The next day I traveled to Venilia by horse and carriage. Arriving at noon, I noticed a servant standing at the gate to welcome me. I recognized him as a young warrior from my home farrin of Akoni. Many of the servants here were part of the revolution and they all knew the importance of secrecy, discretion and deception. We all had an act to perform. When he saw me, he waved my Coachman through.
Vanora and Razmig had sent a missive the day before requesting my presence at a meeting being held at the property.
When the carriage stopped before the estate, the door opened and the Footman helped me out. Another servant appeared, one of the stable hands, and bowed low in respect. He then turned back to assist my Coachman with his team toward the stables.
I followed the Footman to the doors of the large home. I couldn’t really call the place an estate. It wasn’t nearly as large or impressive as Krishay Manor and yet this home was considered an estate in this humble village of Venilia and one of my so-called properties. After the Footman opened the door for me and I stepped inside, Vanora walked up and said, “Hello Viveka. Follow me.”
I trailed her down a hall and into a large sitting room. Razmig was there waiting for us, as well as many of my fellow Akoni Clan members, all players of this grand revolt. There were also Dwarkaa-born members of the revolution in attendance. I looked around hoping to see the old man again, the one from Cadda Farrin, the one called Kranti. I wanted to know more about him but, unfortunately, I did not see him among the members.
Razmig came to me and said, “Welcome Viveka. How is the ruse going so far?”
“Won’t the whole group want to know? I will speak to all of you together.”
“How are you managing with the name change?”
“I have grown familiar with it. Daegel knows me as Tamasa, heiress of Krishay Estate.”
“That’s quite the title. You outrank me by far. When I was in Casimer’s employ I was simply a ship captain on Farrin Patrol.”
“It was still a lofty position. I know that now, especially after my time in the beggar’s district. Most of the populace of Dwarkaa Farrin is underprivileged and starving.”
“I was fortunate.”
“Yes you were.”
“And I’m still fortunate. I live in Viveka’s childhood home,” he said with a slight smile.
“You mean Tamasa’s childhood home.”
“Yes, of course.”
From the far side of the room, Vanora said, “We should begin.”
Razmig and I took seats on the outer edge and Vanora led the meeting.
“You all arrived safely. Thank you for making the effort to come.” Her eyes looked concerned as she scanned the room. “First of all, one of our leaders was taken into custody, a Dwarkaa-born, and he hasn’t been seen since. We suspect he was tortured, made to speak. Hopefully he went to his death with his lips sealed.”
I asked, “Do you know if he was suspected as being a traitor for being a part of this revolution? Or was there some other reason he was arrested?”
“We’re not entirely sure. Hopefully Casimer has not learned of this movement or its progression. From the eye witness accounts of the man’s arrest, they noticed the Tonrar closing in. The evil wraiths allegedly overheard our man speaking derogatory things of Casimer’s rule and the guards arrested him. There is no way of knowing whether they suspected some ulterior motive, this movement or whether it was Casimer’s routine cleanup of the riff-raff.”
“Does anyone know what happens to those who are arrested? Are these people ever seen again?” asked a man from Akoni Farrin.
Razmig answered, “There are many speculations to what happens to them. Most likely they are burned alive in cages on the Royal Grounds. Perhaps they are kept to entertain Casimer and his cronies in the dog fights and matches. Or they are simply tortured and killed. No one is completely sure. I don’t know of any who have returned to the land of the living after being taken.”
Alile, a plain looking woman from my home land mass, said, “Let’s hope no one else is arrested. We will need to be extra watchful.”
Alile was a brave woman who volunteered as one from my home farrin who infiltrated Dwarkaa Farrin to abet the revolution. I wondered where she was leading a group of dissidents.
I noticed a man staring and turned to look to see Kibou’s eyes locked on mine. I lowered my chin in acknowledgement and was aware I looked very different to him now. I no longer wore the pauper clothes he was used to seeing on me. My gown, though one of my everyday dresses, was still very refined and made of the softest textile. Although not as elegant as my evening or entertaining gowns, the material was a huge improvement to the rough, scratchy clothes I was forced to wear in the beggar’s district.
Vanora said, “Kibou. Can you tell us what is happening in your neighborhood?”
“Yes. The revolutionaries under my command meet once a week. So far no one has been caught, apprehended or killed, except for the woman torn apart by the Tonrar over a month ago. We have been very careful and post guards at every meeting.”
The woman he spoke of was my friend, Enyo. Although I hadn’t known her well, her death had still affected me.
Kibou continued, “I have a contact in high society who has made arrangements for a few of those under my command. One woman, she calls herself Wrecker, has entered Casimer’s employ as a nursemaid. I have lost communication with her and don’t know how she is doing. There is also a young teenage boy, Kerrim, who was given the position of stable boy and attends and grooms Casimer’s horses. He desired to be a servant in Casimer’s Royal Palace and get as close to that despot as possible but it was not to be. I am requesting that a runner be appointed to keep us informed of those in dangerous positions.” Kibou looked at me.
“You want me to appoint someone?” The runners routinely travel all over Dwarkaa Farrin to inform all the leaders of planned meetings or anything else of significance.
“Could you?” Kibou asked. “You are now part of High Society. You could hire one of the runners as a servant and they could potentially enter Casimer’s grounds and find out how our people are faring.”
I looked at Vanora. “Would this even be possible? Can anyone enter Casimer’s Royal Grounds without a summoning?” Vanora used to be a woman of Dwarkaa City High Society until she abdicated and entered the revolution. If anyone would know, she would.
“No. This is not possible.”
Razmig stood and said, “But, there is a market, the best one in all of Dwarkaa, that operates just outside the gates of the Royal Palace Grounds. There are kitchen staff members in the Royal Palace that come out to the market every day to gather produce.” He stopped and looked at Kibou. “It would have been more expedient if your woman, Wrecker, had entered Casimer’s service as a cook or kitchen maid.” He then turned toward me and said, “You could hire a runner, a kitchen maid that would gather produce for the day. If another revolutionary could get a job within the Royal Palace kitchen, the market would be the perfect location to exchange information.”
Another leader spoke up, “My name is Timeer. The group I lead is in Dwarkaa City and, although we are not within High Society, we are located in a more affluent area of business owners. There are members under my command who have expressed desire to enter Casimer’s employ.” He looked at Kibou. “Could your contact help me as well and get my people into his residence?”
Kibou’s shoulders lowered a degree. “I cannot. The man who agreed to my requests told me that this was the last of his favors for quite some time. He was questioned extensively on his employment suggestions. He made up tales to satisfy the Royal Guards but he does not want to be placed into such a compromised position again.”
Another leader said, “For those who haven’t met me, my name is Kol. The group I lead is from Glendin Village and I have some good news. One of the people under my command is already a servant of our Great Lord.”
Grimaces floated through the room at the formal name of Casimer.
The leader smiled at the response his words brought and continued, “He is quite young, a Tea Boy. Although I’ve only seen him once, his aunt keeps me somewhat informed. This boy knows of others in the Palace that are eager to join the revolution.”
“Wait,” I said. “This seems to be taking a dangerous route. So many young revolutionaries within the Royal Palace will create greater risk of being discovered. What if one of them is caught speaking of the revolution by another employee? The young have less constraint.”
Vanora nodded. “That is true. The younger the revolutionaries are, the greater the danger of them exposing us. They tend to feel invincible and disregard the hazards.”
Kibou said, “I don’t agree. The youth who are eager to enter Casimer’s employ and take him down are the very ones that have been the most abused and hurt by his rule. I guarantee you that every one of them is alone in this world, orphaned by the hand of our tyrannical ruler. Each one of these youths has a score to settle. I propose that they are fiercely focused on staying vigilant and seeing this revolution through to its conclusion.”
“May I continue?” asked Kol.
Vanora nodded.
“Like I was saying, there are others in the Royal Palace or the Royal Grounds that want to join us. This boy I spoke of, his name is Lekko. He has provided us with a list of names and their positions. One of them is a young woman who works in the kitchen, her name is Eka. Once things become established, I could send word to her of a liaison at the market. In this way we can keep tabs on what is happening within Casimer’s Royal Grounds.”
The room fell silent as we all considered this. I liked the idea. I decided to break the hush. “Which runner would be suitable for me to hire as a kitchen servant?”
Vanora said, “I know of a woman. She does local running missions within Dwarkaa City. It is too dangerous for a woman to wander too far from her residence so she would have to reside at Krishay Manor. She is young enough, very brave and would be a good choice for this position.”
“What is her name?” I asked.
“Tanda.”
“Have her come by my estate tomorrow,” I commanded.
“I will see what I can do,” Vanora stated.
Other leaders gave their reports on their jurisdictions but not much more of value was disclosed. The afternoon quickly sped by and we all needed to get back home before the sun began to set. Vanora finally closed the meeting and bid everyone safe travels. Most of the leaders left through the back entrance, one at a time and spaced out so that the departure of this many people would not be noted by neighbors. Luckily the few neighbors around this large home and land were sparse and spread apart.
Vanora came to stand before me. “You will stay the night. It will be expected of your staff back home. No one of nobility ever leaves and returns on the same day. It would be considered inane and base. Someone of your class, when traveling, would always stay at least one night, especially since you are looking after matters on one of your other properties.”
This had not been in my plans and I balked at the shift. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, I finally said, “All right. I will stay. My Coachman should be made aware of the change.”
“He has already been told and has been given lodging in the servant’s quarters.”
Although I still struggled with the direction of the night, I gave a slight nod.
“Tell me, how is your new life?” Vanora asked, just as Razmig came to join us.
“Stressful and frustrating,” I said.
“How so?”
“I hate all the acting and frippery of pretending to be a woman of High Society. It does not come naturally to me.”
Razmig asked, “And Daegel? Does he believe you? Have you sold him on the lie?”
“He is very taken with me and insists on covering me. I have not yet decided.”
“What?” Vanora looked shocked. “What’s to decide? This is the plan! Why wait?”
“I refuse to act like a desperate, fawning juvenile waiting for a man to rush to my side to cover me.”
Razmig actually chuckled at my strong statement and I allowed a small smile.
Vanora didn’t look impressed. “I don’t understand you. You could be compromising the entire plan.”
“I assure you, I am not compromising anything. By playing hard to get I am making myself more desirable. I’ve also told Daegel that I refuse to lose my independence. I will still travel, reside predominantly at my own estate and have full control of my itinerary.”
“You didn’t?” Vanora looked ready to faint.
“He is presently considering my ultimatum.”
“He’s actually considering this?”
“He told me that his mother is a very subservient soul. I assured him that I am not.”
“Why would he even consider you as a possible wife?”
“My beauty and grace have bewitched him. And I’m quite certain my wealth is feeding and tempting his greed.”
“Ah yes,” Razmig said, a smile still tweaking his lips, “great beauty and wealth seem to have that effect on a man.”
Vanora still looked perturbed. “I must advice you, Daegel is known as a violent, volatile man. He is the catch of the season; many women have their eye on him and would make fine, subservient wives. Even if he agrees to your conditions, he is known to get his way, one way or the other. He does not tolerate dissent of any kind.”
“I have dealt with many men that are brutal and explosive and have cut many down in war. I am not afraid of Daegel.”
“Perhaps you should be,” Vanora warned.
“I think you should consider Vanora’s advice,” Razmig suggested.
Condescendingly, I said, “Neither of you have experienced war. You do not know what I am capable of. If you had any idea whatsoever, and you would consider my age in that mix, you would know what a fierce warrior I am. Not all survive to my ripe, old age.”
“Ripe old age?” Vanora declared. “You are not even thirty years old. What are you? Mid-twenties?”
“I am from a warring clan, Akoni Farrin.”
“I know all this,” Vanora insisted.
“You have no clue,” I said in disdain.
Releasing a frustrated breath through thin lips, Vanora said, “Just be careful. Don’t upset Daegel past what he can endure.” Picking up her skirts, she said, “Now come,” and started for the door, “dinner will be served.”
While she led the way, Razmig stepped beside me and whispered, “So much vim and vigor. I’d love to know what you’d be like in bed. I have to say, Daegel is a lucky man.”
“Remember your coverling.”
“I do. But I am curious.”
Vanora turned back. “What are you two discussing?”
Razmig said, “Tactical instruction. I’m just trying to prepare Viveka for her mission with Daegel.”
Vanora entered the dining room ahead of us and, before we followed, I turned to Razmig and said, “Vanora deserves better from you. If you were my covering I’d cut you down while you sleep.”
“Then I’m relieved you are not my woman. But you’d make a fantastic mistress.” He smiled and gestured for me to enter before him.
