Amanda Hocking - Ascend (Trylle Trilogy, #3)

Ascend

Trylle Trilogy #3

by Amanda Hocking

Edited by Jason Letts

Copyright 2011 by Amanda Hocking

http://amandahocking.blogspot.com

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

Table of Contents

1. Amnesty

I had my back to the room as I stared out the window. It was a trick Id learned from my mother to make me seem more in control. Elora had given me lots of tips the past few months, but the ones about commanding a meeting were the most useful.

Princess, I think youre being nave, the Chancellor said. You cant turn the entire society on its head.

Im not. I turned back, giving him a cool gaze, and he lowered his eyes and balled up his handkerchief in his hand. But we cant ignore the problems any longer.

I surveyed the meeting room, doing my best to seem as cold and imposing as Elora always had. I didnt plan to be a cruel ruler, but they wouldnt listen to weakness. If I wanted to make a change here, I had to be firm.

Since Elora had become incapacitated as of late, Id been running the day to day activities of the palace, including a lot of meetings. The board of advisors seemed to take up a lot of my time.

The Chancellor had been voted into his position by the Trylle people, but as soon as his term was up, I planned to campaign against him as hard as I could. He was a conniving coward, and we needed somebody much stronger in his position.

Garrett Strom my mothers confidant was here today, but he didnt always come. Depending on how Elora was doing that day, he often chose to stay and care for her instead of attending these meetings.

My assistant Joss sat at the back of the room, furiously scribbling down notes as we talked. She was a small human girl that grew up in Frening as a mnsklig and worked as Eloras secretary. Since Id been running the palace, Id inherited Joss as my own assistant.

Duncan, my bodyguard, was stationed by the door, where he stood during all the meetings. He followed me everywhere, like a shadow, and though he was clumsy and small, he was smarter than people gave him credit for. Id grown to respect and appreciate his presence the last few months, even if he couldnt completely take the place of my last guard, Finn Holmes.

Aurora Kroner sat at the head of the table, next to her was Tove, my fianc. He was usually the only one on my side, and I was grateful to have him here. I dont know how I would manage ruling if I felt completely alone.

Also in attendance were Marksinna Laurent, a woman I didnt particularly trust, but she was one of the most influential people in Frening; Markis Bain, who was in charge of changeling placement; Markis Court, the treasurer for the palace; and Thomas Holmes, the head guard in charge of all the security and trackers.

A few other high-ranking officials sat around the table, all of their expressions solemn. The situation for the Trylle was growing increasingly dire, and I was proposing change. They didnt want me to change anything they wanted me to support the system theyd had for centuries, but that system wasnt working anymore. Our society was crumbling, and they refused to see the roles they played in it.

With all due respect, Princess, Aurora began, her voice so sweet, I could barely hear the venom underneath, we have bigger issues at hand. The Vittra are only getting stronger, and with the embargo about to end

The embargo, Marksinna Laurent snorted, cutting her off. Like thats done us any good.

The embargo isnt over yet, I said, standing up straighter. Our trackers are out taking care of the problems now, which is why I think its so important that we have something in place for them when they return.

We can worry about that when they return, the Chancellor said. Lets deal with saving our asses right now.

Im not asking to redistribute the wealth or call for abolishing the monarchy, I said. I am simply saying that the trackers are out there risking their lives to save us, to protect our changelings, and they deserve a real house to come back to. We should be setting aside money now so that when this is over, we can begin building them real homes.

As noble as that is, Princess, we should be saving the money for the Vittra, Markis Bain said.

We cant pay the Vittra off, Tove interjected. This isnt about money. This is about power. We all know what they want, and a few thousand or even a few million dollars wont matter to them. The Vittra King will refuse it.

I will do everything in my power to keep Frening safe, but you are all right, I said. We have yet to find a reasonable solution for the Vittra. That means this might very well turn into a bloody fight, and if it does, we need to support our troops. They deserve the best care, including adequate housing and access to our healers if theyre injured in wartime.

Healers on a tracker? Marksinna Laurent laughed, and a few others chuckled along with her. Dont be ridiculous.

Why is that ridiculous? I asked, working to keep the ice from my voice. They are expected to die for us, but we arent willing to heal their wounds? We cannot ask more of them than we are willing to give ourselves.

They are lower than us, Laurent said, as if I didnt understand the concept. We are in charge for a reason. Why on Earth should we treat them as equals when they are not?

Because its basic decency, I argued. We may not be human, but that doesnt mean we have to be devoid of humanity. This is why our people are leaving our cities and preferring to live amongst the humans, letting their powers die. We must offer them some bit of happiness, otherwise why would they stay?

Laurent muttered something under her breath, keeping her steely eyes locked on the oak table. Her black hair was slicked back, pulled in a bun so tight her face looked strained. This was probably done on purpose.

Marksinna Laurent was a very powerful Trylle, able to produce and control fire, and something that strong was draining. Trylle powers weakened them, taking some of their life and aging them preternaturally.

But if the Trylle didnt use them, the abilities did something to their minds, eating at their thoughts and making them crazy. This was especially true for Tove, who would appear scattered and rude if he didnt use his psychokinesis.

It is time for a change, Tove said, speaking up when the room had fallen into an annoyed silence. It can be gradual, but its going to happen.

A knock at the door stopped anyone from giving him a rebuttal, but from the beet-red color of the Chancellors face, it looked like he had a few words he wanted to get out.

Duncan opened the door, and Willa poked her head in, smiling uncertainly. Since she was a Marksinna, Garretts daughter, and my best friend, she had every right to be here. Id extended an invitation for her to attend these meetings, but she always declined, saying she was afraid she would do more harm than good. She had a much harder time being polite when she disagreed with people.

Sorry, Willa said, and Duncan stepped aside so she could come in. I didnt mean to interrupt. Its just that its after five, and I was supposed to get the Princess at three for her birthday celebration.

I glanced at the clock, realizing this had worn on much longer than Id originally planned. Willa walked over to me and gave the room an apologetic smile, but I knew shed drag me out kicking and screaming if I didnt put an end to the meeting.