High Tar Kostek stood stunned for a moment. He had not anticipated such a tactic but instantly knew what Ethelridge and her core supporters were attempting to do. Kostek remained silent for a long time, flustered and unable to think how to thwart Ethelridge, so in the end he attempted just to ignore her. He turned back to the waiting assembly and immediately noticed the frown on Gwaynn Massi’s face.
“The petition…” Kostek began in a low, faltering voice.
“It is not a petition,” Ethelridge interrupted again. “Gwaynn Massi is not the recognized leader of the Massi Family; he has not been crowned by the High King and therefore the petition is not valid and should not be recognized.”
A low murmur swept the crowd and gradually grew louder as the import of the statement struck home.
“But Gwaynn is the recognized leader of the Massi people,” Kostek replied addressing Ethelridge and thereby validating her argument for many in the audience.
Ethelridge shook her head sadly as if the facts, though not to her personal liking, were irrefutable.
“Not by the High King, therefore he has no legal claim over the land of Massi,” she said and glanced at Gwaynn with a look of insincere apology.
High Zarina Monde could take no more and quickly stood. “The High King attacked the Massi people, helping the Deutzani to overthrow their legitimate rule,” she said loudly then added, “just as he attacked the Travelers…without provocation.”
Again a loud murmur swept the crowd.
“The claim that the High King was involved in the internal conflict between the Massi and the Deutzani has never been substantiated,” Ethelridge countered quickly and Gwaynn’s face flushed with anger, but before he could express his outrage the High Tar spoke once more.
“Internal conflict?” Kostek asked with disbelief.
“Nor has the High King been implicated in any way for the attack on the Travelers.”
The grumbles that moved through the audience grew louder. Many of those present witnessed the original flight of the Travelers from Light; many saw the Temple Knights through the large bridge created between the two Islands.
“I saw Temple Knights…” someone from the crowd shouted but Tar Ethelridge seemed nonplussed.
“Yes…there were men dressed as Temple Knights, but I believe the attack truly came from Sinis,” she said. “Regardless, it does not change the fact that we have gathered to hear a request for aid which is without merit. The Massi lost their rights to the land around the finger to the Deutzani. The High King has only stepped in recently to quell the rebellion and to put a halt to the naked aggression of the Toranado.”
The crowd sat in stunned silence as Tar Kostek blustered. He could not comprehend such a position. It flew against logic; it flew against reality, but before he could marshal his thoughts against such an improbable turn of events, Tar Ethelridge continued.
“I place a motion before the Council that we dismiss the petition at once to show our loyalty and support of the High King.” It fell so quiet in the Hall that the blind might think it empty. Not a sound escaped the crowd, not a murmur, not a cough.
“Those in favor of dismissal,” Ethelridge’s high clear voice rang out in the silence. There was only a moment of hesitation.
“Aye!” Called Tar Conrad from his position directly next to Ethelridge.
“Aye!” Ethelridge echoed.
“Nay!” Called Tar Brooks, a very old man and staunch supporter of the late Tar Amon and therefore Tar Kostek.
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Nay,” said Tar Kostek, his loss of control weighing heavy on his heart.
“Nay,” said Tar Nystrom flipping her long brown hair but only glancing very briefly at Prince Gwaynn.
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Nay.”
“The votes are cast. The petition is unrecognized. The Council has spoken,” Ethelridge announced, unable to hide the slight smile that appeared on her face. Gwaynn, in his anger, saw only the delight in her eyes. He stood, suddenly sick of the Hall, sick of the Council of Noble Island.
“It’s politics nothing more,” Monde whispered.
“Please!” Ethelridge called out once more. “There is one additional matter before the Council,” she said and crowd settled down again almost instantly.
“The petition has gone unrecognized…” she began and glanced first at Gwaynn and Zarina Monde and then her gaze moved to a few of the surrounding Tars. “Those issuing the petition are therefore in open rebellion against the High King.”
A great roar swelled in the crowd and Gwaynn’s heart thumped in his chest and his left hand flinched slightly toward the hilt of his kali.
Ethelridge raised her hand asking for quiet. “Peace, Prince Gwaynn Massi. We will not be handing you over to the High King, but your presence will be made known to his Highness and for the time being you will remain, here on Noble, as our honored guest.”
Gwaynn stared at her in shock as several Tars stood and moved close to his position. Zarina Monde made to stand, but Gwaynn placed a hand on her arm holding her still. Ethelridge noticed the movement and nodded and a few more Tars stood and moved toward the Traveler.
“Zarina Monde…I’m afraid you must remain on Noble as well, but you will be here as our prisoner.”
“Tarina Ethelridge!” Kostek shouted loudly, finally in his anger, finding his voice and his path. “You have no authority to make such rash decisions. You are not High Tar.” He yelled and the crowd grew quiet again.
Ethelridge smiled. “Am I not,” she said simply. “The Council is mine…the Tars are mine. The vote that placed you at the head of the Council was flawed following the emotional loss of Tar Amon. That decision will soon be rectified,” she said calmly, confidently. “Your support has waned,” she added then turned back to Gwaynn, who slowly stood.
“Prince Gwaynn…Zarina Monde if you will go with Tar Cowell and Tarina Zabino.”
Gwaynn said nothing but slowly drew his kali as Zabino approached. She paused as he pulled his weapons out and glanced at Ethelridge, whose eyes went wide.
“Prince Gwaynn…” Ethelridge continued, clearly surprised. “Your courage is well documented but please do not force the issue. Tar Kostek’s support of your cause is admirable, but it is not shared by many…”
“I share it,” a familiar voice came from behind Gwaynn. Without turning he knew his friend Vio had stood.
“As do I,” said Tar Endid also standing. He moved slowly past Tar Cowell, and stopped at Gwaynn’s side, a slight smile on his face.
“And I,” said the Tarina’s Grace and Nystrom at the very same time.
“And I” said William. “And I,” said Tam but then those willing to support Gwaynn faltered.
Ethelridge smiled. “Admirable…but I’m afraid….”
A small pop sounded and then a bridge expanded almost directly in front of Gwaynn. The entire hall went quiet again as Lonogan Bock and Zarina Jess na Gall stepped through it and into the Grand Hall.
A gasp of surprise ran through the crowd and the smile that resided on Lonogan’s face disappeared immediately. The tension in the Hall was palpable and the hairs on Bock’s neck stood on end.
“Bad time?” he asked Gwaynn, who nodded without smiling.
“Arrest them…arrest them all,” Ethelridge shouted and even drew her own kali. Gwaynn pulled Lonogan closer, his eyes wide with concentration. They were going to have to flee; he only hoped that Monde would
