Chapter 20: The Name Behind the Hall

Gideon Wren had one finger on the crossed-out access list.

He was ready to pull it off the wall.

Alex caught his hand and held it there.

The chamber doors stood open behind them.

Gideon's arm went rigid.

He did not pull away.

'The council can discuss the empty post,' Alex said, 'after it hears the testimony already promised.'

Gideon looked at him.

The big laugh did not come.

He pulled his hand free and straightened his jacket cuffs.

'The council will hear motion 41 first,' he said.

He said it loud enough for the doorway.

Two councilors were already taking their seats inside.

So that was the order of the morning.

Alex filed it.

Caspian walked past both of them into the chamber.

He did not stop at Alex's side.

He crossed the full width of the room.

He stood at the far wall, alone, exactly where Alex had asked him to stand.

Every councilor watched him do it.

Alex took his own place at the table.

He set his palm flat on the ownership file and left it there.

Gideon called motion 41 before the chair finished the roll.

'Before any testimony,' he said. 'The restriction applies now. The category is non-pack. The council has the authority and the exposure is live.'

Chen had her pen down on the table.

'The hall owner's representative has standing on this floor,' she said. 'Does he have anything to say before the motion is put?'

Gideon's mouth opened.

He closed it.

Objecting meant gagging the standing he was trying to strip.

Alex stood.

He had rehearsed nothing.

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