Book 3, Chapter 16: The Laemacian Ambassador
“Some alejack?” I poured him a cup, filled to the brim, “I never touch the stuff myself. Too, ah, manly for a young girl like me.” We were in the office over the dining hall, sitting in the sofa chairs near the fire, low wooden table between us.
Young for an ambassador, probably in his late twenties or early thirties, and handsome. Hair like mine, almost black with shades of blue, white highlights scattered throughout. Strong cheekbones, thin face, lips that oddly matched his light purple eyes. That’s when I noticed the make-up. Slight blush on his cheeks, eyebrows darkened and mascara.
Because of the make-up, I couldn’t help but imagining a pirate’s handlebar moustache on him, long and gloriously pointy, and suppressed a giggle behind my cup.
He sipped the alejack and made a face, setting it aside wisely. “Duke Bechalle’s invention, I’m told.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“What happened to him? I’ve heard conflicting stories.”
“We had what you could call a falling out. He’s no longer among the living.”
“A shame. Princess Cayce, could you and I get right down to business? No need to play at hesitation, let’s just be honest with one another.”
“That suits me perfectly fine, Ambassador, uh, I apologize, Sercian?”
“Saercian, but you can call me Serce.”
“Serce it is then.” I stood, put my hand across the table. “Cayce.”
A baffled look on his face, he rose, reached over and didn’t shake my hand, but lifted it. “Ah, yes . . . Your Royal Highness.” Releasing my hand, he sat down. “Emperor Otholos has sent you forty war rhinos, as a gift.”
I likewise sat back down and considered his words. Brin had previously warned me that gifts were also traps. They locked the receiver into an agreement to give something in return. Still, I was curious. War elephants existed where I came from, but rhinos? Far, far too dangerous and wild to ride. “Forty . . . war rhinos?”
“Yes. Terrifying beasts,” he smiled out one side of his mouth, “used mainly to break phalanx. But also excellent against chariots and cavalry.”
“In other words, excellent against pretty much anything?”
“That’s an accurate description. They’re unmatched in a charge.”
“I imagine. How, how many does the Laemacian military use?”
“As many as we wish.”
“I see. And where are these war rhinos now?”
“With my honor guard.” He adjusted his already perfect posture, “We’ve camped outside the village. North of here. One thousand heavy cavalry.”
“That’s quite an honor guard.” I was used to those being closer to a dozen, perhaps twenty men. Possibly because I’d been around earls and not ambassadors from empires. A thousand was enough to pillage local villages and towns. “You must be an important man.”
“Indeed.”
“I thank you for the gifts.” I made a mental note to ask Brin what an appropriate return gift would be. Ugh, the problems of nobility. Maybe I could give him my ladies in waiting. Or just the dresses, not the people. I’d send him all my dresses.
“The emperor is happy to provide. In fact, he would like you to marry him. You’d be his fourth wife and therefore his favorite.”
I barely managed to swallow my ale and coughed, a little, behind my hand. “Excuse me, sorry. A second.” I turned and coughed harder, facing away and slightly embarrassed. Yeah, new to consuming liquids, you understand. Gathering myself and cringing hard, I asked, “Sorry, why, god, excuse me, why would I agree to that?”
He leaned forward, eyebrow raised, “Are you alright? Shall I call for someone?”
One last large cough and I could speak normally again, “I’m fine, fine. Good now, thank you. Uh, marriage, yes? Why is the emperor proposing?”
“Let me ask you this. Do you intend to take the empire for yourself?”
“No. No, I do not. It’s not something I’ve considered.”
“Well, many openly, and incorrectly if you ask me, think of you as the rightful heir.”
“Ambassador, I formally request to abdicate from succession for the Laemacian throne.” He stared at me for so long it became uncomfortable and I, very slowly, raised my cup to my lips and sipped, cautiously this time, drinking instead of breathing, the ale. Then sipped again just to prove I could do it properly. He was still staring at me. “Ambassador?”
“We do not have, I’m afraid, the legal provisions for such a thing. Abdication. It’s never been done.”
“So, you guys always just fight to the death for the throne?” I was horrified that came out my mouth, but it did.
“You won’t consider marrying Emperor Otholos? He is a great and powerful man. He can retake your kingdom, add it to the growing civilization that is Laemacia.”
I stared at him for a time, the alcohol hitting me, wondering if my alignment would change if I took off my bracelets and blasted him into oblivion. Surely, he wouldn’t be missed! Though it’d be a shame and a loss to womankind, at least those who weren’t me.
“I’m not the marrying type. Look, I don’t care about your kingdom.” He made a face, “Excuse me, empire. I don’t. I don’t want it. I’ve never been there. My only interests, right now, are retaking my lands and then, uh, establishing borders through peaceful resolutions and perhaps the concurrent establishment of, I don’t know, treaties that would prevent war in the future. We could call it, ‘The League of Nations.’ Would that be satisfactory to you?”
“The emperor is not unamenable to the idea. Though blood means more than ink, and you are the heir to the throne.”
“I thought you just said I was not the heir.”
He nodded. “Many people incorrectly believe you are. Yes, that’s what I said.”
I sighed. “Alright, ok, fine. You got me. I’m not really the heir. It was a rumor started by my father. He had relations with some camp follower and here I am.”
“It’d be easier and would avoid war if you’d simply marry the emperor.”
“Yeah, marriage is not going to happen.” I suddenly remembered Brin’s mother’s advice. “I mean, unlikely to happen. He’d have to become my fifth husband.”
“You’re married to four husbands already?”
“Not yet. I need some time to procure four of them.”
He laughed. “Your Highness, I believe we’ll have to discuss the matter in greater detail over the coming weeks. To prevent needless war from breaking out.” Then, he stood up. “Now, I will, if you don’t mind, find your servant and look for my apartments. It’s been a long ride.”
I was half tempted to try to get him to finish the nasty alcohol, but let that battle go. “Wonderful. I look forward to getting to know you better. You should really try the baths. Hot springs. They’re hot springs. Quite, ah, pleasant after a long ride.” No idea why he was making me nervous, but I also laughed a little inside, imagining him in swimming trunks. We stood, did the proper goodbyes and I sat back down after he left, considering.
War or marriage. Or day drinking. Well, if I’m being honest, the latter doesn’t preclude the former. If only it worked that way. I sighed.
A boy peeked his head in, “Excuse me, ma’am, but the Lady Brin has asked me to inform you that Earl Hafthon will be shortly arriving.”
“Thank you. How soon?”
“He’s just walking down the hall now.”
“Uh, alright. What is Lady Brin doing now?”
“Showing the ambassador to his quarters, my lady.”
“I have something I’d like you to get for me.”
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