Page 33 (1/2)

"I ret, now nick-named Mrs Peacock, spoke over everyone "Michael, I underestihts well"

"Yes," Moustache Man piped up "I watched froht our new friend"

Nate shuffled in his seat

"Young Falcon here is quite a force," Mrs Peacock said

"Just doing my job" Falcon nodded once

My ears adjusted to a quieter conversation near me, and as the rest of the table went about their private dinner chatter, I looked at Eric and Nate

"What’s it mean?" Nate asked Eric

"It’s permanent, man You’d have no life"

"How is that different to now?"

"A the Sets when she’s sworn in--we’ll be free to go where ant"

"Serious?" He glanced at o hoet on with your life"

"So, are you swearing an oath?" Nate asked

"No"

"You will if you want to be on the Private Council," Arthur said, co into the conversation uninvited

Eric’s jaw came forward--the serious side of him He looked down at his plate

"Why, Arthur?" I asked across the table; several people hushed

"It’s the law Those in your Private Council must be sworn to the throne or to the people"

"What does the oath do?" Nate asked

"It iven in strong order by their ruler"

"Except those sworn to the people," a man said "Then they reater good"

"Right" Arthur nodded

"And what if they swear to the other one--the…throne, was it?" Nate asked

"Yes, the throne," Arthur said "In that case, they must obey, no matter what"

"Did you swear an oath, Arthur?" I cut in

He nodded, sipping his wine "I was on the World Council It was a requirement"

"But not as Set leader--like David was?"

He shook his head

"So, Arthur, if Drake was to call you up now and tell you to come back, would you have to?"

He shook his head "No"

"What if you were sworn to the throne?"

"Yes"

"And Jason? What was he sworn to?" I asked, ignoring the quiet gasps when I mentioned his naiance would automatically have transferred?"

Arthur nodded

"And I swear iance to the people?" I touched my chest

"Yes"

"But, I don’t have to do what they say if they orderthat directly affects the people in a grossly negative way--"

"What if so as you knew in your heart it was for the greater benefit, it would be okay"

"And…if, say, Nate was to swear to the throne, he’d have to do whatever I tell him?"

"No The compulsion act only applies to orders of a certain nature," Arthur said

"What do you ive an order for Mike to, say, punch Falcon," Morgaine started into the conversation "And he can refuse But if you compel him to obey, he would have to"

"How do I do that?"

"It’s a kind of energy you use, so I’m told"

"You will come to understand it once you’vehis head slightly

"So, I can only use that after I’m sworn in"

"No, it would work now, for those who have made an oath to the people--if they believe you to be the true ruler"

"How do I do it--how do I compel someone?"

Arthur leaned forward, his arh you hold all authority Ask as though you would bring all hell down on their soul if they did not do as you said"

"Morgaine?" I turned to her

"Yes, Majesty?"

"Can I try it on you?"

She rubbed the top of her ar as Jason "Of course, Princess Amara"

I took a breath and worked up the sa me to my room, and I would look in her eyes and know da to start spitting green stuff, her head turning around on her shoulders "Answer this honestly; do you believe any of the people at this table oing tense

Morgaine looked into her plate "Yes"

"You can keep your whispers to yourself, Margret," Arthur said suddenly in his stern voice "I would just as soon give my life at her feet I am no traitor"

I offered him a warm smile "I know that, Arthur"

"And I cannot be the traitor," said Moustache Man "I’m Lilithian"

"As am I," said Grey Sideburns, then a few others No one seeaine I wondered if she kneho the traitor was or if she only suspected so to have a sit down chat--a long one

"So, those ore to the throne of Lilith, what happened to their oaths when she died?"

"They remained faithful Since Drake never ret-slash-Mrs Peacock said, bowing her head "Our allegiance remains faithful to the Lilithian rule, even if you never make an oath"

"So, if I wanna stay here," Nate said, "do I have to make an oath?"

"Only if you plan to serve on the Private Guard or the Private Council," someone said

"Cool" He nodded "Well, if it’s all the sauests for now"