The special session of the Inner Ring began after the dead were buried. Several Sidhe were lost or injured during what would come to be known as the Siege of the Northern Gateway, but most tried to focus on the number of lives that were saved once order was restored.
Branna, Bridget, and I all sat in the center of the massive circle, our peers and superiors surrounding as we sat in our proper places.
I caught a glimpse of Burke’s smile and hearty thumbs up further back in the crowd. My racing heart calmed when I saw him supporting me.
Muirna presided over the meeting as usual, her spindly frame bringing the session to a start with the clap of her boney hands. “So begins the special conference and discipline meeting of the Sidhe you see behind me. But before we commence our trial, a few bits of news.
“Aberdeen’s Axe has been restored to its rightful owner – an ancestor who we are assured will take special care of such a revered object. The Leanan’s headless body was discovered in the forest near Quinn Tanner – one of the O’Brien clan. After questioning the Keeper about the incidents of the Siege of the Northern Gateway, it has been discovered that as uncle to the owner of our beloved weapon, he wielded the weapon in Aidan Tanner’s stead and beheaded the Leanan with a single blow. Mr. Tanner is recovering nicely and should be back to his duties as human liaison between our worlds.”
The Sidhe audience anxiously whispered.
“The Axe of Aberdeen…”
“Usually only works for blood-worthy...”
“Never heard of…”
“What does this mean?”
Muirna clapped her hands, bringing them to silence again. “Now, in regard to what we have gathered here to decide. Once I present evidence – evidence which some of you may already be familiar – all will be called upon to vote on one of three possible remedies for the charges against the accused.
“First,” she unfolded a piece of parchment she kept hidden beneath her robe and read with an air of authority. “Branna – noted scholar, Inker, and senior member of the High Sidhe. Charges include: treason, leading an assault without Council approval, and keening the death of a non-ward.”
Murmurs flitted around the room. Whisperings of surprise and agreement. Muirna clapped her hands again, bringing silence to the room.
“Second, Bridget – noted Nurturer, skilled in potions and herbology. Charges include: treason and conspiracy to overthrow Clan protocol.”
Even louder murmurings, even a few shouts of “Innocent!” filled the Chapel. I felt my face flush. To hear sprinklings of support for my sisters made me feel there was hope we wouldn’t be cast out of the clan.
Again, Muirna clapped her hands.
“Finally, Morgan – noted Transfigurine, weaver of spell-songs, and tamer of beasts. Charges include,” she took a deep breath.
I also took a deep breath. I waited for the words she would say about me. The titles ascribed to my name and the charges weighed against me.
Muirna continued, “Disobeying direct orders from her superiors, use of magical charms without proper training, Transfiguring in the presence of humans, and failure to complete her first Keen.” She folded the parchment neatly.
This time no one spoke a word. The Chapel was silent.
“How do you answer these charges?”
Branna held her chin high. “Guilty.”
Bridget smiled sweetly as usual. I think she even curtsied. “Guilty.”
I hesitated, unwilling to accept guilt for something that was so necessary when I did it. I did what I had to do. It was only natural, given the situation. How could my sisters just sit there and take the charges as read?
“I just—”
Bridget nudged me with an elbow.
“But—” I began, but another sharp elbow cut me short. I sighed and bent my head. “Guilty,” I said.
“Well,” Muirna continued, “on to the remedies. One, complete banishment of the three Sidhe as per Sidhe Rule Six, Subsection Four.”
Hisses escaped the crowd.
“Two!” Muirna shouted above the voices of displeasure. “Two! Stripping of all titles and condemned to live at the Charcoal Crags for the rest of their days.”
A few more hisses and rumblings from the crowd, but most heads turned to Onora who stood at the back of the Chapel, her arms folded, suppressing a chuckle.
“You’d be welcome!” she shouted over the crowd of turned heads.
The crowd erupted in laughter. The elder Sidhe in the front row shook their heads, disgusted with Onora’s brazenness.
Muirna desperately clapped her hands together. “Three! Three!” she shouted as the laughter died down. “Three! Morgan must continue her training until reaching her status as High Sidhe, and then she may join her sisters in their reign as Thousand-Year Sidhe!”
Barely had the words escaped Muirna’s wrinkled lips when the crowd’s deafening roar of approval shook the hall.
My mouth dropped open. I looked at my sisters, but they were just as surprised. For once even Branna was speechless. It was unprecedented – three Sidhe taking charge of the role as Queen of the Sidhe.
I wondered how it could be possible; there had always been one queen—not three.
Muirna clapped one more time. The crowd hushed to excited whisperings as my sisters and I sat back in our usual row in the center of the room.
“That is,” Muirna attempted to explain, “if Morgan even wants to become one of the goddesses.”
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me. My hair dangled in front of my face like it always did when I was embarrassed or deep in thought. I tucked my hair behind my ears and looked at the crowd and took a deep breath. A smile twinkled at the edges of my lips.