OrbSoul (Book 6) Read Online Free Page B

depth of the True Sept's mysterious creed, the possible origins of its beliefs, and . . . yes, at least once they had touched upon the subject of Ressa's having possibly borne the Legendary Child.
       Much of their conversation would certainly have passed over Radius's head, for he was not a boy of great brain. On the other hand . . . Pader groaned. Fectur might know far more than they would wish.
       He would have to speak to Radius again.
       Pader felt such anger at the boy. Foolish! Irresponsible! He passed an unsteady hand across his eyes. So much dreadful, interminable intrigue! So much senseless conflict!
       His thoughts led him to Mawnie again, and it struck him just then that he had not seen anything of Lir, Mawnie's infant daughter, in the Duchess's apartment. Was she in the care of her governess, or a nurse? Had she been told about her mother's death? Perhaps she was still asleep in her own cot.
       Pader summoned an aide and dispatched him with some urgency to check upon Lir's well-being. He was haunted by the terrible thought that Lir might have suffered the same fate as her mother.
       But why? What could lie behind it?
       And it was then that Pader was hit by a notion that made him sit suddenly bolt upright. His mind sped and spun. He half rose from his seat, and found he could move no more but was paralyzed in horrified disbelief. He thought again, over and over, of everything that Mawnie had been witnessed to utter in her delirium, everything that had been reported to him. And he recalled Issul's account of that terrible day on Sentinel's Peak, and the awful events that had followed, their full nature kept secret from all. It was on that fateful day that the world of Enchantment's Reach had been pitched unknowingly into the madness and conflict that embroiled it now. And Pader, cold in the clutch of sudden fierce and profound shock, shook his head from side to side, desperate to dismiss the notion that had thrust itself so forcefully into his mind. It was madness; he was becoming unhinged. It was impossible.
       But the thought refused to leave him. And for long minutes he remained as he was, rigid, floundering in the turmoil within. And when, subsequently, he learned that little Lir could not be found , he began to understand that his worst fears might now have been confirmed.
     
     
    *
     
       Later in the morning Pader Luminis was visited by Lord Fectur. With some surprise Pader noted the Lord High Invigilate's discomposure. Fectur was gaunt and pale. Dark rings encircled his eyes. His grey hair was neither bound nor combed, and angry red blotches coloured the skin of his forehead and cheek. His lips were tightly compressed and downturned at the corners. He confronted Pader with a hard and icy glare. 'Lord Protector,' Fectur began, laying heavy irony on the second word, 'it seems we continue to be assailed and do nothing to defend ourselves.'
       'We have defended ourselves, my lord, as you are most surely aware,' replied Pader evenly. 'The cost has been high, admittedly, but never have we imagined that withstanding this assault would be a simple task.'
       'Our enemy mocks us, it seems to me.'
       'Perhaps. But who, precisely, is our enemy? For you must know that we have been struck from within, as well as without.'
       'You refer to the Duchess?'
       'I do.'
       'Aye, it is an evil affair. My people are investigating.'
       'As are mine,' said Pader, barely able to contain his emotions. 'Who, I wonder, will turn up the true culprit?'
       Fectur glowered. Pader went on, 'How could such a monstrous crime have been committed, my lord? Right here, within the Palace. Right under your nose.'
       Fectur's eyes narrowed to become barely more than slits. 'As I said, I have yet to discover.'
       'The suspects cannot be many, my lord. For surely, as Master of Security, you must have been aware at all times of all persons who came and went from her chambers?'
       'That is