Platinum Prisons: Book 4 of The Rose Tree Chronicles

Chapter Three: The Prophetic Dreams Return

"The three ways a Slave may obtain freedom are as follows: Freedom by Imperial Command, Freedom by Owner's Command, and Freedom through the Annual Slave Arena."

Six years ago, Polaris had encountered his first prophetic dream; something so rare, many sophists and sages considered the topic a myth. Now here was Rein not only claiming to have had them before, but she was experiencing them again. It was impossible not to be intrigued. Across the room, Ivanna slowly eased herself into a chair at Aleda's table, her posture rigid. She didn't share his enthusiasm; he could feel it in the tension she radiated. But Polaris couldn't help himself. He shifted his entire body to face Rein, and leaned forward in his seat.

"You believe you had another prophetic dream last night?" he asked.

"I'm fairly certain," said Rein. "I haven't had one for a few centuries, but there is a stark difference between my normal nightmares and these incredibly ... intense ones. Nothing about them is normal. I feel the need to share it with everyone, in case I'm correct, and it is prophetic."

"Please do," said Polaris. "We're listening."

Rein hesitated for a long while, as though she had second thoughts about sharing after all. At length, she took a deep, stabilizing breath, and began.

"I was on Aimonbay Estate, inside Rallian's grand hall. I was hiding in my normal spot behind a lit sconce, and I was watching everyone attend some sort of celebration. Nadia and three other mermaids were in the tank,

I think they were playing a parlor game. Rallian was in his usual spot on his pillows holding some sort of document, I think it was the pamphlet everyone receives for the Annual Slave Arena. Next to him, Skye tried to entertain Prince Ray. Doralyn, the mistress Ariana gifted Rallian, was also there dancing in front of him and his company, but no one paid her any attention. And then Ivanna and Polaris were present looking particularly forlorn, you weren't even mingling with each other. After I gathered all that was taking place, Rallian suddenly jumped to his feet and shouted, 'How dare she! She has some nerve signing herself up for the arena!' And then Doralyn, still dancing, said, 'That's fine. Nobody knows where the orb is and Raynar is sovereign!' To which Rallian replied, seeming disappointed, 'Yes, Ariana will make a fine queen in Hagoria.'"

"Hagoria?" Ivanna questioned.

"Do you think she plans to attack Hagoria after the People?" Drake asked.

"That seems senseless when she hasn't even claimed this continent yet," said Polaris.

"You're getting all this down, right Allie?" Ivanna asked.

"Yes, ma'am." Aleda continued to scribble madly on her parchment.

"Please continue, Rein," said Polaris.

Rein nodded. "Rallian went on to say, 'I'm not taking any chances, bring me Nadia!' Then Nadia was taken out of the tank and instead of being forced on her knees in front of Rallian, Alik and Nazar forced her flat on her stomach. Then ... Rallian took a battle-ax from his minotaur guard and used it to cut off Nadia's fighting arm."

Everyone's jaw dropped.

"Oh, savages," Ivanna muttered.

Polaris viciously raked his fingers through his thick black hair. Suddenly, he found himself hoping this dream wasn't prophetic after all.

"The very moment he did that, a blinding gold flash just flooded the scene and I found myself flying here to tell you about what Rallian did, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't approach your estate. And that's when..." Rein glanced around the room and then up at the ceiling. "Are there any emeralds nearby, or Elvish?"

Ivanna knit her eyebrows together. "Emeralds."

"That's when Ravan the Great showed up in front of me and stopped me from flying anymore. He told me, 'Not so fast, success requires a deal.' I asked him what he wants from me, and he removed a dagger from his belt to play with it and said, 'Oh not from you, Sweetheart. Only the lovely Lady Ivanna will suffice. She will be in debt to me.'"

Polaris glanced to Ivanna to gauge her reaction. While her expression remained stoic, her chest slowly rose with a deep, calming breath, and she gave no reply to Rein's words. Evidently, she believed Rein's dreams to hold at least some significance.

"I don't know why, but for some reason I asked him, 'Why not me? I can be in debt to you.' But he backhanded me and there was another bright flash of gold light. I hit the trunk of a tree and found myself in a forest that was absolutely engulfed in flames. Some ways ahead of me I saw the Rogue Assassins fighting the Imperial Guard. There was one soldier that was larger and faster than the others, and he was the one who struck all of you down. Then the fire around me grew larger so that it flooded the scene in a bright light. Then I found myself on the beach in orange moonlight." Rein paused to swallow her anxiety and inhale a deep breath. "Nadia and Raynar were together on the beach. Nadia was kneeling before Ray, sobbing something awful. Then, Ray drew his sword, and executed Nadia right there, mercilessly. Like she was a beast. And then with another burst of gold light the nightmare was over."

Everyone sat in solemn silence for a moment before Ivanna broke it. "Ray kills Nadia? Why?"

Rein shook her head and tears flooded her eyes. "I have no idea; they haven't even seen each other in the past four or five years."

"I don't understand it either," said Polaris. "Obviously he wasn't keen on her when they first met, but he was provided no reason to execute her."

"It sounds as though we should keep them away from each other as much as possible until this is all over to avoid a reason from developing," Drake suggested.

"That doesn't seem too difficult," Polaris replied. "Considering Raynar finally graduated Iah-Ra, he has little reason to visit Thorncove."

"So, just a moment," Jedidiah interrupted. "Are we all just immediately accepting this as prophetic?"

"Yes," Ivanna answered without hesitation. "The proof is in the details. Rein mentioned Nadia playing a parlor game in the tank. While we visited Melnah Valley, I gave her a couple to take with her back to Aimonbay. And also, we forgot Ariana has family in Hagoria."

Polaris raised his eyebrows. "You're right, from her mother's side."

"That being said, we should keep close watch during orange moons," Ivanna added. "Specifically orange moons. Everyone make a mental note that we need to pay particularly close attention to Nadia on the sixth week of each month."

"I agree," said Polaris. "Another thing I don't understand is why Rallian would remove Nadia's fighting arm when he learns she's entered in the arena."

"That struck me as odd too," Ivanna replied. "It seems to me he would want her to win so he could take advantage of the opportunity to enslave her again."

"Did anyone else notice the fact that the orb is missing in the dream?" said Drake.

"That as well." Ivanna addressed Rein. "Does even Rallian not know?"

Rein shrugged. "I assume so."

"Can you verify the orb is still in his treasure room?"

"He still uses it against her every chance he gets," Polaris reminded.

"Oh, of course," Ivanna recalled. "So, either he hides it or someone we don't know steals it."

"And what about Ravan making a deal with you?" asked Vincent.

"I'd rather not discuss that aspect. Frankly, I intend to do everything within my power to avoid making any deals with him. But if there's a matter which can't be avoided without his help, then perhaps the best thing for me to do is to prepare myself to make such a deal."

"He specifically says, 'success requires a deal,' in the dream," said Rein.

The room stood quiet, and Polaris swallowed hard at the possibility of Ivanna making a damning deal with Ravan the Great.

Then Elion broke the silence. "Does anyone know who the gentleman is who kills us in the dream?"

"You were fighting the Imperial Guard," said Vincent. "It was the largest soldier; would that mean the Captain of the Guard?"

"That sounds likely," said Ivanna. She addressed Rein again. "What did this figure look like?"

Rein shook her head. "I don't know, he was shrouded in shadow."

"It could also be someone with the skill to become captain," Polaris suggested.

"Only you would know who has such skill," said Drake.

Polaris nodded. "I'll look into it and make a list of names."

"Either way," said Ivanna. "It would be wise to keep in mind that Ariana is still feeding all her warriors those serums Ravan gave her to make them stronger and faster. Rein, have Makiar keep an eye on that orb while he searches for the correspondence between Rallian and Ariana. You search for the journal with the information on my mother. Polaris and Drake will endeavor to keep Ray from Nadia, and Polaris will make a list of people who could be that mystery guard. Meanwhile, we'll all do whatever we can to discourage Nadia from signing herself up for the arena too quickly, and we'll be particularly vigilant of her during the orange moon. I've already discussed the arena and Iah-Ra training with her at Melnah Valley, so I don't see her signing up anytime soon."

"Good," said Polaris. "She's excelling quickly in her training and I get the feeling she knows it, so the more we can do to discourage her, the better. Once we turn up any information from our searches, we can continue from there. Thank you for sharing this with us, Rein."

Rein nodded nervously. "Of course."

"Well, now that that's taken care of," said Ivanna as she rubbed her face, "I would like to discuss the growth of my informant organization before we continue to the plot to end the war."

"Ladies Verona and Lusi are still trying to convert Thaïs to our side," Aleda stated.

"Do you suppose we should mention Ariana's distaste for Sir Darius?" Ivanna asked.

"I don't think she'll believe it," said Vincent. "She'll most likely perceive it as a desperate ploy to get her on our side."

"I agree," Aleda added. "She's so wrapped around Ariana's finger, she wouldn't believe it even if we planted evidence beneath her nose."

"Oh dear," said Ivanna. "Very well. In that case, we'll just let Verona continue to work on her as she sees fit."

"King Darren's former mistress Inara still refuses to join, and she is also now Count Dublin's former mistress," said Vincent.

"How do you mean?" Polaris asked.

"It's a bit nonsensical, really," Vincent explained. "Ariana's principal secretary sent her to work as Count Dublin of Baskerville's mistress to spy on him. Once Inara learned we've been intercepting her and Doralyn's messages, she left his employment and opted to work at Giselle's Brothel instead. I suppose she feels she'll be more successful in getting their messages to Lord Maurice from the brothel than from Farstead Manor."

"That does seem a bit silly considering she would be more efficient to her empress spying on Count Dublin," Ivanna replied. "Do we know if Maurice approved of this move?"

"He doesn't appear to disapprove," said Vincent. "I suspect Her Majesty has some involvement arranging the switch."

Ivanna pursed her lips. "Have we still been intercepting their messages?"

Vincent nodded. "She attempts to send a new person to Aimonbay every other Newday to retrieve them. I've managed to stop them every time so far. I imagine Maurice will realize this soon. That, or Inara will reach out to him for assistance."

"So long as we're apprehending the messages." Ivanna addressed Rein. "How is the search for that correspondence coming along?"

"Fruitless," Rein answered. "We're beginning to wonder if they're even on Aimonbay anymore."

"They very well could be elsewhere," said Polaris. "Search his other properties just in case. I'm almost positive he still has those letters. They're just as useful to him as they are to us."

"We should get information on what other property Rallian owns," said Drake.

"I know what other property he owns." Ivanna addressed Rein again. "I'll make a list and give it to you so you can check them out when you're not searching for the journal. One last thing before we move on to ending the war: how are we doing in creating allies with Lords Mahd and Heiz?"

"The bank-owners in Preshire?" Vincent shook his head. "Our sources say not well."

"Curses, why are bank owners so stubborn?" Ivanna spat.

"Bank owners tend to only look after themselves," Polaris explained. "Considering the fact that Rallian invests in them, and Ariana's father owns the bank in Saldina..."

"Yes, yes, I suppose you're right."

"You may have better luck working on Lord Malcavian."

"Isn't he the banker in the People's Kingdom with whom Mahd and Heiz are trying to negotiate a new property arrangement?" Ivanna asked.

"Yes, Rallian as well," Polaris confirmed. "But Malcavian's been avoiding it because he senses we're about to attack the People, which is probably why everyone's working on him for property. But if you can match them, or perhaps work out something more beneficial for him, you may win him over. Bankers like jewels and merchant ships, and you have emeralds, merchant ships, Roshirian horses, and pearls, which makes you a worthy competitor."

Ivanna considered this. "You make a good point. I should schedule a visit to the People soon before we attack, and perhaps I can even obtain his help in our plot to end the war. I'll reach out to one of our allies to see if they can get me an invitation to a People's gala." She rubbed her face aggressively. "Curses, that may compromise my next trip to Coral City. Meanwhile, here's our plan to end the war:

"Evidently, the people of Noelle still want answers on the whereabouts of Nadia, which is why the war has continued after conquering Preshire. Ariana continues to feed off the citizens' ignorance and use Nadia as an excuse, so we will use that against her. I have finally found the ideal Nadia decoy. She runs a gang of hoodlums on the southern coast of Vira, of all places. She was recently caught red-handed setting a nobleman's home aflame, in which his entire family perished. She's been sentenced to death by hanging, however they are currently holding her, trying to force her to name the rest of the members of her hoodlum family. So there is time, though I suspect not much. We could use her to fake Nadia's death and end the war."

"I do have a question about this plot, if I may," came Jedidiah.

"Of course," said Ivanna.

"The entire point of all this is to put Nadia on the throne, as per the Royal Dream, correct?"

"That is the long-term goal, yes."

"How do you plan to do this if the entire empire believes she's dead? Wouldn't it be better to take the real Nadia with us and announce that we've found her?"

"Ariana will simply deny it's her," Polaris answered for Ivanna. "Which she easily could because at this time, she's the only living person who had the dream and could attest to her appearance. As it stands, our primary, short-term goal is to end the war. When it comes to everything else involving the prophecy and Nadia's identity, we hope the correspondence between the empress and Rallian will come in handy once they're found. The letters will clarify the truth, and we can explain the decoy Nadia was just that: a decoy. Or a hoax put on by the Kingdom of the People, or a misunderstanding; whatever will work best at the time."

"Ah, understood," said Jedidiah.

"Having said that, it may be wise for Ezra to set the decoy's body aflame in case Noelle decides to bring it back to Ariana. This way she can't definitively deny its identity."

"Good call," Elion replied. "So when will we enact this plan?"

"As soon as my ship is ready to take you," Ivanna answered. "She is being prepared for your voyages as we speak. Your task is to take this girl's body into custody after her execution. Her name is Vrinda of Rayland, and she is being held in the jail of Freshmire. You're to bring her to the Kingdom of the People, wait for Noelle's soldiers to attack the palace, and make it appear like you killed her in front of witnesses, however you deem is best to do that. I'm uncertain of how the situation will appear at the time, but I trust your judgment. Announce that Nadia is dead and the war is over, then make your escape. I will prepare a more detailed, step-by-step outline as to how you'll learn when Noelle will attack the palace, which you will retrieve from the barkeep of Meadowlark Tavern in Geyser Bay."

"Understood, my Lady," said Gideon.

"Allie, where did we leave off in our plan to free Nadia?"

Aleda shuffled through the parchment in front of her. "Well, it was decided that we wouldn't try to free her until we found a way to deposition Ariana."

"Ah," said Ivanna. "Well I feel somewhat uncertain about that now, considering Rein's dream."

"Ariana has sworn that she won't sentence Nadia to death," Rein reminded. "Raynar has not and even if he had, his word may not mean as much to him as it does to Ariana."

"Fair point," said Drake.

"Who would've thought we would prefer Ariana on the throne?" Polaris said.

"What about the possibility Darius may ascend?" asked Aleda.

"Based on Rein's dream, I don't see that as likely," Ivanna answered. "But perhaps we can quietly advocate for his ascension and see what may come of it. At the very least, the Royal Order could prove to be an effective distraction for Ariana so that she'll leave Nadia alone when we do free her. Otherwise, our best chance is that missing correspondence."

"The Royal Order is growing rapidly," Vincent confirmed.

"Let's see what happens once this war is over," Polaris suggested. "There's no way to predict the outcome as the possibilities are endless. Any plan we make regarding freeing Nadia will be stronger and more accurate when we have a better idea of the empire's standing after the war."

Ivanna nodded. "I quite agree. As much as I don't like it, we'll continue this topic when the war is over; whenever that may be."

"While we're on the subject of Nadia," said Polaris, "has she arrived at Aimonbay yet?"

Ivanna cast her eyes down and used her ability to see the present anywhere in the world to search for her. "She's nearing the property now." She glanced at Polaris, her brows creased in concern. "Are you certain you want me to tell you everything that takes place?"

Polaris swallowed the whimper in his throat. "Yes."

"Very well," said Ivanna. "Anyone who would rather not know should leave this room now. We'll notify you of any changes to current plans."