When the knock came at my door, Harry Two started growling.
The tendrils of first light were just beginning to leach into my window, dispelling the darkness. I staggered up, half asleep, waves of cold dread making me feel unbalanced and sick to my stomach for I had no idea who would be coming for me at this hour.
I opened the door.
It was Morrigone. She looked deadly pale and tired, her exhausted features neatly matching how I felt. Her cloak even had a few spots of dirt on the hem. I looked over her shoulder but did not see the carriage. She must have walked from the Council building to deliver the news.
‘May I come in, Vega?’
I nodded and moved out of the way to allow her entry.
She sat, or rather fell, into one of the chairs. She stifled a yawn and rubbed at one of her eyes.
‘You haven’t slept all night?’ I said.
She slowly shook her head but didn’t really seem to have heard my query. She looked at Harry Two and held out a hand to him. He cautiously approached and allowed her to rub his ears.
‘A fine canine,’ she said.
‘He would do anything for me,’ I replied, sitting on my cot across from her. ‘Will he be denied that opportunity?’ I asked cautiously.
She looked up. ‘You will not be executed, if that’s what you’re asking,’ she said bluntly. ‘Krone fought long and hard all night on that point, but Thansius and I used all our resources and support to make Council see reason.’
‘Why does Krone hate me so much? What have I ever done to him?’
‘It’s not about you,’ Morrigone said quietly. ‘Krone actually hated your grandfather.’
‘What?’ I gasped.
‘When Virgil was leaving Council, it was rumoured that Krone would take his spot. Virgil did not think much of Krone, and they had a terrific row in front of the entire Council. It was humiliating for Krone. Another Wug was appointed to replace Virgil based, I believe, solely on that verbal dust-up. And though Krone did eventually become a Council member, it did not happen for several sessions. I am certain he held your grandfather responsible for this delay in his career. And his hatred for your grandfather seems to have been transferred to you.’
‘And to my brother?’ I said anxiously. ‘No. I think just to you.’
‘Why just me, then?’ I said, bewildered.
She looked at me with a bemused expression. ‘It is because you are so very much like your grandfather, Vega. So very much.’
‘You liked him?’ I thought back to Delph’s description of the pair arguing right before my grandfather had left Wormwood.
‘I respected him, which is even more powerful, Vega. Virgil was a great Wugmort. He has been . . . He has been sorely missed since his . . .’
She did not seem able to finish the thought.
‘I miss him too,’ I said. ‘I wish he were here right now, to be with me.’
Morrigone reached out and gripped my hand. ‘I see you have drawn the symbol he carried on your skin.’
I had not let the female at Council wash it off. I had told her it was not part of the map and she had relented.
I hesitated before asking, ‘What is my fate? If not execution, then it must be Valhall.’
‘It is not Valhall.’
I looked at her, puzzled. ‘Then what is my punishment?’
She gathered her own breath. ‘You must fight in the Duelum, Vega. You must fight your heart out. You cannot surrender or go down easily, for if you do, you will be put in Valhall for the rest of your sessions. That is the vote of Council and it is final.’
‘But I’ll be fighting against fully grown males.’
She rose. ‘The fact is, Vega, they don’t care. If you fight valiantly, all will be forgiven, and you will owe nothing else. If you won’t fight, then you will be taken to Valhall immediately. And in truth, I cannot guarantee that Krone will not push again for your execution. And this time he might succeed.’
‘Then I give you my word that I will fight my hardest.’ I paused and then asked, ‘What happens to me until the Duelum starts?’
‘You are the only Finisher left at Stacks. You can return to your work next light.’ Morrigone held up a cautionary hand. ‘Krone and his allies are convinced you will attempt to flee Wormwood and use the map you had to lead you.’
‘The marks are gone from my skin,’ I said.
‘You could have memorized them. In any event, if you were to attempt to flee, Delph would take your place in Council’s eyes. And it would not simply be Valhall.’ She paused. ‘They will take his life.’ She paused once more and studied me intently. ‘And I would do nothing to block it.’
‘Why, Morrigone? What does Council care if a Wug goes into the Quag? If he makes the decision and dies, it’s his life.’
‘Council’s job is to ensure the survival of Wormwood. If Wugs started going into the Quag and dying, it would embolden the beasts there to perhaps once more take up battle against us. We might not survive a second war with them.’
‘And then of course there are the Outliers.’ I thought it enlightening that she had forgotten to mention them since we were building a gargantuan wall supposedly to keep them out.
Morrigone looked at me with a bittersweet expression. ‘I was very serious, Vega, when I said I admired you. I have no wish to see such a promising life snuffed out. But there are limits to even my feelings for you. Please do not forget that. I have my duty and I intend to carry it out. I cannot and will not play favourites.’
With that ominous statement, she left me.