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My Lady waited for spring to reach the Temple City. Hanoree controlled an army, and they were surrounding her city. Her allies were working with the rest of the Council of Nobles to reign in his power. Hanoree’s soldiers blocked the roads, but air drops of supplies were coming in, thanks to the League. There were also ways to get around the blockade if one knew the area. She and her people were used to this weather. They were nice and warm while Hanoree’s army was cold and miserable all winter.
My Lady sipped tea. Inaction was difficult when one was being provoked. She missed having Arturon with her. They shared an excellent connection, but it was not the same as having him here. His absence was for the best. If the Temple City fell, the Order could not afford to lose both leaders at one time. She was troubled by her latest report from the general. The assassin’s wife had run away from the safe house. Until they found her, there was no hope of getting into the assassin’s bank vault.
Her morning reports brought further bad news. Inquiries were being made into the history and loyalties of Ninallia’s family. My Lady feared a challenge to the legitimacy of the heir. There were many Sisters and Brothers throughout the kingdoms, but most in the Empire were hiding, and their lives were in danger. She did not want to risk their safety.
A formal request came from the Empire for the return of the assassin’s wife and for information about the location of Ninallia’s mother and aunt who were last seen in the Imperial City not long before the deaths of the emperor and empress. After protests, they issued a clarification that her mother and aunt were not connected to the assassinations.
My Lady felt a sharp jab of pain in her chest. Not now, she thought, it cannot be my time to go. She willed her body to calm. The pain passed, and she shook her head. How much longer could she stay the resolve of the body? She could not tell Arturon for he would hurry back to the Temple City and be trapped here. She trusted the Spirits would allow her to remain until this crisis was handled.
“My Lady, you are not well?” a voice behind her spoke. Her personal healer stood by the chamber door.
How long had she been there? She turned and smiled. “It is nothing.” My Lady tried to sound confident.
“It is your heart,” snapped the healer. She laid her hands on the older woman. She looked troubled. “I will mix medicine that will help for a time. You need surgery.”
“Not now, my friend. Not now.”
~ * ~
Arturon was heartened by the reports he received from the Temple City. The League general kept his promise during the winter months, and the city was never without food and supplies. However, Hanoree’s army did not withdraw as promised by the Council of Nobles.
Until the troops withdrew Arturon could not return, and he sensed My Lady’s health was failing. She pretended otherwise, but he could feel it; the stress was taking its toll. Warned about Hanoree, Arturon worked to combat his efforts. He couldn’t understand how the League allowed Beliani, the assassin’s wife, to escape and disappear into one of the largest cities on Bengar. Pray the Spirits they were doing a better job protecting Ninallia’s mother and aunt.
He knew Tegani and Houston would protect Ninallia and Hiroto. Arturon would only bring suspicion on the Order if he stayed at the Imperial Palace. Since he could not return to the Temple City of Uban, his best plan was to locate Beliani and convince her to testify against Hanoree. There was no reason for the woman to be loyal to the Order, and he did not blame her for being afraid. Hanoree would be happy to see her dead. She was wise to avoid capture.
Dressed in simple robes, Arturon was disguised as an ordinary Brother taking a sabbatical. He entered the bar once owned by Beliani. Looking around the room, he stopped in surprise. There were three Imperial soldiers at the bar talking animatedly to the barkeep.
“I am new here,” the man protested. “I never even met the previous owner.”
“Who would know her the best?” the soldiers demanded.
He indicated two of the barmaids, motioning for one of them to come over. She looked annoyed at the presence of officials and took her time joining them.
Arturon shifted in his seat, ordering a mug of ale, and listening to what was being said without being caught. Turning away from the bar, he pretended interest in what was happening outside the window. He focused his hearing and caught most of the conversation.
“Always full of herself, Beliani was. She acted like she was better than me, but I can tell you we grew up in the same neighborhood. She thought that husband of hers made her special. It doesn’t surprise me that he was a crook.”
“How do you know he was a crook?” they asked.
“Why else would Imperial security be interested in his death and her whereabouts?”
“You knew her growing up? Where was that?”
“Rison City. It’s on the coast. As soon as I save enough credits I am going back there. Say what you will, the Imperial City is a dirty and hard place for poor people.”
After a few more questions the soldiers seemed satisfied. He averted his head and appeared to be interested in his ale. They walked right past Arturon. There was no use in questioning anyone here. Lord Hanoree’s men would have frightened the workers. Arturon paid for his drink and was leaving when someone grabbed his arm. Startled, he almost swung a fist at the person.
A gap toothed old woman smiled up at him. “Brother, will you join an old woman for a little ale? I seek penance.”
“The Spirits grant forgiveness.” He bowed and sat at her table.
Sharp eyes stared at Arturon from a weathered face. Something about this old woman told him she was not what she seemed. She dipped a piece of bread into her soup and put it in her mouth. After a swallow of ale, she spoke. “Imperial guards are hunting my Beliani, guards loyal to Lord Hanoree.”
Arturon blinked. How could this simple old woman be aware of such a thing? He considered her face, could detect no guile. “An unusual observation, grandmother.”
The old woman laughed and fished a piece of meat from the soup and chewed it with her bad teeth. She sucked the juices and then spit what was left into a napkin. “You are a true Brother of the Order?”
He bowed slightly. “I have that honor.”
“Can you get a message to someone higher up in the Order?”
He smiled. The old woman might be seeking alms, but he did not think so. “My words reach My Lady of Wisdom, as do all of her people.”
“Tell her she has to forgive and help my daughter. Lord Hanoree will kill Beliani because of what her awful husband did.”
Waving over the barmaid, he ordered another ale and some sweet bread pudding. He wanted to appear to be a lesser Brother helping a poor woman by taking care of her meal. He placed a few credits on the table. “Do you know where your daughter is?”
The old woman’s face lit up. She cleared her throat and answered, “Not where she is. My Beliani is too kind to place me in danger. I know where she was.”
Arturon frowned and waited until she finished most of the pudding. “Will this help us?”
“There is a place in a Southern Kingdom that is known for assisting those who wish to change their identity and start over, or to hide. Beliani told me her husband planned to go there after his last mission. He promised to start over with her.”
He had heard of this place. There were, in fact, several such places. “You think she’s gone there?”
She reached into her pocket. Feigning a coughing fit, she dropped her napkin. He bent and picked it up, slipping a small folded note into his robe. They grew quiet as she finished her pudding. Arturon blessed her and put an alms bag with a few credits into her hand. He nodded to a couple of customers who seemed to be watching. He stopped and blessed a woman and baby near the door.
The old woman seemed very concerned with helping her daughter. Arturon waited until he was back in his room that evening to open the message though it seemed to burn in his robes. It was simple: I think of you often. You would not recognize your own daughter now. One day I hope you can visit the Adamari coast. La Cabbra is beautiful. Ibella.
Slowly, he reread the note. There was something not right in the message. At first glance it was simple and direct. He folded it and almost finished his small supper before it hit him. There was no coastal city of La Cabbra in Adimar. There was a small rather poor city called La Cabbra, but it was far from the coast. However, there was a large port city, popular with travelers, called La Cabbra some three hundred miles south on the coast of Risar. It would be easy for Beliani to hide and start over there.
The next morning, Arturon booked passage to the city. As a Brother of the Order, his entrance was free into all kingdoms but would be noted. He was posing as a lesser Brother but assumed Imperial forces and Hanoree either knew or could uncover his identity. They would be watching him, so he must be careful not to lead them to Beliani.