While Ziri and George settled into their own rooms on the third floor, Jax filled Carriena in on their adventures since parting ways at Galensmore. Her spirited friend lounged on the small loveseat that adorned Jax’s cozy dormitory suite, reminding Jax of the old days. Carriena often claimed that very spot while waiting for Jax to get ready for class or some social event. Back then, they chatted about handsome classmates and tricky assignments, not tyranny and murder.
“I’m still having a hard time processing it all.” Jax sighed as she brushed a tangle from her hair, staring at herself in the vanity mirror.
Carriena rose and floated to Jax’s side, wrapping her arms around Jax’s sagging shoulders. “I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through, my dear. But know I am here for you, should you ever need me.”
Jax gripped Carriena’s hand and held it tightly. “Thank you,” she managed a strangled whisper. “I know I am surrounded by so many wonderful people, but I can’t deny that I feel quite alone in the world sometimes.”
Carriena’s brow wrinkled with concern. “You are not alone. You have friends who would do anything for you, Jax. All you have to do is ask.” She stroked Jax’s hair, twirling a thick strand around her finger.
Jax grimaced at her reflection in the vanity mirror. “I’ve asked so much from them already.”
Carriena shushed her. “True friendship has no limits. Something I need to remind your husband of, it seems.”
Jax’s reflection burned crimson with embarrassment. “I know he lost a brother. I know he needs time to grieve. But why would he lie to me about it? Why not tell me the truth?”
Carriena sighed. “I wish I knew.”
Jax glanced out of one of the many windows that brightened the suite. The rain shower that had been looming earlier seemed to have already come and gone. “I do hope he is all right.”
A contemplative silence draped over the two women for a moment, only to be interrupted by a knock at the door.
Ziri poked her head in. “Virtues, these dorm rooms are more luxurious than most of the castle suites back in Lamartre! What a marvelous place to grow up in.” She perched against the arm of a chair, a deep longing etched on her face. Ziri’s childhood had been one of struggle and perilous survival, with none of the opulence that surrounded them now.
“George was right about what he said before,” Jax teased. “Scholars do like their creature comforts.”
“I can only imagine the trouble you got into while attending here, Duquessa.”
Carriena grinned. “Sometimes I think we had too much fun at the expense of our professors.”
While Ziri shared a laugh with Carriena, her features remained taut with tension.
“Is something wrong, Ziri?” Jax asked. “You seem on edge.”
“You could say that, Duquessa.”
Carriena’s pert nose wrinkled. “Why?”
“The balance of power here has me out of sorts.” Ziri shifted, the arm of the chair groaning beneath her. “With only George and I for protection, we are really at the mercy of the headmaster, and given he started out your little reunion by lying directly to the Duchess of Saphire, it doesn’t bode well for our time here.”
A swell of pride filled Jax’s chest. Ziri Axesinger had been the perfect addition to her inner circle. The young warrior’s keen perception would prove invaluable over time. “You’re absolutely right. Which is why I intend to get to the bottom of things quickly so we can be on our way.”
Jax reached to squeeze Carriena’s hand. “As much as I am delighted to see you, I really don’t wish to linger here longer than I have to.” With that, she rose from her vanity stool and motioned her friends to follow. “Let’s get some lunch, shall we?”
Chapter Seven
As she and her friends stepped out of her suite, Jax spotted George near the landing, a few doors down the hallway. He wore a sharp, contemplative expression, his powerful body filled with tension.
“Is something wrong?” Jax hurried over to him, Carriena and Ziri trailing behind.
George reached for the back of his neck. “The Lord Praesidio just went back downstairs after delivering some interesting news. The headmaster has ordered twice the number of sentries to watch over the entrance gate, as well as the ramparts. No one is allowed in or out of the Academy without express permission from his office.”
If George had just said “in,” Jax might have thought the added security measures were for her benefit. But if she wasn’t allowed to leave the grounds without the headmaster’s consent…
Ziri growled. “The headmaster seems quite intent on keeping you here, Duquessa.”
A chill vaulted down Jax’s spine. Had she walked right into a trap? Her gaze wandered to George, seeking reassurance.
His dark eyes looked troubled. “Ashcroft’s men are bound by oath to comply, although the Lord Praesidio is clearly uncomfortable about such orders. It’s why he came upstairs to inform me. He doesn’t want us to think this was a directive from his office.”
Jax straightened her shoulders and kept her head high. “I don’t suppose I need to tell you and Ziri to be on alert.”
They both nodded their firm agreement.
“I hope we can address the matter of these providence documents quickly and be on our way.” Jax anxiously wrung her hands as she glanced down the endless stairs.
Carriena fingers wrapped around Jax’s forearm. “Are you sure that is wise, Jax? Maybe you shouldn’t antagonize the headmaster with such matters. He’s practically made you his prisoner.”
Jax patted her hand reassuringly. “I’m sure Ezarath has his reasons for increasing security,” she said with confidence she didn’t necessarily feel.
Oh well, we’re here now.
Casting a reaffirming glance at her companions, Jax led the way downstairs. Carriena glided noiselessly beside her while George and Ziri protectively flanked them. Despite their presence, Jax yearned for the silent resilience and unwavering support Uma and Sabine lent in such situations. Yet, she was glad she had asked her friends to stay behind. If the headmaster did intend to detain her here, Jax was sure Uma wouldn’t rest until they were reunited. If Jax lingered at the Academy longer than planned, unable to send word as to why, her lady-in-waiting would raise the alarm in Lamartre and dispatch a storm of ducal forces their way.
Could the same be said for your husband, Duchess? The venomous thought echoed hauntingly in her mind. Would Perry even notice if she went missing? He’d been doing a grand job of ignoring her existence since they parted ways. Maybe he’d rejoice in being free of her.
Hush, now. Reason shooed away such unfair notions. Perry could very well have a good justification for his underhanded actions. She prayed he did, at the very least.
Quieted by her tumultuous thoughts, she noted a strained silence settling over their party while they traversed the long, domed hallway that snaked around the fortress.
Only when the smell of butter and flour with bouts of cinnamon sugar tingled her nostrils did Jax begin to relax. She’d recognize that scent anywhere. It wafted from one of Chef Peregane’s famous cinnamon nut pies, a favorite of hers when she attended the Academy.
Carriena sniffed the air, the aroma saturating the main floor. Her eyes brightened with hope. “That’s a good sign, isn’t it? That Ezarath had the chef make your favorite dessert?”
Jax gave her friend a wry smile. “Let’s hope it’s not laced with poison.”
The lofty dining hall was just as Jax remembered. Three polished tables ran the length of the room, enough to sit fifty students at each. Another table at the opposite end of the room ran the hall’s width. Ezarath already sat at the center of the table, overseeing his domain. Normally, the grand high table was reserved for professors, but it appeared the headmaster had made an exception for Jax and her party.
Jax strode the length of the hall, not speaking to Ezarath until she was ten paces away. “It looks like Chef Peregane has been busy.” She surveyed the roasted ch
icken, fresh salad, and baked rolls.
Ezarath nodded in greeting and beckoned for her to sit across from him, in one of the many highbacked chairs lining the grand high table. “Luckily, he already had a cooked chicken prepared for tonight’s soup. He wasn’t too pleased to have to revise his menu for the evening, especially since he’s running the kitchen alone until his staff return.”
Jax gave the headmaster a demure smile as she sank into her seat opposite him. Carriena claimed a nearby chair on Ezarath’s left, which Jax presumed was her normal spot.
The headmaster waved George and a hesitant Ziri toward the table. “Come now, please take a seat, Mistress Ziri. There is no need to stand watch with the Praesidio patrolling the halls. That goes for you, as well, Captain Solomon. Besides, we both know that you’re more than just a soldier in the Ducal Guard to Jacqueline.”
Both Jax and George stiffened at the offhand remark. What in the Virtues is he implying? Jax’s skin burned under her powdered cheeks. Carriena did not react to the comment, but Ziri’s suspicious gaze darted back and forth between the two of them.
“Why, if all sovereigns respected the opinions of their captains as Jacqueline values yours, then maybe we wouldn’t be in this war of egos in the first place,” Ezarath continued with an annoyed grunt. “Bad business we’re in, to be sure.”
Tension oozed from Jax’s shoulders. Ezarath was simply referring to her friendship with George, nothing more.
George reluctantly sat down next to Carriena, while Ziri gracefully maneuvered into the seat next to Jax.
“Lord Ashcroft tells me we’re joined by a former member of the legendary Knights of Grace.” Ezarath’s features suddenly lit up with interest as he studied Ziri.
Ever the eternal scholar. Jax cleared her throat. “Headmaster, while I wish this was a social call, I am afraid I must insist we discuss these so-called providence documents your institution has been given. Why did you lie about their existence?”
Ezarath answered with a resigned sigh. “I apologize for my deception, Jacqueline. Please understand that it was done with the best interests of the realm at heart. Here, eat, and I will explain.” He motioned to the savory presentation on the table. “Master Gautherd has other business to attend to, I’m afraid, and will not be joining us.”
As the Academy was void of servants and dining hall staff, instead teaching students to fend for themselves, Jax helped herself to a halved chicken breast, a scoop of salad, and two buttery rolls. Her companions filled their plates as well.
“We received the last of the extensive Troissaint collection about three weeks ago, just after the professors returned from their winter recess,” Ezarath began.
Winter recess? Is that what you’re calling your decision to shut down the Academy, due to the unrest in the realm?
“Ever since its arrival, Master Gautherd has been cataloging all the documents, artifacts, and artwork. Most of what he has reviewed are personal documents of the Troissaint family, chronicling bloodlines and history. We certainly didn’t expect to find anything noteworthy. After all the financial difficulty the Troissaints suffered, we suspected anything of real value had already been sold off.” Ezarath scraped his fork across his plate, absently stabbing at a piece of chicken. “It wasn’t until Gautherd was examining a painting from the estate a few days ago that everything changed. He found a secret compartment in the painting’s frame, and inside were old letters…or what we initially thought were letters.” Ezarath paused to take a sip of his wine. “They were dated nearly two hundred years after the Rebirth. It appears to be the correspondence between the fifth Duchess of Savant, Isabella, and the Hestian High Courtier at the time. From what Gautherd has gathered, Hestes was suffering from a terrible drought during that age. Trade declined significantly, and the entire duchy was on the verge of collapsing under economic pressure. The Hestian High Courtier wrote to Duchess Isabella in appeal. The Duchess replied that Savant would answer their request for aid, but at a price. Until the gold Savant loaned Hestes was repaid, Duchess Isabella would hold the deed to Hestes.”
The cherry tomato in Jax’s mouth turned to ash. “And as long as Duchess Isabella held the deed, she was the rightful owner and sovereign of Hestes.”
“Have you confirmed the authenticity of these documents, then?” George’s jaw visibly clenched as he spoke.
“Gautherd does not believe the documents are forgeries.” Ezarath set down his silverware and pushed away his plate. Clearly, the man had lost his appetite. “He’s compared several old writing samples that we have on file. Both the Duchess of Savant and the Hestian High Courtier’s words are in their own hand.”
Jax’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the stem of her wineglass. “Then there is a significant possibility that if Hestes never repaid the loan in full, Qylvard is the rightful heir to the Hestian throne.”
Ezarath nodded, his expression grave. “Which is what Master Gautherd is working so intently on verifying at this very moment. He’s reviewing not only the Troissaint collection, but all materials we have that capture this same moment in history, to see if we have any record of a loan being forgiven.”
“Why the secrecy, Headmaster?” Carriena spoke up, her face pinched with hurt. “Why did you not trust us with this development?”
Ezarath’s amber eyes darkened. “Because, my child, darkness still looms over the realm. I could not risk word getting out about these documents. What if Qylvard got wind of it? What’s to stop the man from gathering his remaining forces and storming the Academy?” His whole body shook with true terror. “I know our Praesidio are legendary swordsmen, but I am not so naive to think they could make a stand against a ducal army when their numbers are just under eighty. Until Master Gautherd and I knew for sure what we were dealing with, I didn’t want word about these documents leaving these halls.”
Carriena paled. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have questioned your motivation.” She glanced guiltily across the table at Jax. “If anyone had intercepted my note, I could have put many people in danger.”
Jax held her friend’s anxious gaze. “No need to worry. Your note arrived safely, its seal unbroken.” Turning to Ezarath, she continued, “But I understand your concerns, Headmaster. Indeed, I feared Qylvard may have already gotten to you.”
Ezarath’s laugh was dark and hollow. “I’d sooner be dead than side with that man.”
George cleared his throat. “If that is your story, Headmaster, may I ask why the Praesidio have been stationed to bar us from exiting the Academy?”
Ezarath shook his head. “You misunderstand my intentions, Captain Solomon. While I’m sure you did your best to travel here unnoticed, I can’t help but be concerned that Qylvard’s spies may be following you. I’m simply protecting those inside the Academy with additional security. Our students may not have returned, but a few of our teachers are back in residence and are under my care. I owe it to them to keep the Academy safe from petty politicians.” He turned to Jax. “You are, of course, free to leave at any time, my dear.”
Jax dipped her chin in thanks, but as she did so, she caught George’s eye. Ezarath’s response was too smooth, too rehearsed. He was still keeping something from them.
“Headmaster, I’d like to look at those documents, if possible. Perhaps, given my background, I could be of some use in deciphering a long-forgotten code or something.”
The corner of Ezarath’s lip twitched. “Of course, Jacqueline. Master Gautherd is expecting you down in the archives after lunch.”
Jax couldn’t eat the rest of her meal quickly enough. She even passed on a slice of the chef’s cinnamon nut pie in favor of hurrying the meal along.
As the dining hall clock chimed twelve forty-five, the headmaster stood. “I have a staff meeting I must attend to shortly, so I am afraid I cannot accompany you down to the archives.” Ezarath clasped his hands in front of his scarlet robes. “Before lunch, I visited Gautherd and released him of his bonds of secrecy. He will be able to speak fre
ely with you. I assume you remember the way downstairs?”
“I’ll lead the way,” Carriena offered as she pushed in her chair.
Ezarath delicately cleared his throat. “Your attendance is mandatory at the staff meeting, Mistress Carriena. The Duchess and her friends are on their own for now.”
Jax gave a pouting Carriena a fleeting wave as she and Ezarath swept out of the room, leaving Jax, Ziri, and George alone for the first time since their arrival.
“He’s certainly got an odd personality,” Ziri said with a huff. “One minute he’s treating you like some long-lost granddaughter, the next, with the coolness which one would treat a stranger.”
Jax chuckled. “It’s the headmaster’s way of keeping one on their toes.”
The spymaster frowned at the dirty dishes Ezarath and Carriena had left behind. “I will forgive Lady Carriena for the absentminded oversight, but does the headmaster really think the Duchess of Saphire is going to clean up after him? I don’t see anyone rushing to clear all these away.”
Jax sent her friend a pleading look. “I know this isn’t the type of work you had in mind when I asked you to join our ranks, but would you mind terribly taking these dishes into the service pantry, and then perhaps do a little sleuthing around the fortress? I’d be interested to know more about these professors whose company we are in.”
If Ziri felt at all put out by the request, she didn’t show it. “It does seem odd that they are all not flocking to catch a glimpse of the famous Saphirian Duquessa.”
George chuckled. “More like infamous.”
As Ziri rose from the table with willowy grace, her bronze gaze pinned Jax to her seat. “I know this fortress used to be your home, but I think it would still be prudent to exercise caution, Duquessa. Please, be careful.”
Jax was surprised by the concern in Ziri’s request. While Jax didn’t quite believe Ezarath’s smooth remark about the increased security, she didn’t consider them to be in any danger. “Of course, Ziri.” She glanced at George to see his reaction. Did he think they were in imminent danger inside the Academy? His dark eyes studied Ziri from where he sat, his expression unreadable.
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