Martin was in his study, hardly getting any sleep. He didn’t realize the benefits of Kiam coffee until moments like this. He didn’t get much sleep, but at least he was awake. He was waiting for a note from Dalius. It was still quite early in the morning, and he was waiting for the other High Elders to be awake. He’d explain everything when they got to the dungeon door. Martin knew Indenuel did not want to see any of them, but he wanted the boy cleansed as quickly as possible. Martin would have to instruct them not to speak. Honestly, it would be nice if Fadrique could just not be there.
Martin rubbed his forehead, trying not to think about how much mental power this would take. He was pacing his study, going over notes.
“A visitor, Martin. It’s Inessa,” someone said beyond the door.
“Send her in,” he said, still pacing. The door opened and he glanced up. The sight of her made him stop mid pace, his eyes widening ever so slightly. She was thin. Miserably so. The dress she wore practically drowned her. He noticed it before, of course, at the trial, but now her miserably thin self was reflected in her eyes. There was a haunted look there. But even this he had seen before, when he had healed her those months ago. Right after Indenuel saved her from being stolen by the Kiam army. His vision had come to fruition.
Inessa’s lower lip trembled, then she collapsed to her knees and covered her face, sobbing. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!”
Martin had thought this had been her apology about sleeping with Indenuel, but so much had happened since then he honestly didn’t know what this apology was about. “My dear girl,” he said, handing the servant the notes as he dropped to his knees next to her. “What do you have to apologize for?” He touched her elbow, wanting to do more but didn’t dare in the presence of strangers.
“It’s because I wore that wedding dress, isn’t it? That’s what started this entire thing. I wore that dress, and now the entire country is tearing itself apart.”
Martin helped her to her feet. “If the country fell apart because of a dress, then maybe it needed to fall apart.” Inessa kept crying. There was another man beside the door, standing like a Graduate. “Has she eaten yet today?”
The Graduate shook his head. Martin requested some calming tea and a plate of breakfast in his study. Martin led her deeper into his study, asking the Graduate to remain outside the door. He still checked the study before complying. He sat her down in the chair across from his desk and took the chair next to her. The girl looked exhausted, the sob ripping through her and leaving her weary. Martin had a feeling she never slept, either.
“I shouldn’t be here. I’m sorry. But I had to,” she said.
“Stop apologizing, Inessa. It’ll be alright,” Martin said as the door opened. A servant brought in a tray with tea and breakfast. The Graduate stopped the servant, trying each portion of the food before letting the servant further in. Once the servant set it up, he bowed and left. Inessa stared at the food, making no movement to reach it.
“Eat, Inessa. You are far too thin as it is,” Martin said.
“Someone tried to kill me the other night,” Inessa said, staring at the food.
“It’s been tried. There’s nothing in there. Please eat.”
Inessa picked up her fork, stuffing some eggs in her mouth. Fresh tears fell down her cheeks. “Indenuel mustn’t know I came here.”
“I know there’s corruption in him. We’re going to try and get it out today,” Martin said.
“My friend, Carmen. Fadrique’s concubine?”
Martin nodded, not wanting to talk about such unsettling topics, but knowing Inessa needed peace of mind. “The one that killed herself?”
Inessa shook her head. “She was murdered. I don’t know who, I have my suspicions, but it was not suicide.”
Martin frowned. “Are you certain?”
“Carmen saved every penny to buy a fast-acting poison. She would have taken that. The High Elders are still powerful enough to either make someone kill her, or kill her themselves, and someone besides Indenuel needs to know.”
Martin was troubled by this. He’d have to ask reports of Carmen’s family to see if the stories lined up. He thought about who he’d have to contact when he saw Inessa take another small bite before disregarding her fork. He handed her the utensil again, and she took it, begrudgingly. She ate a tiny piece of potato before placing it to one side again. If this was a habit of hers, it was no wonder she had become so thin.
Martin rubbed his chin. “I believe you, Inessa. This is unsettling, but this does not indicate they are powerful. This means they are just as evil as we suspected, and they cannot do this for long before they are taken out of power. I shall bring this information quietly to the King and have him send some trusted officers to get to the bottom of this.”
Inessa’s hand trembled as she touched her forehead. “How much longer will this go?”
“Hopefully not much longer.” Martin picked up her fork, filling it full of eggs and potatoes before placing it in her hands for her to absently eat. If this was how she was going to eat her breakfast, then he would help her do it.
“I have never seen Indenuel in this state,” Inessa said. “Paranoid. Full of hate. He hates all the High Elders. It’s keeping him from confessing. His eyes last night… they were going black.” Martin listened, glancing out the window. “He hates you. The insults he hurled at you last night, in front of Nathaniel, at Nathaniel, about you were…” she shook her head, tears coming to her eyes again.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Martin winced, then took her teacup and placing it in her hands. “I know.”
She absently drank her tea. “I don’t know what to do anymore, Martin. He’s starting to scare me.”
He realized what this meant. It was proving far more troubling than he feared. Despite Martin’s best efforts, Navir still managed to isolate the boy. He refused to go to them for help, and not only that, but the boy knew the Gods were dead. He was receiving no comfort from a higher being. He remained in the dark, at the mercy of demons. He remembered how broken Indenuel’s soul looked when he was here, sitting in the same chair Inessa now occupied.
“I will do what I can to force the High Elders to see what they’ve done. This cannot continue. Through the grace of God, we will get through this.”
Inessa frowned before setting the teacup to one side. “The God that’s dead, you mean?”
Martin couldn’t help but wince. “Ah. Indenuel must have told you, too.” Inessa shook her head, folding her arms and refusing to take the fork full of food from Martin. Martin held it up higher. “Inessa, please. You are scaring me too. You cannot keep these burdens to yourself.”
Inessa sighed, staring at the forkful of food. “I understand Indenuel’s anger. It’s hard to understand what your intentions are to the congregation when you keep lying to them about God Himself.”
“The King and Queen will find out soon, so that Navir can no longer use God’s name to do what he wants. We are slowly beginning to trickle the truth out, but this is how it will be. A sudden realization of the state of God might be the final thing that topples our civilization. But we can still find peace through Their deaths. A few grand, glorious beings thought we were important enough that They willingly sacrificed Their lives to keep us safe.”
“And here is the outcome.” Inessa gestured to the two of them. “The High Elders have done nothing but used their knowledge to spread fear. Have twisted it so an entire city of people believe I want to be with a woman in a sexual manner. That you…”
She trailed off, and Martin didn’t want to hear what she had to say, but struggled to think of something. “I never intended for any of this to happen.”
“Indenuel’s soul is on the line, and we cannot help him if you tell me to come closer to the dead Gods we’re both pretending are still alive.”
“Sir,” the Graduate said, opening the door and marching in, grabbing both their arms. “Sir, I need you and Inessa away from the room right now.”
Martin frowned as he stood, then glanced out the window. There was a large crowd of people outside the house. One that most likely recognized Inessa’s carriage. His eyes shot to Inessa, who shook off the weariness to reveal distinct fear.
The window broke, and Martin grabbed Inessa. The Graduate spun them, using his body to block the glass. Inessa let out a scream of surprise, but the Graduate pushed them forward out of the room. “Where do you need us?” Martin asked.
“The cellar, sir. There’s no windows there. The militia has already been altered of the mob’s presence, and they will be here.”
Martin nodded, ignoring the sound of people far too close.
“Martin? What’s happening?” Inessa asked.
“I’ll keep you safe. I promise.” Martin opened the door to the cellar, letting her go in first. He didn’t even bother checking around before entering. He braced himself against the door.
“Should I light a candle?” Inessa asked.
“No. We don’t want to give them any clue we’re here,” Martin said.
“This is High Elder Martin’s home; I demand you leave at once!” a servant shouted.
“The flooder slut is inside!” someone shouted.
Inessa gasped next to him. “Go down the stairs. Hide. It’ll be alright,” Martin said.
He heard her panicked but soft foot fall going down the stairs. Martin kept himself braced against the door. Inessa was going to be alright. No harm would come to her. He would not allow it. The room was barely lit from the light that came from around the doors.
A fight was breaking out far too close. The Graduate had his swords, holding them back. The militia would be here soon. Martin’s home was not that far from the palace. They would contain the crowd.
“Kill the flooder slut!”
“Get her, men!”
Someone rammed their shoulder against the door and Inessa gasped. “Martin?”
“Stay hidden. The militia will be here soon.”
He didn’t know how many people were out there, but he could not expect a Graduate to take on more than a hundred. Not even Tolomon could do that.
The crowd screamed, right outside the door. Martin braced himself against it, closing his eyes. “You cannot do this!” Martin shouted to the crowd behind the door. “I am High Elder Martin, and you cannot treat one of my own like this! Return home, and I will not have you arrested!”
But what was the threat of being arrested against the threat of a second great flood? A fear concocted by Navir, who made it seem like it was mere moments away, always.
The door opened enough that light spilled into the room, and Martin saw her at the foot of the stairs. “Go!” He didn’t dare say her name. This was now a mob.
“What is that slut doing in your cellar!” a man shouted.
“Is she marked!” a woman shrieked.
Martin could not hold the door back. He was one man. There were so many people here that it overwhelmed a graduate. Despite how much he tried, the door flew open, and Martin lost his balance, falling down the stairs. He was on the ground, blood spilling from a bad cut on his head. The cellar filled with light as Martin tried to get up. He needed to protect Inessa with everything he had.
“Please! I beg you! She has done nothing wrong!”
It was impossible. The mob had decided what needed to be done. He was smashed against the corner, feeling feet trample him in their search for Inessa. He could barely breathe.
Inessa let out a frightened scream, then everything went dark.
Martin gasped, his vision swimming as his healing power kicked in. The mob was here, pressing on every side, but louder somehow. The militia had joined, demanding order. He didn’t know how much time had passed. Martin tried once again to reach through the crowd, but his body was broken.
Guards grabbed anyone in the cellar and dragged them outside, rounding them up. Martin remained on his back, his ankle twisted, and his arm broken. Blood dripped from the cuts on his head as the mob thinned out and he saw her on the ground. Martin crawled, fighting against the crowd to get to her. Her dress was torn off. Her eyes were open and sightless with a dagger shoved through her ribs.
“No, no, no,” Martin said, coming to her side. She was bleeding from too many places on her head, her neck at an odd angle. “Inessa,” he whispered, forcing his robe off his broken arm to cover her body. “Inessa!” Her eyes were just as dead and sightless when Navir ripped her bodice off so many months ago, but she had been alive then. He could heal her. Bring her back. He ignored the dagger in her ribs. He could heal this. She would still be alive. She had to be. This would destroy Indenuel.
This already destroyed Martin.
He touched her temples and closed his eyes, but there was nothing. Her soul was gone. Martin took her shoulders, tears flooding his eyes as he bowed his head. “Oh, my dear girl.”