Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Touched by the generous offer, Illium also knew he could never accept it. Each and every member of the Cadre would know why Caliane was making the move, and it would be seen as a declaration of weakness on Illium’s part.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your grace and generosity, he replied as privately. But Aegaeon is my problem and I’m unwilling to subject any other to it. Perhaps if I irritate him enough, he will go into Sleep.
Caliane’s expression remained unchanged, but he got the sense of laughter in her eyes. Well, I think meetings of the Cadre from this point on are going to be most intriguing.
“I am in accord with Illium,” Marduk said aloud right then, having been examining the map with dragonish focus. “That landmass needs to be a single territory, not chopped up in pieces. That it’s held stable for this long is a testament to all of you who have added parts of it to your own lands.”
Elijah agreed with him, as did Suyin, Zanaya, and Alexander—the last of whom had borne the heaviest load when it came to ensuring stability in that region. Illium knew that Alexander had managed it only because he had the backup of both his consort, Zanaya, as well as his ally, Titus.
Aegaeon said nothing, which was the best that could be expected.
Raphael chimed in with his agreement last. Illium knew the sire had waited this long because he couldn’t be seen to be leading Illium.
“So we are agreed?” Caliane, who seemed to be in charge of running the meetings—a state of affairs with which Illium had no argument—looked around at each archangel in turn, received a nod.
Eyes ancient and wise landed on Illium. “The territory is yours, Archangel Illium. When will you take it?”
Grief was a lonely nocturne in Illium’s heart even as he spoke. “If Raphael permits my intrusion a touch longer, I will take three days in this city, to put together a small squadron of my own. Then I’ll fly to my lands.”
“I have no disagreement with the time needed,” Raphael said. “You are my welcome guest.”
“I’ll withdraw the instant you reach the border,” Alexander said with his usual adherence to protocol, then sent Illium a private message.
That all of the Ancients appeared to have learned how to utilize that bit of tech told Illium that meetings of the Cadre might be far more fun than he’d believed. It also made him wonder how many other little conversations were going on around him. No doubt they did this mind to mind during an in-person meeting.
If you need intelligence about the people in your lands, Alexander had written, I will give it to you. Because of the fragmented nature of the territory over the past centuries, it has its problems—but there are a number of honorable and strong angels and vampires there who you may wish to utilize. Others are poison and should be ejected.
Unspoken was that Illium would have to win those he wanted to his cause. It wasn’t unusual for a huge turnover in personnel when a new archangel came in, a change that arose from both ends. The new archangel wanting his own people in positions of power; the present team unwilling to serve under a new leadership.
Unlike a newly awake former member of the Cadre, however, Illium had no historical team who’d fly to him after resigning from their current posts, but that was an advantage, too. The last time anyone had had the chance to join a fledgling court had been with Suyin, roughly seven hundred years in the past.
I thank you for the intelligence already given, he responded to Alexander, because the Archangel of Persia had just alerted him that some of those powerful people would be loyal to Aegaeon.
You may thank both my consort and my second. Avelina calls you family, and Zanaya believes you will be trouble. Since she is trouble herself, she is predisposed to like you. A wry glance at the Queen of the Nile, who was even now smiling sweetly at Aegaeon.
Hates him with the passion of a thousand suns, Raphael filled in for Illium on the mental level when he saw Illium take in the interaction. I don’t know the genesis of their enmity, but she takes every opportunity to stir things up. I’d be surprised they’ve only had minor skirmishes in the past centuries except that I know we were all exhausted post-war, especially in ruling long term with only nine. That changes with you in the mix.
It was yet another insight into how an underpowered Cadre drained archangels. I am warned.
Even as he spoke, Suyin said, “I’m not so very far from you, Illium, and I have rebuilt my lands to the point that I can lend you squadrons should you wish. We shall call it a small repayment for the many months of your life you gave to me as a warrior when China was at its most damaged and dangerous.”