"I don't like those accusations at all. My daughter is not a murderer, and neither am I." Noble barely managed to stay calm. "I have overcome many human foes in the Dreamscape, surely. However, I have never once slain a human outside of it, not in the Dream Realm, the waking world, nor even in a Nightmare."
The floating Saint had come very close with Ender in her second Nightmare, but Nickel had gotten credit for the kill. She had killed Others who had seemed human but certainly were not.
"I have raised my children to value human life and preserve it, not to wantonly destroy it."
"She's telling the truth." Though he didn't show it, Kai was more than a little pleased to contradict Seishan and her thinking.
The handsome Saint had spent some time training Rain himself, so he did not like the implication that she would participate in such a terrible event.
"If it was Rain, then perhaps she stumbled upon the mess after the fact. If she saw Saint Peta, perhaps she was afraid and hid. A huntress like her would be excellent at evading instead of running." Kai suggested.
Seishan nodded slowly. "As unlikely as that is, it is possible. Preferable, even. I would love to believe young Rain is a victim in this, too."
Noble was surprised that the Princess of Song meant these words.
"She is," Noble knew that whatever had happened, her daughter was a casualty of the circumstance as well.
There was the smallest chance that Saint Sunny had pushed Rain to kill someone in order to ascend, but Noble dismissed that notion outright. For one, Rain's signature had been missing during what Noble assumed was the action, and for another, Sunny would never push his sister into such a vile act. He wanted to protect her by making her stronger, not turn her into a cold-blooded monster.
'I won't believe that…'
Seishan pursed her lips.
"The only way to confirm that Rain is innocent is to interview her."
"We haven't seen her since yesterday evening." The ambassador would have loved to give his daughter an airtight alibi.
Kai might have been willing to lie for him, but Fort knew that Clan Song had more than one seer who he did not want aimed in his direction.
"I have not seen her either." Noble had only felt the girl's emotional presence. Even Sunny's emotions had been too far; she had only known his direction via her Kingdom Crafter Attribute.
"Did the government have no part in whatever happened in the forest?" Seishan pressed.
"To my knowledge, the government has never made a habit of murdering emissaries," Fort responded.
The Princess tilted up her chin. "Answer the question."
Peta shifted, ready to force an answer from the man if necessary.
The Ambassador did not flinch. "The government had no part in what happened in the forest, at least not to my knowledge. I certainly had nothing to do with it, and I want answers also."
The princess flicked her gaze to the other woman across from her.
"And you swear that you had no involvement?"
Noble pushed her shoulder back, nearly touching the seat. "I swear I have no knowledge or involvement in what happened today in the forest."
"They are…"
"Telling the truth, I know," Seishan cut off Kai's confirmation. "I can tell by the look in their eyes."
Seishan relaxed slightly, her fierce smile softening.
"When you see Rain, have her come forward immediately and explain. If she is as honest and innocent as you claim, then I promise there won't be any trouble for her."
"When we see her, we will let her know that you are looking for her." Fort nodded.
"We find this as troubling as you do," Noble assured the Saints of Song.
"I hope you can get to the bottom of this nasty affair soon and solve the murder of these…emissaries." Kai paused on the final word.
Seishan's emotions spiked, and her grin became forced. "Thank you. Oh, in the future, please come to me with any more supply line concerns."
"Thank you, Lady Seishan. Is there anything else we can do for you?" Kai rested his hands lightly on the few pages left in front of him.
The princess watched him for a moment.
"I suppose that will be all for now. We still have our appointment this afternoon. I can address additional concerns then."
Kai stood and bowed deeply. Fort and Noble rose from their chairs as well.
"Ambassador Fort, Master Noble. I look forward to your continued cooperation." Seishan swept out of her seat.
"Yes, Lady Seishan." Fort lowered his chin.
Noble glanced at Peta. "I am sorry again for your loss."
Peta grunted, his eyes darting away.
Unable to help herself, Noble sent him some comfort. He might have had a gruff exterior, but everyone needed compassion when they found out someone they cared for had died.
Peta resisted the feeling but only for a moment. His expression didn't change, but his muscles became less tense.
"I'll walk you out." Kai took two long strides to catch up to the Seishan.
Peta followed a step behind, his emotions unsettled, but less erratic than when he arrived.
As soon as the door shut, Fort reached out his hand and received half of The Other's voice.
'Rain?'
Noble touched her husband's hand. 'She is alive and outside of the city right now.'
'What do you think happened?' Fort was having trouble making sense of what he had heard. 'Was that what Cassie was warning you about?'
'It has to be. Rain was where Peta said he saw her, though how the situation ended with people dying, I've no idea. I intend to find out, though.'
'You are going after her, right?' Fort raised his eyebrow in question.
'How can I not?' Noble watched her husband nod in agreement.
'We need to find out what happened before she enters the city. Seishan might have been earnest in her quest to find the truth, but that doesn't mean everyone will be.'
Neither Fort nor Noble had any desire for their daughter to become a scapegoat.
If the wrong people got hold of Rain, not even Sunny might be able to save the dark-haired girl.
The door opened, and Kai entered once more.
"Have they left?" Fort glanced warily behind Nightingale. Part of him assumed the pair would come back for a second confrontation after the couple had let down their guard.
"They have left, though I wouldn't be surprised if they place a tail on you when you leave. Seishan is very thorough. It's like she's had eyes in the back of her head ever since I've known her.
Kai shivered.
"In any case," he continued, "I suggest you be careful."
"Thank you, Saint Kai." Fort shook the other man's hand. "I am sure it will all be fine soon."
"I hope so." Kai gave a sad smile. "Rain is a good kid. I am sure she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
"Thank you," Noble echoed her husband's appreciation.
There was likely nothing the government Saint could do, but his regard for Rain was encouraging.
"I'll be right back after I show my wife out." Fort brought his wife to the door.
But instead of turning toward the main entrance, they went left down a dark corridor.
"There's something I need from my office." He said loudly.
Noble heard her husband's voice in her head.
'I'll get you out the back. Return and go out the front when you can. But first, find Rain!'