by Scott Rhine
“Pha-phases?”
“Of its release,” she explained with a twinkle in her eye. Then she bowed her head onto him and initiated him into another first.
Chapter 30 – Stall Tactics
After he woke, the emperor called his head guard in and made a list of the people he wished to take with him to Abranega, the dragon isle. “Ashford loaned us the fastest yacht in the marina—the Elegance. I’ve been so busy, I forgot the crew. Racing champions would be ideal. I trust Serog’s word, but choose men to travel with me who can swim, preferably ones who can play instruments as well. Use some of Frond’s boys if necessary.”
“As you wish, but why, sire?”
“I need to stall for as long as possible to give those grain ships the best opportunity of survival—hence the musicians. I can add another half-hour to my entrance that way. Frond’s boys have protective tattoos in case we encounter spirits. Since its destruction, the island is no longer considered the realm of men. It will be infested with all manner of foul creatures. My entourage must all swim because I may need to leave unceremoniously, and most soldiers refuse to learn water survival because it’s considered a woman’s art.”
“I swim, sire,” noted Niftkin. “All ferrymen do.”
“You’re staying here.”
The guard’s face paled. “What did I do wrong?”
“I need you to coordinate the defense while I’m gone in case they try a sneak attack. I’m relying on you to make sure no one harms my dancers. Majah is a spy for Lord Vinspar, but we have an accommodation for now. Keep an eye on her all the same. I’ve endorsed Lord Pangborn as head of the Council in my absence. Coordinate with him. Use the Evershades to sway him if necessary.”
Niftkin relaxed in obvious relief. “Aye, sire”
“If anything should . . . befall me, I rely on you to help the girls escape retribution from the enemy.”
“How shall I know, sire?”
“Lady Evershade has been studying the dreaming arts under Queen Sarajah. She will be able to tell if the worst occurs, and I can get a message to you if I’m captured.”
“That’s amazing. She’s mastered so much in a week?”
“She’s a raw talent with incredible will. I’ve informed the Council of this communication method.” He dressed in a traditional Imperial military uniform trimmed in red-and-gold sun symbols. “The invaders should leave Lady Evershade alone; I’ve had Scribbles appoint her as Violet’s replacement: chief harem instructor, complete with a stipend.” He handed his guard a sealed proclamation. “In the name of protecting the girls, this letter allows you access to any ship in the islands, military cooperation, funds from the treasury, etc.”
“It’s awfully thick.”
Pagaose put on his padded crown and adjusted it in a mirror. Almost casually, he explained, “Since the morality committee may object to women traveling unescorted, a second document permits you to marry one of them in the event of an extreme military emergency.”
Niftkin fell onto his face. “Sire, I beg your mercy.”
“I knew she loved you from the first day. You just needed to see. I knew you’d succumbed to her when she left her veil off at my coronation.”
“Sire, I beg, tell my family I died fighting the enemy.”
“No one’s dying, boy, but keep it in your pants and don’t be so obvious.”
“Highness?”
“Your apartment reeks of her perfume. I had to tell the maids you spilled a gift I gave you to wrap, and demand they clean it. I won’t be here to cover for you, and Nightglow doesn’t listen to suggestions or follow rules well.”
“No sire,” the guard laughed, almost crying.
“I’m serious, young pirate. If you soil her or her reputation, I’ll have no choice but to whip out my sword and make an example of you in front of the nobility.”
“As you should, highness. What I’ve done is unpardonable. Why have you excused me?”
Pagaose patted the man’s back. “You saved my life, and she’s young enough to be my daughter. Besides, the rules of Archanos say everyone gets a second chance. This is yours. Understand?”
“My life is yours, sire. At your word, I will fall on my sword.”
The emperor waved the comment away. “Just get the crew.”
****
The crew of the Elegance made record time for the first leg of the journey. The emperor had to tell them, “Slowly. There’s an enemy warship shadowing us to the north. Don’t show our enemy what this vessel can do yet. I wish the people on Abranega Island to see me on the horizon in the twilight and wait for me.”
Quilliwara, Frond’s youngest son, laughed involuntarily. “You use a woman’s trick.”
“I have to feed my people, Quill. Pride means little next to that.”
The large, tanned, and tattooed man bowed. “Which is why we serve you, sire.”
As they approached Abranega, Pagaose could feel the seam in reality before anyone spotted the island. Where the Door energy was clean and potent, the seam leaked power in fits and bursts. The taste was wild onions for someone expecting apples. He searched through the telescope until he saw the steam and smoke mingled in a haze. When he could see fragments of land, most of the island had been leveled in an eruption similar to that of Center’s, and half the rest had been burned. Eucalyptus coated the scorched ground like mold on damp bread. Some older orange and palm groves had been spared. Hills protruded from the waves in the oddest places, as if the former landscape had sunk. Barren rocks were scattered as if dropped from the sky. No ship could intrude for fear of being dashed against these stone fingers. Caves were visible in several places. In spite of the extreme violence that had created the island, there was a peace about the place. Exotic birds chattered from the branches of the trees, and no other islands were visible as far as the eye could see.
The Pretender’s men had a large fire roaring on an isolated stretch of gray beach. Sandarac’s warship, Reborn, was visible by the light of the Compass Star. While a second ship still shadowed Pagaose’s yacht to the north, they picked up another tail to the south. “Feeling boxed in, fellows?”
The captain, a cocky champion of three years of regattas, said, “This ship can skip over reefs that would hull those behemoths. We’ll see Center again, sire.”
“Ready the longboat,” called the emperor. “Send the musicians over first and come back for me. Set up the full gangplank and red carpet. Hide some paddleboards as part of the walkway so we can grab them at need.”
“The Pretender’s going to be fit to spit nails,” commented Quilliwara.
“No,” corrected the emperor. “He’ll return to his own boat and insist on the same fanfare. So have the herald invent a few titles for me if necessary. However much time I can waste, the enemy will double.”
Unfortunately, the Pretender had only trumpets, drums, and a few singers. Pagaose held in his mirth as the ensemble attempted to do justice to the hymn of Sandarac’s realm.
When they finally met face-to-face, Sandarac sat on a palanquin and his wet, black cape was caked with ash. The guards on each side stood back ten paces.
“I greet you in parley,” said Pagaose. “No weapons, no magic from me or any of my minions, I so swear on my reign.”
Sandarac asked, “How can I be certain you will honor this oath, assassin?”
The emperor patted the sword at his hip. “The One True Sword will not allow itself to be drawn until our treating is done. Ask your concubine, Jolia; I protected her in every way, even when you hunted her. The only member of your kingdom I’ve ever harmed was the foul Shadow you sent to attack us at Simon’s mansion. I’m told on good authority that the villain was also plotting against your wife at the time.” Sandarac raised his eyebrows at this news. “I also permitted your seeress Sarajah to live and aided her when your own spies wished her dead. So I am guilty thus far of nothing worse than protecting you from your own poor judgment.”
“Speaking of poor, your empire can’t pa
y for its own food without Zanzibos.”
“You’ve lost two countries: Kiateros and Semenos. What does that say about you?”
“Take care for your disrespect, or I shall end this conference with equal discourtesy. I swear no harm from my followers as well. What’s that device on your other hip? Another artifact?”
“A bauble, a gift from a powerful witch who seeks my . . . patronage. Many have been giving me gifts of late, trying to curry favor.”
“Now it is your turn,” said Sandarac with a smile. “What do you offer me?”
Pagaose scanned the rocks and couldn’t make out Serog’s form. However, he knew she was lurking. “Do you wish your wife’s dragon to overhear?” There, near the barren claws of rock to the north, he saw a head jerk up in protest. Beware pride, Serog, he thought.
The Pretender chuckled. “Good point. Away, Goddess, to where you can see but not hear.”
Much more slowly than he knew her capable, Serog rose into the sky and faded against the stars.
“The empire is large and will over double in size under my reign,” said Pagaose. “You can remain in charge of the east. Your administrative skills would be an asset to any ruler. I would make you and your wife members of the highest circle of the aristocracy.”
“The Prefect of Bablios would rule the west and Kiateros? It would be less land than I claimed a month ago and a demotion. Why wouldn’t I just take Center as I’ve planned?”
“Imperial lives are rare and precious,” said Pagaose.
“Then spare them. I would send you into exile a rich man.”
“If I hear your generous offer, will you listen to mine?”
“Of course,” said Sandarac. “I would pay you a thousand gold weeks each year and grant you the kingdom of Kiateros. I would promise never to cross into the northlands again. I would also allow you to take Anna Togg with you as wife.”
“You would pay me with things you do not have. What is your vision for the next fifty years?”
With encouragement, Sandarac lectured for almost an hour. He kept looking over Pagaose’s shoulder. When he stopped for a drink, Sandarac asked, “What about you?”
“As ruler of the east, I would let you implement all of that.”
“In payment?”
The emperor stood and walked around the fire casually. More warships had joined the cordon. Five giant ships now surrounded the island. Sandarac was stalling as well, but he was plotting betrayal. Pagaose pretended not to notice. “I can offer miracles.”
“Do tell.”
“I know how to heal such things that I have changed for myself. If you ask the dragoness, she’ll tell you that I can change the eyes of half-bloods and transform them into full Imperials. I can do this for Humi at the price of seven years’ loyal service per eye.”
“What is this to me?”
“I will make this offer to no other man; however, I was once a eunuch, too. For every seven years you serve me, I will heal one of your testicles. Think of it: with Humi Kragen, you could have children of your own flesh, as many as you want. You could have a hundred wives for all I care.”
Sandarac blinked at the thought, tempted.
Pagaose continued. “When your first child reaches the age of fourteen, I will take him as an apprentice for magic, law, and history. I will open the entire Book of Dominion to him for study.”
“And then?”
“If you are not pleased with my ruling, you can incite the other nobles to rebellion. You’ll have twenty-one years to plant the seeds.”
“The boy would be a hostage. No, he must be guaranteed ruler.”
“Not if I judge him unfit. No man is a leader by parentage. Tell the Kragen witch my offer. I think it’s a fair one.”
“If you attempt to leave this island without meeting my terms, I can hold you here. I can have Small Voice tortured to death before your eyes. If you will not sign my terms, I will seize Center by force. The Council will have no choice but to name me as successor.”
“If I don’t return, my guards have orders to bed the hostages and take them where you’ll never find them.”
“What hostages?”
Pagaose raised his voice so that the guards on each side could hear. “Princess Ember of Intaglios and Vinspar’s daughter Majah are dancers at my festival.”
The Pretender said, “I am going to tie you to the rocks until you beg to have water. When my fleet takes Center, I will order my men to quench your thirst by urinating into your open mouth.”
The emperor stood, strolled to the other man’s side, and hissed in his ear, “When I reach Center, I am going to name Humi as my final dancer from Zanzibos. As long as you’re dead before the child is born, I can legally claim him as my own. Then she’ll do to me what she does to you to place him on the throne.”
Sandarac twitched with rage.
Pagaose didn’t see the dagger, but he saw the wrist move. He flipped backward, kicking up gray sand, and rolled through behind a rock.
Sandarac had only promised nonaggression from his men. “Kill him!”
As Pagaose ran for his boat, the Pretender’s men attempted to draw their swords. “Sire,” one guard noted. “They’re stuck. Our honors won’t leave the scabbards. It’s magic.” His opponent was already on the beach. Whoever wouldn’t fit into the rowboat grabbed a paddleboard and dove into the dark waters.
“Weigh anchor,” called Pagaose.
When he reached the deck of the Elegance with all his men, he waved his arms with a torch. “Serog! I claim your promise of safe passage.” Then the winds began to stir. “Captain, time to make good on your boasts.”
Quilliwara asked, “Sire, how did you bind those weapons?”
“The word of a ruler has consequences in the spirit realm. Call it diplomancy, one of the arts mentioned in the Book of Dominion.”
“Interesting, but why didn’t you just cut the head off that snake when you had chance?”
“It’s complicated.”
“He tried to kill you!”
“I needed him to break the truce so the dragon would be forced to help us. Besides, he’s the best enemy to have—predictable. He won’t attack with his military unless he has a clear two-to-one advantage. I can hold him in one place indefinitely. If I killed him, his allies would retreat out of my grasp. Then his wife will attack anytime she doesn’t get her way or her pregnancy makes her crazy.”
“So the dragon and her wind get us to Center ahead of the fleet. How are you going to stop them from swarming over our defenses?”
The emperor climbed below decks to his hammock. “I’m going to start with a nap.” When he was alone, he pulled the lady’s gift out of his gauntlet and focused on her aura.
Chapter 31 – Under the Pillow
Pagaose appeared to Lady Evershade in her dream of the throne room. His entrance was frantic and he flickered. At first, she couldn’t hear his words. A sound like tearing fabric interfered. Was the noise due to the wild magic of the seam or the dragon’s weather magic? When he realized the difficulty, he took out a silver coin.
“An hour?” she asked.
He nodded and held up five fingers.
“Five hours. You’ll be back in five hours.”
He nodded again, then made paddle motions.
“Boat?”
He made his hands wider. “Ship.”
They progressed to, “Five warships are chasing you. Osos, what do we do?”
He pantomimed sleeping.
“Your bedroom?” she said.
He nodded.
She closed her eyes and concentrated. The scene around them became his bedroom in every detail. He moved his pillow. Underneath were a book and various mementos from her visits with him. The underwear was missing; he’d taken it with him on the voyage. The noblewoman covered her mouth at the revelation.
The emperor picked up the book, and she saw the hexagram etched in the leather cover.
She blushed briefly. “You want us to perform the new w
arding spell?”
He held up seven fingers.
“Seven times? Where? Why?”
He ran to the map of Center on his dresser they used for tracking his real estate. He drew circles at six points around the harbor, and a seventh in the center. “That’s water . . . oh, my ships. The wreck is there. You want the seventh ward on the wreck?”
Nodding, he dragged the Sacred Amber gift over the map, the cups on each point and the bowl in the center.
“You want us to use your gift. What will this accomplish, sire?”
He tapped the bowl and mimicked bouncing from the seaside.
“A really big ward. What will it keep out?”
He mimed paddling a boat again.
“The ships chasing you, sire?”
He nodded and kissed her. She returned the kiss with passion. When he broke the embrace, he rippled like a sail in a sheering wind and looked to the sky.
“What else?” she asked.
He started to open the back of the pillow book but evaporated before he could complete the action.
****
Lady Evershade woke and ran through the women’s wing pounding on doors. By the time she reached Anna’s room, everyone had their doors open. “Gather your marriage-magic classmates. The emperor has need of you all!”
Bovinia rubbed her eyes. “Why?”
“In five hours, the Pretender’s fleet is going to invade.”
Everyone started talking at once, all in their harem robes. Anna used her closing-time bellow to silence them all. “How do you know?”
“The emperor has been in . . . magical communication with me.” When the others looked doubtful, Lady Evershade added, “Ask the Council and his guards. In fact, go get Niftkin; he has emergency access to his majesty’s private chambers. Pagaose said we’d need his spell book.”
Nightglow volunteered and ran off to the guard’s room.
“Assuming for the moment this isn’t a plot to disqualify us all from the dance, what can we possibly do?” asked Anna.
“The emperor said to build his experimental six-point ward all around the harbor, with the center on the wreck. He said it would bounce the enemy ships back.”
