The One Kingdom

Toren thinks that all we have to do is renounce our claim to the throne-as simple as that-and they will do the same, and all will be well with the world." He looked around at the others quickly. "Give up our claim! I've heard him say it myself. Does he know what the Wills would do to us if they were ever to ascend the throne? They would not forget the past. They would not forgive. Toren will see the Renné name eradicated from Ayr, that's what Toren's ...statecraft will accomplish. But it isn't our name that I want to see forgotten. No, I for one have had enough of his conciliation. I-"

"Enough, Beld!" Dease interrupted. "We've all heard you rant before. Spare us, this day."

Beld lunged up from the bench, but Arden and Samul grabbed his massive arms, and he let them pull him back onto the bench.

"Enough of this," Samul said, his voice, as always, firm and reasonable. "Don't bait him, Dease; we can't afford division now."

"Yes, I know, but let's not try to justify what we do as noble, Samul. It is the most vile treachery. We are about to murder our own cousin, and though I admit it's necessary to our preservation, still I can't pretend it is anything but what it is. You all know I've tried to reason with Toren. I've spent countless hours in this vain pursuit, and I sometimes think he came nearer to convincing me, than me to him." He splayed a large hand on the table, looking down at it sadly. "But I'm sure now that he will not be convinced to give up this folly. So we must either follow him to disaster or resort to treachery. For the future of our family, I choose treachery, but I have no doubt that I am a blackguard -- a murderer and a traitor. And if we are discovered, don't imagine that our family will think otherwise, for they would rather honorable ruin than this ignominy that we have chosen."

The stillness returned, as the wind ranged around them, swaying the branches of the tree overhead so that shadow and sunlight chased each other madly across the table and over the grim faces of the gathered men...