Jonas opened his mouth to say something but ended up puffing on his pipe instead.
“I apologize for my brother’s lack of manners,” Tilly said.
“As I was saying,” Reston said, “there is a chance that the Nevinander woman will prevail upon the Inquisition to open the University gates at dawn to permit Alexi’s elderly rescuers to go back to Trifienne. I’ve been trying to think of a way to take advantage of the opportunity, but I’m concerned we might endanger the ladies.”
Jonas choked a little, but Tilly’s admonition held.
“Since Dona’s mother is a member of the group,” Reston continued, “Dona might be able to accompany them. Under the circumstances, I think she should try.”
Dona whirled on him. “What? I can’t leave you all behind.”
“Besides,” Alexi said, “what if this Nevinander woman is working with Everson? Wouldn’t that put her in more danger?”
“Even if she is working with him, she’ll probably just want the book, which Dona doesn’t currently have anyway. I don’t know when there’ll be another opportunity to get someone out of here. Maybe she could get word to the Constable. Besides, don’t you think she’s put her poor mother through enough?”
She’d countered Reston’s suggestion reflexively. He had no business making her decisions. Alexi siding with him only strengthened her resolve—it wasn’t his place either. Besides, Alexi was in far more danger than she was. To escape the Inquisition unscathed, he was going to need help, but Reston’s track record in that department was less than stellar. She doubled down. “I said I would go visit her tonight, and I will, but I never said I would go back with her. My life is here. And besides, it was you who involved my mother in the first place.”
“Life as a victim of the Inquisition is not worth it,” Tilly said. “You’d be better off starting over someplace new.”
“I’m not a victim yet, and if I can do anything to save this place, I have to at least try. Exidgeon is by no means perfect, but by admitting students like me, they’re bucking eons of tradition. Losing that now would be a giant step backward.”
“I can’t force you,” Reston said, “but if I were you, I’d think long and hard before giving up an opportunity to get out of here. Things are likely to get far worse before they get better.”
Reston’s pleas to consider her safety were beginning to grate. If Alexi had the chance, would Reston be advising him to leave, too? Somehow, she thought not, but since clearly neither she nor Reston were going to reconsider, Dona resorted to an approach she often used to end futile arguments with her mother.
“All right,” she said. “I’ll think about it. In the meantime, I’d better get this visit to the chapel over with.”
“I’ll go with you,” Alexi said. “Under the circumstances, you shouldn’t be traveling alone at night.”
Dona took his hand. “That’s very sweet of you.”
Alexi winked at her. “And here I thought I was being selfish.”
She glanced back at Reston. “We’ll be back shortly—Ma willing.”
. . . . .
It didn’t take Verone long to determine that the Inquisition had transferred operations to Canasty Hall, which was right next door to Dexter Hall. She had to get a bit short with the Inquisitors standing guard, but she eventually wrangled a meeting with Cartier. His new office was makeshift, with a table serving as his desk. He was seated in an old wooden chair, and they were interrupted every few minutes by Inquisitors either reporting on the status of something or requesting guidance on some detail for adapting the new building to their needs.
“I’m sorry—I don’t have long,” he said. “As you can see, things are still a bit up in the air. Did you ever find your missing person?”
“We came across reliable witnesses who had seen her on campus yesterday,” Verone said. “Since we determined she was safe, we’ve decided to call off the search.”
“Congratulations.”
“I thought it might be easier on everyone if the ladies and I got out of your way. Do you think I could prevail upon you to have the gates opened for us?”
“I think we could arrange something. We’d have to make it quick, though—I’m told the Crown has amassed a welcoming party, and I haven’t figured out how to spin this situation yet. I’m sure they’ll view closing the gates as an act of aggression.”
“Have you found the heretics?”
“Not yet. Thurman really didn’t bother to do much investigating once he got the confession, and now that the prisoner is dead, there isn’t much to go on.”
“So, can you pick up the investigation where Thurman left off?”
“We can, but I’m not much of an expert on Phrendonic Heresy. I’ll need to check among the newcomers for someone with experience in that area.”
“Perhaps you can send someone to tell the Crown that you only closed the gates to make sure potential suspects couldn’t escape. If they feel they’re a part of the process, they wouldn’t be so quick to believe the worst.”
“I’m not sure they would buy that. I think they’d feel uncomfortable with any large occupying force stationed in Exidgeon. After all, it’s really more a fortress than a university.
“So, let them send in observers. Once they see what you’re doing here, how could they not be thankful you’re trying to keep their citizens safe?”
“You’d be surprised. So, when did you want the gates opened?”
“How about just before dawn? That way no one will be any the wiser.”
“All right, just before dawn it is.”
“Thank you, Father. I’ll have the Ladies assembled and waiting.”
Cartier kissed her hand in farewell. “It’s the least I can do.”
. . . . .
Overcast skies would have made the evening trip to the chapel treacherous if it hadn’t been for the multitude of campfires dotting the landscape. Dona and Alexi picked their way among them, careful to stay out of sight, flitting like ghosts, shadow to shadow. It wasn’t until they found themselves in a secluded alley that Alexi broke the silence.
“So, are you going to leave with your mother tomorrow?”
Dona paused, then turned to face him. “Do you want me to?”
He met her gaze for only an instant. “I think it’s your safest option.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“You’d be foolish to stay and risk capture by the Inquisition.”
She straightened his collar. “I want you to say what you feel—not what you think is safest or least foolish.”
“I can’t ask you to stay. If you were hurt because of me, I couldn’t live with myself.”
“I didn’t ask you to work out all the possible repercussions. I merely asked you to tell me what you want. But, like most men confronted with their feelings, you’re overcomplicating and overrationalizing to the point you’re answering a completely different question.”
“All right then, if I could guarantee—”
Dona touched her finger to his lips. “Shh, no ifs.”
“Fine. I want you to stay.”
There, that wasn’t so hard, was it? You really can be very endearing—”
A disturbance at the far end of their alley caused them to leap for cover, but it was merely a cat stalking dinner. They made it the rest of the way to the Chapel without difficulty, but he stopped her as they reached the door.
“So?” he whispered. “Are you staying or leaving?”
“I’m still considering.” She felt a twinge of guilt for not telling him her decision, but she couldn’t help it—the extra attention was as addictive as it was charming.
Cheers erupted as Dona and Alexi stepped into the chapel. Dona’s mother rushed from the crowd to embrace her daughter. “I was so worried.”
“I don’t know what Professor Reston was thinking,” Dona said. “He really shouldn’t have put you through this—I can take care of myself. But it is so good to see you.”
Stand
ing a bit back with the others, Rayen beamed and waved.
She ran to hug him. “And you too.”
“I told her you were fine,” Rayen said. “But you know your mother…”
“I do indeed. Thanks for watching out for her anyway.”
Rayen smiled. “I couldn’t very well let her worry her way around Trifienne all by herself, could I?”
Dona gaped at the welcoming crowd, humbled that so many had gathered on her behalf. “Well, this is very flattering.” Then she did a double take. “Miranda? What are you doing here?”
Miranda raised a glass. “I came for the party.”
“She wants to go with us when we leave tomorrow,” Mrs. Caldor said.
“Are they really going to open the gate for you?” Dona asked.
One of the ladies extended her hand to Dona. “I don’t see why they wouldn’t. My daughter has gone to arrange it. I’m Mrs. Nathalie Nevinander. On behalf of the Venerable Assembly of Church Mothers, I want to welcome you. You led us on a merry chase, but we are all overjoyed that it has ended so well.”
Dona started at the Nevinander name, but the woman’s smile conveyed a caring warmth that struck her as entirely genuine. “I’m truly touched.”
“Please, come in and make yourself at home. We’ll see about getting you set up for the night. My daughter would like us to be ready to leave at dawn.”
Dona spied Alexi leaning against the wall, arms folded, staring at her as though he was waiting for her to say something in return.
“I’d like to thank Alexi here, for letting me know you were all looking for me.”
The ladies applauded him politely.
Mrs. Temrich pumped Alexi’s hand. “Welcome back, young man. I do hope this visit won’t interrupt your studies.” She spoke so loudly, her voice drowned out the applause, and all eyes turned to her.
“Poor dear,” Mrs. Tibbleman said. “She’s a little hard-of-hearing. I suppose sooner or later we all must face the prospect of age catching up with us—knock wood.”
“The interruption won’t matter,” Caroline Caldor said. “They’ve cancelled all classes until this Inquisition thing is sorted out.”
Nathalie turned to Alexi. “Will you be coming with us, young man?”
“I—I hadn’t really thought about it.”
Dona donned a smug grin—now it was his turn to decide. “Take your time. Sometimes the right answer isn’t immediately obvious.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Of course she is,” Dona’s mother said. “If they are canceling classes, this Inquisition isn’t anything to trifle with.”
Dona’s smile faded. Though she’d known this argument was inevitable, she hadn’t expected it to start so soon. If she wasn’t careful, her mother was going to ruin everything. “Ma, I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions.”
“Then I’m not saying anything you haven’t already considered. Rayen, help her find a suitable pallet. Dawn will be here before we know it.”
“That may be, but that still doesn’t mean I’ve made up my mind.”
“Allow me to help. Your arguments in favor of staying are what?”
“None of your business.”
Rayen grimaced, and a little vein pulsed on Dona’s mother’s neck. “I see. Well whoever the lucky boy is, I’m sure he’ll still be here when this all blows over.”
“I never said it was a boy. I told you, it’s none of your business.”
Rayen winced again, and the venerable ladies murmured among themselves.
At last Alexi spoke. “Your mother’s right. You really should go.”
Dona’s eyes flashed. Managing her mother was trying on the best of days and, even had he agreed with her, none of Alexi’s business. But to publicly sabotage her efforts—that was completely over the line. “Fine. Since my opinion doesn’t seem to matter, I guess I have no choice. Best of luck to you Mr. Reysa.”
She sniffed and stalked through the assembled ladies.
Dona’s mother shrugged. “She always did get a little cranky past bedtime.”
. . . . .
While Alexi fully expected Dona to argue with him, the shock of her decision to actually leave him stung. He silently cursed himself for overly romanticizing their bond—deep down, he had fully expected it to effortlessly survive such trivial challenges as safety, common sense, and even his own repeated urgings for her to leave. Disappointed and deeply shamed by his misperception of her feelings, he suddenly felt the walls closing in.
“I’m sorry,” he croaked. “I need to go.”
“Thank you for your help,” Dona’s mother called after him.
He slammed the door behind him so hard it dislodged bits of plaster from the frame.
Chapter Six
Miranda Warnings
It had been some time since Dona had witnessed a predawn hour later than three, and she was finding it difficult to adjust. While Miranda and Caroline kept trading yawns, the industrious Church Mothers were chipper and efficient, packing their things and cleaning the chapel in record time.
“How do you do it?” she asked Mrs. Curtsik, who had just finished rolling up and storing the last pallet.
“Do what, dear?”
Dona stretched and blinked. “How are you so awake?”
She patted Dona’s arm. “At my age, I’m so thankful for every remaining hour that I am eager not to miss a moment.”
Verone had been readying the carriages, and only now did she happen across the group’s new additions. She squinted at Caroline Caldor. “I’m sorry, have we met?”
Mrs. Caldor placed her hands on Caroline’s shoulders. “This is my Caroline. “Remember? You said she could accompany us.”
“So I did, but I don’t recall you mentioning you’d be bringing three daughters.”
“Oh, didn’t anyone tell you? That’s Miss Merinne. She showed up last night after you went out to make arrangements.”
“So, this is the elusive Miss Merinne. Now, that’s unexpected.”
Dona curtseyed. “I understand you are to thank for organizing the efforts on my behalf. My mother thought it would be best for me to accompany you back to town, if you don’t mind.”
Miranda gave Dona a little nudge.
“Oh, and this is my roommate Miranda. She’d like to go with us too.”
“She’s the Constable’s daughter.” Mrs. Caldor pointed out.
Verone gave Miranda a closer look.
Miranda nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Here’s the challenge,” Verone said. “Mum’s carriage can hold four and a driver. Mrs. Curtsik’s carriage can hold two and a driver—three if we squeeze them—for a total of nine. I will be riding my Vengi. It seems we have two more riders than we have seats.”
“I’d be willing to walk if it would help,” Rayen said.
“And I can keep him company,” Dona added.
“I don’t know,” Dona’s mother said. “It’s a pretty long walk.”
“Maybe someone would be willing to drop off passengers and come back for us?” Dona suggested. “We should be easy to find along the road.”
“I’d be happy to,” Mrs. Curtsik volunteered.
“If we are all agreed, let’s get to the gate,” Verone said. “I told Father Cartier we’d be there before dawn.”
Dona had forgotten how bone-chilling the early morning hours could get. By the time she and Rayen reached the gate, she was already regretting her offer to walk. She also wondered whether she’d been too hard on Alexi. While his meddling was inexcusable, he only had her best interest at heart. But it was too late to turn back now—another row with her mother would only jeopardize everyone else’s chance to leave.
The carriages were dimly visible in the pre-dawn twilight, and several of the ladies milled about, rubbing their arms for warmth. Verone was off to one side holding the reins of her horse and chatting with a priest. Once Dona and Rayen arrived, Verone nodded to the priest and approached the group.
/> “All right ladies—”
“And gentleman,” Rayen interrupted.
“Yes, of course, how could I forget? Before we leave, Father Cartier has asked that we line up for inspection. It’s merely a formality—since we’re in the midst of an Inquisition, they’re obliged to make sure nothing heretical leaves the University.”
The ladies, and Rayen, hastened to comply. Two Inquisitors stepped up to search them—one started with the carriages while the other searched the ladies themselves. Dona’s heart almost stopped—Father Cartier was the same man they’d almost trampled during their escape from the brothel. She gulped and did her best to look the part of the innocent schoolgirl. For a few moments, Cartier’s brow gathered, and his gaze kept darting back to her as though he was trying to place her, but if he came to any conclusions, he kept them to himself.
Shortly after the search began, an older man still wearing his nightclothes appeared. Only his hat betrayed him as someone important with the Church.
“Cartier,” he yelled. “What’s going on here?”
“I’m sorry you were disturbed, Your Ordinence. I’m just letting the elderly ladies of my Church head back to their homes, since they were successful in locating the young lady who went missing. They were staying at the old campus chapel in circumstances that were less than suitable for ladies of their advanced years.”
“Are you out of your mind? That gate is the only thing standing between us and Trifienne’s militia.”
“Your Ordinence, I’ve checked, and they have not yet approached the ramp. In this darkness, the gates should be difficult for them to see. We can have them open and closed again before Trifienne has any chance to respond. And I believe we only strengthen our position by convincing the Crown we are running a civilized operation here. You know, one that can reasonably be negotiated with?”
Cartier’s explanation calmed Isrulian’s panic, but not his irritation. “Who are these people anyway? How do you know you aren’t releasing a masquerading heretic?”
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