The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 15.3

Sabrina just had time to compose herself and drink some strakarth before Imari arrived, looking disgruntled. "Baldaran summoned me and is not even here to greet me?" she demanded, sweeping into Sabrina's study.

"I'm afraid he was called away. Aunt Imari, we have a situation on Lthos that requires someone from the Realm to handle." She quickly outlined what the High Constable had said.

Imari frowned. "We cannot press the murder charges, Sabrina; that was all decided immediately afterward, and the reasons for not doing so still exist. But if he was involved in kidnapping Marie, we must definitely hold him to account—and more importantly, discover with whom he is working. I will speak to the High Constable on Lthos—is it still Nevar Tlurissan?"

"I didn't catch his name," Sabrina admitted.

"Well, I will deal with the matter, Sabrina. Has there been any word about Niavar?"

"I'm afraid not, Aunt Imari."

Imari looked at Sabrina closely as she stood. "Have courage, niece. Niavar has been in and out of trouble all his life. He has always managed to come home."

But I was there to help him, Sabrina thought, tears forming in her eyes as Imari left.

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The afternoon dragged on into evening, and Sabrina was amazed that she was still sane when dinner arrived. Ranja had carefully rearranged her schedule so that she did not have to meet with anyone, so she was surprised when her door chime rang. A few minutes later, Kendara entered. "Commander Mukryilla to see you, ma'am."

"Show her in, please," Sabrina said, putting down her fork. "Good evening, Treva. Would you care to join me for dinner?"

"Thank you, I would. My lunch was cut short," Mukryilla replied, seating herself. A few moments later, one of the servers from Bathir who seemed to have taken up permanent residence at Dansestari appeared, swiftly arranging a place setting and a full plate for the Commander. When he had gone, Mukryilla said, "I have only just now been informed about Prince Niavar's disappearance. Evidently my staff did not think it unusual enough to call it to my attention. I have now remedied that misjudgment, and have come to see how you are. I am relieved to see that you are eating, at least."

Sabrina looked ruefully down at her plate, which had been rearranged more than depleted. "I'm trying, anyway. Now that I have a chef installed, he seems to take it personally if I don't eat."

"Good," Mukryilla said, taking a bite. "And with reason. This is delicious."

"Treva, I want your help."

"Then you shall have it. Within reason," she added quickly.

Sabrina smiled wryly at the qualifier. "I want to convince Baldaran to release me from the regency and let me go look for Ford. He says there's nothing I can do that Mara and Tirqwin aren't already doing, which I know, of course. But I still feel that I need to go and do something. Anything."

"And you want me to plead your case? Sabrina, what is it you intend to do?"

"I want to start by going to Lthos and joining up with Major Stecklan and the Homeworld Task Force."

"I cannot think you would be of much assistance, except, of course, diplomatically," Mukryilla observed.

Sabrina set her glass down a little too firmly. "I shouldn't have to remind you that I have frequently been sent on assignments that required rather more than diplomacy!"

"Have been on, yes. Have been sent on, no," Mukryilla corrected her. "At least not by me. As Princess of Bathir, you are not under my authority, at any rate."