But Tasith was a known survivor. She appeared a tad breathless and startled, but Alaric suspected the woman simply played the part. Behind Tasith's beauty was a mind fine-tuned by ages of outmaneuvering her opponents, staying steps ahead of her competition and enemies. She probably initiated the alliance with Drowan. He would not consider her a threat, and they both could benefit from a union of minds and methods.
Killian wore his customary smirk, but Alaric could practically hear his pulse racing. Of all the Speakers, Killian was the most uncomfortable. He knew he had been singled out purposely, and he knew the reason why. Alaric was not sure why he continued to allow Killian to live. Surely there was a less ambitious leader waiting in the wings. Yet Alaric knew that so long as Killian was in charge, the Malic Sect could be controlled. Left to their own devices, there was no telling what catastrophes they would dream up.
And Celestine…she gazed at Alaric with eyes that practically shone with worship. It amazed Alaric that one so learned and powerful would have no ulterior motive other than to serve as completely as possible. She was one he never had to worry about. When he needed her, she would be right there. He supposed it was only a matter of time before one among her Sect rose up to supplant her. More the pity.
Alaric looked at each of the Speakers in turn, anticipating their thoughts. They were no longer human, weak in emotion and mind. The Speakers had long experience with guarding their inner turmoil. They had to in the face of the constant subterfuge that existed as the Sects scrabbled for position and power. Still, Alaric knew his reputation. He allowed them to simmer in their discomfort before finally speaking.
"The situation is serious. That any among us would cause such chaos is a breach of all the Sects are. You will tell me all that you know of what transpired, all that you held back in the audience chamber. I now have my full attention on the four of you, and I will know if you are not fully cooperative."
Nothing was said of what would happen if he came to that conclusion. The price of failure was well known, which was why none of the original Speakers for the Sects still lived, with the exception of Tasith. Celestine's former Speaker had ambitions to rise above his station, but the Co'nane unraveled his plots and his life as a result. The Malic Sect went through Speakers regularly. The Co'nane struck some down for their disobedience; others were pulled down by their own brethren. And the Obdura…Alaric believed they simply devoured their own.
"I don't believe this is the work of any among the Sects." Killian casually examined his pointed fingernails. "I think we all know who's responsible for this fine piece of nihilism. The Guelph. They've returned, and now they're exacting some payback for what you did to them."
He continued to study his nails as though he had not made mention of the forbidden subject. Alaric almost admired the man's courage. Killian thought himself safe in his position, and more than likely considered Alaric soft and past his prime. Patience was something the Sects did not appear to comprehend, but Alaric prided himself in that strength. Killian lived because Alaric allowed it, but that window was coming to a close. Killian would find that out when he died.
He put Killian's insubordination aside as he considered the man's words. "The Guelph. Do you even know of the truth of their history, Killian? Do any of you?"
Killian's face indicated that he did not, or much care for that matter. Lord Drowan and Tasith offered no reply. It was Celestine that spoke up. "Majesty, even the mention of the Guelph has been forbidden in these halls." She shot Killian a hard glare as if reprimanding him for disobeying that statute. "How can we know of something that has been buried in the shadows of our history?"
"Yet you do know something, Celestine. Your Sect excels at unearthing secrets long buried, do you not?"
Color bloomed in her pale cheeks. "We know…a little, milord. The Guelph were a splinter sect of the Aelon, devoted to the understanding of the dark side of human nature. They spoke for the rebellious among the Aelon, persuading them to remain behind when the majority departed from the human world."
"Yes." Alaric felt a stab of regret at the memory. He had been among those who had given ear, determined to remain in Erseta and try to salvage their failure with rearing humankind. It seemed a noble idea at the time, albeit one tainted by the desire to continue basking in the comfort and worship they had been granted by the humans.
"But we had not counted on the waters of Athanasia being cut off. The springs that granted us our immortality were diverted, redirecting their flow back into the realm of Nolavani and drying the stream that flowed to Erseta. Mortality was to be our punishment for rebellion, but the Guelph had other plans. What happened next sealed us to our fate, and yours by extension.
"The Guelph claimed to have discovered a new breed of immortality, granted by binding with bloodwyrms, the parasitic leeches found under dragon scales. It wasn't until the process was finished that we learned the source of the bloodwyrms was Leilavin. You might recall she was once the chief Acolyte of Stygan the Dreadlord. That changed when she betrayed him, leading to his imprisonment in Narak. Terrified at the notion he might eventually free himself and come after her, she saw our plight as the perfect opportunity to breed an army for herself. Our newfound immortality was cursed, dependent on feeding on human pran to continue living. Leilavin dangled the notion of a cure in exchange for our loyal service, but after ages it became clear she only meant to use us as a buffer against the possibility of Stygan's wrath.
"But we were not so easily enslaved. Enraged by the Guelph's deception, we rose against them and overthrew their power. Those not slain were scattered. Uro fled beyond the Sea of Sand, and Masiki completely vanished. We left Leilavin to huddle in Everfell and returned to Erseta. Her counterblow was swift. You know the rest, of course. The Reavers. The Scourge. And the process that led to the Gifted."
Killian's lips quirked in a thin ghost of a smile. "Whereupon you took your most loyal Thralls and granted us a portion of your power to throw us as fodder against the Reavers. So much like Leilavin did to you. And so the cycle continued."
It wasn't the arrogance of the casually uttered accusation that gave Alaric pause. It was the fact that Killian was absolutely correct. Alaric had never considered it from that perspective before. He considered his earlier conversation with Jacquelis about the nature of the Sects. It appeared she was once again wiser than he on the matter.
He gazed at the other Speakers and beheld the confirmation of Killian's accusation in their faces. Even Celestine could not conceal her turmoil. The pain shimmered in her eyes despite her attempt to mask it.
"Your statement is brusque…but correct, Killian." Alaric nodded, tasting the bitterness of the acknowledgment even as Killian stared in dumbfounded astonishment. "We only did what was done to us, not even thinking of the morality of our actions. I offer no apologies for the Gifting itself. I would do anything to save my people, and all of you knew your fate before you accepted the Gift. You came to us willingly. What I apologize for is the way you were used. We — no, I should have offered you more protection and direction during those troubled times."
"Your apology is not necessary, but is gratefully accepted, milord." Celestine beckoned to the others, who were somewhat slower to express their accord. Yet Alaric noted they appeared less disgruntled than before. Even Killian sat up straighter as Celestine continued.
"It is because of the Gift that we have become who we are today. We are eternally indebted to the generosity of the Blood."
"I am glad you see it that way, Celestine. I appreciate what all of you have done to guide your respective Sects. And I would bring accord between the Sects and the Blood, re-forging the relationship that should have existed long ago.