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The other hostages’ families surrounded Cassia in Union. Although she might not be able to feel their sympathy and support, she could certainly see it in their expressions, for her aura strengthened.
Lio’s father looked at Ioustin. “There is indeed no comfort in unanswered questions. Tell us, what are the chances the seventh hostage is Nike?”
Ioustin rubbed a hand over his face. “For a time, Kalos assured me her trail indicated she had gone into hiding, not disappeared. But he was running out of signs to follow even before I asked him to look for Nephalea instead. I cannot say with any certainty whether Nike is at liberty or in the Orders’ custody. I can say that if Kalos finds Nephalea, he will find all the hostages.”
Uncle Argyros remained silent. He didn’t meet Ioustin’s gaze.
He wasn’t here as a diplomat, after all. He was here because he was the firstblood of a family affected by the crisis. One of his daughters was almost certainly a hostage. The Orders had demanded his other daughter, his Grace-son, his own Grace, and him as payment.
Lio’s father was here because the Order had demanded Lio as payment.
Here tonight, representing the entire diplomatic service of Orthros, was Lio. But not alone. As if she sensed what was going through his mind, Cassia squeezed his hand, and the thought that she felt their Grace Union even as a mortal almost brought a smile to his face there on the terrace in the midst of their despair.
Annassa Soteira spoke. “Firstbloods, do not fear for your missing family. Ambassadors, do not fear for yourselves. Hespera has made our people rich in power, and we have only begun to tap it. Here is what we will do.” She turned to Lio and Cassia. “We do not seek a diplomatic solution to the hostage crisis. Negotiating the hostages’ release would be ideal, but that opportunity is not available to us. The Dexion has made it clear he will twist any of our attempts at diplomacy into a trap to cause greater harm.”
“Cordium does not negotiate,” said Queen Alea. “I know this firsthand.”
“Annassa,” Konstantina said, “if I may?”
“By all means, Daughter,” Queen Soteira answered, as Queen Alea nodded.
The Second Princess opened her hands, casting a glance around the terrace to include everyone. “At this heartbreaking time, with the Dexion of the Aithourian Circle in our midst, I invite everyone to draw from the wisdom of our laws, especially regarding the treatment of prisoners.”
Her gaze rested an instant longer on Ioustin. Then on Lio.
Cup and thorns. He had veiled his thoughts so closely. Could she know what he had intended to do to the Dexion?
“No matter how foul a person’s deeds,” Konstantina counseled them, “whether he is a fallen elder firstblood or an impudent war mage, he must be treated in accordance with Hespera’s tenets, with the compassion and dignity all creatures deserve. So long as he is under our power, his basic needs will be provided for; he will not be made to endure any harm or suffering of the body or mind; and his imprisonment is the greatest extent to which his Will may be impeded, unless further action is necessary to prevent immediate harm to himself or others.”
Apollon sighed. “Some of us may need to be reminded.”
“Hespera gave us fierce hearts,” Konstantina replied, “as surely as she gave us tenets to guide them.”
“For the sake of those tenets,” said Annassa Alea, “Soteira and I wish for our diplomats to stay the course of the Solstice Summit.”
“Certainly, Annassa,” Lio and Cassia answered.
“You must concentrate your efforts on the original purpose of the negotiations: peace between Orthros and Tenebra. This is not a Summit between Orthros and Cordium. We will not allow the Dexion to make it so. Continue to work toward the renewal of our people’s truce with Tenebra.”
Lio made a heart bow. “Yes, Annassa.”
He voiced none of his disappointment, but Queen Soteira addressed it. “Never doubt you are helping the hostages by seeking to revive the Oath. Our diplomats are the open hand stalling Cordium’s advance and giving us the time we need to bring our people home.”
Lio knew this, but when one of his Queens reminded him, he felt the truth of it. “We will redouble our efforts.”
“Formal negotiations are now suspended. Take this as an opportunity to do the work that cannot be accomplished on a grand stage. Then, when Winter Solstice begins, use the events to your advantage, as you have done with the fair, the games, and our other demonstrations for our guests.”
“We will not give up,” Cassia promised.
“Very good,” Queen Alea said. “After careful consideration, Soteira and I have deemed it best to hold the Winter Solstice observances as planned, even at this time of crisis. The Vigil of Thorns is appropriate, given the situation, and we should take those five nights as an opportunity to pray for the hostages and offer our support to their loved ones. As for the Festival of the Rose to follow, it is true this is not a time for celebration. However, those five nights are key diplomatic events as well, and we cannot risk any more damage to our relations with the Tenebrans. Let it be known that these revelries are dedicated to our hostages as surely as the Vigils, for we must use these events to advance the cause of peace, for the sake of our Hesperines errant.”
Queen Soteira looked to Ioustin. “We do not seek the Charge’s solution to the hostage crisis, either.”
His expression betrayed his astonishment. “Annassa?”
“Until we know where the mages are holding the hostages, it is unwise for the Charge to mobilize.”
There was a furor in Ioustin’s eyes. “There is only one place mages take Hesperine prisoners. As we speak, the hostages are surely in the inquisitors’ prison, one step from the Akron’s Altar.”
