Sara was shaking Martin. He grunted before opening his eyes, turning slightly. They rarely talked while in their room anymore, so this was odd. He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“What is it?” Martin asked.
“Derio is at the door,” Sara said.
It was then that he heard the soft knocking. Martin nodded, forcing himself out of sleep. He put on his bed robe, rubbing his eyes once more before he opened the door to see Derio standing there with a candle. Derio bowed.
“Forgive the disturbance, Martin. I sensed Inessa disappear not far from here. I would not disturb you for such a thing, except Indenuel contacted me to tell me he had a dream about her getting kidnapped by Kiamese soldiers.”
Martin stared, then rubbed his eyes again, the heightened emotions from Derio helping him shake the sleep away.
“Inessa hasn’t returned from running my errand?”
“No, and Indenuel is certain she is kidnapped. We have other staff searching the house just in case. If you would like, I could give the information of where I last sensed her to some of the household for them to go out and find her. Indenuel will be here shortly.”
Martin nodded, the reality of the situation hitting him. Inessa was gone. Kidnapped by Kiamese soldiers seemed impossible. As he remembered how he treated her the past few weeks, especially this evening, it seemed far more likely that she ran away.
“Keep searching the house as I get dressed. Alert the militia to start searching the city and give them the information you sensed. She couldn’t be kidnapped; she more likely ran away. Alert the other High Elders as well. She can’t have gone far.”
“Yes, sir,” Derio said, handing Martin the candle and left to light another. Martin walked back into the room, hastily dressing into some clothes before throwing on his High Elder robes.
“Martin?” Sara asked.
“Inessa ran away,” Martin said.
Sara placed a hand on her heart, a flicker of concern on her face. “Where could she go?”
“I don’t know. Possibly back home. I will make sure all the necessary steps are taken. Go back to bed. I’m sure she’ll be found by morning,” Martin said.
Sara got out of bed, dressing herself. “I’ll help look through the house, at least.”
Martin nodded before slipping out of his room with the candle in hand. His household was in a state of quiet hustle. Servants searched through the house, while every single tree talker was outside, holding a tree, trying to figure out what happened.
Derio bowed before falling into step next to Martin. “What errand was she running? That might help us narrow down where we need to search.”
Martin frowned. “Only she knew where the errand would lead her. But have them search every garden and look for… for anywhere where flowers grow.” He still couldn’t bring himself to admit what Inessa had done. If the other High Elders got even a whiff of what she did, he was terrified they would lay down a harsh punishment on her. No doubt another reason to run away.
“She has left the grounds, Martin,” one of the tree talkers said. “We would have known if she came back.”
“We need to address Indenuel’s concerns,” Derio said. “His carriage is almost here.”
Martin ran a hand through his hair. “Is this the first time Indenuel has contacted our household? Would you have noticed if he tried to talk to Inessa privately?”
“I am quite sure this is the first time. If he wanted to contact Inessa, I’m positive he is powerful enough to block even me from taping into that line.”
Martin nodded. “I don’t think Inessa would have allowed that.” Even as he said it, he wasn’t sure. Though Tolomon was smart enough to figure it out and tell them if Indenuel was trying to do that. Martin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We will search this entire city for her before the sun’s up. Have the High Elders come here and let me know all the updates from the militia.”
Derio bowed before heading out the front door and approaching the nearest tree. Martin followed, keeping a hand over his candle in the evening breeze. He took the moment to let it sink in. Inessa was gone. They would have found her by now if she was in the house. Indenuel assumed she got kidnapped, but that would be impossible. The militia would know if any Kiam soldier was in the city. Navir himself would have sensed the enemy if they were inside the wall. True, Indenuel got attacked while in the city, but they had tripled their efforts to make sure it never happened again.
Inessa must have run away, and Martin had to admit it was his fault. He had been too cold to the girl. She was in a terrified heap in his office not that long ago. And not just today, but he had been horrible the past week to her.
If Indenuel wasn’t already on his way, Martin would have suggested they look at his house next. If Inessa needed a safe place in the city, she would have gone to Indenuel.
The horses’ hooves beat against the stone as a carriage approached. It had to be Indenuel, unless it was someone with news about Inessa. He doubted that. Derio just finished sending the message. The carriage barely rolled to a stop when Indenuel leapt out of it, followed closely by Tolomon who looked around, worried. Martin stood, taking in the boy’s disheveled nature and the look in his eyes that was giving into panic. Indenuel was far too concerned about this, and Martin needed to keep a level head.
“The militia need to start a search outside the wall,” Indenuel said.
“Inessa wouldn’t go outside the wall. They are beginning their search in the city,” Martin said.
“You are not listening! She’s outside the wall! Kiam has her!” Indenuel said, gesturing toward the wall. Martin took his wrist, filling him with calming power.
“My boy-”
“Stop it,” Indenuel said, ripping his hand away from Martin’s grasp. “Stop trying to calm me down, and get the men needed to find her! She’s out there, and the sooner we act, the sooner she’ll be back home!”
“I don’t know what you saw, but she cannot be kidnapped. Believe me, Navir would have noticed if there was Kiamese soldiers in this city. It’s more likely she ran away.” Martin had no intention of telling Indenuel of his and Inessa’s exchange. No reason to work the boy up any more than he already was.
“I dreamt it, Martin! A group of Kiamese soldiers has her! She’s in serious danger, and we have to act now! I cannot leave until I know she’s safe!”
Tolomon shifted on the balls of his feet, looking uncomfortable with Indenuel’s outburst.
“Leave? The General has called you to the war?” Martin looked at Tolomon.
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“We leave tomorrow,” Tolomon said. “Or, later today.”
Martin tried to keep his calm demeanor. “Alright, Indenuel. I know what’s going on. We don’t know what kind of dream you had. It could be from the good spirits, but it is far more likely from the devil himself to distract you from fulfilling the prophecy.”
Indenuel shook his head, his voice dangerous. “The devil cannot show me anything that isn’t made up. Dalius told me that. I saw Kiamese soldiers holding Inessa in the air to keep her from connecting to the trees, in the process of tying her up and paralyzing her. This is something that actually happened, and if Inessa’s missing, that’s the only reason I can think of as to why.” Martin tried again to take Indenuel’s wrist, but once again he threw off his hand. “Stop wasting time and act!”
“We are doing everything we can. I have all my tree speakers trying to get answers, and the militia is beginning their search of the city. The best course of action right now is to make sure she hasn’t just run away. We cannot blame Kiam for a crime you dreamt of.”
Indenuel glared at Martin, then he grabbed Martin’s wrist. Martin was so surprised that it took him a moment to realize Indenuel was dragging him over to a tree. “This is clearly something you need to see to believe.”
“I’m not a tree talker,” Martin said.
“I’ve done this before with Isla and Emilia during our time with the Oraminians.” Indenuel forced Martin’s palm flat against the trunk of the tree before he closed his eyes.
“I-” Martin froze, his eyes wide. He’d never known what it felt like to have the tree power, but he sensed something as Indenuel’s palm was over his own. It was emotions, and Indenuel was helping him sense it. Martin stared at the tree, something he always knew was alive, but now realized it fully. They were all interconnected, and he had to close his eyes to keep himself from being nauseous.
Indenuel spoke to the trees, in a sense. He let the tree sense his emotions, his yearning to find Inessa as the tree picked out bits of memories of the girl to help it understand. The tree said something in response, something that sounded neutral in its meaning. Indenuel pushed with all his power into the tree. The tree broke, not necessarily in the evil way, but whatever neutral answer it gave Indenuel, it changed its mind. Martin saw it, somehow, even though his eyes were closed. He sensed through the trees perspective as Inessa walked out of the servants’ quarters, an emotion in Inessa that she needed to hide her teary face. Martin winced. He and Indenuel sensed Inessa walk through the city before coming to the wall.
Martin’s heart sank. It must be her poppy garden. Inessa had it outside the wall. He thought it was somewhere inside the city. He didn’t think. He assumed she wouldn’t be so naïve to leave the city during a time of war. But he had been quite cruel to her. She must have felt obligated to fulfill his wishes despite the incredible danger it caused.
He couldn’t sense Inessa again until she landed outside the wall. She’d hardly taken two steps before her presence disappeared. Indenuel tried to find who blocked Inessa, pushing as hard as he could when a group of Kiam faces appeared, taunting. Martin winced.
“Come get her, Warrior,” they seemed to say.
Indenuel let go of the tree and headed straight for the wall.
“Indenuel, no!” Martin said.
“They have her, dammit! I can’t leave her with them!” Indenuel said.
“They clearly have some of the most powerful tree talkers I’ve ever seen to pull this off! You cannot go after her!” Indenuel didn’t listen, looking like he was about to run to the gate. “Tolomon, stop him!” Martin said.
Tolomon grabbed Indenuel, pulling him back to Martin. “Stop it! Let me go!” Indenuel screamed, struggling uselessly in the Graduate’s grip.
“We don’t know how many Kiamese soldiers are out there! You cannot go alone!” Martin said.
“I’ll let you know if there’s five hundred,” Indenuel said, still trying to break free.
“The other High Elders will be here shortly. I will tell them what we’ve seen, and we’ll go from there.”
“It’ll be too late!” Indenuel said.
“It will not be too late. We cannot rush into a battle like this,” Martin said.
“Martin,” Derio said, approaching with Captain Luiz at his side.
“Captain Luiz! We’ve got to get all the available men together and go outside the wall to get Inessa back!” Indenuel said.
“What?” Captain Luiz said.
“Indenuel has no authority to command you such, Captain. Step into my study and I’ll tell you everything we know,” Martin said.
“She’s kidnapped! There is a Kiamese army just outside the wall! They-”
Martin grabbed the front of Indenuel’s shirt, forcing all the calming power he could into the boy’s chest. It was enough to stop him from talking.
“Enough, Indenuel. You are causing a scene and will create a panic if you are not careful. We don’t need that right now,” Martin said.
“I will not pretend Inessa is fine when she’s not,” Indenuel said, glaring at Martin.
“We do not know how many Kiamese soldiers are out there. You are the Warrior, you must remain calm for the good of the people,” Martin said.
“Stay calm like you? I honestly can’t tell if you’re in control, or you just don’t care,” Indenuel said.
Martin glared. “Go home, Indenuel. You are tired and still need your rest.”
“I am not leaving with Captain Luiz tomorrow until Inessa is brought back home,” Indenuel said.
“Are you really that ignorant? Do you not realize what this is?” He waited for Indenuel to answer, but as he suspected, the boy looked confused at his question. “This is a trap, designed for you. Kiam has broken through our defenses, and the General called for you to meet them. They are distracting you from doing that. They are laying a trap for you to keep you from joining the rest of the army. You will go with Captain Luiz tomorrow to the battle, and you will leave Inessa’s rescuing to us, the High Elders.”
Indenuel glared at Martin, the anger clearly there. “Like hell I am.”
“Don’t be young and stupid, my boy,” Martin said.
“She’s going to die, and not one of you will care!”
“That is an unfair assumption. I care deeply. In my own way,” Martin said.
Navir got out of his carriage, brushing his High Elder robes before walking toward them.
“I’m staying. You need me here,” Indenuel said.
“We do not. You need your sleep. You can’t be falling off your horse in exhaustion on the way there,” Martin said.
“I’m not going!” Indenuel said.
Martin shook his head, muscling all the authority he could toward a young boy who was expertly pinned by a Graduate. “The High Elders and I will discuss our next steps, and we will get back to you. Until then, go home and sleep.”
“Indenuel, if I may, I think both our powers together can overwhelm whatever blocking they are trying to do and we can see for certain how many Kiamese soldiers there are,” Navir said.
“You know she’s been kidnapped?” Indenuel asked.
“Kiam’s message about you coming to get her is being shown all over the city now,” Navir said before he noticed Indenuel’s feet dangling in the air, glancing at Tolomon. “Seems like you haven’t been connected to the trees in a bit.” Tolomon sheepishly lowered Indenuel to the ground. Navir gestured him over to a tree. Martin’s servants parted, letting the two of them hold on to a tree. “Focus on the areas where you feel nothing,” Navir said as he and Indenuel closed their eyes. “Wait for my signal. Do you sense it?”
“Yes,” Indenuel said.
There was silence. Navir and Indenuel’s hands both gripped on the trunk at the same time as they pushed with their power. Indenuel swore under his breath as Navir let go of the tree.
“A hundred and fifty,” Navir said quietly.
“Kiamese soldiers?” Martin asked. He turned toward Captain Luiz. “How many men are in the militia here in the city.”
“Two hundred,” Captain Luiz said quietly. “We’ve already sent a hundred soldiers to the battle a week ago. The men here are trained to protect the city, but not leave her walls. There are too many fresh recruits who have hardly any training except for how to point and shoot a crossbow from the top of the wall. I cannot in good conscious send them to an army of trained Kiamese soldiers, no matter how small. They’ll be slaughtered.”
“Clearly not,” Navir said. “The men who have remained behind cannot be sent out on missions like this. Not to save one concubine. It would be futile.”
There was movement. Martin and Navir both turned to see Tolomon struggling again to contain Indenuel who was headed straight for Navir. Martin winced.
“Let me go, Tolomon!” Indenuel shouted.
“Take him home,” Martin said. “I will be in contact with your head servant, Indenuel. We shall let you know about our decision as soon as we make it.”
Tolomon nodded, dragging Indenuel away back toward their carriage. “You’ve got to save her! You cannot leave her to die!”
Tolomon practically threw Indenuel into the carriage before going in himself. They watched it turn, heading toward the gate.
“It seems we’ll use most of this meeting to find a diplomatic way to ease Indenuel into the idea of leaving with the army tomorrow despite what we decide to do about Inessa,” Navir said.
Martin’s eyes hopped between the gate and Navir. He knew he should tell Navir why Inessa was outside the gates of the city, but he honestly didn’t see the point. If they weren’t going to rescue her, which is what it sounded like, then no one needed to know why she was outside the gates of the city.
“Of course, Navir. That’s going to take all our collective genius to figure that out,” Martin said.
Navir smiled before turning around. “I’ll be waiting in your study.”
Martin nodded before focusing again on his gate. As much as he hated to admit it, it was his fault Inessa was in the danger she was. He threatened her so badly that she would rather cross the wall in a dangerous time of war all alone to do what he asked rather than disobey. And now she was surrounded by an army of a hundred and fifty Kiamese soldiers.