Narcissa placed a finger to her painted lips and said, “Correction, we want to inuge him. We will from now on speak in code.”
“You have told me too much. Are you not concerned what I will do with this knowledge?”
“Only if you are completely infatuated with Hadeon’s rule and pay homage to that apollos. I hope I can count on your discretion and cooperation.”
“You are taking a great risk,” I declared. “You know nothing of my allegiance.”
Narcissa studied me for some time before speaking again. She looked the perfect lady of High Society, with her ostentatious maroon gown, her glittering jewelry and her blond tresses done up to perfection around her pretty face. This was no vision of a revolutionary and I struggled to unite those two conceptions.
Narcissa finally said, “Your bravery with the Tonrar earlier, where did that come from? What is your history? You do not behave like a Kali-born. I’ve never seen any woman stand up to a hideous Shen.”
I looked down at my notes. Shen was her code name for the Tonrar.
Narcissa continued. “Where are you really from?”
“Like I told the Tonrar, I am from Venilia.”
“You don’t have to hide the truth from me. You can tell me everything.”
I stood, signifying I was done with the interrogation.
Narcissa jumped to her feet. “I’m sorry. Please sit. I will stop pressing you for information. If your past needs to stay secret, I will not force you to reveal it.”
“I already told you where I’m from. There is no secret.”
“All right. I believe you.” Narcissa sat and motioned for me to do the same.
Still standing, I studied her face carefully. Suspicion crowded my heart. What if this was a trap? What if she was prodding me for answers, pretending to be in some secret anti-Casimer club only as a guise to expose me and to hand me over as a traitor?
She clearly saw my struggle. “I promise you, I am not working for Hadeon or his evil Shen. I am violently opposed to that apollos.”
I didn’t know if she could be trusted but I sat down and waited to hear what else she had to say.
“I have the distinct feeling that you are here in Hadeon’s territory for an ulterior motive and I do believe you will warm to our cause. There is something about you that absolutely intrigues me. You are very different than most women in Kali’s Althia Order. I am usually not wrong about my gut instincts.”
She was speaking of Dwarkaa’s High Society. I still was not used to her speaking in code and kept looking at the notes on my lap. Lifting my eyes, I waited for her to continue.
“You are a tough woman in every way. I began to notice signs that encouraged me to speak with you face to face.”
“What signs?”
“Standing up to Daegel and refusing his hand was the first sign that you are very different from the norm. Being willing to become Magdalon’s coverling was the second. No woman is eager to enter Hadeon’s home turf and would avoid a coupling with one residing there if at all possible. The place you have chosen to live is very advantageous towards an ulterior motive, the third sign.”
“I agreed to the coupling because I found Magdalon completely fascinating and a very agreeable man. There was nothing more to my decision.”
“But you were willing to move onto Hadeon’s turf. Why?”
“Why not?”
Confusion filled Narcissa’s face. “Do you really not know how vicious Hadeon can be? How you are risking your life by being where you are?”
“There is risk everywhere in this world. One risk is no greater than the other.”
“That is where you are wrong. The closer you get to Hadeon, the darker your life will grow.”
“In what way?” I asked.
Looking around the room to make sure there was no sign of the Tonrar, Narcissa lowered her voice and whispered, “My covering, Furud, when he began to work directly with Hadeon a few years ago, began to change. Subtly in the beginning but now, there is a darkness in him so that I barely recognize him any longer. The weighty aura of the Shen seems to permeate his being and enters the home when he returns here. It is as though I am living with Hadeon’s presence continually. Furud’s fury, tantrums and abuse continually increases in intensity. I can no longer reason with him. The only relief I get is when Furud leaves for the day. That is my only saving reprieve.” Her eyes looked frantic and desperate.
“Is this true of all the men in the Inner Circle?”
Narcissa placed a finger to her lips but dipped her chin in answer. “Have you noticed any of these signs with Magdalon?”
I shook my head. “He is very attentive and not at all abusive.”
“You are very favored to have found such a man. Be careful, Tamasa. Always watch your back. He could change in an instant. Don’t be fooled in believing your man is immune from Hadeon’s malevolent ways.”
Standing, I said, “I need to go.”
Narcissa also stood. “I understand. Think over what I’ve said and please don’t expose me. I trust you as a friend.”
We were no more than acquaintances and she was asking a great deal of me without saying more than she needed to. I suddenly felt like a rodent in line with a warrior’s tightly strung arrow pressed against the bow.
My Coachman was waiting for me as I stepped outside. On the trip back to Casimer’s Royal Grounds, I debated whether to inform Magdalon of the Tonrar’s appearance during our tea. He would be furious of course, would worry, and I didn’t want to upset him.
I arrived just before the dinner hour and had just enough time to pull Akiko into my bed chamber to reveal the events of the afternoon. I sat down on a cushioned chair beside my window while Akiko stood before me.
“What does Narcissa want with you?” asked Akiko.
“I’m not completely sure but it sounds dangerous. How can I join this women’s movement at the same time as I’m advancing the Tempest?”
“Does she want you to take out…what is her code name for him again?”
“Hadeon. And I don’t know. I highly suspect Narcissa was referring to exactly that.”
“To be perfectly honest, the two streams of thought do have similarities.”
“I cannot play two games at the same time?”
“Why not?”
“Akiko! You’re not helping.”
“If she is sincere, then joining these women will endear you to them. They would never expose you to…Hadeon’s guards. There is safety in this plan.”
Studying my folded hands in my lap, I slowly shook my head. “I never imagined this High Society Tea with these powerful women turning into a discussion of me possibly joining their plans of a…”
Akiko smiled. “A Tempest?”
Lifting my eyes, I said, “Yes.” I took the pieces of paper from the pocket of my gown and held them up for her to see.
“What is this?” Akiko asked.
“These are the documents Narcissa gave me. I have the vow and codes memorized and need to burn them.”
Akiko pointed to the coals still glowing red in the small fireplace reserved to warm my room. “You can destroy them there.”
I stood to do just that.
Akiko said, “My I see them first?”
Looking at her, I asked, “Can you read?”
“A little.”
I kept the portion of the vow and gave her the code list. Walking to the coal hearth, I bent down and made sure the vow would be completely destroyed.”
Akiko took only a few minutes to study the list, and then she also placed her paper into the hot coals. Ash floated above the red-heat source for a moment and then settled down into nothingness.
A bell rang and someone knocked at the door. “Yes?”
The door opened wide and a servant appeared. “Dinner is served, Lady Tamasa. Magdalon has arrived and is waiting.”
“I will be there shortly.”
The door closed and Akiko and I were alone again.
“Say nothing of this to anyone, even to one that may be part of the Tempest. If I do decide to join these women, the two revolutions must remain ignorant of each other.”
“You would not notify the leaders? Don’t they have a right to know? After all, you will be taking even a greater risk.”
“I have much to think about. I will decide when the time is right.”
Akiko nodded.
“I need to go,” I said and headed to the door.
Magdalon smiled when he saw me and stood from the table in greeting. Taking me into his arms, he kissed me with desire. “I missed you more than I can say, my dear Tamasa. How did you ever manage without me today? I didn’t think I would survive with such a long absence.”
I gave him a playful smile and gave him one more kiss. “I was at the High Society Ladies Tea, remember?”
“Ah yes. And you did not give me a second thought all day?”
“Oh, I did. I was looking forward to this.”
“I thought so.” He gave me one more lingering kiss.
We both took our seats and servants bustled in with the first course.
Looking at my handsome covering, I asked, “What kept you busy today?”
Magdalon said, “I went to Casimer’s vineyards on the outskirts of Dwarkaa. They are having problems with insects or worms that are destroying some of the leaves and vines. We tried to come up with a solution.” He looked worried.
“Is there a solution?”
“The manager of the vineyards has tried spraying a soap concoction but the worms seem quite resilient. The destruction continues.” Releasing a deep breath, he said “I will need to report this to the Royal Palace tomorrow.”
“What will happen?”
“If I cannot solve this, disciplinary action might ensue.”
“Meaning what exactly?”
“Only once have I been disciplined for not being able to resolve a problem. It was not pleasant. The scars on my back are the proof.” He lowered his head and continued eating.
I lost my appetite in that moment and pushed my plate away. I’d noticed the scars but never asked about them.
Looking up, he said, “Don’t worry. I’m sure I will survive. I asked the manager to send word if he finds something that reverses the damage. Let’s hope he sends word before morning.”
I had grown fond of the man and would hate to see him harmed.
When dinner was done, Magdalon stood and addressed a servant, “We’ll take our evening mead in the garden.”
“Yes sir,” said the servant, bowing at the waist.
Magdalon took my hand and led me through the back door toward the pathways lined with flowers, shrubs and trees. We found a bench surrounded by flowery beauty and sat together. The servant found us and held out a tray with goblets of mead. We each took a glass and he left us.
“Are you happy here,” Magdalon asked?
“Yes, of course. Your home is fine and I am enjoying your company.”
“So being covered has not been too burdensome? I know how you like your independence.”
“You give me great leniency to come and go as I please. I have nothing to complain about.”
He grew contemplative for a moment. “There are things I have not told you. Casimer has certain requirements of those privileged to serve him. With wealth, power and position come certain costs.”
“What type of costs?”
“Well, as you know, I would like to have children, soon I hope.”
“I’ve never wanted to bear a child.”
“You would reconsider for my sake?”
Looking into his eyes, the longing within the brown depths stirred me. “I would consider it.”
He nodded, waited for a few moments and then said, “But, there is something you need to be aware of. Casimer requires the first born to be given over as a gift.”
I stared at Magdalon in horror. “What do you mean?”
“We will not be permitted to keep our first born.”
“What does he do with the babes?”
“They are placed with the other infants within the Royal Nursery. What happens to them after that I am not sure. Great secrecy surrounds all that happens there. What I have learned is that children are removed from the nursery at different times and ages. Even the nurse maids do not know where they are taken or what happens to them once they leave their care.”
Anger burned in my chest and I could not contain my revulsion a moment longer. I’d seen too many babies taken, to many sacrificed in honor of that evil despot. “I will never give a child over to that tyrant!”
Magdalon jumped as though poked with a red hot iron. He threw his goblet to the ground, grabbed my wrists and yanked me from my seat. As quick as lightening, he drew his right hand into a fist, pulled it back and brought it screaming into my middle, which caused me to buckle in two and groan in pain.
The hit winded me completely and, holding my mid section with one hand, I tried desperately to catch my breath. Slowly I straightened and stared at the rage-filled face of the one I thought was agreeable and easy to live with. His red face, wild eyes and bared teeth did nothing to assuage me. He appeared ready to strike again.
“What is wrong…with you?” I finally managed to say.
“You will never speak of Our Great Lord in that way again! He deserves our honor, our praise and our sacrifice. He is The Great Salvation, the Savior of the farrins of our great world. We will give our first born to him and we will do it willingly.” His chest heaved in emotion, either motivated by fury or fear.
I straightened my shoulders further and glared at him. “You will never hit me again! If you choose to, you may end up with a knife in your chest and very dead one morning. I will not tolerate having my covering beat me.”
His fury turned to shock. “You would not dare.”
“Oh yes I would,” I emphatically stated.
I think he believed the dead seriousness in my eyes. Surprise was pasted across his features and his mouth stood slightly ajar. Finally, he turned on his heal and headed back inside.
Staying where I was, I sat back down and willed for my middle to stop aching. Magdalon spoke of Casimer what was posted on banner after banner on the streets of Dwarkaa High Society – Casimer, The Great Salvation, The Savior of the farrins of our Great World. He was nothing more than a murderer and a thief. I despised him more than ever.
Thoughts raged through my mind of what I would do. In that moment I felt utterly deflated and discouraged. I determined that I needed to leave, get out and go into hiding, leave this life of pretense and continued devastation. I never wanted a child. I’d seen mother after mother crushed and heartbroken after the taking of a child, the death of another. I was resolute that I would not join their number in grief and sorrow.
I could deal with a man such as Magdalon. He didn’t intimidate me in the least. I could kill him easily, but I refused to give birth to a child doomed to destruction. The revolution would have to go on without me. Someone else would have to be sent to infiltrate High Society.
A rustling in the leaves of the trees above me made me start and stare. The first thing that came to mind was that the Tonrar had listened in to our conversation and were coming in retribution. My derogatory statement of Casimer was absolutely not allowed. I knew my words would condemn me. I bolstered my courage and braced for their appearing. I was convinced that Magdalon would not come to my rescue. If I was to die, so be it.
