Chapter 44 Ren Monroe

The other great houses began to arrive.

From the ramparts, Ren could see banners flying for the Shiverians, the Graylantians, and the Winterses. There was an old joke that the Proctors were always the last to arrive, as they'd been on the last ship to reach Kathor. Their battalion could be seen snaking up the valley, just a step behind the others, almost as if they wanted to live up to their family reputation. She noted that they'd kept their companies deliberately small. Tactical units that she knew could do some serious damage, but none so large as to draw attention. That was expected. The leaders of the city would not want to advertise what was happening at the Brood estate until they knew exactly how it might help or hurt their own houses.

Theo took his place on the ramparts. He reached out, briefly squeezing her hand, before straightening his shoulders. He looked breathless but ready. There'd been a great deal of commotion. Putting out the fires inside the castles. Negotiating a reasonable amount of spoils for all the remaining mercenaries, so they could begin counting their rewards instead of hunting innocent servants. Tessa Brood had been captured. Thugar Brood was confirmed dead. It was finally quiet inside the gates, just as it grew noisy outside them.

Marquette Brood strode up the steps. She'd agreed to the transfer of power. Theo Brood would officially be named as successor. He would lead their house forward. Offered the chance to swear loyalty to him, Tessa Brood had spat on the stones. Then she'd cursed Theo's children, his children's children. She likely would have gone on cursing successive generations if he hadn't ordered her to be taken away.

A group of emissaries came forward from the larger army. Ren saw Seminar Shiverian with them. Able Ockley was with them, too, his eyes tracing the ramparts carefully. Most likely he was searching for some weakness in the magic. Ren didn't know the others by name, but she knew there was at least one representative from every major family. That wasn't surprising. After all, the last coup had been during the War of Neighbors. Everyone would want to have a say in what happened next, because they all stood to gain or lose a great deal.

"Care to let us in?" Seminar called. "We'd like to assess the damage. Begin negotiations."

Ren smirked. How casual of them. Theo answered.

"I can hear you just fine from there."

The protection around the Broods' estate still held. Theo and Marquette Brood were the only ones who could open the gates. What had been an obstacle now became a shield, holding the grounds from outside invasion. For all their power and magic, the other houses could not simply force their way inside, because none of them were Broods.

"I'd figure out a way inside eventually," Seminar said, her eyes on Ren now. "There's a key for every lock. All it would take is time. A few months maybe."

"Let us spare you the trouble," Ren said.

Theo nodded. "We think our way is easier."

He gestured. Marquette Brood stepped forward so that the emissaries could all see her from below. "I have accepted Theo's request. My husband is gone. My firstborn son is dead. My daughter has abdicated her rights. Theo Brood will officially take control of House Brood until he finds a worthy successor of his own."

She choked out the last words and fled back down the steps. Some of Theo's guards were waiting there. Ren knew she cared for Theo. Their last conversation proved as much. But she was certain that did not make it easy to bury another son, to lose a husband.

Theo stepped forward in her place. "You're all witnesses. I have assumed leadership of this house. There is no need to negotiate anything. It would be far more beneficial to everyone if House Brood resumed its activities, maintained its status, and upheld the integrity of your rule. Don't you agree?"

Seminar nodded. "That would be in our best interest, but with all due respect to the Lady Brood, she is not qualified to pass on the mantle of your house. Only Landwin Brood can do that. I noticed that your mother did not say he was dead. She didn't say that he was captured, either. No, she used a very different word. She said, ‘My husband is gone.'?"

"He is gone. He will not return."

There was a small, whispered exchange in their party.

"We ask for proof. We can't approve your ascension without it."

It was Ren and Theo's turn to trade glances.

"Three days," she called back. "And we'll bring it."

"Bring what?"

"You said you wanted proof. Give us three days, and we'll bring you his body."