Alex sidled up to Blackbird under the watchful eye of Fionh. "When's Dad getting here?" she said.
"He'll be here," Blackbird told her. "Don't fret."
"I thought he was coming back with you," she said.
"He had to go and see someone first. He'll be here as soon as he can."
"There's always something more important," she said.
Blackbird turned to face her. "Child, there is nothing in the world more important to your father than you. Believe it."
"Then where is he?" she asked.
"Patience," she counselled.
Alex looked across at Sparky, standing between Tate and Amber. He grinned at her, but she could tell he was nervous. She had already played twenty questions on the subject of the Courts, their inner workings and what might happen to them. He hadn't been cheered by it.
He'd quietly suggested that they make a break for it, until she explained that even if they escaped they would spend the rest of their lives being hunted, always looking over their shoulders. Alex'd had her fill of that, and when it came to it, so had Sparky.
So they waited.
When the door to the Courts opened, Alex visibly jumped. Garvin beckoned them in. "They will see you now."
Blackbird smiled reassuringly and shepherded them through the double doors.
"Where's Dad?" she mouthed at Blackbird.
In response, Blackbird mouthed the word, soon.
Garvin stood by the door until they were through. "Tate, Amber, keep watch from here." He pulled the door closed as Fionh went through.
Alex had been in the courtroom when it was empty, and in daytime. At night with the court in session it felt entirely different. Whereas before the sunlight had streaked in through gaps in the shutters on the high windows, now the only lit area was the central design of a seven pointed star patterned into the floor, around which were arrayed seven thrones. The rest of the room was shrouded in shadow.
Alex looked up at the inside of the dome, and was reminded somehow of the strange little church at Kilpeck where Eve retrieved the orb. The creatures carved into the stone around the door of the church were not unlike the ones portrayed in the frieze inside the dome. She thought again of their attempt to bring back unicorns and manticores. She still didn't know what a manticore was.
"Come forward," said Kimlesh, from her seat at the end of the arc of thrones.
Alex glanced at Blackbird and received an encouraging nod. She stepped forward onto the star that was patterned into the floor. After a moment, Sparky followed her and they stood together. Out here she felt more exposed, and the sense of a brewing storm intensified. A shrug from Sparky confirmed that it was none of his doing. Even so, a thread of power prickled across her skin.
"Well come," said Kimlesh. "Alexandre, you have returned to us in unexpected circumstances."
"Yeah, well," she said. "Shit happens."
There was a sound that might have been a hiss behind her. Someone had drawn a weapon — a reminder perhaps that manners were required. She was well aware that this was a dangerous game, but she was done with arse-kissing. She wasn't here to beg.
"And this is…?" Kimlesh said.
"This is my friend," Alex said. "Lords and Ladies, this is Sparky. Sparky, meet the Lords and Ladies of the High Court of the Feyre."
Sparky looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Pleased to meet you," he mumbled.
Mellion leaned forward, his silver chain glinting as his dark eyes focused on Sparky, who shifted uncomfortably under his inhuman gaze.
"You would do well to remember where you are," said Lord Krane, who lounged in the throne at the centre of the group.
Alex met his gaze unflinching. "Yeah," she said. "And you would do well to remember that there still is a where, and a when, which there wouldn't be except for us."
"You have a high opinion of yourself," said Teoth, folding his arms, "which conveniently neglects to account that you are at least partially responsible for the events that transpired."
"We didn't know what she was going to do," said Alex.
"Then perhaps," said Barthia, "you should be more careful with whom you associate."
"She would have found someone else," said Alex. "It wasn't us she needed, just three people who were stupid and naive enough to follow along."
"Then you acknowledge your culpability," said Yonna. When she received a blank look, she tried again. "You accept the blame for your part."
"I 'spose," said Alex.
"That in itself is enough," said Krane.
"If she'd found someone else," Alex said, "we wouldn't be having this conversation. You and everyone else wouldn't exist. From what she said, we'd have never existed." She shrugged, "I don't understand that bit."
Teoth leant forward. "An unravelling of causality. Interesting."
"We've heard enough," said Krane. "Let's not complicate the issue."
"There is still the matter of our promise," said Kimlesh.
"What promise?" asked Alex.
Yonna spoke. "We promised your father that you would have a place in the courts, if you came into your power."
"That's hardly relevant now," said Krane.
"A promise is a promise," said Kimlesh. "Would you have me break my word?"
"What about me?" said Sparky.
Kimlesh shook her head. "There was no such promise regarding you, my child."
"I'm not a child," said Sparky, "and I'm not yours."
Alex thought a little of her defiance had rubbed off on him, which was not necessarily a good thing.
"The ruling of the High Court takes precedence over a single court in matters that affect us all," said Krane. "There is no doubt in my mind that this affects all of us. Indeed, it could be said to affect everyone and everything."
"Quite," said Teoth.
"That may be so," said Yonna, "but all of us promised that Alex could have her place. A promise of the High Court takes higher precedence still."
"It won't help her," said Barthia. "She may take her place or not as she pleases, but her fate is still a matter for the High Court."
"I don't want your place," said Alex. There was a silence in which Alex could hear her own heart beat.
"Be careful what you say, child," said Kimlesh. "You do not know the consequences…"
"I don't want a place because of some promise that you made my dad," Alex said. "Sparky and I, we did some things, but none of them were that bad."
"There is the matter of Fellstamp," said Garvin from the darkness behind them. "He has not woken."
"That is not a matter for the High Court," said Yonna.
"He serves the High Court," said Garvin, a note of challenge in his voice, "and deserves your protection and favour."
"Garvin has a point," said Krane.
Kimlesh ignored Krane. "The Warders place themselves in danger," she said. "We acknowledge their service, but we cannot demand blood price for every slight, no matter how grievous."
"The Warders serve only the High Court, Lady. Can we not rely on the Court's protection in return?"
"You have our protection and confidence, Garvin, as you well know, but injuries happen. We have every hope and confidence that Fellstamp will recover and rejoin your ranks."
"And if he doesn't?" said Garvin.
"Then we will hear your petition at that time," said Yonna.
"This does not resolve the issue before us," said Barthia.
"We are not here to consider the injury done to Fellstamp, but to consider the fate of these two, who have transgressed but also given good service."
"Only through a desire to save their own skin," said Krane.
"Can you support that statement?" asked Yonna.
Krane waved a hand. "I am merely stating the obvious."
"Then we agree, it is insupportable," she said.
"Not insupportable," said Teoth, "just difficult to verify."
"Are we allowing conjecture, now?" she asked Teoth.
Teoth folded his arms, refusing to be drawn to comment.
"The girl has said that she declines an offer of a place in the Courts," said Krane, "and the boy never earned one. We are here to consider the matter of disposition. Come, this is hardly complex. Are they more dangerous alive or dead? While admittedly they played a part in preventing calamity, they also came perilously close to precipitating the end of the everything. The two do not bear comparison."
Mellion gestured, using one brown hand to separate two imaginary parts, one from the other.
"I think what Lord Mellion means, is that one happened," said Yonna, "and the other did not."
"You are splitting whiskers," said Teoth.
"She is stating truth," said Barthia. "One is fact, the other is extrapolation."
"You know what I think," said Alex, in a voice that cut across the argument.
They stopped arguing and turned their attention on her.
"I think," she said, "that you have no idea what you're talking about. You're all sitting here pontificating about something when you weren't there. You don't know what happened, or why? Do you?"
"We have a thorough report from Garvin," said Barthia.
Alex gave a bitter laugh. "What? The same Garvin that stayed down the bottom of the hill out of sight? That Garvin? He doesn't know what happened," she turned. "Do you?"
"I have reported as I witnessed," said Garvin.
"Just say no," said Alex. "It's easier to understand."
"While it's clear you played a significant role…" said Garvin.
Alex ignored him, turning back to the array of faces at the edge of the darkness. "You take a half-seen story from someone who's already said that he wants revenge for the injury to Fellstamp," said Alex,"which conveniently neglects to account for the fact that Fellstamp and Fionh attacked us. Fellstamp was holding a knife to my friend's throat," she said. "Did you forget to mention that as well, Garvin?"
"Is that true, Garvin?" asked Kimlesh.
"The Warders were doing their job," he replied.
"So he was, then," said Yonna.
Krane cut across them, "The issue here is not whether Garvin's testimony is accurate. The child has already admitted her part in what happened. This is not in dispute. Rather, we are here to decide what must be done and I think that, at least, is clear."
"But you still don't know…" said Alex.
"Enough!" bellowed Barthia, in a voice which even quieted Alex. "Krane is right, the issue is clear. We must decide."
From the back of the room, a small disturbance was developing. The main doors opened onto the corridor. Alex turned to see her father entering behind her, initially with relief, but then with confusion. Beyond him, a number of disreputable looking people were being held back by Tate and Amber, filling the corridor beyond them. Even Garvin was taken aback, until he stepped forward, long blade drawn.
"What is the meaning of this?" Garvin demanded.
• • • •
As I entered the court, I wondered for a moment whether Garvin would lose it and precipitate a bloodbath. I was relying on him to be his usual dispassionate self, but it was clear that I'd hit a nerve. His face was flushed and I thought I saw the reflection of light from the long blade quivering with contained rage.
"Lords, Ladies," I said quickly, "I beg your indulgence and your consideration."
"Warder Dogstar," said Kimlesh. "Please explain yourself. Who are these people?"
"And what are they doing in Court?" asked Garvin.
I turned briefly to Garvin. "You asked for them," I said. "You said they were all to be brought before the court — without exception."
His face registered surprise, then anger.
I turned quickly back to the High Court. "If I may explain?"
"I wish you would," said Teoth.
"These," I said, "are the children of mixed blood, those that some call mongrels and others call half-breeds. Each of them has been through a great deal, not least because they were imprisoned and subjected to experiments at the research facility at Porton Down. They are the children of both humanity and the Feyre."
"Get these people out of here," said Krane to Garvin.
"Wait," said Kimlesh. "I would like to hear what Dogstar has to say."
"And I," said Yonna.
"Are we in danger?" said Barthia.
"I will vouch for their conduct," I said. "I have persuaded them to come before you to hear your deliberations on their fate, not one by one, case by case, but first-hand as a group of people who share a common cause and a common heritage."
"This is preposterous," said Krane. "How can we deliberate their fate when they are standing there watching us?" he asked.
"How can you deliberate their fate without seeing them?" asked Kimlesh. "Come forward, all of you, into the light, if you will."
They filed into the court around Alex and Sparky, until they were arrayed in a semi-circle that echoed the thrones before them.
"Have you a speaker?" asked Kimlesh.
There was muttering between them and I caught Andy's eye. He stepped forward. "I'll speak, if you'll let me?" There was a general muttering of assent.
"What is your name?" asked Kimlesh.
"Andy — Andy Warner, from Southwark."
"And what are your sympathies, Andy of Southwark?" she asked.
"My sympathies?" he said.
"What are the aspects of your power?" she asked. "What elements call to you?"
"I don't know what you mean," he said. "I keep bees. Is that what you want?"
"An honourable craft," said Yonna, "and an ancient one."
He smiled at that.
"Do you know who we are?" asked Yonna.
"Not so much," said Andy. "Niall here, he explained some of it, but there wasn't much time."
"Do you know why you are here?" asked Barthia.
"Maybe," said Andy. "It's to do with all of us, isn't it? Whether we'll be able to live in peace and keep to ourselves." The others murmured agreement around him.
There was another commotion at the back. I saw Angela coming forward into the group.
"You I do know," said Teoth, recognising her.
"I have been your guest, my Lord," said Angela, "but though the accommodation is more comfortable, and the regime kinder, perhaps, I find a prison is still a prison."
"You rush to judgement at your peril," said Teoth.
"I do not rush, my Lord," she said. "It's been some days and I have had no word."
"Well now that we've all got to know one another," said Krane, "Can we clear the room? We have matters of import to decide."
Blackbird came forward. "If I may speak?" she said.
Yonna inclined her head.
Blackbird walked to the front of the group. "I stand here with Niall, and all these people who have come before you by their own consent. They have come as one to hear your judgement on matters which concern all of them."
"Why, what have they done?" asked Krane.
"They are not being judged for what they have done," said Blackbird. She reached behind her and pulled forward Alex and Sparky to stand beside her. "Even these two are not judged for their actions. We have already heard that they saved us all, at risk to themselves. In other circumstances we would be thanking them."
"We are not in other circumstances," said Teoth.
"Instead," said Blackbird, "they are being judged for what they are. Even Angela here, is held a prisoner at Lord Teoth's disposal. What has she done to merit this imprisonment? Nothing."
"She petitioned for a place in the courts," said Teoth. "I must consider the matter carefully."
"Must you?" said Blackbird. "If any other fey were to petition for a place they would be granted it without question."
"But they are fey," said Teoth, waving towards Angela. "I do not know what she is."
Angela bristled at this, stepping forward, but Blackbird stayed her with a gesture.
"That is my point, my Lord. You are not treating them as fey."
"Because they are not," said Krane.
"And yet they are not human either," said Blackbird. "These are the children of your grand experiment." She swept a hand around the people in the arc. "They are few in number, but there are more children here than the Feyre have seen in five hundred years, are they not?"
"If they are fey," said Krane, "which we have not yet established."
"You mistrust them," she said. "Oh, please, do not deny it. They are not what you expected, are they? What you wanted was a generation of fey children to swell your ranks and rejuvenate the Feyre. In short, you wanted yourselves, only younger."
"That's not true," said Barthia.
"Then what did you want?" said Blackbird. "You sowed the seed in humanity and expected to reap what, exactly? How did you expect them to return to you?"
"Are we done with this?" said Krane, affecting boredom.
"Lord Krane. You are Lord of the Eldrekin Court. You represent those who can take another form, the shape-shifters and were-creatures."
"This is not news," said Krane.
Blackbird reached to pull Andy forward. "Will you accept this man into your court? Will you give him sanctuary and protection according to the customs and traditions of the Feyre?"
"He's a shape-shifter?" said Krane. "What shape does he take?"
Blackbird turned to Andy. "Show him."
"What, now?" he said.
"Yes," said Blackbird. "Right now."
Garvin moved forward, but Andy's frame wobbled and for a moment it looked like he would fall over. Then he spilled out into a swarm of insects that flew out in an expanding cloud to fill the hall with buzzing.
"Bees?" said Krane. "He changes into bees?"
"Have you ever seen anything like it?" said Blackbird, almost shouting to be heard over the noise.
One or two of the other half-breeds were swatting at the insects, there were so many filling the hall. The crawled on people's clothes, flew into their hair, it was only a matter of time before someone got stung.
"Enough!" shouted Garvin. "Clear the hall! Everyone out.
He and Fionh came around the ragtag group and stood before the Lords and Ladies, but there was little they could do against so many tiny insects. Kimlesh stared in wonder around her, while Yonna seemed immensely pleased with the situation. Not so Krane and Teoth, while Barthia sat stoically while the insects crawled on her.
"Out!" shouted Garvin. "Everyone out!"
Tate and Amber came in from the hall and shepherded the half-breeds outside. Gradually the hall emptied, and when the space was clear, the bees began landing, building into a giant pile, which wavered and became a man again.
"Zorry," he said. "She zaid I had to show you." Andy grinned shyly.
"I think we've seen enough," said Kimlesh. "Please wait outside. We'll call if we wish to speak with you further."
"I hold you responsible for this, Niall," said Garvin.
"I was merely following orders," I told him.
"I'll speak with you later," he said.
"Garvin may be upset with Niall, my Lords, my Ladies," said Blackbird, "but it was essential that you see this for yourselves. This is the reality of your great experiment. This is the result."
"Then we need a new experiment," said Krane.
"Do you?" said Blackbird. "Have you seen such ability before?" she asked.
"Of course not," he said "It's bizarre. How can he take the form of so many? He'll lose all sense of self."
"And yet he survives," said Blackbird, "and prospers, apparently without your assistance. If it was not for the harm done by humanity he would be living quietly still. He asks for little except to be left to live in peace, and you would deny him even that."
"We're not denying him anything," said Teoth.
"On the contrary," said Blackbird. "You are demanding that, like Angela, they present themselves at court to be deemed worthy of a place, and then you reject them because they do not fit your definition of what it means to be fey. They cannot win."
"It is not a game, Blackbird," said Barthia, "and I have not refused anyone."
"Shall I bring someone forward, then?" Blackbird asked. "Will you grant them a place?"
"Bring them forward and we shall see," Barthia said.
"And you will judge them to see if they are worthy to be called fey?" asked Blackbird.
"I will judge whether they are worthy of the court in which they are to be offered a place," said Barthia, "As I would any other."
"But the others are all fey," said Blackbird, "and these are not. They are mongrel fey who have grown up with human customs and human values, some with odd or strange abilities, some traumatised by their treatment at the hands of humanity. They are not ready to join the courts, any more than you are ready to accept them."
"What are you suggesting," said Krane. "We cannot just let them do whatever they want. Look at the damage they've caused already!"
"What damage?" asked Blackbird.
"There are floods in Somerset," said Barthia, "and the storm has done much damage."
"Within a year, a memory," said Blackbird, "and forgotten in ten."
"The Secretariat is aware that the storm is not natural," said Garvin. "They have demanded an explanation."
"Demanded?" said Teoth. "They are making demands, now, are they?"
"A bad choice of words perhaps, my Lord," said Garvin, correcting himself, "requested then."
"Hmmf," said Teoth.
"Nevertheless," said Barthia, "our agreement with humanity is clear. If we cannot curb the excesses of the Feyre, then we are in breach."
"But they are not fey," said Blackbird.
Barthia shook her head. "It makes no difference. We are obligated."
"Perhaps we should consider starting again," said Krane. "I know we've come a long way, but…"
Mellion mimed the turning of an hour-glass.
"There is not time," Yonna agreed. "Our numbers diminish each year, while the Seventh Court have only to wait."
I cleared my throat. "By starting again, I assume you mean genocide?"
"That's an ugly word, Dogstar," said Barthia.
"It is an ugly thing, to consider wiping out a population because they do not fit your preconceptions," I said.
"We have done worse," said Teoth.
"That was long ago," said Kimlesh.
"And yet the stain remains," Teoth remarked.
There was a sober pause while I wondered what exactly they had done.
"We are caught between the deep and the dark," said Barthia. "Blackbird is right. We should accept them into the courts and deal with the consequences."
"That's not what I said," said Blackbird. "Can we not let them live peacefully?"
"Bound by what?" Krane asked. "It is only a matter of time before one of them succeeds where the girl, Eve, did not."
"She was an exception," said Blackbird.
"I wish it were true," said Barthia. "We have not excelled in our duty to protect and preserve. We left them to their fate and these are the consequences. You are right, we cannot have them, but nor can we let them be."
"Then we must grasp the nettle," said Krane, "and do what needs to be done."
Mellion stood from his chair. They all watched, expecting some grand gesture, but he walked forward to Fionh, standing close and making quick elaborate hand gestures to her. She glanced at Garvin and then left quickly through the double doors.
"My lord?" said Garvin.
Mellion went back to his seat, interlacing his long fingers, and resting back against the chair.
"Is there something you wish to put before us," asked Yonna.
After a moment, the double doors opened and Fionh appeared with Tate, carrying a large chair from the dining rooms along the hall. Mellion nodded and they brought it forward, placing it alongside him, and withdrew.
"What is the meaning of this, Lord Mellion?" asked Teoth. "We already have an empty seat, we do not need another."
Kimlesh leaned forward, and then smiled. "Of course," she said. "It's perfect."
"What's perfect?" said Yonna. Then she glanced back to the empty chair. "You're not suggesting…?"
"A mongrel court?" said Barthia. "Lord Mellion, this is a radical suggestion indeed."
He shrugged.
"An elegant solution," said Kimlesh, "my compliments, Lord Mellion."
"No!" said Krane. "This is preposterous. Who would lead such a court?"
I glanced sideways, seeing no one move. I looked around the people beside me and saw what must be done. It would be risky, and dangerous, but it would secure my daughter, and all the others like her.
I stepped forward. "My Lords, Ladies, I would be willing, if you will have me?"
There was a long pause. Then Kimlesh spoke.
"Warder Alshirian Dogstar, your offer is… generous, and warmly received I assure you, but it is not you we would wish to lead the mongrel court."
I stepped back in confusion. I felt rejected, but also relieved. But then who?
"There isn't anyone," said Krane.
"It's Blackbird," she said.
• • • •
"Me?" said Blackbird. "Why me?"
Kimlesh stood and approached her. "You are of mongrel heritage, are you not?" she said.
Blackbird had a look of mild panic about her. "I am, but…"
"And you are among the oldest of the mongrel fey?" she continued, walking around Blackbird.
"Yes, but…"
"You were brought up among the Feyre and yet you have lived among humanity for most of your life. You understand their customs, and ours."
"I suppose, though…"
"This cannot happen," said Krane. "Blackbird is a member of Yonna's court. We cannot have a mongrel court that is led by a member of another court, can we?"
"I relinquish my claim," said Yonna, "in the interest of us all."
"Wait," said Teoth. "This is madness. We cannot create another court. It's unheard of."
"Why?" said Barthia. "Seven courts cannot have sprung from nothing. Who is to say that once there were not three, or four, and others were added as need demanded."
"That's a huge supposition," said Krane.
"It had to happen somehow," said Barthia. "The wraithkin have always claimed to be the oldest court, with the clear implication that the other courts followed afterwards."
"A turn of phrase," said Teoth.
"Our brother cannot have it both ways," said Barthia.
Kimlesh took Blackbird's hand and led her towards the seat. It was neither as grand or as elegant as the seats beside it, but the symbolism was not in the least diminished.
"Wait," Blackbird said, drawing Kimlesh to a halt. "If I am to do this, then I want your agreement. All of you."
"That you will never receive," said Krane, "for our brother Altair would never agree to such a thing."
"He is not here," said Kimlesh, "and we took the decision to go down this road against his wishes, even while he was present."
"Then there must at least be a majority in support," said Blackbird. "I will need your support, if this is to succeed."
"Then I will pledge my support," said Kimlesh.
"And I mine," said Yonna.
Mellion held his hand to his heart and opened it, then offered it to Blackbird.
"I cannot, in good conscience, give my assent to something that I know will drive a further wedge between us and the Seventh Court," said Krane.
"Nor I," said Teoth.
"Then the balance is with you, Barthia," said Kimlesh. "With your support we will found a court for the mongrel fey, those that are of neither race or both, but who need a home nevertheless."
"I cannot be my decision alone," she said.
"Nor is it so," said Kimlesh. "Yonna, Mellion and I have pledged our support. With your assent we will have a clear majority, even counting Altair's wishes. Without it, we will be three for, and three against, with Altair holding the balance, though I think we all know which way that will go."
There was silence, while they all watched Barthia. She chewed her pierced lip in consternation, looking from Krane to Teoth, from Mellion to Yonna, and then to Kimlesh, who still held Blackbird's hand in hers.
"If we cannot make a decision," Kimlesh reminded her, "then we still have to decide what to do with the mongrel fey who wait at our door. They are few in number now, but they will grow, while we will not. It is why we first began this enterprise."
"Altair warned us this would happen," said Krane. "It is the beginning of the end."
"I have heard these arguments before," Barthia said, "when we first considered mixing our bloodlines with humanity. At that time I chose life and an uncertain future, instead of a the certainty of eventual demise." Barthia, folded her arms. "We will have an Eighth Court."
"No!" said Krane, "We cannot make this decision without Altair having spoken."
"We did it before," said Kimlesh, leading Blackbird to the vacant chair. "There is precedent for such a decision."
Blackbird hesitated, and gently disengaged Kimlesh's hand.
"Make no mistake," she said. "I understand that this is not the wish of you all, and I will do all in my power to make this work for you," she said. "But I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for those waiting outside, and those waiting beyond these walls, who will face an uncertain fate if I do not."
And she sat down.