Chapter 17: The Council Gathers

Kael's steps faltered as he approached the council tent, his chest tightening with every breath. The darkness of the pre-dawn hour pressed around him, heavy and unrelenting, while the distant hum of whispered conversations carried through the air. The faint glow of the fire inside the tent flickered through the opening, casting long, shifting shadows on the rocky ground.

He clenched his fists at his sides, his palms damp with sweat. The memory of Marek's words, spoken with calculated precision, echoed in his mind: "Step aside, Kael. Prove you're strong enough, or accept your place."

The weight of those words bore down on him, suffocating and absolute. He wanted to argue, to fight back, but a nagging voice whispered that Marek might be right. The tribes deserved more than a boy unsure of himself.

Beside him, Tayo cast a glance in his direction, his brow furrowed with concern. "Don't let them shake you," Tayo said quietly. "You deserve to be here."

Kael didn't respond, his throat too tight to form words. His eyes flicked toward Frenna and Lirien, walking a few steps ahead. Frenna's gait was slower than usual, but her strength had returned enough to attend. Lirien walked close to her, her silver braids glinting faintly in the firelight as she offered quiet words of encouragement.

They were all here for him, but it only made the burden heavier.

The murmurs inside the tent stilled as Kael stepped through the opening, the air inside thick with tension. The elders sat in a circle around the fire, their faces lit by the flickering flames. Risa stood at the head, her sharp gaze cutting through the quiet like a blade. Marek lingered on the far side, his golden cloak pristine, his expression carefully neutral.

Kael stopped just inside the circle, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Kael," Risa began, her voice steady but devoid of warmth. "You've been summoned here to answer for the events that have brought us to this moment. The loss of Talar, the casualties in the ravine, the uncertainty now hanging over the tribes—these matters cannot go unanswered."

Kael swallowed hard, his pulse roaring in his ears.

Risa's eyes narrowed as she continued. "Tradition dictates that as Talar's heir, you are next in line to lead. But tradition alone cannot determine our future. Leadership requires strength, wisdom, and the trust of the people. It is the council's duty to decide if you possess those qualities."

Kael opened his mouth to speak, but Marek stepped forward before he could find his voice.

"Kael is young," Marek said, his tone smooth and measured. "And youth is often accompanied by... mistakes. We have all seen his potential, but we have also seen the consequences of inexperience."

The firelight danced in Marek's eyes as he addressed the circle, his words deliberate. "Talar's death was a blow to all of us, and Kael was there when it happened. The burden of leadership is not just about bearing responsibility for yourself—it's about carrying the lives of those who follow you. And I ask you, my friends: is Kael ready to bear that weight?"

Kael's chest tightened, the unspoken accusation in Marek's words striking like a blow.

"He's more than capable," Tayo said sharply, stepping forward before anyone could respond. "Kael isn't perfect, but no one is. He's been through more in the past few days than most of us could handle, and he's still standing."

Risa's gaze snapped to Tayo, her expression stern. "This is a council matter, Tayo. Hold your tongue."

Tayo glared at her but stepped back, his jaw tight.

Marek's lips curved into a faint smile, as though he had already won. "Kael, perhaps you'd like to speak for yourself."

Kael's throat felt dry, but he forced himself to step forward, his voice cracking as he began. "I—I know I've made mistakes. I know I haven't been... what the tribes needed me to be."

His hands trembled at his sides as he met the eyes of the gathered elders. "But I want to be better. I want to prove that I can carry this weight—that I can honor my father's memory."

Risa's expression didn't change, her gaze unrelenting. "Words are easy, Kael. What we need are actions. What will you do to earn the trust of this council and the tribes?"

Kael hesitated, the weight of her question pressing down on him. What would he do? How could he prove himself when he wasn't even sure he believed in himself?

The silence stretched on, and Kael's shoulders sagged under the weight of their scrutiny.

"I'll step aside," Kael said suddenly, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

The tent erupted into murmurs, the elders exchanging shocked glances. Even Tayo and Frenna looked stunned, their faces pale with disbelief.

"What?" Tayo hissed, his voice low and urgent.

Kael raised his hands, his voice shaking. "If the council believes Marek is the better choice, then... then he should lead."

Marek's expression flickered briefly with surprise before settling into a mask of sympathy.

"Kael," Marek said gently, "this isn't about who's better. It's about what's best for the tribes. If you truly believe stepping aside is the right thing to do, then perhaps it is."

Risa's sharp voice cut through the murmurs. "Enough. This council will decide what is best. Kael, you've given your answer. For now, the council will deliberate."

The weight in Kael's chest felt crushing as he stepped back, his head bowed.

Frenna moved to his side as the council dissolved into quiet discussion, her voice low. "Kael, what are you doing? You can't just give up like this."

Kael shook his head, his voice barely audible. "I'm not giving up. I'm doing what's best for the tribes."

"No, you're doing what Marek wants," Tayo snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You're letting him win."

Kael didn't respond. He didn't have the strength to argue.

As the council continued to debate, Lirien approached, her voice soft. "We're with you, Kael. No matter what happens."

The words were meant to comfort him, but they only deepened the ache in his chest.

Kael nodded silently, his thoughts spinning as he waited for the council to decide his fate.