Chapter 904: Final Choice

Corvyn let out a slow breath after Vaelis's question. The chamber waited for his answer, though everyone knew where it would lead.

"You know why I did it. Kesh kept telling me the city was slipping out of our hands, that the others were moving against me and that the fleet had to secure the locks before somebody else did. I listened to him."

Vaelis did not look away.

"And you followed him. You're a Myrrhvale, Corvyn. Why didn't you make that decision yourself?"

Corvyn's mouth tightened, but no answer came. The question hurt because there was nothing useful he could put between himself and what had happened.

Lyren spoke from two seats away, his tone calmer than either of theirs.

"He played you well. You should think about that before you make another decision for the house." His eyes moved toward the Tide officers below. "And you should withdraw the fleet from the crossings. That part doesn't need more discussion."

Corvyn looked toward the newly appointed admiral. The man had been in command for less than an hour and was sitting among officers who had spent years following Kesh's orders.

Corvyn remained silent. Trafalgar watched him revisit the last few days: Kesh pushing him toward deployment, the hidden movements, Meer's departure, the Deep Chambers and the admission that Corvyn had been the easiest heir to use.

"Yes," Corvyn said. "I'll order the withdrawal."

Several Tide officers shifted in their seats, but Corvyn continued before anyone could respond.

"That isn't the only thing I'm withdrawing from. I'm leaving the succession."

Quiet conversations started across the faction seats, and the new admiral turned toward Corvyn in surprise. Corvyn kept his eyes on his siblings.

"I spent two years judging whether the rest of you were capable of leading this house. Meanwhile, the man commanding my own faction was using me and moving people behind my back. After that, I'm not going to stand here and argue that I should be the one leading Myrrhvale."

"You don't have to withdraw because Kesh deceived you," one of the Tide officers said.

"I'm not withdrawing because he deceived me. I'm withdrawing because I let him make decisions I should have questioned myself."

That ended the objection. Corvyn looked toward Ithanne.

"Pull every Tide unit back to its normal post. End the additional controls at the locks and crossings. Whoever becomes head of the family can decide what changes come after that."

Ithanne nodded and passed the order to one of the clerks beside her. The new admiral accepted the written instruction without protest.

Vaelis watched his brother in silence. He had no intention of making the same choice. Protecting Ilyra had driven him to destroy evidence and carry the blame for their mother's death, but he still believed he could lead the house.

Ithanne allowed the room to quiet before she spoke.

"If all of you are ready, then I believe we have delayed this long enough. Your mother has been dead for two years. Today we finally have the truth of what happened to her, and House Myrrhvale needs a head again."

All four remaining heirs acknowledged her. Ilyra looked nervous beside her siblings, but she raised her hand before Ithanne could continue.

"I want to withdraw too."

Vaelis turned toward her immediately.

Ilyra swallowed before continuing. "I never had much support, and I don't want people choosing me because they feel sorry for what happened. I don't know enough to lead the house yet. I'd rather not pretend otherwise."

Nobody challenged her. Even the representatives who had once considered her as a compromise candidate appeared relieved.

That left Vaelis, Lyren and Nerith. Ithanne called the factions in order.

The Ancients moved first. Their representative stood and declared support for Vaelis without hesitation. They had backed the First Heir through two years of accusations and did not abandon him now that the murder charge had collapsed.

The Canal Houses followed. Maela Sorrel stood from her section and named Nerith. There was no speech attached to it; everyone already knew why the Canal Houses had chosen her after the losses in the second ring.

Several administrative houses and household officials moved toward Lyren. He had fewer supporters than either of the other two, but enough remained around him to keep his claim alive.

The Tide did not choose. Their new admiral rose when Ithanne called on them.

"After what happened under Admiral Varlan, the fleet will not decide this succession. We will serve whoever House Myrrhvale recognizes."

Corvyn said nothing, but Trafalgar noticed that he approved.

When the declarations ended, Ithanne reviewed the written counts with the clerks. Vaelis still had the Ancients behind him, but his destruction of the attendance records and concealment of evidence could not be ignored because his reason had been protecting Ilyra.

Ithanne looked toward him.

"First Heir Vaelis, the council accepts that you were not involved in Nyssara's murder. It also accepts why you removed those records. But you knowingly obstructed the investigation into the death of the head of this family for two years."

Vaelis's expression remained firm.

"I know."

"The Ancients support you, but the remaining factions do not. You do not have enough support to be selected."

Vaelis looked disappointed, but accepted the decision without arguing.

Ithanne turned toward the two remaining names.

"Then we are left with Lyren and Nerith."

The chamber became quiet again. Trafalgar looked between them, remembering how often both had been accused of manipulating the succession.

Lyren rose before Ithanne could call another vote.

"I don't think we need another round."

Nerith looked up at him.

Lyren kept his attention on Ithanne.

"My sister will do a better job than I will. She kept investigating when the rest of us were fighting over who benefited from Mother's death, and she was willing to take responsibility when her methods became public."

He glanced toward Nerith before finishing.

"I withdraw. My support goes to her."

Nerith remained silent for several seconds. Around the chamber, the remaining representatives looked toward one another, but nobody raised an objection.

After two years, there was only one heir left. Ithanne stood and faced the chamber.

"Then House Myrrhvale recognizes Nerith di Myrrhvale as its new head."

The words carried through the chamber without celebration. Too much had happened for that.

Nerith rose from her seat and faced the people who had spent two years waiting for someone to take Nyssara's place. For the first time since Trafalgar arrived in Meraval, the succession was over.