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My Lady paced around her quarters. She did not know if Tegani and the girl had reached Sayeri, but she was sure Hanoree was monitoring her communications. She didn’t dare send a message via the Sisters, because Tegani’s location would be known and could fall into the wrong hands. Not even Arturon, her First Brother, knew their location or how vital it was they succeed. She knew—she had seen it. Years of studying and practicing her gift proved valuable. She could see the future of the Empire and the whole planet if Hanoree became the next emperor. The disaster she foresaw superseded her vow of neutrality.
She sensed Arturon standing in her door, waiting for her to acknowledge his presence. She turned and motioned him into her room. “Come, Brother, do you have anything to report?”
“Good news, My Lady. We rescued four of the women who lived at Madama Ector’s with the girl. Two have birthed their children. They have been taken out of the Empire.” He smiled. “The girl’s mother and aunt are safe too. They are in a clinic in a remote area outside the Empire.”
Their safety was good news indeed. The girl would be grateful to the Order for protecting them. It was also the right thing to do. My Lady smiled and offered Arturon tea.
“Thank you, My Lady. There is more. Sister Tegani and the girl are traveling with a man, a soldier wearing a merchant’s garb. Our friend, Captain Joanani, says he is a League colonel.”
My Lady had seen the dark warrior with Tegani in the vision. Was he a friend or foe? The vision was not clear. Was the League a friend or no? They were even more uncertain. “We must assume communications to and from the Temple City are monitored and can be sure Hanoree is listening. He has the technology, and his men are in place below the mountains. Use the Sister’s link when necessary, but do not pass on anything concerning Tegani and the girl on our network. It would endanger the Sisters and Brothers outside the Temple City.”
“Yes, My Lady, I have ordered discretion,” said Arturon. “My Lady, why don’t you sleep? I will stay with you and wake you for any news.”
My Lady reached over and squeezed his hand. “Thank you, dear Brother, you are right. My mind is too old to function long without rest. Tegani and the girl are safe for now.”
He poured tea. My Lady changed her robes and stretched on her bed in the next room. He did not turn on the communication or entertainment system. She gave a whispered prayer thanking the Spirits Sayeri had proven a true Sister after all. My Lady wished she knew the out of her plans. Tegani and the girl were in sanctuary with Sayeri, and it was unlikely Hanoree could reach them there, if he even thought to look. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The familiar call of her link woke her. A Sister was sending a message. “My Lady of Wisdom. My Lady of Wisdom. Hear us.”
My Lady lay motionless, listening as Arturon responded. “My Lady rests. This is First Brother Arturon. Speak.”
“Hanoree’s men are everywhere. Three Brothers have been taken on their way back to the Temple City. Two Sisters are missing and feared dead.”
“Dear Spirits. Yes, we have your message. Find safety if you can.” Arturon bowed his head and wept. He rubbed his face on his sleeve like a crying child.
My Lady stood beside him, taking his arm. Winter was their protection. In the spring, Hanoree might advance against them despite the League warnings. “You are the strongest sender in the city. I need you to pass on my message. I don’t care if it is overheard. In fact, I want you to send it on the communication network too. I want Hanoree to hear.”
Arturon closed his eyes and swallowed.
“Brothers and Sisters of the Order, we are under attack. I want you to be safe. The Empire is under the mistaken belief we are its enemies. It has chosen to become our enemy—Hanoree has chosen. He, not the Empire, is behind this. Guard yourselves. Don’t be afraid to use your gifts to protect what is right. Spirits be with you. Be careful of your messages and hold true to the Order.”
Within minutes every Brother and Sister on Bengar would receive the message. Hanoree would hear it. The League would hear. The Temple had been provoked, its people killed. War with the Empire was imminent.
~ * ~
Hanoree had not expected the Order’s response to be this direct. It was short of a declaration of war, but it pointed a finger at him. Perhaps he could force their hand by going public with his allegations that the Order was involved in the assassination of the late emperor and empress.
His attempt to get one of the Brothers to confess had failed. The Brother was stronger willed than anticipated and died without cooperating.
Varick produced a video depicting a Brother confessing to hiring a woman to claim she was pregnant with the emperor’s child. The tattoos looked original, but the Order could, if given the chance, prove the man depicted as a Brother was an imposter. After debating the risks of going public with the farce, Hanoree chose to go ahead.
He broadcast his story and made sure it would be carried planet wide. The motivations of My Lady of Wisdom sounded dire and vague. He painted her as a power-hungry woman who wanted control of the whole planet for her religious Order. The implications of his message were that the Order’s Writ of Neutrality was a farce.
~ * ~
Across many miles the Southern Kingdom was enjoying warmth and full harvests. Tegani heard the message and shook her head in disbelief. She hurried to find the others. Houston was talking with some of Sayeri’s men. He stopped and joined her, concern shining on his face.
“Where’s Ninallia?” she asked.
“In the garden. She wanted to catalog the flowers.”
Tegani walked to the garden. She didn’t know what to say to the girl. She was carrying the future emperor but was little more than a child herself.
At last Tegani saw her sitting on a bench beside a large tree, and she was crying. She received the message. How at such an early stage of training the girl could receive a message not directed to her Tegani didn’t know, but it was plain she had. She sat beside the girl and put an arm across her shoulder.
“I don’t want to be the cause of war.” Ninallia leaned against Tegani.
“You didn’t cause it, Ninallia. You got caught up in Hanoree’s web. We hope we can use you to end it and put the rightful emperor on the throne.”
“I can’t believe my baby is also the son of the emperor.”
“I believe he is. We’ll know for sure after he is born.” Tegani handed the girl a handkerchief.
“I’m such a ninny.”
“You’re a Dowager Empress because your son is the true Emperor of Kaydor.”
This pronouncement sent Ninallia into a fit of giggles. “I’m sorry, the title Dowager Empress makes me think of an old and wrinkled woman sitting behind the emperor and bullying everyone at court.
Tegani smiled. She was glad to have lightened the girl’s spirits. There might not be war. The other kingdoms would react to the news and force Hanoree to back down. She prayed to the Spirits they would.