voice steady as he delivered his pronouncement. But then, he'd said it before. The First Teacher believed firmly in repetition.

"There is forgiveness yet by the law and the Word if Silver on the Clouds as master of Narroways closes the breach in her own heart that let the Aunorante Sangh into her city."

Oh-ho. This was the first time an offer of compromise had been extended from the Orthodox delegates. Could it be that King Silver's not the only one nearing the end of her rope?

King Silver touched the tattooed ribbon that adorned her brow. "By the marks of kingship and family, I declare that I and my company have heard and understood the message that you do bear. Now, I charge you hear my words." She lowered her hand. "Those who call themselves the Teachers in First City are but liars. They are the ones who listen to the Aunorante Sangh, not I. Otherwise, they would speak the truth and say that the Messenger, the Listener, and the Scribe, who are all of the Skymen, do no more than bring us greetings from the brothers who have found us in this place where we were moved by the Servant of the Nameless. The Teachers would kill our brothers. I would defend them. I will not change my mind nor stay the hands of those who take up arms in my cause. If there is to be peace, you must cease this threat against our brethren, or you must take my city from under my rain-polished bones."

Jay's stomach turned over. The fate of the Home Ground hung in the balance and it was being argued over by these…things…who were so out of control that they didn't remember who they were or know what they were really fighting about.

"King Silver on the Clouds," said Mind. "The dark seasons are coming to the Realm. It can do none of us any good to pursue this war when we should be pursuing a harvest and the stocking of coal and oils."

"Then lay down your arms and welcome your brothers," said Silver. "Harbor no murderous thoughts among you. Accept that I am the one chosen to speak for the Realm to the Skymen. This will end the matter."

"Oh, no, Your Majesty," said Heart. "It will not even come close."

Who is that talking, Heart? Jay wondered. Is that actually your voice I'm hearing?

"Is there more to be said?" inquired Silver.

"Not by us and not at present, King Silver," said Mind, giving Heart a hard look.

"We thank Your Majesty for your attention," said Heart.

The Seablades retreated into their cluster of servants. The honor guard held the doors open for them to walk through.

When the doors banged shut again, Jay sighed inwardly and tried not to shift his weight. King Silver, oblivious of his discomfort, called her councilors up to the dais and proceeded to review the interview with them in detail, analyzing the contents of the Seablades' statements, deciding what messages to send, what spies to contact, what orders to issue. Jay eased his weight gingerly from his heels to his toes and back again and tried to pay attention.

At last, the King dismissed them and Jay hurried out of the hall.

Despite Silver's constant public announcements as to their importance, the King had not wanted her Skymen to get above themselves, so she had assigned Jay and Cor quarters outside the main building. To get to his rooms, Jay had to cross a roofed, stone bridge with sides open to the wind and weather. With its usual abruptness, the rain had stopped and the sun had turned the day into a steam bath. By the time he was through the door to the side building, he was drenched with sweat.

Unlike the King's study, Jay's room had nothing but a tapestry hanging in the threshold to keep him screened from the passersby. Jay pushed past it and paused for a moment to savor the night's cool that had been trapped by the room's stone walls.

Chiding himself for forgetting the immediate business, Jay pulled back the burgundy curtains. The window actually had a pane of glass that rattled only a little in the wind. Heart knew which room was Jay's. If he was watching, he would see the opened curtains, and hopefully be able to make his excuses to his wife and get away. Jay didn't want to have to wait until dark for the news. He needed to have plans before then.

"Jay?" called a voice through the door-curtain. "It's Cor."

"Come in, come in." He held the curtain back for her.