‘Battering ram,’ she smiled and shook her head.
A servant girl silently stepped into the hall.
“Úlmán, the Master of Ceremony would like to know when the feast can begin,” she said.
“In an hour. Get me a messenger,” Vipra replied, getting out of the pool.
She went to her library, leaving a trail of fragrant drops of water on the floor.
She wrote a single word on a piece of paper and, placed it in an envelope.
The messenger arrived a few minutes later.
“Leave for the Realm straight away,” she ordered the man, handing him the letter.
He nodded, bowed and left.
Judging by the sounds coming from outside, the celebratory shenanigans had already started.
Vipra had no doubts that Redbeard was somewhere in the middle of them.
‘I better get ready, otherwise I’ll only have drooling drunks at my table,’ she sighed, and made her way to her dressing room.
Month of the Monkey, Early Summer
Swiftarrow Mansion, Realm’s Heart Island
Noerelle waited till Nadira finished her tasks. She was hovering in the salon adjacent to Rica’s bedroom. It was disgustingly early in the morning, but she was determined to catch Nadira after she gave Rica her seven-o’clock potion.
Nadira entered the room, silently closing the door behind her. As soon as she noticed Noerelle, she took a deep bow.
“I’m sorry, my Lady, I wasn’t aware of your presence. Is there something I can help you with?”
Noerelle replied with a tinkling laugh.
“You might think it’s too early for a drink, but if you could get us two glasses of sparkling wine, I’d more than appreciate it. Besides, you might need it as well.”
“You mean you and me?” Nadira asked incredulously.
“Yes, my dear, just pour the drinks and have a seat here,” she smiled and patted the sofa next to her.
Nadira went to open the bottle.
“Am I right in thinking that you have taken a liking to Prince Octarian?” Noerelle addressed Nadira, whose back was turned to her.
Even if she hadn’t been able to read the dark-haired beauty’s mind, the flush that crept up the girl’s neck would have spoken volumes. Nadira turned around, her hands shaking with embarrassment.
“I would never dare to aspire that highly. The Prince is merely somebody I admire from afar,” she said apologetically, taking a seat next to Noerelle.
She clinked her glass against Nadira’s and took a sip.
“So you’ve never met Prince Octarian in person?” she decided to concentrate on the matter she came here to discuss.
Nadira blushed again.
“I did. Once. It was during the last Wintersky Festival. He kissed me three times… Well, I made him, but he obeyed. He said that I must be Roditeean as the Realm didn’t produce beauties like me,” she said, the memory clearly filling her with joyful pride.
“And then?” Noerelle asked.
Nadira’s annoyance was clear. She shrugged her shoulders.
“Then I had to leave to do my job; looking after Lady Rica.”
“I see,” Noerelle leant back, letting Nadira stew for a while. Finally, she looked at the girl.
“What if I told you that he hasn’t forgotten about you?”
Nadira blinked at her with surprise.
“He remembered me? He knows who I am?” she asked incredulously.
Noerelle nodded her head knowingly.
Nadira was almost ecstatic for a few seconds, but then let her head hang.
“Even if he did, where would that leave me? He’ll get engaged to Princess Ariessa any day,” she took a sip and sighed.
Noerelle shook her head.
“Unfortunately that won’t happen.”
Nadira’s intake of breath revealed her joy about what she had just heard.
“What if I could help you get close to the Prince?”
“No disrespect, my Lady, but why would you do that for me?”
“Well, let’s just say that we could have a very beneficial co-operation.”
Nadira thought for a few seconds.
“While you honour me with your trust, with all due respect, what could I hope for? A night of passion? Risking a pregnancy that would set me up for a life as a fallen woman?”
“It’s true, I cannot promise you becoming the wife of a Prince straight away, but it’s not unheard of in the history of your beautiful Realm, that a Royal mistress has been elevated to the rank of a Lady, thus being eligible as the wife of a Prince or even a King,” Noerelle blinked at Nadira promisingly.
The lady in waiting looked into her eyes for a few seconds.
“Tell me what I have to do,” she whispered, once her mind was made up.
Noerelle handed her an envelope.
“You will escort Countess Rica to the Breeze Beach Camp. I have arranged three tents.”
Nadira looked at Noerelle incredulously.
“By the Gods, I’ve never, ever hoped to partake of that event. It’s legendary! All the young Royals gathered at the most gorgeous, luxurious beach of the Realm… only to have a good time for a whole week…” Nadira couldn’t find the words to continue.
“Let’s not forget the fact that the young gentlemen outnumber the ladies five to one… which should increase your already strong chances,” Noerelle giggled, refilling their glasses. While she was at it, she flashed an image of Octarian in Nadira’s mind with a good measure of both positive Fire and Air. Not that she needed it, but it couldn’t hurt.
“Now, listen, my dear. In order to succeed you will have to follow my advice.”
“Please tell me what to do, my Lady,” suddenly Nadira felt thrice as passionate about Octarian as she already did.
“You’ll travel down to the beach on the same barge with him and Prince Mordan. Don’t be too coy, but let him know subtly that you like him. Do you think you can do that?”
The girl nodded enthusiastically.
“Now comes the tricky part. You must have noticed that Prince Mordan has some tender feelings towards you.”
“No, I was never aware of that,” Nadira was racking her brains.
Noerelle giggled.
“He’s so shy. He must not notice your affection towards Prince Octarian. Do you think you can pay as much attention to him, as to young Sunflare?”
“I will try my best, my Lady.”
“Lastly, and most importantly; I will meet you at the Beach Camp, but nobody must know I’m there. Nobody. If anybody found out, none of our plans will work. Do you understand that?”
Nadira nodded.
Noerelle stood up.
“I’m not sure I can trust you,” she looked at Nadira suspiciously.
The girl hurried to her. She sank to her knees, taking Noerelle’s hand.
“Please my Lady, trust me. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Please,” she begged.
Noerelle looked into her mind. She was satisfied.
“Good. I’ll meet you there. You’ll get your further instructions at the Camp. Have a nice trip and remember your tasks,” she said, pulling Nadira to her feet.
***
Noerelle sat in the garden under Rica’s favourite lilac tree. When the Countess arrived, she stood up to greet her.
“Noerelle,” Rica exclaimed with delight, running up to her and hugging her affectionately.
“How have you been, my darling?” Noerelle asked hugging her back.
“Oh, the city is so fantastic, I cannot even begin to tell you how much,” Rica gushed.
Noerelle took her hands into hers.
“Yet you hardly go out. Most of the Royals would love to have you as their guest of honour at their dinners,” Noerelle gently scolded her.
“I don’t want to be a burden to anyone,” Rica whispered.
“Just look at you. You are so pretty. I see Nadira has given you the most fashionable hair-style. One could mistake you for
her.”
Rica blushed.
“No, no. She’s so beautiful and elegant. I’m so grateful to have her as my lady in waiting,” Rica said.
“Well, you will have to leave your little shell. You will accompany your brother to the main event of the Academy; the end of year event most can only dream about attending. Nadira and Miah will be at your side as well.”
Rica’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Oh, Noerelle, this is more than I can bear. I’m so happy,” she exclaimed. Suddenly her face fell.
“I don’t think I can go,” she whispered.
“Please don’t fret; your medication will be taken care of while you’re there. Just make sure to listen to and obey your brother, and everything will be alright. Have a wonderful time, little Countess,” Noerelle hugged Rica with a sparkling smile.
The Hidden City, Realm’s Heart Island
“Good day to you, Prosecutor,” said Nocturnia without turning around, or looking up. She was kneeling on the ground in her little garden, trying her best to plant some roses.
“Same to you, Sister. I didn’t picture you as a horticultural enthusiast,” he grinned at the lopsided bushes.
‘Very funny,’ she scratched her nose with the back of her hand.
“Are they helping you?” Dax nodded his head towards Jack and Messy, both lying panting next to Nocturnia, dried mud on their noses giving away their previous gardening activities.
“Yes, I needed a lot of help making a mess out of this,” she stood up, wiping her hands on her apron.
“I thought I’d never see you again after our Pyonian adventures,” she said, raising an eyebrow at him. Dax wiped a bit of mud off her face and shrugged his shoulders.
“A little time and quite some distance dampened my memories about you being very high maintenance for an Equimancer. Besides; I can’t deny the challenge your sulky resistance poses.”
“Pffft, you could try and fail miserably,” Nocturnia finally smiled a little.
She didn’t take criticism well, but after their trip she had no choice; she had to listen to Dax for quite a while about her being a spoilt Princess, who made the wrong career choice. But she knew he had a point.
A sudden crash coming from her house disrupted their conversation.
“Have the dogs of the Hidden City finally decided to move in and rearrange your place?”
‘It’s Tarilla. She comes over every day to clean. Since her ceremony her cleaning obsession got a bit…’ she made a hand gesture while projecting her thoughts to Dax.
“I heard that!” the Elated shouted.
“I know! It doesn’t stop you from coming here though,” Nocturnia yelled back.
“No, because you’re the messiest Equimancer of the Realm. You need all the help you can get, ungrateful child!” Tarilla concluded their exchange.
“I always thought Mountainborns were known for their fondness of order,” Dax remarked.
“I’m special.”
“Aaanyway, I came here on official business. We’re required to see Andarian in his office. We’re to collect Zabarius on the way.”
“Hmm, that’s strange. Andarian was only supposed to be back from Kronuria in four days.”
Dax shrugged his shoulders.
“It must be important; I had to postpone several court hearings in Lunaria for this.”
“Do you ever rest?” Nocturnia asked with a mixture of mocking and respect.
“Well, I don’t have the luxury of having more breaks than work time like you Professors…”
“Oh, I dare you, swap with me, and you can be locked up with hundreds of Royal Unpleasants year in, year out.”
“You’re right, give me hardened criminals any day, rather than that bunch.”
Nocturnia’s thoughts trailed back to the impending meeting.
“If it’s official business, why is Zabarius needed?” she wondered.
Zabarius joined them at the Hidden City’s Centre Square. Both Nocturnia and Dax agreed that he had to be the least untypical Elated they had met. Yet again, he was almost as agitated as he used to be before his ceremony.
“This must have something to do with those curious machines in front of the Main Building. I’ve been at my lab’s periscope and in the towers all day long, but there’s just too many people gathered around them, I couldn’t see them properly. This is one of those days when I wish the Structure would let me out,” he said furiously chewing his beard.
When they entered Andarian’s office, they found him all flushed and untypically for him, not at his desk. Dax was surprised to find that he failed where he never did; reading someone’s thoughts. Andarian’s were utterly incoherent.
“Welcome back, First Servant. You being back from Kronuria can only mean good news. Or bad news. I can’t read you. Which is about the worst thing that can happen to the Realm’s Chief Prosecutor,” Dax said reproachfully.
“Andarian, what’s happening?” Nocturnia asked him after a quick exchange of glances with Zabarius.
“Sister, Brothers, the future has arrived to the Realm,” Andarian announced with a blissful expression.
“Oh by the Gods, he has joined some amateur Roditeean theatre company. Nothing else can explain this cheesy performance,” Dax looked at Andarian with distaste.
“Eh, bog off, Dax. You have no idea what I’m about to tell you,” he replied with a triumphant grin. He hurried to his desk and smoothed out an immense, rolled up blue-print.
“Come, see for yourself; these are the things the Kronurians have invented in the last twenty years. And if you look out the window, you can see two of them right there… well, if you can see past the crowd.”
Dax went to the window, Nocturnia stepped to the desk, Zabarius was hovering between the two; he just couldn’t decide which he wanted to see first.
A few minutes later, they all took a seat, and Andarian calmed down enough to fill them in as coherently as he could. He had a box in front of him.
“What you’re looking at; will change the dynamics and economics of the Realm.”
“Will you tell us at last what it is?” Nocturnia was beginning to lose her limited patience.
“Apparently, not a revolutionary interior design item as it’s rather unsightly,” remarked Dax.
“It must be the core of those machines… which we still don’t know what they are,” Zabarius pondered with greedy curiosity.
“As you could see on the blue-prints, there are dozens of devices, quite a few of them quirky gadgets and some projects in development – which the Kronurians asked us to help them with.
Brother Zabarius, were you interested in helping the research on a mechanical household aide, you’d make some Kronurians very happy,” Andarian turned to the Elated, whose eyes lit up instantly.
“And when you’re finished, give it to Sister Messy here,” Dax snorted, earning himself a kick on the ankle.
“Zabarius is right; this box is the key to all the new inventions. We are not allowed to open it, but we can take full advantage of it. The Kronurians call it the Steamheart. It makes all those machines work.”
“I guess that if we do open it, any kind of deal is off?” Dax asked.
“That’s right. They’ve sealed it. The contents and the innovation is Kronurian property, protected by intercontinental trade mark laws, and any kind of tampering would count as breach of contract. Which we really don’t want.”
Dax raised both hands.
“I wouldn’t dare. Calm down,” he laughed.
“Apparently it self-destructs on opening, so go on; let’s see how life without a nose or an ear would suit you,” the First Servant dared Dax.
“Oh for Gods’ sake, stop it, both of you. Andarian please, just ignore him and tell us what all this is all about before I strangle you,” Nocturnia burst out.
“Right. You’ve seen Metal Swans. Some of those have been around in the city for a few months now, attracting crowds wherever they go. Soon you will see many
more of them, as we have received a very favourable offer from the Kronurians.
The second machine that will be of great importance to us, is the very reason why I got back four days before I was meant to. Ocean liners, equipped with the Steamheart. The cruise between the Realm and Kronuria used to take between seven and twelve days, depending on weather conditions, now it’s four, whether it rains or shines. Apart from speed, it’s also the capacity that has changed; these ships can transport four times the amount of passengers and cargo that the traditional steamboats could.”
Zabarius shot a hurt look towards Andarian.
“The only way you can console me about never being able to set foot on board a new transoceanic steamship is to get at least a few of the Steam Swans into the Hidden City.”
‘You’re hurting me by the mere suggestion that that wasn’t my plan to begin with,’ Andarian thought, immediately making Zabarius feeling guilty.
‘I’m so sorry, son. You honour me with your attention. I couldn’t be more proud of my successor.’
“We will have to have reinforced border protection once an increased number of international visitors start arriving to the Realm. We can’t have unregistered Apts running wild,” Nocturnia said.
“Quite right. It will be the main topic we’ll discuss during the first Government meeting in the autumn.”
Andarian paused for dramatic effect.
“And now; the main attraction; the steamcarriage.
It’s the updated version of a locomotive; one that doesn’t run on coal, one that doesn’t need rails. A vehicle that is powered by the Steamheart. The speed is four times of the traditional ones.
It’s not made of iron, but of a feather-light metal that the Kronurians have recently discovered. Apparently, it’s green and they call it Verdantium.
You can attach extra carriages with passengers or cargo to the engine; it can pull up to five of them. It’s as if the Gods had created the Fire Ring for this very purpose. It’s amazing!
And don’t even let me get started on the smaller steamcarriages. The ones we’ll be able to use in our cities, for passenger transport,” his eyes sparkled again when he took out a few miniature models, and placed them on his desk.
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