Quietly, Kaori took in what Mhina was saying. It made sense. Sulel knew his father chose Therek over him. It was only natural to express negative emotions in regards to being rejected by his father for a man of a completely different race. Not even a blood relation to the Imperial family. “Do you believe his hatred for Therek drove him to do the things he has done to the Vor’shai? A sort of – retaliation – against Therek’s race?”
“Combined with the urgings of Rilas Deliao, yes. That man has an agenda of his own, I fear.”
“The General?”
“The same, yes,” Mhina nodded. “He is constantly in my husband’s ear. It was he who convinced Sulel to follow through with the execution of your parents. Between yourself and the Duke, I believe he was prepared to accept your offer. But Deliao suggested it would make him look weak. He preyed on my husband’s feelings toward the Vor’shai and pushed him to make an example of your parents. Prove to your people that humans are the superior race.”
“It was not a matter of superiority,” Kaori scoffed at the thought. “Deliao’s men assaulted me and I defended myself. The soldiers were the ones who deserved to be on trial, not my family.”
“The soldiers are human.” Slowly Mhina let her gaze lift from the floor, glancing at Kaori uncomfortably through the corner of her eye. “What my husband did was wrong. Every choice Deliao has convinced him to make has been a mistake. I cannot take back that which has already come to pass, though you have my word that I will do my best to correct what I can.” Her expression brightened somewhat, as if reminded of something important. Excitedly, she reached into her cloak to withdraw what looked to be a rolled up napkin, offering it to Kaori through the bars.
“What is this?” Kaori asked, accepting the object with a hesitant glance. Mhina smiled at the question, her gaze gradually becoming steadier. More confident. “I heard Deliao state during dinner that he commanded the guards to refrain from bringing you food. So I saved some of my meal. It is not much, but it may help sustain you. And here,” she retrieved a flask from the folds of fabric around her, extending it toward Kaori with a hopeful gaze.
Kaori stared at it in confusion. Alcohol didn’t seem the best thing to drink while in her current state of health. It could prove detrimental to her goal of remaining silent during Deliao’s interrogation. “I appreciate the thought, Your Grace, but it may be best if I not drink.”
“It is water,” Mhina offered it again, pressing it forward, persistent in her efforts. “You must drink or you will not survive.”
“I am dead anyway.”
“The great Kaori Levadis has given up?” Mhina’s brow rose, inquisitive, a hint of disapproval audible in her tone. “From what I have heard of you, I expected you would put up more of a fight.”
“A fight?” Kaori gasped. This woman was crazy if she thought her capable of escaping this prison on her own. “What would you have me do? I cannot defeat Deliao and his men alone. If I were to strike at them, my head would be removed from my shoulders – and while that is likely to occur anyway, it would certainly speed up the process.”
In one last attempt to give Kaori the flask, Mhina reached through the bars to grab Kaori’s hand, rotating her wrist to set the metal canister onto her palm. “I do not expect you to fight your way out of here. What I need is for you to stay alive long enough for me to arrange your release. My husband currently refuses to give the command for your death. He remains of the opinion that you can be broken and will provide the names he was unable to obtain from the traitor, which would allow him to present a stronger case against your people. I will try to have you out of here before he changes his mind.”
Kaori’s chest ached at the thought of being free from this damnable place. She wanted to believe Mhina meant what she said, but something nagged at the back of her mind. A single question she couldn’t answer. Why. Until now, this woman had chosen to remain on the sidelines. Watched while innocent people were murdered at the command of her husband. So why did she choose to involve herself now? What did she stand to gain?
Hesitant to respond, Kaori sat back on her heels, eyes fixed on the rolled napkin clutched in her hands. It smelled wonderful. The scent of some delicate spice wafted over her nostrils, the pangs in her stomach intensifying. Screaming for her to eat. But some part of her wouldn’t allow her fingers to unwrap the delicious food contained in the small package. She wasn’t sure if Mhina could be trusted. Whether the food was even safe for consumption. She was Sulel’s wife, after all. It was odd that she would act so boldly against her husband’s wishes.
Unable to hold back the question any longer, she looked up to where Mhina continued to kneel outside the cell, their eyes meeting in an almost desperate stare. Kaori wanted to believe her almost as much as Mhina seemed determined to prove herself. “I find it difficult to accept that you do this out of the goodness of your heart,” Kaori stated calmly, choosing her words carefully to avoid causing offense. “There is nothing I can offer in compensation for your assistance. Surely you are aware of this.”
Mhina appeared uneasy, yet prepared for the concern. She gave a slight nod, her eyes drifting down the hallway into the shadows before saying anything in response. Cautious of anyone who may be hiding in the darkness. “I admit that my reasons are not entirely selfless, but they are not – selfish – either,” she frowned. Heaving a despondent sigh she let her hands fall limply onto her lap, the rigidness of her posture collapsing her upper body into a defeated slouch. “While I do act in hopes of seeing your people free from my husband’s unwarranted cruelty, it is the fate of my son which I must consider above all else.”
“Your son?” Kaori stared at Mhina in shock. “I was unaware you and Sulel had a child.”
“His birth was less than a year ago. Not long after the death of your parents. Our celebration has not been the topic on everyone’s lips, however. People care little about an heir to the throne when our country whispers of civil war.”
Inhaling deeply, Kaori tried to think about what Mhina was saying. Her fears were valid when considering what Sulel’s behavior might lead to in the future. The part that confused her was why she looked so frightened about the fate of their child. Did she have doubts whether her husband would win a war against the Vor’shai? “What does this have to do with me?” It sounded harsh, but necessary. Mhina clearly hoped to achieve some consolation by speaking with Kaori. It just wasn’t clear what that consolation was.
“It has everything to do with you,” Mhina shrugged, the tension in her muscles starting to return as she straightened her shoulders back to an upright position. Attempting to regain some semblance of confidence while in Kaori’s presence. “My husband is leading this country into darkness. He is a tyrant, and if the Vor’shai do not rise up against him, someone else will. Word is spreading to other countries. Rumors of instability. We are weakened by his lust for power and that makes us a target for an attack. The Namirens. The Feh Noq. The Mialans. Goodness, even the wretched Syet could seek to press into our land. Without the full support of our people, the Imperial Army would never survive a large scale attack from a more cohesive military.”
Kaori stared at Mhina, understanding dawning as to what she was trying to say while still not quite understanding what it all had to do with her. “Your words indicate that you desire a war between the Vor’shai and the humans. What I fail to see is what you want from me. I cannot provide assurances of victory. Your husband’s men may be the next thing to criminals, but they can fight. My people are not soldiers. We are at a disadvantage.”
Wrinkling her nose in disapproval, Mhina shook her head vehemently. “You are looking at it all wrong. My husband’s men may be trained, but they have nothing to drive them. No reason to really fight. That is not the case with your people, Kaori. I see determination in your eyes unlike any I have ever seen before. It was mirrored in the eyes of your brother, and I saw it as well in the steady gaze of the Duke. The Vor’shai have heart. Passion. A drive to win this battle for
the sake of their freedom. Liberation can be a powerful carrot to dangle in front of someone’s nose. And when your army defeats the Imperial soldiers, Carpaen will become a blank canvas for the Vor’shai to do with as they please. I would be a fool not to seek negotiations with you.”
Negotiations? So that was what she wanted. A deal. Some promise of amnesty. Protection from the backlash she might receive for being the wife of a tyrant. It was the perfect arrangement. If Sulel won, safety would be a guarantee for her and her child. In the event that the Vor’shai were victorious, she wouldn’t have the same assurance. “I see what you are doing,” Kaori smirked, amused by the thought. Mhina was playing both sides – but she was speaking with the wrong person if she hoped to acquire anything more than empty promises. “While it is an intelligent strategy to obtain favor, you must also recognize that I cannot make decisions in regards to matters after the war. Authority has not been delegated for issues of diplomacy beyond battle.”
“Authority must be decided upon,” Mhina interjected with earnest. “Victory will be short-lived if the Vor’shai do not think this through. Fighting will never end if everyone is vying for one crown. It is only large enough for one head.”
Inhaling deeply, Kaori shook her head, confused by Mhina’s reasons for discussing any of this with her. Kaori was only one woman. Even if Mhina succeeded in helping her escape, she held no real power over the Vor’shai. No sway which granted her the ability to negotiate official pardons. Discussion hadn’t taken place in regards to who would succeed the throne in the event of victory. That is because the answer is obvious… “That one head belongs to Therek Losuva. He is the man you should approach with your concerns. I am nothing more than a pawn.”
Mhina rolled her eyes heavenward. Disheartened by Kaori’s continued arguments. “Losuva felt differently when I approached him,” she sighed. “It was his belief that you are the key to everything. The woman behind the rebellion. Your people look up to you. They trust you. Up until now, they have followed you down the path of war. It is only logical to believe they will remain by your side if you bring them the peace you promise.”
“I made no promises. We fought for freedom under the pretense that we could very well die trying to achieve it.”
“That is the same as a promise. You fought by their side to help win what they desired most. Without you, they wouldn’t have had the strength or the courage to stand up to my husband. They followed you, Kaori. You are their leader. And with my help, Therek believes you could be their Queen.”
Kaori’s mouth hung agape. Speechless. “Queen?” she breathed, her voice nothing more than an airy whisper, distracted by the weight of what Mhina suggested. It was a shock to her senses to think anyone had considered such a thing. The thought never crossed her mind. “I did not start this for the sake of a crown. Therek is the rightful heir to the Carpaen throne. I would like nothing more than to see that title restored to him.”
“And as the rightful heir, he would have the authority to appoint whatever title he wished upon you.”
“If Queen is the title he wishes me to bear, then he can propose marriage like any normal man. I will not take the crown from him, therefore I will not negotiate anything without his counsel.”
“Therek must believe you capable of handling business if he directed me to speak with you.”
“What you discuss with me carries no weight if I do not live to see my freedom.”
“You will live. I will not allow my husband to have you killed.”
Chuckling to herself Kaori turned her gaze to the floor, her heart sinking in her chest. Mhina’s lips spoke the words Kaori wanted to hear, but she knew they were empty. “Now it is you who makes promises which cannot be guaranteed.”
With an agitated huff Mhina’s shoulders dropped. “You doubt the sway I have over my husband.”
“The only person who has sway over your husband is the General.”
“You forget that I am the reason those men did not make you their whore.”
“Because you had leverage,” Kaori shrugged. Regardless of how badly she wanted to believe Mhina could convince Sulel to release her, it was more likely that Deliao would sway him toward her death. Deliao’s advice spoke of power. Mhina’s counsel spoke of weakness. Mercy. Sulel wasn’t a man who tolerated looking weak and nothing Mhina did would change that about him. “If Therek had not presented you with the will which proved Sulel holds no power over the people of Carpaen, you would not have had the means to talk him down. He fears losing the support of his subjects. That document is his worst nightmare.”
Mhina opened her mouth to speak, though no words came. She had no argument. Kaori could tell by the desperate look in her eyes that she lacked a defense against Kaori’s claim. Exasperated, she gave a slight stutter before finding her voice, weaving her hands angrily through her long hair. “My husband will listen if I argue to keep you alive. He has other weaknesses which can be exploited and I intend to utilize every last one of them before I consider giving up. I need you to trust me, but I need to trust you as well.”
Trust her? Kaori barely knew this woman. There wasn’t enough evidence to prove that her attempts at an alliance weren’t a trick. Another game played by Sulel to try and gain Kaori’s confidence so she might reveal the secrets she kept from him. “Give me one reason why I should believe anything you say and I give you my word that I will do everything in my power to see you and your child are safe.”
Chin lifted, Mhina stared at Kaori, an expression of relief softening the tension in her elegant features. A faint trace of a smile formed at the corners of her mouth, nodding in understanding of what Kaori requested. “It will take time to prove myself. I know nothing I say will be enough. Actions speak louder than words. But I will do nothing without first presenting the terms I require be kept in return. I need a promise of your cooperation before I put my life on the line for yours.”
“Fair enough,” Kaori nodded. She couldn’t blame Mhina for wanting to clear the details before risking anything. Kaori would have done the same if their roles were reversed. “Tell me what you hope to accomplish in forming an alliance with the Vor’shai and I will tell you whether it is something which may be feasible.”
Satisfied that she had Kaori’s attention, Mhina rose to her feet in a fluid motion, her eyes glancing back toward the entrance of the hall in search of any guards who may have approached without their notice. It was uncomfortably silent. No echo of screams or muffled sobs from the distant cells that Kaori had become accustomed to since her arrival in Eykanua. For the first time in weeks the prison seemed peaceful… and something about that peace set her nerves on edge. It wasn’t natural. Mhina seemed to notice it as well, her fingers trembling as she tugged the hood of her cloak back up to cover her face, the sound of her voice lower than before. Conscious of the possibility that something may be amiss. “We can discuss details at a later time, though I can tell you my only desire is that my son not be punished for the misdeeds of his father. In the event of your victory, let us humans retain territory within Carpaen which can be ours, and name my son as the rightful leader of our people when he comes of age. Let him maintain the honor of carrying on the Omris legacy that my husband has failed to uphold.”
Quietly, Kaori contemplated Mhina’s request. She hadn’t given much thought to what might become of the country’s governmental structure after a civil war. Carpaen was a large region. A division wasn’t beyond consideration. The Vor’shai didn’t fight to overthrow the Emperor because they wanted to take control of the country by force. All they wanted was their freedom. The ability to carry on the customs of their people without being under constant scrutiny from the humans. Maybe Mhina was right. Perhaps it was time Carpaen was split into two nations, allowing the Vor’shai to place a border between them and the humans. “That is a reasonable request,” she replied, careful not to speak too loud in case anyone listened from the shadows. “Find a way to get me out of this damnable cell and I will work out b
oundaries to accommodate your people.”
“And my son? He will rule within those boundaries?”
“When he is old enough to handle the responsibility. But if he chooses to let history repeat itself, his reign will be short-lived.”
“He will not make the same mistakes as his father. I will not stand for it,” Mhina’s gentle features wrinkled into a look of contempt at the thought of her husband, her eyes narrowed, nostrils flared with a sharp intake of breath. She was quiet for a moment while she struggled to regain composure, slowly releasing the air from her lungs to try and ease the rigidness of her stance. Once her emotions were under control she took a step away from Kaori’s cell, clutching the fabric at her neck to prevent the hood from falling with the movement. “Stay strong, Kaori. I cannot stop Deliao from his interrogations, but I will do my best to work quickly so you may not have to endure them much longer.”
Closing her eyes, Kaori couldn’t bring herself to say anything in response to Mhina’s assurances. Head turned to the side, she listened to the sound of Mhina’s footsteps as she hurried down the corridor, anxious to be away from the cell in fear of being discovered. The racing of Kaori’s heart finally began to slow at the realization that Mhina was gone. It was too dangerous for her to remain in the bowels of the prison when the soldiers were due to come at any time. It would create suspicion if the two women were found in each other’s company and Mhina would be useless if her intentions were uncovered before she had a chance to put her plan into motion. Whatever that plan may be. Kaori didn’t want to think about it. There were too many factors that worked against them. Even if Mhina could be trusted and honestly intended to help, she would have her work cut out for her. All Kaori could do was prepare for the worst and pray to the gods that Mhina was telling the truth. She was Kaori’s only hope for escape. They could worry about whether Kaori would be able to keep her end of the bargain after the dust had settled.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 60
