Chapter 61: [22.2] The Undelivered Letter

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There was a jingle of keys as the archivist finally made the climb to Isla's level of the athenaeum. There was a hiss, and a gaslight brightened with renewed life. It was a couple hours yet before first light, and the archivist was making his rounds. 'Aren't you a little early, miss?'

'Yes, but I'm far behind on my Politics and Governance assignment.' It was a lie. Politics and Governance was perhaps the only class in which Isla was ahead. But she tapped the thick tome on her desk, and the archivist nodded commiseratingly.

'One of the tougher studies. Who under Ogbu's Eye thought it'd be a good idea to fill young girls' minds with politics and governance! Poor things ...' He trailed away into the next aisles, until all Isla could see of him were a sequence of lanterns bursting afresh.

She waited until the archivist clomped up the stairs before she pulled out her seal. Dhvani's seal, to be precise. She did not know why she had taken it that night when she stole into the rajini's estate; she just knew it could come in useful one day, and she was right. Perhaps I should trust in my instincts more often.

Isla opened her tome and returned to the strip of parchment hidden between its pages. The letters she had also taken from Rajini Dhvani's estate lay waiting upon the table. She unfolded them carefully – the papers were thin and worn. Years worth of correspondences between the rajini and her son.

Nothing important lay within his words. Already Isla had wasted months trying to find anything worthy of suspicion; but the only thing she could conclude out of the late Maharaj Kiaan's letters to his mother was that they had been close. Despite the rajini's cold demeanour, she had been a good enough mother that her son had entrusted upon her every gripe and doubt to have ever crossed his mind.

But Isla had found another use for the letters.

Now she dipped into the ink pot and penned her carefully-chosen words unto the blank parchment.

'Mother dearest ...' She began. That was how he had always addressed the rajini. 'If you read this now, I'm afraid—no. That's not it—I fear my life is forfeit.'

She consulted the pile of letters before continuing.

'I've entrusted my most faithful of servants to compose this letter to you, for I could not bear the thought of your pain. For it means I have failed you, who have taught me caution and courage. I have failed my wife, and my son, whom both look upon me for shelter.'

She felt dirty writing the words. Isla paused, only continuing at a nudge from Pepper. At least the element understood she was only doing it out of necessity.

'I cannot say how long it has been, but it has come to my awareness that we are being watched. I sense an ill intent, though from whom I cannot yet prove. This task, in the event of my passing, will I delegate upon my servant, whom after completion of which I trust shall deliver to you this letter ...'

The morning bells rung through the athenaeum tower. Once ... twice ...

Isla took a lantern off its shelf and melted the candle she had prepared. Pepper sniffed out of hiding, chirping curiously. Wax pooled over the folded parchment. Yellow, as befitting of the rajini's house colours. Isla pressed the seal hard against the wax and waited a few beats before pulling back.

... six peals.

Just in time.

Her Domestics and Housekeeping instructor had taught them how to sew, and Isla had hidden pockets into the underside of all her garments. She tucked the note into a tight slit she had stitched in the inner fold of her syarong.

She wore it there even as she joined the others by the academy field and ran for Combat Training. Though she still lagged behind the rest, she made the full two rounds of the academy without stopping. She held her stances better, and matched the other girls when it came to unarmed combat.

Most of them were squeamish little things, after all. Running was one thing, but getting their hands dirty and fighting was quite another.

Isla grabbed her opponent by the inner bicep and twisted close against her. In one fluid motion, she hurled the girl over her shoulder and onto the dew-spattered grass.

The girl groaned as she lay on her back. 'Fighting is a man's job, anyway.'

'And if it's the man you have to fight?' Isla helped her up.

'A real man would never lay hand on a lady.'

'Tell that to the Napoic rapists who ravaged our lands nigh a hundred years ago!' Master Chendra brushed the grass off the girl's back. 'Now go get changed before your next lesson starts – not you, Lilja.'

The girl hurried away, leaving Isla with their mentor. Around them, the other girls were still engaged in half-hearted duels. All but Phrae, who had not yet returned from the infirmary.

'You took her down in three minutes.' Master Chendra actually sounded impressed.

'She was not even trying,' said Isla, exasperated. She wanted to learn how to fight, and these girls were not helping. Perhaps I could goad Phrae into a scuffle once she returns.

'Looks like you've found your calling, either way.' Master Chendra scratched his beard. 'Starting next month, the class will be taught by an officer of the Queen's Cabal. You'll learn a lot from her.'

Isla did not know where she would be the following month. If things went according to plan, she would be with her sister and out of Kathedra by then. 'I hope she'll teach us how to handle a sword.'

'Eventually.' Master Chendra shrugged. 'If you show enough talent, she may even recruit you by the end of the year.'

Isla hesitated. 'And be a member of the Maha Rani's personal guard?'

'Better a member of the guard than a personal servant.' Master Chendra took her romper by the sleeve and guided her a little farther from the others. 'I hear you've been made an offer by Rajini Chei.'

'Who told you that?'

'It's no secret when her royal herald goes bellowing through the courtyard calling your name.'

At least he didn't hear about Kiet's offer. 'So what of it?'

'I counselled against becoming too involved with any of the royal family,' said Master Chendra in a low voice. 'My advice still stands.'

'I thought you'd be happy for me. Isn't this what you've always told us to pursue? A noble patron to vouch for our release. I got one better – a royal.' Two, in fact, but he need not know that.

'It's rarely ended well for a baseborn to be personally involved with a royal.'

'Rajini Chei herself was baseborn.'

'Like I told Phrae: Rajini Chei is the exception, and even that is arguable, considering what became of her son.' Master Chendra shook his head. 'Never mind us baseborn, even amongst the royal children, their own numbers drop like flies. It's not a safe position to pursue, Lilja. Even a soldier's life is safer – at least it is predictable. At least you know your enemies and when they might attack.'

'You think too much of it, old man. I'll be a lowly servant for her. Spending my days cleaning her cellars. Nothing dangerous.'

'That's how it begins. Foolish girl. Why do you think she would go to the trouble of finding a second-rank theurgist if only to work her in the kitchens for eternity? Do you know how rare your kind is?'

Isla chewed on her lip. 'I've not even made my decision yet.'

'Well, consider my warning before you do. If you want a long, healthy life, then this is not the path you should take.' Master Chendra rubbed his temples. 'Why can't you just be easy, like Phrae? Clear, simple pursuits. She's found herself a nobleman who'd have her. She'd have a long, healthy life.'

He got easy right, at least. 'She's found someone?'

'The son of a minor nobleman. Already signed off on all the paperwork and filed his payment. He's taking her home as soon as the infirmary sees her fit to leave.'

Isla's gaze darted to the girls behind him. Found Tran, fending off blows before stepping into her opponent and striking her with an elbow. 'That is good news.'

'You should say your farewells. I know you were close.'

Isla would have laughed if she were not so ill with shame.

'The rajini's offer is an incredible accomplishment.' Master Chendra gave her. 'Whatever your decision, I'm proud of you. I'll still be here at the academy.'

Isla turned away uncomfortably and watched the washer-women by the southern edge of the field, where the canal ran its course.

'You can always come to me for help, is what I'm saying.' Master Chendra cleared his throat. 'There are ways for you to stay safe, even once you're stationed at the rajini's residence. There are secret chambers in case of attacks ... tunnels that run through all the consortial estates for a safe escape ... these are things that will be taught to you.'

'There are tunnels that connect the three consortial estates?' Isla tried not to sound too enthusiastic. She gave what she hoped was a nonchalant shrug. 'That sounds more of a hazard than a safety precaution.'

'They are well hidden, and only key members of each estate knows its entryways and exits,' said Master Chendra. 'Even then, the tunnels are dangerous to navigate blindly. Filled with traps and runes, I hear, for they used to serve as dungeons many centuries ago. The entire structure is far too ... labyrinthine ... unless you were already familiar with it.'

'Lilja.' It was Tran. 'You're going to be late.'

'Ah. Of course. I'm sorry, old man, but you're going to have to continue your lecture another time.'

Master Chendra frowned. 'If you're thinking of skipping your eighth-bell lesson –'

'Would I do anything so defiant? It's my second blooding today. I'm excused for the rest of the day – and Tran's my chosen aide.'

She was a good aide, too, talking all the way to the infirmary in an attempt of distracting her anxiety away. Truthfully, Isla was distracted enough as it was. All she could think of was the last time she heard any place described as labyrinthine.

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