Green rushed at Firen, red-faced with rage. That probably didn’t help her cause. No one wanted a monarch with an uncontrollable temper. Not after dealing with Gifford’s instability.
Had the kyrra caused her to feel stronger emotions and stripped her of her ability to control them?
Firen caught the first fist Green threw at him and didn’t release her hand. Green tried another punch with her other hand, and Firen caught that one, too. Then Green started kicking him in the shins. She had no idea where the vulnerabilities of the body were.
Firen simply stood there. After a few moments, he called out, “How would you like us to manage Green, Lady Aryne?”
Aryne didn’t even hesitate. “Find a cellar, empty it, and lock her in it.”
“My lady, Green is a dangerous person. There are many who are still loyal to her, who will still follow her orders, including orders to assassinate you. It might be best to deal with her in a more practical manner.”
He meant killing her. It made sense. Green would be a danger as long as she lived. I still hated the idea.
Everyone was watching Aryne.
“I’m not going to start my – ” Aryne halted for a moment. “I’m not going to begin by killing someone. There’s been too much of that already.”
Good girl.
Firen nodded. “Yes, my lady.” He dragged Green out himself, ignoring her shouted threats.
That couldn’t be the end of it.
And it wasn’t.
From the crowd of spectators strode Dench, followed by four other casters who had worked for Green.
Just …. Hell. Browne, Murdoch, and I were the only Triple S casters there, and we were exhausted. None of us had any casting supplies. I hadn’t anticipated needing them. I hadn’t seen any of Green’s casters since the wall of Erstwhile had been destroyed, and I’d assumed her casters had used that opportunity to run.
We were all so stupid.
But instead of launching some form of attack, Dench sank to his knees, the other Green casters following suit. “Green demanded we use human ashes in our casts,” he announced loudly, and all around us people gasped in shock and disgust. “I and those with me here refused. There are some levels of dishonour one cannot descend to, no matter what the circumstances. My comrades and I have, without Green’s knowledge, been properly punishing those who agreed to use the ashes over the course of her campaign, saving many of your lives in the process. In exchange for these dangerous acts, performed right in the sphere of both the Emperor and Green, we ask you for leniency and our lives.”
What was Aryne supposed to do with that? Dench and his companions weren’t really any different from anyone else who had changed loyalties, but casters were more dangerous than other regulars.
Aryne said, “You will be incarcerated for now, and guarded by our casters. You will be questioned. Then a decision will be made.”
That was a good route to take. Avoid being hasty.
This seemed acceptable to Dench, and none of those with him objected.
I wanted to know about the human ashes, whether they had worked, whether there were any left. It wasn’t the appropriate time to ask.
“Caster Murdoch,” Aryne said. “Could you arrange for casters to act as guards?”
Ah, the joys of delegation.
Murdoch bowed deeply. “Of course, Your Majesty.”
She wasn’t the Empress yet. Would his words offend others? It might remind them of Gifford’s presumption to the title before his coronation.
I couldn’t tell from the reaction of the spectators. There was some muttering among them, but no one spoke loudly enough to be heard by anyone other their immediate neighbours.
“That earthquake was fortuitous,” I whispered to Taro, wondering if, maybe, he’d managed to do something I hadn’t been able to feel.
“Sometimes I think the world has a mind of its own.”
“And it threw an earthquake at us just to make Aryne look good?”
He shrugged. “All I know is that it happened.”
A mind behind the whole world. The possibility sent my thoughts in a dozen different directions. I was too tired to properly track them. Maybe later.
“I’m going to go throw up now,” Aryne proclaimed before running out of the ballroom, some of our people following her.
Not exactly the most inspiring words I’d ever heard.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The Commissioner stayed behind in the palace with most of the Triple S soldiers, while the rest of us returned to the camp. Most of us pretty well collapsed into sleep as soon as we got there.
Aryne did not. She had a miserable time, curled up in pain from her vicious headaches when she wasn’t vomiting. It took a full day before she finally sank into sleep, scaring us because she was then impossible to rouse for another day and a half. When she woke, she was pale and queasy and a few times she mentioned that she wouldn’t mind dying all that much.
But she didn’t stop thinking. “What do I do now?” she asked me.
Taro and Druce looked at me, clearly expecting some kind of intelligent answer. They were going to be disappointed. “How the hell do I know?”
“You always know what to do.”
“What in the world gave you that impression?”
She huffed with impatience. “Do I just walk in there and put a crown on my head?”
“That might come off as a little abrupt,” said Taro. “Too grasping.”
“So then what?”
“Maybe …” Oh, was I talking? “You need to let them get to know you as something more than just a name and whatever they’ve heard about you. Which probably isn’t anything good.” I was making this up as I went along, really. “A lot of people will think you’re just as Green claimed: an uneducated, uncivilised child. You need to demonstrate you’re not.”
“How?”
That, I had no idea about.
“Meetings,” Druce suggested.
“What?” Aryne demanded.
“There’s been so much damage done. So many horrible laws passed. They need to be eliminated or changed. A first step could be to gather together as many people as you can, people who represent everyone else. Traders, artisans, farmers, High Landed, Council members, merchants, everyone. Talk to them about how to change the laws, and maybe how to help people get over this mess in the short term. You can’t pass any laws until you’re crowned, of course, you have to avoid Gifford’s mistakes, but if you can convince people that you’re at least trying to see to their real needs, that might buy you a little good will.”
Aryne looked horrified. “Meetings?”
I found it hilarious that that was the part of the speech she focused on.
“You’ll be having regular meetings for the rest of your life,” Druce warned her. “History says all the best soveriegns worked in that way. Might as well get used to it.”
Aryne groaned.
“It will demonstrate that you take your responsibilities seriously,” said Taro.
“And will provide many more opportunities for you to show off your knowledge of law,” Druce added. “And trade. And custom.”
“That you can stay calm under pressure,” said Taro. “That you can make decisions. That you have stamina.”
“Wasn’t that what the code was about?” Aryne complained.
“That was three days. This will be the rest of your life. Whole other challenge.”
That sounded horrible.
“Fine,” Aryne snapped. “We’ll do that. Start everything in as boring a manner as possible. Why should anyone have any fun?”
Meetings were by their very nature awful, and involved a lot of wasted time as people bickered over trivial matters or ego, or missed the point altogether. I was thrilled I wouldn’t have to sit through them.
It was three days more before Aryne could leave her tent for more than a few moments at a time. It was three days later that we performed a necessary but terrifying act.
Movi
ng into the palace.
It had to be done, of course. It was just that it seemed to me such a dangerous step, putting Aryne smack in the middle of a group of people who’d been working against her, one I wanted to put off for as long as possible. The Commissioner had gone through the palace and had thrown out – I hoped they were only thrown out – anyone he didn’t like the look of. The structural damage that could be swiftly repaired had been done so, that which couldn’t was cordoned off for later work. There was no reason for further delay.
Damn it.
As we rode through Erstwhile, we were once more watched by what felt like everyone in the city. There was some chatter, we didn’t have to endure the same unsettling silence we’d experienced during our first journey through the streets, but it was discomforting to feel so many eyes upon us. No one looked thrilled to see us.
But no one was throwing anything at us, either. Perhaps that was the best we could expect right then.
Taro and I were given a suite, one considerably larger than the one we had had before.
We were back at the palace. I felt like we’d gone in a circle.
“I’m still not having sex in this place,” Taro announced.
“No kidding.” The place would always feel off to me.
We were left alone until the supper bell rang. We were directed to one of the smaller dining rooms. At the table were seated Aryne and Druce, the Premier Pair, the Commissioner, Natson, Murdoch, and Browne.
And Lord Firen. Interesting.
The cutlery was only what was essential for consuming dried fruit, bread, cheese, and fish soup. A very simple meal. No wine.
“I think we should get started right away,” said Aryne. “We need to start working on how to fix everything, help everyone find their lives again. Many have been stripped bare, many have lost family members. We need to make sure everyone survives the winter.”
“And how do you propose we do that?” Firen asked coolly.
“I don’t know yet,” Aryne responded smoothly. “We don’t know the extent of the damage, or who has suffered the most.” She really could fake an appearance of confidence when she needed to. “You all represent certain people whose needs have to be met, or know others who do. I need as much information as possible to pick the best Council – ”
“You plan on replacing the Council?” Firen interrupted.
“It will depend on the nature of the current members and the advice I receive.”
“But there will be an immediate coronation?”
“Not yet. I think people should have more time to get used to the idea of my being here before I receive the crown.”
And those who had been won over by Green with jewels and promises needed to be persuaded that Aryne could do better.
“I think Solicitor Natson can be trusted to hold the Crown’s responsibilities for now.”
That sounded so wise. It was eerie hearing that from the person who’d introduced herself to me by trying to steal my purse.
“Very good, my lady,” said Firen.
The rest of the meal was spent discussing ideas about the best way to get useful information assembled as quickly as possible, especially from the remote areas. There were suggestions concerning names and the best means of communication. Fresh ideas were offered and adjusted or turned around or thrown out. I actually found it kind of interesting, gods help me.
The deference shown to Aryne made her seem like a completely different person. I felt like I didn’t know who I was looking at.
At the end of the meal, Aryne said, “Will Source Karish and Shield Mallorough accompany me?”
“Of course,” I said.
No one left the table until Aryne, followed by Druce, Taro, and I, had exited the room. It felt so awkward. I couldn’t think of what to say. Neither could anyone else, it seemed, for we were all silent as we climbed stairs and traversed halls to a suite I’d never seen before.
I didn’t really get a chance to look at it, at first, because as soon as the door was closed, Aryne gasped and leaned against the wall. “Think they noticed I had no idea what I was doing?” she asked in her Flatwell accent.
Thank Zaire. There was the girl I knew.
Taro grinned and pulled on her braid. “You were brilliant.”
Aryne collapsed into the nearest chair and rubbed her face.
“Are you sure consulting with Firen is a good idea?” Taro asked. “I’m certain he was loyal to Gifford until he realised Green was the horse to back, and then to you when Green’s light began fading.”
“He’s watching his own skin, is right,” she agreed. “But I think he knows everything. I don’t know that he’s committed any crimes. He wasn’t even part of the fighting force. He was the one to propose that the code be turned into a contest, giving me an opportunity to demonstrate my worth. Many will see that as loyalty. If I don’t honour that, people will think I’ll turn on them, even those who help me, as quickly as Green had. I can’t punish him just because I don’t like him. But I’m not going to let him run around, doing who knows what outside of my view. It’s probably better to keep him close, to keep him under watch.”
“You’ll have a lot of people to watch,” Taro warned her.
She grinned at him. “Kai, but you’ll help me, right?”
“Of course. Until we go back to Flown Raven.”
Aryne jolted straight up in her chair. “I thought you were staying here!”
And the surprises just kept on punching me in the face.
“Flown Raven is our post,” Taro reminded her.
“You were replaced,” Aryne pointed out.
“For reasons that are no longer relevant,” I said.
“And the Triple S council has told you that?”
“Well, no. But it’s only logical.”
“You can’t go!”
Taro raised an eyebrow. “Are you ordering us to stay here?” His voice carried a warning edge.
“I’m asking you,” she said in a soft, uncertain voice. “Please. I can’t do this by myself.”
“You have Druce,” I reminded her sharply.
Aryne whipped around to look at her Source, her expression apologetic.
Druce shrugged it off. “I know what she means,” she said easily. “We’re just out of the Academy. We’ve been watched and controlled all the way here. And now we’re supposed to just take everything over? It’s ludicrous.”
“How is it less ludicrous for us to be involved?” I asked. “You two have spent years training for this.”
“Everyone knows that you’re the best Pair,” Aryne countered. “You’ve been everywhere. Everyone knows you do things for regulars that you don’t have to do. You’ve got connections to everyone. Taro’s cousin has the largest estate, part of which he gave to her. The Malloroughs are one of the most successful and highly respected trading families. Everyone knows you were favoured by Empress Constia, and everyone’s starting to like her again. What Pair would make more sense?”
All right, so the idea did have a sort of logic to it. In theory.
“And it’s not like before. If Erstwhile is going to suffer events, it needs a Pair. It wouldn’t be a frivolous post.”
But that wasn’t what she was really after. She wanted us to get in involved in political things.
“Please don’t leave me,” she said. “Again.”
I glared at her. “Guilt is a tool of the weak and the underhanded.”
Aryne was unrepentant. “Kai, but did it work?”
Yes, damn it. I couldn’t even claim to have to think about it. I didn’t know the first thing about ruling anything – the very notion was ridiculous – but if being there would help Aryne in any way, of course I had to stay. There was no other choice.
And while I had come to think of Flown Raven as home – aside from the Academy, it had been the place I’d lived the longest – I didn’t like how it had isolated Taro and me. So much had gone on in the rest of the world without us even knowing.
&
nbsp; “Don’t get excited,” Taro said. “It’s up to the Premier Pair to place Pairs. Unless you plan on stripping that authority from them.”
“Of course not.” But she was smirking. Little brat.
“You should ask them as soon as possible,” I said. “Before they start making their own plans.”
“I’m not going to ask them. You are.”
“It’s your responsibility to make that request.”
“Don’t you think they’ll find it less obnoxious if it came from you? I don’t want them thinking I’m throwing my weight around, trying to tell them what to do.”
“So you want them to think we’re throwing our weight around?” Taro demanded.
Aryne granted him a beguiling smile.
Taro rolled his eyes.
Neither of us had a spine. It was pathetic.
Taking my own advice, we went straight to the rooms the Premier Pair had been housed in. They were in Zoffany’s suite, which was considerably smaller than our suite. I found that inappropriate, Taro and I having grander quarters than the Premier Pair. Zoffany was reading a book and Sato was sitting at a desk covered with paper. Writing reports, I’d wager. I liked the idea of the Premier Pair having to write tiresome reports as the rest of us did.
“Forgive us for disturbing you, Source Zoffany, Shield Sato,” I said. “We have a request. A significant one. Lady Aryne has asked us to remain here as the Erstwhile Pair and we’d like to do so.” I should have thought of some reasons why we should be allowed to stay during our walk over.
Sato relaxed and smiled slightly. “And you’re asking us.”
I was confused. “Of course.”
Sato chuckled and exchanged a glance of amusement with his Source. “You don’t know what’s happened.”
I thought I had, until right then. “I don’t understand.”
“Let’s say we refused your request. What would you do?”
Oh. Did I have to answer that? It probably wouldn’t be an answer anyone would like.
From Sato’s expression, no, I didn’t. “It could be said that you and Source Karish have placed yourself beyond the influence of the Triple S council.”
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