A gust of freezing wind blew into the chamber as Rianaire stood. Followed by another with every subtle move as she leaned her hands down onto the table.
“Surely.”
The heads sat slowly without another word. Rianaire stood upright and looked them over.
“There are ways of seeing this that are not so dire,” she began. “After all, I have not banned your worship or your studies, only insisted that they be a requirement to neither pupil nor professor. That you separate your will to venerate the Sisters from your absolute writ, as I have decreed it, to exist for the betterment of elven kind through means of use of the Gifts. You will be helpful and you will be revered for your service to our people. You may choose to let your adherence to old ways stand in opposition to it, but I can promise that these changes will take place whether you wish for them or not. I have seen what the Gifts are capable of. Things that the teachings of the college never even dared to suppose and I believe I now understand why. Still, I would hear any arguments you may have left.”
She waited silently. A minute passed, and then two. Surely the greatest minds on the subject would have objections worth hearing. Objections not related to their obsession with women who had either long since died or long since abandoned their people to a fifteen thousand year war against a brutal enemy. The quiet of the room had led to uncomfortable shifting once again and Rianaire understood that no complaint was forthcoming. No reasoned arguments against her orders.
“Nothing? From any of you?” She paused. “Then you are all free to return to your colleges. I expect the changes to be implemented immediately and for recruiters to be chosen within the week. I doubt my business will keep me long, but it may be a fair few weeks before I return. I will say it now that you might understand. I expect progress.”
She took a final look across their faces. There was anger and resentment among them. The youngest, Abhainn’s representative, looked at the edge of tears. “You are all dismissed. You will receive my expectations in detail by this evening.”
They stood and bowed before filing out of the ornate door. The college heads had only been gone a moment when Inney entered, followed closely by Síocháin.
Rianaire rolled her head back at the sight of them and sighed. “I am exhausted.”
Inney walked to the end of the table as Síocháin moved to the door at the edge of the room. She walked through it to prepare tea.
“I assume you’ve dealt with the guards?”
Inney nodded, her mask still on though the room was empty. “The captains have all been told what you will expect across an array of potential situations. Contingency plans are in place as well, should something unforeseen happen. I have also told them to keep a special eye on the college.”
Rianaire shifted forward as Síocháin returned with tea. “They didn’t wonder why you mentioned the college?”
“If they did, they said nothing.”
Síocháin sat a cup down in front of Rianaire. “And you went along with her?”
Síocháin placed a cup in front of the nearest chair and sat. “It seemed preferable to being within earshot of you dismantling one of the eldest elven institutions.”
“It was quieter than I had expected actually.”
“I am not sure that breeds confidence.” Síocháin sipped her tea.
“I am not sure what to make of it myself. I expect when we return I will have more to deal with than acclimating new Binseman to their positions. What of the carriages?”
“I arranged for them this morning,” Síocháin replied.
Inney looked at the door and to the balcony. “There are nine guards in total, and a driver with his assistant.”
“A small number if we meet a hippocamp horde. Though I expect the entire city guard would scarcely be enough to buy us time for an escape. Ah well. I am sure the Sisters are pleased with me at present and will bless our voyage.” She laughed and put the teacup on the table.
Inney followed as Rianaire moved around behind Síocháin. She leaned down on one side of the chair and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I know you worry. This trip will not be so stressful as our last.” She kissed Síocháin’s cheek again and once on her neck. “You may even have a bit of fun.”
Rianaire gave way as Síocháin pushed her chair back and stood. “And you promise?”
“I do. I swear it, even.”
Síocháin quietly turned. “I suppose I shall be in your care during our trip then.” She stepped away toward the door.
Rianaire laughed and followed. “I may have taken on too much, Inney.”
“The pair of you are sickening.”
At that, Rianaire laughed even harder. She followed Síocháin to the door with Inney close behind.
“I am all alone in my struggles, then?” she said, still laughing. “I could weep.”
U
Aile
The look of the camp was entirely familiar to Aile. There was no notion of design or beauty among the hippocamp hordes, the centaur saw to that. If Ilkea was to be believed, this was something that had been forced on them by the centaur and the satyr arts used to be glorious. Cooking was not among those arts, as near as Aile could tell, but she left it aside. The burlap of the tents blended readily into the desert and if one was not looking for a camp, it would be easy enough to ride past without noticing.
When they were inside a range Aile knew arrows could reach, a pair of satyr guards set out to meet them. They did not walk with much purpose and they met the chariots a bit more than a hundred
