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Gloom settled over them as they watched the evening broadcast. Tegani’s hands clenched. She grew very still and quiet, then spoke, “I’ll tell you one thing, that was no Brother on the screen. The tattoo was close, but the lettering was wrong, and he did not speak in the right tone. Serving in the Empire is a privileged assignment, and I know most of the Brothers assigned to the Empire. They check in with My Lady twice a year, more often if there is a problem. That was an imposter.”
Houston shook his head.
Ninallia studied the screen, trying to memorize the faces flitting across. She recognized Hanoree of course. She hated him. Reporters were interviewing Nobles about the pronouncement and whether there was in fact a royal heir. She wrote down names as fast as she could.
“Stop,” she called. “Can you back up to the last question?”
Sayeri used the remote to freeze and rewind the program in progress. She stopped at the frame of a harassed-looking Noble lady asking a question then said, “That is Lady Patella. She inherited her seat on the Council from her late husband.”
“No, who is the man standing behind her in line? The one wearing a tall hat and woven necklaces.”
“Lord Nebron is a Noble from the Eastern Provence. He is a good man. His grandfather, a wealthy banker, married the daughter of a Noble and bought her family’s title.”
“I’ve seen him before. I’m sure he is the one who signed the papers for Madama Ector. He saw me. He spoke to me. He can prove we’re telling the truth.”
“Why would Nebron be at Madama Ector’s? He isn’t a royal,” Tegani asked.
“I think I understand. His wife is a cousin to the late empress. They were practically raised as sisters. Both women were barren. Nebron and his wife used a dumas. Perhaps they were helping the empress,” Sayeri explained.
“So, he would be on our side?”
“I’m not saying he would be an ally, but Lady Nebron and the empress were close, as girls. What her husband’s politics are I cannot say.” Sayeri seemed thoughtful. “It is significant that the empress trusted Lord Nebron to act in her stead with Madama Ector.”
“Damn straight it is significant. It means he knew Ninallia was pregnant when no one else did. Who’s to say he didn’t betray them to Hanoree? They were murdered soon after Ninallia became pregnant.” Houston paced back and forth.
“Let’s get organized. We have a list of Nobles and dignitaries. Some were allies of the late emperor and some are supporters of Hanoree.” Tegani began to copy the list of names.
“For now, we will put Nebron on the side of the late emperor.” Sayeri eyed the growing list. They played the whole broadcast again, and she stopped it on an image of Hanoree sitting at his desk and a man leaning over handing him documents to sign. “I remember Lord Varick. He has been slithering around the court for years. It seems he has risen in status. Look at the pendant he is wearing. He is Hanoree’s right-hand man.”
“Wasn’t he suspected to be dealing in drugs?” Tegani asked “I remember there was an investigation.”
Sayeri snorted. “Oh, there was talk of an investigation. It ended because too many of the younger set at court like their recreational drugs. He has too much on them, and blackmail is one of Varick’s specialties.”
“He definitely goes in Hanoree’s column.” Ninallia tapped her lips. “Who are the other people on the video? Some of the ones who aren’t speaking could be players.”
“I wish we could get this information to My Lady. She has resources we don’t have here,” Tegani said.
“Hanoree’s men have the Temple City surrounded. I’m sure they’re monitoring all communications,” Houston said.
“If we send through the Sisters and Brothers link, Hanoree will know where we are and put them, as well as us, in danger.” Tegani rubbed her hands together.
“We could use the old-fashioned method of communication. We could send a letter,” Sayeri said her face brightening.
“In the middle of winter?” Tegani tilted her head, her eyebrow raised.
“That’s the best time. The Temple City is iced in, and the roads are impassable. Nothing goes in or out of the City except the winter supply drops.” Sayeri voice’s lowered as she said, “I think I can get a case of wine for My Lady added to the next drop. It’s an ordinary gift. When she opens the crate, there will be our letter.”
“What if she doesn’t open the crate?” Houston asked.
“I can mark it with her symbol. Whoever takes it off the drop will deliver it directly to My Lady.”
Tegani, Houston, and Ninallia worked on the message, and Sayeri called in a few favors to have a crate of her best wine picked up the next morning.
~ * ~
Ninallia stopped reading and put the viewer down. She put her hand to her stomach. It wasn’t morning sickness, but she felt a small fluttering. Was she going to be sick? Realizing this was her baby’s movements sent shivers of excitement through her. My son is growing inside me.
Tegani walked in the room. Ninallia was bent forward with her arms around her middle. “Are you okay?”
“The baby’s moving. I can feel him.”
Her delight fed the others and soon she, Tegani, and Sayeri were laughing and talking babies. The two older women agreed they had been negligent in their preparations
“You’ll need a crib, diapers, baby things,” Sayeri said. “I’ll see what I have in storage.”
“What are you going to name him?” Tegani asked as she got into the spirit of the discussion.
“I don’t know. I want it to be a name worthy of an emperor and one honoring those who died to be sure he was crowned.” She thought she sounded very grown up.
Tegani smiled in approval, and Sayeri hugged Ninallia.
She had had been through so much in her short life. I’m never going to be the same again.
Later, in her room, Ninallia stood before a mirror. She could see a baby pooch now. The healer said her son would be born in early April. He was growing, and she was healthy.
Sayeri was providing many things for the nursery along with baby clothes. It bothered Ninallia not to be able to decide on a name for her son. Emperor Hashi sounded too weak. Emperor Mallor sounded too old and staid for a child. Then it came to her—she would name her son Hiroto. The name meant courage, which was the perfect name for an emperor.
~ * ~
From storage Sayeri produced an antique wooden rocker for Ninallia, the only family heirloom she brought with her from the Imperial City. She put one of her servants to work, cleaning and polishing it. With more than four months until the birth, there was plenty of time to set up a nursery. This brought back many memories.
The birth of her daughter had been a special time. Hennina had been a happy baby, early to walk and talk, but always into everything. As she grew older, she became restless and rebellious. Her teens were difficult years, but Sayeri had hoped the unexpected pregnancy would settle her down, and at first it seemed to. Hennina would sit for hours and rock her son. One morning she ran off and never came back.
Sayeri sighed. At least she had Peterno. The door opened, and two of her estate workman brought in the crib she had designed for her grandson.
~ * ~
Tegani set the things packed in the special box from My Lady on her table. She had used these items to test many acolytes at the Temple. She lit the scented candle, breathing in their spicy aroma, and poured the sacred oil into the small ceremonial bowl. When she tested Ninallia, the results were exciting and frightening. She was amazed the girl could receive at so high a level with her limited training. That was the first clue Ninallia possessed the gift of mind touch. She would, with training, be able to touch almost anyone’s mind, gifted or not.
Ninallia squealed with delight upon hearing this. She placed her hand on Tegani’s forehead and said, “I can see you are thinking about Colonel Houston. He thinks about you a lot, especially at night.”
Sayeri laughed, but Tegani turned red and snapped, “Your gift is not a joke or a game, child,” as she hurried from the room.
Ninallia pouted. “I was teasing.”
~ * ~
Tegani was walking in the garden with Sayeri. The green foliage and southern climate made the area a year-round retreat for drinking tea and enjoying a time outside.
Peterno came running, playing with his toy air-car. He stopped and bowed to the two women in such a formal manner. He was the spitting image of Arturon. He even tilted his head in the same way when asking for a favor.
Tegani shook her head. She had not asked before. Now her curiosity overcame caution. “He looks like Arturon... Does he know?”
“No, I couldn’t tell him or anyone else,” Sayeri answered.
“Why? I think he would have been a wonderful father and grandfather.”
“I couldn’t do it to him. He loved the Temple, and I hated the cold. I was the half-sister to an empress. It would have caused a terrible scandal, and he would have been dismissed from the Order.” Sayeri’s voice was soft as she spoke.
Tegani agreed with that assessment but was sad that her old friend had not met his daughter or seen his grandson. The boy looked so much like Arturon, she wondered if he shared any of his gifts. If so, would Sayeri let the boy go to the Temple for training?
She was sure Arturon would want to see his grandson, though she could not picture him and Sayeri together. What a tangle.
Tegani smiled, letting the matter drop. That problem could wait for another day. She was sure it would work itself out. Now, she owed Ninallia an apology for overreacting to her innocent teasing.
Tegani tried not to imagine a relationship with Houston and buried her feelings. He was League and would be leaving after this mission. He doubtless spent time with many women. If there was a sexual attraction it was no proof of deeper feelings.