Twenty-One

Sext, Four Days Before the Nones of May

Main Hall, Fowther Castle (Floyd Family Residence), Wilton, Cyrill

“My lord,” Vigil was saying. “Regarding the dissent that the Young Kardas are stirring up in Paxen… will it not do us well to take action? As you know, Frederic Ross —”

“We will wait,” said Councillor Floyd. The two were walking, Vigil trailing slightly behind Floyd. “We will see how the situation in Drum plays out. We shall see for whom fortune smiles.”

“Surely you do not mean there is a chance that the revolutionaries will emerge victorious,” said Virgil.

“I meant us, dear Virgil,” said Floyd. “We shall see whether fortune smiles for Keys or for us.”

“Ah,” said Virgil.

“I hear Keys is doing well,” said Floyd. “The rebels has been quelled in all except Larkins and Eastpoint. But he must not underestimate Kate Rinehart. He would have to send his daughter, eventually.”

At this point a messenger ran towards the two, stopped in front of them, bowed, and said, “Councillor Floyd, Lord Pierce requests your audience.”

“Let him in,” said Floyd.

The messenger nodded and retreated. Soon enough Lord Pierce, a handsome middle-aged man with dark blonde hair, made his appearance. He knelt in front of Floyd and kissed his hand.

“My Councillor,” said Pierce.

“Mark,” said Floyd. “It has been a while. What brings you to Wilton?”

“It is regarding the Ansolfini family, my Councillor,” said Pierce. “I understand that you have given the family impunity for their… actions. And I am not here to challenge your decision, my Councillor, far from it. However, the people of Eldergrove do not trust them anymore. Trade is suffering, my Councillor. I am here to… extend the humblest suggestion that it may be an opportune moment for the Pierce family to take over and oversee trade between Ferns and Eldergrove? Our family is the most equipped —”

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“Your daughter is here,” said Floyd. “Is she outside?”

Pierce hesitated for a moment, then said, “Yes, Councillor. She wanted to see the dandelion fields of Wilton and I —”

“Bring her in,” said Floyd.

“Yes, Councillor,” said Pierce, bowing.

“It would be proper to meet the people who will secure the future of Ferns, would it not?”

“Oh no,” said Pierce. “My daughter —”

“Bring her in,” said Floyd.

Pierce nodded, then went away. Some time later he returned with his daughter, Gabrielle Pierce, who had just turned nineteen. Her hair was a lighter blonde than her father’s and her eyes were bright green, as opposed to her father’s dull brown. Gabrielle bowed.

“Councillor Floyd,” said Pierce, his voice trembling slightly. “This is my daughter, Gabrielle.”

“You have a beautiful daughter,” said Floyd, taking her hand and kissing it.

Gabrielle gave a taut smile but said nothing.

“You are trained in Connexion,” said Floyd.

Lord Pierce let out a small sound that was halfway between a gasp and a whimper, then said quickly, “Yes, my Councillor. A teacher from the Thorne family visited, and he taught both the Ansolfini boy and also Gabrielle, so she joined for one of the lessons.”

“Show me,” said Floyd. He reached from inside his cloak and produced a long swan-feather quill.

Gabrielle, without a word, trained her bright green eyes onto the feather. Silence fell in the Main Hall. Then, the feather bent.

“Good,” said Floyd, then turning to Lord Pierce, said, “I will have your daughter here at Fowther Castle for awhile to learn Connexion. I will teach her myself.”

Lord Pierce’s face turned pale and he said, “yes my Councillor. It would be an honour.” He then bowed so low that he was almost prostrate.

“She will be of great use to Cyrill,” said Floyd, looking back at Gabrielle. “Especially during such trying times.”

“I do appreciate the offer, Councillor Floyd,” spoke Gabrielle for the first time. Her voice was firm and pointed. “But it would not be wise to leave home at such a crucial time for my family.”

Silence befell the hallway. Lord Pierce’s face turned even paler. He made gestured with a trembling hand as if he had suddenly become mute. Eventually he sputtered out a few words. “My dearest daughter, this is an offer from the Councillor —”

“I would like to go home,” said Gabrielle.

Lord Pierce looked as if he was about to burst into tears. He looked timidly towards Floyd, whose face betrayed no emotion.

“Very well,” said Floyd. “Go.”

Lord Pierce hesitated, wondering whether he should ask again about trade with Maple, decided against it, bowed hastily, and began to lead his daughter away.

“Mark,” said Floyd. Lord Pierce turned around uneasily. “You may oversee the trade with Eldergrove.”

Lord Pierce’s face filled with an expression of relief and horror.