The sun was reaching its highest position over the mountains to the south when Jorvanultumn landed at the Governance Building. As he entered, he opened his inner eyelids to allow in more light. As a building with a covered roof, it was lit inside only by flame globes.


    Lamdritta were still in session, presumably with his diare and Mikranasta. He knew the way to the main conference hall. It was quickest to fly, but Meleng’s earlier look lingered in Jorvanultumn’s head and his wing was aching a little. There were stairs which wound half the circumference of the entrance hall. Using them would add very little to his travel time.


    Hgirh, one of them Fevionawishtensen, stood at the conference room doors. Before them, however, another Isyar slumped on a stool in the hall, his bent wings hanging loosely to either side, one touching the floor. Jorvanultumn stopped beside him.


    He turned away, but Itra called after him. “You are Davorultumn’s siare, yes?”


    diare?”


    “Yes, he is.” Davorultumn had often agreed with Jorvanultumn that the treatment of Itra was unfair, but he had never mentioned having any actual contact with Itra. “Thank you. May the night be short.” He placed his left hand over his chest.


    Lamdritta.”


    Lamdritta are in session at the moment,” the other Hgirh said. Jorvanultumn did not recognise him, though Hgirh were sometimes rotated to different towns, so he could be new here.


    Hgirh did not return the greeting. “I know who you are, but we cannot let you inside.”


    Hgirh said. “Only those invited by the Lamdritta may enter.”


    Hgirh stared at him, as did Fevionawishtensen, but that hint of a smile remained.


    Hgirh looked to Fevionawishtensen, who shook her head. “We have our orders,” he said. “No one enters unless called for.”


    Hgirh said. “You must be mistaken about it. The Lamdritta hold many closed sessions in this hall.”


    Hgirh once again looked to Fevionawishtensen, but she made no motion.


    Hgirh.”


    Hgirh shook his head. “We are the Hgirh.”


    diare.”


    “Very well. Of course, something like this could require going to the Lordritta. I doubt the Lamdritta will like that.”


    Hgirh, who sighed and opened the doors. As Jorvanultumn passed through, Fevionawishtensen’s wing briefly touched his. He smiled. That was all the confirmation of her approval he needed.


    diare and Mikranasta stood. His diare’s diare, Hilkorultumn was also there, something Jorvanultumn had not expected, though in retrospect, he was not surprised. Other than Davorultumn, Hilkorultumn was the only living Isyar who had completed the same elispt Jorvanultumn had failed to complete.


    Lamdirh Maramintorin called down from his perch at the top of the fifth pillar. “What is the meaning of this, Jorvanultumn? You were not summoned to this meeting.”


    here.” Jorvanultumn touched foreheads with Mikranasta.


    Lammdir Griholbovroh slammed his staff into the floor of his perch on the sixth pillar. “Fevionawishtensen should never have been placed as a guard on this session. I said as much before the session started. This is your fault, Lamdir Paydamat. What do you have to say for yourself?”


    Lammdir. Are you suggesting someone as esteemed as Fevionawishtensen would give preferential treatment to her fomase? She knows the law, and she knows—as I think you do, too—that we cannot actually bar Jorvanultumn entry if he demands it.”


    The last member of the Lamdritta spoke up, not moving from her seat on the fourth pillar. “I agree with Paydamat.” It was Chiansamorkin...no, Lamdhir Chiansamorkin he should think of her. “We know the details of the elispt. There is little else these others can tell us. We should hear Jorvanultumn’s version of events.”


    “Pheh,” Griholbovroh scoffed. “You are biased because you were childhood friends.”


    “But you, Lammdir, are bias free, I suppose?” Chiansamorkin said.


    Maramintorin loudly cleared his throat. “Accusations against each other will get us nowhere. While I am unhappy with the breach of decorum, I am forced to agree with Lamdir Paydamat and Lamdhir Chiansamorkin. We needed to summon Jorvanultumn soon anyway.”You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    “Very well,” Griholbovroh said, “but I wish it known that I object to the manner of his arrival and I already consider it a strike against him.”


    “Agreed,” Maramintorin said. After Paydamat and Chiansamorkin followed with their agreement, Maramintorin continued, “Jorvanultumn, you wish to address the Lamdritta?”


    Jorvanultumn stepped forward so that he stood directly over the hpakrik growing from the centre of the room. “I do.”


    “In one moment.” Jorvanultumn looked up at the ceiling and its flame globes arranged to look like the constellations. He closed his eyes and said a quick, silent prayer to Power. Then he lowered his head and opened his eyes again. “I submit.”


    “Ready,” Paydamat said.


    It was strange seeing her on that perch. Jorvanultumn had always known she would progress far, but so soon? She had incredible talent, true. Up close, she glowed more brightly than Sinit?a. She glowed more brightly than anyone else he knew. But raw talent needed control, and to gain enough control to have that seat at such a young age was astounding. He wished he had had a chance to see her before now. Being the subject of a Council inquiry was not the best way to reacquaint.


    diare and these other members of your extended family who have provided us with the details of your elispt, as well as background information about you. If I may say, I commiserate with you regarding the difficulty of your elispt. It is remarkable to me that such an elispt even exists. However, an elispt it is. Your family has told us what you told them of why you broke the elispt. At this time, I would like to hear the story from you. In particular, I would like to hear about the human mentalist who started the war, the one the Volganths call Will-Breaker. Please, tell us.” She sat back in her seat.


    “Thank you, Lamdhir,” Jorvanultumn began. “I would like to start by saying I believe you are in error to call Princess Felit?a Asa Folith the one who started the war. The war would have happened whether she had been involved at all.”


    “And why do you say this?” Griholbovroh said. “She broke into the Volganth rooms on Scovese and killed several of them. This was not an act of war on her part?”


    “Would you go to war with the world over the actions of one person?” Jorvanultumn said.


    “I believe so, Lamdirh.”


    “Then please, proceed,” Maramintorin said.


    “Thank you, Lamdirh. I will tell you everything I can about her.”


    Lammdir,” Jorvanultumn said, “you have met her sister, have you not? Princess Sinit?a Alessia Deanna Folith?”


    Lammdir Griholbovroh gives them credit for. In addition, I would remind the Council that Princess Felit?a Asa Folith’s powers are, in large part, telepathic. She does not need to match us in magical power. The combination of her magic and telepathy may be enough.”


    elispt. Is this correct?”


    elispt. I will not return here again until it is finished.”


    Lamdritta about the incident the Lammdir and Lamdhir are arguing about.”


    elispt is wrapped up,” Paydamat said.


    Lamdir. May the night be short.”


    we, Lamdir, I would like to know why as well.”


    Lammdir,” Chiansamorkin said.


    Lamdirh?”