Council meetings are an ordeal but a necessary one, part of me wanted to just enter the capital and blow everyone to pieces, but I knew better than to let my anger guide my judgement "All have settled in, I have personally seen to it that men are stationed at the walls with apt rotation to make sure we don't miss a thing," Damon reported, and it brought me pleasure to know that the safety of the palace and the city is taken care of. I nodded in thanks.
"Word of this will soon spread and your brother will hear and no doubt plan an attack, I do not mean to alarm us but as much as the hill tribes bolster our numbers we still do not stand a chance against the capital"
The room fell silent at Drazhan's words, he was right, we needed more men to challenge my brother, he was right and we all knew it, but we would deal with that later, I told them as much. "My queen, we have Robert bane and the banshee in custody, what are your orders?" Kaida asked. I knew what I had planned for Robert, but the banshee I had no idea what to do with it "I want you to deal with the creature, study what you can and if it can be used as an asset to our cause, Robert is mine" she nodded in understanding "you might want to know that Robert has a protection spell about him, I tried to break it, but I'm afraid I wasn't strong enough" she grimaced at her own words, but I gave her a calming look.
I pulled my chair back and stood to my feet "If that would be all.." Drazhan spoke next "In order for us to be a step ahead, we need to have eyes and ears in the capital, your brother could be marching towards us as we speak and we wouldn't know of it" I grew tired already, so tired I did not realize when I let out an audible sigh "What would you have us do about it now? I asked. He sat down, forcing us to do the same.
"I need to send a message to my contact in the capital, but I do not want it to be by raven because it could be intercepted. If I could go myself then-"
"No!" his brows furrowed in confusion as did the rest of the council. I found myself confused as well because I had no idea when the words escaped my mouth. Embarrassment washed over me instantly and I righted myself.
"I will not risk a valued member of my council on such a mission, to Moonspear most especially, where it's not safe. Find another way" The last statement was an order, and Drazhan narrowed his eyes slightly, before lowering his head.
Silence took over the room, no one spoke, I would like to think it's because they knew I was right. My brother would not launch a full scale attack on Temeria, though we might suffer great losses, he would suffer them more, because Kaida and I could wipe out half his army with our magic.
"There is also a matter that none of us are yet to discuss your majesty," Acrisius said, breaking the awkward silence "Herbert Valendel"
Blood froze in my veins at the mention of his name, and memories of the night of our escape flooded in and the dangerous power he possessed, the man was able to snuff out my magic with just a wave of his hand. I stood once more and exited the room rather quickly, not wanting to discuss it, not just yet.
Sleep eluded me that night, even as I had a wonderfully relaxing lavender bath and wore an equally comfortable nightgown. I continued to roll in bed, filled with the thoughts of Herbert and the threat he poses, or what it fear of his power, something told me what he displayed the night of our escape was but a fraction of his power, I could feel it.
I ought to have more confidence in myself, I am high priestess of the triple goddess and last of my kind, I have the power of the heavens in my hand and yet I felt no less than a child in the presence of Herbert's power. I needed a distraction, and I knew exactly where to get it.
My dearest late aunt's wardrobe is a wonder any lady would get lost in, I picked a white robe and slippers and opened the door, revealing the vast hallways, the guard that stood outside my door straightened himself at my presence "May I help you, your majesty?" he asked and his hand found the hilt of his sword immediately, eyes weary "no need to alarm yourself soldier," I quipped "I'm going to see the prisoner"
He nodded and trailed behind me as I walked the hallways and down to the deepest part of the palace, down to the dungeons themselves. The place was dark and there were no torches lighted, the cold wind blew in from the windows as the guard stopped in front of Robert's cell, there were no metal bars, only a thick iron door that the guard opened.
"We were instructed not to feed him my lady" the guard said, and I nodded, satisfied. The place reeked of sweat, Robert lay on the floor in the corner of the fairly large cell, his tunic was removed, he only wore pants and not even his boots remained. "Get me candles and a bench, I'm going to be here a while" the soldier nodded and jogged away.
Robert jerked awake and stared at me intently with rage filled in his eyes, I smiled at him sweetly, "Hello Robert, shall we begin? It's going to be a long night"