I nodded.
“Reach out toward my mind and think of the word or words at the same time.”
I tried. It was hard to keep both the word and the image in my thoughts at the same time. It felt like that game of patting your head and rubbing your stomach. It was nearly impossible to balance enough attention between each motion; yet with practice, Vander was able to do it almost without thought. So, I struggled, one moment both hands patting and the next both rubbing. My mouth caught a hint of plum. I opened my eyes.
Errol laughed. “Beautifully done.”
“What,” I exclaimed. “Did you hear my sending?”
“No, but I tasted it. That is more than any of my students have been able to do at this stage.” He reached out and patted my cheek. “Don’t look so crestfallen, child. With practice and hard work, I will have you sending within two weeks. You will see.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him, but I did know that I wanted to be able to do it. It was so close, yet so far. Someday soon, I would be able to speak without my mouth. I couldn’t help the thrill of excitement that wriggled in my stomach.
“Now just practice those exercises that I just showed you,” he instructed.
“But don’t over do it,” Adreet admonished.
I eagerly set to work while they fell into an animated conversation over how to handle the night’s lodgings.
Hadrian
MEETINGS, SIDE CONVERSATIONS, barbed insults, loaded statements, I had my fill of words by the end of the first day and was sick of hearing them by the second. Korneli returned to the court on the fourth day to find me almost at the end of my patience, and it was only breakfast.
“That bad already,” he commented, snitching from the fruit bowl on the breakfast tray.
“You can have them all,” I said gesturing to the remaining food. My stomach wasn’t handling the tension well.
“Thank you,” he said before reaching for the granola. “I haven’t eaten since yesternoon.”
I nodded and strode to the windows. Beyond the covered terrace the sky loomed low and gray, promising rain for the fourth day in a row. “What did you find?” I asked.
“Your father and Mother are well. Your brothers at home are all well, and everyone sends their congratulations.”
I tried to envision them all. Father and Mother at rest before the fire in the common room; Mother with her hands busy with some small task and Father at work on his carving. My brothers were all gone from home, married with estates, responsibilities, and children of their own. However, those closest to home looked in on our parents frequently.
“How did they take the news that the Mesitas has chosen to treat me as an enemy?”
“You know Father. I told him and he nodded. ‘God will protect us,’ he said and went back to his carving.”
I closed my eyes. I could see him doing that. Calm and steady in his faith as he was in all other aspects of life. In all my twenty-five years, I could recall only a handful of occasions where he had been more than calm.
“If only I could be that peaceful,” I said.
“He isn’t always calm underneath. Remember that time when Loent, you, and I took out the boat in the rain? He wasn’t calm then.”
I nodded. All of our seats were sore after that adventure. I remember promising to never disobey one of Father’ rules again. Of course, the promise only lasted about a day, but at that moment, I truly and honestly had believed I could do it.
“God will protect them,” I whispered.
“So, have you and Tavey come up with a plan of attack.”
I shook my head. “We are not going to attack. I will have my hands full with new duties as soon as Caelestis Novem is over. Besides, I don’t believe that is it my place to attack. This battle is the Lord’s. He placed me here and I trust that He has a purpose for me to fulfill before he removes me. I have nothing to hide. You know that. Every morning, I lay the day in the Lord’s hands, and every night I pray through the events.”
“Is it working?” Korneli asked, leaning back in his seat, pear in hand.
I met his gaze. “I am still here; I haven’t lost my temper, spoken out of turn, or throttled the man yet. There are moments that I wish I could, though.” I didn’t tell him about the meeting on the third day when I wanted to walk across the High King’s table and latch my hands around the old Mesita’s throat.
The Mesitas never gave up. Every word was barbed and targeted, as if I were the red circle that marked the target. Yet I sat silently and acted as though the meanings were not clearly aimed at me.
He smiled. “Envisioning it?”
“Trying not to,” I admitted.
My new servant, Giles, entered and stood in the doorway to the bedchamber. He came with the position to care for my clothing and keep me looking proper. His stiff posture signaled for my attention.
“What is it, Giles?” I asked.
“The High King and the Council of Kings are convening in a half hour, Sir.”
“I was just going,” Korneli announced with a smile for Giles. “I will see you in the audience chamber at the beginning of the closing ceremonies.”
I agreed and he left. Instead of going into my bedroom, I stood for a moment before the windows opening onto the covered terrace. Be with me, Father, I pleaded. I am so weak and easily angered. Keep my duties always before me so that I cannot forget my purpose which is to serve You.
“Sir?” Giles ventured. “Your uniform is set out and ready.”
I turned to meet his dark eyes, wizened and deep. “What would happen if I didn’t wear the uniform today?”
Looking dutifully shocked, Giles frowned. “Everyone would
