“This will be discussed,” said Aires quietly. Her attention focused completely on Kieret. Even from where she stood, Senejess could see the Kieret's skin ripple uneasily.
Senejess swallowed her own fear in a lump, closed her eyes, and said, “And the Getesaph, Majestic Sisters? They will understand how important it is that our familial-sisters not be afraid?”
Another murmur rippled around the room; this one was shocked.
“I am not sure I understand, Noblest Sister,” said Aires Byu pleasantly.
“It is just that we have never before been successful in persuading the Getesaph to take the wishes of our sisters into account.” She let the sentence sink in. “I was unaware that anything had changed. After all, they've shifted the relocation schedule without even asking the Confederation of which they are a part.”
That got them. Senejess had made sure that fact hadn't been let out past the preparatory committee. She'd wanted it for this meeting. The murmur became an outraged cry, followed fast by demands for more information.
“Open your eyes, Senejess Shin,” said Vaier Byu.
Senejess did as she was told. She searched her Queen's face for some hint of what was really going on. All she saw was a tired mother aging toward the Change.
“You fear the Getesaph far too much, Noblest Sisters,” she said. “It is a failing of your family, as we know from the conduct of your recently pardoned sister, Praeis. Would your blood commit yet more excesses because you fear the ‘Esaph so much? How many more t'Therian lives will your blood sacrifice to this fear?”
Rage poured into Senejess's veins, and the world became a blur of red shadows. “You dare!” she cried. “You dare when you—”
Armetrethe grabbed her wrist. Her sister's touch was a cold wind on her inner fire. “Finish your sentence, my Sister,” Armetrethe whispered in her ear, “and the conflict on our hands will be a civil war.”
Senejess panted wordlessly. Armetrethe kept her hold vise-tight.
“Majestic Sisters, Sister-Councilors, all, I beg you to forgive my pouch-sister. Her shame at the actions of Praeis Shin t'Theria has preyed on her for many years. It distracts her.” Armetrethe bowed her head. “She even, as you see, sometimes blames our Majestic Sisters who sent Praeis into that battle.”
The noise in the room gradually subsided. As it did, Senejess's vision cleared, and she could see Vaier Byu in front of her again. The Queen's face was tight, but it was clear she accepted the explanation. Senejess slid her gaze sideways toward Aires Byu and saw a triumphant quiver in her ears.
“Of course we forgive you,” said Aires Byu, all magnanimity. “We are all under considerable strain, are we not? The next few days will test the mettle and unity of the Queens and all our Councilors.” She stood. “We will be calling a special session in the Council Hall tomorrow to hear the final plans of the preparatory committee as wed as to discuss how we will further assist our familial-sisters to spend the remainder of their wait in peace and comfort.” She dipped her ears to the assembly. “You are dismissed.”
There was nothing to do but leave. Armetrethe still held Senejess's wrist as they filed out at the head of the procession of chastened, thoughtful Councilors.
Kieret Hur scurried up beside Armetrethe. “Sister Councilors,” she said, a little breathlessly. “We are returning to the Council Hall to talk about this. Will you join us?”
“Later,” said Armetrethe, before Senejess could even open her mouth. “First my sister, who is overtired, must rest.”
“Of course.” Kieret dipped her ears. “We will expect you later then.” She fell back, and Senejess was grateful.
They left the Home of Queens and were halfway across the courtyard, when Senejess finally said, “Sister, you are bruising me.”
Armetrethe relaxed her hand. “I'm sorry, Sister.” Her sleeve billowed as her stump beat uneasily at the cloth.
Senejess took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her toes curled and flexed. “What are we going to do?”
Armetrethe glanced sharply at the arms-sisters patrolling the wall around the courtyard. “We are going to take the car and start for home, Sister. What else can we do? The Queens have won this skirmish.”
Senejess closed her mouth. Armetrethe led her to the battered frame car that served the family as transport. Senejess drove through the gates and out onto the pocked streets.
They rode together in silence well into the grasslands. They came to a section of road bordered by the wall of a compound Senejess knew had been abandoned when the family had died of plague. She pulled the car over, shut the engine off, and turned to her sister.