Martin offered to help King Ramiro, but he shook his head as he lifted Indenuel’s exhausted form onto the bed. Once the covers were around him, Martin made one more check. Indenuel was fine. Exhausted, no doubt, but a deep night’s sleep would do him wonders. He turned, facing Tolomon. He was almost positive the man was fine, but he never checked himself. He touched his temples and closed his eyes. Tolomon was in a deeper state of exhaustion as the remaining healing power did what it could to rejuvenate the damage to his body, but he was alive. And would continue to live. Indenuel, despite everything, had saved Tolomon’s life.
He released his hold, staring at the opposite wall.
“Martin?” Fadrique asked.
“They’re fine. They’re both going to be… fine.”
Fadrique took a few steps closer into the room, his eyes wide. “What just happened?”
Navir had one hand leaning against the wall, staring at nothing. “I have never felt that kind of power before. God has only given him nineteen years. Nineteen years, and he reversed a corruptive element in a grown man’s body.”
“All our preparations with the prophecy. All the things we expected of him,” Dalius said, hands on his knees. “And yet none of us expected him to be stronger than all of us combined.”
Martin stared at Indenuel. He had read plenty of books, some even before the Great Flood. Experiences of people who had all four gifts. From what he could tell, there was a dominate gift, and then the three others. The dominant gift was the strongest by far, and the three others fed into it, giving it more power than it being on its own. Martin wondered if this is what Indenuel felt, with maybe one gift being stronger than the others. But now he realized the boy truly was a gift from God to save them in their time of need. A force of power in all four God-given gifts.
***
Inessa walked the halls of the home. There was a hush around the sick room, almost one of reverence. Indenuel and Tolomon were still sleeping, even though it was well past breakfast time. Word had of course spread of what Indenuel had done, shocking the High Elders and the King and Queen with his incredible strength of gifts.
It felt more claustrophobic with half the army just outside. She was glad she already got her supplies outside the city wall before this happened. She doubted they would let anyone out of the house, let alone walk around outside the wall. The supplies would last her another month or two.
She had come from the kitchens to request another apple pastry be brought to her room as a form of rebellion. If Martin suggested she hide away in her room the entire time Indenuel was here, then he was sorely mistaken. She would go crazy there all by herself. Besides, Indenuel was still sleeping.
A shadow crossed the hall in front of her, and Inessa prepared herself to move out of the way for whatever person it was.
Fadrique stepped into the hall, heading toward Martin’s study, and Inessa stiffened, her legs refusing to move. He glanced up, a sickly smile crossing his face. “Inessa.”
Her heart pounded against her ribs. She wanted to run, but Fadrique would catch up with her. She forced her knees to bend, her hands slick on her dress as she gave a curtsey. “High Elder Fadrique. A surprise seeing you here, sir.”
He approached her, still smiling. “It has been so long since we’ve been alone together.”
“And it is inappropriate, considering I am now a married woman to someone else.”
“Good thing your husband is an old friend of mine, right?” He opened the door next to him and grabbed her elbow, dragging her inside. She stiffened, wanting to fight against the hold. Servants were cleaning and tidying the sitting room. “Leave us,” Fadrique ordered.
The servants curtseyed and bowed before leaving without another word. Inessa broke from his grip and backed away as quickly as she dared. The door closed and Fadrique walked toward her, the smile turning predatory.
“I must insist you stop at once,” Inessa said, her voice trembling.
“Are you carrying Martin’s baby yet?” Fadrique asked.
Inessa’s voice caught in her throat. She stared at Fadrique, horror clearly written on her face. “This subject is inappropriate. I shall not answer.”
“But I must know.” He took a step closer, and she took three steps back. “Understand, you were taken from me far too soon. Seems like there were horrible rumors you felt mistreated in my home.” He was there, stroking her cheek. She didn’t dare close her eyes. “Now what I’m so curious about is why one of my fellow High Elders would believe such a thing.”
Inessa swallowed, doing everything in her power not to cry. “I don’t know, sir.” It was barely a whisper, but Fadrique was close enough it didn’t matter.
“The rumors must have come from a man. A High Elder would never believe a woman’s words against another High Elder.”
“You must not know them very well,” Inessa said.
Fadrique grabbed her wrist and she let out a gasp of surprise. The pain was familiar. Sharp, but wouldn’t leave behind a bruise. “Who did you tell?” She said nothing, testing his resolve. His eyes were dark, full of anger as his fingers moved to her throat, twitching. Inessa refused to close her eyes. It was just a game to him. He wouldn’t dare leave a bruise on her body. She was with Martin now. “Was it Martin or Navir?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You were not treated horribly by me. I loved you dearly. As much as any other concubine.” His fingers got too close to a place they shouldn’t. She stepped away, but he jerked her back and tightened his grip over her wrist. “Tell me who you told.”
“Follow the rules, and you will have no reason to fear your High Elders.” She tried to move her wrist out of his grip. He tightened it once again and she gasped, covering her mouth. This one hurt. This one would leave a bruise.
“Tell me right now, or I will break your wrist and claim I found you in the hall after you fell,” Fadrique ordered.
Inessa let out another gasp and her words tumbled out. “I didn’t have to tell anyone. He saw the bruises on my neck before I even offered to show him the ones on my ribs.”
His eyes narrowed. “Navir. You told Navir.” The tears finally fell from her cheeks. “You hadn’t been given to Martin yet. Both men are ridiculously strict with rules, and they wouldn’t believe you unless you had proof. You offered to show Navir the bruises on your ribs, because Martin would never look. He probably still doesn’t know what you look like under this.” He played with the sleeve of her dress.
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Inessa managed to break free of his grip, a thing she knew was only possible because Fadrique let her go. “You will leave this room at once. You cannot talk to me like that.”
His smile was still there as he took a few steps back. “Navir and Martin are strictly by the book, it’s true. My full year hasn’t been used. If Martin can’t get a baby inside you, I still have three months left to try.”
Inessa glared at him because she didn’t want to let him know how much that troubled her. Fadrique was only trying to frighten her. Navir wouldn’t allow it. He was more by the book than Martin, but he wouldn’t place her back with Fadrique after she explained how much she feared for her life.
Fadrique smiled, but did not look at her face, instead looked at her body. “I will see you soon.” She backed away, trying to keep the anger there so she wouldn’t feel so terrified. He turned and left. Once the door closed, Inessa sank to the floor. She closed her eyes and cradled her wrist in her hand. She could still feel the ghost of his grip against it, still stinging. It had almost broke. She let out a soft sob before she steeled herself. Not here. She’d have to go to the safety of her room.
She crept toward the door, listening for Fadrique’s footsteps to recede. As soon as the door to Martin’s study shut, she gathered her skirt and rushed through the empty hallway, straight for her room. She shut the door, bracing herself against it as she stared at the floor, tears falling from her eyes. Her gaze dropped to the bottom drawer to where her powder was. She still had time to figure out how truthful Fadrique’s threat was. She didn’t know what would happen if it was true, but if Navir agreed, if she had to return to Fadrique, then her path was clear. She would rather go home disgraced than have Fadrique’s baby. But more importantly, she would rather have Martin’s baby than return to Fadrique for three more months.
***
The room was bright when Indenuel woke up. His muscles ached, but felt far more refreshed. He sat up, trying to see Tolomon.
“Hello, Warrior Indenuel,” a servant said quietly from near the door.
“Tolomon, is he alright?” Indenuel asked. Yes, Martin gave him that assurance last night, but he didn’t know how long it had been since then.
“He is fine. Still resting. He woke up a few times to drink some broth before getting more rest. His body has gone through a lot the past day.”
The anxiety and stress he felt before seeped away. Tolomon was fine. The door opened and Martin walked in with some clothes. A servant bowed and left the room. Indenuel tried to get off the bed to bow, but Martin stopped him.
“I don’t have much time. I am in a meeting right now with the other High Elders, but I wanted to be alerted when you woke up.” Martin placed the new set of clothes into Indenuel’s arms.
Indenuel quickly got dressed. “Anything I should know?”
“You displayed a remarkable amount of power last night. You saved Tolomon’s life.” He said nothing, shoving his arms through the shirt before throwing it on himself. “Where did you learn to do that?”
He didn’t look at Martin, instead straightening his shirt. “My mother had an illness in her I couldn’t cure. I did that to keep her alive for six more months before God claimed her.” He ran a hand through his hair and figured that was good enough for a brush before walking over to Tolomon’s side. “But it worked on him.”
“You could have killed yourself doing that,” Martin said.
“To my mother? Or Tolomon?” Indenuel asked.
“Both.”
Indenuel shrugged. “I don’t care.”
Martin walked to the other side of Tolomon. “I want you to try something.” Indenuel gave him a curious look. “Touch his forehead again.” He did, placing his fingers against Tolomon’s forehead and sensing the recuperative state of the body. “There is a section of the soul, toward the heart. If you bonded with him like you did, it should be there.”
Indenuel sensed it. “What is-” He had reached out while he said it, and was thrown into the training grounds. It was hazy around his vision, but the center, where Tolomon stood, was sharp and clear. He laughed as he battled five Santollian soldiers at a time, knocking them all out before moving on.
Indenuel released his hold, blinking a few times. “What was that?”
“The future,” Martin said. “It happens to me sometimes when I heal one of my family members. I can catch glimpses of it. The clearer they are, the more probable it will happen.”
“There was a slight haze around the edges of my vision.”
Martin nodded. “No future is perfectly set. At least, not the ones we can see. Come, Sara gave me specific instructions to make sure you get fed as soon as you wake up. And I must return to my meeting.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of her but…” Indenuel only then noticed how starved he felt. Being so nervous all the time had shrunk his appetite, but now that everything finally calmed down, he was ready to have Sara’s cooking. “Thank you. And thank you for taking care of Tolomon.”
Martin nodded. “Once our meeting is done, we’d like to discuss our plans for what we are to do the next few days. There is still uncertainty in the city right now.”
“Alright. I’ll just get myself some breakfast. Or lunch.” Indenuel glanced at the window. “Whatever meal we’re having right now.”
Martin smiled as they walked out of the room. Rosa paced near the door; a pair of letters clutched in her fist.
“Is Tolomon awake yet?” she asked.
“No. Probably won’t until after lunch,” Martin said.
Rosa nodded, looking at the letter in her hand. “I have something for him. From Nathaniel. One for you too.” She handed one of the letters to Indenuel.
“Oh, thank you.”
“I must return to my meeting. Do you know the way to the dining hall?” Martin asked.
“I am well acquainted with that room in your house,” Indenuel said.
Martin laughed before he bowed and returned to his study. Indenuel looked at the note in his hand and started to unfold it. He almost headed toward the dining hall but froze. He looked up to see Rosa, looking nervous as she continued to pace near the sick room, glancing at the door far too often. Indenuel lowered the letter, taking it all in. Rosa paused, then finally noticed him still there, watching her.
“I don’t mean to pry,” Indenuel said quietly. “But why didn’t you choose Tolomon?”
Rosa stopped pacing. She looked at him, a frown tugging at her face and the smallest hints of shame flickering through her eyes. She looked down at the letter from Nathaniel. “Nathaniel was my best friend growing up, and Tolomon was the mysterious commoner who was besting noblemen at sword fighting. I became friends with him once he and Nathaniel became inseparable. All the women were in love with them at the King’s court while they were training in the military, but I… I never thought they’d both come seeking my affections.” Rosa sighed, looking at the door. “They… they both are…”
Rosa stared at the door, her feelings clear in her face. Indenuel’s eyebrows slowly raised higher and higher.
“If I knew then what I know now, I’d… if I knew what it was like to lose Tolomon’s lo-- his friendship, I…” Rosa looked at the letter in her hand, tears in her eyes. “I would have…” She lowered the letter. “Excuse me, I must be going. Please, please don’t tell Tolomon I was here.”
Indenuel nodded as Rosa curtseyed and practically ran from the door. He watched her leave before looking at the door to the sick room. He had just stumbled upon something he shouldn’t, and he had every intention of keeping Rosa’s secret. Whatever her secret was. She never exactly told him.
He headed toward the dining hall, realizing he still had Nathaniel’s letter. He unfolded it and started reading it, trying to forget his encounter with Rosa.
Dear Indenuel,
Thank you for saving Tolomon’s life. That man is a stubborn fool who thinks everyone else is more important than him, and it’s good he got the reality of knowing there are people willing to risk their lives for him. That being said, what you did was dangerous. You should not blatantly disregard Tolomon, Captain Luiz, or my own father like that, as we cannot lose you.
So, consider this the contradictory compliment that this is. I owe you a bottle of the best wine in the world and will use it to whack some sense into you.
-Nathaniel
Indenuel couldn’t help but snort. Now that the danger was over, he felt he could do that. Sure, there was still half the army guarding Martin’s home, but Tolomon was alive.
Added- if it hasn’t happened already, beware of Tolomon’s temper. I don’t envy you the verbal lashing you will or have already received.
That made Indenuel wince. Tolomon had been unconscious for most of the time, but he didn’t doubt what Nathaniel said.
Indenuel walked into the dining hall. It was quiet, as he assumed most of the family had already eaten. Indenuel had hardly sat down in the spot he usually sat at when a plate of eggs and roasted potatoes was placed in front of him. He slipped Nathaniel’s letter into his pocket. Since only the servants were there, he ignored proper etiquette and shoveled the food in his mouth. The sleep had been invigorating.
The room grew hot. Indenuel set down his wine glass and looked around. It was growing hot, yet he wasn’t sweating. What was going on? A thought hit him. Tolomon usually tested all his food, and he wasn’t here. Was his food poisoned?