The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(50)

Maia stiffened. “But they are loyal to the Dochte Mandar,” she said.

Sabine nodded. “I know. Simon received word from the Hand of the Victus. The Hand is the one who directs them. The person in that position is given his title because of the saying, ‘the hand directs the knife.’ The Victus, as you know, employs various machinations throughout the kingdoms. They are behind Paeiz’s attack on Dahomey. They seek nothing but turmoil and conflict; their aim is to pit each kingdom against the other. Obviously they want to embroil Dahomey in a war with its neighbor to prevent your husband from defending Comoros when the armada comes.”

Maia’s heart wrenched at the mention of her husband. She missed him dreadfully and had not heard from him since he had sailed from Comoros.

“What news have you received then?”

“The Hand communicates throughout the realms through waymarker Leerings they have stolen. One of the properties of Leerings is to bind two points that are distant, allowing individuals to touch minds and speak to each other.”

Maia knew about this phenomenon already, having experienced it in the cursed shores of Dahomey. She had touched a Leering to summon water and had found herself ensnared in a duel of wills with Corriveaux and another Dochte Mandar.

“Yes,” Maia said, revolted by the memory of wearing the kystrel, “I have used a Leering that way in the past.”

Sabine turned to Simon. “Tell her the rest.”

She had not seen Simon for several days. His dark eyes were even more brooding than usual. “The Hand of the Victus has changed. I normally would not mention something like this to you, except you know the man who now leads them. His name is Corriveaux, from Dahomey.”

Maia felt a cold shudder at the mention of his name. He had hunted her throughout the realms, conspired to make her the queen of the hetaera. The Medium had saved her from him in Naess, where she had feared her journey would end.

“You told me of him,” Suzenne said, touching Maia’s arm. She looked grave. “He was in authority with the Dochte Mandar in Dahomey. He hunted you.”

“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.