Crown of Hidden Scales novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Chancellor's Price

I looked down at the note, and my hands stayed steady, which surprised me.

Obern Gaunt had taught me my first verse at nine.

He had stood at my father's side at my mother's funeral, with his hand on my head.

"He knelt to me," said Rhain.

"He knelt to the crown," I said. "Get dressed."

We did not go to bed again, and we did not wait for dawn to come to us.

The chancellery council sat at the first bell in a long hall under the tower.

Sixty lords and guildmasters ringed a horseshoe table, with the chancellor in the high chair at the curve.

We walked in as the bell struck.

The grey captain from Brannock came behind us with twelve soldiers.

Bronwyn came behind them, towing a thin young man in a clerk's gown by the ear.

Obern rose from his chair, white-bearded and courteous, with his chain of office glinting.

"Majesty. Lady Sabine. You are very welcome to our council, though I confess I did not expect the honor so early."

"Chancellor," I said. "Thank you for the roof."

"It was the least I could do."

"It was exactly what you could do."

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