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130. Summit

The temple of the coastal Prophet reminded me of a much grander version of the original Prophet of the Valley. The high domed ceiling climbed beyond what the torchlight could reach so the center looked like a black void.

"Please signify that you still agree to adhere to our rules by raising your hand."

Groans broke out among all those gathered from every corner of Skia Hellig. Undeterred, Piercey waited patiently.

"Yes, I am serious," my friend said. "I need to see that every single person agrees."

"Remind me," the Flatlander Prophet said. "What are the ramifications of breaking these so-called rules?"

"Eclipse paints the floor with your blood," the Fjellfolk Prophet called out.

I smirked at how Theus whipped around to face the other Prophet.

"We will work together to bind your power and remove you from the assembly," Piercey said, ignoring the heckling. "Let me remind you that we gathered together today out of respect for our individual lands and kingdoms and out of the desire to see our people live peacefully. Why should we spill the blood of other Skia Helligeans?"

The people quieted at this and I smiled at Piercey when he glanced our way.

"The rulers beyond the peninsula continue to overreach," Piercey said. "They see us fighting amongst ourselves. They see how much smaller this peninsula appears than all that land north of us. They see our mistrust for each other." He turned slowly in a circle, looking at the xxx sections of all the peoples of Skia Hellig. "They see a weak land waiting to be ruled."

The silence sounded like a resounding agreement to me.

"We may fight, our land might be small compared to others, and we might not trust each other, but will not be conquered or subjugated by anyone." Piercey slammed his fist into his palm. "So do not let your feuds with each other weaken our peninsula to the point that we are picked off easily."

The coastal Prophet stood. She'd ascended five years ago after decades of shadowing the former Prophet who retired in his old age. Quiet, intelligent, and slow to speak, I never knew what to expect from her. "I agree with Eclipse's Second, Piercey. Our enemies see weakness. Can we say they're wrong to?" Her sharp stare turned to the Flatlander Prophet, Theus. "What else should they think when they see a man fail time and time again to reclaim lands long lost to him?"

Theus charged forward and threw his staff onto the ground. "I will not be maligned!"

The snickers made me wince. I hated Theus as much, if not more, than anyone else here. He refused to agree to peace and cost my kingdom valuable men and women who would never be returned. I wanted nothing more than to rip his head from his shoulders. There was nothing worse than a weak man with too much power, but I knew how such men hated to be scoffed at. How they'd use their undeserved power to make others suffer for their humiliation.

"The Prophet Theus and I have come to an agreement for the time being," I said. "This matter can stay between us.

"The agreement is that you won't slaughter him and his entire family," a voice from the crowd called. I couldn't tell who had said it.

Theus glowered. "You all think I've given up? It benefits us both to agree to a temporary ceasefire. One day, my villages will be returned to me."

"Or something like that," I said, desperate to move on from the tiring subject. "There's no need to talk about it."

"Well," Theus said. "Just because I've shown you mercy by holding off on military action doesn't mean I'm willing to agree to anything else. I don't see how I can discuss peace or any matters of diplomacy with the woman holding my villages hostage, or any Prophet who sides with her."

My shoulders straightened. He couldn't be serious. "Now is not the time, Theus."

"Those are my villages," he shouted so hard that spittle sprayed from his mouth.

"The villages rejected you long ago," I said. "I won't force them to return to you. You're holding back the entire peninsula if you refuse to enter into an agreement with the rest of us."

"Our land is sacred. Given to us by the gods themselves. We won't abandon a single speck of dirt."

Dozens of groans spread over the assembly as people mumbled to one another, but he only lifted his chin in response, stubbornly ignoring them.

Theus raised two shaking fists above his head. "I will never yield, Eclipse."

After almost a decade of bickering, skirmishes, and two separate short-term wars, I knew this man far better than I ever cared to. "You'll sacrifice much more than a shred if you impede our alliance," I said. "Our enemies strike any time you make moves against me because they know that's when we're the weakest. Your stubbornness risks all of Skia Hellig."

"So I should give up my kingdom because–"

"I am not listening to this argument again." The Fjelfolk Prophet slammed his fist against the table. "You've said the same thing for decades. Silence yourself or I will silence you."

Theus possessed an impressive ability to not care whatsoever about what anyone thought about him. He only smiled in return, as if the other ruler's ire amused him. "Tell her to return my lands and you won't have to hear it again."

The entire room groaned at this. I stared impassively. "Are you done with the obligatory fit,Theus?"

"I will not halt my conquest. I've worked too hard on this."

"She's going to beat you." The same Prophet beat the table again. "For the love of Skia Hellig and the gods themselves, give up already. You're fortunate she's more honorable than the rest of us or she would have killed you long ago."

The Flatlander Prophet's cheeks tinted pink at this. "Eclipse couldn't kill me if she tried."

Laughter erupted from around the room. I didn't join in. I didn't even smile. A fool like Theus didn't know when to quit. This would only encourage him.

Markus often pushed for me to kill him. Was it honor that held me back? In my life, I had decided things a person never should. The weight of killing Dr. Henderson and the Prophet of the Valley never left me. I lived through the consequences of upending our world and I never wanted to do that again. Who would take the place of Theus if I did kill him? What if they were worse? I knew how to deal with him, even if it annoyed me.

"We can argue about this later," I said. "At least agree that you won't impede this summit. There's other business to discuss. Our disagreement is not the only reason blood has been shed in Skia Hellig." I looked to the coastal Prophet, sensing by the look on her face she weighed whether or not to speak. "If anyone wants to speak, then speak now."

"Everyone is afraid to even discuss peace because they fear it is a capitulation to Eclipse." Her chin raised. "You're all afraid of her. You're afraid she will steal your power and your lands and that your very own people will praise her for it."

Everyone quieted at this.

She continued boldly. "Anyone with a half brain knows that Eclipse has no interest in taking your land from you. She doesn't want the kingdom she already has."

I narrowed my eyes. "That couldn't be further from the truth. I've dedicated my life to my kingdom and my people."

"You resisted ruling for a year of grueling fighting because you've no interest in it. No one contests your passion for your people, but only a fool worries that you'll try to take more power for yourself when you aren't interested."

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I couldn't exactly deny that. I wouldn't change anything and yet I still saw myself as a wartime Prophet. My people needed a Prophet like me today but one day I wanted to pass on this position to another ruler with the kind of mind Piercey possessed. A mind that worked best in peace and not in war.

Theus raised his chin. "Even if we trust that Eclipse wants nothing else for herself and her kingdom, what about her successor? One day someone will take her place. If power is not evened out then that person may seize our lands."

I rubbed my eyes and then let my hand fall to the table. "So should I conquer you all now and save us the trouble of all this worrying?" One lone Fjellfolk advisor laughed while the rest of the assembly said nothing or murmured quietly.

"It's no laughing matter," the Fjellfolk prophet of the mountains said. "These are real concerns. Just as we're concerned with the attention you bring to the region. We still don't have satisfactory answers about the strange battle right before you became prophet and that's not even mentioning the cult."

"That's unfair," Piercey said. "Theus is the reason the cult came into our region." My friend's eyes narrowed at the Flatlander Prophet. "Mistrust her all you want, she will still stand between your lands and any foe that comes for our people."

"Our people." Theus rose to his feet. "You hear this talk? Our people. What does that even mean? My people are in the Flatlands. Eclipse's are the valley-dwellers." He tilted his head. "We have some here who cannot claim alleCleonce to any people of Skia Hellig. Like the foreigner." His look cut to Gael, who temporarily returned from his sabbatical to his home kingdom for our summit. Quickly the accusing stare turned back to me. "Let's not forget she's a foreigner too. Eclipse wasn't even born in Skia Hellig."

Several of my people shoved their chairs back at this and yelled out in protest. I shook my head, quieting them. "Let him speak," I said. "We all have a voice here."

"And what if she decided we didn't?" Theus turned in a circle, raising his arms to the others gathered at the assembly. "Do you understand what might happen if she decided we didn't? Do you want her to have that kind of power over you?"

I breathed out slowly, pushed my chair back, and stood to my feet as well. "What, exactly, do you plan to do about it?"

I wasn't sure whether I was merely goading him or inviting him to speak, only that I disliked the theatrics and wanted him to simply say what he meant.

"How do you plan to take this power from me?" I asked. "Is taking back the villages who don't want you not enough anymore?"

The entire assembly fell so quiet that I thought everyone held their breath.

Theus watched me for a long while before speaking. "It's a simple question, not a plan," he said.

"It's not a question, but a challenge." I cast my look to the rest of the assembly. "I won't apologize for being as strong as my people need me to be. I've given you no reason to mistrust me. Don't let your discomfort over my power keep our lands from uniting."

"We can never unite," Theus said. "You may not want to rule over all of Skia Hellig, but you didn't want to rule over your own people, and now look at you. If we join hands, one day we will all bend our knee to you." Bitterness edged his voice. "That's the way power works."

Eight years of ruling taught me not to speak until I knew I actually wanted to say whatever tried to fall out of my mouth. It had been a hard lesson learned. As his words turned through my mind, I found that I couldn't deny them. I spent a year tearing myself apart trying to avoid becoming the new Prophet of the Valley before I accepted my position. Could I truly promise these people nothing like that would ever happen again?

Markus taught me to never concede defeat in politics, no matter how sound that defeat might be, but I resented inauthenticity. So I nodded, lowered my head, and breathed out a deep sigh.

"He's right." I curled my hands to fists, leaning them against the table. I had to ignore the quiet admonishment Markus shot me with the subtle look in my direction. "I didn't ask for this power I have over my valley. I agreed to serve my people when they needed me." I lifted my head again and drilled the Flatlaner Prophet with a stare. "If all of Skia Hellig one day needed me, we all know I would answer that call too. And that's what you really fear. You're afraid you might need me one day and that if you do, you'll lose this power you crave so deeply. You're afraid your people will like me more than like you, just like your lost villages do."

"How dare you," he said with his upper lip curling.

"Then why are you so afraid? Aren't you pleading with your people right now to choose you over me? If you want to keep your power, then earn it. Don't try to steal it from someone else."

The coastal Prophet lifted her hand. Everyone quieted as they turned their attention to her. "I agree with Eclipse. We cannot resent her for her power. We should focus on ourselves and our people. If we want to unify and also remain our own unique people, then why shouldn't we explore this? Is Skia Hellig not strong enough to take on any battle?"

Several people beat their fists on the table in agreement.

"The man who fears change is a man too weak to survive it." She raised her chin, smirking at Theus. "Are you a weak man?"

His nostrils flared. "Fucking bitches."

Nash had said nothing until this point, but now stood beside me. "It's time for you to sit down."

The Theus bit off a laugh and twisted to face Nash fully. "Is it, boy? You're not the one who decides that. I'm a Prophet. You're just the bitch's bitch. She's even got you carrying around her baby for her."

Nash stroked the back of Finn's head and shrugged one shoulder. "He's actually my baby too. Maybe you missed that while you were busy crying about how strong my wife is."

Snickers broke out among the assembly. Markus crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat, looking content to watch the show now.

"I should cut out your tongue," Theus said. "No one talks to me like that."

Nash's brows raised. "My tongue? You want to try?" He started to unlatch Finn from his chest. "Here, someone take my baby. I'm sorry, I mean my wife's baby."

I chuckled and reached for Fin, kissing his forehead once I had him in my arms. Piercey was already headed in our direction, ready to put a stop to this.

"Daddy's going to kick that man's ass," I whispered to Finn. "I know. It'll be so fun to watch." I turned him on my lap, took his hand, and waved it at Nash. "Say good luck, Daddy."

Nash grinned at me as he lifted in the air to drift over the table and land on the ground.

"I said no fighting." Piercey tried to keep his voice low but it still sounded like a shout. "Max–"

"This is Skia Hellig. We can't meet without a little blood."

"Your husband is fighting a Prophet. A prophet, Max!"

"Theus will call on one of his disciples to fight for him. He's a coward." I watched as the energy shield raised around the center of the room like this had been built as an arena and not a meeting hall. "It'll be good for everyone to remember I'm not the only reason to fear the Valley. It's because of him too. Because of us. Everyone who fights alongside us." I patted the seat beside me. "Sit. Look at Markus. He's enjoying himself. Let yourself enjoy it too."

"Because he's a blood-lusting warrior like the rest of you," Piercey said with a sigh.

Markus roared. He jumped onto the table and slammed his heavy foot down. "That's our war chief." Another slam that reverberated through the hall. I wondered for a moment if he'd cracked it. "The greatest war chief in Skia Hellig!"

Our people beat their fists and screamed so loud I could no longer hear Piercey's protests.

Wren stood beside the energy shield with her arms crossed and a glint in her eye. Piercey shook his head, likely recognizing he'd truly lost the battle when not even Wren tried to reason with me.

Piercey burst through the energy shield. "We will adhere to the rules set forth at the beginning of this conference. If we want to change them, we vote and we agree."

Warriors from all over the temple shouted in protest and threw objects against the shield.

"Why must he always talk of voting," one voice shouted above the rest.

I sighed and teleported next to him, still holding my baby.

"If you want honorable battles between two worthy warriors, then raise your hand."

The protests died down. A few people raised their hands while many refused.

I grit my teeth. "Raise your hands you stubborn assholes! I know you want to see this."

Hand shot up around the room, greatly outnumbering what Piercey clearly voted for.

"The usual rules apply. We don't need to go through them do we?" I asked. "These men fight on behalf of our kingdom. The outcome is final, just like on the battlefield. You all agree to control yourselves."

Piercey looked at me. "Thank you," he said quietly.

I narrowed my eyes and turned to look at anyone. "Throw anything at him again and I will find you." A man nearby laughed and I raised my voice to a shout. "I'm not joking. Throw something and find out. Go on," I shouted.

He sat back, averting his eyes.

Nash stood inside the shield now with his tunic discarded and his hands clasping his blades.

A bulky man entered from the other side, the best warrior among Theus's disciples. His deep voice carried throughout the room without being amplified by power. "Our people have warred for decades. If this meeting here today is truly about peace, then we will decide peace now. The winner of the match will choose the fate of the contested villages and the future of the relationship between our kingdoms."

I turned at this, my breath catching in my chest. "You can't be serious." My stare turned to Theus. "You'll turn a match over honor into this?"

"You want peace?" Theus yelled. "Then take it!"

He thought he stood a better chance in his best warrior fighting against Nash today than another losing war against my kingdom. What a fool.

Nash nodded at me. "I say we do it."

"It'll be a fight to death if it's over the villages Nash."

"You think I'll lose?"

"No." I didn't. Even if I did, I'd never let anyone kill Nash. "Our council hasn't discussed."

I noticed Piercey and Markus in a heated discussion. Not wanting to talk out loud, I connected with Piercey to use our neural connection.

"I want to do it," I said. "I'm tired of his antics."

"He will never accept the results," Piercey said through his mind.

"At least we can formalize it. Other Prophets are tired of him. They won't approve of him breaking a written treaty."

My friend turned, continuing to talk with others from the council. Markus pushed Piercey aside and looked at me. Did he want me to make this decision without hearing from the others? I didn't like ruling that way.

"Piercey," I said through our connection.

"Do what you think is best," Piercey said. "Everyone is split. I support you if you want to do this, but consider whether it's worth the risk. We can defeat him in war."

I turned back to Theus. "We accept. When we win, you will sign our treaty and agree to peace."

I walked up to Nash and pressed my hand over his heart, feeling the warmth of his bare chest. "Will you kill him?"

He seemed to be considering still. "I'll decide when it's time."

"I doubt he's still deciding. Be careful."

He met my eyes, his smirk lighthearted, as if this was just a skirmish. "Stop worrying."

I breathed out deeply and gave him one more pat before leaving to take my seat.

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