“And he leads them now?” Maia asked, new fear blossoming in her heart. In all the times she had faced him, his power of will with the kystrel had exceeded her own. And yet now she served the Medium without using some trinket to control it. Surely that would make a difference.
“Indeed,” Simon said. “I received word from my master that Corriveaux suspects him of betraying the Victus. He believed that Corriveaux would test his loyalty.” He looked so dark and serious, and every word he spoke carried a weight. “He will very likely test my own loyalty as well. Walraven would like to meet Sabine in Hautland to discuss recent events. He seeks her wisdom and input on how to proceed. It may be time for Walraven to come out openly against Corriveaux.”
Maia felt a warning throb from the Medium. “I do not like this,” she whispered.
“Nor do I,” Sabine replied. “Messages delivered through Leerings are troubling because you do not always know the identity of the sender. There are Dochte Mandar throughout each major city of the realm who transcribe and transmit these messages. So while the message Simon received claims to be from Walraven, I have my suspicions.”
“I felt a warning from the Medium,” Maia said.
Sabine touched her arm. “As have I,” she replied. Suzenne’s expression was grave as she listened.
“What will you do?” Maia asked.
“There are abbeys under construction throughout the realms,” Sabine said. “I plan to go to Hautland to open the Apse Veil in Viegg anyway. But the Cruciger orb tells me Walraven is still in Naess. I will check it every day. If he stays in Naess, then I know it is a trap from Corriveaux. But if the Cruciger orb shows him in Hautland, then I will know it is possible to meet him there. I trust the Cruciger orb will guide me to him. I will take some Evnissyen with me, of course. But I am concerned about Walraven. I have an uneasy feeling whenever I think about him.”
Maia frowned—the disquiet inside her had not abated. “I will worry about you, Grandmother,” she said. “I could not bear it if anything happened to you.”
Sabine smiled and smoothed Maia’s cheek. “We have an advantage the Victus do not share. With the Apse Veils restored, we can send mastons across the kingdoms very quickly. As I travel from realm to realm, I will ask for help to join you in Comoros. You have the support of Pry-Ree and Dahomey. We must negotiate the support of other kingdoms so we can wrench loose the yoke of the Naestors completely.” She sighed. “How I wish I had Lia’s Gift of Seering. Instead, we must stumble ahead through the fog, not knowing the way. But the Medium will guide us.”
Maia felt pain in her heart at the thought of not seeing her grandmother for a while.
“There is more,” Simon said, reaching into his tunic and withdrawing a sealed letter. “I have not read the contents.”
“From my husband?” Maia asked eagerly.
Simon smiled and handed her the letter. It bore the royal seal of Dahomey. “It came a short while ago. I am told he arrived safely.”
Maia broke the seal and opened the letter, her heart filling with giddiness at the prospect of seeing her husband’s words.
The first thing she noticed sent a stab of terror through her heart. It was the signature at the end. Corriveaux.
Greetings, Queen Maia of Comoros
Knowing full well that you can read, I address this to you personally. If my will has been done, this note has reached you through the hand of one of my loyal supporters in your realm. I congratulate you on your coronation. You will not long wear your crown. When you betrayed us and refused to lend your support to our cause, do not suppose that I would let you claim a crown without my consent. I hereby warn you, Marciana Soliven, that I am coming for you. I will strike the heart of your realm first. Your heart, to be precise. You will suffer greatly for your arrogance and conceit. What you have been given can be ripped from you. You will watch your people be murdered. Those you have sheltered from Assinica will curse your name in the end. You will learn firsthand the consequences of defying me. Yes, I am coming for you, Maia. Be warned.
Corriveaux
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Uprising
Corriveaux’s message served its intended purpose. Though Maia’s grandmother had warned her that the message’s intent was to cause fear and worry, the very emotions that would repel the Medium’s assistance, in the days following her receipt of the note, she often found herself ruminating over it.