Hey there readers. Sorry for the delayed update. I'm still working to get the last of the unedited chapters edited and sometimes that means working out of order. Thus the delay. Hopefully the work will ultimately pay off and I'll be able to start posting at least twice a week. (Fingers crossed;-)) There are still a few chapters that need some major changes but progress is being made. Anyhoo...Back to Fiona! 

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Fiona

As the hooves of the horse beneath her pounded against the ground, carrying her to Manna's home, Fiona felt almost giddy. In fact, after her successful meeting with Bernard Merkin, she was filled with a level of optimism she had not felt in some time. The Frenwik council representation had been exceedingly receptive to concerns regarding the throne. He had even agreed to consider supporting Fiona's cause at the next General Assembly and speak his mind to the other representatives. It was an excellent sign.

Given Merkin's position as township head of such an important Senmin settlement, the man had influence among his fellows that rivaled that of Avery Trenton himself. The Council leader was a stubborn man, but he was no fool. If enough of his fellows showed interest in considering the Vox Populi as an ally to their people he would have no choice but to hear them. Having Merkin spearheading anti-loyalist sentiment against the crown would be a promising source of fuel to ignite the other councilmen's desire for rebellion.

A message she received before leaving Frenwick had given her further cause for good cheer. It seemed Alex's most recent efforts to gain more funding from one of his most affluent patrons had finally born fruit. The man had promised Alex a sizable sum with which to purchase new armaments for their cause.

Of course with more weapons, it would become even more challenging to keep Alex from striking openly against the King's allies, but ultimately they would need those arms when the time was right. Fiona felt certain Alex was already coming to realize the benefits of her strategy to grow their support more subtlety. Already their list of allies was growing by the day, and it would not be long before the time would come to depose Henry once and for all.

Still, in spite of all her recent successes, Fiona knew she was glad to be returning to Cainell. As much as she believed in her cause, being away from her student, her teacher, and her daughter for so long had begun to take its toll. She needed to return home and, in spite of her increasing worry that Manna might discover the secret aid she was providing the rebels, Fiona genuinely missed her mentor. She was eager to rest beneath the roof of Manna's home, truly safe from harm, if only for a moment.

Manna was there to greet her when she arrived, Karina hanging slightly behind. Fiona dismounted shaking her head with a smile. "You always know exactly when I will come."

Manna narrowed her eyes and made a sinister expression at the comment. "That's because I am a witch," she said. Fiona saw her daughter listening to them intently gave a slight nod in Karina's direction, questioning the wisdom of Manna's jest.

The old woman merely glanced at the girl and gave her a mischievous smile. "Or perhaps," Manna said, "It is because you bound from the Capital with such haste, even a deaf old woman, like myself, could hear your horse's footfall from miles away." They both laughed at that and Manna embraced her warmly.

"Karina," Manna said calling to the girl who remained back, "come and greet the Nita properly."

The girl came forward with a slight hint of trepidation. Standing before Fiona she lowered her head and curtsied. "Nita Amoral," she said, "we are glad, as always, for your company." Her eyes looked up slightly to see Fiona's reaction.

Fiona smiled at her daughter and nodded her head in return, looking her over as she rose. It was amazing how much Karina had grown. Having made it a habit to avoid the girl as much as possible, she'd missed it somehow.

Between her general duties as Nita, lessons with Mina, visits to the Capitol, and rendezvous with Alex, Fiona had only seen her daughter once or twice in the past year, but now it was clear how much time she had missed. At nearly fifteen, Karina was no longer a child but a young woman. A tinge of regret dampened her good mood, though she made certain to show no sign of it outwardly.

"You are growing into quite the young lady," Fiona said, with a small smile of approval. "Poised, graceful." Karina's entire face lit up to be so praised.

"Karina," Manna said. "Why don't you take the Nita's horse for her. Make sure he is brushed, watered, and fed. After that, you can go do as you please until supper. Fiona and I need to talk privately."

"I believe I saw Aden headed back into town on my way here," Fiona added with a wink. "If you hurry, perhaps you can still catch up to him." The girl smiled and Fiona noted a slight blush come to her cheeks.

"Yes, Ma'am," Karina answered. The girl bowed her head once more for good measure, before taking the reins of Fiona's horse and leading him to the back of the house.

"Come," Manna said, draping an arm around Fiona's shoulder. "You must be tired."

-----

Inside, Fiona sat down at the table in her place as Manna went to the stove to prepare her customary mugs of tea.

"It's amazing," Fiona said, still stunned by the changes in her daughter. "It is as if she has grown up over night and become a woman right before my eyes." She heard her teacher chuckle.

"Children tend to do that," she answered.

Manna glanced over her shoulder at Fiona, searching her face. Fiona found it slightly unnerving. Manna had a way of guessing people's true minds that was uncanny. It had never been an easy task to hide anything from her, let alone a secret of the magnitude Fiona was now keeping. Under her teacher's all-knowing gaze, she was not certain how long she could hide her defiance of the Council. 

But avoiding Manna's presence altogether would have been enough to make the woman suspicious as well. It was best to merely keep the conversation from any topic that might inadvertently reveal her recent, more controversial actions in actively aiding her new ally. Of course, it immediately became clear that such an effort would prove difficult as Manna spoke again.

"Your trips to the Capital seem to be agreeing with you of late," she said, continuing her inspection. "There is a certain glow about you."

Fiona struggled for a response, feeling her cheeks warm to a slight blush. "Is there?" she asked, trying to banish from her mind the elation she'd felt in recent weeks watching the Vox Populi finally begin to make the gains she'd hoped. As she watched her acts of leadership come to true effect, unimpeded by the nagging worries of the Council. The things she knew to be the true cause of her good humor.

"Perhaps it is merely because that man makes my blood boil so," Fiona answered, hoping Manna had not heard the catch in her voice at her lie. But the older woman was again busy with her tea and seemed not to have noticed.

"It has been long since we truly spoke of your audiences with the King. I will admit I'd hoped this was a sign you were beginning to make some headway in amiable relations with the man."

Fiona hesitated to answer. Since she had decided to support the rebellion unequivocally, it was true she had avoided the subject altogether. She'd seen no benefit to discussing the matter further with her teacher. It was best for all to assume she still was working tirelessly to reconcile with the Crown. At least for the time being.

"Must I assume then that negotiations with Henry Bastario continue to go differently than we might have hoped?" Manna asked.

"As the Council had hoped."

Her teacher turned to give her a look of warning, eyes sharpening slightly. "I consider our goals and their's to be one and the same. We are part of the Council, Fiona."

Fiona snorted in response and Manna sighed, shaking her head slightly. "You would do well to cease fighting their will so much and try harder to work with them as a team," she said. Resistance and scorn will help no one. Least of all your daughter."

Fiona put her hands to her temples.

"I know," she answered. Fiona had been hoping to seek temporary respite from politics altogether today. To merely enjoy Manna's company. But now that the subject had been broached, her annoyance at her teacher's attitude was hard to contain. Fiona's frustration only grew as she watched Manna look on with her signature calm.

The woman was right. Of course she was right. But the Council would never have been able to hear her words without proof. She had told them again and again, of her fear that the King could not be trusted. They would not listen. But as they could not be made to take the necessary action to protect their people, it fell to Fiona to do so. To convince them to trust the rebellion and abandon negotiations with the Crown she had to show them Henry's weakness and the Vox Populi's strength.

"If you could only meet him," Fiona said, fighting to tame her anger at the injustice of the situation. If the men of the Council respected her position, as they should, none of this deception would be necessary. "In the King's eyes I see only danger, Manna. I hear only treachery in his words,  yet the Council continues to send me on these futile missions of peace. Can you not understand how pointless it is to speak with a man like this? To keep up the charade between us that Henry will ever do anything to aid our people? "

"At least there are words to be had with the new King. It was not so with his father. "

"But they are false words," Fiona countered. "And his questions regarding the Initiate have not abated. He is toying with me." It was the reason she knew unequivocally that she was right to fight back. It would only be a matter of time before Henry would attempt to more forcibly ply forbidden secrets from her lips. Before he had that chance she would take that crown from his head and give it to the people, ensuring the Senmin's safety within the Empire for her part in the rebellion's success.

"Perhaps he truly does wish to understand our people?" Manna suggested as she walked to the table, handing Fiona a cup of tea and sitting across from her. Fiona could see the skepticism in her eyes. Manna was no fool. She knew the danger in a Kanjin King who showed too much interest in matters of the Fae. Was she so afraid to go against the Council's trust of the King that she would not admit it aloud?

"You can't really believe that Manna," Fiona pressed.

"I believe that the situation is precarious," her teacher answered cautiously. "I believe that the Councilmen are correct in their assessment that we have little choice but to work with the Crown at present. We have weathered challenging monarchs before. Henry is, by all reports, an intelligent man and you are an intelligent woman. I find that pairing promising towards reaching some sort of understanding. What other options do we have?"

Fiona didn't respond, instead sipping her tea and remaining silent, but Manna must have seen the expression on her face. The lips tightly pressed together, as she did her best to hide the true strength of her feelings on the matter.

"Speak your mind, Fiona," Manna said, eyeing her carefully. Fiona could hear the edge creeping into her voice. "I can tell you have more to say."

"You will not like it."

"Probably not."

Fiona paused, taking a deep breath before speaking. "Henry's crown is not as stable as he would like people to believe," she asserted. "I have intelligence our people should hear and I will make my opinions clear at the next general Assembly. In fact, there are quite a few of the Council I have already spoken to who have agreed to listen more closely than Avery Trenton. Men who agree in my cause."

"Your cause?"

"To turn from the King and find another solution."

Manna eyed her wearily. "It is a dangerous thing you appear to be suggesting Fiona. You wish to undermine the council leader like that in an attempt to subvert his authority?"

"He has given me no other choice. I think it is foolish to wait for Henry to show the villainy I perceive lurking just beneath the surface of his sugared talk. I still believe we should abandon the idea of peace with the Empire altogether and join the Vox Populi. That we should push to unite our people in support of Harrison and his men, be prepared to fight however we can."

"The Rebels?" Manna frowned. "We have discussed this before Fiona," she said, her tone hardening slightly. "I thought we were agreed that any association with Harrison's moment was too dangerous."

"No," Fiona answered. "We have danced around the issue . Knowing your feelings I have kept mine to myself. But things are changing. The Vox Populi's strength is growing Manna and the King is weaker than he appears."

"But we have been down this path Fiona," Manna answered. "You know better than any the consequences of ours involvement years ago with the rebels in their earlier incarnation. The Senmin who met with Gregory Path were barely involved yet they faced the full wrath of the Empire. Can you imagine if we had committed ourselves fully to the Rebel's cause? Our people throughout Erestia suffered when Fredrick discovered the bloodlines of the men in his dungeon. He punished us as if all Senmin had been complicit in those men's acts of treason and continued to do so until his death. The Crown still links our name with treachery though  we have done everything to distance ourselves from that stain." She gave Fiona a pointed look. "Or have you forgotten that?"

Fiona looked intently into her tea.

"You know I have not," she said. The shame of the past filled her to the breaking point as Manna's words forced her to recall the anger the guilt she had felt. No one had ever known of her involvement with the rebels so many years ago. Fiona had vowed to never again have dealings with the man who had betrayed her.

But she had decided to forgive, though she couldn't forget. This was for the good of the people. Manna's stubborn resistance towards looking at their present situation more critically was close minded. Aligning with Alex was their only hope to fight back against the Crown before it was too late. She would never have made the choices she had if she was not sure. Fiona met Manna's gaze undeterred.

"Alexander Harrison is different," she said with conviction. "He would not push us beneath the cart as Gregory was willing to do. He will not betray us.

"You can not know that."

Of course she knew. He had already proven himself willing to heed her command in return for her aid. It was she who held all the cards this time. He needed her and she would never allow him to betray the Senmin.

"Fiona, you must listen to reason," Manna continued. "For the first time since the Bastario line took the throne, the leader of Erestia wishes to engage in peaceful discourse with our people. He is willing to recognize the Nita. Fredrick would not even allow us audience to pledge our allegiance to his crown!"

"No Manna. Henry wants something. I know that his motives are not pure. I have told you all of this."

"But the Council will not be swayed on a hunch, Fiona. Your premonition will mean little to them. The Vox Populi are violent. Just last week I heard that an attack on one of Henry's allies' townhouse in Birmingham killed at least four people and injured far more, not to mention the damage to the town before the blaze they'd set could be extinguished. Do you want those sorts of actions on your head?"

Fiona would not back down. She knew well of the attack. Alex's investors had needed proof of his strength to offer the funds they ultimately did. The deaths of civilians were unfortunate, but here had been no choice but to show the rebellion's ability to strike against their well-guarded enemies. She had done all she could to keep extraneous casualties to a minimum and knew that was Alex's goal as well. But this was war.

"They had reason," she answered.

"You wish to justify their actions?" Manna asked, incredulous. "And if the Senmin were tied to such acts. If the King were to find out? It would be war, Fiona. Or worse, outright slaughter. And it would be a disaster of your own making. We do not have an army enough to fight back. Not on our own. Can you imagine if the Vox Populi then refused to come to our aid as they did before? They may not even have the resources to do so. We would be entirely destroyed. Fredrick wished our end for years and you fear his son is the same. You would finally give the Crown full justification to annihilate the Senmin people once and for all!"

"But we cannot sit back and do nothing. I tell you that as things stand, we might yet be destroyed either way. Henry has the power to do so on a whim. Should we let that stand? Senmin throughout the Erestia must live every waking moment in constant fear of imprisonment, death, or something even worse. Henry's reign has done nothing to change that, in spite of his supposed support of our people. We have no rights to defend ourselves against our Kanjin neighbors Manna. Almost no recourse in the eyes of the law. 

And it is not just our people that suffer. If you could see the poverty and despair throughout the Empire. In the Capitol City the conditions for those forced into the lower districts is appalling. If you could hear the cries of the homeless beggars in the alleyways."

Manna eyed her carefully. "I can not imagine that the King readily allowed you passage to the lower districts of the Capitol," she said, " yet you speak as if you have first-hand knowledge."

Fiona felt her heart pounding in her chest as Manna's gaze became more focused, her eyes probing.

"You have been exploring Auresir on your own?"

"The King has granted me general passage where I please," she lied. Alex's ability to pass between the districts was unsurpassed. Henry had easily granted her the chance to roam the middle and upper districts of Auresir, and Alex's connections had provided that chance to explore further. But how she gained access to knowledge she'd obtained however was irrelevant. The facts were the same. Manna stared at her a moment longer as Fiona resisted the urge to squirm beneath her all knowing gaze, staring back as if she had nothing to hide.

"I know very well what suffering is, Fiona," Manna said after a moment. "The Vox Populi are not the answer."

Fiona's mind raged in frustration If only she could tell her. Explain how much Alex had changed. Confess that she believed in him because she knew him! Arguing with her teacher, Fiona felt her faith reinforced as it never had been before. The Vox Populi were the only answer to their problems, but it seemed that Manna, like the Council, was truly too stubborn to understand.

"I never thought you would become a blind pacifist Manna," Fiona said, trying to calm her emotions, though she knew the judgment was obvious in her tone. "Perhaps you believe no cause is worthy of bloodshed?"

"There are fights worth fighting, Manna answered, "and many causes for which I would willingly lay down my life. But I don't trust the Vox Populi. I believe their actions to be reckless and have little faith their efforts will amount to more than needless bloodshed."

"You are wrong, Manna," Fiona insisted, growing more desperate to tell her the truth. How exactly she knew Alex. How he would never betray them and never truly had. "Things have changed more than you realize. Harrison is twice the leader Plath was and knows well what he is doing. I'm not suggesting we offer our men as soldiers to their cause, but if we were to lend aide."

"As we did fifteen years ago?" Manna asked, cutting her off. It was clear her own anger was mounting the more Fiona pushed. "They offered up our people as blood sacrifice without a second thought."

Fiona shook her head. "It's not true. And such a thing can never happen again. The mark Harrison's soldiers bare, that is our protection against such treachery. It was his idea, Manna. Harrison felt true regret for our losses in the past. He was the one determined such a travesty would never happen again."

Manna's eyes sharpened. "And how exactly do you know that?" she asked.

Fiona didn't answer.

"You told me you exchanged one correspondence with the man. How can you know it was Harrison who implemented the mark and why? How can you be so certain of his leadership?"

Fiona knew she could deny. There were many from whom she might have learned the origins of the rebel's mark. Yet her mouth remained closed. Manna's probing stare only intensified.

"What are you not telling me?"

Fiona tried to turn away to collect her thoughts but felt Manna's hand reach out before she could, catching her wrist and demanding her attention. Their eyes me and Manna stared into them, searching. It was then that Fiona saw it, the realization spreading across her teacher's face, the old woman's features hardening, to ice. Fiona felt her heart beat quickening with each breath She knew. Manna knew. The grip on Fiona's wrist tightened.

"How could you?" she asked.

"I..." Fiona began, but as Manna's eyes continued to glare, she found any protest, any lie, any words of denial, refusing to come from her lips.

"How could you!" Manna repeated, her tone gaining more force. "After I expressly forbid."

"Who are you to forbid!" Fiona shot back, pulling her hands away, "I am the Nita! I said it before and I say it now again, Alexander Harrison is a man we can trust!" She pounded her fists on the table letting anger wash away any trace of guilt. Manna had no right to question her judgment. Every assertion she had made was true.

"But I ask how exactly you know that Fiona Amoral," Manna said with a pointed glare. "You have hesitated to answer. Now I want the truth."

Fiona merely stared back, allowing their eyes to remain locked. It was clear Manna already knew the truth and so she allowed her to see everything in her mind. She was not ashamed and would not longer hide the decisions she'd made.

Manna broke their connection, rising slowly shaking her head in disbelief. "My God," she said. "I had suspected but." She stopped midsentence. "You and Harrison? This is beyond."

"You can not judge me," Fiona answered.

"Oh but I can." The distain in Manna's voice was entirely unmasked. "You Fiona, are not some ordinary woman who can chase after a man like a love struck girl. The stakes are too high!" She put a hand to her forehead as if trying to compose herself. "There were rumors years ago. Rumors that you were the one who led those men to side with the rebels, but I'd never wanted to believe you had gone so far as to consort with our enemy. And then there was the baby..." Manna's eyes opened even wider as the second realization much have washed over her. "I presume he is the father?"

"Do you not know?" Fiona spat. "I thought you knew everything." She could feel her cheeks burning red with frustration. Manna had no right to treat her this way. Accusing without even trying to understand.

"Stop acting like a child."

"Then tell me, how should I act? I hear the accusation in your tone and can't believe you think so little of me. Is that truly what you have seen in my mind? You think that I recklessly staked the future of our people on some girlish infatuation? If so you are more hypocritical than I could ever have imagined. Tell me, Manna, have you ever allowed your affections for a certain swordsman to cloud your  judgment?"

"How dare you!" The house vibrated with their mutual anger, the pressure building. Fiona could feel it on her skin. Every hair on her arms, on the back of her neck, stood on end.

"How dare you?" Fiona countered. "Yes, Harrison and I had a relationship in the past, and indeed he is Karina's father. It has no bearing on the situation as it stands. That was years ago Manna. I support the Vox Populi now because it is in the best interest of our people."

"And so you have taken action, making choices that you had no right make on your own."

"I tried to convince our leaders of the need for action. the Initiate, the Council, you. All refused to listen. Somehow I am expected to rule our people with my hands tied behind my back, ignoring every instinct I have. So yes Manna I have done what needed to be done, freeing myself to serve in my position as I was meant to. Ensuring that I could truly protect the Senmin. Acting as a leader as is my right, decreed by the God himself."

"So it is you against the world I suppose? You are like a spoiled child who must always get her way. And when you do not, you do as you please just the same. You may have been chosen, but the Nita is no God Fiona. You cannot make decisions like this on your own and expect there to be no consequences. What if the Council were to find out?"

"I told you did I not? Though perhaps you were too deaf to hear. Many of the councilmen know well my opinions, Manna. My cause is gaining true force among the General Assembly."

"And when Avery and the Seven find out before you convince any of your allies to actively speak against them? What do you think will happen then? You pose this alliance as a theoretical prospect to the men you have spoken with. Even those who are sympathetic to your cause will turn if they find you have already risked our safety so completely.

"Perhaps you should tell them," Fiona challenged. "Go to Avery. Reveal that I am not a coward and have acted when he was too frightened to do so."

Manna glared at her. "That is exactly what I should do. I should turn you over as a traitor. A leader who chose to ignore all pacts of the Council, the Initiate."

"Do it then if I am so traitorous! You already are acting as judge and jury. Perhaps you would like to play the part of executioner as well."

Manna's face blanched slightly.

"Have you lost your senses entirely? You would make such jests? You may have allies, but surely you realize there are many on the Council who despise you, Fiona. Not just among The Seven. There are those who would like nothing more than to have an excuse to rid themselves of your company. Permanently."

Fiona looked away.

"Don't you dare," Manna said. "You will look at me when I speak to you."

Fiona returned her gaze with fervor. "Then speak to me with respect. You needn't remind me of my enemies. I know well that there are those who wish me dead. Who have never forgiven my previous transgressions though I have never been guilty of any crime against our people save acting as their protector."

"Yet against the Empire you are guilty of treason. All of the Senmin will be held culpable if you are caught. How could you act so recklessly? And what about Karina? You build your daughter's list of enemies higher than the highest turrets of the Imperial Church in the central market square. Your actions have repercussions far beyond your own well-being."

"I do this for her!" Fiona snarled. "I do this for our people. Again and again I return to the palace. I meet with the pompous bastard who calls himself King, biting my tongue until it bleeds. Avoiding the danger by sidestepping each and every one of his questions that would compromise our people's safety. How long was I supposed to do so?

"And was I rewarded for my effort? No! Instead, I endure the criticisms from our own people who are so certain that it is my fault, that I am to blame for the Crown's hesitance to welcome the Senmin back to the Capital with open arms." Fiona swiped at the angry tears the welled in her eyes. "So I have done what I had to do. I have secured our people's safety by aiding the rebellion in taking down our mutual foe and I will not apologize. You will see I was in the right. All will soon see."

"It was your duty to act as our leadership commanded Fiona," Manna shot back. "It is your job to act as a representative for our people. To maintain peace, to be diplomatic, to act like a God damn adult. You had no right."

"Oh I have done my duty," Fiona answered, seething at Manna's disrespect. "And I had every right. I have taken action when all others were too cowardly to do so, begging, like dogs, for the King to throw you scraps from his table. I will not stoop so low. I will take for our people the freedom and respect that should be ours!"

"Then go," Manna answered. "If you are so certain of the choices you have made. But until you are ready to act as befits your position, to cease keeping your insidious secrets and acting as a rogue, you are not welcome here in my home."

"I would not stay here another minute if you begged me to do so." Fiona said. "I am glad for the chance to be free of your self-righteous hypocrisy."

So Fiona's secret has been uncovered, but what will that mean?? Might Manna hinder her plans? And what about innocent, oblivious Karina...I promise Fiona's world and her's will soon collide. But how that will happen remains to be seen. I'm playing around with chapter order at the moment, but I believe the next chapter will be...Seleb! Were you wondering what happened to him since the night he was arrested? You will soon find out( either next week or the week after depending on chapter order). 

Thanks for your patience in waiting for the chapter. Hope it was worth the wait. I would love to know your thoughts on the chapter in gen. It has been through some large revisions in this draft and I know it might have some redundancies as a result ( and maybe run a bit long). As always, thanks for reading and don't forget to click the star;-)