The idea was tempting, but...
She bade him good night, then, as she sank toward sleep, could not help noticing how much better she felt. As if a burden had been eased. It was more than just relief that Mirar agreed with her on how they would act.
Conversation around the balcony dwindled to silence as footsteps echoed in the corridor beyond. A Servant appeared in one of the archways and made the sign of the star.
“First Voice Nekaun sends his apologies. He will not be able to attend the meeting,” the man said.
The Voices and Companions exchanged glances.
“Thank you, Servant Ranrin,” Imenja replied.
The man inclined his head, then hurried away. Reivan felt a sinking disappointment. She hadn’t seen Nekaun in weeks. Not since Auraya had arrived. She guessed he was catching up on the normal business of a First Voice after finishing with his guest for the evening. He was too busy to visit her. She could accept that... though the longer it had been the stronger the pangs of jealousy she felt.
But... tonight she had been looking forward to just
When the Servant’s footsteps had faded beyond hearing, the three Voices shifted in their seats so they faced each other. Vervel grimaced as if he had just tasted something unpleasant.
“Shall we proceed?” he asked.
Imenja looked at Shar. “I can’t see why we shouldn’t.”
The blond Voice nodded. “Me neither. Where shall we begin?”
“With our own lands, as always,” Imenja decided.
Reivan listened as they discussed matters in Glymma, then moved on to a few domestic issues within Avven, Mur and then Dekkar.
“There is merit in the new High Chieftain’s idea,” Imenja said. Vervel’s eyebrows rose.
“Oh?”
“In other cities it is possible for lowly citizens to work their way to higher standing in society. From beggar to domestic, for example. But the physical limitation placed on the poor living below Kave makes ascending to a better position near impossible.”
“And how will the High Chieftain’s idea solve this?” Shar asked.
“It creates a middle level which might act like a step on a ladder. A ladder leading to self- improvement.”
“A fanciful idea,” Vervel said. “I doubt it is practical.”
“But worth a try.” Imenja’s shoulders lifted. “In a small area at first, perhaps.”
Vervel shrugged. “Perhaps.”
The two Voices stared at each other, then Imenja smiled.
“Contact Genza and ask what she thinks. She has seen Kave only recently.”
Vervel gave a quiet snort and looked away. “Why waste her time?”
Imenja frowned. “Because we should at least try to serve the gods,” she said firmly.
An awkward but mercifully short silence followed. Reivan looked down at her glass of water. This was the closest the Voices had come to acknowledging the changes that Nekaun had brought. She knew what Vervel had wanted to ask.
She drew in a deep breath, but resisted the urge to sigh. The way Nekaun treated the other Voices was unnecessary, surely. She could see that, but at the same time another part of her believed he must have a good reason, even if she could not see it at the time. The gods had chosen him. He was intelligent and clever.
How was it possible for her to see his flaws, but not believe what she was seeing? Or not feel alarmed?
“Genza says we should support the idea.” Vervel’s gaze was distant. Imenja nodded.
“Now we should look beyond our lands,” Imenja said. “Has Sennon shown any inclination to reject the White and join us again?”
Shar shook his head. “No. The emperor refuses to see our messengers and returns our gifts.”
Imenja grimaced. “I don’t expect that to change.” The other Voices nodded in agreement. She sighed. “Our people in Jarime have been executed.”
A shock went through Reivan. She did not know what had gone wrong with the mission the Servants had undertaken in Jarime, but she felt a pang of sympathy for those who had died.
“Has the new White been seen in Dunway recently?” Imenja asked.
“Not since she disappeared,” Vervel replied.
“Have our people there been warned?”
Vervel looked away. “No. He thought they would panic and draw attention to themselves.” Reivan guessed “he” was Nekaun.
Imenja’s eyes narrowed for a moment. “I see. Well, I have received strange news from Genria and Toren. The two lands abruptly gathered together their armies, had them camp outside their main cities, then with no explanation dismissed them again.”
“The two monarchs do not get along, and the nations were often at war in the past,” Shar pointed out.
“But since the battle they have been the best of friends.” Imenja shook her head. “There were no reports of conflict between the two countries. In fact, both armies expected to join the other for some purpose, though none knew the reason.”
“Perhaps they were competing to see whose army was most efficient,” Shar’s Companion, Bavalla, suggested.
Imenja smiled and spread her hands. “Who knows? I find the Torens and Genrians the most inexplicable of northern peoples, sometimes.”
Vervel cleared his throat. “I have some news of a less welcome kind. Our people have been ordered to leave Somrey.”
Imenja frowned. “Why?”
“A decision of the Council of Elders. It’s rumored that the Dreamweaver and Circlian Elder votes were in agreement for the first time in history.”
“Of all northern lands but Sennon, Somrey has been the most accepting of different religions and cults,” Imenja said. “Our people studied their laws. There was none that could be used to remove us once we were accepted there.”
“The council created a new law so that they could achieve their aim,” Vervel said.
Imenja’s eyebrows rose. “Oh. Our people should examine this law, to see if there are any ways around it.”
“I’ve already given them the task.”
“Good. Now for Genza.” The three Voices stared into space for a moment, then smiled and looked at each other again. “All is well,” Imenja said for the benefit of the Companions. “Is there any other strange and unfortunate news from the north? Or perhaps good news?”
The others shook their heads.
“Very well. I would rather discuss the next two subjects with Nekaun present, but I would also prefer to tackle them now without him than not tackle them at all. Firstly, the Priestess Auraya’s presence here. Secondly,
