Shadows: Book One of the Eligia Shala by Gaynor Deal

was last to be in place. Heartened by the fact that she saw Brogan’s eyes also narrow as he noted the same thing; the princess left the Flight in her sergeant’s capable hands.

    Reassured that Jenevra’s training session was under Raik’s watchful eyes, Phillip had his next meeting with his future council. Climbing the wide stairway that led to the Council Chamber, he pondered how best to break the news to his council of advisors; particularly his Chancellor who had taken a dim view of the young Princess for many years now.
    Chancellor Menzetti was at an age where retirement would be an option. He had served the Marissime family faithfully through two reigns, having been Phillip’s father’s Chancellor before his death and then again through Arrilia Neilla’s tenure. Phillip had considered replacing him as Chancellor, but the truth was that he was simply the best choice for the post. Sharp-witted and acid-tongued, he had led Embassies to almost all of the other Kingdoms at some time or another. Menzetti valued diplomacy highly, which was probably his main conflict with Princess Jenevra to whom diplomacy had always been a last resort. She had been an avid student of the act first, think later school; the absolute antithesis to Menzetti’s world.
    Phillip knew that this appointment of Jenevra as Imperial Protector was likely to give the old man apoplexy, but he was convincing himself of the usefulness of the idea more each passing hour. Turning into the Imperial Council chamber and greeting his mother with a dutiful kiss, Phillip took his place at the head of the table. “Commander Rabenaldt sends his regrets. Shall we begin?”
    Chancellor Menzetti rose to his feet, long elegant fingers, poet’s hands, stroking his short, white, immaculately groomed goatee. With a minimum of fuss and without referring once to his notes on the table, the Chancellor ran through the main points of interest, mostly regarding arrangements for the rapidly approaching wedding and coronation. As necessary he called upon other council members to present their information, and the meeting moved forward efficiently. Almost two hours later, coming to the end of the items for immediate attention Menzetti bowed and sat down.
    “Thank you for your usual efficiency, gentlemen,” Phillip said.
    “I have it on good authority that the Lady Christiana and her brothers are only a day or so away, Your Highness.” Menzetti sounded almost droll. “We thought we had better make the most of your attention while we could get it.” A gentle chuckle sounded round the chamber. Menzetti stood and began to gather his papers together; his secretary standing behind him ready to take them back to the Chancellor’s office where notes and changes would be dealt with immediately. “With your permission, Highness?” he glanced at his future Emperor who was making no sign of moving.
    Phillip leaned forward, his arms on the table in front of him, his fingers locked together. “If you could give me just a few minutes more, Chancellor… ”
    Chancellor Menzetti and the other council members, including the Lord Admiral, Rafael Massili, sat down. The Prince hadn’t yet brought many issues of his own to the Council.
    Admiral Massili stole a surreptitious glance at Arrilia Neilla who was sitting quietly at the opposite end of the table to her son. He could tell nothing from her face and settled back into his chair to hear what Phillip had to say.
    “Mother, Chancellor, gentlemen … I want you to think very carefully about what I am going to propose today.” Phillip was churning inside, but looked strong and purposeful as he faced his counselors. “You have probably heard by now that my cousin, Her Imperial Highness Jenevra Couressime has returned to court.” Rueful grins and a couple of quickly suppressed groans informed him that most of them had, indeed, heard the glad tidings. “In the past, we may have noticed a slight tendency for—how can I say