James Islington - The Shadow Of What Was Lost

Michal glanced around, then lowered his voice. "Besides, I suspect the king will use it as an excuse to show himself in public. Quieten all these rumours that have been swirling about him."

Asha sighed, but didn’t argue further. She gazed around at the people already filling the room, every one clad in finery that made her new red dress look almost shabby by comparison. She recognised many of them; some she’d met in her role as Representative, and others Michal had previously pointed out. There were plenty of minor Houses, as always - si’Bandin, si’Dres and si’Kal were all near her table, laughing and drinking. The Great Houses - Tel’Rath, Tel’Shan, Tel’An and Tel’Esh - were all well-represented, too, but their lords seemed less jovial.

She took a deep breath, letting some of her frustration fade into the background as she focused on her surroundings. "The Great Houses," she said softly to Michal. "They don’t usually speak together so publicly, do they?"

Michal followed her gaze. "No," he said, frowning. "They don’t usually speak together at all."

Asha watched for a moment longer, then glanced over with interest at the king’s table. Princess Karaliene was already there, as were a couple of others she did not recognise. As she watched, Dras Lothlar, the Gifted advisor from Shen, came and sat only two seats away from Karaliene. The princess shot him an angry look, but Lothlar ignored it.

“We’ve done better than I expected, being seated here,” murmured Michal. They had people seated either side of them, but the chatter of the crowd was loud enough that no-one would be able to overhear. He shot a dark look at the king’s table. “Though I could say the same for Shen. Something odd is going on there, mark my words.”

“The princess wasn’t too happy to see Representative Lothlar sitting there,” said Asha.

“I saw that. Ionis didn’t look pleased, either. Though that’s not really a surprise.” Michal made a discrete gesture to where the tall, severe-looking Administrator was sitting.

At that moment a horn sounded and the room quickly fell silent, all eyes turning to the king’s table. Introductions were made by a herald and everyone rose as King Andras himself entered; though Asha didn’t think the king looked as sick as some people had claimed, he did seem pallid, almost fragile as he walked. As if he were a much older man than his fifty years.

Behind him came the duke, regal in his formal attire, even his fine blue cloak for once looking far more for show than practical. He was followed by Wirr – or Torin, as she now had to think of him. Even after their afternoon together a few days ago, she almost didn’t recognise her friend; he was as finely attired as his father and looked self-assured as he came to a stop at the seat of honour, to the right of the king.

“You and everyone else,” whispered a voice in her ear.

She started, turning to see the young woman sitting next to her giving her a conspiratorial grin.

“Sorry?” said Asha.

The girl gestured towards the king’s table. “Our young prince. All grown up,” she said. “Every unmarried girl in the room is having the same thought right now.” She glanced around. “Some of the married ones, too, I’ll wager.”

Asha flushed. “I wasn’t….” She trailed off; the young woman had already twisted away again, staring hungrily at Wirr. Asha restrained the urge to snicker.

The first course was served and Asha ate absent-mindedly, barely responding to attempts at conversation by Michal and the others around her. She knew she was being somewhat impolite – Michal even shot her a few irritated glares – but every time she caught a glimpse of Wirr, her mind wandered.

She wished again that she could tell her friend about Davian. When she and Wirr had spent the afternoon swapping stories, that had been the hardest part - watching his face as he’d hesitantly, despondently described their flight from Deilannis. The moment that Taeris had told him the connection had been broken. There had been such pain there that Asha had almost spoken up, despite Davian’s warning not to.

But she’d kept silent, and the moment had passed. The rest of that afternoon had been the happiest she could remember in months. Wirr, for his part, had been thrilled to discover Asha was living in the palace - and suitably astonished by the reasons why. If Elocien hadn’t returned after a while to confirm he was working with the Augurs, Asha didn’t think Wirr would have believed it.

She couldn’t help but smile now as she watched her friend. As dinner progressed, small groups of people – usually in twos or threes – were brought up to be formally introduced to the prince. Everyone bowed, many brought gifts. All looked vaguely intimidated by him.

Time passed, and soon there was an usher touching Michal on the shoulder. The Athian Representative rose, gesturing for her to do the same.

“Try to be a little more attentive than you have been so far,” Michal whispered to her as they made their way between the tables towards Wirr, a hint of irritation in his tone. “We have this one chance to make an impression - and the prince is going to notice that you’re a Shadow. Regardless of whether he already knows, it’s going to be a point of conversation. So be prepared to do some talking.”

Asha didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or to laugh. In the end she did neither, instead inclining her head in acquiescence.

Asha kept her eyes firmly on Wirr, who was deep in conversation with the young woman sitting between him and Princess Karaliene - the king’s ward, from what Michal had said - and didn’t notice who was approaching. When he looked up, his eyes flashed with amusement as introductions were made.

“Michal. Ashalia.” Wirr nodded politely. “A pleasure to meet you both. You are the Representatives for Athian?”

Michal bowed, and Asha remembered to curtsy just in time, trying not to smile as she did so.

“We are, Your Highness,” said Michal. “It is a pleasure to meet you too.”

Wirr inclined his head, then leaned back, studying them openly. "So. A Shadow as a Representative," he said, looking at Asha with a raised eyebrow. "An unusual choice."

"One that we have not regretted, sire," Michal assured him. "Asha is a quick study; she’ll one day make an excellent addition to the Assembly. I could not have asked for more."

Wirr nodded, looking thoughtful. He stared at Asha intently. "High praise," he said, the faintest hint of amusement back in his eyes. "And I’ve heard good things from other sources, too. I’m impressed."

Asha kept her face smooth. "Thank-you, Your Highness. That means so much to me," she said with as much sincerity as she could muster.

The corners of Wirr’s mouth crept upward, and he was about to say something more when an older man – one of the generals, Asha thought by his uniformed attire – hurried past, going straight to King Andras and whispering something in his ear. The king glowered at whatever the man had said, then shooed him away, gesturing to Elocien.

The duke paled as the news the king had been given was relayed, then stood, heading straight for Wirr. He frowned for a moment when he saw Asha sitting opposite Wirr, but relaxed again once he realised that Michal was there too. He bent over Wirr’s shoulder.

“You’re needed, son,” he said, his voice calm. “Our army has been broken.” The Northwarden glanced across at Michal and Asha. “You two should come as well. I think Tol Athian may need to have some say in what happens next.”

“Of course,” said Michal, looking sick.

Asha’s stomach churned too as she processed the news. Despite having known what was coming, she’d still been clinging to the hope that it would turn out differently.