“Lady Oola, are you ready to begin?” My cousin Vaaryn stands in the center of the amphitheater that is the Assembly Room. Rows of benches spiral around him, filled with the other children of the Founders. He is aged and stooping, the eldest of the Thirds. Next to him, spine as rigid and unyielding as his face, sits my beloved Eero.
When I shudder, Yllis squeezes my hand. I stand, all the heavier for the weight pressing against my heart, and force myself to look upon my twin.
“Eero, son of Peedar, second-born to the ninth child of the Founders, what say you to the crimes of which you are accused?” My voice sounds strong, but inside I quiver from nerves. The closest relative of the accused must stand up for him in Assembly, but I do not want to be here, not as observer, judge, or Advocate.
“My only crime, sister”—the word is a sneer falling from his mouth—“was being born Silent in a world of Songbearers.” He is not chained or bound in any way and crosses his arms in front of him defiantly.
I clear my throat and take a breath, still amazed at the cruel way he speaks to me now. “Your crime is the kidnapping of Sayya, Fourth descendant of the Founders. Do you deny this?”
He looks straight ahead, his gaze boring into the wall. “As a Third descendant, I see no reason to dignify this proceeding with a response.”
I swallow. “As you well know, only Songbearers are counted in the line of descendants. The Silent are not—”
“Did you not gift me part of your Song, sister? Does that not make me a Songbearer?” The accusation in his voice cuts me. There are so many feelings swirling inside—anger, pain, despair, even hatred. The person before me cannot be my beloved brother. He simply cannot be.
I step closer, and Yllis rises beside me, lending his support, as always. “You are not a Songbearer, and it was my mistake to use that spell. I take responsibility for that. Because I love you and would do anything for you.”
“Anything?” The venom in that one word burns.
“Anything but give you more of the power you abused. You forced me to cut you off by your actions.”
“I was innovating, the way the Cantors do.”
“You set things out of balance. Earthsong is not to be used for better prices in the marketplace or to cheat at cards. You cannot ruin a crop because a farmer insulted you.” Tears well even as the anger rears its head. “And you cannot steal a girl away from her bed at night and attempt to force her to gift you her Song!” I do not ask the question I want, whether he has actually found a way to take power from someone. The fact that he tried with Sayya must mean that he has discovered some new way—a way that does not require Earthsong.
A shiver rolls through me. I force myself to fulfill my role as Advocate. “You have heard the accusation and evidence presented against you. And as you have not denied it, now is the time. Unburden your conscience.”
He shakes his head, and a smirk crosses his face. “You all think you can continue to subjugate us. That the Silent will continue living as second-class citizens for the rest of time. Sayya made me believe that she cared for me, but when I offered for her she could not bear to wed a Silent. And now my own sister forsakes me. This Assembly is a sham. If you want to judge me of a crime, then have my peers judge me. Why are there no Silent in the Assembly? Why must we make do with the scraps of life while Songbearers reap all the benefits?”
“What are you talking about, Eero?” I crouch down, near enough to look into his eyes, yet far enough so that he cannot reach out and strike me. The fact that I even think this is a possibility is sad proof of how much has changed over the past two seasons. Last summer he was the other half of my heart, but by the time the leaves fell from the trees, he had become my enemy.
“There are no Silent in the Assembly because only a Songbearer can read a man’s heart, can know the truth buried within. How can a Silent judge? What scraps has life given you? We ate at the same table, all our lives. What inequities have you suffered, brother, that makes you hate us so?” My voice cracks on this last sentiment.
His eyes harden, but still he does not look at me. His jaw is set, and his body may as well be made of stone. As his Advocate, I cannot use Earthsong to determine his state of mind, but as his twin I would never need to.
Yllis pulls on my shoulder gently, and I allow him to lead me back to my seat. Vaaryn struggles to his feet and calls upon Cadda, Sayya’s mother and Advocate, to have the final word.
“It is so rare for us to hold one of our own in judgment; crime in our land is so infrequent. The guidance of the Founders steers us toward mercy.” Her voice is soothing and calm. “Though my daughter was troubled greatly by Eero’s actions, she was not harmed. We ask for his captivity so that a Healer may give him the aid and comfort he so obviously needs.”
Eero snorts and rolls his eyes.
Vaaryn stands before Eero, and suddenly my brother’s expression freezes. He rises into the air, his arms locked to his sides, his legs still bent in the sitting position. For criminal proceedings, a random sampling of nine Assembly members serve as judges, communicating using Earthsong to make their decision. Eero floats for a few moments until Vaaryn speaks again.
“The Assembly agrees with the recommendation of Cadda. It is decided that Eero, son of Peedar, will be delivered to the Healers, who will tend to his mental instability until a time wherein he is determined to again be in his right mind.”
“Be it so,” the Assembly says in unison.
I do not want it to be so, but I cannot change reality. I watch my brother float away and wonder when I will see him again.