“The council is now in session to discuss the trial pertaining to the reinstatement of Cassian Moon as a Starling. Shall we begin?” said Sxall as soon as Cassian left the hall.

  “Aye!” the elders called out.

  The first to speak was Elder Errol, one of the first elders to openly express their disapproval of Cassian, and one of the 5 elders who voted against his trial.

  “Elder Sxall. We recognise and respect your position in the council, we always have,” the others nodded. “But I cannot speak to what makes you vouch for Cassian Moon. He had immense potential as a Starling two years ago, no doubt, but since then, he’s been away from the House, squandering his time with some commoner harlot. Meanwhile, the other Starlings have been training relentlessly for the succession war. It is an insult to the other Starlings and their families to allow Cassian Moon to return!”

  The elders who voted nay murmured in agreement, and even some of those who voted for Cassian seemed to be having their opinions swayed.

  “Your position is heard and understood. However, this issue has already been voted on by the council. What we are here to decide on now, is the trials appropriate for Cassian Moon, not whether he should be allowed to have the trial.”

  Grumbling, Errol sat back down.

  “I voted in favor of the trial, but I must admit Elder Errol makes a valid point,” one of the elders spoke up. “Cassian Moon transgressed heavily against the House by renouncing his lineage to leave with his lover. If he should be allowed to return, the trial’s difficulty must be commensurate with his transgression.”

  Ays and nods sparked across the room. Sxall looked to Enya, who only gave him a resigned shrug. Sxall sighed.

  “Very well, what does the council propose?”

  Orencius, chief cynic of Cassian, shot up immediately. “If he is the asset he so eagerly claims House Moon needs, then he should be able to withstand the assaults of our best Starlings, no?”

  “No. The binding ritual is due in a fortnight, risking our best Starlings before their rituals would be foolish. ” Enya spoke up.

  Orencius smiled a smile that did not reach his eyes. “Fine, if you’re so eager to send the boy to his death, so be it. Without Starlings, the next members of the House who can put up a fight are the Crescents.”

  Orencius feigned upset, but walked with a curious lightness in his step. Errol and the other naysayers looked around with pleasure as well, while those in camp Cassian balked at the suggestion. Cassian was still a Unbound, the lowest rank of a mage, so low that most didn’t even consider Unbounds mages. That made sense, considering Unbounds could only manipulate raw mana and not cast spells, something anyone with minimal training could do.

  To pit a Unbound-rank against a Crescent of House Moon was borderline homicidal. Crescents were the frontline troopers of House Moon, all a minimum rank of Adept, two ranks above Unbounds. Starlings were Unbound-ranked as well but would have had extensive training in mana control for two years, and would have made for a fairer match. But the binding ritual required all Starlings to be in top shape, no families would risk their Starlings in a fight just two weeks before the ritual.

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  There would be a vast difference between Cassian and a Crescent soldier, both magically and physically, as the Crescents were 25 years old on average. Enya’s disdain showed even with her eyes closed. “I never suggested something so foolish.”

  “Yet, it is our only choice.” Orencius said. “Those in favor of Cassian Moon’s trial being a duel with a Crescent?”

  This time, 8 hands rose into the air, the only ones in disagreement consisting of Sxall, Enya, and two more.

  “A majority decision.” Orencius preened.

  As the council was dismissed and elders flooded out the Great Hall in their cliques, Enya stayed behind with Sxall.

  “I sided with you initially, Sxall. But if it means sending a child to his death, I ask that you rescind the decision. You started the vote, so you have the final say in this matter.”

  Sxall relaxed into his cathedra. “We’re so old now, Enya. Do you remember back when we were still Starlings?”

  “Sxall…”

  “Humor me.”

  Enya sighed. “How could I forget?”

  “The passion, the hubris, the angst. What a turbulent few years that was.”

  “Adolescence always is.” Enya agreed, slumping into the cathedra nearby.

  “Remember Orencius soiling his pants during his binding ritual?”

  Enya chuckled and the two shared an intimate moment.

  “We fought so hard back then, trial after trial. Only to lose the position of Heir Paramount to those stupid bastards from House Sol.”

  “Is that what this is about?” Enya sighed, suddenly very tired. “You want to send a child to his death, just so House Moon can get a Heir Paramount?”

  Sxall listened in sullen silence. “It’s been four generations, Enya. We thought we could be the ones to dethrone House Sol and put a member of House Moon on the top. But even we failed.”

  “And you think this child has what it takes to become Heir Paramount?”

  “I do.”

  “Don’t be obtuse, Sxall! He’s been away doing who knows what for two years. It’s delusional! He wouldn’t even survive a beating from our Starlings, let alone a Crescent.”

  “And you think the Starlings we have so far can dethrone House Sol?”

  “There are promising kids. Bella, Bellvar. Even your own grandson, Justus.”

  Sxall rubbed his eyes. “I know, Enya. I’ve seen them. And I’ve also seen the children of House Sol.”

  Enya quieted at that. He was right. House Sol wasn’t the same structured hierarchical house the way House Moon was. Sol only nurtured the strongest of each generation, a well and true meritocracy. As a result, every generation of House Sol grew more powerful, while House Moon’s talents only seemed to dwindle with time.

  The two shared a quiet moment.

  “Give him a chance, Enya. I know this child. Don’t you remember how the House shook when he announced his withdrawal? How many of his rivals cheered and cried tears of joy?”

  “You think he’s the new Dark Star?” she asked, completely baffled.

  “No. I don’t think he’s the new Dark Star. I think he’s always been the Dark Star, he’s just now returned to us.”

  “I can’t indulge you anymore, Sxall. If I have to watch a child die tomorrow you’ll find one less ally in this hall." Enya stormed off, leaving Sxall alone to ruminate in his cathedra.