he said.
The surprise of his words finally penetrated my apathy The second mourner carried the offerings to the gods and organised the effigies. It was a position of service — duties that were below a prince.
'Your Highness…' I stopped, not sure what to say
He gripped my shoulder. 'My father sickens more every day' he said softly 'It is time I stepped out of the harem for good. Remember our agreement, my friend?'
Mutual survival.
I straightened under the weight of his hand. 'My master said it would not be long now. They will make their move.'
He nodded. 'You are the only thing that stands in the way of Ido's control of the Council.' His grip tightened. SAllow me to stand by your side as an ally at Lord Brannon's passing.'
'It would be my honour, Your Highness,' I said and bowed.
We smiled at one another; a grim acknowledgement that it may be too little, too late. The silent understanding was as brief as a heartbeat, but for that one bright moment I did not feel quite so alone.
Two days later, on the Day of Honouring, the Dragoneyes came, led by Lord Ido. Ryko stood silently behind me as they entered
the reception room, his solid presence like another backbone holding me up.
The Dragoneyes all wore white robes and brought thick packets of mourning money as was custom, but I sensed there was also another purpose in the visit. As each man bowed to me, I studied his face. My master's allies were all tense; his enemies shifting with impatience. I met Lord Tyron's eyes as he straightened from his courtesy and they held a warning — but of what? I followed his gaze to a stranger at the back of the group. The man bowed from where he stood, offering murmured condolences. There was something familiar about the way he blinked — in a pattern of three — but I could not place him.
Lord Ido stepped forwards from the loose semicircle of white-robed men. He smiled at me — a cold curve of his lips that matched the calculation in his eyes. We both knew he had killed my master.
'My dear Lord Eon, we are all shocked by the passing of Lord Brannon,' he said softly. His false sympathy made my gut tighten. 'We all grieve with you in the loss of your mentor and offer you, our youngest brother, support during this time of mourning.'
For the first time since my master's death, I felt something in my core. Hate. It burned through me like a fireball, laying waste to the numbness and despair. I quickly looked down, in case Ido saw his own death in my eyes.
'With that in mind,' Ido continued, 'the Council has petitioned Heuris Kane to step into the position of proxy lord. He will continue Lord Brannon's work and relieve you of your Council duties so that you can study the dragon arts. As Lord Brannon wished.'
Heuris Kane — now I knew the stranger. He was Baret's master and one of Ido's minions. As the Prince had predicted, Ido was making his next move to control the Council. This was the reason my master was dead. This was the reason my world was hollow. I closed my eyes, hearing my master's last words.
Stop him.
But I was not even a proper Dragoneye. How could I go against this man? He was too powerful. Too ruthless.
Stop him.
The pearls tightened their grip around my arm as though rallying my courage. No one else could stop Ido. I had to try For the Emperor and the Prince. And for my master. I curled my hands into fists.
'No.'
As soon as I said it, Ryko moved closer, hovering protectively behind me.
Ido stiffened. 'What?'
Tyron's head snapped up. I met his startled gaze, silently pleading for his help. He licked his lips and nodded.
'Of course, I thank Heuris Kane for his concern for my welfare,' I said, turning towards the man and bowing, 'but I wish to take my position on the Council.'
Kane blinked rapidly at me then looked at Ido for guidance.
'This is not a choice, Lord Eon,' Ido snarled. 'This is what is best for the Council.'
''Vbu are wrong, Lord Ido,' Tyron said. He stepped out of the semicircle. 'If Lord Eon does not wish to stand aside, then he has every right to prove himself capable of holding his position.'
Prove myself? What did that mean?
'Lord Tyron is correct,' Silvo said. 'A Dragoneye can only be removed from the Council if all other members agree that he is not competent. I, for one, am not convinced that is the case.'
'Nor I,' Dram said. He smiled encouragingly at me. A few other voices murmured agreement.
Ido rounded on the Horse Dragoneye. 'What would you know about competence?' He glared around the semicircle.
'Lord Ido has a valid point,' Elgon drawled. The Tiger Dragoneye held up his hand to quieten the rise of voices. 'We
don't know if Lord Eon will be able to cope with Council duties. I propose we have a test to prove whether or not he is capable.'
A test? I dug my nails into my palm. If it was a demonstration of power, everything would be lost.
'What did you have in mind?' Tyron asked.
Elgon bowed to Ido. 'I defer to our respected leader.'
Ido cocked his head to one side. 'Tyron, I believe your province has made their annual request to the Council to control the King Monsoon rains and protect their crops?'
Tyron nodded, the muscles in his jaw tightening.
Ido smiled. 'Lord Eon can show us his competence by leading that effort. After all, the position he steps into is that of Co-Ascendant and co-leader.'
'That's too much,' Dram protested. 'The boy hasn't had any training.'
'My point exactly,' Ido said smoothly
Tyron glanced across at me. It was a huge risk for him as well as for me. If something went wrong, the King Monsoon would flood the area and he would lose a year's income from the devastated crops. He squared his shoulders.
'I have every confidence in Lord Eon,' Tyron said.
Ido turned to me, his face avid. He knew I had no chance. 'Do you agree to this test?'
All eyes were on me, the tension holding everyone still. I did not even know how to call my dragon, let alone how to control the largest dump of monsoon rains in the season. But there was no choice. I was the only thing standing between a Council in the control of Ido and one that still served the Emperor and the land.
'Yes,' I said, feeling my voice crack on the word.
Ido smiled triumphantly. 'Then we will all wait for Lord Tyron's call to travel to his province.'
T gather you will have no objection to me taking over Lord Eon's training before that time,'
Tyron said stiffly.
Ido shrugged. 'None whatsoever.'
The monsoon season always started in the Daikiko Province; this year the weather-watchers had predicted the King Monsoon would hit the coast in the next week or so. Ido knew I could not cram twelve years of study and practice into less than a week.
Although,' he continued with a soft sigh, 'it would not be seemly for Lord Eon to train during the nine days of mourning.'
Tyron's face darkened. 'I was not even considering it,' he said tightly He glanced across at me, the heavy dismay on his face mirroring my own. With four days of mourning left, we may not even have a chance to begin the training.
'If you please, my lord,' Rilla said, kneeling at the doorway 'Shall I serve the tea?'
I nodded, unable to speak. Ido had manoeuvred me neatly into his trap. Now all he had to do was wait for it to spring.
The tinny crash of cymbals and the thump of drums matched the rhythm of my steps as I followed my
