by Trevol Swift
Ms. Anshula wrung her hands. “I’m trusting you, Justicar. I’ll call stop at the slightest sign of pain or discomfort from him.”
“A fair ask.” She hit record on her conch. It refused with a space too low prompt. Then the low power indicator. She dug a thumb into her arm to suppress the swear which almost passed her lips. She swept over to Mirrei’s bedside where she deposited the conch on the charging station. Her skin prickled from all the eyes on her.
“Here, take my conch,” Kanto said. “It has the archives on it.”
“Thank you.”
Music played from the conch. It sounded familiar. Now, she remembered. The refugee camps. “Is this music from the refugee camps?”
“Yes.”
“When did you record this?”
“During the heresy trial. Mirrei and I, we sneaked out.”
Jhee bustled him out to the corridor. “You what? By yourselves?”
“Afraid some dastard might brain us over the head?”
“I should have told you about that. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Shouldn’t I be worried? It seems you should be the one kept in this room.”
“Was this your way of getting back at me?”
His eyes took on the glaze of hurt. “Did I need to?”
“If you are upset with me, there’s no need to take it out on poor Mirrei.”
He turned away from her and whispered, “Oh yes, poor sweet, innocent Mirrei? Who we’ve been looking after while you traipse about strange men’s rooms, picking up their favors.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This.” Kanto faced her, eyes brightened by red. He waved a handkerchief at her. “This isn’t mine or denme’s. The second you’ve acquired that I know of. Why not accuse me of making Shep feral too?”
“Did you? Sabotaging my night with him worked to your advantage. Why not go farther?”
The look of hurt appeared again. “Perhaps my intent with tea was to have more time with you in a setting which showcased my talents. My intention though was not to usurp Shep’s time. Why not ask him if he did it to himself to ruin our day together? That worked to his advantage. It was my day, remember? Of course, you don’t. Or else you might not have spent it sharing passion with another while plotting to give me away like a gift you don’t want. To be clear, denbe, I am a gift. It’s to your detriment you don’t see that I could be your secret weapon. Just like you didn’t bother to ask me to give up my day and look after Mirrei so you can tend to Shep. Just like you didn’t bother to ask me if I want to be remarried. That’s your default operating mode. But that’s a discussion for another time.”
“Indeed, it is. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Kanto smoothed his robes and softened his tone, “Please, denbe, wait. I think you should hear this. It’s important.”
“I’m sure you think it’s important, but others need my attention right now. Least of all your denye because of your irresponsible behavior.”
He narrowed his eyes. “My behavior? If you’re not being attacked, you seem to be wandering about a number of strange bedchambers at night. Despite what you think, I’d never transfer my anger at you to Mirrei or Shep, least of all endanger them. Never.” Kanto paused and took a deep breath. “I’m not trying to fight with you. I think I can help.”
“Help? You can help me by keeping yourself occupied while I get the young man’s testimony.”
Tale of The Low Chamber
Back at Mr. Akesheem’s side, Jhee noted those present and had Ms. Anshula reaffirm her consent to the inspiration procedure. Jhee took a deep breath and made herself as relaxed as possible before she began. She opened his mouth slightly and exhaled deeply. A shimmer of air passed from her mouth to his.
“Brave, Akesheem,” she said in a mild and comforting tone. She heard the reverb as expected and felt no discomfort of her own. She stroked his head and ears. “Hear my words, Akesheem, you are safe and in the company of those who care for you.”
Tension drained from Mr. Akesheem. His restlessness quieted. When his eyes opened, they shone a color more silver than gold. Like hers. At least, in his case, it was explainable.
“What are you doing to him?” Raigen demanded.
“Quiet,” Shep whispered. He gestured for them to be calm. “If he is to be calmed, we must remain calm.”
“Brave, Akesheem, please, give as full an account as you can of how you came to be in the Corrections Hall.”
“Having recognized my sister, Ani, I resolved to have it out with her. After her performance, I slipped away from Mr. Pol to speak with her. My initial intent was to send her away. Then I heard Raigen’s poem. Between my sister’s counsel and Raigen’s words to me throughout my stay, I was no longer as sure of my decision to take vows. I found Mr. Pol and confessed to him my doubts and my desire to possibly return home. He grew furious. He yelled at me and called me ungrateful.
“’We’ll see what the abbess has to say about this. A great number of preparations had been made to much trouble and great expense. I’ve already received payment for you and spent it besides.’ He also explained if I backed out now, my family would be forced to repay the sums he had given them.”
Mr. Akesheem’s coherence impressed Jhee. Shep and Mirrei working together to treat him must have been the cause.
The sordid tale continued, “He pulled my hair then dragged me to his room where he locked me in. Some time later, he returned. I thought we were going to see Abbess Pyrmo. He pulled me through the Prayer Hall and through a courtyard then pushed me through a door. We emerged into a dressing room with a curtained bed. I had never seen such a luxuriously appointed room. A voice which echoed from everywhere called to me. It said I should join her as her groom as the Father Maker joins the Mother Maker. How could I properly decide if I would know no wife other than the Mother Maker unless I knew what it was I gave up?
“I refused. Mr. Pol grabbed a cane from the wall and then a branding iron from the fire. ‘He is willful. I know how to ensure obedience.’
“’His skin is far too pretty and unblemished considering where he comes from. Unmarked, he may be of more use to us later. Put him to sleep where he can reconsider his options: my company or the brand.’ A figure wearing a Cheiropthys mask stepped forward. Smoke emanated from its mouth. I fainted.”
“At first, he had called the voice the abbess. I thought they sought to make me take vows against my will. Later, while I was stripped naked in that room, Mr. Pol called her the Mist Abbess. It was then I knew they had something far more diabolical planned. I despaired of my very soul.
“I awoke later only to see you and Raigen pass me by in the halls of the tortured and the drenched. I thought all was lost. I too felt like I had been tortured and drenched. Then by the Makers’ grace, you returned.”
“You are very brave, Akesheem. No one has the right to enforce such indignities upon you. Now, this is very important, did you smell anything when you were in the room? Smudge? Licorice? Accelerants?”
“No—Wait. The lovely aroma of flowers and woody cologne. The beautiful fragrance mocked the misery the room must have seen.”
“What about Hethyr? Did you see her or hear her name mentioned?”
Mr. Akesheem shook his head. Jhee furrowed her brow. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. The inspiration left him. “Very good, Akesheem. You did very well. Rest now.”
Mr. Akesheem drifted off to sleep. Ms. Anshula looked away with moist eyes. Mr. Zane held her to him. Itzil roared in the distance. The sound broke the tension. “Itzil hasn’t been out in a while. I need to exercise her. She likes the Zodiac Courtyard. That’s where I’ll be if you need me.”
“I’ll come with,” Mr. Zane said.
They exited the room with haste.
“One of the many hazards of keeping a bull hound in your room,” Jhee said. “Bright Harmony, you may have your conch back now.”
When no response came, she faced those watching. Kanto wasn�
�t present. He must have gone with them. She sighed. Shep placed a hand on her elbow.
“Mirrei has gotten worse,” he whispered. “She is ill with fever.”
“I checked on her. She is young and resilient. She assured me she is fine. I have no doubt you can and will tend to her.”
“I demand of you little, but on this, as denme, I insist. Talk to her more. It may do her good.”
Jhee inclined her head. She pulled up a stool beside Mirrei and adjusted her compress. “What’s all this fuss? Think of the shame if we arrive at the capital and the first action we have to do is petition the Soothbringers for their cures. If you wanted my attention, you just needed to say so.”
Mirrei smiled. Jhee returned the gesture. “So.”
Jhee noted Mirrei’s embroidery hoop lying beside her sickbed abandoned. Her smile faded. “This embroidery looks to be your finest to date. The poultice I chided you for proved pivotal in my investigation. It may have even saved my life. Between the journey and the single room, our time together has been lacking and for that, I apologize.”
“No need.”
“You have your denyes worried to waves over you. You were supposed to be resting, and they were supposed to be taking care of you.”
“Please, don’t baby me. Remember what I said about your ageism.”
“How am I supposed to react when you both behave like disobedient adolescents? What else did you expect? Running around in the cold and damp?”
“No credible source says being out in the rain affects your likelihood of catching a cold.”
“Exhaustion does. Besides, you don’t have a cold. You have Fresh Lung Syndrome. This water is much too riverine for you to traipse about.”
“Hence, why I wanted to see the Soothbringer healers in action.”
Jhee pulled a faded, wrinkled parchment from her breast pocket. She placed the letter in Mirrei’s chilly, dainty hands. “This is the letter your mother sent along with you before her passing.”
Mirrei grimaced.
“She made me promise when she gave me your hand in marriage, I would see you safe and given a better life in the capital. Which is precisely what I intend to do. Will you make a liar of me and shame us both in her eyes?”
Mirrei shook her head ‘No.’
“Good.”
Jhee gained her feet. Mirrei grasped her hand.
“It’s not his fault. I begged him to come with. He didn’t even know where the camps were. I knew because you mentioned it then I consulted an atlas while we were in the archives.”
“Nevertheless, he should have known better. You’re in no condition to go traipsing around the island. Your delicate constitution is not suited for such misadventures. How could he have been so irresponsible to risk your health like that?”
“Makers, you didn’t say that to him, did you?”
“Not in so many words. I know about his history with his mother.”
Mirrei sunk further into the bedding in relief. “Good.”
Jhee patted her hand. “Before you two came along, Shep and I were quite lax in our devotions. I shall go to the shrine and pray to Pascoe and Lashae for you. I shall input that you are well into the system, and I dare the Makers not to implement my design. You must heed me and your mamere’s spirit and get better this instant.”
Mirrei nodded. “Make time for him. You’ve made time for everyone else. Now, do so for him.”
“Rest. We’ll discuss it when I get back.”
Bax reported back the results of the headcount. All were accounted for except the criminals, Ms. Hethyr and Mr. Pol. And now her husband.
“Where do you think Mr. Kanto went?” Bax asked.
“Likely sulking. Who knows? Maybe he went to Lady Bathsheba looking to trade up.”
“That boy idolizes you, Justicar.”
“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I’m not in the right waters for one of his moods now.”
“Drench it, Jhee!” Shep said. “Are you this blind? What better way for you to think him capable and clever than to help your case and uncover the murderer himself?”
“He wouldn’t be that reckless, would he?” Shep gave her a hard glare. A young man trying to impress would be precisely that reckless. She and Shep went to Kanto’s seat by the charging station. “His sketchbook isn’t here.”
“He had been working in it while listening to his conch. Trench, he mentioned something he wanted me to look over before he presented it to you. I forgot in all the commotion.”
“Maybe there’s a clue on his conch.”
Jhee tried to listen, but the room held too many distractions. “I must excuse myself, so I can think about how we are to proceed. Bax, with me. The rest of you stay here.”
“Yes, Justicar.”
Jhee and Bax headed out.
Mirrei took hold of her hand. “Go after him. Apologize. Pray for me together.”
Mirrei closed her eyes. Jhee placed the embroidery hood and box on a stool for when she awoke. She used her sleeve to hide wiping away tears. She paused an extra moment to compose herself. Everyone in this room looked to her to maintain the systems. She must not fail them.
24 The Cloister
The Coral Cloister
Kanto paced out the length of the Coral Cloister. He had left in such haste, he had brought no instrument to test his theory with save his voice. Not only that, he left his conch behind as well. He swallowed hard. He opened his mouth then clamped it shut again. Instead, he clapped. He took note of the sound of the echo and sustain. He proceeded a few paces. Then clapped again. He repeated the routine about half the perimeter of the Coral Cloister. Each spot sounded the same so far. He pulled out his sketchbook.
Tap. Tap. Kanto’s knuckles rapped against an annex wall. He knew he was being a bit of a brat. But after weeks cooped up on that boat to see how denbe favored Mirrei. If only she knew.
With Mirrei’s arrival, Kanto’s calculations changed. He was no longer as sure of what his role was to be in their family as he once was. Perhaps he shouldn’t fight denbe’s plans to remarry him. But drench it, that was his decision, and she had not even bothered to ask him if that’s what he wanted. His grandmere for all her cunning had at least respected him that much.
“She’ll hate this,” Shep had said. “She’ll hate that I’m here. But she needs a more suitable companion for the state dinner.”
The arrangement with Shep had been standard. Kanto was to escort denbe to public functions and be the elegant, refined showpiece of her house in situations where appearances and tact mattered. Shep had no desire or inclination to do it himself. Having, also, heard about the refectory, if only secondhand, denbe could not risk such an incident at court.
Initially, it had been unclear if Shep intended romantic duties as well. Kanto suspected that had been an up-swell from grandmamere. He touched his side where the specialized, seahorse tattoo covered the nearly invisible scar from the “gentleman’s” surgery he had as a child.
Grandmere must have up-swelled them as she had him. In the provinces, you sold excess. In the capital, they bought. “No, he would not just be your companion for events or social secretary,” she must have told them. “Make him your husband. He would be your stream to riches. Claim his dowry and then remarry him for even more at the capital.”
Tap. Tap. The columns sounded fine. Kanto walked the Coral Cloister again as he checked his notes.
How easy Kanto had thought it would be to win promotion to first husband. It took mere moments in the company of the vain, preening Mr. Zane to realize that’s what denbe thought he was. A clownfish paddling for a wave to the capital. He understood now he needed to impress her. If he helped her crack the case, it might crack the ice between them.
Why did Kanto fight her so hard on remarrying him? He would find a rich woman, who kept him finely attired and supplied with candies and cakes. Until he grew aged and fat and she threw him aside for another younger and more fit. He did not think denbe so shallow. One had to cas
t their gaze no further than her current first husband.
Denbe thought him shallow. She thought it was about the material trifles. It was about respect. She was no longer going to be a field judge. She would have to sit on the bench and render judgment. If she showed up to a court function in ripped, dirty robes and disheveled hair, who there would respect her? If she had to attend higher-ranking officials, would they submit to the judgment of someone who presented to them as beneath them? No. When she got to court, he wanted them to see what he had seen their first meeting, the small, unassuming woman who nevertheless owned the room. The one who made Shep’s eyes brighten and sit up straighter when he talked about her and being her husband.
Kanto huffed and grimaced at the grim statues. Scarred, graying like Shep. If grandmamere’s information was correct, not spending nearly enough time in the marriage bed.
Grandmamere had known the ways to hook him. She filled his head with tales of a loveless marriage, a marriage of convenience, how he could give her love and care, and most importantly, heirs. What he knew was denbe and denme were not on the same wavelength about everything. Kanto’s introduction didn’t seem a matter of sexual satisfaction, and Shep had spoken of children and family. Yet, those seemed the farthest notion from what denbe wanted.
“What had happened to saddle such a smart, passionate woman with such an unsatisfactory partner as Shep. If my inquiries are correct, he’s barely able to perform his husbandly duties. I fail to see what use Shep provides her that mere hired brutes could not, yet she lavishes attention on him. She needs your political savvy. Younger, more handsome, more virile. It should be an easy task for you to become first. It should be child’s play for you to supplant him.”
Spousal promotion might have been an easy task if Kanto spent enough time alone with denbe. No sooner had they consummated, however, then Mirrei and Miramar arrived. He had made some measure of progress. He gained Shep’s confidence enough to learn denbe’s exciters and dislikes. He caught her eye more and more.
“Don’t be another crisis she has to manage. I am the denme. If there is a problem, come to me first. I’ll do my best to resolve it without troubling her.”
