Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
And the rest of the council must have felt the same way. Many gasped, and hands went to hearts and mouths. Zoh looked ready to combust.
“Master Durban,” Zoh said,, “we do not allow that kind of language in the council room. Get back in line.”
Durban must have realized his error because he hastily retreated. Kerrigan clenched her hands into fists and was glad that she was on the other side of the room from him. She was too used to her training in the Wastes as a street fighter, where that word was met with fists and fury and not polite smiles and a reprimand.
A slow, measured tap on the floor drew everyone’s attention away from Durban. To Kerrigan’s shock, Alura Van Horn hobbled into the room.
“Ah, Mistress Alura, excellent. Please get into position, and we’ll begin.”
Alura had been Kerrigan’s commander for her year of dragon training. She was tall with skin the color of midnight, and her dark hair was cornrowed off of her proud face. She was the best warrior of a generation. The lone winner of the previous tournament after the humans Cyrene and Dean won and took their dragons to distant shores to fight their own battle, upending the entire system with their departure.
Then, Alura had gone up against Fordham’s sister, Princess Wynter Ollivier of the House of Shadows, in the Battle of Lethbridge. Wynter blasted her with the dark shadow magic and nearly died. She had survived but now had to walk with a cane. Her once-proud, battle-ready figure destroyed in her first real battle. It was shocking that she was here. She hadn’t been seen since her father’s trial.
Alura caught Kerrigan’s eye and glared before moving to stand beside Durban instead. She would never forgive Kerrigan for being responsible for her father’s death.
“That’s everyone. As you were made aware, you five are nominated to join our illustrious council. We keep a seat of twenty at all times,” Master Zoh said. “There are two open seats this year. Lorian’s seat as well as whichever council member ascends to my position. Yes, this is my last year as presiding officer.”
A smattering of applause was made for that announcement. Zoh smiled reassuringly.
“As I am leaving, we will also have a presiding officer election, and Master Bastian and Mistress Hellina have put forth their hats for the job.”
Helly and Bastian came to their feet, staring at each other with a small head nod to the other. Kerrigan’s two mentors running against each other. She couldn’t be further in the middle of this.
“Yes, yes, wonderful,” he said. “The election will be at the end of June. Society members will convene here from all corners of Alandria for one week. A ball will take place to introduce you to the Society. Between now and then, you are allowed to campaign how you see fit for your position, but only two of you will come out of this victorious. Are there any questions?”
Durban stepped forward, and they began a lively discussion of the types of appropriate campaigning. Kerrigan’s heart sank at the thought. The people loved her in the city, but they weren’t the ones who were going to get to vote. Another thing she found ridiculous. The Society council ruled over everyone everywhere, and yet only members could even vote in the election.
Regardless, she didn’t have the funds or the time to travel to all the tribes to petition them to vote for her. She couldn’t do much of anything, except speak her truth and hope that was enough.
When the conversations finally died out, they were dismissed. She took a step toward Alura, but her glare was so terrifying that Kerrigan stopped in her tracks. She’d never been on friendly terms with Alura. She had been her commander, not her friend. But Kerrigan hadn’t seen her actively angry.
“I’m being nominated for this because of you,” she hissed at Kerrigan.
“Me?” she asked in confusion.
“My father is dead, and there are those who believe a Van Horn should take his spot.”
“I … I am sorry, Alura.”
“Save it,” she snarled. “You couldn’t speak for him when you knew he was innocent. There’s nothing you can do now.”
Then, she took her cane in hand and stalked from the room.
Helly appeared at her side with a sigh. “Give her time. She’s still grieving.”
“Of course.” She looked up into Helly’s face. “Presiding officer?”
“Ah, yes, well, it’s about time, isn’t it?”
Kerrigan nodded. “Long past time.”
“I won’t ask for your vote. I know that Bastian is your mentor.”
And Helly was her mother in all but name. Almost thirteen years ago at the age of five, her father had left her with Helly at the footsteps of Draco Mountain. She’d joined the House of Dragons, thanks to Helly, and she had looked after Kerrigan ever since. The vote would not be easy.