Stone of Tears

Verna stiffened in caution. “If I remember my lessons in the vaults, there is only one reason such restriction would save my life.”

Inwardly, Ann smiled. Verna wanted it spoken aloud. “Indeed. Richard has Subtractive Magic.”

“You knew that? You had one with Subtractive Magic collared? You would risk that? You would have him brought here, to the palace?” Her hands unfolded and she leaned in a bit. “Why?”

Ann held the other’s gaze. “Because there are Sisters of the Dark in the palace.”

She didn’t twitch. She knew. At least, she suspected. Bless you, Verna, you are a bright one. Forgive me for what I must do.

“Is this room shielded?” Verna asked in an even tone.

“Of course.” She left unsaid that her shield would not protect against these Sisters.

“Do you have proof of such an accusation, Prelate?”

“I do not need proof, right now, because this conversation is restricted. You will not speak of it. Unless you plan to bring charges. If you do, I of course will deny it, and say a bitter Sister was trying to accuse the Prelate of blasphemy for personal gain. And then we would have to hang you. Neither of us wants that, now do we?”

Verna sat stiff and still. “No, Prelate. But what does that have to do with bringing Richard here?”

“When your house is overrun with rats, the only thing you can do is bring in a cat.”

This cat sees us all as rats. Maybe with good reason. Some might say that perhaps you were not bringing in a cat for your rats, but bait. Richard is a good person. I would not like to think he is being sacrificed.”

“Do you know why you were selected to go after Richard?”

“I had thought it was your vote of confidence.”

Ann shrugged. “In a way, it was. Although I’m not sure that there are Sisters of the Dark in the palace, and I have no idea who they are if it’s true, I had to assume that if it is true, then since Grace and Elizabeth were at the top of the list, they would be Sisters of the Dark. I knew from prophecy, that only my eyes have seen, that Richard probably has Sub-tractive Magic, and further, that he would refuse the first two offers. I knew the first two sisters would die.

“If the Nameless One’s disciples knew any of this, they would want the third name on the list to be one of theirs, too. I used my prerogative as Prelate to pick the third Sister.”

“You chose me, because you had faith that I was not one of them?”

What Ann wanted to say was I have known you since you were a child, Verna. I know your quick mind, your heart, and your soul. You, of all the Sisters, were the one I trusted with the fate of the world. I knew Richard would be safe in your hands.

But she could not say that.

“I chose you, Verna, because you were far down on the list, and because, all in all, you are quite unremarkable.”

The room rang with silence for a long moment. Verna swallowed. “I see.”

Ann affected dispassionate objectivity. Inside, her heart was breaking.

“I doubted you were one of them. You are a person of little note. I’m sure Grace and Elizabeth made their way to the top of the list because whoever directs the Sisters of the Dark considered them expendable. I direct the Sisters of the Light. I chose you for the same reason.

“There are Sisters who are valuable to our cause; I could not risk one of them on such a task. The boy may prove a value to us, but he is not as important as other matters at the palace. He may be a help. It was simply an opportunity I thought to take.

“If there had been trouble, and none of you made it back, well, I’m sure you can understand that a general would not want to lose his best troops on a low-priority mission.”

Verna’s breathing looked forced. Her voice sounded it. “Of course, Prelate Annalina.”

Ann shuffled her papers impatiently. “I have important matters to get back to. Is there anything else, Sister?”

“No, Prelate.”

When the door closed, Ann lowered her face into her shaking hands. Tears dripped onto her papers.

She appraised his eyes for a long moment. Richard didn’t know if she would say yes or not, but he had had to tell her much of what he had learned just to get her to agree to listen to his plea. He couldn’t afford to fail. He needed help. He had to trust someone.

“All right, Richard. I will help you. If half of what you say is true, I must help you.”

Richard sighed as he closed his eyes in relief. Thank you, Liliana. I’ll never forget you for this. You’re the only one around here who will listen to reason. Can we do it now? Time is critical.”

“Now?” she whispered harshly. “Here? Richard, if what you say about you having Subtractive Magic is true, it won’t be a simple matter to remove your Rada’Han. I will need to retrieve an object of magic that the Sisters keep guarded. It’s an aid, used to amplify power. Maybe through that, and with your help, it will be enough to get the collar off.

“Not only that, but if the Nameless One is involved, there is no telling what ears, or Han, might be paying attention.”

Then, when? Where? It has to be soon.”