* * *
It was late evening at the palace when Mihai convened her cabinet. She waited throughout the day for numerous reports of the situation on MueoPoros to be decoded, and had gathered select members of her council shortly after the dinner hour to discuss the findings. Among them were Paul, PalaHar, and three other members of the Council of Eighty. Now, at this late hour, Mihai’s official cabinet, made up of nineteen members, was gathered together.
The minutes were considered, along with progress reports of the battle as well as other military information from around the Empire deemed noteworthy. After certain specific comments were addressed, Mihai opened the floor to the other members of the cabinet. A growing frustration with some being excluded from receiving certain information was freely expressed.
After little debate, CrilenianTorpedee, a long-time associate of Mihai, but not one of the Eighty, rose to contend with her over the lack of information being shared with the majority of the cabinet. “You have tied our hands, my Lord. Terey was correct in her observation when she countered your reasoning before. How can we do our job with so little knowledge of the situation? We only hear of matters after they are accomplished…and then we’re expected to pick up the pieces and make do. You have tied our hands!”
Before Mihai could speak, Anna stood and asserted to Crilenian, “Our Lord has given to us what she can!” She placed her hands on the table and leaned forward. “Have you not listened to a thing? There is a spy in our midst!” The woman suspiciously scanned the room, stopping her penetrating gaze with Crilenian. “Maybe more than one...”
She then glanced at the others. “Were we not just informed of the fiasco on MueoPoros? How many lives did it cost us because there was a rat in the woodpile? Tell me!” She thumped her chest. “How many of our brothers and sisters died needlessly because of the murderer?!”
Crilenian shot back a fiery retort. “The queen of smooth words does not deserve a reply! She speaks what is good according to her own disposition, and shares the beds of those in need to satisfy her own desires. Tell me, what do you hear when your hapless lover dreams? Do you sell those secrets to others?”
“That’s enough!” Mihai exploded in anger. Her eyes ablaze, she stood to face Crilenian. “Anna is a trusted companion who has comforted me on many occasions! Do you also accuse me of harlotry? She has healed countless victims during this conflict, placing her soul on the line to care for the wounded. Her rape and torture at Joboa’ah by Godenn’s bodyguard, because she refused to leave her comrades, speaks to her loyalty. I will not tolerate any words spoken against her! None!”
Crilenian bowed his head. “My Lord, I have overstepped my authority and I regret the words as I expressed them. Forgive your lieutenant, please.”
He then raised his head and looked Mihai in the eye. “Long have I known my sister. Did I not also weep on the day of your attempted destruction? Did I not also seek revenge against those who perpetrated crimes against you? And did not I draw first blood in avenging your spirit, bringing down the house of BornakStanalious, Asotos’ confederate? I spoke out of place, but I do not speak untruths. The breeze carries warning of death hidden in fields of jasmine and lilies.” He sat down.
The fire had not yet ceased in Mihai’s eyes. She was about to unleash another retort when PalaHar stood and interrupted. “My Lord, if one silences the stormwind because it whistles cold and damp, then the refreshing rains of spring will fail to come. To the one in whose hand power resides there is also responsibility. Shall we lose the war here, then all the battles fought out there will have been in vain.”
Mihai stared at PalaHar, contemplating his riddles. The personal standard bearer of her mother, Ma-we, did not waste words. It was wise to contemplate the things he spoke. Little younger than Tolohe, this man had known the universe when Cherubs walked as men on this planet, they being his mentors. Although he was showing her deep respect by calling her ‘lord’, she was fully aware of how great he stood in their mother’s eyes. It had been said that he had discerned Asotos’ changed nature before Ma-we, warning her of his observations.
Mihai finally sat, requesting the others do so. She rested her hands on the table, bowing her head, releasing an audible sigh. After a lengthy silence, she addressed her cabinet. “I fully trust all of you. My heart can find no treachery in anyone in my presence. General PalaHar is correct. It is unwise for me to restrict any of you from expressing your feelings freely and openly to me, here or in private. But I do think that some things be better left to inner rooms and not in this place.”
She then asked Crilenian, “Do you have proof of things of which you speak?”
Crilenian slowly shook his head.
Mihai thought a moment before continuing. “From now on, should someone have need to reveal feelings of their heart, please do so privately with me, alone. I promise you will find a listening ear.”
Then Mihai addressed Crilenian’s question. “The Council of Eighty was the child of our mother, Lowenah. It was her choice as to who was invited, not mine. The others there serve witness to my words.” Her eyes wandered over her audience. “We were to act judiciously, trusting only to those with us that day in the upper chambers. ‘The innocent will understand. The guilty shall remain uninformed.’ Those were our mother’s words. I have obeyed our mother, and speak secrets only to those people.”
She leaned back, wiping a hand across her forehead. “You are heads of state and, as such, have different and diversified duties, many which are not directly related to this war. What you need to know to fulfill those duties is provided each and every one of you. I hold nothing pertinent back.” She eyed Crilenian. “Nothing!”
OfhieSanternano, another of Mihai’s councilors, not of the Eighty, motioned to speak. “I do not object to what our mother has requested, but still I wonder, if only the Eighty were informed of our battle plan, how did the enemy find it out soon enough to do us such damage? Asotos doesn’t move on feelings and guesses. Someone informed him, and with enough information to assure his acceptance of what was said. To me, that could only come from a person close to you or one of your top generals to make it believable. My Lord, there must be a leak somewhere.”
Anna motioned to speak. “Terey positioned herself in the heart of our fleet. She has many friends high up in the military.” She reached over and placed her hand on Mihai’s. “My sister, my Lord, I do not want to sound suspicious, but the woman has a vast storehouse of knowledge and connections, plus freedom of movement, being a flight commander. Just how easy would it be for a person in her position to gain secret knowledge of plans and then to deliver them to the enemy?”
Mihai frowned, a sour look growing on her face, while the reactions of others ranged from disgust at the idea to thoughtful consideration.
Anna defensively interjected, “I am sorry if I have offended, but I understood that we all must be alert to possibilities.” She shook her head. “I, too, find it hard to believe that our sister would do such a thing. Yet, what kind of a councilor would I be if I didn’t bring to your attention such a possibility? My Lord, have I done you wrong by making such a mention of someone you so dearly love?”
Mihai reassured Anna that she was not angry with her, although she wished the woman had spoken privately about the matter instead. But there was concern. “This is a serious issue that should be addressed. I don’t want to make a public scene regarding Terey. She has always been faithful and stalwart in her actions, and she claimed to have been personally invited to the Council of Eighty. Still, I think High Command needs to know what has been discussed here. Let them keep a good eye out for the moment.”
General PalaHar, who was thoroughly disgusted with Anna’s veiled accusations leveled at Terey, but did not reveal it, offered, “I leave tonight on the Brosh for MueoPoros. We will rendezvous with the Sophia to off-load supplies. It will be an easy thing for me to obtain an audienc
e with the admiral of the fleet. By doing so, we will have informed those with need to know while not inflicting injury needlessly upon a fellow officer.”
Shaking his head, he added, “The wheel of a windmill does not turn by itself. And grapes do not become wine without mold. Both are moved to action by unseen forces that may be in our very presence. Do be careful to not judge the wheel or the grapes until you find the one who profits most from the results.”
Then turning to Mihai, PalaHar warned, “My Lord, one need not fear the wolf howling in the hills. It is the person sharing the dipped morsel in secured rooms who truly must be watched.” He glanced at Anna.
Anna’s gaze met his, one which, had Mihai seen it, would have sent chills up her spine. PalaHar gave no indication of having observed anything out of the ordinary.
Mihai was confused, trying to correlate PalaHar’s counsel with rekindled, troubling memories of past events. She thanked him, offering assurances it would be given serious consideration. ‘The spirit is willing.’ Little did Mihai realize at that time the price that was to be paid for following an impassioned heart rather than PalaHar’s cautious advice.
In short order, the meeting was adjourned for the evening, the hour being late. Members of the council quickly dispersed, leaving only Mihai, Anna, PalaHar and Paul in the room. Anna busied herself with personal duties while the other three made certain small talk. Finally, it was time for PalaHar to depart.
Paul took Mihai’s hand. “I do hope that you will not miss my company too much this night. I also have business in Oros, so have made arrangements to travel with General PalaHar. I shall promptly return on the morrow by sky ferry.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. “Shall you permit me this absence?”
Mihai smiled and cupped his hand in hers. “I will be fine, Paul. There are many things I must address this eve. Several hours stand between me and my bed.” She nodded approvingly. “Enjoy the night. Lord PalaHar is a man filled with wisdom. Rare is the opportunity to make him one’s captive.”
Paul thanked Mihai, giving her another kiss in parting. He and PalaHar hurried off for the transport station in hopes of catching the last scheduled flight to Oros by stratoliner that night. Soon the room was quiet except for the ‘tick-tock’ of an ancient wall clock and the shuffling of papers as Anna rummaged through some of her notes.
There was but one window in the chamber, facing north. In the summer it looked upon a busy city, filled with the hustle of busy people. Beyond the city wall it revealed a world of rolling hills and tiny farms nestled between forests both ancient and new. Further beyond lay the low mountains, mineral springs and barren rock canyons with foaming waterfalls. It was now late winter and, even if it weren’t night, there would be little to view. Snowpack still blanketed the farms and mountains while, in the city, few ventured out except on business. It was what was called the ‘gray’ time of year, when the heart yearns for spring.
Mihai sauntered over and opened the curtain. A blustery wind blew the snow about, casting a pall over the city’s streetlights, their faint yellow glow penetrating the storm. She watched tiny cold flakes swirl as they were driven against the windowpane.
Closing the curtain and turning away, Mihai shuddered, wrapping herself in her arms and rubbing them with her hands. “I hope they will be safe.”
Anna stopped what she was doing and looked at Mihai, asking, “Who will be safe, my dear?”
Glancing toward the door, Mihai answered, “Paul and PalaHar. Stratoliners are usually grounded when it storms like this, but the general will not allow it tonight. I fear for their safety.”
With nearly silent steps, Anna walked around the table and up to Mihai. She gently rested a hand on her shoulder while softly stroking Mihai’s face with the other as she cooed a sweet refrain. “The heart grows cold from a love untold. The winter chill will the warm spirit kill. To escape storm’s wrath, one must seek love’s repast. Come, let my soul comfort yours tonight.”
While continuing to softly stroke Mihai’s face, Anna slid her other hand off Mihai’s shoulder, ever so slowly letting it drift across her breast. So gently and caringly it caressed her, eventually moving down across her belly and to her thigh. Like a tingling mist, Anna’s hand moved across Mihai’s body until it rested firmly on her buttocks. The woman now reached her other hand around Mihai’s back and drew her in close, placing a passionate kiss on her lips.
After a lengthy sensual embrace, Anna again crooned, “A troubled and lonely heart your man could not see. But I can feel your very breath inside of me. Come, my love, allow your servant girl to bring solace to your troubled heart. The day shall bring its own tribulations. Let this night bring you comfort and rest.”
Mihai, eyes half closed, her heart beating in hopeful anticipation, dreamily nodded her head. “Your touch upon my thighs is like a sultry summer day breathing upon a field of lillies. Oh, please give me more than your breath...” In silence, the two departed the chambers.