Ch. 22
Martis grew pale. According to what Stecchin told him, Dr. Steinenburg had a hand in developing the 906-FTT, while Lord Lionel Taylor himself was possibly the lynchpin for the whole thing!
"Did either one of them ever mention the words, 'Silver Wheel'?" he asked Stecchin. She shook her head. She was slowly regaining her strength, moving more under her own steam.
"The way he and the doctor were speaking, they were looking to possibly attack Lady Kavi!" she cried. "We must warn them!"
"I know!" Martis replied. "I just…I can't believe it. Lt. Malvin's beloved…an enemy of the state?"
"What do you suggest is our best course of action?" Alan asked. "Do we go and warn Lt. Malvin and Madame Minstrel, or do we stay and wait for them to come back?"
"The LT said to wait here if you're not ready to travel," Martis replied, turning to Stecchin, who pouted. "I know you want to get out of here, but you're still not ready."
"Let's go to the war chamber," Septieme suggested, after checking the clock. "At this rate, we'll never make it in time to meet them at the arena. We'll soon need to rest anyway so we can be alert for the ball."
"Your war chamber, Your Highness?" Alan said, incredulous. "I know you wish to honor your guests, but are you sure it's wise to allow them to have this knowledge?"
Septieme was firm. "With the Old Man gone and my tower compromised, I need all the allies I can get, Mr. Alan!"
"Yes, Your Highness. Forgive my impertinence."
"No need to apologize," she said. "Feel free to speak your mind from now on. I need a critical voice in my counsel. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to steering the course of my fate."
After Lucia returned with Carlotta's team, they all settled into Septieme's secret war chamber. Carlotta informed them that Lord Taylor was witnessed leaving the tower and headed for the arena. She then joined Lucia and made sure the circular room was surrounded, both secret entrances guarded. The rest all sat around a table. Stecchin was reminded of the old stories of King Arthur and his valiant knights. Septieme informed them that Lord Taylor was to be watched most carefully, and was banned from the throne room until further notice.
"Lord Taylor…but then, it does explain a lot," Martis began, thinking out loud.
"Explains what, exactly, Mr. Martis?" Princess Septieme asked. She had reverted to being more formal, now that they were surrounded by her entourage.
"Well, his rather blasé attitude earlier, for one thing," Martis said, frowning. "Seeing all of us in a mess, and hearing about the attack didn't faze him at all. Learning about Mr. Jacques' death didn't surprise or shock him in the slightest. Also, he was one of those we listed there on the train."
His eyes widened as he looked at them all. "What if the 906 on the train was only trying to get to Lord Taylor? Like, a messenger or something, and Lady Kavi just happened to be in the way?"
"Perhaps," Alan mused, also, a man like him would have powerful connections as well."
"Agreed," Septieme said. "That could explain why he is so bold in his pursuit of Alice as well."
"What do you mean?" Stecchin asked.
"The Taylor house doesn't have a very high status in the royal nobility," Septieme said. "Marrying a Malvin would give Lord Taylor a major foothold in the highest part of Imperial society, just beneath the Emperor himself! Imagine the power he would suddenly have!"
"And if he's a part of this Silver Wheel group, then the Imperial State isn't their only target!" Martis said.
Septieme stood up and paced back and forth. "The problem is proof. The story of the Silver Wheel has been around for centuries! It's a favorite tale of conspiracy theorists everywhere!"
Martis thought about the crest of the Silver Wheel: a wagon wheel, with eight spokes, flanked by a unicorn on the left and a goat on the right, bound in chains. The wheel represented the cycle of life, with eight stages between birth and death, like the phases of the moon. Martis guessed that was why it was silver, since the greatest symbol for silver was also the moon. Other symbols for silver were purity and quiet, subtle strength. The unicorn was the universal symbol of Spring, or new life, while the goat represented the Apocalypse, or the end of all life. As for the chains, what did they mean? Slavery? Capturing and restraining power? Or were they loosening from the chains, calling to freedom from petty squabbling kingdoms? He was unsure. Like the fabled Illuminati, the Silver Wheel was supposedly a secret society whose agenda was to undermine the established governments to achieve world domination.
"We can't tell His Majesty about The Silver Wheel, Princess," Martis said. "We just don't have the evidence. What we do have evidence of is the 906…which points the finger at the Imperial State, but with the Sergeant-Major's testimony, we can implicate both the doctor and Lord Taylor. It might not be enough, but if we can gather more circumstantial evidence, we can make certain we don't cause His Majesty to declare war on us!"
"You're right, maybe we don't have to involve my father at all!" Septieme declared all of a sudden. They all looked at her in confusion. She huffed and placed her hands on her hips.
"Think about it!" she said. "If we, as the saying goes, shoot first and ask questions later, war will be declared…which might be exactly what the Silver Wheel wants…and not only them, but also my brother, Quintus."
"The Prince isn't just content with winning the throne?" Martis asked. He was filled with dismay when Septieme laughed without mirth.
"He is, in a word, insatiable," she replied. "He never confessed outright, but he told me in so many words that he murdered my brothers, Tres and Sexton. He's…proud of that. The only thing that occupies his mind is conquest, but it's not like I can blame him. If he isn't a part of the Silver Wheel, then maybe they're using him to gain a foothold as well."
She sat down and gave Martis a guilty look. "The reason why we refused to aid both the Republic and the Imperial State wasn't just to remain neutral. We actually hoped the both of you would destroy each other so thoroughly that we could easily take over…with a veneer of kindness, of course, but the goal was to make both governments rely on us so heavily that you couldn't sustain yourselves without us."
Stecchin gasped in outrage, but Martis gave a sympathetic smile. "It's like you told me before, isn't it? Taking advantage of people when they're weak? That's what you, and your siblings grew up learning, wasn't it?"
Septieme gave a sad little nod, and Martis sighed.
"Without enough concrete evidence, all we're going to do is pit Rodelia against the Empire," he said. "We can't have that, so what can we do?"
Septieme thought hard. "I must confront Quintus somehow. This game of his has gone on long enough. I know Dr. Steinenburg is one of his closest advisors. I remember also my brother was there to witness the deaths of my lost brothers. However, I can't come right out and say it; otherwise I'd be declaring war against his tower. We're going to have to form a strategy…something to let him know that we're on to him, and that he can't get away with this any longer. We must give him a dose of his own medicine, even if it means repaying him with his own life. What do they call that? Poetic justice?"
Stecchin bit her lower lip. "But…but, Your Highness, I don't understand…he's your own brother! Can you really just-just assassinate him? How can you say that so easily?"
"I explained that already, Lily!" Martis said, but Septieme held up a hand.
"Do you have any siblings, Sergeant-Major?" she asked. Before Stecchin could answer, she went on.
"Regardless, no doubt you're familiar with sibling rivalry. This is no different…merely taken to the next level."
"N-no different?!" Stecchin sputtered. "Brothers and sisters aren't supposed to kill each other!"
Septieme resisted the urge to shrug. "It's our way," she said simply. "That's how it's always been done, since the beginning of my nation. The monarch sires seven children and pits them against one another, until one remains. The strongest survives, and thus is deemed the most worthy to take the throne."
Septieme watched as Stecchin's face crumpled in revulsion. She suddenly felt much older. Martis cleared his throat. Even Alan felt uncomfortable. No one knew what to say. After a moment, Septieme sighed.
"Believe me," she said, "it is not something I enjoy, but it is what I've been trained for my entire life."
Martis ventured a question. "I apologize if this seems impertinent, but…if you do become Empress…would you make it stop?"
Septieme looked at him and saw both sympathy and hope.
For you, Martis, she thought, I'd risk anything.
Aloud, she said, "I don't know. I do want to, but that would mean reforming an iron-clad law that is centuries old. Rodelians pride themselves on honor and part of that is upholding the ancient traditions."
Martis sighed.
No wonder Rodelian civil wars and uprisings have gone on for so long, he thought. Will your kingdom never have peace? Don't you want peace?
"Even if those traditions have long since outworn their uses?" he asked out loud.
"Have a care what you say, noble sir," Alan said quietly.
"I truly don't mean any offense," Martis replied.
"I know you don't, Mr. Martis," Septieme said. Suddenly filled with admiration mixed with fear, she blurted, "You are both brave and wise. I…I hope your distaste for my culture hasn't disillusioned you. Please…will you still consider escorting me to the ball tomorrow night?"
Martis immediately felt like a jerk. He had almost forgotten how young she still was. He stood before her and gave a formal bow.
"Oh, Princess, forgive me. Of course I will!"
Septieme was never so relieved.
When Kavi, Alice and Oreldo returned, it was very late. Septieme tried to stay awake but failed, but she made sure to tell Martis to brief her as soon as possible. Alan bowed in farewell, volunteering to guard her. Martis and a shaky Stecchin hurried to Alice, hoping to see Cpl. Oland. When they didn't, they were crushed.
"Wasn't he there?" Martis asked, but Alice shook her head and impatiently waved a hand in dismissal. She was physically and emotionally drained. Oreldo was wise and had left her to her thoughts for the entire ride back to the castle tower. He and Kavi had talked to each other instead in hushed tones.
"I'll explain later," Alice muttered. "We need to rest. We'll talk in the morning."
"Oh, but Ma'am!" Stecchin cried. "We have some urgent news!"
"Sergeant-Major, I'm glad to see you're awake," Alice said, "but you should be resting."
"Ma'am, I'm afraid this cannot wait," Martis said.
Moments later, Alice stared at them, waiting for them to say they were just joking. When they didn't, she groaned.
"You're saying…Lord Taylor and the doctor? With…the Silver Wheel?" she said. "Really? I thought Lady Kavi's reaction was pure paranoia…no offense," she said quickly, looking at Kavi.
"None taken, Lieutenant," Kavi replied, but her knowing gaze made Alice shiver. She cleared her throat and turned back to Stecchin.
"I know you want to help, Sergeant-Major, but fevers and illnesses can dull and twist your senses." She turned to Martis. "And Martis, you should know better than to encourage her! Now you have Her Highness making all kinds of unlikely notions!"
Martis felt his jaw drop. "Ma'am…what…?"
Stecchin was on the verge of hysteria. Oreldo went to her when she stomped closer and nearly tripped. "You-you mean…you don't believe me?"
Alice was sympathetic, but felt it was just too strange to be true. Plus, from what she knew of Lily's past with her mother, she knew doctors were the Sergeant-Major's least favorite people.
"Sergeant-Major…Lily, please try to see how this looks to me," she said, trying to soothe her. "You were in bed with a high fever. You claim to have heard voices outside your room, but just moments before that, I had woken you up. You were groggy and weren't very coherent at all!"
"That's because I was both poisoned, and that nasty doctor had tried to drug me!" Stecchin exclaimed. "Why else would I still be dizzy? He had started to give me a sedative when you walked in! And thennn he put too much laudanum in my milk! He practically wanted me comatose!"
"But that's just it, Lily!" Alice insisted. "How can you be sure that what you heard was real? You of all people know what sedatives and drugs can do!"
Stecchin gasped and burst into tears, suddenly burying her face into Oreldo's shoulder. Oreldo froze, then carefully wrapped his arms around her shaking figure, helping her sit down.
"That was out of line, LT," he said quietly.
Martis nodded. "I believe her," he said, "and there are a few too many coincidences adding up here! Look, I know you love Lord Taylor, but-"
"ENOUGH," Alice snarled, shocking everyone into silence. "None of us are thinking straight-"
"No kidding!" Oreldo said. Enraged, Alice slapped him, causing him to fall over. Stunned by her own actions, she froze, then strode away in silence. After a moment, Lady Kavi went after her.
"What the hell was that about?" Martis asked, helping Oreldo to his feet. "What happened at the arena?"
"I was there, four-eyes," Oreldo muttered, "but I'm still not sure. Let's get Lily to bed; I'll fill you in on the way."
"That was rather unbecoming of a Malvin," Kavi said quietly to Alice. They had reached the Lieutenant's bedchamber.
Alice faced the window and remained silent. She had crossed her arms, gripping them hard to keep from screaming.
"Your engagement to the Taylor house was arranged, wasn't it?" Kavi asked. "Forgive me, but I have a natural inclination to observe human behavior…expressions, body language, voice tonality, and so on."
She paused and waited, but Alice remained silent. Kavi sighed.
"Lieutenant…when you looked at your…comrade, you know what I saw?"
Alice trembled, and cursed herself for being a coward. She spun and faced the master spy.
"What, my lady?" she asked, but was surprised when she saw Kavi look at her with sympathy.
Kavi paused and stepped closer. When she spoke next, it was barely above a whisper.
"I saw a woman who is helplessly in love."
Alice swallowed hard and tried not to cry.
"It doesn't matter," she said. "It's not like I can do anything about it. I-I saw him and…he's safe. Well, maybe not safe, but…he's alive and…and happy! I…can't ask for more than that!"
"Why don't you want to face him?"
Alice looked down and shook her head.
"You should at least have a chance to apologize and say good-bye," Kavi said. "There's an easy way to do that."
Alice's head shot up. "How?"
Kavi smiled. "The play. You'll wear a mask during the entire act. He won't know."
She watched as Alice absorbed that, and after a moment, she watched her gather her resolve.
"Very well," she said. "I'm sure security will be tight as can be for the ball, but afterwards we must find a way to deal with the 906 and shut them down for good."
"Of course," Kavi said. "Rest, and I will work with you in the morning."
Upon leaving, Kavi was filled with dread. Although her version of The Gump and the Dove had a happy ending, she wondered if Alice remembered how the original story ended…