George snorted in contempt. “Seems like if all these women keep ‘tempting’ Jasper, they’ll eventually realize maybe it’s him, not them.”
”You forget where we are,” said Atticus simply. “Now then. Let’s talk about the day’s itinerary.”
It was more of the same as yesterday, sightseeing and meeting with important officials about trade and other peaceful negotiations. Justin, still preoccupied with Mae’s dilemma, was tuning out of most of it when he suddenly heard Atticus say, “Oh, and Justin. They want you back at the temple.”
Justin started. “What, today?”
“Tomorrow. The Grand Disciple wants to have brunch and get to know you.”
“And find out if he can send in missionaries,” said Justin darkly. “Would it be so bad?” asked Phil, who usually stayed quiet in these discussions. “I mean, the attempts at religious conversion are, obviously. But if we were able to do it the way he said, as a cultural exchange, some university lecture circuit of Arcadian speakers . . .”
Justin shook his head. “It’s a bad idea. You brought me here for expertise? Here it is. Don’t let that religion in under any pretense. It’s dangerous. There’s no gray area here. I’ve spent years searching for hidden threats in religious groups, and this one’s not even hiding it.”
“If we don’t walk out of this with some trade negotiations or peace terms for the border, a reciprocal Arcadian delegation visiting us would still be a win,” said Lucian. “We shouldn’t dismiss it. It’d be a huge step for progress.”
Justin cut him a look. “I’m not risking our country’s well-being for you to gain some laurels that’ll buy you the election.”
He expected a rebuke for that, but instead, Lucian turned unexpectedly thoughtful. “Maybe you can find a way to stall him and avoid giving an answer on this trip then. Act enthusiastic, like you’d do it if you could but that other factors are getting in the way back home.”
A little of Lucian’s earlier levity returned. “It should be easy for you. Pretend he’s a woman you’re trying to avoid a second date with.”
“I still don’t think it’s a big deal,” Phil argued. “Getting a couple of Arcadian scholars or whatever they call themselves to come talk about their country would be great for all of us.”
“Not if Justin thinks there’s a risk,” said Lucian, getting to his feet. “Now let’s head out and at least maintain good relations by showing how much we appreciate their breakfasts.” He paused to glance at Mae, who stayed where she was. “When do you get to eat?”
“She’ll have leftovers here,” said Atticus.
“I’ll deliver it myself,” Lucian told her solemnly.
That earned him a smile from her, one that faded once he was gone. Mae caught Justin’s sleeve, holding him back from the others. “Lucian backed down awfully quickly about letting the Arcadians in. Is it possible he knows what you do—about SCI’s secret missions?”
“I was wondering the same thing,” Justin admitted. “I mean, I’d like to think he just instantly values my opinion when I give it . . . but let’s face it, if he’s positioned to be one of the greatest leaders in the country, the odds are good he knows about SCI’s agenda and the ‘game’ being played—and my role.”
“Which,” she mused, “means he probably does values your opinion.”
“Only because he’s been tipped off to just how dangerous the forces at large are—or well, how dangerous the forces he’s been told about are. I doubt he knows as much as I do about this.”
Hope lit Mae’s features. “Maybe you should talk to him about it. Let him in on what we know. Maybe he could help with my niece after all—”
“No,” said Justin swiftly. “Even if he knows there really are supernatural powers scrambling in our country, it’s better my involvement—and yours—stays under wraps. Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out.”
As he left to join the others, Justin wished he felt nearly as confident as he’d sounded. He was still blown away that a divine vision about her long lost niece—brought about by a knife, of all things—had been the driving force for this trip. It had been much easier to think she’d wanted to join this expedition for the adventure of it.
Easier to think, but easier to believe? asked Horatio.
The raven had a good point. Mae might thrive on action, but it had been foolish of him to think she’d go to the trouble of coercing him to come, simply for her own selfish gratifications. That wasn’t how she operated. She was a good soldier. She put the greater good of her country and commanders over her personal wants—except for this. Trekking out on her own last night had been a considerable risk. Mae could’ve caused irreparable diplomatic damage if she’d been caught— not to mention personal damage. The status of a concubine might be fragile, but it still meant one had the protection of a man. Justin knew— if Mae didn’t—that being captured out on her own might’ve been read as a forfeiture of male protection in Arcadian law, meaning she’d be anyone’s for the taking. He doubted Carl would’ve pushed for that, though his crackpot son might have.
As it was, Jasper was all scowls this morning as he sat in sullen silence at breakfast. His face was bruised and swollen, both from Mae’s attack and from what Justin guessed was some further “parental authority” on Carl’s part. Justin was glad Mae was going to be out of the Arcadian’s sight for the rest of the trip and not just because it would spare her the humiliation of shuffling around and serving men in those ridiculous clothes, like poor Hannah. Everyone else might believe that Jasper had been drunkenly mistaken—Jasper might have even admitted to it—but his dark expression said he still knew who he’d seen.
Mae and her niece had to be put on hold as Justin’s attention shifted to his other problem: the Grand Disciple and his missionary- scholars. Carl kept bringing up how great it was that Justin had been invited back the next day, as did other officials that the Gemmans met with later in the afternoon. Justin’s feeling of dread increased, as he realized how much Arcadian expectation was building on this, even if Lucian had technically given him approval to stall.
I wish I was like Mae, Justin thought. Able to break out and daringly conduct my own reconnaissance. I’d love to know just what the Grand Disciple is really planning for us and if his god is part of the game being conducted.
So get out there and look, said Horatio.
How? demanded Justin. Shall I come up with some brilliant distraction at brunch tomorrow to lure him away while I rummage through papers in his suite?
The raven sighed in irritation. You need your information before you see him.
Yes, well, if you have suggestions on how I can get to the temple and gather that, I’m all ears. I’ll take Mae’s tunnel and scale the walls. How does that sound?
Magnus joined the conversation: Or you could fly.
Justin was almost ready with a snippy retort, but something in Magnus’s tone held him back. Magnus was usually more serious than his counterpart.
Explain, ordered Justin.
I wouldn’t have to if you’d been more diligent about studying Odin’s path, said Magnus. He might be more serious, but he could also be more difficult.
I’ve learned the runes. I’ve learned all their basic uses.
You’ve scratched the surface. You think it’s just memorizing runes? Anyone could be a priest if that were the case, chastised Magnus. You were called because you have the potential for other powers. You think you know Odin, but you don’t truly know him.
What does this have to do with me “flying” to the temple? asked Justin, thinking he was getting just another variation on the lecture so often given by Greaki.