This time, it was the man who gave voice to his fury. “We are well aware of that fact! It’s time for them to leave so we can have our home back!”
“It ceased to be your home the moment you left it,” Konner said, the volume of his voice matching that of the Meadow man. “Our army was in danger of starving. Winter will be here soon. Of course they moved in.”
His statement didn’t go over well. The man from the Meadow appeared even angrier than before. The tall woman cried. And the other woman was so pale, Konner feared she’d faint. It would look terrible if a guard had to carry an unconscious woman out of the throne room.
Camalyn looked more flustered than Konner had ever seen her. “I’m sure we can work out some sort of arrangement. Perhaps as soon as you’ve paid your taxes, your people can move back into the Meadow. You can act as hosts to the army, and in turn, the soldiers will protect you.”
Konner had always thought pregnancy made women weak; Camalyn was proving his theory correct. But her words only seemed to make the Meadow Dwellers angrier. The tall woman’s wet eyes filled with so much fury, Konner wouldn’t have been surprised to see her pupils ignite.
“We will not share our home with violent men and women!” she cried, her voice shrill. “We are people of peace.”
Konner stepped between the Meadow Dwellers and the throne platform. He faced the three newcomers. “It is no longer acceptable for one community to live apart from the rest of our nation. The Meadow has the distinct privilege of providing a base for our valiant soldiers. A place where they may live and train.” He took a large step forward, standing so close to the tall woman, he knew she could feel his breath on her face. When she didn’t step back, he begrudgingly allotted her a modicum of respect. “We will discuss the status of your people once you have paid every quad of your taxes, plus interest and penalties. Until then, stay hidden, and know your land is being put to good use.”
He paused, his eyes remaining locked on those of the tall woman. When she didn’t respond, he said, “You’re dismissed.”
She finally pulled her gaze away, looking over Konner’s shoulder at Relin and Camalyn. Konner silently pled with his king and queen not to contradict his words. To their credit, they stayed silent. Several seconds later, the tall woman turned and walked to the door, followed by her two companions.
When they were gone, the secretary appeared in the doorway. “Shall I send in the next visitor?”
“Give us a few minutes,” Konner said. The door closed, and he turned to Relin and Camalyn. “I think that went very well.”
Relin grinned, but Camalyn pushed herself to her feet. “You think that went well? An entire community of people are furious with us! And rightfully so!”
“It couldn’t have gone better!” Konner insisted. He held up his index finger. “One, our army has a home, and the original residents won’t be returning any time soon.” His middle finger joined his first. “Two, with them in hiding, they won’t cause us any more trouble.” His third finger popped up. “Three, when we spread the story of their rebellion and its consequences, no one else will dare refuse to pay taxes.”
Relin beamed, understanding lighting up his face. “Excellent points!”
But Camalyn, still standing, stepped off the platform and approached Konner. “Or perhaps all those people in hiding will plot against us.”
Konner closed the distance between himself and his queen. “They’re pacifists. The worst sort of idealists. Let them stay where they are. When it no longer benefits us for them to stay hidden, we’ll find them.”
Camalyn shook her head in disgust. She returned to her throne and instructed a guard to tell the secretary to send the next person in.
Konner watched Camalyn, trying to keep a smirk off his face. It was quaint, really, this young woman thinking she knew more about strategy than he did. However, she did have a certain measure of natural intelligence. All in all, she plays her role quite well.
But they all knew the truth. If Cormina were a woman, its king and queen would be nothing more than her fancy dress, her cheek rouge, her curled hair, and her costume jewelry. Behind all that, Konner was the beating heart, the brain, the guts. He didn’t mind commoners fawning over Relin and Camalyn and claiming them as their leaders, because everyone of any importance knew where the real power lay: in the former banker who stood next to the thrones, determining the fate of the land.
Chapter Seventeen
The more I work with mothers, fathers, students, and families, the more I am convinced fear motivates most of us. Newborn babies are the primary exceptions to this rule, and perhaps we should all learn from their persistent cries. Like them, we must eschew fear and simply ask for what we want and need. Then we must keep asking until we get it.
Even as I write this, I laugh at my own idealism. Let us be honest, most people know nothing of what they want or need.
-From Midwife Memoirs by Ellea Kariana
Tavi woke early and couldn’t get back to sleep. She rose from her bed, careful not to wake Narre, who slept in her own bed a few feet away. Closing her eyes, Tavi invited magic to fill just the tips of her fingers, a skill she’d recently developed. Her gift obeyed, and she used the slight glow to dress, find a candle and matches, and exit the little room.
In the hallway, Tavi lit her candle. The light reflected off the stone walls and the wooden floors and ceiling. She began to wander, her steps quiet on floors made smooth by uncountable steps that had preceded hers. Reaching her free hand out, she brushed it along the rough, cool stone walls.
The Golds’ rooms were on the second floor on a long hallway. Tavi continued along the passage that circled the entire level. On her second time around, she stopped at the stairs on a whim and descended them.
As she neared the bottom, singing reached her ears. She followed the sound, soon arriving at a small chapel on the north side of the building. The doors were open, and Tavi peeked in.
Eight monks, four men and four women, stood in a circle, singing in an ancient tongue. Tess had told Tavi that the language, which was simply called Old Words, was kept alive through the monks’ daily songs. Tavi couldn’t understand the lyrics, but they were beautiful, full of shifting vowels and soft consonants.
The voices, each distinct, came together in perfect melody, then diverged into stunning harmonies. The lowest male voice shook the very floorboards, and the highest female voice soared with such purity, it made Tavi’s heart ache. She peeked again, shocked to find that the high soprano voice belonged to Tess. Since when did her sister sing?
Tavi sat next to the doors, out of sight, her enjoyment so complete that the roughness of the wall she leaned against didn’t bother her a bit. For a quarter hour the music continued, and she closed her eyes, wiping tears away every few minutes.
The singing stopped, and by the time Tavi realized it wasn’t going to start up again, it was too late for her to exit unseen. She’d taken a few steps when Tess’ voice reached her. “Tavi, you’re up early!”
Tavi turned and opened her mouth to respond, but no sound emerged. She didn’t know if she was allowed to listen to the music.
Her fears were calmed when Tess approached and asked with a wide smile, “Did you enjoy the singing?”
“Oh, Tess, it was literally divine.”
Tess laughed. “I’ve wanted to invite you to come down, but it’s so early. I wasn’t sure you’d want to give up your sleep.”
“I may not make a daily habit of it, but I’ll definitely be here again.”
“Let’s go to the kitchen and see if we can get some breakfast,” Tess said.
Tavi responded with a smile, and they walked together. In the kitchen, Tess’ friendliness earned them cups of hot tea and thick slices of bread topped with honey. They went into the small dining room next door.
“When did you learn to sing like that?” Tavi asked when they were both seated.
“I’ve always liked to sing, but I used to only sing alone in the forest,”
Tess replied with a smile. “I didn’t want anyone to hear my voice.”
“What changed?”
Tess spread her hands. “Everything.”
Tavi smiled. In her two weeks at the monastery, her sister had frequently surprised her. Tess still craved time alone to pray and read as she always had. And in a monastery that prioritized the contemplative disciplines, she got as much solitude as she desired. Each time she emerged from her room after spending hours by herself, she overflowed with contentment, joy, and confidence, traits Tavi never would have associated with Tess before.
They ate their bread, and the conversation drifted to Misty, as it often did. Tavi felt closer to Misty when she was with Tess. Every day, the two sisters shared memories of their oldest sibling, crying a little and laughing a lot.
“Want to take a walk?” Tess asked.
Tavi looked out the window and raised her eyebrows. The sun still wasn’t up, and there was snow on the ground from a couple of mild, late-autumn storms.
Seeing Tavi’s reluctance, Tess said, “I like to go out before the courtyard opens. The pilgrims are still in their cottages, and it’s so peaceful. Plus, winter is almost here. We have to enjoy the outdoors while we can.”
Tavi stood. “Let’s get our coats.”
Tess was right about the peacefulness of the pre-dawn mountainside. With Tavi’s magic to light their way, the sisters strolled along the same path the Golds had taken when they’d walked to the monastery.
“Careful of the roots in the trail,” Tess said.
Tavi laughed. “I’ve spent plenty of time in forests.”
Shaking her head, Tess smiled. “Sometimes I forget you’re nearly an adult.”
“Sometimes I do too!”
“Mother and Father were talking about marriage when they were seventeen,” Tess said.
Again, Tavi laughed. “I doubt they’d respond well if I started talking about marriage at this age.”
Tess turned to her sister, her eyebrows raised. “Don’t they like Tullen?”
“Tullen? What does he have to do with any of this?”
“I—well . . .” Tess put her gloved hands in the pockets of her coat. “Aren’t the two of you . . .?”
“Friends.” The path grew narrow, and Tavi was relieved to have the excuse to step ahead of her sister. “We’re good friends, that’s all.”
“Oh.” An awkward laugh escaped Tess’ mouth. “But you’re always, well, touching each other. I’ve seen you hug him, and hold his hand.”
Tavi felt warmth in her cheeks and ears, despite the cold weather. She was glad for the glow of her magic, which she hoped camouflaged her blush. “I hug you all the time, too,” she said, her voice more defensive than she would have liked. “And I’m certainly not going to marry you.”
“Well, that’s different.”
“Is it?”
“Tavi—oh!” Tess bumped into Tavi, who’d halted. A young man approached them on the path. Tavi’s golden magic illuminated his plain coat, cap, and startled face.
“Pardon me,” he said. “I was seeking a monastery. May I ask if I’m on the correct path?”
“You are.” Tess pointed behind her. “You’re almost there.”
“Thank you.” He reached up as if to tip his cap, but it was knit and had no brim. He settled for a nod and a smile before continuing down the path.
“Another pilgrim came early this morning,” Tavi told the Golds, who were all gathered in the small room Tullen, Sall and Ash shared.
“This morning?” Sall asked. “Did he walk all night to get here?”
Tavi shrugged. “He must have. And he didn’t even have a lantern. Thank goodness there was a full moon.”
“Let’s invite him in!” Reba said.
They all agreed and walked down the stairs together. Bea, the monk they’d met their first day there, had given them permission to bring visitors inside for short chats over tea. The Golds had found that Sava’s faithful pilgrims were nearly always willing to take a break from prayer to warm up in front of a fire.
When they reached the first floor, Ash went into the kitchen to fetch tea; Tavi and Tullen went outside to find the newcomer; and the other Golds waited in the same sitting room where they’d originally met with Bea.
The new visitor wasn’t in the courtyard. Tavi led Tullen out to the pilgrim cottages and saw him. He was gazing out across the valley, toward Savala. “There!” she said.
Tullen followed her gaze. “The man in gray?”
“Yes.”
They waited until the man’s wanderings brought him near. Then they approached him, and Tavi quietly said, “Excuse me.”
The man looked up, and when he saw Tavi, he halted. “You’re the one I saw lighting up the path this morning. Are you a monk?”
Tavi smiled. “No, just a temporary guest. We always invite new pilgrims in to share a cup of tea with us. It’s this way.” She gestured to the door.
“I thought pilgrims aren’t allowed inside,” the man said.
Tullen gave the man a wide smile. “Things have changed recently. Come on in; the tea is very good.”
The man nodded and followed them into the sitting room. It was warm, thanks to two vigorous fires. All the Golds rose from their seats and introduced themselves. The man told them his name was Deam Darrus. Tullen showed him to a seat next to a small table while Jenevy poured tea for all of them.
“Thank you.” Deam sipped from his cup, then asked, “Do you mind if I take off my coat?”
“Of course not,” Tavi said.
He did so, also removing his hat and putting it in his pocket. Tavi took the coat and hung it on a nearby rack, receiving his prompt thanks in return.
Tullen was always the first to ask pilgrims questions. Without even trying, he put them at ease. He gestured to Deam’s gray shirt, which had one black square sewn to the left sleeve. “I’m curious, what’s the black square for?”
Deam looked down at his shirt, then back up at Tullen. He blinked several times. “You don’t know?”
Tullen shook his head.
“The square indicates my rank. Corporal. This is an army uniform.”
“You’re in the army?” Ash asked.
Deam licked his lips, then pressed them together. “Well . . . I was.”
“Were you in the group that attacked the Meadow?” Jenevy asked, her voice low.
“No! Absolutely not.” Deam shook his head hard.
“Why aren’t you in the army anymore?” Ash asked.
Tavi gave Ash a look of warning, concerned the pointed questions would drive Deam away.
Deam looked around the room. “Any of you work for the king and queen? You don’t look like it, but . . . you never know.”
They all denied it.
“I left the army,” Deam said. He cleared his throat and added, “Without permission.”
“Why?” Tullen asked, his voice low, nonthreatening.
Deam looked in Tullen’s eyes. “I didn’t care for the things they were doing. Things like that mission to the Meadow. I couldn’t follow the general any longer. I traveled the back roads at first, but I feared I’d be caught by someone loyal to the monarchy. I can’t go home; my family would disown me. So I came here, because I didn’t know where else to go. I hoped it would be safe.”
“Deam,” Tullen said, “can we be honest with you?” When Deam nodded, Tullen said, “We have concerns as well. Not just about the army, but about the direction Cormina has taken.”
Tavi tensed, worried Tullen was saying too much, too soon. But Deam nodded, not appearing the least bit shocked or offended.
“The reason we meet with pilgrims like you is to gather information on the true state of things throughout Cormina,” Tullen said. “Your experience in the army could help us tremendously, if you’ll share it with us.”
Deam looked around at all the Golds. “Are you telling me you hope to resist the new monarchs?”
They all hesitated, but after several seconds,
it was Ash who answered. “We don’t just hope to. We will stop them.”
Deam nodded, and a smile intruded on his somber expression. “Then I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
An hour later, Deam went back outside, and Tavi tried to relax in her cushioned chair. She felt like she’d been physically pummeled with information. Looking around the room, she was sure the other Golds felt the same way.
“Eight hundred soldiers,” Wrey said, shaking her head slowly. “From all over the country.”
“I know it sounds like a lot,” Sall said, “but compared to historical armies, that number is miniscule. I’m more concerned with the rapid rate of growth. If it’s doubled in the last month, as Deam said, it may be massive before too long.”
“Could Konner afford to support a large army?” Narre asked.
“You’ve heard the stories from other pilgrims,” Wrey said. “Taxes are far higher than they used to be. Konner can afford many things the old council couldn’t.”
“And they’re saving plenty by living in the Meadow, using up all the supplies there,” Jenevy said, a sharp edge to her voice.
“I want to charge in there and drive them all out,” Tullen said. “And yes, I know what a ridiculous idea that is, but I still wish we could.”
Tavi placed a comforting hand on his back, and even through his thick shirt, she could feel his tense muscles.
Ash stood. “I’ll go get the clothes.” Since leaving the Meadow, Deam hadn’t had an opportunity to get rid of his uniform. He’d paid to stay in private homes along the way, avoiding towns and shops. Ash had offered to trade some of his clothes for Deam’s uniform, and Deam had jumped at the chance.
Jenevy left to get more tea, and a few minutes later, both she and Ash returned. They all refilled their cups and continued to talk about what they’d heard.
Deam had told them about General Talger, who seemed determined to lead the army into chaos. Recently, several small parties of soldiers had sneaked away from the Meadow, raiding farms and towns in the area. When they’d returned with stolen goods and, in one case, a frightened girl younger than Narre, the new general had responded with little more than a laugh. They’d kept the pilfered items, and the girl had been sent to find her way home without an escort.
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