I went to the Chamber of El'Elmore early. It was still dim, only Deanna's ceremonial flame flickering low in its bowl. I wore the dove-gray and pale amethyst robes Cedrick had given me a hundred years or so ago. I stood there and watched the tiny flame dance. Humans, so delicate, but not you, Deanna. You were a warrior among them.
I took a long, drawn breath and spoke, "I suppose you know now that your granddaughter will get the mark. It's only a matter of time." Holding my hand out to the small flame,
"Aeltheryn chooses the next guardian, not us. It's just going to be our little secret that you now know, since I know you didn't cross over to the right veil. I tried the spell to reach you. So I know. You must be in Nitesh."
Looking away from the flame for a moment. "I need to find a way to get you moved to Shashet, to help your granddaughter get you to Shashet. There's still time. Not much, but enough." Closing my eyes and nodding me head, I turn to the table.
I went to take my seat and wait for the others, as I walk I touched the back of Cedrick's chair thinking of the many times I let him kiss me in these chambers letting my fingers lingering just for a moment. I turn as the door open, "He's not ready," Cedrick said, without waiting for the others to show up. "Hello to you too." he looked tired, and he had new white and silver strands in his hair.
"He never will be if we wait for readiness," Shelynn replied, following him into the room and settling into her seat with a quiet sigh.
One by one, the others entered. Mickel. Breece. Dolyel. Even Queen Quinevere and her son, Prince Eliezer, arrived to observe. Although it is none of their concern once Somenaco got the mark, he was no longer to be chosen as an heir to the throne or even in the line of succession.
They sat in silence for a breath, the weight of Deanna's death still pressing against the stone.
"We will have to place him somewhere," I began. "where he can watch Elena and locate the sword to make sure it is safe."
"Agreed," Mickel added. "But not in the city. Not yet not until he's mastered the glamor."
"No," I agreed, speaking softly. "the city will be hard until he has mastered the glamor," I waved my hand and continued, "I can provide him with an elixir to help until he's mastered it."
They turned to me in shock and surprised. " I know from conferring with my fellow priests at the temple that it will be only a matter of time before her mark appears we might as well put him in a position to see when it does."
Shelynn smiled, barely. "Judisch isn't that where Elena is training to be a Marshal at?"
Cedrick chimed in "District 12, I believe is the area."
Dolyel added, "It's a tangle of Wynn influence, unstable magical currents, and precisely the kind of place where a Guardian might go unnoticed for awhile." he folded his hands and lean into the table.
"You mean to hide him in plain sight?" Shelynn asked, leaning forward.
" Precisely." he answered, good thinking he receive those reports prior to the meeting.
Breece inclined his head. "Let him serve. Quietly. As a detective in the same precinct as Elena. The humans are stretched thin with all the Criminal activity. They'd accept him as a transferred detective, especially if we prepare the paperwork and I know a friend in District 1 who could produce some paperwork for us."
Eliezer scoffed. "He can barely walk. We're going to give him a badge and hope he stumbles across a prophecy?"
"We're going to give him time," Cedrick said, finally turning. "Time to heal. Time to observe Elena Sligic."
Dolyel raised a brow. "And if the mark never forms?"
"Then he remains a shadow," I replied smoothly. "Unseen. Unheard. A Guardian in Silence."
The room went still. I know that they don't know the truth about the mark, and it is something we have kept to ourselves for safety of the guardians.
"He'd be living across from her," Prince Eliezer muttered. "Watching her. Is that wise?"
"It's necessary," I spoke with authority who does this little prince think he is. "She is alone. Her Marshal training is incomplete and Deanna trained Elena the best she could. If the Wynn come for her, she will not survive." that seem to calm the council.
Cedrick added, "we could have Digone stay with Somenaco until he is healed" sharing a look with me he continued, "Digone will be the bridge between us and Somenaco, he will report when the Mark appears"
"And if the bond awakens?" Queen Quinevere asked.
I folded my hands on my lap. "Then he will already be in place."
A long silence followed. Then Cedrick nodded once. Breece summoned the council recorder with a wave of his hand, Then spoke in the most authoritative tone so that the queen knew who was in charge, "Assign Digone as his point of contact. Place Somenaco Nyxfyr in the Judisch District 12 as a field investigator, effective immediately."
My gaze remained lowered, humble and quiet. There was nothing more to say.
But inside, I knew I was smiling.
The plan was already in motion.
The boy would walk into the flame.
And the girl would follow.