The Wasting

Chapter 12: Denigan

There was surprisingly little politicking while they ate, and then the nobles began to show up just as the servants were taking away their dishes. Denigan had to think this timing was crafted specifically by the two houses of nobles who showed up first. The servant who led them in looked flustered, as though they'd been yelled at for quite some time. Denigan guessed this meant the nobles had been waiting for a time outside, and the servant had finally given up once they'd heard breakfast had been cleared. This meant that the council were just as unprepared as anyone else for today's debate.

Well, not quite. They knew about Ahanu and Bimisi; whereas, the nobles who came in looked beyond surprised at the new set of people who graced their halls. The faces of the two families who came in first fell from haughty to silent outrage that there were people already sat before the Knights.

So, the Council had kept the secret quite well, it would seem. If the nobles didn't know, the Council would surely use them in some power play. It would be a dangerous hand to play, especially considering how set Ahanu seemed on rushing headlong into brute truth and ideals over subtle persuasion. It was definitely a new tactic for Denigan, and his mind was shifting rapidly as he tried to change the way he thought of the people before him. His performance needed to match Ahanu's and Bimisi's to keep up a stronger appearance of unity and planning. If they were to get anyone on their side, their strength together is what would win the day.

He kept a close eye on the nobles, trying to decide which ones were more likely to ally themselves with Hattie, and therefore, them. The first two who came in looked like old blood, one even waving a greeting to Colborne. They were out, that was for sure.

But a house wandered in and slipped toward the back of the room to a set of low tables decorated in varying blues. Denigan thought he recognized this family. They were armorers in the All Wars, and now their house was run by the matron, Merrian Goldwyn. He didn't see her yet, but one of the grandsons took the head seat. He looked nervous, likely a placeholder and not one who would normally run the house's affairs. Denigan wondered if this was a task meant to see how he'd fare as the next leader of the Goldwyn's, and then almost simultaneously thought he'd make a good mark for their purposes. Denigan would have to find time to draw that family's name in to their debates.

Next to him, Ahanu tensed and leaned to place his forearms on the table. Denigan leaned himself closer to Ahanu, placing a hand on his thigh. "You good?" he asked, falling back to the lower-born accent in his worry for the other man.

"I—" Ahanu's mouth closed and the muscle at his jaw clenched. "Colborne's words have me thinking."

That sounded like it could lead to some bad places. While Denigan hadn't heard everything that they'd spoken to each other, he'd gotten the feeling of the conversation. "Thinking about what? You said yourself he's not a safe ally."

Ahanu nodded as though conceding this point to himself. "But he and I both agreed that we'd do anything to find that cure. If I'm not willing to be open to allies I don't like, am I really willing to do anything for my people?"

"Like and trust are two very different things. We don't have to like who we partner with, but it'd be a damned good idea to trust them." Denigan rubbed his hand on Ahanu's leg before pulling away. "We'll find people to help us, don't worry."

If it seemed like Ahanu pressed his leg closer to Denigan, it could also have been the man's wishing it. He thought about delving deeper into Ahanu's concern when a gentleman with graying hair approached their sitting area.

"Pardon my curious intrusion, but I am Darne Gresham. I couldn't help but notice that you are not from here." He evaluated Ahanu and Bimisi closely. "I dare to postulate that you come from Anishinabek, and the rumors from the towns are true."