Lord Osker left shaking his head. Another Alturan who thought she could simply walk up and ask for the emperor, currently in a critical meeting with the new primate and running well over time.
Osker could have consulted the arrivals list but he had a knack for sensing a bold attempt to get an audience with the emperor. No doubt she was here to press her brother’s demands for more essence for Altura. Osker had his own position on the matter, and those he gave his allegiance to required him to control the emperor, and always attain the best outcome for Tingara.
If Altura’s high lord wanted more essence, he would have to press his case at the Imperial Chorum. Lord Osker knew from experience that if he kept a supplicant waiting long enough, he or she would eventually leave, and the problem would resolve itself.
One of Osker’s small army of clerks and servants came hurrying forward. “My Lord, we have a problem. Rats are escaping the cold and coming into the cellars.”
“Oh my,” Lord Osker exclaimed.
He promptly forgot all about the Alturan girl, and scurried off with his man.
3
Ella had never seen so many garish costumes. Adjoining the Imperial Palace, the interior of the great hall set aside for the Imperial Chorum was a rainbow of color. There were so many symbols and designs that it was difficult to appreciate them all.
On the tiers surrounding the central podium, the contingents of the houses sat in sections of crimson, emerald, orange, and an array of other hues. Ranged along the walls, the raj hadas of the nine houses competed with each other. The addition of the withered tree of the Akari and the black sun of the templars meant there were eleven sections, and high on the ceiling, the nine-pointed star of the Empire spread across a huge flag of black silk.
Long ago, in this very room, Emperor Xenovere V announced the annexation of Torakon, precipitating the great war that shattered the old Tingaran Empire and led to the demise of Primate Melovar Aspen. Here, only a few weeks ago, the high lords crowned the new emperor, Killian Alderon.
Now it was time to hear about the new threat that High Lord Miro Torresante of Altura said was coming from across the sea.
Ella watched, her heart in her mouth, as Miro made his impassioned speech. She was shocked when some of the Tingarans, Petryans, and Veznans hissed at his request for more essence for Altura.
Ella exchanged glances with Shani, a splash of red among the green of the Alturan section. The Petryan elementalist scowled. Seated on her other side she felt Amber, Miro’s wife, tense, and Ella reached out to squeeze the hand of her childhood friend.
Miro, standing on the high disc-shaped podium that rotated infinitely slowly as he spoke, looked all alone.
Ella heard Amber whisper. “After everything he’s done . . . everything we’ve seen.”
Miro’s arms fell at his sides at the end of his speech, and he left the podium. The new primate, a plump and soft-skinned old man who was as different from Melovar Aspen as two men could be, stepped up in his place and held out placating hands. He asked for a vote, and the leaders of the nine houses touched a tablet in front of them. With his own source of essence, the Dain of the Akari would abstain from this vote.
Ella felt her eyes burn as the response was overwhelming. Each house would have the same essence allocation, regardless of the scale of the perceived threat. Part of her knew it had been a foregone conclusion; yet even so, she felt disappointment. Miro had worked so hard to gain their support.
Then Ella frowned as she noticed the pattern of the voting. She made a quick calculation before coming to a realization. There was no denying the truth.
The emperor had voted against Miro.
Just a couple of days ago, Ella had left the Imperial Palace hurt and confused. Killian had invited her to dinner; yet every time she had tried to announce herself, she had been turned away. It was as if the officious Lord Osker had spread a warning to his staff. Ella had finally given up trying. If Killian wanted to see her, he could come to her.
Now Killian had just voted against helping Miro.
Miro returned to the podium, his shoulders slumped and defeated. He thanked the houses for responding to the current crisis. He then held up one of the shining reflectors and once more explained that the system was for the benefit of all the houses. Miro asked them to agree that if one of the houses called, the other houses would send help, and he vowed to do the same.
Then Miro cleared his throat. “I’m sure you’ve all heard my story now, and I won’t tell it again. But please, I beg you, don’t doubt my words. Speak with my wife, Amber, and the people of the once great nation of Veldria that I’ve brought here with me. Speak with my sister, Ella.”