Once the children were excused from the table and following the servants to the nursery, the silence pressed around the adults. Daniela had excused herself to feed the baby, and Nicolas left to help with the other children.
Not even Ana dared broach the subject. Martin had written up the notes for the High Elders from what he’d seen and experienced, as well as the conversation between him and Indenuel on the way back. They would discuss it first thing in the morning.
Adosina dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “Alright, I’ll break the silence. What do the High Elders intend to do with Indenuel?” Her tone was innocent enough, but her question was dangerous.
Martin waited until his chicken was cut before looking up at Adosina. “I will not pretend to know what my other colleagues will vote for.” He took the bite of the chicken, staring at his plate as though it was the most interesting ornament in this room.
“Indenuel did nothing wrong,” Adosina said.
“Even if that conclusion is true, there is no doubt what he did was incredibly dangerous and could push Oramin into Kiam’s arms,” Martin said.
“Sure, if the High Elders proclaim what he did was evil and the Oraminians don’t deserve kindness. That would absolutely make them run to Kiam as fast as possible,” Adosina said.
Martin picked up his wine. “Addy, it has been a long day, and I’d rather not talk politics tonight.”
Adosina glared. “So, you’d rather we go back to our silent ways and not speak another word to each other?”
Yes, Martin did, but he doubted that would make Adosina happy.
“Addy, we are here to enjoy dinner, not discuss politics,” Sara said.
“Here at the table is the only acceptable place I can discuss politics. And I have loads to say about what happened today,” Adosina said, the anger clear in her voice.
“Adosina-” Ana started to say.
“I agree with what Indenuel did today,” Adosina said. “Wholeheartedly. To deny our allies healing is not what God would have us do!”
“They are a race that practiced and supported slavery. That’s not God’s way either,” Martin said.
“When the Savior returns, he is going to redeem all of us, despite the color of our eyes. We shouldn’t alienate our allies when we need them most. Think of all the able-bodied men who could train alongside our troops. Indenuel has taught us all something today, and the High Elders should not punish him for it,” Adosina said.
Martin rubbed his forehead, letting Adosina’s passions die down before drinking again from his wine glass. “There is a lot of hurt and anger between our races. We cannot have a mixed troop of Santollians and Oraminians and simply pray that good will and brotherhood will make the traumas of a past war go away.”
“They were our allies once before,” Rosa said.
“More on paper than in real life. They changed to our side because they didn’t want half their population to starve once we forced out slavery,” Martin said.
“Please, Api,” Adosina said. “These people are hurting. If you punish Indenuel for healing them, they will take notice, and it will not be kind.”
Martin stabbed his potatoes harder than he should have. “I have no intention of voting to punish Indenuel. But I cannot deny that this will have massive ramifications-” He was cut off by Adosina standing up and hugging him tightly around the neck. He smiled, patting her arm. “Alright, alright. Sit down and finish your dinner.”
She smiled as she did so.
“And the other High Elders?” Rosa asked.
“Again, I do not know how they will vote,” Martin said.
“But you have royal blood and hold the calling of High Elder. You have the training and diplomacy needed to sway them to your side of things,” Ana said.
Martin pushed his roasted potatoes around, not meeting anyone’s eyes, sensing Inessa beside Sara, knowing she was the obvious example of how he could not win every argument the High Elders put toward him. There were darker things the High Elders weren’t afraid to use to get him to do what they wanted.
“Please, Api. Please try,” Adosina said.
“They respect you so much,” Ana said.
“I will do what I can,” Martin said again.
That seemed to satisfy them, and they returned to their dinners. Martin continued to stare at his plate, the floral design intricate enough to keep his attention. From what he gathered, the other High Elders weren’t too keen on what Indenuel had done. Fadrique considered it an attack, but they hadn’t been there. They hadn’t seen how many people Indenuel healed. They hadn’t seen the joy on the faces of the Oraminians who had their loved one healed. They didn’t feel the indescribable power radiating from Indenuel as he healed the entire crowd. This was not an evil power he used. Quite the opposite. People who used the devil’s power were often unable to have the full use of their God-given gift for weeks. Indenuel was not only able to use it but pushed himself far more than anyone was capable of. The High Elders needed to tread around this carefully. Not only was it the Oraminians temper they needed to quell, but also Indenuel’s. They needed both as their allies to win this war.
Inessa stood, the only person who never talked the entire dinner. She gave a quick curtsey.
“May I be excused?” Inessa asked.
“Of course. Thank you, Inessa,” Martin said.
She curtseyed again before walking quietly out of the room. Everyone else acted as though she’d never been there to begin with.
***
Martin walked into the conference room in the Cathedral staggering under the stack of books he carried. In a rare occurrence, it was him who was the last to enter. The dawn was lighting the sky as he set his books on the table.
“I request whatever decision we come to must be unanimous,” Martin said.
Fadrique gave a quiet groan. Navir raised an eyebrow. “We haven’t even said a prayer on the meeting yet.”
“Just getting a head start,” Martin said.
“We’re going to be here all day, aren’t we,” Fadrique grumbled.
Dalius sighed, then brought out a second bottle of ink, as the first one was starting to run out and cracked open the book of meeting notes.
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Navir glared at Martin. “We shall begin with a prayer, as that is the proper order of things, then discuss Martin’s request.”
He stared at Navir, knowing exactly what he was doing. Navir was trying to undercut whatever power Martin had by coming in and demanding what he did. When it came down to it, he only needed to persuade Navir. Fadrique would join his side soon enough. Fadrique didn’t care, and once he got bored, he would throw his hand in the air and follow Martin. Dalius would need more convincing, but if Martin could get it across as logically as possible, Dalius would soon be his. It was Navir he’d have the real mental battle with today. It was Navir’s stubbornness and anger he’d have to dance with. Ease it with logic, pour in history and politics, say little about the actual emotions of the people. Navir didn’t much care about how people felt about things.
The most important thing Martin was bringing into this mental battle with Navir was his clear conscious. Navir was able to blackmail him into agreeing to the concubine law before, but not this time. It wasn’t in Navir’s nature to threaten it again. Martin had a plan, and it was going to be a long day. He placed his hand on top of the large stack of books on the table and smiled. “Say a prayer, Navir.”
***
Indenuel sat in the chair of his study, leaning back as far as he dared. He tried to study, but it was far too boring. He meditated all morning in a distracted state. He kept glancing at the door of the study, waiting for Pablo to walk in with a message. Tolomon sat patiently in a chair by the door.
Indenuel hated all this waiting. Hated that the High Elders were discussing what he had done like he was some sort of criminal. If the High Elders decision was for him to stop, he wouldn’t obey. He couldn’t imagine telling someone no if they needed a family member healed. He never wanted to be that heartless. Sure, maybe there were some political ramifications, but he hated that too. Hated that everything he did now needed to be scrutinized. He went from being invisible to everyone being involved in his decisions.
Then there was how he went from having his days scheduled out to having an entire day free. Except he couldn’t go anywhere. He sighed, placing his elbows against his desk and rubbing his forehead. He hated waiting for someone else to decide if he did a good thing. His conscious was good enough for that.
There was a knock on the door, and Indenuel sat up. “Come in!”
Pablo walked in, holding a paper. “I have a message from Adosina, daughter of Martin the Healer and Sara.”
“Oh?” Indenuel asked, taking the note. Not exactly the family member he wanted to hear from, but still a pleasant surprise.
“She wants to come visit,” Pablo said.
“Yes, please. Tell her to come over.” He needed something to stave off the boredom, and he hadn’t seen Adosina in a while.
“Of course, sir. I shall send the confirmation off at once. She should arrive soon,” Pablo said.
“Thank you, Pablo.” He bowed and left. Indenuel stood up, brushing off his silk blue outfit the servants had dressed him in.
“That’s very thoughtful of her,” Tolomon said.
“It is. She’s a good friend,” Indenuel said.
It took a bit longer than he expected, but Indenuel happily waved when Adosina’s carriage came into his gate.
“I didn’t expect you to meet me outside,” Adosina said as she allowed Indenuel to help her out of her carriage.
“There is nothing else for me to do. And I want to thank you personally for saving me from boredom.”
Adosina laughed as she stepped off the carriage before she touched his elbow. “Well, thank you, Indenuel.” She let go to straighten her pale pink dress. Two servants stepped off the carriage, each holding two baskets. “A gift from Ami.”
Indenuel smiled. “Ah, you must send her my gratitude.”
“The only gratitude she will accept is the completely empty baskets when I return,” Adosina said.
He couldn’t stop himself and laughed. “I shall do my best, but I will need help. Will you join me?” He gestured toward the house.
“Of course,” Adosina said as they headed toward it. Tolomon fell behind, quiet as always, with the two servant girls falling behind him.
“You are looking quite healthy, Adosina,” Indenuel said. He didn’t think he noticed too much of a difference, but he couldn’t deny that after spending the day with the thin and frail Oraminians, Adosina was a noblewoman, able to eat whenever she wanted.
“Never doubt Ami’s skill at cooking,” Adosina said, straightening her dress as they walked inside. “Eat with us for a week straight and you’ll look like this too.”
“Oh, don’t give her any ideas. I’m sure your Ami would love having me over for a week,” Indenuel said. “And your dress, again, it is simply beautiful.”
“Thank you! Again, Tima’s work transcends beautiful and is in the realm of genius,” Adosina said. “See this flower? Can you believe she did that with just a needle and some thread? She’s not nearly as popular here in the city as she should, and it’s a shame. Now, where is your sitting room? My servants can set the food up there.”
“My what?” Indenuel asked.
“Down the hall to your left, there,” Tolomon said.
The servants curtseyed before following the directions. Indenuel gave a tiny shrug before focusing his attention back on Adosina.
“Granted, Ami also wanted to extend an invitation to dinner, but what she sent will be plenty,” Adosina said. “I’m afraid my mother feeds you far too much.”
“She cooks wonderfully. And a lot. I don’t think she’d be satisfied with my weight until I’m heavy enough to just roll over all the Kiamese soldiers.”
Her laugh was loud and carefree. “Oh how I wish your wit and humor was contagious. It would make Sabbath day socials a joy to attend again.”
A strange sense of pride filled his soul at making her laugh that loudly. The servants came out of the sitting room and curtseyed. “It’s ready, ma’am.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That was quick.”
“Thank you, Annise and Raquel.”
He led the way to the sitting room he didn’t know he had. There were two tables set up facing each other laden with all sorts of fruits and pastries as well as an entire ham. The huge windows were open to let in fresh air, and the place was so clean. Two comfortable chairs were there at each small table, and the room, facing the mid-morning sunlight, was bright.
“It smells delicious. I’ll have to tell Pablo not to bother making me any lunch,” Indenuel said.
“I won’t tell my mother. She figured this would be your mid-morning snack.” She walked over to her table. Tolomon was there long enough to taste portions of everything before returning to the door. Indenuel wanted to invite him to stay but didn’t know if that was appropriate.
“This day feels as long as a week,” Indenuel said as he took a few portions of pastries onto his small plate. “Do these conversations with the High Elders usually take this long?”
“No, not at all. Which gives me hope that you’ll finally make some changes around here,” Adosina said, her smile bright as she placed a bit of ham on her plate.
“I’m not exactly sure what change you’re expecting. To be honest, a little girl asked me to heal her grandmother, so I did.”
“Mmm,” Adosina said, picking up a pastry. “Never doubt the power of kindness, Indenuel. In a time of war, kindness is not often the first thing on people’s mind.”
Indenuel nodded, aware of the two servant girls and Tolomon in the background, pretending to be a piece of the furniture so Indenuel and Adosina could carry on their conversation as though no one else was in the room. It unnerved him how well they stayed still and simply waited to be called for.
Adosina used her utensils with every bit of grace and dignity befitting a girl who grew up in great wealth. Indenuel tried hard not to look like an idiot as he delicately skewered a piece of ham.
“I want you to understand that my coming here practically means my family is in full support of what you did yesterday,” Adosina said before taking a small bite of ham.
He had taken a much larger piece of ham and was in the process of chewing it. It was mouthwatering and full of flavor, and he wanted nothing more than to savor it, but he needed to acknowledge her statement. He chewed as fast as he could and swallowed. “Oh?” Indenuel winced, trying desperately to think of something else to say. “I mean, yes. Thank you. I’m certain the support of your family means a great deal in the city.”
“My father has never been the kind of man to show everyone exactly how powerful he is, but the fact is, he is one of the most powerful men in the city. More than even some of his fellow High Elders.”
Indenuel nodded, taking a sip of his wine. It was so strange to be reminded of how powerful a man Martin was. Adosina was right. Most of what made Martin so intimidating was that he was a High Elder and of royalty. Yet somehow, he was approachable. So was their entire family, actually. Sara was as warm and loving as the grandmothers Indenuel had read in stories. Adosina never made Indenuel feel like he was anything other than himself.
“Seems like it’s a family trait, as you yourself don’t often display the kind of power you have,” Indenuel said.
Adosina gave a humble smile as she tipped her glass of wine. “I shall be honest, Indenuel, I don’t have nearly as much power as I’d like, but I try to be grateful for what I do have. My father doesn’t even know I’m here.” She took a small sip of wine with a smile on her face. “He was not home to council with. I decided to take the initiative myself.”
The mango managed to slide onto his fork well enough, and he took his time eating it in small bites. Adosina dabbed her mouth, looking out the window. “Your gardens are absolutely glorious.”
Indenuel took another bite of mango before looking out the window. He had seen them while he was in his room, but he’d never explored them.
“We should go see them after we eat! A long walk will do us some good!” Adosina said.
“Oh, I agree. I will need the exercise,” Indenuel said.