“Your convenience is not a priority.”

“This is not about convenience. You know what will upset the civilians? The cancellation of a festival they’ve been preparing for since last year.”

The uniformed Acolyte gave me an embarrassed smile.

“They probably won’t hear you,” she whispered. “You’ll have to intrude.”

Better to get it over with. I steeled myself, and pushed open the door.

The Conclave of Representatives chamber fell quiet. The room was much larger than I had anticipated, with the thirteen representatives seated in a ring behind individual stone podiums. A huge map of the island was painted on the floor, the names of towns and rivers etched in gold. Three of the Reverends were on their feet, their argument stalled by my appearance. The other ten remained seated beneath the coloured banners of their departments.

I stepped inside and gestured respect and regret. My throat felt bone-dry.

“What is the meaning of this?” Reverend Jiana Morwin of the Department of Public Health fixed me with a cold stare. Her skin was flushed with anger.

“Please forgive my intrusion,” I rasped. I cleared my throat. “I have an emergency missive from Reverend Shaelean Cyde of the Moon House.”

“Whatever it is, I hardly think it justifies disrupting session.”

I swallowed. Although I knew who all the Councilwomen were, I had only ever spoken to Reverend Somme, who was the head of my department. The thirteen most powerful individuals on Aytrium, and I had barged into the middle of their meeting.

“Come now, Jiana,” said Reverend Yelina Celane, the Chief Archivist of the Department of Memories. Her robes bore the green quill insignia of her department, and she appeared quite at ease. She smiled at me. “No need to be rude. Your name, Acolyte?”

“Elfreda Raughn, Honoured Councilwoman.” I drew Cyde’s report out of my bag and hesitated, unsure who I should present it to. To my relief, Reverend Somme held out her hand.

“Very good,” said Reverend Celane. “Thank you for your service, Acolyte Raughn. You may go now.”

“One moment.”

Reverend Saskia Asan was the youngest member of the Council and its most recent addition. She served as the Commander General of the Department of Enforcement, the Sisterhood’s military force. Rumour suggested that she was one of the most talented lace-weavers of the last century, and, despite her coarse demeanour, one of the smartest women in the Sisterhood.

“You aren’t a House member,” she said. “Unless you’re wearing someone else’s robes.”

“I was part of the Moon Pillar pilgrimage and available to deliver Reverend Cyde’s report.”

“Please speak louder.”

“The House members were occupied,” I said, raising my voice. Other members of the Council whispered to one another. Sweat rolled down my back.

“Huh.” Reverend Asan folded her arms and slouched on her chair. “Irregular.”

Reverend Somme finished reading Cyde’s letter. Her gaze flicked toward Reverend Asan, and she set down the paper.

“Thank you, Elfreda, that will be all,” she said.