But reassuring himself did little to take away the empty feeling in the pit of his stomach. If Garth really was so well-versed in traversing the Glenn, then why would he be delayed at all?

Most of the other advisors to the Triad were missing, too. Some were off treating with the cardinals of the Basilica, while others were controlling the damage Argyll had done in their own way.

Fionn the Red was the only one of those left, still taking Earthmaster Seán’s place. Farris had seen spoken to him little since the night Conleth died, but it was probably for the best. The last thing he needed was another reminder of what had happened back in the Glenn.

Almost a year ago now. Skies above, so much has changed since then.

“And the mages,” said Argyll, abruptly. “How many of them were injured?”

“Three killed,” said Ruairí. “They were shot right as the crowd approached. The….”

His voice trailed off, and he threw a glance at Fionn, sitting at the edge of the room, then back to Argyll. The Simian nodded deliberately, as if to tell Ruairí to continue regardless.

“The Sons in the crowd shot first, with… strange weapons none could recognise. The Churchguard retaliated, but some civilians were caught in the crossfire.”

Caught in the crossfire? The numbness in Farris’s belly turned to rage. They were burned alive for listening to Argyll. This was no accident.

But the Silverback nodded, as if unsurprised by the news. In fact, none reacted in a way that suggested they weren’t expecting a report like that. None, bar Fionn sitting by the side.

“Excuse me,” he said, his voice slightly stronger than Farris had last remembered. “But that’s not how the Daily Penance put it. They said that—”

“The papers write what they wish,” said Argyll. “Half of the city was present at the Basilica that day, and they’ll give you the same news Ruairí here did. Don’t pay any mind to any other truths you find.”

This seemed to satisfy Fionn, but Farris would put money on Argyll being the one to have chosen the words that article had used. Argyll was a leader now and could no longer support the dissident movement as openly as he once did.

But for how long? Surely, it’ll be clear whose side he’s on once he starts leading the Reapers south.

According to Nicole, the Reapers were ready, as were the Simians who would pilot them. Ruairí claimed that the Sons of Seletoth were armed and ready to march, too. The only missing piece now was Garth.

But will it be as simple as that? Farris threw another glance towards the Silverback. Argyll is doing such a poor job of handling this crisis. Is it wise to create another?

“And what of the Arch-Canon?” asked Fionn, still seemingly unready to stand down. “Surely Cathbad will want some sort of… closure, from all of this.”

“He may dress like a fool,” interjected Ruairí. “But Cathbad is a shrewd and careful politician. For him to strike back in any way now would only incite the people further. To play this whole thing down as an isolated incident would be his best course of action.”

“And the Triad?” asked Fionn. “What course is best for us?”

“To hold your tongue, boy,” said Argyll. “You are here to advise us on matters of the arcane. This concerns neither that, nor you.”

Fionn’s gaze fell to the floor. “Yes, sir,” he stammered. “Of course.”

Farris frowned. Sure, the Silverback was almost always in the right when it came to political matters but shooting down the young Pyromancer won’t pay off in the long run.

Argyll could take a leaf from the Arch-Canon’s book. There’s no need to go creating more enemies….

“That will be all,” said Argyll, glancing at each of those present, one at a time. “The following few weeks will be more taxing than the last. Be ready for whatever comes.”

The others nodded together, while Fionn said “yes,” aloud, despite being the only one who had no idea what he really meant.

The rest stood and said their curt, polite goodbyes. Argyll was the first to leave, walking side-by-side with Ruairí, the Human gesturing wildly and whispering frantically as they went.

“What do the coming weeks entail for you?” Farris asked Nicole before she had a chance to leave. “Are you ready for what they have in store?”

“Work, and no,” said Nicole, coldly. “There’s so much left to do, and without Garth….”

“You’re worried about him. He’ll be fine. You know what he’s like.”

“He’s taken too much responsibility for himself. This whole… plan rests on his shoulders now. If he’s not here to lead the—”

“He’ll be fine,” interrupted Farris, nodding towards Fionn, who was awkwardly packing sheets of notes and documents into a leather shoulder-pack. “You have enough on your hands right now to be worrying.”

“That’s true,” said Nicole. “Argyll needs me more than ever.”

“You think so? He seems to be doing very well without our help for now.”

Nicole gave a defeated sigh. “You’re far from understanding what’s going on inside that mind, Farris. All of us are. We need to trust him.”

“Oh, and letting innocent civilians burn to death is the best course of action?”

“Yes,” said Nicole, lowering her voice to a whisper. “It may very well be so.”

She went to leave, and Farris stepped aside. She walked with the same resigned tone her voice had carried.

Does she really believe that?Would she really do the same if—

“Chester? Can I ask you something?”

Farris turned abruptly to see Fionn standing by him.

“I told you before, call me Farris,” he said, making little effort to hide his frustration.

“But we’re alone,” said Fionn. “Since when does a Simian care what he’s called?”

Farris grabbed the collar of Fionn’s shirt, bringing the Human’s face close to his own. The lad shrank back with fear, a muffled groan escaping his lips.

“You listen here,” said Farris. “You’re wading through a pit of vipers here, lad, and it’ll do no good checking which ones bite. Keep your head down, and your questions to yourself, and you won’t get hurt.”

He let go. Fionn immediately straightened himself, fixing his shirt with that grotesque, over-sized hand.

“I’m a fully-fledged Firemaster,” he said, only letting his voice quiver a little. “I could burn you from the inside out. You threaten me with your strength, but I could kill you in an instant.”

“You could, but you won’t,” said Farris, pushing past Fionn to leave. “You wouldn’t dare do something like that.”

“How do you know?” called Fionn.

“Because you’re afraid,” said Farris, without turning back. “Just like the rest of us, you’re afraid of what you’re really capable of.”

Chapter 19: