Laina looks to Bastien to see if he wants to add anything, but he shakes his head. So she continues. “Some reports say that Ferelith traveled outside the veil to other dimensions to recruit soldiers. In exchange for blood oaths, she promised them lands and riches if they fought for her. She’s amassed an incredible legion of soldiers willing to die in her pursuit of domination, and their loyalty is strictly to her.”
“She’s more powerful than ever,” one of the Conclave members says, her voice fearful. “The reports are that she’s freely using blood magic, including live sacrifices of people, to increase her power.”
“Oh gods,” I murmur, my gaze drifting blankly to the table’s surface as I digest this. I knew she used blood magic, but I assumed, at the worst, it involved animals.
“She’s found a way to use these magics to control the mind through a dark compulsion. It’s how she’s been able to get some Houses to surrender, and to keep them compliant.”
“She’s cruel,” another Conclave member speaks and I focus on her. “She wantonly kills with no qualms. We heard she once incinerated a group of beggars outside the palace because their smell offended her.”
Suddenly, all the Conclave members speak, spouting the stories they’ve heard about Ferelith’s evil prowess. I try to take it all in.
“They say she sacrifices a newborn child at the end of each month to sustain her powers…”
“The darkness in her is so immense, her eyes have turned red…”
“She no longer has to eat and drink to live. Instead, she consumes the souls of those she kills…”
And on and on it goes. Overwhelmed, I just gape. Never have I heard such stories, and I can feel the fear radiating from the Conclave members. It’s contagious, and a shudder runs through me.
Can Ferelith be brought down? Truthfully, I don’t see how. I glance at Bastien, and his expression is no longer bland. Fire burns in his eyes as he listens to the Conclave members spouting their fears. He’s heard this all before, but it’s clear he’s as bothered by it as they are.
The only difference is, Bastien isn’t afraid.
He’s furious.
“What’s our current plan?” I ask, glancing around the table, still unwilling to give Bastien his due as commandant.
But it’s Bastien who replies. “We spent the first few years trying to retake Kestevayne, and several after that trying to prevent her from leaving Kestevayne to advance on the rest of our world. In the years since, we’ve spent helping defend others. Currently, we strike at her forces as we can, trying to whittle down their numbers. But, in all honesty, we need to cut the head off the snake, or this war will never end.”
Many Conclave members murmur their agreement. Leaning back in my chair, I ponder my next move. My parents would want me to lead my citizens to take back their homeland. They would expect me to be at the helm. I have to firmly establish control at this point if I’m to be effective in the coming weeks and months.
Most importantly, I’m not going to let Bastien or the Conclave gain an ounce of control over my life… ever again. I slide my chair out and rise, placing my hands on the table.
“What you have told me is daunting. But one thing my parents taught me is that nothing is insurmountable. We will take back Kestevayne, and we will put an end to that miserable creature sitting on my throne. But to do that, you need me. As heir to the Royal House of Clairmont, I alone hold the seat of power to our magic. It is the best weapon you have and something you never once gave me an ounce of credit for possessing.”
Pausing for effect, I study each person in turn. Every Conclave member nods in agreement. Bastien leans forward in his chair, his arms on the table, and stares at me intently.
Satisfied I have their attention, I continue. “At this point, I wish to remind you that as the Conclave, you are here to advise me. But I will make the decisions. I will have every member’s agreement right now, or you will no longer sit at this table.”
I leave it hanging what might happen if they aren’t sitting at this table. One by one, each Conclave member stands and agrees to my demands. All except Bastien, but then again, he isn’t a Conclave member. This brings me to my next point.
“In order to effectively lead, I need to have faith in those who are advising me. This Conclave broke my trust by orchestrating my banishment behind my back, no matter how good its intentions were. However, I’ve decided to let you earn it back.”
Murmurs of relief float around the table.
“However,” I say, bringing my attention to Bastien, who stares right back at me impassively. “Commandant Dunne, your betrayal was far worse than what the Conclave committed. If there was one person in this world I should have been able to trust, it was you.” I feel my voice quaver slightly with a wave of hurt, but I shake it off. Bastien’s jaw clenches, and that muscle starts ticking. “For this, I am immediately relieving you of your duty as commandant of the royal army. You are no longer welcome to sit in on this Conclave. You should remove yourself from this hall immediately.”