Chapter Twenty-Two

Loralie's search of Gebel's room brought nothing else to light, but what she had found was bad enough. She searched through the rest of the house with Michael's help and Det's supervision throughout the rest of the day but found only more abundant stashes of copper coins and jewels of lesser quality. Det revised his opinion when he saw those. The mercs were probably being paid out of the smaller coinage and lesser gemstones while the gold and silver was kept close to Gebel for greater things.

Det called a meeting of all the mages who had been on the night watch so Loralie and Michael could tell them all that had been discovered during the day. He didn't tell Loralie about it until right before dinner. He didn't want her worrying about it all day.

He sent Michael to tell his brethren about the meeting request when they started waking up in the late afternoon. They would meet in the main hall around the dinner table and discuss Loralie's findings and what steps to take next.

When Loralie and Det entered the main hall after a long day of searching broken only by a quick break for lunch, the mages were already there, waiting. Loralie saw the table of mages and stopped short near the entrance to the hall. Det was right behind her and took her elbow, escorting her over to the buffet table where they filled plates from the steaming platters already set out.

"I asked the night watch mages to meet with us. They need to know what you found today," Det said quietly as they worked their way through the buffet. Loralie didn't answer, but he felt the tension coming off her in waves. "Don't worry. They all have dragon heartmates who have been counseling them to be more open-minded where you are concerned. I doubt they will be hostile to you. Especially not after what you accomplished here."

"I hope you're right," she muttered under her breath, but he heard her anyway.

When they approached the table with their full plates, two spots had been left open for them. Michael was already seated, and Det pulled out the chair next to the young mage for Loralie then seated himself on her other side. At least this way, she had someone sympathetic to her on either side. Michael had proven to be quite a help during the long day, and Det thought Loralie had become a bit more comfortable with the younger mage.

He introduced the other mages to her one at a time, and each one was respectful, if a bit stand-offish at first. He led the meeting, laying out the progress they had made in going over every nook and cranny of the manor house that day. He explained what they had found with Michael's help and left discussion of the magical traps to Loralie and Michael.

Loralie didn't really speak much at first, though she answered the questions put to her. As they all ate, the mages asked more questions, and she seemed to become a bit more comfortable with them. None were obviously hostile, which was good. Though none were as open and friendly toward her as Michael.

Well, Det supposed, they would all need some time.

"What about the books of magic?" Enrad, the small group's leader asked, an edge to his voice.

Loralie's shoulders stiffened. "They were my mother's. They are mine now and will eventually become Penny's. I will keep possession of them for now."

Her icy tone had the other mage eyeing her a bit coldly, and Det wanted to shake his head. Enrad had always seemed an even-tempered man, and Det had thought he'd be a bit more accepting than he was showing himself to be. If this was the reception Loralie got from the rest of his people, she wouldn't want to spend much time in the enclave, dammit.

"For what it's worth," he said, using all the authority he had as a member of the Council of Elders, "I believe the books should stay with Loralie. As she said, they are the rightful property of her line and may contain knowledge that should not be known among other mages."

"But how can we know that unless someone has a chance to examine them?" Enrad asked.

Det shook his head and saw Loralie roll her eyes as she sat back in her chair, exasperation in her every move. He didn't blame her. Enrad's statement was just plain dull-witted.

"Did you hear what you just said?" Det asked quietly.

It wouldn't do to make an enemy of this man, but he was sticking his nose into places it did not belong. Just because he was a mage didn't mean he had any right to question Loralie or any of the Citadel Guardians. They were something separate and unique among mages. Their line had been charged with protecting the Citadel from its inception, and Det had no doubt they had been entrusted with magical secrets that other mages should not know.

Enrad's desire to see, and perhaps seize, the books made Det wonder about Enrad's level of ambition. After seeing that map in Gebel's quarters, Det was going to have to look on everyone in the enclave with suspicion until the culprit who had divulged that information was identified.

"I can help you there," Gren said unexpectedly in Det's mind. "Nobody with a dragon heartmate can be guilty of such a thing. We would know. In Enrad's case, I have just spoken with his heartmate, Derrillantha, and she says he is ambitious to move up the ranks of the mages in our enclave, but he is not a traitor. He thirsts for magical knowledge and thinks the books you found might help him in his quest to best his contemporaries and be elevated ahead of his competition."

"So, it has to be someone not partnered with a dragon then?" Det asked Gren.

"Without doubt," Gren replied, then went back to merely listening in through Det's mind, rather than speaking to him.

Det was pleased to have his suspect pool cut down a bit, but that still left a lot of people in the enclave to eliminate. Still, it had to be done. If someone was willing to betray the entire enclave by giving away such detailed information to the enemy who had planned to invade with a small army of hired mercenaries, then that person had to be found and made to pay for his treachery.

Det struggled to understand what could motivate anyone to do such a thing. Not every person in the enclave was happy with their lot in life, but he hadn't thought anybody could hate his neighbors so much as to want to bring war to their home.

Enrad sputtered a bit and then subsided, turning the conversation to a different tack. His idiocy, once pointed out, had embarrassed him, but he went on talking, even as his face flushed.

"What do you plan to do with Gebel?" Enrad asked Det, ignoring Loralie.

"Grennulf and I will fly him back to the enclave tomorrow, where I will petition the Council to try him for his crimes. They will decide his fate," Det told them all, watching their reactions with interest. Enrad seemed surprised, as did one or two of the others, but most nodded, seeming pleased with the idea.

"What about her?" Enrad asked, jutting his chin rudely toward Loralie. "Will she be put on trial as well?"

Det saw red. He had to take a deep breath before he got up and beat the man silly for his disrespect. It was hard when his warrior instincts to pound a fool into the ground warred with his political position as an Elder who had to be more circumspect.

"After what she did in bringing this enemy to our attention and then defeating him, I think you should be grateful for her assistance rather than taking her to task for whatever it is you think she's done wrong," Det said, congratulating himself inwardly for his outward calm. He still wanted to punch Enrad in the face but refrained.

"She only did what she did to protect Penny," a young woman spoke from the other side of the table. She was one of the lower-level mages who was still learning but was already showing promise of great power. Her name was Elsa, Det recalled, and she had been tutoring the twins on occasion when they studied with the mages.

"If the dragons can forgive her actions, then surely, we should follow suit," Michael added.

Enrad remained quiet then got up from the table, his empty plate in his hand, and left without another word. Everyone else watched him go. Det turned to survey the mages who were left at the table.

"Do any of you feel the same?" Det asked point blank. He needed to know what he was dealing with here and what Loralie might be up against in the enclave.

"Enrad is bucking for promotion," one of the men spoke up from the left. "We all know that. He practically begged to be put in charge of this mission, and we were all a bit surprised when they gave it to him. He's kind of an ass," the man went on, "but a decent mage, if not overly blessed with brains."

Some of the others chuckled, and some nodded. Det felt relieved, but it was still worrying. He wanted Loralie to be accepted among his people. He'd known it would be hard, but he hadn't bargained on the opposition beginning so soon.

"For what it's worth, milady," Elsa spoke to Loralie, who had paled at Enrad's words and gone very quiet, "we have no problem with you. I have gotten to know both Penny and Petr when they come for lessons at the mage hall, and I understand why you did what you did to protect them. I think every mother in the enclave will understand."

Loralie's hand was trembling as she reached for her drink. She took a sip of the tea before putting the mug back down and nodding at Elsa.

"Thank you for that," Loralie said quietly. "I have done a lot of things I will spend the rest of my life atoning for, but I console myself that I did not do them willingly or easily."

There was an uncomfortable silence that lasted a few minutes while they finished up their meal. Eventually, those on the night watch took their leave to go about their duties. Michael also excused himself and left the main hall, leaving Det alone with Loralie.

He breathed deeply before he broached the next subject. It seemed difficult topics where the order of the day, but he could not avoid having this conversation any longer.

"As I told the others, Gren and I will be flying back to the enclave tomorrow. We would both like it if you came with us." He sat back, waiting for her reply, watching her warily.

"Do you really think I would be welcome there after what just happened with Enrad? Surely, he can't be the only one who feels that way towards me, and I don't really blame them. It's what I expected." She glanced toward the doorway where the others had disappeared only moments before. "Though, I do have to admit, I was surprised by the acceptance of the others. Your people are more forgiving than I gave them credit for."

"You heard what they said," he said rather insistently. "Enrad is not typical. Most folk—especially those partnered with dragons—will give you the benefit of the doubt. And I suspect Enrad's heartmate isn't very pleased with him at the moment and is probably berating him even as we speak. The dragons have accepted your past and the reasons for it. At least, the dragons of our enclave. I don't know about the others, except maybe Leasharra. Though, I suppose we could find out in time, if we ask my brother and his heartmate to check with the ice dragons they know in the capital of Valdis." He shrugged, shaking off his spiraling thoughts. "But that's neither here nor there at the moment. Tomorrow, I return home. I want you with me for several reasons. First, I believe your testimony is vital if the Council agrees to put Gebel on trial. Frankly, I don't think they can do anything other than put him on trial. He has a lot to answer for. Second, I think you need to see the children. Penny has been telling her brother about you, but I think he deserves to meet you and get to know you as best he can, even for just a little while."

Loralie held up a hand, forestalling his next words. "You really don't have to say anything else. I want to see Petr. And Penny. I have been longing to see them together, as it should have always been. I'll take any scorn or criticism from your people that I have to put up with, if I can just see my babies."

Her expression nearly broke his heart. Her blue eyes were full of both plea and sorrow for all that she'd missed. He couldn't deny the impulse in his heart to give her anything she wanted, if only to get that look off her beautiful face.

"Only promise me safe passage," she went on. "I cannot agree to go to the enclave if they won't let me leave again. Just like you, I have a sacred duty to fulfill. Yours is to your people. Mine is to all people, everywhere. I must fulfill my duty as Guardian, even if it's the last thing I ever do. I cannot let your people stand in my way, and I don't want to hurt anybody fighting to break free if they try to imprison me. I will trust your promise of safe passage, and that's the only way I can agree to go there."

Det sat back, watching her for a long moment. He had no doubt that every word she had spoken was the absolute truth. After seeing her power today as she battled Gebel, he knew that any attempt to stop her would be met with incredible force being unleashed on his people. He didn't want that, and he knew she didn't either, but she would be forced to fight them if they tried to keep her from her duty.

He respected that. Even as he wished it could be different, he understood that she had to do what she thought was best for all people, not just herself, her children, or, much as he hated to admit it, him.

It was just his dumb luck to have fallen for a woman who had priorities far and above any he had ever known. She couldn't put anyone before her duty. Not even the people she loved.

He didn't necessarily like it, but he understood it.

"I honestly don't think you'll have any problem, but I will promise you safe passage. On my honor."

"Then, Captain, I will be glad to accompany you to your home tomorrow."

Det almost winced at her formality, but he supposed it was necessary in this instance. He stood, wanting to get out of the public eye. His people might be accepting of her, but she was still a curiosity to them. There may not be any outright staring, but everyone in the main hall was shooting glances their way.

He was tired after the long day of discovery. He just wanted some downtime, away from all the busybodies.

"Do you want to sleep here tonight?" he asked her quietly. "There are many rooms within this house that are suitable. The mages aren't the only ones who have been sleeping comfortably during their off shift. We could get your belongings from the cave, and you could sleep in a real bed tonight. What do you say?"

"I'm not sure I remember what it feels like to sleep in a real bed," she admitted with a rueful smile. "I would like a chance to find out."

"Good. We can fly up with Gren now, pack up everything, and fly back down. I'll send someone up to get the pacas and bring them down here. If you no longer need them, I would be happy to give them a home in the enclave. I think the children would enjoy them as pets."

A smile lit her face. "I love that idea. That pair of pacas are some of the most gentle and friendly creatures I have ever known. They will be good for the twins."