Oh, fuck. Now what happened? Tori took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and suppressed her initial irritation that unnecessary drama was happening, and she would now be involved in it. Madam Voss, please take a deep breath. I need you to clearly explain what happened first.
Yes, yes, of course! Despite Toris instruction, Madam Voss didnt seem to get her shallow, panicked breathing under control.
Breathe in, Tori began as she sat down on the desk chair. Breathe out. In. Out. In Out. She paced it for about ten sets before the trembling in Madam Voss voice cald. Start from the beginning. Slowly.
It is my fault.
Toris brows shot up. She didnt think Madam Voss had it in her to scare away Alessa. Your fault?
I...I want to marry the Baron, Michael, Madam Voss said in a pained voice. He has been courting for so ti and I was hesitant at first. My family is vastly different from his and my family is struggling. Much less now, of course, with my ladys help, but there is a difference. However, Michael has been very earnest. I agreed to marry him, even knowing that his daughter didnt approve. I thought that she would co to accept in ti and her father assured he would speak to her.
Since she returned, all they have done is argue. Michael refuses to break the engagent and Alessa will not acknowledge it. She believes I am trying to take advantage of her father. Ive tried to talk to her as well. Im not interested in his title or land! Madam Voss sounded not only exhausted, but desperate for soone to believe her.
I understand that, Tori assured her in a calm voice. She wouldnt be surprised if at this point, Madam Voss had more liquid assets than Baron Hart. Did Lady Hart leave because she disagreed with the engagent?
There was a pause on the other end and then she heard Madam Voss let out a low, shaking breath. She told Michael that it was either her or .
Tori let out a low hiss. Wow. What did Baron Hart reply? No matter what the actual verbiage was, it was clear that the answer did not satisfy Alessa.
Madam Voss took a deep breath. He didnt want to choose. He said he loved us both and couldnt. Alessa left the dining hall with her friends and didnt co ho that night. The Baron thought she would stay in the village in protest, but...but she didnt co back.
Tori narrowed her eyes. Lady Hart was with friends? Oh, no...which of those dumbasses....
Yes, she ca ho with two friends from Lyce; Mr. Guthry and Young Lord Alvere.... Madam Voss trailed off and took another mont to try to calm herself. That is why I am calling you, my lady. Would you have any way to contact them? I dont believe they would leave Alessa.
Is Lady Hart not answering her comcry?
No, Madam Voss said. Michael has been calling for hours. He sent Mr. Mulligan to check the village. My sons went to neighboring villages yesterday and this morning to ask if anyone has seen them, but no one has seen them since the day she left the manor. Michael hasnt been able to sleep and.... She stopped to collect herself.
I understand. Toris hand tightened around the comcry. Has anyone seen their carriage?
The carriage they rented was common with no real standout features that would make it easily recognizable. My sons and nephews have followed leads of similar carriages, but none of them had Alessa or her friends.
What about guards? Tori asked. Dimitri couldnt have gone out with any guards. He was aware of his position, even if he tried to be incognito.
When they arrived in Chetterswickshire, they were relieved of their duties until Alessas return trip to Horizon. They were given money to pay for lodgings in Woodhaven. However, when Michael sought them out, they said they werent contacted by Alessa and hadnt seen them since they escorted her to the manor. He asked the innkeeper and questioned the nearby businesses; the guards hadnt left Woodhaven.
With each word, Madam Voss sounded as if she were getting closer and closer to breaking down. Tori took another deep breath. This whole thing just continued to get increasingly ridiculous.
Madam Voss, I do not have Mr. Guthry and Mr. Alveres comcrys registered on mine; however, I can try to get ahold of Mr. Guthry through other ans. I will call imdiately and get back to you once I have an answer. If I find anything, I will call you again to let you know. Please keep updated, as well.
Thank you, my lady! Thank you! I didnt know who else to call.
Tori could almost feel the relief coming from the comcry and couldnt help but think that Alessa was lucky that this woman, whom she hated, loved her father enough to reach out for help to find her. There were plenty of stepparents who would not care if their stepchild disappeared.
Then please wait for word. She slid her finger across the crystal and furrowed her brows. Her stomach began to twist, and a feeling of dread crept up.
She took another deep breath and slid her finger across the crystal once more. Call Miriam Guthry. She remained seated on her chair as she watched the crystal pulse. Just when she thought she couldnt reach Madam Guthry, the glowing pulse steadied.
Lady Tori! Good evening. How are you? Madam Guthry sounded very cheerful. This ant she hadnt realized her son had gone missing with Alessa.
Tori tried to find the words to ask without alarming her all at once. Madam Guthry, good evening. Im doing well. Im currently visiting River View for crystals. How are you and the Pri Minister?
Were doing well, thank you! she said, pleased. She lowered her voice and giggled a bit. Im counting down to our next trip back to Viclya. Its our anniversary...oh, I cant wait to dance beneath the stars in the plaza again....
Tori felt a stab in her chest. She really didnt want to destroy the good mood now. Regretfully, she continued. Im happy youre looking forward to it, Madam. I hate to trouble you, but I was wondering if youd be able to do a favor.
If it is in my capacity, Id be happy to, Lady Tori! Madam Guthry said. Tori could almost see her smiling.
I am trying to reach your son; however, I dont have his comcry registered.
She heard a slight gasp. Is it urgent?
...A bit. Tori grimaced. Just tell her. Get it over with. Rip off the bandage. He has left with another classmate and that classmates parents are unable to get an answer from their comcry. Unfortunately, they dont have Mr. Guthrys and reached out to to ask if I would be able to get in contact with him.
Knowing that Madam Guthry already had a bad impression of Alessa, Tori decided not to aggravate it further, if possible.
Left with a classmate? Madam Guthry said, appearing confused.
Yes, he was with two of our classmates on their trip, Tori replied.
There was a long pause. What trip? The joy in Madam Guthrys voice was gone. She sounded confused, if not suspicious.
Tori knit her brows once more and couldnt help but tilt her head to the side. Didnt Mr. Guthry go on a trip for the sumr?
No, Madam Guthry replied. Dimitri is spending most of the sumr in Fosse to oversee his Lyce Project.
Toris brows shot up.
No fucking way! She almost shook in her seat, wanting to call Ilyana and the others imdiately to tell them about this sudden turn of events. She gritted her teeth and tried to calm herself. He is in Fosse? I must have misunderstood. I totally did not. Is it possible for you to call him and ask if everything is all right and if our classmates are still with him?
Yes, of course, Madam Guthry said. I will call imdiately.
Thank you, Madam Guthry. I hate to rush you, but my other classmates parents are quite worried.
No, its not a problem at all. I can understand their concern. Im a parent, as well.
I will have my comcry with . Please call once you can reach him. Thank you very much, Madam Guthry. Tori repeated her thanks and apology for troubling her again before ending the call.
She put the comcry on the desk and leaned back against her chair. She let out a heavy breath.
Tori couldnt believe Dimitri lied to his parents. While she was closer to Madam Guthry than to Madam Voss, she knew Madam Voss would not call her in desperation for nothing. In addition, since Madam Guthry did not approve of Alessa, she wouldnt consent to Dimitri following Alessa to Chetterswickshire for the sumr.
How else could Dimitri get away if not to use his Lyce project in one of the satellite villages as an excuse?
Unfortunately for him, Alessa running away set off a chain reaction and now, Madam Guthry was about to discover that not only did her son lie to her, but that he was with Alessa.
Oh...this is a he dun fucked up mont. Tori shook her head and picked up the comcry. She slid it into the apron-like pocket in the front of her dress and returned to the vanity to finish her hair.
She carefully folded a black scarf and used it as a headband to keep her hair out of her face. It was still wild and puffy, but it was out of the way. She changed out of her bedroom slippers and into a pair of leather flats and went downstairs.
The dining hall was still being prepared for dinner and she heard voices in one of the parlors that opened to the garden. Tori drifted towards the noise and found that her brother and Idunn were talking to Duchess Tetri and her husband. The Duchess had a son and daughter. Her daughter started studying at a university in Nord last fall and was staying over the sumr to assist with a research program.
The Duchess son and heir was in the Anlar Fleet, onboard Andys ship, from what Tori had been told, and they were currently on tour until the end of the sumr. Duchess Tetri had proudly shown Tori a painting of her children when they first arrived.
As she slipped into the parlor, her brother noticed her imdiately and rose from his seat. Did you get so rest? Youve worked hard.
She certainly has, Duchess Tetri said with a slight grin. This girl did not yield a bit during negotiations.
Well, you know the motto of our family, Sebastian said with a laugh.
As I admitted, Your Grace, I was only following my second brothers instructions, Tori said with a sheepish smile.
Sebastian let out a slight snort. That explains it. Our Tori is very soft-hearted. Kasen is the rciless one.
Tori resisted rolling her eyes in front of the ducal couple. Idunn tilted her head to the side and squinted. Tori, are you all right? Are you still tired? You did quite a bit today.
Tori tried not to cringe. In the mine, she had been very curious and anywhere they would let her go, she went to explore. She even carefully climbed down into a pit after wrapping her shawl around her head in a small turban to try to protect it. She was sure she made the mine manager and their workers nervous when she was trying to wiggle her way through so large cracks.
Shed managed to find so superior quality, raw chunks of aquamarine for her troubles, including a large piece as tall as her thigh. Shed paid for them out of her own pocket, and theyd be delivered to Viclya before she returned.
Im fine. Im just waiting on a call, Tori said. She didnt bother hiding it. There is an issue with so of my classmates and Im trying to help resolve it.
Sebastian nodded, as if both proud and satisfied. As expected of my little sister. She is willing to help others.
Sebby, Im not a saint. Tori tried not to give him a strange look. She opened her mouth to retort when she saw the fabric of her apron glow. Thats likely the call Im waiting for. She gave everyone an apologetic look and excused herself. She stepped out into the courtyard garden before answering. Madam Guthry?
Im unable to reach him. There was tension in the womans voice and Tori frowned. It was one thing for Alessa not to answer her father because she was angry, but Dimitri was expected to answer at the very least. Ive called him multiple tis. Charles is calling the two guards that were to accompany him, right now-
Tori heard a mans voice in the background of the call cut Madam Guthry off.
What do you an? The other womans voice dropped. No, he said he was going to be there until at least the end of the seventh month! How could they let him leave?
Madam Guthry, whats going on? Tori asked. The dread in the pit of her stomach began to grow.
I...what.... She seed at a loss and there was so shuffling.
Lady Guevera, I apologize for the confusion. This is Charles Guthry.
Pri Minister, Tori greeted, curt. What is happening? Are you able to find Mr. Guthry?
The mans voice was strained. Im sending two guards to Fosse to look for my son. Hes not answering his comcry and the two guards who were escorting him told us that Dimitri had assigned them to watch the craftsman school while he went to procure more supplies.
Procure more supplies? Tori couldnt help the disbelief in her voice. Damn, Dimitri, what a hole youve dug. When did he leave?
They said he left two weeks ago.
Toris jaw dropped. And where did he go?
This.... The Pri Minister sounded as if he were trying to control his anger. They dont know.
Lady Tori, do you know where he went? Madam Guthrys voice had risen, and it seed that she was about to reach that level of panic that Madam Voss was in.
Tori swallowed hard. She didnt want to be the one who told them. Her own parents had lost her as a child; she knew that a missing child, no matter how old, could destroy a family.
I received a call from one of my vendors. She owns a brick factory in Anlar, Tori said, carefully. She hesitated, but knew that there was no hiding this now. She is engaged to Baron Hart, Alessa Harts father. She told that Lady Hart arrived with your son and another classmate last week.
What!?
Tori nearly flung her comcry out of her hand as the womans scream echoed through the garden. Tori clenched her jaw and looked back towards the parlor doors. Her brother and the others had turned to look at her. Sebastian wore a frown, as if he knew sothing was wrong.
Tori looked away and brought the comcry a bit closer to her.
Madam Guthry-
He went with her to Anlar? Madam Guthry was raging. And without telling us?
Madam Guthry, there is a larger problem, Tori said in a firm voice. Lady Hart and her father had an argunt, and she left the manor two days ago with Mr. Guthry and our other classmate. They have not returned.
She heard a shaking breath and then the Pri Minister shout his wifes na. Tori chewed her lower lip as she listened to the shuffling and waited for one of them to speak.
Lady Guevera, do you know where they went? the Pri Minister asked.
No. That is why I called Madam Guthry. It was Baron Harts fiance who called for help. They have been searching Chetterswickshire and the surrounding villages the last day and half, and no one has seen Miss Hart or her companions since the day they left. In addition, the guards who escorted them did not go with them. Nor do they know where Miss Hart went.
Tori heard Madam Guthry wail and she closed her eyes.
I see, the Pri Ministers voice was shaking, and Tori didnt know if it was from fear or anger or both. Lady Guevera, I ask for your assistance to contact Baron Hart and let him know that we will search for our son here.
Tell them to send his n up the major trade routes to Anlar. Tori heard her brothers voice behind her and turned around. Sebastian had a serious look on his face. Pri Minister Guthry, this is Sebastian de Guevera. I overheard the situation just now.
Lord Guevera, the Pri Minister greeted, sounding a bit firr. I will do as you say and send our guards up the trade route.
There is a chance that they may be enroute back to Horizon after the argunt with Baron Hart, Sebastian said. Tori found herself nodding in agreent. That made the most sense. Where else would those three idiots go? Tori will check with Baron Hart and his family to ask if there has been any discovery and we will be in touch.
Thank you, Lord Guevera, Lady Guevera, the Pri Minister said. If we find anything on our side, we will contact Lady Guevera at once.
Thank you, Pri Minister. Please tell Madam Guthry to use the charm I gave her to help calm her, Tori said before ending the call. She looked at her brother. You heard it all?
Most of it, Sebastian said.
Tori nodded and looked down. Let call Madam Voss back and let her know. She moved further into the garden as Sebastian turned around and returned to the parlor to inform the others of the issue.
As soon as Tori called Madam Voss, Madam Voss answered. She gave her comcry to Baron Hart, who was only slightly more composed, and Tori let him know what was going on from the Pri Ministers side.
All we know is that the carriage was seen going northeast, the man told her.
Tori frowned. Not on the road back to Horizon? Where does that route lead?
Baron Hart took a mont to wrack his head to find out. Towards the lakes. Reflection Lake is in that direction.
Tori wanted to tell him to send his people down that route, but Baron Hart was an impoverished noble. Who could he send?
Is there anyone you can ask to follow the route they took? Tori asked. Perhaps he had friends or others who were loyal to him.
My sons! Madam Voss cried out. My sons can go!
Then send your sons, Tori said, calmly. It will take a few days for the Pri Ministers people to reach Anlar and the lakes. It will be faster if you can send soone to look ahead and let us know if there are any clues to their whereabouts.
Then I will tell them at once. Thank you, my lady!
We will be in touch, Tori said. The call ended and she pursed her lips. She was busy. She had so many things to do. She had places to go. Most importantly, she just didnt want to deal with them. How could she be sidetracked by whatever side quest this was?
She turned around and sulked back into the parlor.
What did the Harts say? Idunn said as she rose to her feet.
Their carriage was last seen going down the road towards the lakes, Tori said. The lakes were on the border of Anlar, the Sinan Duchy, and the Tetri Duchy. Tori and Kasen visited there last sumr on the way to Moss Hill and she had done so watercolors by Reflection Lake. Madam Voss, Baron Harts fiance, is sending her sons to try to track them. I...I need to let the Pri Minister know.
She then turned around and walked back outside to make another call. After calling the Guthrys, Tori lingered out in the garden. She closed her eyes and silently fought an internal battle.
What do you want to do? Tori opened her eyes and stared out at the dark garden with its manicured walkways lit by light crystals. Her brother continued behind her. This has to do with the Hart girl who has been troubling you, doesnt it?
Tori opened her mouth, but no words ca out. She swallowed and lowered her head. I dont like them, she said. It was more a statent rather than sothing she didnt want to admit. All three of them...I have a personal bias against them. I dont want to help.
Sebastian took a deep breath behind her. You dont need to get more involved than you are now. The Baron and the Pri Minister only need you to act as a line of communication with each other.
Tori nodded. Sebby...the Pri Ministers son didnt answer his comcry. He lied to his parents about where he went this sumr, but he would perpetuate the lie if he thought he wasnt caught, wouldnt he? He shouldve answered when his mother called to reassure her so she wouldnt be suspicious.
She turned around and her brother frowned. Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and seed to think. Do you think sothing happened to them?
The dread in the pit of her stomach continued to grow. Her voice was small. Yes.
Her brother raised a brow. The Pri Minister has the resources to search for his son.
But they are a weeks travel away, Tori said. In missing persons cases, isnt speed important?
Then, what do you want to do, Tori? Sebastian asked once more.
For a mont, she rembered her first year excursion. It was a similar feeling to watching students falter as they tried to cross the shallow, but wide river. She didnt want to help them, but to her, even if they were the sa physical age, they were children who needed help. They were stupid teenagers that did stupid teenager things and may have gotten in over their heads. She could not, in good conscience, leave them alone if they were in serious trouble.
Their parents certainly didnt deserve the torture of losing their children.
Tori didnt know if this was the event in the ga or not, but it didnt matter. Everything she was told pointed at a problem. Still, her brother was right: she didnt need to be more involved than she already was.
She lowered her head and shook it. A small, bitter huff escaped her. I think I have a problem, Sebby, she said as she lifted her head. I may have the ans to help find them. Money. Manpower. Local connections. The Harts and the Guthrys could not compare. I cant ignore this.
A large hand was gently placed on top of her head. All right, Sebastian told her. If this is what you want, then we will help find them.
She closed her eyes. I hope I dont regret this.
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