by Auryn Hadley
"Attending the meeting, Representative," Sal said, looking up at her innocently.
Dominik stood and addressed the room. "My apologies. This morning, the Kaisae declared her citizenship with Anglia. As you all know, our third throne has remained empty, awaiting a true iliri Kaisae. Since one can now claim to be loyal to Anglia, the Orassae and I asked her to accept the position of the iliri leader. I would like to introduce the alliance to Kaisae Salryc Luxx, of Anglia."
Sal stood, and nodded at them absentmindedly before sitting again. She pulled a blank piece of paper from Dom's stack and wrote in Iliran, Do you read this yet? then slid the page back to him. He glanced at it and smiled, scrawling a crude symbol for yes beside it.
Kaeen Tseri? Sal asked, looking across the room. Thank you for your assistance yesterday. We are in your debt.
Tseri shook her head. The debt is paid by that crown on your head, Kaisae. The nuvani have waited many generations to see this happen. That a human helped? Tell the King that we will support you.
Sal wrote that on the page and turned her face to the Conglomerate Parliament, but focused on her conversation with Viraenova. Would you consent to calling me Sal? she asked the Kaeen. I've never felt that one's ancestry should determine their power.
I would be honored, Sal, if you call me Tseri. I'm just relieved that you understand our position. Would an alliance between Anglia and Viraenova be amiable? Our people have been isolated too long, but until today, we'd seen no sign that any nation on the continent would understand our ways. Nuvani fear the humans for the things they've done to you and how they created us all. We know about the slavery and would rather suffer the economic consequences of xenophobia than see our people chained.
Sal put that on the page in simple Iliran for Dominik before sending a thought to Rragri.
We've always been allies with Viraenova, Rragri said. Making it formal will change nothing for us.
Sal added that beside the other swirls on the page, then casually rested her hand on Dom's arm, listening to the humans again while he read.
"So you had this planned when you asked for the law to be passed last night?" Toth asked.
"If you recall," Sal said, and their eyes shifted to her, "it was Viraenova who pushed for that law to be signed." She smiled at them sweetly and continued, "There are many iliri who have grown tired of having no rights. We welcome them in Anglia, now. If you do not want us, why should the loss of us cause you any concern? Think of the hundreds of impoverished who will become our problem and not yours. I'd think you'd celebrate this change."
Dom touched her hand, pulling her attention to the paper, and circled his previous symbol. Yes. He took up the line of conversation with the humans as Sal reached for Tseri again.
We all agree. Do you have any conditions? Sal asked her.
Extradition for criminals and the nuvani to be treated as iliri. The reverse would, of course, be true.
Sal smiled across the room, tilting her head slightly. Then it is agreed. We will be proud to name Viraenova as our ally.
Tseri chuckled, and all eyes turned to her. Then enough of this posturing, it's time to show humans what they're missing, she thought.
"Do you find this funny?" Toth asked the Kaeen.
"Yes, actually," Tseri said via her translator. "You threw out your garbage and are upset that someone found a treasure in it. You have no one to blame but yourself, as I told you before. You can not beg for all that the iliri offer, and then resent them for giving it. Anglia has shown wisdom. This is why I'm proud to call Viraenova an ally of Anglia in all things."
The Representatives looked between the Anglian and Viraenovan delegates, stunned. Justice Krex chuckled.
"Well played. Viraenova, Anglia - Myrosica would like to beg you to consider entering talks with us for a treaty, as well. I," and he pointed at his chest, "have no problems with the stipulations you have requested, King Jens."
"And when did Viraenova and Anglia agree to become allies?" Berrik demanded. "Did you come to this meeting planning to undermine the Conglomerate?"
"No," Sal said, refusing to stand. "Anglia and Viraenova agreed to terms while you bickered about my presence at this table."
"That presence, though," Tseri said through Reko, "is why I am willing to commit my people to Anglia, completely. Unlike humans, the Kaisae knows how to make a decision." She turned to look at Parliament. "Do not mistake my demeanor, gentlemen and ladies of the Conglomerate. The presence of a Kaisae is significant to us."
"How?" Berrik asked. "There is no way that you could have formed an alliance between the two of you just now!"
"You forget," Reko spoke up, "the Kaeen does not need a voice. I merely speak for her so that human ears may understand her thoughts. The same is true of the Kaisae. My apologies for speaking out of turn, Kaeen," he said.
Sal looked at Halin Berrik and smiled cruelly. "You know so little, and yet you rage so loudly. May I demonstrate?"
"Please," Representative Anis said, answering before Berrik could.
Sal nodded and focused on a memory from her childhood. She thought back to her first beating as a slave and the look of the plates. A bright silver edge on some and a slightly more dull finish on others was enough for her to be lashed and locked in a dark closet overnight. Sal remembered her fear and the hopelessness she'd felt knowing that she would never be anything but someone's property. She packaged the memory, searing the edges with the pain of her punishment, and stood, walking toward the Conglomerate delegates.
"I must touch each of you," Sal pointed at her forehead, "here, because you are human. You'll feel a flame in your mind. Look at it. Poke it. It will not burn; it merely shares light. This is how we convey complex ideas so easily."
Sal walked down the line, and each human nodded. She rested her finger on his or her head and pushed the packaged memory at them. Some slipped in easily, others nearly refused to adhere to their minds. When she reached Halin Berrik, Sal paused.
"I will not hurt you today, Representative" Sal promised. "You have my word before these nations. Will you allow me to do this?"
Berrik sighed. "No one has died yet." She leaned forward, and Sal touched her head gently, pushing the memory deep into her mind where it would settle. Before the woman could look at it, Sal moved to the next man in the line. After Parliament, she offered the Justices of Myrosica the same thing. All of them accepted. When she finished, Sal reclaimed her place at Dominik's side.
What did you give them, kitten? Jase asked.
The plates.
Good choice. It makes the point but is na enough ta scare them.
The room fell silent as the humans watched Sal's memory. Some gasped and covered their mouths. Tears slid down the cheeks of others. One by one, they looked back at Sal.
"What was that?" Representative Anis asked.
"Just a childhood memory. Each of you got the same one."
"But," Representative Cerrik whispered. "It's so clear. It's as if I was watching it through someone else's eyes."
Sal nodded. "Yes. Iliri, nuvani, and grauori do not need to touch to pass our memories. We find this prevents confusion in many cases."
"Why did you choose that memory, Lieutenant?" Berrik asked snidely.
"It's Kaisae, Representative Berrik, and I chose a memory that held neither political nor diplomatic secrets. That leaves only my childhood. Unfortunately, as a slave, I have few memories to be fond of from that time. I tried to choose the least disturbing one I could."
"It gets worse?" Krex asked from the Myrosican table.
Sal nodded at him. "Yes. The life of a slave is rarely a kind one. That's what life is like for iliri in the Conglomerate of so-called Free Citizens. I am sure Corporal Wyra has many just like it."
Reko nodded. "I do, but I do not have the skill to share them with humans."
Anis looked down the table. "You complain about them Berrik, and try to make them into monsters? How human would you be if that's what you considered a safe chi
ldhood memory?"
Sal broke in. "Across Escea, Unav, and Gallicor, worse things happen to the iliri every day. Makiel Geirr sent trophies to each of you to prove it - our heads. Anglia will not let our people be treated like animals. We're asking for your cooperation, ladies and gentlemen of Parliament, Justices of Myrosica, but we do not need it. Our terms are simple. Grant us the authority to travel across your lands, give diplomatic immunity for soldiers involved in the war, and recognize the sovereignty of our species." Sal gestured to Tseri as she said the last.
"What do we get in return for this? What concessions is Anglia willing to give the Conglomerate?" Toth asked.
Sal turned to him. "We will remove the unwanted iliri from your land. We will handle all humanitarian," she chuckled at the word. "All altruistic efforts to rehabilitate and assist the victims of Terric, and we will be happy to share intelligence with you."
Berrik glared at Sal across the room. "You have information that pertains to this war, and you did not disclose it?"
Sal smiled at her. "I disclosed it to my commanding officer, but you disbanded us too soon. Anglia, however, listened to the grauori who made her report. They didn't even care that she couldn't speak Glish."
"What does that even mean?" Berrik yelled at her.
"It means that I beat the shit out of that man. I broke his back, and we used the most painful method to heal it, and he thanked us. I flayed his skin away from his bones, and again we healed him. Every time my questions were met with silence, he was rewarded with pain. Throughout this process, he was questioned with a Grauoran reader helping to hold him down. You see, readers perceive your surface thoughts through their touch. I got Anglia the answers, but she was the only one who heard them. The intelligence never belonged to the Conglomerate," Sal added snidely, "ma'am."
Halin Berrik slammed a fist down on the table as she surged to her feet. Her face was turning red with fury as she screamed, "I will not sign a treaty with these beasts. What Anglia has done defies all civility!" Berrik glared at her fellow Representatives. "I want no part in dealings with these animals!"
The guards behind the Anglian delegation snapped to attention. Sal slid her helm from the table as Hwa stood beside her. The Viraenovan Ahnor and Dernor closed their folders and stood. Tseri, took her time doing the same. Her Ahnor smiled down at her and held out his hand to assist the Kaeen from the chair. Rragri yawned and stretched, her Vargwar making a production of shaking out his coat. Dominik shrugged. Together, he and Sal stood, turning for the ramp that led out of the hall.
"Where are you going?" Berrik demanded.
Neither Anglia nor Viraenova bothered responding. The two countries merely continued out of the hall. Sal smiled when she heard the Justice of Myrosica laugh.
"There are repercussions for your prejudices, Representatives. The Conglomerate of Free Citizens may be strong. Your military is large and well armed, and your country is wealthy, but that does not excuse acting like a bully. Anglia's military now puts yours to shame, and Viraenovan soldiers are legendary. Neither of us has any idea how many men they can field except for what Dominik Jens cited earlier." He sighed. "Let me make this very clear to the Conglomerate. They do not need you, and Myrosica is not foolish enough to stand in their way."
Chapter 37
When they exited the Great Hall, a few soldiers milled about, most of them in grey. They watched the Black Blades coldly, but Sal could smell their amusement. She glared back. When the Anglian leaders reached the bottom of the stairs, Rayna pushed into her face.
"You traitorous bitch. You treated me like a friend, and then this? Do you have no pride?" she yelled, her eyes scanning the guards. She stepped around Sal, moving to her left, and threw her gloves on the ground. "You fucking scrubber bitch," she hissed, tensing her muscles, clearly telegraphing her movement before she surged toward Sal's face. Jase grabbed her, and Rayna's hand reached for his throat. Her bare skin rested against the flesh between his helm and bezor for only a second as she snarled, "I'll beat your ass, you fucking iliri cunt."
"Enough!" Sturmgren yelled, and Rayna backed down. She stormed away, throwing her helm into the dirt, leaving one of her unit mates to pick it up. "My apologies, Kaisae," Sturmgren said. "Tempers are high. Please do not hold the nation responsible for the actions of a few."
"No, sir. These things are known to happen," Sal assured him.
Ran ducked his head and gestured to where their horses had been tied. Dominik ignored him, instead, watching Rayna stride into the distance. His eyes were too wide. Sal patted the King's arm and gestured for him to mount up. He didn't say a thing but looked back twice as his feet found the stirrups. Nudging her horse beside him, Sal led the Anglian Delegation out of Conglomerate territory, aiming for the campsite on the hill beyond.
You get what she wanted? Sal asked Jase.
Tonight. They got the vote but they need three extractions.
Good. How long until the CFC comes begging for our help?
Jase shrugged beside her. Whenever they pull their heads out of their asses. Rider's coming, we should halt.
Sal turned in her saddle to see a horse charging after them from the CFC base. From the yellow and black checkered shirt of the rider, it was clear he represented Myrosica. Gesturing to the other Anglians, she reined her horse in and waited for the man to catch up. Dom didn't say a thing, staring longingly at the leather of his saddle.
Sal caught him blinking quickly and leaned closer. "Dom, relax. It was a message. She made sure she grabbed Jase." His head snapped to hers, and Sal shrugged.
"She looked ready to rip you apart."
Sal smiled at him. "That's her job. Just relax. We got this."
Dom let his head tip back and groaned. "I need a fucking link. Being in the dark all the time sucks!"
Sal had to smother her laugh as the human reined his horse up before them. He wore the uniform of a Myrosican notary and gasped for breath as he looked at them beseechingly. "Sire," he panted, sucking back long gulps of air as if he'd run from the Hall to his horse. "Kais -" he stammered.
"You're fine," Sal said to him, gesturing for the man to relax. "Take your time. We will not take offense at your need for air."
He flashed a smile at her and nodded, breathing deeply for a moment. "Thank you, Kaisae," he finally managed. "The Justices would like you to know that you're welcome in Myrosica. They ask that you wait until morning before leaving, to give this alliance a chance to come to fruition. If the Conglomerate refuses to meet you again at the negotiation table, they beg you to come to Zaqala, as it's on your way."
Sal looked at Dom, then glanced down to Rragri. They both nodded. "We would be pleased to," Sal said to the messenger. "Tell the Justices that we will not break camp before noon tomorrow."
His entire body relaxed at her answer. "Thank you, Kaisae. And um, King, and Orassae." The man paused, a moment of confusion passing over his face. "Is there a proper order and term for each of you?"
"King, Kaisae, Orassae is the order," Sal clarified. "Unfortunately, we only have ruler or leader as a term. The change is new to us, still."
He nodded. "Then thank you, leaders. I will inform the Justices." He turned his horse and cantered back easily, letting the animal catch its own breath.
The Anglians continued on to their camp where green-clad soldiers rushed out to hold their horses. The Blades and Shields dismounted, pulling their helms from their heads. Sal patted Dom's arm and passed her own helm to Zep.
"Rayna wanted us to know that they’re coming over tonight," she told the King. "We need three extractions, though."
"Extractions?" Dom asked.
"Yeh," Jase said. "Families back in the Conglomerate. Pregnant wife in Ft. Landing. Wife and son in Yarin, both iliri. Wife and four kids in Lewes. The men will na leave their families b'hind."
"Yeah. Out of my league. Ilija?" Dom called.
"That's Sal," the Colonel said.
Sal sighed, rubbing at her brow. "Dom, how do you want to work
the military? We already trained them to report to me. If I start giving orders, they'll assume I outrank Ilija."
"LT does," Ilija said. "Why not you, too?"
"Separation of species," she said, shrugging at him for lack of anything better.
"Right," Ilija laughed. "So you think we're gonna just throw away our best military advisor? Or do you plan on focusing on the iliri military instead?"
"My own army sucks," she admitted. "I've got almost a couple hundred soldiers, but that's it. Not really the kind of numbers to sway a war."
Rragri tapped Dom's leg and glanced back at Harrgra. The Vargwar immediately loped to her side so he could translate. "Dominik, only the iliri understand both grauori and humans. Let Blaec and Ilija work together with Arrgro, and make it no different from the rulers. I also believe that Sal should be the deciding ruler for our military actions. You for politics, and truly, my own specialty is in managing our resources."
Sal could see the sense in that. "I think we have things clear in the military. Politically I can hold my own, but I admit, Dom, I'm outclassed. Economically, I'm a complete mess. I barely know enough not to bankrupt the country."
"Sounds like an answer to me," Dom said, and Rragri nodded.
"Good, then I need soldiers." Sal strode through the gates, gesturing at men as she walked past. The Blades and Shields blended into the crowd following Sal, but it didn't matter. She reached the center of camp and stopped, turning to address them. Before she could start, an olive-skinned man grabbed a camp table and started dragging it. Another snagged the other end, pulling it closer to Sal. Proudly, they gestured to it.
She looked at the first man and tilted her head. Taking that as permission, he grabbed her by the waist, lifting her onto the table. A pat on his shoulder showed her thanks before she turned to the crowd forming around her.
"Ok, I have a volunteer mission. This is something we need to keep quiet, but it's a personal favor to me. Understand?" The soldiers nodded. "I need three men, preferably men, and preferably Conglomerate immigrants. I know we have a few. Yarrin, Lewes, and Ft. Landing. We have anyone?"
