Indenuel told the whole story, only naming Tolomon and Nathaniel, keeping the other names of the Graduates to himself. He recounted Tolomon’s confession to him, knowing that even though his bodyguard was right behind him, he was the Warrior, and it carried far more weight coming from him. He then explained the plan of how they lured the Graduates to them so they could give the monarchy proof this was going on. Queen Lisabeth was in shock. Indenuel almost wondered if she needed a calming tea. King Ramiro held the arrowhead Tolomon had dug out of Rosa in his gloved hands, staring at it in horror.

“Oh, dear God,” he whispered.

Queen Lisabeth stood up and moved to an open window, breathing in the fresh evening air.

“I have your word, then, that you did not know about this beforehand?” Tolomon asked from behind Indenuel.

“Of course not. Do you honestly think we would have let this continue if we knew?” King Ramiro asked, his voice full of pain.

“Forgive me, your majesties,” Tolomon said with a short bow. “I did not think High Elder Martin knew either, but it turns out he did, and it gave me a nasty shock.”

“Martin knew about this?” Queen Lisabeth asked, shocked and disgusted.

“Yes, your majesty. All the High Elders do,” Tolomon said.

“This cannot continue. This will not continue. We’ve been trying for days to get that Warrior book from Navir, but he’s always given excuses and changed the subject, but no longer,” King Ramiro said.

“Sir,” one of the Graduates whispered. They were still tied up, standing with their hoods over their faces. “Reynaldo might escape if you go after him. He threatened many common class Graduates to do his bidding, and they will feel obligated to protect him.”

“Do you have a plan, Graduate?” King Ramiro asked.

“I do,” he said. “False sense of security. We go back to Reynaldo and report it worked. Then knock him out and drag him into the dungeons. We just need your permission to use such force to arrest him.”

“Permission granted,” King Ramiro almost growled, grabbing a paper and writing what was needed. “I need to talk to him, and I would prefer he be in a dungeon when I do so.”

“Take two Graduates of the noble class with you for protection,” Tolomon said as Nathaniel helped the Graduates up, taking out his dagger and cutting the ropes keeping them tied. “The higher the class, the more you will be protected. Reynaldo cannot threaten their families.”

King Ramiro winced. “I will, Tolomon. Thank you.”

The Graduates bowed to the King and Queen. One of them turned to Nathaniel before taking off his hood, wringing it in his hands, his green eyes sorrowful. “Forgive us, Captain Nathaniel. We know it was wrong to try and kill your wife, but-”

Nathaniel placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I grant you my forgiveness freely. All of you. I do not deny it is evil what you have done tonight, but it is the sins of one who would do everything he can to find shelter for his family in desperate times, and I cannot hold grudges under such circumstances. It is the people who have willfully taken shelter from you who should be punished, and we will punish them. Of that I give my word.”

The man nodded, tears in his eyes. “Thank you.”

“Should you ever find yourself in this kind of position again, I hope you would consider me a friend and ally. Please come talk to me, and I will grant whatever protection I can. A man should not have to murder innocent women and children to save his own family. Not in Santollia, not anywhere,” Nathaniel said.

The Graduate nodded, the tears falling from his eyes, his voice cracking. “Thank you, sir.”

“Please, just call me Nathaniel.” He patted him on the back before the Graduates left, awestricken. Indenuel did not blame them. God-like power, that’s what Tolomon said of Nathaniel. Not earth, not water, not air, not fire. It was the ability to make a man believe he could be better than he was.

“Before we talk about the High Elders, there is a lesser matter we need to clear up,” King Ramiro said. “That of what Tolomon and Rosa did. I have your assurance it was simply all part of the plan?”

Tolomon glanced at his shoes, doing his best to act like he wasn’t there. Indenuel glanced at Nathaniel, who took charge. “Yes. Tolomon, Rosa, and I discussed it well in advance. In fact, he was extremely reluctant to kiss my wife and only did it as a last resort to make sure this assassination attempt happened to give you proof.”

Queen Lisabeth straightened from her window. “And you are not worried it might happen again?”

Indenuel saw an almost imperceptible smile on Nathaniel’s face. “The only way it would happen again is if I begged him to, your Majesties,” Nathaniel said as Tolomon stood against the wall, his face impossible to read.

“Very well,” King Ramiro said.

“Pardon, sir, I know this has all been a shock, but we need to work quickly. Do you have a plan when you face the High Elders?” Tolomon asked.

“I am open to suggestions. Have you thought of something?” King Ramiro asked.

“I’ve been thinking about it for about fifteen years now,” Tolomon said.

“You have my attention,” King Ramiro said.

***

The four High Elders surrounded Inessa, sneering at her. All of them. Even Martin. It had to be a dream. There was no other explanation for it. Martin wouldn’t sneer at her like this. Would he?

They were getting closer, laughing and mocking her. Inessa was sobbing, screaming at them to leave her alone, but they didn’t listen. They never did.

Inessa sat up, covering her mouth to keep in her gasp. She was right. It was all just a dream, but it didn’t matter. The disgusting feelings were still there. The fear was still there. The terror, the powerlessness.

Indenuel was still asleep, and she snuck out of bed to go to an open window. She felt the fresh air on her face, trying to shake off the feelings of the dream. A part of her told her she never could. The High Elders had too much power. Nathaniel and Tolomon were going to shake them up tomorrow morning, and she couldn’t help but fear for her concubine sisters. If she had learned anything from being a concubine, a High Elder was far more likely to take it out on them, someone well under their control to remind themselves they were still powerful.

Someone held out her bed robe to her. She was startled, turning enough to see Tolomon there, glancing at the wall, extending his hand with the bed robe. She took it and covered herself before he handed her a cup of calming tea.

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“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” she asked.

“You can’t wake me if I was never asleep,” Tolomon said, glancing at the bed to see Indenuel sleeping.

“It’s late,” Inessa said.

“I know.” Tolomon looked out the window to see the lonely son starting its decent in the sky. “I promised Adrian I would stand guard at the door.”

“Oh. You heard me from Adrian’s room?” Inessa took a sip of the calming tea.

“No. He wouldn’t let go of Rosa, so he’s sleeping with her and Nathaniel tonight. He feels very deeply. Like his mother.”

Inessa nodded, taking another sip of tea. “I’m sorry I took you away from your post, then.”

“You’re not the only one who’s needed a cup of this tonight. Adosina had three throughout the night before she simply asked for the dreamless kind. The staff has kept a kettle of both on the stove. Would you like some dreamless tea, too?”

Inessa shook her head. “I should be fine.”

“Are you certain?” Tolomon asked.

“Yes, thank you.” She took another sip of tea. “Just a dream. I’ll be fine.”

“Just because someone else has gone through trauma doesn’t mean you need to discount your own,” Tolomon said.

“What?” she asked.

“It’s been busy these past few days, but I haven’t forgotten your situation. Nor has Indenuel. And you don’t need to pretend you’re fine just because-”

“Because Rosa almost died in the entryway of her own home,” Inessa mumbled, still remembering the sight of that arrow sticking out of her stomach.

“And survived,” Tolomon added.

Inessa drank the last of her tea. “I’m simply worried for my concubine sisters. I know the High Elders, and I know how some of them act when their pride has taken a blow. And this will certainly shake them up.”

Tolomon nodded. “It will, yes. There is a lot left we need to clean up before Santollia truly is at peace again. But we made an important victory today.” He took the empty teacup back from her. “Do you need anymore?”

“No, thank you. I should get back to bed.” She walked over closer to the bed, still keeping her bed robe close around her. “Thank you, Tolomon. I… I really appreciate it. I’m glad we came, and I’m glad you were here to protect us.”

Tolomon bowed. “The Graduate program may be deeply corrupted, but there are still honorable qualities to my title I take pride in. Sleep well, Inessa.”

She waited until Tolomon slipped out the door as quietly as he had entered before she took off her bed robe and climbed back into bed. It was still quite hot with it being summer. Inessa reached over and placed her hand in Indenuel’s. He was still fast asleep, but at her touch he closed his hand around hers.

***

Martin was at that point where he brought in a book to pretend to read it so he wouldn’t have to talk to his fellow High Elders. He never imagined doing something like this, but he found himself unable to look at Navir without feeling sick to his stomach.

Once again Dalius came in, mumbling his apologizes as he pushed Cristoval into the meeting room in the Cathedral. Navir said the prayer, and Dalius got his quill ready.

“You said you had something to report, Ramiro?” Navir asked.

King Ramiro nodded. “I do.” He stood, glaring at Navir. “From this moment on, the High Elders are no longer allowed access to the Graduates, as they are strictly under my care as the man in charge of the military.” Dalius stopped writing in the book, glancing at Navir with worried eyes. Martin felt his heart freeze in place. “Any assignment you request will go through the new head of the Graduate program and myself. And may I further add Graduates of the Common Class should never be used to assassinate innocent civilians, and I fully expect that to be a mark on each and every one of your souls. This was a disgusting display of power, and you have caused great pain to this country.”

There was silence in the room. Martin’s heart started pounding in his chest again as he glanced at Navir, terrified more for Ramiro than he was for his own soul. Navir always had a way of turning things to his favor, and Martin didn’t want to know what might happen if Navir convinced Ramiro to continue this. Navir’s eyes narrowed. “What proof do you-” he started to say.

“We have Reynaldo in the dungeon as we speak, and his signed confession of as many missions he could remember you giving him. I believe him, and so does the Warrior,” King Ramiro said. “Furthermore, there was an attempted assassination of Rosa, wife of Nathaniel.”

Martin turned his head, alarmed. “Is she alright?”

“She’s just fine. Gave her family a nasty shock, but she’s alive,” King Ramiro said.

Martin wanted to feel relief, but he was horrified at what had happened to his family. What had happened while he had been away.

“I never gave that assignment, you cannot trace it back to-”

“Warrior Indenuel was there and saw the assassination attempt with his own eyes. He also heard the confession of Tolomon the Graduate of the Common Class, as well as other Graduates who wish to remain anonymous for fear their own families will get slaughtered. Not only do I believe every one of them, but the Warrior believes them as well. If you want to challenge Indenuel and myself on that belief, go ahead. If not, consider this the last time you will ever write a note to the Graduate Program.”

Martin tried to calm his heart, his mind, forcing himself to believe it would be enough. Navir had to stop.

“Who is the new head of-”

“Nathaniel, son of Martin the Healer and Sara, has graciously accepted the promotion and has begun work immediately going through the notes and the histories of the Graduate Program. He has already put a stop to much of the corruption and secrecy and is willing to share with me a new set of rules and regulations he and his team will come up with that we will announce soon.” King Ramiro leaned over, his eyes narrowed even further. “Just try and bully him to do your bidding. I dare you.”

Navir’s eyes narrowed, and for that moment, Martin was genuinely terrified that Navir was already concocting a plan of how to bend Nathaniel to his will. That he simply needed King Ramiro’s permission to do this all over again.

“Now, hand over the Warrior Project book to me and my wife.”

Martin stared at Navir, hating that his entire life was right now in the palm of Navir’s hand. Martin knew that look, the almost cold, calculating way Navir stared at King Ramiro. In a way, Navir stumbled into a room and saw King Ramiro holding the noose of political suicide out for him. And yet Martin could already see the wheels turning to convince the King to put it around his own neck. “There was an accident on the way home from the rebellion. It has been burned,” Navir said.

King Ramiro’s eyes narrowed. “An accident? That resulted in a burnt book?”

Navir shrugged, not giving any more information. King Ramiro’s nostrils flared. “Guards are waiting right outside the door to arrest each and every one of you. I am sticking you all in separate cells, as I trust none of you together. We will hold you there for two days while my wife and I officially seize the High Elder’s library. We will search through it to make sure there aren’t any other secret laws you have created, as is our right. At the end of two days, we will have a trial for you to decide what further punishment you need.” He then turned to Dalius. “Did you get that all written down?”

Dalius’ mouth hung open, his eyes bouncing between Navir and King Ramiro. Navir gave Ramiro a cold, calculating glare. “Write it down, Dalius,” Navir said through clenched teeth.

Dalius’ eyes were still wide, but he dipped his quill in the ink before writing it all down as fast as he could.

“Is there anyone else in this party that wishes to add to the confession?” King Ramiro asked.

Martin hardly made a movement before Navir turned his dark glare on him. “Stay seated, Martin. Don’t say a word.”

“Navir, I-”

“Don’t say a word,” he hissed like a snake.

Martin hadn’t planned on saying anything, but he couldn’t sit back. Not again. He stood, glaring at Navir. “My daughter through marriage almost died yesterday.”

“Sit back down,” Navir said, a dark warning in his voice. It was that warning, the knowledge of just how much power Navir still had over him, that made Martin hesitate.

“Bring in the guards,” King Ramiro said. “Each and every one of you will be checked for the mark, just in case we need to place you in a special cell.”

The guards came in. Navir tore his gaze from Martin to stare at King Ramiro. “Are you certain you want to do this, Ramiro?”

“Yes,” King Ramiro said as a guard forced Fadrique to his feet. “Yes, I do. My prayer is the silent pain this country has gone through may at last come to an end.”

Martin stood as one of the guards unclasped his robes and checked his shoulder, as the other guards were doing with the other High Elders.

“Don’t worry, Dalius. I’ll make sure the notes are complete,” Queen Lisabeth said.

Martin barely acknowledged the heavy irons on his wrist before the guard grabbed his elbow and led him out of the conference room. They were at the palace, so it was more of a walk toward the dungeon. Martin hardly had time to think.

“Navir?” Fadrique asked.

Navir said nothing, which did not bring Martin any comfort.

He was of course relieved, but he was terrified of facing the public, once they, too, realized what the High Elders did. And Navir was far too quiet, in his own mind, going over a plan Martin did not want to know about.

They turned a corner toward the dungeon and spotted Indenuel and Inessa, with Tolomon folding his arms and leaning against the wall, his face impossible to read. Martin looked away, knowing the secrets he still had. He didn’t know what the trial would look like in a couple days, but he was glad he burned the book.

“A late wedding gift for you, Inessa,” Indenuel said as they passed him. He placed his hand on her waist. “Satisfied?”

She nodded. “It’s the only time I ever have in their presence.”

He smirked, then gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Let’s go home.”