Book 3, Chapter 25: Ambassadorial Day

The stone was cold against my feet when I crawled out of bed. The perfect metaphor for today’s meetings: the Barclay Ambassador, followed by the Laemacian one. So much not fun today.

I went and tossed another log on the fire for Brin, whenever she was going to wake up. Then walked down the hallway to the privy, testing the doors as I went. I figured if one of them was unlocked, an assassin probably snuck in and killed me, and this was my afterlife. Possibly a punishment afterlife, though I could honestly think of worse. But, no, they were all locked tight and my feet were painfully cold, so I wasn’t dead. They’d be painlessly cold were the opposite true.

By the time I got to the front room, where we all usually met, Morry had morning tea laid out. He looked over at me, “Is something wrong, Princess?”

“Yeah! It’s super cold. I guess that makes sense. This is a castle, after all. They even look cold in summer.”

“Why aren’t you wearing sandals?”

“I, uh, I, well . . . I don’t . . . sandals?”

“You’re getting too lazy, having Brin and the girls dress you all the time.”

I stared at him open mouthed for a bit, wondering if he was joking or if I should scream obscenities. “As you know, I don’t like being dressed. I’m perfectly capable of dressing myself!”

“Except for sandals, it appears.”

“Morry!”

“The tea is hot. Help yourself. I’ll go fetch you some sandals.”

“You’re like . . . thank you. Ok, thank you!” It was the lack of coffee, I told myself. That’s why I was always grumpy in the morning. Warming my hands on the teacup, I sipped with my legs crunched up so my feet were off the floor.

“Here you are. Sandals.”

“Thank you, Morry. You’re the bestest.”

“How are you after yesterday’s training?”

“Oh, good. This young body can, uhm, no muscle soreness if that’s what you mean. I’m young.” I smiled at him awkwardly. I’d been about to talk about the wonderfulness of being young again, but that wouldn’t make sense coming from an actual young person. I really, really had to learn to listen more in the morning. Keep my comments to myself.

“Good. We can push harder then.”

“Great! It’ll have to be late afternoon. Today I have to meet those ambassadors.” I slumped my shoulders, “From Barclay and Laemacia. One after the other, though it would be such fun if we could get them all in the same room.”

“Ah, yes. I’d heard they came. Want me to come along?”

“Oh, that would be lovely! You’d scare them so. But no. No, this is something I have to do myself. If you’re there, they’ll either think I’m weak or you’re running the kingdom.”

“It’s good you have enemies like this.”

“Whatever for?” It was a constant battle, because of my age and gender, but I guess the big man wouldn’t understand the frustration that accompanied that.

“Because their attacks on your person, and their focus, are predictable. Let them call you a child all they want. You’ll surprise them in the outcome of the confrontation.”

“Huh. Maybe you should come along.”

“No, I think you’re right. You’ll have the situation well handled, Princess.”

Looking at him, then the breakfast laid out on the table, I wasn’t so sure. This was the order who’d created those awful rules regarding women and girls. It was a wonder than the old dowager supported them, but perhaps the truth was more that they supported her.

I still didn’t have a good handle on how power worked. The simple ‘Well, I’m the princess!’ sure didn’t seem to do much for those in power. Perhaps it all boiled down to military might. Realpolitik always had a bad aftertaste.

***

It turned out the ambassador from Barclay, and his party, were high ranking priests in the Seclazrin religion. The archbishop of the Barclay Duchy and a couple cronies, I guess. I wasn’t looking forward to meeting them. These guys were perfectly ok with their innocence testing policies and whatever other policies they used that mirrored the Inquisition.

They certainly knew that I killed one of their own.

As we waited for them in the office above the dining hall, standing behind the more formal table instead of the sofa chairs, the smoke from the fire seemed too much. I turned to Brin, “Is the chimney blocked?” The flames seemed brighter and the daylight streaming in from the windows intense. “Can we open a window?”

“Uh, yes.” She touched my hand, “Are you ok?”

“It just feels stuffy in here.” I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to push away the smoke and light. Maybe we’d all get carbon monoxide poisoning and I’d wake up in some room attached to a computer, minus a kidney.

“Hold on, Cayce.” Brin grasped my hand a touch more tightly, then let go.

The door opened and I heard them enter. Standing behind the more formal dining table instead of the one by the fire, I opened my eyes to three elderly men before me.

Their religious costumes were the same as that priest who made me strip in front him. Black shirt, grey jacket and dark grey robe with golden trim. I took a deep breath in. Held it. I’d killed the man, he was gone. Exhale.

This priest appeared to be in his seventies, long white beard, dark eyes staring intensely at me, not saying a thing. We stared at each other. I preferred the moment before this one, where my eyes were closed. And maybe, just maybe, the moment after.

The air felt cooler, fresher, as Brin took her place beside me on my right. Window opened, mission complete.

These people probably thought they were quite intimidating to a young girl. But I wasn’t as young as I seemed, had an army at my back and could blast anyone with an enormous amount of raw power. I relaxed somewhat at that last thought, enjoying the images it produced, and decided not to speak until they did.

“Your Highness,” said the elderly priest, “a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Your Excellency.”

The honorifics finally exchanged, the Barclay Ambassador and his entourage sat down, advisors to his right and left. Also elderly, also staring at me. Their robes lacked the gold trim and their small oval hats slightly shorter than the ambassador’s.

Brin sat down as I took my own seat. “Alright,” I said, starting the meeting, “let me guess. You’ve come on behalf of the dowager-regent to demand that I marry the duke to be, so he can rule as king and I can go back to, I don’t know, embroidery.”

Brin patted my knee under the table, for reassurance or to tell me I went in too strong, I wasn’t sure. I gave my best smile.

The ambassador looked taken aback, “Your Highness, I wouldn’t put it that way.”

“What way would you put it?”

“The dowager is no longer regent and the young man is of age, has ascended to duke.”

I tapped my cheek with my index finger, “I see. That is welcome news.”

“Yes, it would be a marriage of equals.”

“It would not. For I am a princess and he is my bannerman.”

“You are yet young and not truly in command-”

I waved him off, “I’ve gone over this with so many other people, I’m not about to repeat myself. The duke will come here, to this castle, to swear new oaths of loyalty to me, give me 20 000 soldiers with which I will retake my kingdom and then and only then will I consider his proposal.”

“Many other people? Surely you must be aware that Duke Barclay is the largest remaining duchy in your kingdom and can amass considerably more than 20 000 soldiers.”

“Then he can give me more soldiers. Thank you for pointing that out.”

Brin added, nodding, “We have formidable forces here in the north. More than rivaling what the Barclay Duchy can provide.”

Ignoring her, he continued staring at me, saying, “Rather, the duke is a power that you should be courting, not the other way around.”

“His father betrayed my family and yet I allowed him to become duke. He owes me an oath. After demonstrating his loyalty, I’ll consider anything else he has to request.”

“May I remind you, young lady, that your kingdom lies in tatters. The western half of it is currently occupied by the Ketzillians, including your own castle. You do not have very much bargaining power.”

“I disagree with your assessment.”

He looked bewildered, “My child-”

“I’m not your child. You can stop that right now.”

“Our order ties your crown to the gods. As such-”

“Not anymore. I’ve conferred with Archbishop Ghevont and decided his order will, what did you call it? Tie the crown to the gods.” That wasn’t exactly true, but no need to tell this guy that. I’d spoken to Ghevont briefly about it, and he agreed, but we hadn’t made or signed any formal declarations. Another issue for me to correct. If I had to, that is. I wasn’t particularly happy with Ghevont right now.

He waved his finger at me, “You will face a harsh reckoning if you follow through with that.”

“It’s already done. You can stop your useless posturing.”

“Duke Barclay has the full support of our order, including our extensive holy military. I suggest you marry him if you want to keep your crown.”

“Let me put this another way, priest.” I stood, “I am coming to Castle Barclay. The duke will either bow to me and renew his vows to the throne or I will install a new duke. If your order stands in the way, your order will fall.” I twirled the ring on my finger, tempted, so tempted.

“If that is your answer, then I fear for the kingdom.”

“I see no further need for discussion on these matters.” I smiled at him, “Enjoy your stay.” Brin rose, short curtsy, despite that I did not, and we both half-turned to exit.

“There is another matter which we must discuss.” The elderly man remained seated.

“Oh?” I turned back.

“Yes. There are claims that you personally murdered the Father-Inquisitor.”

I felt cold, knees and arms light, but I held my position, standing straight and still. “I freely admit that I killed him.”

Brin hastened to add, “In self-defense. He forced the princess to strip and was going to molest her.”

The ambassador continued ignoring Brin, saying, “It’s good that you can admit to such a horrendous deed. Your honesty allows us to progress quickly to your penance.”

Brin took hold of my right hand in her left and squeezed. I said nothing but stared at the elderly man.

“You will travel to the Barclay cathedral and deliver yourself for judgement.”

“No.” Anger rose up in me and it was a struggle to remain calm. I took a step toward him. “There are three things wrong with your statements. First, my actions were moral and just. The man was in the process of sexually assaulting a child. Me. Second-”

“He was in the process of testing your purity. That is a holy ritual-”

“Second, I do not recognize your institution as capable of legally pronouncing judgment.”

Now he stood, pushing up from the table angrily. “Ours is the authoritative order of the kingdom!”

“And third,” I ran my gaze along his costume from his waist to eyes, “because of the gross immorality of your order, your religion will be investigated for crimes against humanity.” Brin moved closer to me, tugging at my right hand, covering it with hers. “At the very minimum, your clergy is going to go through some structural changes.”

He pointed his finger at me, “You do not have the authority to judge us! You are not a legal monarch, but a princess. Act as you should and marry the duke or lose your kingdom and the judgment of your crimes will be most severe.”

“And how are you going to enforce-”

“Guards!” Brin cut me off, shouting, “Guards!” The door burst open and my four guardsmen rushed in. All eyes turned to her and, with an authoritative and loud voice, she spoke over us, “Escort these men back to their rooms. They’re under house arrest until the coronation ceremony, at which time they shall be expelled from the castle.”

“You will do no such thing!” The ambassador scowled at Brin, “My business here is not finished, young lady.”

I bit back an angry reply and nodded at the guards who were now waiting on me. Saying nothing to interfere with Brin’s choice, I wondered what came over her.

One guard placed his hand on the priest, pulling him gently, and the old man gave in. His assistants or whatever they were followed. I was rather hoping he’d resist.

Brin turned her back on the whole affair, getting bodily in front of me. “Cayce!” She whispered harshly, “Calm down! Your hand.”

“Huh?” I pulled my hand up, Brin’s in tow as she was still holding mine. Both were normal, uninjured. “What about it?”

“Your magic was just glowing all around it! I thought you were going to kill the ambassador.”

“That’s not possible. Look,” I tugged at the gold and charcoal bracelet. “Have these on. Magic doesn’t get through.”

She took my hands in hers again, nodding, “It was, though. I was sure he was going to see and call you a demon.”

“Maybe he needed blasting.” Suddenly angry, I stared at the door he just exited through. A part of me didn’t believe her, the part that wanted me to be right, but she had no reason to lie. If the perseidian iron was failing, that would be an enormous problem. Taking a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. I needed to test this.

I pulled my hand out of hers, took a couple steps back and pointed away from Brin at the chair, trying to fire off some energy. Nothing came. I held my hands in front of me, concentrating on the power. Still nothing. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! I know what I saw. You have to get help Cayce. We need to talk to Etienne.”

“I don’t trust the wizards. Especially after they casually explained how they execute royalty with powers.”

“If you don’t get help, you’re going to . . . Well, people are going to notice. Even if you don’t kill someone by accident.”

“Alright, alright, let me figure out how to talk to Etienne. Ok?” I took both her hands in mine, “Please, please don’t go to him first.”

“I would never.”

“Thank you, Brin.” I released a breath I’d been holding in, pointed at the far wall, still nothing. “I can’t seem to get it to work now. I don’t know, maybe it was anger?”

“Well, you shouldn’t be angry as a ruler anyways. Be calm in all things, then,” she winked with her right eye, “have your enemies killed when they’re not looking.”

“You framing leadership that way makes me wonder if the Barclays were behind the assassin.”

“And hired a Laemacian as a misdirection?”

“It doesn’t, after all, make sense that Laemacia would send one of their own. Unless they’re counting on us making this assumption and blaming the Barclays.”

“If we think like that, we’ll never figure it out. The Seclazrin Church has the most to gain with your death. But I can’t see Saph agreeing to it.”

“Hmm. Yeah. How much say does Sapphire have in church matters? Oh, hey! How did you come up with house arrest?”

“Why,” she winked at me, “I saw him verbally threaten the princess.”

“I’m always glad you’re on my side, you evil little girl.”

“Little?” Brin puffed up her chest, “You’re the one-”

“Yeah, yeah.” I sat down in the sofa chair by the fire, pulling my legs up and kind of curling into it. What a mess.

“Cayce? Are you ok? I didn’t mean anything by that.” Brin squeezed herself between the sofa and me, pulling my head onto her lap and stroking my hair.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just . . . all these people demanding I marry them so they can have the throne, two threatening war if I don’t. It’s like I don’t get a say in all this. I’m just a kingdom with a wifely body attached to it. And now those bastards with their holy punishments . . .”

“Maybe I should have let you magic them into the ceiling.”

“Ha.”

“Cayce, you have an army at your command. You’re no one’s property. Your soldiers love you, they’ll go to war for you.”

“But we’d lose, I think, against the Laemacians and their war rhinos. I don’t know . . . logically, I might have to give in to their emperor’s demands. Or they could kill everyone here and take the kingdom.”

“Don’t say that. We have lots of bargaining power on our side. If you can convince Saph’s brother to join you instead of marrying you, you’d have an army to match both Laemacia and Ketzle. And those new weapons may prove stronger than even war rhinos.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Alexander faced war elephants. At first, they broke his sarissa lines, but then he figured out how to defeat them. I sat up. History again was the solution. “It’s not so much the rhinos, Brin, but their controllers. Their riders. You take them out, the beasts won’t know what to do. I’ve got to tell Brundle to start working out solutions to rhino charges, then practicing them.”

“You see? It’s not so bleak. You’re still in control.”

“Yeah,” I hugged her, “but it doesn’t feel like it.”

We separated, she held onto my hands, “You know, Cayce, if the emperor is as handsome as the ambassador, marrying him might not be so bad. Might even save us the trouble of war. And,” she stood up, her hands still in mine, “might be fun in the evenings.”

“You brat!”

“Come on,” Brin pulled me up, “he’s you’re next appointment. We can’t let your dress get all wrinkly. Oh!”

“What’s that?”

“Boots. You’re going to need boots. It was snowing outside when I opened the window.”

“Alright, Brin, what kind of crazed, feminine boots are you going to have me wear? Super high heels? Lace around the ankles?”

“Seriously, Cayce, I have no idea sometimes what you’re talking about. Let’s get you changed.”