It was in that heavy, pregnant silence that Skulduggery was surprised to discover a sense of relief. Part of him, he realised, had been wondering in the split second between Corrival's announcement of having candidates already, and mentioning the candidates, whether or not he was one of them. Corrival wasn't known for being foolish; but then again, he was very well-known for trying to force people into arrangements they initially hated, but which turned out to be excellent ideas.
This would not turn out to be an excellent idea. Which was why Skulduggery's first thought was one of relief.
It took him a few moments to register who the nominee was, and to look over at Solomon, quietly considering. Ex-Necromancer. Certainly not naive, and no longer in possession of such questionable magic. He'd been ready to kill billions of people for a possibility, however, and while Skulduggery could forgive the transgression, he didn't know if he wanted such a man in control of Ireland.
Yes, he surprised himself. I do.
Solomon had been willing to do something like that not because he was sadistic or evil, but because he was faithful. He always had been. Some people were like that; they needed something to believe in, and when they found that something, they clung on with everything they had. Solomon's faith was shaken down to its very core in the last week, and he'd found something new to cling to. Something much more acceptable. That was the mistake Skulduggery had made, back during Solomon's Surge. He'd mistakenly assumed Solomon was choosing Necromancy out of a misguided attempt at rebellion. If he'd known just how much Solomon needed that unshakable faith, Skulduggery might have tried harder to be someone worth believing in.
Of course, it was ridiculous to blame himself. The fact remained that Solomon became a Necromancer because Skulduggery hadn't been there in time once. It was a foolish decision on Solomon's part. Skulduggery was only human.
It didn't matter that Solomon was now blind. He would be a capable leader. This newfound faith wasn't going to be so easily shaken, and Corrival's logic made sense. One of the Elders had to be someone who at least understood the world of politics, someone who couldn't be accused of being in too tight with Corrival, someone who could be guaranteed to be an impartial party.
Skulduggery didn't bother smiling, because no one would be able to see it. But he nodded, and his tone had a tinge of warmth to it. "I think it's a good idea."
Ghastly's face registered surprise. "You do?"
"Why not? He's a balancing entity. One could argue he's earned it."
"Earned it?" Erskine cut in incredulously. "Because it's a punishment for what he was planning to do, or because it's a reward for surviving being blinded?"
Skulduggery shrugged. "Take your pick."
Erskine and Ghastly were already coming around to the idea, objective though they were both being. The pair exchanged a look of uncertainty, but neither of them said anything else. Valkyrie was already happy with the idea, if her expression was anything to go by. Even many mages in the crowd were backing off, silenced by Corrival's comment about Morwenna Crow.
There would be questions, Skulduggery knew. Solomon would be bombarded with them in the days to come. He'd have to explain what Corrival meant by conversion, not to mention why he was suddenly blind.
And speaking of blind...
As if right on cue, Tenebrae stepped forward. "I object."
And because Tenebrae was objecting, Erskine was immediately defensive. His expression cleared and he turned with a hardening of his eyes. "On what grounds?"
"Solomon Wreath is a Cleric of the Temple. He's my responsibility. Electing him as an Elder of the Sanctuary would completely undermine my authority."
"What authority?" Scrutinous snapped.
"This may be impossible for most of you to understand, but I am in charge of a large number of sorcerers. All powerful, and all extremely impressionable. Most of them know nothing of this world. I must be seen as infallible."
Pretty words, Skulduggery had to admit. Unfortunately for Tenebrae, the six of them knew exactly why the High Priest was objecting. And it had nothing to do with a potential lack of authority.
"That's funny." Erskine's eyes were narrowed. "The last time I spoke to Wreath, he was very clear that he no longer considered himself a Necromancer. Doesn't that remove the problem?"
Tenebrae's jaw clenched. "You do not want to make an enemy of my Temple, Ravel. Wreath is, and always has been, a Necromancer, regardless of what he thinks he is. And you will make an enemy of the Temple if this goes through."
no subject
This would not turn out to be an excellent idea. Which was why Skulduggery's first thought was one of relief.
It took him a few moments to register who the nominee was, and to look over at Solomon, quietly considering. Ex-Necromancer. Certainly not naive, and no longer in possession of such questionable magic. He'd been ready to kill billions of people for a possibility, however, and while Skulduggery could forgive the transgression, he didn't know if he wanted such a man in control of Ireland.
Yes, he surprised himself. I do.
Solomon had been willing to do something like that not because he was sadistic or evil, but because he was faithful. He always had been. Some people were like that; they needed something to believe in, and when they found that something, they clung on with everything they had. Solomon's faith was shaken down to its very core in the last week, and he'd found something new to cling to. Something much more acceptable. That was the mistake Skulduggery had made, back during Solomon's Surge. He'd mistakenly assumed Solomon was choosing Necromancy out of a misguided attempt at rebellion. If he'd known just how much Solomon needed that unshakable faith, Skulduggery might have tried harder to be someone worth believing in.
Of course, it was ridiculous to blame himself. The fact remained that Solomon became a Necromancer because Skulduggery hadn't been there in time once. It was a foolish decision on Solomon's part. Skulduggery was only human.
It didn't matter that Solomon was now blind. He would be a capable leader. This newfound faith wasn't going to be so easily shaken, and Corrival's logic made sense. One of the Elders had to be someone who at least understood the world of politics, someone who couldn't be accused of being in too tight with Corrival, someone who could be guaranteed to be an impartial party.
Skulduggery didn't bother smiling, because no one would be able to see it. But he nodded, and his tone had a tinge of warmth to it. "I think it's a good idea."
Ghastly's face registered surprise. "You do?"
"Why not? He's a balancing entity. One could argue he's earned it."
"Earned it?" Erskine cut in incredulously. "Because it's a punishment for what he was planning to do, or because it's a reward for surviving being blinded?"
Skulduggery shrugged. "Take your pick."
Erskine and Ghastly were already coming around to the idea, objective though they were both being. The pair exchanged a look of uncertainty, but neither of them said anything else. Valkyrie was already happy with the idea, if her expression was anything to go by. Even many mages in the crowd were backing off, silenced by Corrival's comment about Morwenna Crow.
There would be questions, Skulduggery knew. Solomon would be bombarded with them in the days to come. He'd have to explain what Corrival meant by conversion, not to mention why he was suddenly blind.
And speaking of blind...
As if right on cue, Tenebrae stepped forward. "I object."
And because Tenebrae was objecting, Erskine was immediately defensive. His expression cleared and he turned with a hardening of his eyes. "On what grounds?"
"Solomon Wreath is a Cleric of the Temple. He's my responsibility. Electing him as an Elder of the Sanctuary would completely undermine my authority."
"What authority?" Scrutinous snapped.
"This may be impossible for most of you to understand, but I am in charge of a large number of sorcerers. All powerful, and all extremely impressionable. Most of them know nothing of this world. I must be seen as infallible."
Pretty words, Skulduggery had to admit. Unfortunately for Tenebrae, the six of them knew exactly why the High Priest was objecting. And it had nothing to do with a potential lack of authority.
"That's funny." Erskine's eyes were narrowed. "The last time I spoke to Wreath, he was very clear that he no longer considered himself a Necromancer. Doesn't that remove the problem?"
Tenebrae's jaw clenched. "You do not want to make an enemy of my Temple, Ravel. Wreath is, and always has been, a Necromancer, regardless of what he thinks he is. And you will make an enemy of the Temple if this goes through."