I stepped forward. 'My Lords, Ladies, I would be willing, if you will have me?'
There was a long pause. Then Kimlesh spoke.
'Warder Alshirian Dogstar, your offer is… generous, and warmly received I assure you, but it is not you we would wish to lead the mongrel court.'
I stepped back in confusion. I felt rejected, but also relieved. But then who?
'There isn't anyone,' said Krane.
'It's Blackbird,' she said.
• • • •
'Me?' said Blackbird. 'Why me?'
Kimlesh stood and approached her. 'You are of mongrel heritage, are you not?' she said.
Blackbird had a look of mild panic about her. 'I am, but…'
'And you are among the oldest of the mongrel fey?' she continued, walking around Blackbird.
'Yes, but…'
'You were brought up among the Feyre and yet you have lived among humanity for most of your life. You understand their customs, and ours.'
'I suppose, though…'
'This cannot happen,' said Krane. 'Blackbird is a member of Yonna's court. We cannot have a mongrel court that is led by a member of another court, can we?'
'I relinquish my claim,' said Yonna, 'in the interest of us all.'
'Wait,' said Teoth. 'This is madness. We cannot create another court. It's unheard of.'
'Why?' said Barthia. 'Seven courts cannot have sprung from nothing. Who is to say that once there were not three, or four, and others were added as need demanded.'
'That's a huge supposition,' said Krane.
'It had to happen somehow,' said Barthia. 'The wraithkin have always claimed to be the oldest court, with the clear implication that the other courts followed afterwards.'
'A turn of phrase,' said Teoth.
'Our brother cannot have it both ways,' said Barthia.
Kimlesh took Blackbird's hand and led her towards the seat. It was neither as grand or as elegant as the seats beside it, but the symbolism was not in the least diminished.
'Wait,' Blackbird said, drawing Kimlesh to a halt. 'If I am to do this, then I want your agreement. All of you.'
'That you will never receive,' said Krane, 'for our brother Altair would never agree to such a thing.'
'He is not here,' said Kimlesh, 'and we took the decision to go down this road against his wishes, even while he was present.'
'Then there must at least be a majority in support,' said Blackbird. 'I will need your support, if this is to succeed.'
'Then I will pledge my support,' said Kimlesh.
'And I mine,' said Yonna.
Mellion held his hand to his heart and opened it, then offered it to Blackbird.
'I cannot, in good conscience, give my assent to something that I know will drive a further wedge between us and the Seventh Court,' said Krane.
'Nor I,' said Teoth.
'Then the balance is with you, Barthia,' said Kimlesh. 'With your support we will found a court for the mongrel fey, those that are of neither race or both, but who need a home nevertheless.'
'I cannot be my decision alone,' she said.
'Nor is it so,' said Kimlesh. 'Yonna, Mellion and I have pledged our support. With your assent we will have a clear majority, even counting Altair's wishes. Without it, we will be three for, and three against, with Altair holding the balance, though I think we all know which way that will go.'
There was silence, while they all watched Barthia. She chewed her pierced lip in consternation, looking from Krane to Teoth, from Mellion to Yonna, and then to Kimlesh, who still held Blackbird's hand in hers.
'If we cannot make a decision,' Kimlesh reminded her, 'then we still have to decide what to do with the mongrel fey who wait at our door. They are few in number now, but they will grow, while we will not. It is why we first began this enterprise.'
'Altair warned us this would happen,' said Krane. 'It is the beginning of the end.'
'I have heard these arguments before,' Barthia said, 'when we first considered mixing our bloodlines with humanity. At that time I chose life and an uncertain future, instead of a the certainty of eventual demise.' Barthia, folded her arms. 'We will have an Eighth Court.'
'No!' said Krane, 'We cannot make this decision without Altair having spoken.'
'We did it before,' said Kimlesh, leading Blackbird to the vacant chair. 'There is precedent for such a decision.'
Blackbird hesitated, and gently disengaged Kimlesh's hand.
'Make no mistake,' she said. 'I understand that this is not the wish of you all, and I will do all in my power to make this work for you,' she said. 'But I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for those waiting outside, and those waiting beyond these walls, who will face an uncertain fate if I do not.'
And she sat down.
TWENTY-THREE
As the news spread from the enclosed hall there was ragged cheering from the group waiting outside. It rapidly became apparent that continuing the High Court in session was not possible, especially when Krane and Teoth withdrew to consider whether the decision could be further challenged.
Blackbird stood up looking bemused and worried, and was taken aback when Kimlesh, Mellion and Yonna all embraced her, kissing both cheeks formally. After a moment's hesitation, Barthia did the same, acknowledging Blackbird as Lady of the Eighth Court.
Mullbrook appeared with vintage champagne and glasses, and the seven thrones and the single chair were moved away so that the other guests could spill into the hall. There was an urgent hubbub of conversation, speculation and deliberation, which was brought to a temporary hiatus by Yonna, who clapped her hands loudly for silence.
She stood in front of Blackbird.
'Child of the Court of Fey'ree,' said Yonna. 'Do you wish to be released from your vows, and let free of all obligation, let or lien, such that you no longer receive the protection of the Court or any of its bounty or benefit. You will be a free woman. Is that your wish?'
'It is,' Blackbird said.
'Bring me a knife,' said Yonna.
Mullbrook appeared with an ancient wooden handled knife, crudely made, but with a keen edge that glinted.
Blackbird offered her hand and Yonna drew the knife across her palm without hesitation.
'By your blood you are released,' said Yonna.
'I am released,' said Blackbird.
'By your heart, you will serve none but your own, and owe allegiance to none.'
'I will owe no one allegiance,' said Blackbird.
'By your mind, you will abide by your own consideration, saving the advice of those you trust.'
'I will,' said Blackbird.
'Your power is your own,' Yonna said. 'None may bind you, none may hold you, and may none stand against you.'
She stepped forward and kissed Blackbird on both cheeks again. 'You are free, sister.'
Blackbird looked pale, and for a moment I thought she might faint. I moved quietly round behind her to catch
