Navir was stalling, that much Martin knew and expected. Navir needed his time to study out the situation and come back tomorrow with a plan. Martin tried desperately to get the situation to the point where Navir couldn’t have those few days to plan, but once it was about dinner time, he had to change tactics. He knew how much these men loved sleeping with their young women. They would not give up this easily. Even though the King and Queen wanted this reformation, Martin realized they weren’t getting it today.
Navir placed his hands on the table. “It is getting late, your majesties. The complexities of the concubine law cannot be so easily shifted after one meeting. Might I suggest we reconvene for next week? That should give us all plenty of time to form a more solid plan.”
King Ramiro shook his head. “Next week?”
“We’ve got so many meetings, let alone the sermons we must prepare for the Sabbath,” Navir said, as cooly as ever.
King Ramiro and Queen Lisabeth both glanced at each other, knowing exactly what might happen if they let Navir end this now. Somehow, like ten years ago when Navir and Cristoval presented the plan in the first place, they convinced the King and Queen it was the right thing. So Martin needed to nip Navir’s power once and for all.
“I agree. Let’s wait until next week, giving us all ample time to be prepared,” Martin said, moving forward.
Navir swiveled his gaze to Martin, clear that he did not trust a single word coming out of his mouth. Which he was right to feel that way.
The King and Queen looked at Martin, confused at this turn of events. “You… agree?” King Ramiro asked.
“Yes. In fact, I think you two would benefit a lot from spending some time studying in the High Elder li-”
“Martin,” Navir hissed.
“-brary. There’s a particular tome you should focus on. Macabai the Healer’s third volume, is probably-”
“Stop it, Martin,” Navir said, glaring. “They are not prepared for that doctrine.”
“I believe the monarchy should be made aware of such doctrine, especially since they’ve become fully aware of the corruption we’ve let happen.”
Navir stood, glaring at Martin. “Their time in the library is done. They found no other laws, and therefore they returned the sacredness of such doctrine back into our hands.”
Martin stood too, smiling. “Ah, Navir. I wondered if you’d done something. The moment the High Elder’s library was handed over to the monarchy, did you hide the books pertaining to the truth about the Gods?”
Queen Lisabeth frowned, glancing between Navir and Martin. “Gods? As in… there’s more than one?”
Martin’s smile widened as Navir’s eyes turned to ice. “They should have known something. Even skimming through books, there should have noticed something.”
“This does not pertain to the matter at hand,” Navir said.
“It absolutely does,” Martin said. “Especially considering what you tried last time when putting forth this law. You said it was a revelation from God Himself, when that was clearly a lie. Another lie, to pass a law. My son is right. You use His holy name far too much for your vile acts. And because of such, the monarchy is again protected within the law to seize the High Elder’s library.”
King Ramiro stood, the look on his face clearly done. This entire day, King Ramiro looked ragged, and Martin’s smile grew.
“Navir,” King Ramiro said, like he was talking to a dangerously disobedient subject. “You will have that book Martin described on the table of the reading room by the time I get down there, or I will have you chained in the dungeon until I find it myself. We shall meet again next week, and let me stress, gentlemen, that if any of you so much as touch your concubines during this time, I will have a rape trial set for you. Do not test me on this.”
Navir glared at King Ramiro, his fingers balled into fists. He closed his eyes, keeping his emotions from his face, and Martin understood his anger. This was the final piece of power Navir was forced to hand over through Macabai’s volume. With this final piece, the monarchy would understand just how little power the High Elders had over the people. Navir always talked to the congregation like God was his closest friend, but now they’d know the truth. The High Elders were trying to guess the Gods’ will, just like anyone else.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Navir made a point to give Martin a particularly hard shove out of the way as he moved toward the door to the library. Fadrique, who was fuming the entire time, stood and left, slamming the door behind him.
“Damn you, Inessa!” Fadrique shouted loud enough for everyone to hear. Martin smiled at the wall.
Dalius finished writing, quietly placing the quill back in the ink. He hadn’t spoken the entire time, instead looking deeply troubled about the entire thing. What that meant, Martin could only guess as the man picked up the book and left. Someone had come to take Cristoval away long ago.
“Martin…” King Ramiro said.
Martin turned, the smile dropping from his face before giving a bow. “Your majesty.”
King Ramiro patted Martin on the shoulder. “The things you’ve done… the way these men have…”
Martin placed his hand over the King’s. “You have my support, sire. You always have. Now more than ever, we’re going to stop the greed and corruption. Should you need to throw me in the dungeon with them, I shall-”
“No, no,” King Ramiro said as Queen Lisabeth walked over to King Ramiro. “This past month I feel like we’re only getting a taste of what you’ve gone through. I am honored that you have placed your trust in me to help make it right.”
Martin patted Ramiro on the back as they headed out of the conference room. “I will plan on visiting you on this upcoming Sabbath day, as that should give you time to read Macabai’s volume. It gave me a nasty shock, and I am only too happy to give you the comfort that was given me when I discovered it. If you need me before then, once you’ve discovered the doctrine, know my door is always open.”
“Thank you, Martin,” King Ramiro said, heading toward the spiral staircase that Navir was just coming up from, still fuming with anger.
“Api?”
Martin frowned, turning to see Adosina walking toward him. Indenuel and Inessa were still there too, with Tolomon always standing guard. Martin glanced again to make sure Navir was heading out of the Cathedral before returning his focus. “I thought you’d be home by now,” Martin said.
Adosina shook her head. “I’ve been too nervous, and I wanted to know what happened.”
Martin sighed. “As I expected, much resistance. Nothing is resolved yet, and Navir stalled to have a couple days to study it out, but I made sure the law won’t last. The monarchy and myself will not be so easily swayed this time.”
“And the financial help?” Adosina asked.
“The monarchy and I are working on a proposal to make sure they are far more spiritual concubines than physical. Make sure they get the help they need through education and position rather than fulfilling any lust.”
Adosina smiled. “Wonderful.”
“It’s still not passed, and I expect Navir to come at us with everything he has.” Martin ventured a glance at Indenuel and Inessa. She was listening, but he still had stiff shoulders and anger clear on his face. Tolomon was on the other side of the bench, doing his duty as a bodyguard, but keeping an eye on Indenuel.
“But you and the monarchy?”
“There is little Navir can do or say to convince us to let those men sleep with young women. Nothing at all. None of them are allowed to touch them while we straighten this law out, and if they do, King Ramiro all but promised a trial of rape for them,” Martin said.
Adosina relaxed at that. “We’re having a celebration dinner tonight. You should come.”
Martin hesitated, knowing there was nothing more in the world he wanted than to be welcomed back to his home, but he knew Adosina did not have the authority to grant that to him. He shook his head. “I’m not returning until your mother gives me a personal invitation. I have a feeling that won’t happen for years, if it ever does. Some things are harder to forgive, and I do not blame her.” Which is when he met Indenuel’s gaze. Saw the pain and anger on the boy’s face. Letting him know Martin understood how difficult this was for him, and Martin would be the first to acknowledge it. Indenuel was rubbing the small of Inessa’s back, but the look he gave turned cold before he looked away.
Martin gave Adosina a short bow. “Once we get this figured out, you will be the first person I let know. Thank you again for your help today. Go enjoy your celebratory dinner. You and Inessa deserve it.”
Adosina nodded as Martin turned to leave. He took a few steps when Inessa called his name. He turned around just in time to receive her hug. Martin took a few steps back from the force of the hug before wrapping his arms around her, as it was his right as her father.
“It might take me a while to get used to calling you api, but… thank you. For everything you’ve done, and for what you’re doing for my concubine sisters,” Inessa said.
Martin honestly didn’t expect Inessa to hug him at all. He was far more surprised how easily she took the revelation of their relationship. He never asked Nathaniel her reaction, but it was clear she must have forgiven him.
“To be honest, it might take me a while to get used to you calling me api, too. And… I’m sorry. For hiding it, for being the cause of it, for… everything.”
Inessa still had her head buried in his shoulder, which meant he felt it as she shook her head. “You’re doing what you can to make it right. You have my forgiveness.”
He didn’t deserve it. None of it. Martin again glanced at Indenuel, saw how sour his face got, and knew everyone should be looking at him like that. Indenuel did not hide his anger, nor the lack of forgiveness in his face, and Martin didn’t blame him one bit.
The anger was such that Martin instinctually let go of Inessa, taking a step back. “I shall let you know, too, once the decision is made. You stay in contact with your concubine sisters. Let me know if any of them feel unsafe. The monarchy and I will make sure this law is altered.”
Inessa nodded. “Thank you, Martin.”
He nodded, giving a final look at Indenuel, who had his arms folded, his glare now pointed at the wall. Tolomon kept a steady eye on the boy, but said nothing. Martin turned around and left the Cathedral. It was going to be an uphill climb, and he expected Indenuel to never forgive him, but he had to trust those around him would help.