Indenuel ate his breakfast as he thought about the letter this morning from the children. Due to his position as the Warrior, Andres and Lola managed to get them and the children aboard the night carriage. Now they were driving to a town in the day and had a fancy carriage to sleep in while it drove them to the next town during the night. It would shorten the length, and the children would come even sooner. He wondered briefly why they hadn’t done the same, but then he remembered how late the nights of ministering to the town were. Martin would not have wanted to give that up.
He tried not to worry about the children. They were close enough to Santollia City that the carriage wouldn’t be attacked by bandits. Though the carriage didn’t have the kind of protection a High Elders’ carriage would. And how was one supposed to sleep in a carriage? Would the children get enough rest? It made him nervous thinking about it, but the idea of the children coming a whole week sooner had its perks.
Then there was the other bill he had been sent, one for new clothes for the children, and of course for Andres and Lola. It seemed ridiculously high, but Pablo assured him they would take care of it, and it was normal for it to be that high for five new pairs of clothes. Indenuel still didn’t like it. Yes, he wanted the children to have new clothes, as he couldn’t imagine the state of their old ones, but it also meant Andres knew they would cover whatever bill the children might need.
Indenuel took his time with breakfast. The High Elders wanted him to rest, and so that’s what he planned to do. He turned so he could see Tolomon sitting across from him at the breakfast table, waiting for him to finish.
“What would you do if you had a day off?” Indenuel asked, taking the last bite of eggs.
Tolomon frowned, studying him. “Day… off?”
“Well, yeah? Don’t Graduates have a day off?” Indenuel asked.
Tolomon blinked a few times. “No, we don’t. A day off would put you in serious danger.”
Indenuel wondered how long it would be before he got used to Tolomon saying Indenuel was in constant danger all the time.
“It’s got to be exhausting, being in this state of mind all the time.”
Tolomon shrugged. “It’s what I signed up for.”
Did you know everything you signed up for? Indenuel wanted to ask but didn’t. Whatever secrets Tolomon had, there was no way he was going to share them until he wanted to.
Pablo walked in with another letter, giving a short bow. Indenuel took the letter, knowing it was probably from Nathaniel. He opened it carefully. It was a lot shorter than he expected, which made his heart drop.
Indenuel,
Thank you for your letter and your honesty. Tell Tolomon the dog is coming home.
-Nathaniel
Indenuel frowned, feeling slightly hurt. “Um, Nathaniel says the dog is coming home? Do you have a dog?”
“Military code,” Tolomon answered. “He’s not using the trees. He’s sending a letter with someone on horseback, since the information might be sensitive.”
“Oh. I didn’t know you could do that. Should I have done that?” He started to panic, realizing a few people knew the Warrior had a lack of faith in the High Elders.
“No, I wanted you to get it to Nathaniel as fast as possible,” Tolomon said.
“Well, yeah, but now some tree talker in the military and a servant of mine know that I don’t like the High Elders,” Indenuel said.
“How very sad,” Tolomon said, looking at the table and not feeling sad at all. Indenuel narrowed his eyes, then a small smile crossed his face. This was how Tolomon was fighting back about how he personally felt about the High Elders. Making sure that at least someone knew they weren’t good people.
“When should I hear back from Nathaniel?”
“A letter by horseback isn’t uncommon, but it is slower. Don’t expect an answer for a week at least,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel nodded as his face fell. Though he would have loved to hear Nathaniel’s response already, he would wait and try not to worry about it, nor guess at what his answer might be. Despite that, he still felt a trickle of dread enter his heart. He was now imagining the worst of what the High Elders had done, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe Nathaniel had something good to say.
Then why would he send it by horseback if it was something good?
Indenuel sighed and stood up. He needed to distract himself with other things. “Thank you again for a wonderful breakfast,” he told the servants, who bowed. He walked toward the front door.
“So, what are you going to do on your day off?” Tolomon asked beside him.
“Do you think it would be wrong to check in on Captain Luiz?” Indenuel asked, heading toward the front gate.
“It should be fine. He might be training other recruits, but he’d be obligated to see you since you are the Warrior,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel rubbed the back of his neck. “Right. Because I’m the Warrior.”
“Do you want the carriage?” Tolomon asked.
“It’s a nice day, and I’d enjoy a walk.” Indenuel took a few more steps before he paused. “Unless you need to take the carriage. If we’re going to the training grounds, would you have to fight everyone again?”
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“It would be expected of me, yes,” Tolomon said.
“Then would you prefer we use the carriage so you can prepare for that?” Indenuel asked.
Tolomon smiled. “You’ve got to stop thinking of me as being in the same class as you.”
“It’s not about class. I hit you with corruption too.” Indenuel dropped his gaze, not able to look at Tolomon. “I’m trying to make up for it.”
“Just don’t use your corruptive powers again. That’s how you can make up for it,” Tolomon said.
He sighed and continued walking down the gravel walkway toward the gates, the shame starting to trickle into his soul. He realized he’d never apologized. “I’ll try, Tolomon. I really will. And I’m sorry.”
Tolomon opened the gate for him. “I’ve already forgiven you.”
They walked through the streets, and Indenuel saw it. Saw the cleanliness, saw the order, saw the richness in a time of war. He even went down a side alley just to be sure. Maybe a little messy, but no one living on the streets. No one begging for food. Children playing, fat and healthy. Mothers talking and laughing. All in exchange for young women to sleep with the High Elders.
Indenuel and Tolomon entered the gates. Captain Luiz was watching the training of the recruits but saluted to someone in the group before walking over to Indenuel and Tolomon, holding his hands up.
“I surrender immediately,” Captain Luiz said.
Tolomon bowed. “Understood.” He pulled out two swords and left.
Captain Luiz bowed to Indenuel. “An honor to see you, certainly, but High Elder Martin informed me you were taking the next few days to recover.”
“Yes. I won’t be fighting today, Captain. I simply wanted to make sure the men are alright. I would like to offer my services of healing to anyone as well,” Indenuel said.
“That is quite the noble thing to do,” Captain Luiz said.
Indenuel couldn’t meet his gaze. “Shame driven, sir.”
Captain Luiz smiled. “I’m fine and have recovered perfectly. The other recruit is fine, too, as are the healers. They are all at the training grounds now.”
Indenuel winced. “I hit you too?”
Captain Luiz patted his back. “Again, I’m fine. Martin was fast getting here and was able to pull the corruption out of us all.”
Indenuel’s eyes fell on the recruits. They had great form, and powerful stances. He was reminded how quickly he was knocked out the other day.
“Don’t let it get you down,” Captain Luiz said. “Today is a new day, with a new start.”
Tolomon finished knocking out the soldiers in the training rings before entering the armory.
“You look like you could use a drink,” Captain Luiz said.
“I won’t say no to that,” Indenuel said.
Captain Luiz led the way to his cabin. Indenuel rubbed his head, staring out the window, wishing Nathaniel’s letter was already here. Captain Luiz took out a bottle and poured a bit into a small glass. He took the smallest of sips before passing it over to Indenuel.
“Ever had Northern Dengrian liquor?” Captain Luiz asked.
“No,” Indenuel said, picking it up and looking at the clear liquid in his glass.
“They live in ice, from what I hear up there in that part of the country. They’ve got to have some strong stuff to live there, I’ll tell you that much,” Captain Luiz said.
Indenuel took a sip, feeling the strength of the alcohol immediately hit his system. “Yep. That’ll keep my mind off things.”
Captain Luiz laughed as he took a seat with his own glass. “Martin the Healer is right. You need a break.”
“Do I look that bad?” Indenuel asked.
“I’ve seen a few people use powerful corruptive powers, and none of them look as guilty about it as you,” Captain Luiz said as he downed the entire thing in one go.
Indenuel was far too used to sipping his drinks and wondered how Captain Luiz could simply down it like that. “I’ve had almost two months to come to terms with my new position. I just have so many questions.”
“You should ask the High Elders,” Captain Luiz said.
Yes, he could, but he didn’t know if he could trust them anymore. He tried to smile. “I have been, but… but I’m just left more confused whenever I talk to them. I’m supposed to end a war, but how exactly am I supposed to do it? Obviously, my gifts are stronger than my sword, but the gifts aren’t combative. And I doubt I’m supposed to use the corruptive powers.”
Captain Luiz pointed at Indenuel with his empty glass. “Very much doubt that. Though after what I saw, you could end this war by next week if you used them.”
Indenuel’s laugh was dry. “Not without some serious consequences.”
“I’m sure the prophecy would have mentioned if corruptive powers were to be used.”
He took another sip. “What do you understand of the prophecy? As someone from the military? How exactly am I supposed to end the war?”
Captain Luiz leaned back, his eyes toward the ceiling as he let out a breath. “That’s a tough question. It seems like the High Elders continually preach about a final battle where the Warrior defeats the enemy which ends the war. But you would have to clarify with the High Elders.” Captain Luiz put the Dengrian liquor back and almost sat down again when he snapped his fingers. “Actually, you know what? I bet with your position, you’re practically in the same class as the High Elders. Maybe even higher.”
It was weird to think of him in that kind of position, but he couldn’t deny it either. Martin practically said the same thing when they first met. “It seems so.”
“You’d have access to the High Elder’s library then, lucky man,” Captain Luiz said, giving him a pat on the shoulder before sitting back down.
Indenuel took a larger drink, feeling it struggle to go down his throat. “Sorry, the what?”
“The High Elder’s library. I have a brother who’s a scholar. He would cut off his wife’s arm in order to get access to the library’s mysteries,” Captain Luiz said.
“I…” Indenuel set the glass down. “I don’t understand. What is it?”
“It’s the library in the basement of the Cathedral of the Savior’s Coming. It has books upon books of sacred texts and doctrines, including the prophecy about you. There are rumors there are scrolls and parchments from the creation of the first man and women in there.”
Indenuel stared at Captain Luiz, surprised. Why didn’t they tell him? Was it for some malicious reason? Or did they just forget? Somehow, he doubted they forgot to tell him. “I had no idea.”
Captain Luiz nodded. “I am certain they have the prophecy of what the Warrior is meant to do.”
Indenuel nodded. “That’s where I need to start, then.” If he wasn’t sure what he needed to do, then he needed to read this original prophecy and see what he could learn from it himself. “Thank you, Captain Luiz. You have been most helpful. I know what to do on my day off now.”
“Of course. I am always happy to help,” Captain Luiz said.
The door opened and Tolomon stood there, gasping, covered in blood. “That’s everyone.”
Indenuel gave Tolomon another glance over. “I know what to do after we visit the bathhouse.”
***
There was a soft knock on the door of Martin’s office. His heart dropped when he heard it. He was starting to recognize Inessa’s knocks. Quiet ones that could almost be ignored.
“Come in,” Martin said as he finished writing the sentence of a letter he needed to get to a Dengrian minister.
The door opened and Inessa walked in, her footfalls soft. She closed the door and gave a curtsey. “Martin.”
“How can I help you?” he asked.
“You asked me to remind you on the day we are to-”
“Yes. Yes I did,” Martin said quickly.
She tried not to look at him. Martin refused to look at her. “Is there anything special you would like me to do or wear tonight while we are-”
“No, no,” Martin said, fighting down the feeling of nausea. “Just… just your nightclothes. Thank you for your reminder. I will be there tonight.”
“Shall I expect it to go the same as before?” Inessa asked.
“Yes.” Martin picked up his quill and continued writing where he left off. “That will be all.”
She curtseyed again before quietly leaving the room. The door closed and Martin let out a breath. This was going to be a disaster.