Chapter 575: Measured
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*****
LERRIN
Lerrin's legs were still shaky as the guards ushered him along the trail, but his pain eased during the walk. He was grateful that the guards kept the pace slow, and no one pushed on him again. By the time they entered the council building, he was exhausted, but feeling more confident that he could get through this, as long as the herbs kept the pain at bay.
One of the guards stepped forward to open the door and all four of them walked through together, and Lerrin was struck, suddenly, with the memory of the night his father was killed.
Reth sat in the circle this time, rather than as a petitioner. This time it was Lerrin who was walked to stand under their eyes and be measured.
No one spoke initially, until the Reth sighed. "You can leave, but stay at the door," he said to the guards.
The largest, behind Lerrin, made a little noise. "Sire, I don't think it's safe—"
"I assure you that it is," Reth growled. Lerrin was grateful that he wouldn't have to be attached to these males for the entire meeting. But he wondered if Reth had noticed how his Captain, and best friend, was glaring at him.
The guards looked at their Captain, who tipped his head towards the door to send them on their way, but he got up from his chair to follow them and there was a low, muttered conference at the door before the donk—Behryn returned to his seat.
With the guards gone, and only Councilors and Elders—including those that had been appointed for the purpose of reuniting the people—remained, the attention shifted.
Lerrin could feel their eyes like fangs at the back of his neck, waiting to close.
Reth nudged the chair next to him forward, into the center of the circle. "Sit," he said gruffly. "You can't do us any good if you pass out before we get through this.
Lerrin didn't like the implication, but couldn't deny that he was weak. So he took the chair and slid it behind him slowly, then eased himself into it with a sigh of relief.
Then he looked up and met the eyes of Reth, then each of the Elders. "Thank you for bringing me here personally. I… wasn't expecting that."
"What happened to you?" Behryn snapped, though Lerrin knew he had to know the answer. Reth did.
"A handful of wolves paid me a visit two days ago," he said, his voice deeper than usual.
"Those injuries are two days old?" One of the elders gasped.
Lerrin nodded. "I am… not at my usual strength. And the beating was… significant."
"They almost killed him. The servant who attended him said he'd lost the ability to shift. Without the healing herbs and tonic she gave him, he likely wouldn't be here."
Several of the Councilors shifted in their seats. Lerrin gave them a flat-eyed smile. Yes, he understood that that might have solved a problem for them. Yes, he was thankful that they hadn't allowed it to happen.
"You're still weak?" Behryn asked.
Lerrin nodded. "But healing. This morning I couldn't walk when I woke." No need to tell them he likely still couldn't without the pain-soothing herbs Suhle had given him. "But I gather the attack isn't the reason I'm here?"
He looked at Reth then, who grunted. "You gather correctly. Today we meet to decide what the hell we're going to do with you, Lerrin. And because you have helped us bring the wolves back into the Tree City without further bloodshed, I wished to have you make your proposal to the Elders directly."
Lerrin's eyebrows rose. He hadn't know Reth was going to ask him to speak to this! "I… that's unexpected."
"Seems like we're all getting surprises this week," Behryn said dryly, giving Reth a sideways glance.
Reth ignored it. "Lerrin, you are brought here as supplicant. You raised a rebellion against the crown and divided the Anima. We have lost dozens of good male and females to the conflict. However, you also made efforts to correct the problem you created. You were instrumental in avoiding more battle and bloodshed on the Hallowed Grounds. And have since inspired the solution to a peace, if not harmonious, return of the rebels to the Anima as a whole."
Lerrin nodded his acceptance of the description of his actions, though it grated. He hadn't intended to raise a rebellion—it had been raised by his father, they knew that. But he supposed in the end, the words didn't really matter. He had led the rebellion. "How has the return of the wolves gone? I've heard no news beyond the fact that they remain in the City."
"Ultimately, the tensions remain, but the people are… civil. And peaceful. The few skirmishes that have occurred have been primarily over housing, not the divide of the tribes."
Lerrin sighed. Suhle had told him things were peaceful, but she was spending so much time with him, or in service, he was concerned she might not know if there were serious conflicts. "That's good," he said, relieved. "I'm glad to hear that."
"As are we," Reth said briskly. "But I find myself simultaneously disgusted, and grateful. And so, we need to decide what to do with you. We find your presence a… risk. But we also acknowledge your efforts to make up for your crimes. You asked your Mate to bring me a proposal. I believe you should present that to the Elders here. I would hear their thoughts on it."
Lerrin blinked. "I… okay." He shifted in his seat, then leaned forward, elbows on his knees. His lower back hurt terribly and pressing it into the back of the chair wasn't helping. "My proposal, as you called it, was that… that I would willingly leave. Not just the Tree City, but the WildWood completely. I would not remove resources or people with me—with the exception of my mate. And I would adhere to… whatever restrictions you might decide are appropriate under the circumstances. If you agree to free me in that manner, I will not return. At all. At pain of death."
*****
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