Chapter 70: Misconceptions

As I marched across the palace to meet with Arleno, the Annaba tribe Elder, it dawned on me that I had been supposed to meet him two weeks ago, but he had to leave court hastily, only to return now, in time for Gallen’s fights against Gaia and Roisin. Yet again, I thought it convenient that he had been so unavailable when I needed to talk to him.

Over the past weeks, Luther, Gaia, Cleta and I had read all the books advised by Dealla, but found nothing. My own fight against Luther was looming, and the prophecy had yet to reveal its secrets to me. I had fifteen days until Luther would call off the wedding.

Everyday, I sat staring at it for countless hours, fearing that my resolve was fading, that I had already accepted that I would never find a solution.

At the same time, the court was bustling with issues, and each new day as Luther’s lover went by in a blur of diplomatic puzzles and fires to put out. But I was growing to like my court functions.

The amount of my Commontongue students had tripled, and I had even managed to convince Shan to put her gossiping skills to good use. Daily, she was compiling news gathered from all around Voke, informing Ligones of the kingdom’s recent events. I had gotten the idea after Gallen’s mother, Cadlye, had wrongly told one of Luther’s choices for Dryn of Justice that his tribal land had been gifted to a neighboring kingdom. In order to verify Cadlye’s claims, the man had left the capital, thus leaving the council position vacant, and weakening Luther’s rule.

While Luther was now convinced that Gallen’s parents were working against him, he had to gather enough proof of their wrongdoings to be able to act. And since gossiping was not a crime in Voke, we were powerless.

I knocked on the door of the salon reserved for the tribe Elders visiting Ligones. The man who opened had a large salmon tattoo stretched over his entire face.

“I’m looking for Arleno?” I asked.

“You can stop searching,” the Elder answered with a warm smile.

He invited me to sit on a set of cushions, offering me some tea and honey cakes. His apparent friendliness took me by surprise.

“I’m finally meeting the infamous Tatiana,” he said, watching me over his tea cup.

I held his stare. “I suppose that’s what my critics call me. Changing the status quo comes at a price.”

Arleno placed his tea cup down on the table. “The rumors are true,” he grinned. “You are fiercer than you look.”

“It’s the only way you get to be when everything you undertake is either being attacked or questioned,” I replied.

Arleno smiled. “I assume you didn’t come here to discuss your reputation.”

“I did, in a way. I have reasons to believe that you may have been told inaccurate things about me.”

“Did you not enter an official tournament as a member of the Annaba tribe, when in reality you are a part of the Epona tribe?” His grin had faded away in seconds.

I shifted in my seat. “I wasn’t aware of Voke’s customs when I challenged Cleta.”

“Your excuses won’t undo the damage that you’ve caused,” Arleno pointed out.

“Agreed,” I answered. “But I don’t think it’s fair for Gaia to pay for my mistakes. And I don’t think that you want the Annaba tribe to be known for separating young mothers from their children.”

Arlena considered me in silence. “No,” he finally conceded. “We are not a cruel kind.”

“Then agree to bind Sorka to your tribe whether or not Gaia wins her fight against Gallen tomorrow. It might not be the rules, but they are so archaic. Many children from single parents have been bound to their tribes in the past.” I paused, hesitating to continue. “And let me pay for my own mistakes,” I finally said, hoping the cost would be manageable. “Let me make up for the damage I’ve done to the Annaba tribe’s reputation.”

Arleno leaned back. “I will bind Sorka to the Annaba tribe, and recognize Gaia as her mother, independently of her marriage to Gallen.”

I sighed heavily in relief.

“And in return,” Arleno continued, “You will work with me to increase the Annaba tribe’s influence in Voke. Since we performed so poorly over the last tournament, women from other tribes have ceased challenging our young men to fights. I need you to find a way to fix this, or soon enough, our tribe won’t even exist anymore!”

It was all I could do not to laugh wildly.

Is the tribe Elder asking me to play matchmaker?!

“You have my word,” I answered.

I started to leave, but lingered on the salon’s threshold. I had obtained what I wanted from the meeting, yet something wasn’t right. This man didn’t strike me as narrow-minded and obtuse. Quite the contrary. So what had led him to intercede in favor of Roisin? And why had he refused to bind Sorka in the first place?

I turned around. “Why did you go to such lengths to prevent Gallen’s marriage to Gaia?”

A flash of regret crossed Arleno’s face. “Elders might lead the tribes, Tatiana, but it doesn’t mean that we’re always wise. Sometimes, we can be led astray by the closest of our friends. I was waiting to meet with you in person to correct my mistakes. And from what I’ve seen, I don’t think you will betray anyone’s trust,” he added.

I nodded and exited. He didn’t have to say their names, for me to know that he meant Cadlye and Cormac.

With a lighter step, I headed to Cleta’s chambers to find Gaia. A pleasant, late summer night was setting over the palace. For once something was going our way. Some demons were starting to see the benefit in unifying the kingdom.

I was a few steps away from Cleta’s chambers when a strange flicker of movement caught my eye inside. A shadow, drifting on a wall.

I stepped in the dark antechamber, listening. On my right, deeper into Cleta’s chambers, I could hear Sorka babble in her bedroom. Ahead of me, Cleta’s own bedroom was lit up, the sound of her laughter echoing across the apartments.

I shook my head.

I must be too tired.

I padded towards Cleta’s bedroom. But suddenly danger tugged at the side of my thoughts again.

Where are all her servants?

Cleta kept at least half a dozen of them at the ready, no matter what time of night or day.

“Cleta?” I called. “Where are all your servants?”

“They were called down to the kitchens for some reason...the service in the palace isn’t what it used to be,” she laughed. “Can you talk to Luther about that?”

I froze. Sorka was crying now.

“Is Sorka alone?” I asked, turning back towards the corridor leading to Sorka’s bedroom.

“No, a nanny was sent up to watch her!” Gaia shouted from Cleta’s bedroom.

I opened the door to Sorka’s bedroom to check on her. Her cradle was empty.

“Gaia!!” I screamed. “Hurry!”

Before I could step inside the room, someone pushed the door into me. I fell backwards, landing on my wrists. When I looked up, a small hooded shape emerged from Sorka’s bedroom, holding Gaia’s child. That’s no nanny. I tried to get up, but was kicked in the chest, and propelled further down.