Adele reached Mara's house, later in the night after settling scores with her father, watching him get banned and finding a safe spot for her brother. Adele let out a sigh of relief. "Mission accomplished" she said out loud.
Mara let out a laugh and hugged Adele, we did it Adele, smiling at her, but wait how did you do it? She was surprised and also impressed. " How did you sneak the paper into your father's book?"
You remember when we left Emilia's house, and you hid that paper under Gail's desk, Mara nodded. I went to his private room where important documents are normally placed. I saw some open files so I just dropped them in it. Mara's face softened, you risked everything Adele. What if he caught you? she said scared. Hey stop worrying like an old woman, he didn't so we move on, Mara, Adele said.
And now? Mara asked eagerly.
We bring out some thieves raising documents, smiling mischievously.
" Girl, what is that? Mara asked, smiling.
Adele dropped it on the table. These are sins caused by each of the seven councils we call kings. Mara smiled, so… "Who are we starting with?" she asked. We start with the treasurer Lord Terren. She said smiling.
Before dawn, Adele went to the market keeping notes on the side of stores and kiosks, then went back home.
They went to the market together to buy some jasmine and cake for lunch. Good afternoon mummy Lucy, Mara greeted one of the sellers. Good morning the woman smiled. Are you hearing what is going on? She whispered to the girls, what is that? A rumor is going on that Lord Terren has been embezzling community money and increasing taxes to cover it, is it not bad?
Yes mummy it is, Mara replied "where did you guys hear it from?" She asked, "A stranger dropped the note in my stand and almost everybody stalls", the woman explained.
And I also heard that Lord Venn is coming tomorrow to ask questions about the rumors. "Really" Adele asked, staring at Mara. The woman nodded. Okay ma thanks for the tip ooh and here is your money mara replied "thank you my daughter".
The next day, Adele went to the market with a shawl covering her face. She stood for a while until she saw a carriage belonging to no other person other than Lord Venn.
" Sir," she muttered. " I found this on the ground near the old river. I thought it was for someone important, and I also heard you were coming today so I decided to wait for you to pass.
" Good, always return what you find and you will be rewarded with the strap of obedience, " he replied "ooh thank you so much sir" she replied, head almost touching the ground.
You may leave, he said, Adele knew her head and left the scene hurriedly.
At home, he opened the document and found out the dates and transfer Terren made with the money that was meant to be shared with the council. He didn't stop that night. He went to the council's chamber, went straight to Terren and slapped him with the document "Explain this" he said, voice flat.
Terren's smile vanished as he stood up, what is this all about? He demanded angrily.
"Proof" Terren, Terren was dumbfounded "I found this in the market." He continued looking at the men in the chamber, then back to Terren "now will you explain or do you need help.
Terren trying to calm him down, this is a misunderstanding lemme explain to you Venn.
I asked for you to explain to everyone present not to me or do you want me to help you with it ? Venn asked, losing his patience.
Terren looked at the ground not knowing where to start from.
I saw this document in the market. This document contains all the money this bastard took behind our back. Everybody started whispering, creating noise in the chamber.
" Quiet" Mr Morin's voice cutting everybody shut. He rose from his seat, you all sat here pretending to be clean, while your secret rot beneath you. But we can't let this filth reach the people, if they find out that the council of seven is built on theft, blood and Deceit they will surely burn us alive.
They already found out about the embezzling by Lord Terren, Van replied.
There was silence, the tension grew until it thickened to the extent that it formed fog on their faces.
Then Morin turned saying "We need someone to carry the weight".
Lord Venn frowned. " What do you mean?"
Morin took a deep breath " We can't let this continue to spread, We need someone disposable, someone no one can ask a question. "A girl"
The men exchanged uneasy glances
"A girl" Venn repeated
Yes a girl, the one whose mother died with Luketon's wife, the one her father was executed for treason.
"Mara" Lord Terren murmured.
Morin nodded slowly. Yes, Mara, the sacrificial lamb. The people will believe without questions, they'll say "She carries her mother's curse that she wanted revenge for her family.
Lord Venn hesitated "but she is just a girl"
Morin leaned forward, "That is exactly why she will never be believed, who will defend the daughter of a traitor?
No one answered
"Good" We will prepare a report saying Mara forged the document, she tried framing one of us out of hatred of the council.
And if she denies it? Mr Terren asked as guilt was written all over his face.
Morin smiled, "Let her" people love the story of an inherited sin. They will believe she's exactly like her mother – cursed.