Daggart raised a hand to interrupt, but Kendrick kept going, ignoring him.
"They love her so much, in fact, the editor of the Lycaonian Herald--an old friend of mine, by the way--will be doing a multi-page article about Meryn and how she is changing the lives of the Lycaonian people for the better. The paper will, of course, be distributed to the other three pillar cities, where interest in Meryn's technology programs is growing every day."
Brion spoke up. "What about the charges for having a unit leader acting as Elder to gain even more influence?"
Kendrick stopped mid-step and faced the fae. "Are they charges now?"
Brion flushed. "I misspoke. We have concerns regarding this matter."
Kendrick shrugged lazily. Anne had to turn her head. She was starting to understand his body language. Whenever Kendrick made it look like he couldn't care less, that was when he was the most agitated.
"This sort of thing happens from time to time doesn't it? Especially with hereditary seats. Caiden has done such an amazing job performing both roles over the past thirty years that no one noticed until very recently that he had been doing both."
Elizabeth let a snicker escape and coughed as if she was trying to cover up her slip. But Anne was learning; Elizabeth never did anything without reason. The woman wanted to let the men know that their concern was a laughable matter.
Daggart glared at Kendrick, his affable personality fading. "That doesn't change the fact that Unit Commander, Aiden McKenzie not only left the city while it was under attack, but also took valuable units with him."
Kendrick held up a hand to Aiden who had stepped forward growling. Aiden nodded and stepped back glaring at Daggart. Kendrick looked at the witch representative. "That is very true, but it isn't as if he left the city defenseless. All I heard today from the people was how safe they felt after seeing so many of their neighbors step up during the battle as inactive or retired warriors. To quote one shopkeeper: 'It's as if there is a warrior on every corner keeping us safe.' She didn't seem upset at all."
Kendrick walked until he was behind Amelia's chair. He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Let us not forget that the person they went to save is right in front of you. And that by leaving the city and saving her life, the Alpha Unit not only learned more about the enemy's intentions, but was able to destroy one of their facilities." Kendrick's hard glare pinned the committee members to their chairs. Some looked away, embarrassed. They had forgotten that Amelia was the one who'd been taken.
Adalwin broke the ensuing silence. "What about the damages?" he asked weakly.
Kendrick smiled. "I thought you'd never ask." He looked over at Oron who nodded at him from where he stood against the wall with Sascha. "Queen Aleksandra herself has gifted the city of Lycaonia with the services of her very best fae craftsmen to clean up and rebuild the square as a personal gift to Meryn."
Daggart gasped. "Impossible! It takes weeks to get an audience with the queen!"
Oron stepped forward, grinning. "Not when you're close to the throne." He turned to Meryn. "The queen is very excited to see another female in a position of authority, and she says she can't wait for you to visit."
Daggart's jaw dropped as Meryn gave Oron a thumbs up sign.
Elizabeth turned to the men. "Gentlemen, did you have any other concerns for us to address?" she asked sweetly.
Daggart was about to respond when he was interrupted by a faint buzzing sound; everyone looked around to try and locate the source of the noise. Ruefully, Aiden pulled his phone from his pocket. "Aiden here. What? How many? Position? They what? Roger that. I'll call back with orders."
The men closest to Aiden who had heard both sides of the conversation looked sick.
Daggart looked at Aiden. "Well?"
"Reapers and ferals have taken a large refugee group coming from Jefferson hostage just south of here. They are demanding that we lower the perimeter in exchange for the refugees' lives."
Everyone began talking at once. Colton brought two fingers up and whistled sharply. Aiden smiled at him. "Thank you." He looked over at Kendrick then at his father. "Suggestions?"
Anne watched as Byron glanced up at Kendrick and flicked his eyes over to Meryn. Kendrick nodded and went to stand behind Meryn. "What do you think we should do, Meryn?"
Meryn looked over at Elizabeth who nodded. Anne smiled; Meryn was getting the okay from her Yoda to talk.
"How many ferals?" Meryn asked.
Edmond snorted. "Shouldn't you be asking how many hostages?"
Meryn glared at him "No. I know what I meant to ask."
Daggart stood. "This is preposterous! This woman has no right to be included on important decisions."
Aiden stared down at the officious man. "She has more of a right than you do."
As arguments broke out, Anne could see Kendrick's patience running out. He simply held up his hand and released a spell causing everyone to freeze. It was instantly quiet. He opened his hand and everyone was able to move again. "Let me try to clear this matter up for you gentlemen once and for all. Then we can concentrate on the hostages that need us." He moved to the middle of the row.
"Amelia represents a normal woman, she's warm, caring and intelligent. All wonderful qualities, and as much as I love my godsdaughter, because of these qualities, I would never put her in the position to make such a hard decision. Meryn on the other hand, is...different. She thinks the way I do, the way a trained leader would, and I trust her implicitly to make hard choices because of this."