The ringing applause jerked the infant monarch from his sleep and caused him to start bleating. But he’d done his work for today. Savine caught Zuri’s eye and nodded towards the door, and the cries of the latest High King of the Union faded from the room.

Heugen was already on his feet. “His Majesty is, quite clearly, too young to govern in his own right.” He pointed at Leo as though the idea had just occurred. “I propose that his father, Lord Leonault dan Brock, and his mother, Lady Savine dan Brock, govern in his stead as Lord and Lady Regent.”

“I second that!” shouted Isher, popping up from his seat again like a toy on a spring.

“I third it!”

The nobles rose as one. The commoners were less happy than ever, but Jurand gave a subtle signal and the guards began thumping the butts of well-sharpened polearms on the tiles to send up a menacing rattle, and it quickly spurred the loiterers to their feet. Judge had taught them well. Nobody wanted to be the last one sitting. They’d let the sluice open a crack and the flood had forced it wide. Now there was no closing it, and they all were swept away into the future.

Leo gritted his teeth, rocked his weight forwards and stood. Ignoring the pain was easy. He’d been through the fire but, seeing his reflection in the many mirrors, it wasn’t flattery to say he was still a fine-looking figure.

“My thanks! I humbly accept this great honour, this great responsibility. I’m a soldier first, but now is the time for healing wounds. For reforging what’s been broken, stronger than ever. For making us a Union again!” He thumped his fist on the table. “We’ll have a new age, my friends! Not the corruption of the old regime. Not the folly of the Breakers or the madness of the Burners. The best of both worlds! Justice and good government for all!”

Now there was wholehearted support. The Representatives were already rushing forwards. Queueing up to sign. Noblemen first, as was only right, Isher smiling at their head.

The sun rose on a new age. One that Leo would shape as he saw fit. Savine might not like how he’d done it, but it was done, and all their ambitions realised. How could she not be pleased? How could she not be grateful?

Leo lurched around on his false leg to grin at her.

But she was sitting up tall to look towards the grand declaration, watching intently as the first signatures were scratched beside it.

We Must Have Enemies

Vick was so tired that when she sat, she nearly missed the chair. She’d been tired for months. For years. She couldn’t remember not being tired. And the broken nose by no means helped.

But prisoners won’t interrogate themselves.

“So…” she said, the word a slightly painful sigh. “Master Sarlby.”

The sight of his face made her feel a bit better about her own. Gunnar Broad had smashed it to barely recognisable mush. You could’ve said he was lucky to be alive, after the beating he’d taken. But lucky was a tough word to use about a man sitting where he was.