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More meat for Zen to chew on in this chapter as we learn just a little more about Ilena and the chaos she is bringing with her that he will have to deal with.
CHAPTER 14 The Man Behind the Earl
When they neared Ilena's room, Obi said, "I usually don't light a light when I'm in the room. Even though I wish to hear answers to questions, I also wish for her to sleep."
Zen thought about it. "Let's do it as you usually do it. I'll follow you in and listen to the answer and leave when she's asleep." Obi wasn't sure that was going to work, but he nodded dutifully. "Ask her this question: Why did the Earl agree to make you his steward?"
"Why do you want that question?"
"I don't believe he would have chosen it on his own. I believe he was influenced by another. I wish to know who and how he convinced the Earl. The answer will confirm my understanding." Obi accepted that answer.
When they arrived, Ryuu was outside the door as usual, working on his research. "You're early," he noted and went to greet Zen. Zen raised his finger to his mouth. Ryuu obediently settled on just a simple bow.
"Yes, I was done enough for tonight. You may go if you like." Obi offered, as if Zen wasn't there with them.
Ryuu collected his things and, bowing once again, left. Obi led the way into Ilena's room. From the light of the door, he could see that her eyes were closed, as usual. He allowed Zen to find a place to stand before closing the door, then went to his usual spot and settled down.
"You're early, Obi," Ilena said. "You have a question that needs answering so quickly?"
Obi smiled. She did indeed know Master was here, but would Master understand that yet? He'd never been a part of the darkness, so he didn't quite understand what it meant to have to know every sound, every scent, every change in order to live, ...though he was very good. Even now, he was quieting his breath as much as possible and holding very still.
"I suppose," he answered easily and honestly. He waited a moment before asking. It always helped to get her to relax into the answer first. "Have you been resting appropriately today?"
She answered in a tone that was both amused and frustrated, "No, Obi, of course not. I am no longer capable of 'rest'. I'm afraid I've passed from cross to testy."
"Ah, that is good to know. I shall do my best to continue to come only at night then. But does that mean you're now testing Mistress' patience with you?"
"Not just yet. I've found an acceptable distraction she's willing to help me with. I'm afraid I snapped a little at Ryuu, since he gets me as I'm getting tired in the evening."
Obi frowned so that she could hear his displeasure with her, "Did you appropriately apologize?"
"Yes, I did," Ilena answered humbly, "and I also explained to him that I'm testy and why. He'll properly scold me next time it occurs, he promised me."
"That's good. You musn't frighten him."
"Yes, Obi." Again, her response was humble. Then she sighed. "...But that means you're still the one who has to bear it."
"You won't be properly kind to me also?" he knew he was teasing her.
"No, Obi. Isn't it our way to be unkind to each other from the beginning? Or are you done with that and I haven't noticed?"
Obi could feel Zen's disapproving look directed towards him, and he bowed his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Miss Ilena. I'm done with it."
"Just as of today?" she wanted to know if it was only because Zen was in the room.
"No. From before I left."
She was quiet for a while. "That's a long time ago, Obi." She sounded contrite but also something else...longing?
"So, will you be kind?"
She sighed. "I have no desire to be unkind to Obi. ...But then, to whom shall I scream my distress?"
Obi felt Zen react to that question, so he waited. Then he felt Zen's question, and asked it. "Who's capable of receiving it?" Ilena's surprise was palatable. "Do you have someone?" Obi pressed her.
Ilena's intake of breath was more of a sob. "Yes. There are two. My nurse, whom you may remember, and a maid who became a friend. They are capable of calmly passing through my storms, though it takes both of them on my fiercest days."
Ilena is still very lonely. Obi looked over at Zen's faint shadow questioningly. Zen nodded. "I'll ask Master if I may speak with Grandfather on the matter."
The bed rustled as Ilena wiped the tears from her face. "Thank you."
Now he could ask her Master's question. He waited for her to recover, then asked, "Why did the Earl agree to make you his steward?"
She pondered the question, puzzling over the meaning of it. Then she sighed. "This is a question that Obi can't hear the answer to alone."
"You won't tell me?"
"I won't tell you if you're alone. Obi requires another to be with him to hear the answer to this question." This was the first time she'd completely refused to answer in such a way.
"Am I sufficient, Ilena?" Zen asked, revealing himself. Obi wondered if she'd done it on purpose, though it hadn't seemed that way necessarily.
Ilena was quiet. "Obi's master is sufficient to hear with him, but you've said that you don't want others to hear some of what I must say."
Zen considered it. She must mean that she would need to reveal in some way who and what she was. "He's understood it on his own. You may speak it, but only in his presence."
"I understand." She seemed relieved. She paused a moment to find her starting point. "Before I was made steward, there was a man under the Earl who rose to become his right hand over the fighting men. Because I'd been increasing in power and influence over the household, he became jealous. Then I introduced the Little Death, as I've explained before. When Earl College agreed to my plan to use it, the Earl was afraid. He wanted to know if I had any plans against him, but he also didn't want anyone else to know of his plans against them. Because I was always at his side, I knew everything, including those things he plotted against his own men. When I proposed the experiment, he said he would only agree if I would sleep in the nursery, the small room adjacent to, and only accessible from, the master bedroom. I asked him for how long. He said for as long as he kept me on the Little Death. I refused. There were many nights I needed to be doing other things...and I had no desire to be so close to the hand of death and a man I hated for as long as I anticipated having to take it."
"Rather, I suggested a four week trial period, saying that if I said nothing in that time to cause him concern, he would allow me to return to my own room. I also made it clear to him that if he were to take me to his room every night, his men and the household would assume he'd chosen to make me his wife, or at the very least his mistress. For a brief moment he entertained the idea of teasing me in such a way, but he had other plans, and other reasons for not wishing it either. I also said that because I was helping with the household, my usual rising time was at six after the midnight hour. I wasn't sure he would find being woken at that time every morning acceptable. He did many of his own activities in the night hours, and slept long each morning. He agreed, but required six weeks."
"That's a very long time in a small room. Recovering from this injury at this time is not the first time I've lived through it, but at least then I could escape it during the daylight hours. While it was frightening to be cornered by him each night, I knew he would do nothing but listen. And he did indeed do nothing but listen. However the man who stood at his right hand became all the more jealous, seeing that I was favored to be by the Earl's side now night and day. As the Earl became calm and the household as well, thus proving my use even more, he devised a stratagem to remove me, or at least put him above me within his own mind."
"At this time, the Earl had already found two doppelgangers. One was a weak man who knew nothing really of the Earl's plans but was good at playing the diplomat. The other was a strong and evil man who loved to stir up the Earl's men. They didn't know that each man was different, only thinking that the Earl had times when he was one way, and at other times he was another. This man had decided that if the Earl's bloodlust should rise, he would suggest a thing to punish me."
"I had hoped that within the timeframe the Earl had selected, he would be able to remain at the house. However it was not to be. A week before my time was due to be completed, the Earl was called away. I begged for the weaker substitute, but the Earl wouldn't trust him with what I might say. The evil substitute knew all of the Earl's plans and what he didn't know that I might say didn't concern the Earl, thus he came to the house. The Earl explained to him what the experiment was and told him his life would be in jeopardy if he should touch me while I was sleeping. Then he left."
"The double was already used to me following him around, but this was a new thing. The first morning after the first time he heard me sleep talk, he laughed and said to me that he had no idea I hated the Earl so much and asked, like you, why I wasn't dead. I said the same to him, that the Earl already knew I hated him and yet I was incapable of acting on it. It pleased him to hear of my frustration. The double laughed again, then said that he'd most enjoyed hearing my cries, that he was thinking to send me to my room for the time he was there until he had heard them. His reward for putting up with my little scheme was going to be getting to hear them every night. While I would have loved to have escaped him, it was no different really than with the Earl anyway."
"Then the right hand man, recognizing the change in the Earl to the one who delighted in bloodlust, suggested his plan. He said that all of the women in the household should learn what their rightful place was and should go through a teaching so that they would be obedient to the Earl and his men. He knew this kind of 'play' was the sort of thing this 'Earl' liked. The double didn't know that this was both unnecessary and redundant as he wasn't around to see the Earl deal out punishment. It was at this time I came to understand that this man had figured out that they were two different people. He'd kept it from me lest I tell the Earl and have him removed. He proposed that each woman be brought in and raped by as many of the men until she became unconscious. That in being made to submit until they succumbed, they would learn to succumb in all things immediately."
"It was bad enough to consider that if the double agreed, and stayed to watch, or even participated, that I would have to remain and watch as well, without complaint, the evil treatment of people I loved. I opened my mouth and said to the double, 'It isn't necessary. The people already fear you and are very obedient.' The right hand man had perhaps expected this for he had an answer. He said, 'They are very obedient to you, yet they won't obey us (meaning the Earl's men). They should also obey us. Are we not the arm of the Earl?' When he saw this pleased the Earl's double, he continued, 'But perhaps, since they will obey you, then it is only necessary to teach you to submit.' And I knew that it was my life he desired, for the Earl himself had never allowed the men to touch me in all my life, killing any who attempted it. I suppose this also drove his rage against me."
"The Earl's double looked at me, unsure. He knew the Earl kept me with him at all times, that he refused to allow even the double to touch me, and he didn't wish to jeopardize his own position. I asked for permission to be able to handle the matter, and he allowed it, his expression saying that he was prepared to be amused. I stepped into the middle of the room and confronted this man saying, 'You believe you're above all the other men here?' He answered, 'Am I not the Earl's right hand? Other than he, I'm above them.' I asked him, 'And do you and your men believe that I'm above all the household, other than the Earl?' He answered, 'Yes,' and many of the men who followed him agreed."
Ilena paused. When she continued, her voice was cold. "I said to him, 'If in your mind, there can only be one who stands above all but the Earl, then in behalf of the household, I challenge you to a Trial of Supremacy.' He looked to the Earl for permission, and the double granted it. He had the advantage of strength, and I had the advantage of speed. No man of his in that room had ever seen me take up a weapon, as the Earl wouldn't allow me to carry a weapon in his presence. He asked what weapons we would use and I selected knife. The Earl's double tossed me his knife. I snatched it out of the air and was at my opponent. He'd managed to draw his knife by the time I arrived at his side, and he brought it down upon my shoulder, but before it could do more than slightly penetrated, my knife was in his neck. His falling weight caused his knife to further pull down into my shoulder, but because of the Little Death I didn't feel it."
"The room was still. I looked around the room and warned, 'Any who think that the people of this household are theirs to use and abuse as they please will answer to me first.' As I stood there, the bloodied knife still in my hand, blood running down my arm, the double, with the power of the Earl, declared that from that time forth, by right of battle, I was the Earl's right hand, and they were all to be obedient to me. They and the household. Not a sound of protest was made that day. Never again did any of the men look at me with jealousy lest they should meet their death also."
"I sent the men away to bury the only man I have ever killed, and when the room was clear, the double said to me that I should go with him to see Doctor Elliot. I asked why and he laughed. 'If the Earl sees you in such a state, he'll kill me, no?' and he gestured to my shoulder. I was surprised to see the blood. He asked for his knife back, and I threw it at him to kill him. He managed to snatch it from the air. 'I see why he doesn't let you have weapons,' he said to me, then told me to walk before him. When we arrived at Doctor Elliot's office, it was necessary for me to remove my upper clothing so that he could repair the damage. I sat with my back to the double, who waited lounging in the doorway, refusing to let me be alone. The wound was on my left shoulder, and he saw the markings on my right side first. He asked if they were scars from a previous fight. I answered they weren't from a fight. Then Doctor Elliot moved exposing the left side of my back so that the double could see the markings on the left and he was very still. I looked over my shoulder at him and he was staring at them as if trying to decipher them. This concerned me, as I didn't know anyone who might be able to do so. When he noticed me looking at him he looked away until I turned back, but he said nothing. Then I felt cold steel against the back of my neck and he was telling the Doctor to back away."
"I didn't move, of course. He ran his hand through my hair, searching for the mark of Selicia. When he found it he separated the hairs and looked at it to confirm his suspicions. Then he backed away from me and allowed the Doctor to complete his work. When we were alone again later he said to me, 'I'm your uncle, your father's youngest brother. If I had known from the beginning I would have treasured you as much as the Earl does, and even more.' Never in my life would I have expected this vile man to have been my uncle. I had never been told of him, as his exile came before my birth. I wouldn't believe it and demanded proof that he was my uncle. He gave it to me, though I paid a price for being allowed to get so close to his person."
"...I perceive Zen is asking even the same question I was asking then. How did he know the marks told who I was, when they are so secret that only those who have them know? There is a similar mark for the royal family of Selicia. It's in how I hold people's heads when I comfort them. As a very young child I frequently comforted my cousins, the King's children. When I would hold them, to remind them that they were Princes and a Princess, I would hold the mark that they'd received. It's slightly different from the mark of a child of Clarines in that it's raised and can be felt. To this day, I hold all this way, seeking to find if any of my cousins also escaped death, but can't tell me with their mouths, the same as I cannot."
"This uncle was not marked by the King, but his mother was at their marriage. She found someone in their new homeland who would copy the mark from her onto him. She taught him as he grew about the practice of marking royalty in ways that couldn't be feigned and, after the coup, instructed him to also be looking for living family who'd escaped. I believe he wasn't able to decipher my mark of Clarines, though he thought it was one after he was able to discern my mark of Selicia."
"He said he would allow me to see and feel his mark. Before I could move, he 'd snatched me by the head, grabbing my arm, and he pulled me close so that I couldn't struggle sufficient to get away. As his hand felt for the true mark of Selicia on my head, and he placed my hand on his so that I might know the truth of his statement, he said to me, close in my ear, 'Though you be my niece, if you whisper of who I am to the Earl or betray me, I shall have my way with you, and shall kill you after.' He held me a moment longer so that I understood that he was restraining himself from taking me right then, then he released me. With eyes that still threatened death, he told me that he would soon begin the transition from being obedient to the Earl to teaching the Earl to be obedient to him, and that I would properly play my part, neither interfering nor betraying him. I would start by agreeing with whatever plan he came up with to explain why I was now the right hand of the Earl, and I would keep silent about what had just happened, lest his own life and plans be in danger."
"He was just as careful to listen to my words at night after that until he left. His story to the Earl isn't important. It's sufficient to say that the Earl accepted that I would now be in that position. It was easiest for them to say that I was the Steward, for that put me where I'd already been as far as the household went, and gave me the power over the men as well. In that position, I had the power I'd always desired so that my own plans could be more fully set in place, and they were able to have the greatest control over the words that came out of my mouth, though mine is greater."
"Your's is greater… You mean you can control what you say at night when you sleep talk." Zen said.
"Yes, but also I can control who will hear what. My uncle threatened me with certain death for speaking what I've told you tonight. My life is now forfeit in his eyes. I locked it away so that only the one person who would need to hear and understand it could access it. If you hadn't been here, Zen, to receive that memory, it would never have been heard.
"But you knew it when Obi asked you the question?"
"No. He shed light on the lock, letting me know there was an answer to be given, and that it was safe to do so if the key was also present. There are many things in my memory that must be touched by one of you to be brought out. There are a few, such as this one, that require both of you. This is so I might protect myself for the sake of Zen and Obi. And so that Zen and Obi may be protected by me…."
Zen pondered the questions that still remained. "Ilena, the second ambush, when we were bringing you here to the castle, was that set by your uncle?"
"I don't know."
"Did you believe the Earl would have ordered it?"
"No."
"Then why did you think there might be a second ambush?"
"There are several others who've also been watching me. I don't know who among them it might have been. I'm only grateful that there wasn't an ambush for every one of them. That would have been a frustrating journey."
"Do you have many enemies?" He couldn't think how she could have collected them.
"No. Like Izana, most of them are people who believe I might be the missing princess. ...Though I don't accuse Izana of having set an ambush, of course."
"Was it your uncle's plan to have the Earl's wife killed and you injured at just the right time for Obi and Shirayuki to find you?"
Ilena thought on that. "All of the plans from the last several years have come from my uncle's mouth to the Earl's ears, but have been carried out by the heart and will of the Earl."
Zen nodded. That sounded exactly like what he had thought - the Earl was being manipulated by Ilena's uncle. "How do we ensure that your uncle will be present for us to remove at this time?"
"If you can ask that question you likely can already have an answer, but I'll give you one to ponder. Ask him to hand over the Earl personally as a sign of good faith. If played right, one of them will kill the other as a traitor, and you may kill the one left standing. ...You may know how to confirm who is who." It was an invitation.
Zen walked up to the side of her bed and felt for her arm. She picked up his hand, turned her head to face him, and placed his hand at the back of her head, under the strands of hair. He felt a raised area with his third finger and shifted his hand until the tips of his fingers could trace it. It felt like it was likely the shape of the rose that was part of her father's crest.
As he slipped his hand out of her hair, she grabbed it, holding it firmly. "As much as I fear the Earl, I fear my uncle more. As much as I hate the Earl, I hate my uncle more. When you return from doing battle with them, bring me his head, that I may feel for the mark and confirm for myself that he is dead. And bring me his left hand, that it may reside with the living right hand, leaving his body with no more means to plan nor to act." Her hatred and anger could not be constrained.
"I'll do it," Zen promised and she released his hand.
"I'll kill the Earl," Obi said from behind them, "for being willing to throw you away and take from you your freedom."
"Obi?" Ilena asked surprised.
Obi walked up to stand beside Zen and touched her on her head. "Because I didn't face the Earl before now, he has allowed for the plan of your uncle to continue. I'll stand and face him beside Master. ...You will no longer need to fear either."
"Thank you," she whispered.
His hand lingered slightly, then he turned to Zen. "Master, I'll take you to your room now."
"Good night, Ilena. Thank you for telling me the answers to my question." Zen said.
"You're welcome." she said, and her weariness could be heard.
Obi walked Zen to his bedrooms, made sure he was secure, then returned to Ilena's room. She was resting, perhaps lightly sleeping, when he returned. He debated asking her any questions, though he had some on his lips. As he stood in the middle of the room, undecided, he heard her quietly say, "Obi?" and it sounded like a plea. He walked over to her and, finding her hand, placed the back of his hand against it and took her middle finger with his.
"What's made you sad, Obi?" she asked, coming more awake.
Sad? Did I do this because I was sad? Ahhh… because I am sad for her. "I read the history, of both Selicia and Clarines. ...The Clarines history included a few sentences on your family's visit to my home, that first time. It was apparently supposed to be a memorial of the marriage from three generations before us, and a celebration to renew the ties between the nations since another marriage had occurred in our parent's generation."
"Oh. That's what it was." She hadn't known either.
"I think my brother remembered you, or at least your nurse. I think he knew who you were from the beginning."
She sighed. "It's possible. Perhaps that would explain why he came to find you in my bed the night you left."
"Perhaps. ...I believe it also explains why he protected you and kept you by his side."
She seemed to smile. "Yes, that would explain that properly, wouldn't it."
"Did...did he really want me back dead, and not alive so that he could use us both for his own gain?"
She lifted their interlocked hands and kissed the tips of his fingers. "Obi. I'm sure there are times he thought that, but there were also times where his rants against you were very fierce. Even though he was able to be calmer knowing what the members of the household thought and dreamed, he never recovered from the madness. It was...is...always with him. He could hold on to me, hoping for you, but without my uncle he could never have fully devised, or followed through on, a plan to encompass something so grand as what you're suggesting."
"...I haven't lied to you in saying that he is ready to die. He's lived with the madness so long that he no longer wishes to live. My uncle had no difficulty in persuading him to the parts of the plan I did hear that have led to this time. He has the dream that you and I will sit upon the throne here in Wilant, and that soothes him. But he also knows that he will die, and he is ...happy, as much as he is ever to be such a thing. He's determined to go fiercely and grandly. If you will fight him, please don't throw your life away for the sake of pride, nor even for revenge. ...Give him a grand exit, but come home," and she squeezed his finger with her own and kissed his palm.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I won't leave you alone," he promised.
"I'll hold you to it," she told him in a voice that told him she was already drifting into sleep.
-o-o-o-
The next morning when Obi arrived at the Rose Office, Zen and the others were very busy at work as usual. However, Mitsuhide and Kiki cornered him quickly. They knew he'd stayed to talk to Zen, but they'd also noticed the book was on Zen's desk now, not on the shelf. And, Zen had sent a request for a badge of identification down to the castle staff office. They thought Obi had taken a very long time to get in that morning, even though it was actually earlier than he'd been arriving lately. He'd managed to sleep well, finally.
"Ah, good morning...," he said to them as they cornered him before he'd even managed to get to his desk. He glanced at Zen. Zen was choosing to ignore them. Well, then, I guess it's okay to let them know...
"Hi. Talk," Kiki was as short and to the point as usual. Obi was a little surprised she'd even tried to be polite and greet him first.
"How'd it go last night?" Mitsuhide was, for him, just as to the point.
Obi grinned at them. "How much will you pay me...say two bottles each?"
"Obi...," said Mitsuhide reprovingly.
"Done, and Mitsuhide will cover mine," Kiki said promptly.
"Hey! Kiki!" Mitsuhide complained at her. She was always doing things like this to him.
"Okay," Obi said, accepting Kiki's agreement, his eyes lighting up. They always paid him with good wines - Mitsuhide couldn't bring himself to buy bad wines. "It went well."
"..."
"..."
"Obi...!" Even Mitsuhide wasn't taking the joke.
"Fine, fine," Obi said, leaning against the wall they'd pushed him to and crossed his arms. "I told Master that we already know. He's grateful, of course, that he doesn't have to make King Brother mad. That's why he's pretending to ignore us now." Zen's ears went a little red. "I made him read the passage in the book that talks about the visit of the Selician Prince and the Clarines Princess to the Earldom of Farmore on their way back from his birth celebration, and pointed out that the current Earl was old enough to remember that visit, and a certain young princess that was with them."
*Hssss!* They both got it just as quick.
Obi nodded in agreement. "Then I admitted I didn't understand why he would give her up to Master and King Brother when keeping her was more beneficial to him." They both agreed that was a good question. "Then Master sat and sat and had smoke pouring out his ears. He asked Obi a few questions, then said, 'Let's go ask Miss Ilena a question'."
"What was the question?"
"'Why did the Earl agree to make Miss Ilena the steward?'"
Mitsuhide looked puzzled. "Wasn't it because she came up with a way to calm him down with the Little Death?"
Obi shook his head. "That was the answer to 'why are you on the Little Death?', this is a different question." They waited to hear the answer. "He made her the steward because there are more than one 'Earl'. His double let her kill the Earl's right hand man in a duel the right hand man provoked. The Earl wouldn't have cared, but the opponent wounded her before dying, and the Earl cared about that. So the double made her the top dog of the whole pack and the house, then took her to the Doctor to get fixed up. While there, he saw the proof of who she was...and recognized it."
He waited, and was rewarded when their eyes went wide when they understood that the Earl's double had seen what Zen had seen. What Zen had had to ask his mother to know, this double recognized himself.
"Who is he?" Mitsuhide's voice was hard.
"Miss Ilena's uncle, her father's youngest bastard brother who was exiled with his mother before Miss Ilena was born. He forced her to secrecy after proving it to her. He is behind the accident at Osterly, and everything for the last number of years, though the Earl was happy to carry them out."
"This uncle wants Miss Ilena here at the castle, then." Kiki said.
"Why?" Mitsuhide asked.
"Because she's his gift in exchange for an army to retake Selicia," Zen answered from his desk. All three aides looked at him in surprise.
"See," Obi said with a grin, "I told you lots of smoke poured out of his ears last night. ...And that he was listening," he added as an afterthought. "Ah! That means Master owes me two bottles, too!"
"Nope, I already knew it," Zen had a quick comeback, and Obi's face fell. Zen looked at the three aides and friends before him. He rose from his chair and walked over to stand before them. "Mitsuhide, Kiki, Obi, I'm taking Ilena with me. ...I realize, Mitsuhide and Kiki, that you don't know her yet, but I won't cast her off, nor will I give her up to my brother. Shirayuki and Obi already have accepted. I'm sorry I'm not at liberty to wait for you."
Mitsuhide bowed. "We'll come to know for ourselves, but already the things we've read and seen have told us she supports Zen. It's sufficient for now." Kiki nodded her head once in agreement.
"Thank you." Again, Zen was glad for such supporting friends. "I've placed Obi by her side, but she'll take all of us to train her to my hand. Don't hesitate when you see the need. From what she's said, she's already passed my brother's test for the place she desires to stand in." This news surprised even Obi. "It's now the test to see if I can properly use her in that place. She's doing her part to teach me, but it will take all of us to teach her...she's had very little restraint until now. And...she didn't come to me of her own will, but at the will of another, though she has desired it herself. She is, therefore, not quite ready. She will likely need to fly on the end of the creance* for a while, but...she is both vulnerable and excitable, so she'll tire easily for some time while she is learning to fly for me." They understood him to mean that they should be firm in helping her to understand how to work with Zen and the castle, but also be patient with her. They nodded.
"As for the Earl, and her uncle…" Zen walked back to his desk and they followed him, "...we'll continue to work as we have already decided, as for now they're the same person. When we formalize our battle plan, we'll need to ensure that the uncle is at that place as well. If we can remove him early, we won't have to bring Clarines into war negotiations."
"Remove? Not negotiate?" Kiki asked.
Zen shook his head. "Ilena's already given me sufficient evidence to decide we aren't interested in negotiating with him. Selicia is content at the moment with their rulership, and he was disinherited and isn't blood relation. He doesn't have sufficient claim, particularly now that I have Ilena and he doesn't."
They looked a little confused. "If...he gave up his claim in giving up Miss Ilena...then why does he believe this plan can work?" asked Mitsuhide.
"Because he's also being manipulated by someone else."
*blink* *blink*
He'd lost them, but he'd expected that. "The Earl and the uncle are both part of Ilena's training. If the uncle were the test, she would have separated them and let it go to negotiations, rather than tell me now. There's another thing after that will be the test. The only reason I can see that the uncle has lost the same advantage that the Earl did when Ilena was sent here is that there is yet another force acting behind him, manipulating him to also believe it was in his best interest. I don't have enough information yet to know what it will be, but what I have so far says that it will be a dealing with Tarc, and perhaps some with Selicia since they're a puppet of Tarc - or so she says."
He got nods. They'd followed him, though they needed to process it. "I believe Ilena will withhold any further useful information about the test with Tarc until after we've defeated the Earl and her uncle successfully. This is fine with me. If it were something that couldn't wait, I believe she would tell me. Her heart is for Clarines." Obi nodded agreement and the other two accepted it for now.
He looked at them, debating, then decided they should know for them to be able to help her learn to be in the castle. "I'll make her my Director of Intelligence today. If she's able to learn to fly for me properly, and my brother will allow her to stay, she'll become the Minister."
*Hsss!* said Obi, shock on his face.
"When will you let her know?" asked Mitsuhide.
"This afternoon," answered Zen with firmness.
"Do you hate me, Master?" Obi cried. "She'll fly against the jesses** before she's ready! You heard last night how she is already straining against her restraints."
"Obi," Zen looked at him firmly, "I want her to while she's still hooded***. I want to see what she can do with less than her full strength. And, I want her to learn early the boundaries she needs to learn to fly in."
"Haaah...But still, Master," Obi put his hand to his eyes.
"Obi, she's already admitted she had her own restraints in her own place."
Obi frowned, trying to understand.
"Do you remember what she said about the two she would like to have by her side? That they can weather her storms?"
Obi thought about that. He nodded. They would be able to help control her somewhat. Then, "Ah! The nurse!" He nodded more enthusiastically. "She is definitely capable."
"That's good," Zen was pleased to get Obi's confirmation that they would be able to get help, especially since Obi would still be in and out collecting the rest of the witnesses.
Obi looked speculative. "Master, there's also the possibility that allowing her to see Grandfather will help."
"Do you know enough about him yet?" Mitsuhide asked.
Obi shook his head. "But the name is sufficiently significant."
"Grandfather?" Kiki asked not quite following.
Zen mused on it, then nodded. "Go see him today. Ask if he's managed to contact the surgeon. I still want to see him as soon as he arrives. Also, ask if Grandfather will come and speak to me."
"Yes, Master. Shall I go now?"
Mitsuhide and Kiki looked at him. "No!" they said in chorus.
Zen gave him a shrug that said that he couldn't help. "Get things done here first, then go, say early afternoon, or at lunch."
"A working lunch," Obi grumbled as he headed to his desk.
-o-o-o-
Obi stretched. He'd had a working lunch all right. They all had, because Zen had asked for a cart to be brought in. They'd gotten the packet of reports from Falcon Hollow, and Zen had made it a priority. It turned out the 'Family' members believed in expediency. They'd all stayed in the dining hall that first day after Obi had left and wrote the reports themselves. It had taken another day and a half for Captain Grey to read them all, ask questions, and annotate the reports. So, all three aides had split the ten reports between them and summarized them. They'd just dumped the summaries and reports on Zen's desk. It was his turn, now, but it shouldn't take any longer to read the summaries than they'd taken to read the detailed reports, just four hours or so...
Obi looked at the other packets that had come directly to him, the one with the stories of the Family members, and the daily reports. Apparently they'd told all their stories to each other the second day. Captain Grey had written in his report that he'd had his staff sergeant record them, though when they learned he was writing them down, they made sure he had them right when he was done, saying, 'There's more folks to come. If we just put together a book, they can read ours. This way we won't have to repeat ourselves.' Betty had a fine hand, it turned out, and she volunteered to make the copies. She'd also included a nice note to Father, thanking him for taking care of them all. Almost made him cry... He'd far rather be out collecting more of them than sitting at his desk.
He picked it up and tucked it under his arm. He'd read it outside. "I'll go talk to Grandfather, next." He got silent nods from heads still bowed in effort, though Zen reached into his jacket and pulled out a piece of paper and held it up for him to come take, all while still reading the summaries. When Obi had taken it from him, he said, "Triangle. Don't leave until I say."
"Okay." Obi tucked the warm paper into his own jacket, thinking happily that it had just come from being so close to Master's heart, and now was so close to his own.
He arrived at the Pelican gate, and stepped through it, nodding at the guards, then leaned against the castle wall nearby. He pulled out the 'Family memory book' and started reading the first report. He'd have to wait a bit while the lad who'd seen him come out ran off to fetch Grandfather, and the stories would be a good distraction, though somehow he felt a little cheated - like he was working through what could have been a nice break from work. He must be becoming a proper aide, finally. Was that a good thing?
"Hello, Father," it was the quiet, polite voice of Grandfather. "You seem very absorbed in your work."
Obi looked up. Grandfather was standing in front of him, another man at his side. "Ah, sorry. It's quite fascinating, how Mother has collected her Children."
"Oh? Is that what that is?"
"Robert was unsure he would fit in with the rest, so I suggested they all tell each other their stories of how they met Mother so he could understand why he's also Family. They decided to put them together into a book so they can let the next set know, too. They were kind enough to send me a copy."
Grandfather gave him an interesting look, then turned to the man next to him. "Father, this is Doctor Elliot."
Obi's face lit up, "Wonderful! It's nice to meet you, Doctor. This is a good day all around then. Doctor Elliot, Master has asked to speak to you immediately. And Grandfather, he asked if you'll also come and speak with him."
They both went a little stiff. "Eh, ah...is that okay?"
Obi nodded. "No one gets in to speak to Mother without speaking to Master first. Come along." He turned and led the way back through the Pelican Gate, not really giving them any choice. He'd left them rather speechless, but they hurried to follow him. After they were away from the gate, Obi said as they walked, "Grandfather, Mother said that if I talked to you about the collections, you'd be able to help me?"
"Ah, yes. I can let them know you're coming and give you the details before you go," the older man offered.
"Wonderful. How much advanced notice do you need?"
"Mmmm... Two days?"
Obi handed him the list. "These are the next ones. Master hasn't said when I'm to go yet, but he's figured it out already so I suspect he's impatient. I'll contact you again when I know when I'm leaving."
Grandfather read the list over, then handed it back. "I'll contact them and have the information ready."
"Thank you. Master also says Mother may have the nurse and one other to come take care of her and keep her company... the one she says is her friend?"
Grandfather looked at him in amazement. "Father," he said respectfully, "may I ask, what happened?"
Obi looked at him. He didn't know how much this person knew, but it wasn't likely she'd told very many people, if any at all, that she was a princess. "Maybe he'll tell you," he finally said.
When they arrived at the Rose Office, Obi asked the guards to announce Grandfather and Doctor Elliot, then entered with them when they were let in. He led them up to stand before Zen, who had moved to a chair set in the room for the purpose of receiving guests. Mitsuhide was standing to the side of, and just in front of, Zen, his formal position for intimate meetings with strangers. Kiki stood in her spot behind Zen and on the other side from Mitsuhide. When Obi stood with them, he stood behind Mitsuhide, but today he was introducing the guests, so he stood behind them this time.
"Regent, this is the man known as Grandfather, and this is Doctor Elliot," he gestured to the men in order.
Zen looked at them, memorizing their faces. "Thank you for coming today." Mitsuhide said to them.
They both bowed. "Thank you for seeing us," they responded.
"Doctor Elliot, Miss Ilena says that you're capable of repairing a tendon that has been torn from the bone. Is this true?" Mitsuhide again was the one who spoke. He was the voice of the Prince, as was customary in such settings, though Zen broke the rule when it suited him.
Doctor Elliot bowed again, "I've been researching the matter since I received Dr. Bonner's report. I've nearly completed my research but need about a week to a week and a half more. It would also be helpful if I could examine Mistress Ilena myself before then."
Somehow no one was surprised that the Doctor had been in contact with the field surgeon, though Obi was itching to know why. "While we wish you to do everything in your power to restore Miss Ilena's ability to walk, you do understand that her continued safety is dependent on the strictest level of security?"
"Yes, Regent. I won't betray her existence nor her location."
Zen looked at him with a piercing look, then nodded. "If you are willing, we'll have you escorted immediately to consult with the court Doctor who's been attending her. He can take you to see her." Mitsuhide obediently said.
"Thank you," Doctor Elliot said, the relief evident in his face and voice.
"If you'll come with me, Doctor Elliot," Kiki said, and she led him out of the office.
When they were gone, Mitsuhide moved to stand at a little more relaxed position, facing both Zen and Grandfather. Obi moved up to stand next to Grandfather.
"Grandfather," Zen himself said, "I'm glad to be able to meet you. Will you please tell me a little about yourself and Miss Ilena?"
Grandfather took the relaxed atmosphere in stride. "Yes, Regent. I was Earl College's grandfather's steward, as well as his father's. For the first several years, I was also his. When Miss Ilena was made steward, I stepped down, but remained at her request in order to support her in that role. Several years prior to that, she'd already come to me and asked if I would train her for that role. I was happy to hand it over, and she has handled it very well."
"...So you have experience in handling Miss Ilena?"
The old man's eyebrows shot up briefly, then he looked a bit depressed. "Has she been unruly, Regent? I'm sorry. She behaves that way at infrequent times these days, but early on her nurse would have to scold her severely at times. She is very...headstrong."
I'll say, thought Obi.
"Mmmm," answered Zen, noncommittally. "Her enforced inactivity from her hip injury seems to be the problem. She said that her nurse and maid could help to temper it. Would you be in agreement?"
Grandfather laughed. It wasn't a reaction the others in the room expected. "Yes, they could, though really no one can actually deter her if she's determined." He looked speculatively at Obi, "Except maybe this one here."
Obi felt his face fall. Not again. Another person who was determined to lock them together. Even Zen grinned at that. "Well, I have figured that out. But you see, she has put so many requirements on his time already, and it isn't possible to send her with him to collect the Family members she is giving me temporarily."
"Ah, that's true," the old man nodded in agreement.
"I would rather be able to take Miss Ilena with me," Obi admitted. "At least then she would be happily occupied, such that she wouldn't find the time to be …"
"What was it she said she was at last night? Testy?" Zen asked him, teasing him for having had that conversation in his presence.
"Oh, my. Mistress is already to the level of testy?" Grandfather frowned in concern.
Obi nodded. "If I remember correctly she said tantrums are next. I'm hoping Master will send me away from the castle before she reaches that level." Mitsuhide was having troubles not laughing.
"Well, truth be told, she'll have them all the sooner if you're gone. Who's attending her now?" Grandfather was willing to be of assistance.
"Mistress Shirayuki during the day, Ryuu, the Head Court Pharmacist, in the evening, and Obi during the night, until morning." Zen gave him direct, and somewhat sensitive, information. He was telling Grandfather that he wanted to work closely with him.
"Mmm… So she's on her best behavior during the day, and trying to be nice in the evening, but not always succeeding, and she snips at poor Father at night." He turned a sympathetic look on Obi.
"Well, she does sleep for most of the time I'm there," Obi admitted, for her sake, "but in the main you have the sum of it."
Grandfather frowned a little disapprovingly at Zen. "You also have some important people using valuable time watching over her."
It wasn't the man's to question, but Zen accepted the reproof without reprisal. "Miss Ilena is that important to me, Grandfather," he said quietly.
Grandfather looked at Zen in surprised approval, grateful that it was so. "I can have the ladies here to attend her by tomorrow morning, if you wish, or even this evening, if it would be helpful."
"Whatever won't inconvenience them too strenuously," Zen answered. "If you'll tell us their names, we'll prepare castle identification for them."
"I will, but I'm sure she intends to keep them as her personal maids, rather than have them be castle staff. Will that be okay?" Zen nodded. "They are Leah and Rio." Mitsuhide pulled out his notepad and took down the names.
"Obi will let the guards at the Pelican Gate know they have permission to enter until their identification badges are made. I would also like to make one for you." The old man raised an eyebrow in question. "I believe that if she may communicate with you daily, she'll also be able to be more calm. ...And, I want to see what she'll do." Zen had his castle game face pasted on, telling nothing about what he was thinking, even though he had just said something perhaps outrageous.
Grandfather's eyes wrinkled in a rueful smile. "I shall do my best to restrain her where I can." He understood. He was also being brought in to keep her tethered to her perch so she didn't cause herself harm. But at the same time, Zen was testing her and the Family as a whole. He gave them his true name and Mitsuhide added it to his notes.
"Thank you, Grandfather," said Zen, rising from his chair. "When the badges have been completed, 'Father' shall see that you get them."
Was that teasing me? wondered Obi, but he couldn't tell.
"Will you please join me?" Zen asked Grandfather. "I'm going down to visit Miss Ilena now. You may visit with her after I'm done."
*creance - a long cord attached to a bird of prey to prevent escape during training
**jesses - short leather straps attached to the legs of a captive bird of prey, having a ring or swivel to attach a leash or creance to. Handlers hold them to help steady the bird on the wrist when they are waiting to fly them for the hunt, or to attach a bird that shouldn't fly to a perch in the mews. To "fly against the jesses" is when the bird attempts to fly while still be restrained, not having been let loose yet. This can result in injury of the bird, and the handler as well. Typically it happens when the bird is suddenly frightened and it tries to take flight to protect itself. Obi is afraid that Ilena will act quickly and rashly with the power the appointment will bring.
***hooding - when hunters who use birds of prey want their birds to be calm, they put a small leather hood over their heads to cover the eyes, simulating darkness. Zen is saying he wants her to begin to be trained to proper castle behavior and to answer to him while she is still in confinement so she doesn't overstep her bounds unreasonably in the public arena of the castle. (Reference Ch 5, when Shirayuki, Obi, and Ilena are talking about Ilena being under 'house arrest'.)