by Auryn Hadley
He caught her eye, and she glanced at the chair then back at him. He took a deep breath and released it slowly, then turned to face the Parliament with a new vigor.
"We can not afford to lose Viraenova. Can you agree?" He asked them, then turned to Myrosica to include them in the question.
"Without Viraenova, Myrosica has no interest in this war. I'm sorry, sire," Justice Krex said.
The Representatives of Parliament whispered among themselves for a moment, then Representative Anis spoke. "We can agree that Viraenova is important, but sadly, this war has already come to our borders. We have no option but to fight it." She turned to Viraenova and continued. "Kaeen, we are merely human. If we can agree on a single point today, would you entertain the idea of continuing negotiations with us?"
Tseri sighed, making a production of looking between her men. Say nothing yet, merely act like we're in a deep negotiation. Reko, I am going to need you to trust me, ok?
Yes, Kaeen. I have seen no reason why I would not.
Good. Because it's going to look like we're about to walk away in just a moment. You ready to speak for me?
Always, Kaeen.
"You have managed nothing since I arrived except to posture at each other like males seeking a woman's gaze." Tseri stood, and her mates began to collect their notes, closing folders around them. "King Jens, you demand so little, and yet they refuse to even allow you to take that which they do not want?" She turned back to the Conglomerate. "If you are so worried about winning that you can agree on nothing, you will lose. I have no interest in losing. Prove to me that you can agree on something. Anything!"
The Viraenovan Ahnor and Dernor stood, marching proudly toward the entrance, and Tseri held her face as cold as stone. When no one spoke, she shook her head and followed, storming up the short aisle.
"Dominik Jens," Representative Berrik called out. "We can agree to allow you any iliri who choose to relocate to Anglia. Kaeen Tseri Janoyc, is that enough to convince you to continue our negotiations for one more day?"
Tseri sighed, pausing in her tracks, and waited.
"Anyone who identifies as iliri or part iliri, who chooses to become a citizen of Anglia, regardless of their nation of origin, may relocate," Dominik suggested, choosing careful wording. "Anglia will hold no responsibility to their former nations, nor may Anglia seek claims for any wrong doing done by them once they have claimed Anglian citizenship. Will those words suit Parliament? The Judiciary? Kaeen?"
Tseri pulled her lips over her teeth and took a deep breath. She hoped it looked as if she was agitated, but in reality, she found it hard not to laugh. Slowly, she turned. "Yes. Sign this. Make it law and I will negotiate one more day. Viraenova does not have the time or patience for human posturing."
Parliament erupted at her words, muttering and whispering, while notes passed along the table.
Justice Krex cleared his throat. "I have no problem with those words. I have not regretted my iliri citizens, but if they are not pleased in Myrosica, I would be happy to wish them well in Anglia. I will sign that."
All eyes turned to the Conglomerate. The murmuring grew quiet, and Representative Anis stood. "We will be pleased to sign that. Will the scribe please make the document?"
Kaeen Tseri walked slowly back to her chair, assuring her mates they could return once they could hold their expressions. Reko looked at her but said nothing. Across the room, Orassae Rragri waited for her eyes.
Thank you, Kaeen, Rragri whispered in her mind. I owe you a debt.
Tseri smiled, pleased to know that the grauori could reach her link. Put a Kaisae in that chair, and the debt is paid. We have waited a long time to see an iliri leader respected again, and I believe this one will make us all proud to claim her.
Reko's mind touched hers gently, and Tseri looked up at him. I will never be able to repay this, he told her. You do not know what those few words mean to so many of us. You have saved our people Kaeen. I will make sure the Kaisae knows.
The scribe stood, and all eyes turned to him as he read the two lines clearly. Tseri watched heads nod, and he handed the document to Dominik, as the author of the law, to sign first. Dominik scrawled his name clearly, then Rragri stood, and wrapped her stubby hand around the pen, laying her name sign beside his. Next, the scribe moved to Myrosica, and all six justices signed it. But when he turned to Viraenova, Tseri gestured to Parliament. He nodded, carrying the bill to the Representative at the end, then walked to the other side of the long table. One by one, their names were etched across the page. Tseri refused to meet Dominik's glance, but she nodded her head, acknowledging it as she watched the law make it's slow path around the room. Finally, it was passed back to the scribe, who walked to her side and politely handed her the paper.
Tseri read the simple words. Words that gave all iliri the right to choose a better life, and she glanced at the empty chair. She signed her name boldly before leaning back so her mates could reach the paper. They scrawled their names and signs beside hers, keeping them smaller to signify their place. When it was done, she stood and handed the paper back to the scribe.
Reko? she asked, and he nodded, ready to speak. "And when will this be in effect?"
"It will take until the morning for the notices to be posted, Kaeen," the scribe said. "Until we can produce sufficient notices, the bill is law, but is not public."
"Fine. Then make sure you get something done in a reasonable amount of time?" She looked over to Parliament. "I tire of this. Debate among yourselves, or do not. I will return when the notices of the law are official, and my actions have been shown to make a difference in this political circus. If a day passes without change, we will return to our home."
Tseri turned and walked proudly from the room, her mates in step beside her. Behind her, she heard representative Berrik speak to Dominik.
"Let us adjourn for the day. Parliament will discuss your other demands and see if we can come to an agreement, or at least find a counter offer. Is that acceptable to Anglia?"
The Kaeen of Viraenova smiled. At least something good had come of this. Hopefully, she could encourage even more. If the world changed enough, her people would no longer have to hide.
Chapter 34
Sal sat in the audience in shock. Dominik Jens dared to catch her eye, and she dropped her gaze, hoping he understood how much appreciation that conveyed. He smiled and turned to Rragri, then collected his things.
It's passed? Audgan asked.
He must have felt her shock through the link. Yes. I watched them sign it. It's law, but won't be in effect until the morning.
Blaec spoke up. I want all of you to bed down in the Conglomerate and wake up in Anglia. Ilija will have our tents prepared once the sun is down. Move silently. Sal?
Yes, sir?
We would be proud to serve as your bodyguards. You showing up in armor or a dress tomorrow?
She flooded the link with her love for them all. I would have no one else beside me. Jase, you're at my left, Blaec my right. Zep, you get my back.
Yes, Kaisae, the three men responded almost simultaneously.
And after dawn, I want to see nothing but blacks. I'll be in armor, my love. I have a suit that is perfect for the occasion.
Blaec chuckled. I think we all do now.
Hwa? Sal asked.
Yes, my Kaisae?
Roo and the kids can't make a show, but I expect you to be there.
I would be nowhere else, Sal. I believe you will even like my uniform.
While she talked to her pack, the rest of the room was clearing. No one moved until the leaders of each nation had made their way out. After that, dozens of humans in the yellow checker of Myrosica, a handful in Anglian green, and even a few sporting the blue of the Conglomerate mingled together as they waded toward the exits. There were none in the white and gold of Viraenova, but that wasn't surprising. They wouldn't need to see the chaos to receive the news. Like the Black Blades, it would travel through the link as fast as a thoug
ht.
Sal just waited. She didn't want to rub shoulders with humans. She also didn't want anyone to see the shocked set of her ears, and she wasn't sure it was something she could hide. This was happening. For her entire life, the idea of being free had been her greatest dream, and now it was becoming a reality.
It wasn't that she'd become the leader of her people. In all honesty, if Sal could pass that to someone else, she would - and gladly. What made her heart skip and her muscles tingle was the idea of truly owning her own life. No longer would a human be able to command her to do anything she didn't want. She'd never again be forced to submit against her will. No one else would have the power to kill her without facing the ramifications of that.
Those two simple lines gave her, and all iliri across the continent, the right to be treated like they mattered.
Sal stood and slipped through the doors, walking calmly back to the barracks. Outside, the compound looked no different than it had that morning. The awe running through her veins didn't make the sun any brighter. It didn't shift the moons out of alignment. It didn't even change the trees. People still ignored her. A few soldiers even cast disgusted looks at her, but they no longer mattered.
Inside the barracks, however, she could smell the change. Anticipation was a salty scent, and it wafted down from the upper floors. In the main room, the sugar of humans made the place smell like dessert. They probably hadn't heard, yet. If they had, none of them realized the implications of the overly simple law. Anyone who identified as iliri. She couldn't believe Dominik had snuck that in, but it made all the difference. It made Zep completely legal.
Slowly, she walked up the stairs as if this day was no different than any other. Men passed, barely sparing her a glance. No one could hear the treason spinning through her mind. When she reached the top, she turned left for Zep's room. She needed to start packing. Halfway there, a door cracked open beside her.
"Sal?" A voice said softly. "A word?" One dark finger gestured for her to come closer.
Ready for anything, she grabbed the latch. The room was Tyr's, she thought, but the voice wasn't his. The dark skin could belong to anyone, and she smelled too many people. With one hand, she pushed the door open enough to slip inside, the other checked the dagger sheathed on her back – then she froze. On every surface sat a man or woman in grey, nothing but smiles on each of their faces. Behind her, one of them remembered to close the door.
"I heard the news, Sal," Pig said, holding up his hand, "and I get to call you Sal for the rest of the day." He grinned at her. "What's next?"
"Nothing." Her voice held no room for debate. "Celebrate something coming from this alliance if you want, but nothing for us until after dark. We can't risk Parliament grasping the connotations of that law before it's in place."
"Think they'll tie it to you?" Rayna asked.
She shook her head. "I have no idea. I also don't know how Dom did it. Tseri pushed that. The entire thing was played off as Viraenova's idea, so the CFC can't even claim Anglia pressured them."
"Wait," Tyr said, pulling everyone's eyes to him. "You're saying we have to just pretend we don't give a damn? We're supposed to act like this isn't the biggest human's rights..." His mouth snapped shut as he realized what he said. "Person's rights," he corrected, "achievement of the century."
"That's exactly what I mean," Sal told him, patting the guy's arm. "And it's ok, Tyr. We don't need to gloat. We just want the chance to retire. That's really all this is about."
"We'll celebrate when we see the Blades in Black again," Pig told them. "And not a second before. Am I understood?"
"Yes, sir," the room said softly.
"Then I highly recommend that you all attend tomorrow's meeting." Sal grinned around the room letting that sink in. Then her eyes landed on Zep sitting quietly at the back. "No, Pig, I need one more favor."
He didn't hesitate. "It's yours, Sal."
"I need you to have a file altered. Backdated is preferred." Her eyes never left her big brother.
He followed her gaze to Zep and nodded. "It's a damned shame to lose such a fine soldier, but he was never mine to begin with. We all knew it. Sturmgren going to help with this?"
Sal nodded.
"Ok, then I'm off. Keep it down, and do not bring attention to the Blades, but don't be so sedate that anyone wonders what I gave you all. Outside of this room, our evening drill is off because I was called to a meeting with Sturmgren. Understood?"
The soldiers hopped to their feet and saluted him. Zep waited - a smile creeping to his face - for Pig to look at him. He slid from the desk and stood at attention. Then his closed fist settled over his heart in the Anglian salute.
"Il bax genause, brother," Zep said softly.
Pig dropped his head and chuckled. "Never learned to speak it, Zep, but I know that one. And damned right it matters." His hand snapped up to his eye. "Won't be long and you'll outrank me again."
"Was worth it," Zep told him. "Couple of chevrons on my arm don't come close to what they gave in return."
Pig tilted his head in a weak shrug. "Won't matter tomorrow. Make sure you tell LT he deserves this." Then he turned for the door.
"Pig?" Tyr asked before he could reach the handle. "We got an answer about our favorite color yet?"
Pig shook his head. "No. Still waiting on a few votes. It's got to be unanimous, but I won't stand in anyone's way if you can't wait. I also won't be offended if the Dogs decide to stay but some of you just can't. I have a funny feeling one of those rulers will take good care of my men."
"As good as you took of mine," Sal said softly.
"No," Rayna said, cutting in. "It's all or nothing. That's how the Devil Dogs work."
Sal waved her down. "You want to hold off a bit, anyway. Things are going to be pretty rough around here tomorrow."
"You making a show of things, Sal?" Tyr asked.
"If the law gets posted, yes. And let me explain what you missed in there. Tseri, the Kaeen of Viraenova, isn't nearly as impatient as she's playing. According to Reko, half of that was her assuring Anglia that she's ready for a formal alliance between us."
Ryekir chuckled. "Us. You've already changed your allegiance in your mind."
Sal nodded somberly and looked around the room. "A long time ago," she told them, leaning back against the wall. "I don't think any of you understand. When we left Anglia, it was for a suicide mission." She tapped her head. "I have everything Judoc could think in my mind. That's their plans, their military capabilities, their social structure, political bases, everything." She looked at Pig and held his eyes. "Including the location of the metal."
Around the room, men sucked in quiet breaths and glanced at each other. The information she'd listed was exactly what they'd been trying to get for years. It could be the deciding factor in this war.
Sal held up her hand. "We can't do much about that right now, but my point is, the Black Blades snuck out of Anglia with the intention of finishing this war. We know how to get in. We know where Makiel Geirr is and will be, and we know how to get to him. We'd never make it out, but we'd end this war."
Zep didn't give them time to reply. "Anglia wouldn't accept that clean and easy answer," he said. "A simple soldier, no different than any of you, laid his plan before the King, and the King ran with it. Anglia will not become a conquering nation, but she will end this war. And she'll do it the right way. They're walking a very fine line and will help the world because of it."
Sal nodded. "That's why we're Anglian. The Conglomerate despises us, and Anglia will not let us die alone. For us, that made it easy, but it's not the same for you. I know giving up democracy for what looks like a monarchy is scary, but it shouldn't be. Anglia has a king, but he's nothing like you'd expect, and he's working to find a better way."
"Heard he gave women equal rights," Rayna said. "Figure that says a lot about him."
"Yeah," Zep agreed, "and he's been searching for a style of government that is better than what they currently ha
ve. Republic, democracy, judiciary, kratocracy... He's willing to steal from all of them if it means Anglia will reap the benefits."
"Damn," Deron huffed. "Hard to imagine a politician that cares about anything but themselves, ya know?"
Sal nodded. "And that's Anglia. We're going because the word of a soldier - a baker's son - was heard by a bastard's son, and agreed to by a beast. The heir to the throne is the son of a man who crawled his way from the stables to nobility. It doesn't matter how you were born, they care about what you do after that. Think about that when you're making your decisions."
"And it goes both ways," Zep told the Dogs. "Dom's working on a law to give humans the right to choose their leader the same way the iliri and grauori do. Service for life, or until someone better comes along."
A dark man in the back of the room lifted his hand. "Anyone have paper? I need to cast my vote."
Chapter 35
That night, flyers of the changes in Conglomerate law were posted around the CFC's Myrosican base. Less than an hour later, pale bodies slipped out quietly in the dark. When the first tint of dawn lit the sky, the Black Blades crawled from tents tucked at the back of the Anglian encampment. Each man wore pristine black rings, the crossed swords woven clearly across their backs, and a smile lit their faces.
"It feels so good to be in black again," Audgan said, watching Sal step from her tent with Jase and Zep on her heels.
"Not just that," Geo said beside him. "It's her. She's leaking it to us."
Audgan chuckled. "Doesn't she always?"
"Yeah," Razor said, walking up beside them. "The first one of you that tells her will get my sword in his gut, too."
Geo laughed. "Fuck no, man. Between her and LT, I'm good with being their pawn. What's up with Zep?"
Razor shrugged. "No idea yet. Not sure he knows. Let it alone."
"Razor," Audgan said, "we're not blind. Not a one of us is going to start shit about us being more Iliran. I think Geo just wondered if he had a new title."
