The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (87 page)

“Boys, please,” Thade urged them toward the door once again. “This is not a request. Let us not add further crimes upon those already committed.”

At the affirmation of the command Edric moved to Callum’s side, gently tugging at his arm to direct him to follow. “Come, Callum,” he said quietly. “It is best not to create a scene.”

His hand was pulled from Aiva’s, begrudged, eyes gazing upon her in solemnity. Edric cast an apologetic glance toward his sister. She understood his reasons for taking Callum away. If they wanted to have a chance at defending him, he would need to obey every order given without hesitation so as to not create question of his loyalty. An argument of a direct command by the King would injure his cause, possibly beyond repair.

She watched him and her brother leave the room, Varik closing the door behind them. In all her years, Aiva couldn’t remember a time she’d felt so intimidated by her own father. He was stern and commanding, a simple gesture of his hand indicating Cadell to take up a position at the back of the room, Varik standing watch near the door to prevent interruptions. Thade took a step forward, hands clasped firmly in front of him. “Let me explain a few things,” he stated calmly. “This is an investigation. You know interrogations involving military members are, under normal circumstances, conducted by the General. Given the sensitive nature of this particular accusation and the close relation of the one on trial, it has fallen in my hands to conduct the interviews.” Thade nodded to the General. Cadell bowed his head slightly, shamed, yet understanding of Thade’s decision. “Now, Aiva. I will give you a choice,” he continued. “Your statement will most likely be of high importance to our verdict. After all, the accusation stemmed from your very lips. I leave it to your discretion whether this interview proceeds in private, or if you prefer Callum be present and aware of all that is disclosed within these walls.”

It was a silly question for him to ask. Although she feared the declarations which might be made, Callum had every right to know what was being said about him. Exactly what falsehoods had been laid out. Back straightened against the headboard she brought the blankets in tighter to her chin, knees tucked against her chest. “Please. I wish to have him at my side.”

“Do you understand the difficulties his presence may pose? Are you certain this is your decision?” Thade questioned, his eyes set on her, seeming to search her expression in case she revealed uncertainty at the request. “To have the accused in attendance can make truthful statements more difficult to give. I must warn you – if you withhold information due to his presence, it could be detrimental to you both. Any perjury on your behalf would require severe punishment. Do you swear upon your honor that you will not sully your word if he is brought before us now?”

“I will say nothing without him here to witness.”

“Aiva Levadis, do you swear to maintain the integrity of your word?”

She inhaled sharply. Her entire body was on edge, the attentive eyes of Cadell and Varik locked on her, anxious to hear her response. There was a glimmer of hope visible in the depths of Cadell’s gaze. She was the key to determining his son’s innocence. Aware of this fact, he waited in silent anticipation. “I swear,” Aiva stated, proud and confident.

Satisfied, Thade motioned Varik toward the door. Aiva watched him, eager to see Callum’s face again, her white knuckles clenched over the blankets as if it would somehow protect her from whatever these men might say. Varik returned a moment later, leading Callum into the room while closing the door behind them once again. Callum looked hesitant. Unsure of the reason for his summons. Thade waved him toward a chair situated at Aiva’s bedside, his manner austere. Precise in every movement. “Have a seat, Callum,” he said, the tone directed as an order rather than a request. “You are here strictly to listen. Any rebuttal you might have will be heard once Aiva’s statement has been completed. That is not to say questions will not be asked of you throughout. Speak only when spoken to. Do you understand?”

Posture stiff, Callum lowered onto the chair, his eyes shifting quickly between Aiva and Thade. Chin held high, he nodded in response. “I understand, Your Majesty.”

Aiva stared at Callum, longing to take his hand and assure him that everything would be alright. She didn’t dare display such affection in front of her father. This was a trial. Any show of favor toward Callum would risk a diminishment of credibility in her defenses. With bated breath she waited for the interrogation to begin. This was the moment she’d been dreading.

“We will begin, then. General Cadell will oversee the interview, as is his duty, though all questions will be asked by me. Commander Varik is here as witness to guarantee the inquisition is conducted fairly and without bias. To make the point of this clear, Captain Callum Zerne Levadis – you are under investigation for the charge of treason to the highest degree. Claims have been laid against you which involve associations with enemy leaders and divulging sensitive information at the risk of your own people as well as misconduct in the line of duty for behavior unbecoming of a member within the ranks of the Royal Army. This is the second time your loyalty has been brought to question. The Queen has pardoned you for the first, however, that doesn’t mean it will not hold any bearing on our deliberations.”

It sounded frightening to hear her father lay out the accusations in such a way. In her mind it was less daunting. Easier for her to manipulate an explanation in Callum’s defense. Over the last couple of months she’d forgotten the initial charges which had been laid against Callum before they left Tanispa. Another crime he suffered the consequences of because of her foolishness. His record would have been clear had she not felt compelled to behave in a rash and inappropriate manner that night in the courtyard with Dacian. Callum lied to protect her and he suffered now for his loyalty.

“Aiva, I will start at the beginning,” Thade stated, moving across the floor at a slow, well-controlled pace, his eyes never leaving Aiva’s. “The origin of the current charges was first presented by yourself. Do you deny this?”

“I suppose that depends on what you mean by origin,” Aiva replied softly. “I was the one to request the investigation of the claims, though the charges were relayed to me by another source, whose statement has since been discredited.”

“Whether or not the source is credible will be decided by me, not you. Name the source of your information.”

“Lord Dacian Ellis.”

“And what is your relationship with Lord Dacian?”

“He and I have no relationship, Father. I would not even call him a friend.”

“Surely there was something between you both at one time which would merit him to confide sensitive information.” Thade paused in his pace, staring steadily at her. “Keep in mind that Lord Dacian has already been questioned in the past in regards to the two of you. We have only just begun here and your statement is in conflict with his. Now, is it his word we must reconsider, or are you not being forthcoming? Do remember that you have sworn to complete honesty here today.”

Her confidence waned rapidly at her father’s relentless questions. There was no escaping her misdeeds. She had no choice than to explain everything, regardless of how incriminating it was to her own honor. “What Lord Dacian may consider to be some form of a relationship is debatable. I am not proud to admit that I behaved in a less than decorous manner with him on a single occasion and my reasons were misplaced and uncalled for. In my own denial and a foolish attempt at making another gentleman jealous, I accompanied Dacian into the gardener’s shed within the palace courtyard and allowed him to kiss me. It went no further, nor did it mean anything of significance to me.”

For the first time since entering the room Aiva saw her father’s expression falter. He paused, muscles rigid, considering her statement thoughtfully before continuing. “And this is the incident which was witnessed by Callum and later denied to have happened? By both of you?”

“I denied it, yes. Callum denied it out of loyalty to me. I denied it out of selfishness. If anyone was to be punished, it should have been me. His reasons were far more honorable than my own.”

“A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason for it,” Thade frowned. “This brings another question into light, however. If you claim to have no further relation with Dacian Ellis, when did the accusations first come forward? Did he present the concerns to you the night of your misconduct, or did you continue associations with him beyond that evening?”

“We spoke on one other occasion. He approached me in the gardens the day of the betrothal celebration. I was with Calie when he came forward and informed me that he had troubling news to tell me about the man I was engaged to marry.”

“So this was discussed in front of Miss Zerne?”

“No.” Aiva shifted uncomfortably. “He requested we meet in private.”

Thade’s brow rose at the admission. “Private?” he questioned. “And you granted this request?”

“I do not deny the mistakes of my actions at the time, Father. In my foolish frame of mind, I was actively seeking anything which might be considered incriminating against the Captain. At the hope of finding what I was looking for, I met with Dacian near the back of the courtyard gardens, amongst the thicket of trees, where we would not be seen or disrupted.” She let her gaze turn heavenward. It pained her to think that Callum was hearing her confession. “Lord Dacian relayed to me of his experience aboard the ships in Siscal under the Captain while he still served as Commander.”

“Tell me exactly what Lord Dacian said. What was his claim?”

She had to think hard on that day. It was a blur amongst the events of the past few months. At the time it had been the center of her focus though now it seemed trivial. Nothing more than the pathetic attempts of a miscreant to increase his own status by destroying an innocent man. “He began by insisting I tell no one where I received the intelligence. According to him, the Captain demanded the information be kept secret out of fear for his reputation. I commanded him to tell me what he knew. Dacian then relayed a rather harsh story about the Captain and an Esai woman by the name of Ireni Moura who was aboard the ship as a member of their unit. As it turned out, Ireni was affiliated with the pirates and Dacian adamantly stated that the Captain was blinded to this due to an obsession with her body. He made it clear that the relationship between the two was romantically and physically charged.”

“To clarify, you imply Dacian Ellis claimed the Captain to be unaware of her affiliation with the enemy?”

“At first he stated this, yes,” she nodded. “He continued to tell me how he and a few of the other men happened upon Ireni and the Captain during a moment of – intimacy – one night. He claimed the Captain was unaware of the intrusion. Along with this, Dacian explained a supposed fear among the men that Callum was aware all along of Ireni’s associations and that he was so wrapped up in their affair that he was providing her with sensitive information. I must reiterate that this was all quite exaggerated and misleading – ”

“Stick to the current story, Aiva. We will discuss any point of defense later. What more did he disclose?”

“I fail to see how this holds any bearing when Dacian’s very actions that day were enough to discredit anything he said,” she argued. “When I attempted to leave him, he insisted on receiving some kind of reward for providing the information. I told him it would take time for me to decide an appropriate compensation for his honesty. He took it upon himself to approach me and I instructed him to keep his distance or I would have him arrested for his misconduct. He then proceeded to blackmail me by pointing out that I could not have him arrested without drawing attention to our private meeting. He threatened my reputation. When I continued to protest, he forced me to kiss him against my will. I struck him in the nose to free myself but he hit me and took me to the ground. Had it not been for Callum and Edric, I fear what he may have done.”

Callum drew a noticeable breath from where he was seated, his discomfort obvious. Aiva glanced over to him, unsure of why he suddenly looked so uneasy. His deeds had been heroic. There was nothing incriminating about him rescuing her from Dacian that day.

At Aiva’s statement she became aware of the noticeable tension exuded from every man in the room. Thade’s fists were clenched at his sides while Cadell turned a shade of crimson, stepping forward as if to speak before returning to his rigid stance near the wall. “He hit you?” Thade inquired through gritted teeth. “Callum and Edric witnessed this?”

“Yes. Callum is the one who freed me from Dacian’s grasp. If anything, his deeds should be commended. It was a brave display – ”

“Captain, explain to me your involvement,” Thade insisted, his stern gaze falling on Callum. “You were present? Did you overhear this conversation? Tell me everything and I suggest you spare no details.”

“Prince Edric and I were looking for Aiva. Calie directed us to her location, discovering upon our approach that she was not alone.” Callum glanced at Aiva, giving a sympathetic shake of his head. “By the time we arrived within a distance to overhear any of what was being discussed, Dacian was already attempting to force his ‘reward’ from her. I remember very little after I observed him strike her. I fought with him while Edric saw to Aiva’s safety.”

“And this was conveniently never mentioned to me? Did you not think it important for the King to be informed when one of his soldiers attacks his daughter?”

“I had little opportunity. I suppose I assumed your son would tell you. All things considered, I thought it best if the news came from someone who was not already being questioned for denying having seen anything between Aiva and Lord Dacian. It would have been suspicious for me to suddenly approach you with an even worse accusation.”

Thade turned to face Varik, a sharp flick of his wrist directing him toward the door. “Fetch my son. This will be handled immediately.”

With a sharp nod Varik exited the room, returning seconds later with a surprised looking Edric at his side. Thade motioned him to stand next to Callum, the silver of his eyes flashing in barely contained anger.