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'But your father had the scales before you were born …?'

'The Queen Mother insisted on keeping up the skills of raiding,' said Cal. 'My father disagreed, but he rarely went against her wishes … maybe some devout part of her still worried about an attack from the dragon spirit. My father eventually put a stop to it, much to the Queen Mother's disgust.'

'So if I were to marry you,' said Fyia, with a coy smile, 'I'd be marrying a common thief?'

Cal shook his head, his features fierce. 'Whenyou marry me, it will be to a warrior who knows how to take care of those he loves.'

Chapter Sixteen

FYIA STRODE INTO HERmagnificent council chamber in Selise, Cal a pace behind. Cal's eyes roamed the cavernous space, from the carved stone pillars, to the stained-glass window, to the inner workings of the dragon clock exposed above. His own kingdom had many wonders, but everything here was bigger … grander … more imposing.

The councilors stood and bowed low, but Fyia quickly waved them to their seats, and they sat at a large table that looked odd in this great hall. It was more a throne room than a council chamber, but no throne sat atop the dais, only a long, granite table, worn and aged.

Four women and one man looked enquiringly at Cal as he took a seat to Fyia's right.

'I have brought with me a representative from the Black Hoods,' said Fyia, indicating to Cal with her hand. 'They have agreed to ally with us in our quest to bring back the dragons. Lord Calemir, this is my Small Council: the Spider, Lady Starfall, Lady Nara, Lord Venir, and High-Commander Sensis Deimos.'

'A pleasure to meet you all,' said Cal, with a bow of his head. 'I look forward to working with you, for the benefit of both our kingdoms.'

Lord Venir was an aging man, but his eyes were sharp as he studied Cal. He clearly wished to say something, presumably hungry for the details of their agreement, but he held his tongue as Starfall—Fyia's aunt—took charge.

'As you know, we have faced many problems in your absence, Your Majesty,' said Starfall. 'After the army cleared Selise of rebels, the troublemakers retreated to the Kingdom of Moon, where they have become a dagger in our side.'

Fyia nodded, listening intently, Cal sucking up every detail of their interaction. The way Starfall almost chastised her niece, but stopped a hair short … the respect in Fyia's eyes, acknowledging and appreciating the role her aunt played … the way the others watched them closely too.

'The streets of Moon's capital are not safe,' said Sensis. 'There have been many attacks on women, and the high houses claim the rebels have stolen food shipments. This has led to food shortages both in Moon, and more widely across the kingdoms.'

'Claim?' said Venir, his features pinched. 'You question the word of the most noble houses of Moon?'

There was something about the way Venir looked at Starfall … some expectation of support, but Starfall barely blinked.

The Spider—an old, wiry woman—coughed lightly. 'My web is wide, Lord Venir. The high houses have increased their exports. They are not clamoring at our door, complaining of losses, demanding we do something about the rebels. In fact, they have been remarkably quiet on the matter.'

Venir's face turned ruddy. 'I represent the high houses in this chamber,' said Venir. 'I have not been quiet on the matter. My nephew …'

'Yes?' said Fyia. 'How is Lord Antice? I believe he has not returned to Selise, to attend the meetings of the Extended Council?'

The Spider had greeted Fyia as soon as the airship touched down, whispering in her ear for most of the short walk to the council building. Cal wondered what other news the spymaster had imparted.

'He is a busy man, Your Majesty,' said Venir.

'Too busy to do the bidding of his Queen?' said Fyia. 'I let him keep his lands and his title—despite his lineage—because he swore fealty to me. If I cannot trust him to follow simple orders, I will take those privileges away.'

'Antice has the utmost respect for …' said Venir.

'Actions are what I require,' said Fyia, 'not words. He will attend the next meeting, or he will lose all he holds so dear.'

'Very good, Your Majesty,' said Venir, through visibly gritted teeth.

Cal tried to remember the details Fyia had told him on the airship. Venir was the Warden of the Sky Kingdom in the south—the smallest of Fyia's five kingdoms, which bordered the Kingdoms of Moon and Plenty. However, Moon—the second smallest, but powerful kingdom—was the kingdom of Venir's ancestors. He held large estates and sway there, along with his nephew, Lord Antice, who'd been the next in line to the throne of Moon before Fyia had killed his father.

Cal despised the snake-like men and women attracted to the quagmire of such politics, and distrusted the motives of Venir and Antice. Their kingdoms were small, but powerful, especially if they formed an alliance.

Moon controlled much of Fyia's food supply, and Sky held the only metal mines found in Fyia's lands. From what Fyia had said, she could trust none of the wardens from any of her kingdoms. If it were up to Cal, he'd be tempted to cull them all and start anew … although, whoever replaced them probably wouldn't be any better. Damned politics.

'I have troops policing the streets of Moon, and protecting the women seeking an education,' said Sensis. 'Perhaps if we hold out long enough, the rebels will realize life is much the same, even if women have access to education, but it's possible we'll need a more radical solution …'

'Such as?' said Venir.