A hand in his hair made Eridan go still. Glancing up at his Master, he found Castien watching the discussion carefully, his fingers threading through Eridan’s hair in an absent-minded manner.
Eridan dropped his gaze to his folded knees, trying not to lean into the touch too much. He hoped no one noticed where his Master’s hand was. A quick glance around assured him that everyone was too worried to care. He relaxed and let himself enjoy Castien’s extremely rare public display of affection.
Though it wasn’t necessarily a display of affection. Perhaps his Master simply wasn’t aware of what he was doing. Sometimes Eridan thought his Master regarded him as an amusing pet—his pet. Considering that Eridan was sitting on the floor at his Master’s feet, the comparison probably wasn’t all that far-fetched. Eridan knew he probably should mind more. If he were forced to sit at anyone else’s feet, it would have rubbed him the wrong way. His pride wouldn’t allow it. But kneeling for Castien was something he had gotten used to over the years. Truth be told, he found… strange comfort in it. When he was kneeling, he was his Master’s. He had no agency, didn’t have to do anything Castien didn’t tell him. It felt oddly good.
The hand in his hair stopped moving, and Eridan almost made a disappointed sound. Frowning, he focused on what had his Master’s attention.
The debate seemed to have settled. Grandmaster Tethru was speaking. “…We need something that would remind the rest of Calluvia that the rebels are criminals. A high-profile crime that would get them arrested immediately if the Tai’Lehrians were to approach the Council. A murder.”
A ripple of murmurs met his statement.
Beside him, Castien was quiet.
“Who do you suggest?” Master Amara said, her sharp eyes narrowed on Tethru.
“Tai’Lehr is technically still the Third Grand Clan’s colony. I think disposing of Crown Prince Jamil’ngh’veighli and framing the rebels would be the perfect solution,” Tethru said. “That would be a huge blow to the Third Royal House, since Prince Jamil does not have an heir yet. It also has the added benefit of alienating Queen Janesh: she would never support people who are behind her son’s death.”
“I like it,” Master Zaid said, his gray eyes gleaming with malice. Eridan shivered and leaned closer to his Master. He had always found Master Zaid more than a little disturbing.
Eridan looked around and, to his unease, he found that most Masters were agreeing with Tethru, too. It made him feel a little bit sick. How could they just decide to take someone’s life in cold blood? He had never liked the Chapter much, but now he knew he would never want to be part of it, no matter how prestigious it was.
“Master, you have to do something,” he murmured, just for Castien’s ears.
Castien sighed. “You need to get over your squeamishness, Eridan. Your bleeding heart is going to be your downfall one day.”
Eridan met his eyes. “Please, Master,” he said, taking Castien’s hand and pressing his mouth against it.
Castien’s lips thinned. He just stared at Eridan for a long moment.
At last, he said quietly, “If you can give me a good, rational reason why I should stop them, I might indulge you.”
Eridan shot him an exasperated look. Everything was always a test with his Master. Luckily, after years of apprenticeship under Castien, he was used to it.
He frowned, his mind racing. “Killing the heir to the throne is unnecessary,” he said. “And needlessly risky. Why not simply make it look like he was killed? Disintegrating his vehicle would work just as well. There could be other opportunities he could be used for if he is kept alive.”
“Such as?” Castien said, his face inscrutable.
Eridan hummed in thought, nuzzling into his Master’s hand absent-mindedly. “His security clearance, for one thing. His familial bond to the Queen would also give you a key into Queen Janesh’s mind, make her more easily influenced.”
“Passable,” Castien said. When Eridan smiled at him, his Master murmured, “But you will work on not allowing your emotions to affect your judgment, Eridan.”
“Of course, Master,” Eridan said innocently.
Shooting him a somewhat exasperated look, Castien removed his hand and turned his attention toward his fellow Chapter members.
“Let us not be hasty,” he said.
He had raised his voice just a little, but it seemed enough for all conversations to cease and everyone’s attention to turn toward him.
Eridan dropped his gaze, trying to look like a quiet, obedient apprentice. He could feel someone’s stare on him, and he reached out with his senses a little. He suppressed a grimace as he realized it was Grandmaster Tethru.
“What do you mean, Master Idhron?” someone asked. Eridan didn’t recognize his voice.
Castien said, “Master Asai reported to me this morning that Prince Jamil’s husband, Prince-Consort Mehmer, came to her, complaining about his abnormally heightened senses and telepathy when he is away from his husband. He was concerned that there was something wrong with his marriage bond.”